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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbours rabbit

131 replies

krj2688 · 17/08/2021 18:01

Hi everyone

We get on really well with next door neighbour But their rabbit pretty much lives in our garden day and night. They have several dogs and cats so it probably enjoys the peace.

We have just had the garden professionally done. The boundary that side is a bush which is their responsibility. It's killing our grass off, rabbit droppings everywhere and most importantly I am severely allergic to rabbits (anaphylaxis/epipen).

I have approached her around 6 times now, she will come and collect it but I shouldn't have to keep doing this. We suggested she gets a run but nothing. I'm not sure how to approach this, I don't want to fall out with her but I don't like using the garden as there's fur everywhere and I have had hives on my legs.

What would you suggest!? Considering sprinklers

Husband has used the hose and water pistols, he has said he will shoot it (he is is joking btw!)

OP posts:
steppemum · 17/08/2021 22:38

really surprised that so many think a loose rabbit is badly looked after etc.

Many people allow their rabbits to free roam round the garden. It is great for the rabbit and they love the space etc. The issue here is not that the rabbit free roams, but that the rabbit can get into OPs garden.

purpleme12 · 17/08/2021 22:42

It is not the fact that the rabbit can get into next door's garden that's making people think it's badly looked after! Not the fact that it's free roaming
Although it is still not a good idea to leave a rabbit unsupervised in its own garden as you still don't know if a cat or fox or something could come in. And they don't sound like they're supervising anyway!

m0therofdragons · 17/08/2021 22:44

You need decent fencing. That said, there are only a very small number of cases of anaphylaxis caused by rabbits and you’d need to eat the fur for that too happen so I would suggest you’re exaggerating but even a mild allergy would be a fair reason to object. I love rabbits and have them but I don’t want next door’s loose ones in my garden. My working cocker would probably bring it to me for dinner!

Justilou1 · 17/08/2021 22:52

“Are you allergic to all rabbits or just their rabbit?” FFS!!! Really people? Rabbit allergies are not unheard of. Their hair is like cat hair in many ways. My son is just as allergic to horses, btw @krj2688. (Fortunately none around here, but his first girlfriend is horse-crazy. Have had to spell out to her disbelieving parents that she must shower, shampoo and scrub her nails before seeing him, and all clothes must be clean. Obviously he can’t visit at their place as they have lots of horses. If we meet up with them, it’s our place or a restaurant. She’s a lovely girl, but I can’t see this working for very long. Meanwhile, I don’t have to repeatedly chuck one over the fence.
I think you need to instruct a solicitor to send them a letter to contain their rabbit to their property as they are willfully endangering your life.

Original poster
krj2688 · 17/08/2021 23:00

@m0therofdragons ok I will tell my body that it's overreacting while my throat is closing, everything is swelling and I'm covered in hives 🤨🤣 some people have no idea! Will tell the gp to cancel the epipens whilst I'm at it

Reminder- must stop licking rabbits

OP posts:
m0therofdragons · 17/08/2021 23:16

You should probably let medical science do tests on you as it’s very rare. Anyway, the allergy is not relevant anyway - it’s perfectly reasonable to expect neighbours to keep their rabbits out of your garden so you are totally right to be angry with them.

ReginaaPhalange · 17/08/2021 23:17

@SmidgenofaPigeon I know a few people who have those reactions to rabbits, including my dad and stepdaughter.

ReginaaPhalange · 17/08/2021 23:26

@krj2688 can't believe some posters on here don't believe you! I have witnessed my dad going into essentially anaphylactic shock when we went to visit my cousins back in the day. My youngest cousin had got a rabbit for her birthday a few days before and was in the dining room (it was winter) and within seconds, my poor dads throat was closing up, eyes burning, lips tingling and his skin coming out in red blotchy hives. Thankfully he had his epipen (to be fair, my mum always had it on her)

Similar happened to my stepdaughter too! So yes, I believe you 100%

m0therofdragons · 17/08/2021 23:29

Just saying that medically it’s very rare more lonely in children. dd has a rare anaphylaxis reaction to coconut but rabbit allergies of that level are extremely rare and only when ingested. We’re an allergy prone family so I’m pretty well read on medical papers.

m0therofdragons · 17/08/2021 23:30

More likely rather than more lonely - clearly need to sleep as I can’t deal with auto correct.

Original poster
krj2688 · 17/08/2021 23:41

@ReginaaPhalange thank you! It may well be rare but doesn't mean it doesn't happen!

My children both have allergies too so pretty clued up too! My daughter was rushed to hospital from an allergic reaction- we have no idea what.

Neighbours rabbit
Neighbours rabbit
OP posts:
Guavaf1sh · 17/08/2021 23:44

I thought this was going to be an entirely different thread. Something to do with thin walls...

ReginaaPhalange · 17/08/2021 23:54

@krj2688 oh your poor DD! I hope she was ok??

While I agree it is rare, it still does happen and yes @m0therofdragons you have a point that this type of allergy is more likely in children, but it can still occur in adults.

I do find it unlikely that I know 2 people in my family who have this allergy, but it's there!

They both have asthma... do you have asthma @krj2688?

Polkadotties · 17/08/2021 23:58

@ChateauMargaux

Do not bring the rabbit to a rescue.

Rabbits should not be indoors.

But do secure your garden with chicken wire. Stopping the digging is very difficult.

Why shouldn’t they be kept indoors?
SmidgenofaPigeon · 17/08/2021 23:59

Rabbits can make excellent indoor pets.

HaveringWavering · 18/08/2021 01:28

This reminds me if that thread recently in which the OP had a dog and lived next door to a family with a severely allergic child. The family were trying to drive her out, all the relatives lived in the same cul-de-sac. I was on the OP’s side there, but she wasn’t letting her dog go into the allergic neighbour’s garden. I wonder how that one panned out?

OP I am shocked that your neighbour doesn’t give a shit. It might be a worthwhile investment to get a lawyer’s letter.

SeaToSki · 18/08/2021 01:39

You can get ultrasonic emitter stake thingies that you put in the ground and rabbits moles and other rodents are meant to absolutely hate them. I have some that have solar pucks on the top and they are very easy to use (just avoid if you have a pacemaker). You could try a barrage of them by the bush

HappyDays40 · 18/08/2021 02:08

@m0therofdragons how do you think OP got her EpiPen without a trip to the GP

1forAll74 · 18/08/2021 03:09

There is a woman in my village who has a rabbit, that is always getting out of her garden, and several people on FB, keep posting about seeing the rabbit out in the road, or sitting under cars in the road., or in other people's gardens or driveways. She replies to posts saying, Oh that's my little fur baby, he likes to go exploring,, but he always comes back to Mumma and his little basket in the evening!!!

BunnytheFriendlyDragon · 18/08/2021 03:24

I wonder if you live near me @1forAll74 as I see this in one of my local FB groups

Rabbits should not be indoors

Why?

It is good for rabbits to have space to roam outside but they should be supervised due to predators.
M

blahblahblah321 · 18/08/2021 08:54

@HaveringWavering

This reminds me if that thread recently in which the OP had a dog and lived next door to a family with a severely allergic child. The family were trying to drive her out, all the relatives lived in the same cul-de-sac. I was on the OP’s side there, but she wasn’t letting her dog go into the allergic neighbour’s garden. I wonder how that one panned out?

OP I am shocked that your neighbour doesn’t give a shit. It might be a worthwhile investment to get a lawyer’s letter.

I've been wondering about that one too @HaveringWavering
LadyTiredWinterBottom2 · 18/08/2021 09:05

Thing is, if you take it somewhere she might go and buy another one. But l would be tempted to do it anyway if the fence mending doesn't work. Are there any rabbit forums you could get advice from? Maybe don't Google when you are at work...

Raindancer411 · 18/08/2021 15:22

@krj2688 Bless her, I hope you can pinpoint it soon or that it was one off. My son has a dairy allergy and I don't think some people who have never had to deal with them, realise how bad it can be. Our school headmistress kept saying to me I know your son has an intolerance, but I know all my students like the back of my hand 😱 (obviously she doesn't as she would know an intolerance is miles different to an allergy). Oh and I will never forget the "At least it's not as bad as a peanut allergy" comment she said 🤯

Personally I would do all you can by trying to bury a fence as deep as you can on that side, or maybe put a fence up just on your side (small one) to try and stop it. If your neighbour won't do much about it, its hard and I feel for you x

Brollypackedforscottishholiday · 18/08/2021 15:27

Hand it in at a local vet. Say you found it in your garden. Deny all knowledge to ndn.
Or get her charged with attempted murder....

ChainJane · 18/08/2021 15:42

@LadyTiredWinterBottom2

Thing is, if you take it somewhere she might go and buy another one. But l would be tempted to do it anyway if the fence mending doesn't work. Are there any rabbit forums you could get advice from? Maybe don't Google when you are at work...
Free source of meat then, if the OP can't eat rabbit then I'm sure someone locally will take them off her hands.