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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:
Palavah · 18/08/2021 15:46

[quote krj2688]@FleasInMyKnees not literally Chuck it, we can separate the bush at the back by our fence and pop it through.
I think my husbands annoyed as it's been tucking into his veggie patch ... I just called his mr mcgregor from Peter rabbit 😂[/quote]
Tell neighbour you've planted rhubarb which is poisonous to rabbits so they will need to keep her out.

Doomscrolling · 18/08/2021 15:53

I feel for you, OP. I can still breath but I come out in hives everywhere and my eyes swell shut. Didn’t know about it until DS’s best friend got a bunny.

Your neighbours are irresponsible and callous twats.

LopsidedWombat · 18/08/2021 16:20

I wonder if she doesn't believe you about the allergy. What I can't believe is the sheer cheek of it, allergy aside, to let your rabbit basically move into your neighbour's garden! The allergy obviously adds a whole new layer of unreasonableness to it.

While I can think of 100 things I'd love to say to them, in reality, in your shoes I would put a fence up while muttering under my breath. If the rabbit loves your garden enough to dig its way under then I see no
other options aside from getting stern with them about it, threatening to have it removed while also reminding them that they are lucky that you and your husband are reasonable people because plenty of others would have accidentally on purpose left the gate open by now.

Boredmotherofone · 18/08/2021 19:28

[quote krj2688]@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. [/quote]
Sad Awww. He's adorable bless him!

List the rabbit for rehoming. Buyer to collect. Poor thing must be so lonely x

Boredmotherofone · 18/08/2021 19:29

@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.

Yes! Whatever happened to that thread?? I seem to have lost it somehow
scully29 · 18/08/2021 19:32

If they are keeping one rabbit on its own they are breaking the law, no wonder it is trying to get in your garden poor thing.

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/45/section/9

SmidgenofaPigeon · 18/08/2021 19:38

@scully29- that’s not against the law.

Its cruel for most rabbits but not against the law!! What if you have two rabbits and one dies, do you get arrested?!

I had a single rabbit. He HATED all other rabbits. He would have savaged a companion. He only wanted me 😂

Original poster
krj2688 · 18/08/2021 20:06

Thanks everyone. The hole patches didn't work, the bugger was back. We have been out trying to block it off more- walked in the house and it's back out there 🤬

Husband has resorted to a water pistol now, problem is, it hasn't got many places to get through now.

I have reacted getting the washing in today as there is fur everywhere. It then decided to say hello to my feet- I didn't even realise it was in the garden and ended up with hives, Just taken some antihistamine (I'm also 29 weeks pregnant so limited on medication I can take). Thankfully it kicked in quick!

OP posts:
SmidgenofaPigeon · 18/08/2021 20:12

Are you sure it’s a rex? They shed a lot less dander than most domestic rabbits…. They’re actually considered one of the more allergy-friendly types. Perhaps it’s going through a severe moult, it’s surprising it’s kicking out so much fur.

IamFrozen · 18/08/2021 20:20

I think water pistol is a waste if time and just cruel to bunny, rabbits aren’t as trainable as cats and dogs, I doubt it will learn to keep out that way.

Original poster
krj2688 · 18/08/2021 20:22

Yeah it's definitely a Rex, we had rabbits growing up. We had a rex, a lop ear and dwarf rabbit. The Rex was the one that caused me the most issues as a child I just avoided them. Luckily their cage was kept in an outbuilding.The fur is like velvet just sticks to everything. The allergy has become worse over the years.

Neighbours rabbit
OP posts:
SmidgenofaPigeon · 18/08/2021 20:24

Gorgeous rabbit, it’s so sad they’re not looking after it. I think you’re right that it goes into your garden because of the next door family’s other pets.

romdowa · 18/08/2021 20:28

Get your dh to put it in a cat cage and into the nearest rescue and I'd do the same to any subsequent bunnies that they get. I've several severe allergies and if I'm near any one of them I'm honestly so anxious. Your neighbour is absolutely ridiculous for allowing this to continue.

Original poster
krj2688 · 18/08/2021 20:28

@SmidgenofaPigeon he is lovely, seems very friendly. Rabbits make wonderful pets they just destroy the grass as you can see in picture 😂 Allergy aside after paying out £10000 for our garden to be renovated end of last year, it starts to get a little frustrating.

I have just text ndn to come collect the rabbit, haven't heard anything yet

OP posts:
steppemum · 18/08/2021 20:34

How about everytime it comes in you catch it and put it in a cat basket where neighbour can see but can't reach, so she has ot come round and get it.

When she comes round, every single time, show her the epipen and say - your rabbit is puttin my wife's life in danger, look epipen to the allergy caused by your rabbit.
You have 5 chances and the fifth time we have to catch it and put it in the cat basket we will take it to the RSPCA to be rehomed, and do it with every further rabbit you buy.
Solution - put up a proper fence.

househousehousefox · 18/08/2021 20:39

@steppemum

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.

the only non idiot on here
TwoLeftElbows · 18/08/2021 20:40

Either the bush has to be sacrificed or one of you does a really good job of installing the right chicken wire over their half of the bush, including burying it to prevent the rabbit digging under.

Yes it should be her job to keep her rabbit in her garden, but you can sort this without her. It just needs a more rabbit proof solution around/over/instead of the bush.

Original poster
krj2688 · 18/08/2021 20:50

@steppemum I could catch it every time but would probably be calling for an ambulance too.

I would love to install a fence, but we have just paid £3000 to have our side done so not much fund left for that unfortunately. It's not a small garden, it's over 100ft long and would Probably cost more than our boundary side as it would be difficult to install due to the roots.

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 18/08/2021 20:52

Offer to go halves with her on a rabbit-proof solution to the boundary.

No, you shouldn’t have to. But it’s probably worth the money to solve the problem which is dangerous to you.

Original poster
krj2688 · 18/08/2021 20:56

I was hoping if I keep texting to come collect the rabbit they would get bored but not so sure now.

OP posts:
godmum56 · 18/08/2021 21:07

years ago my neighbours had a rabbit that kept escaping into my garden. I warned her that my dogs would get it but she just said oh we'll get another one Angry just saying that the rehoming hack may not work.

TwoLeftElbows · 18/08/2021 21:14

By "bush" do you mean hedge? I was imagining something basically round at one point on your boundary.

Original poster
krj2688 · 18/08/2021 21:20

@TwoLeftElbows yeah it's a hedge, privet I think. It runs from the house to the end of the garden around 10ft high 🙄 it's a pain

OP posts:
CakeandGo · 18/08/2021 21:23

I’d be getting DH to take it to an animal rescue and then claiming ignorance if asked by NDN.

ManAlive24 · 18/08/2021 22:43

OP, I have to say I'm rather surprised that you've spent money on making your garden /side look nice rather than, you know, making sure you don't die by putting in a fence.

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