Ex charging daughter for animal supplies

[StitchHappens]

My ex got a rabbit for our daughter (now 13) around a year ago. At the time she was spending half her holidays at his, and half of her weekends fri to sun, the others just on a Sunday. He had an agreement with her that she was to pay for everything the rabbit needed (food/bedding/treats/toys etc). I thought this was unfair as essentially the only way she had of funding this was the pocket money I gave her and her savings, however it was an agreement between them so I didn't interfere.
Since then he has started a business with his partner which means if my dd is there she has to be with them at the shop for the day. Due to this she has started just going to his late on a Saturday night and staying til 4 on a Sunday (when she has riding lessons there - which I pay for). This means she has very little time to spend with the rabbit, basically cleaning it out on a Sunday morning before leaving around 9.30am ish. Because of this he suggested that she bought the rabbit to mine, which i agreed to. Ex came in to discuss yesterday when he dropped her off and asked if we had everything we needed including a cage. I said i wouldn't be buying a cage as I was under the impression it was just a case of moving the rabbit from one house to the other. He then messaged my daughter last night and said he would bring the rabbit when she had transferred £60 for the cage/mats. Am I wrong to thing he is taking the piss?? Or is this between them? I am inclined to transfer her the money as u don't think he should be asking her for it. They got the rabbit for free and she has paid for everything it has needed for the past year.
Aibu?

If this is for real, then he's financially abusing his own daughter.

Get the rabbit to yours and explain to your 13yo daughter about the many wrongs that Dad has put in place in regards to the rabbit.

It's very cruel to keep a rabbit alone - if your daughter can't care for it properly you should find a rescue for it.

What kind of piece of shit is he? Parents pay for pet supplies. All the pet supplies. He is abusing your daughter while you watch.

Bloody hell what a miserable excuse of a father.

Wow... what kind of dad is he.
I'd just send him the money and be done with it.

He's a poor excuse of a man and father, from what you've said here.

I wouldn't be giving him a penny if be buying a new cage or finding one off marketplace

This poor rabbit must have the most miserable existence, just kept in isolation all week except being briefly cleaned out.

I would give the money to her to give to him. Then I would explain that he was wrong to do this to her and that you will pay for supplies

Hopefully as she gets older she won’t was to see the miserable meanie

He sounds absolutely horrible. What a disgrace he is.

It does seem tight but I'm not sure it would be the hill I'd want to die on. Did Ex pay for the initial set up and want to retrieve his costs? I'd give DD the money to transfer then stick two fingers up basically. I'm pleased to hear that the rabbit is going to be with your DD full time where it can be properly cared for. So many rabbits are left in hutches and have very short miserable lives.

I can see why he is an Ex!!

I can see why he is an Ex!!

The rabbit was gotten from a breeder who said to keep her alone as she didn't get along with other animals.

I’d transfer the money to him and send a text saying ‘Just transferred the money for the rabbit cage. I didn’t want Emily paying you for it. She’s 13. She doesn’t earn anything! She would need to use her pocket money which she has been saving for Christmas. I’m all for teaching her the value of money but bless her, £60 is an awful lot for a child.

He paid for it seemingly as a gift to his 13 yr old child, he doesn't get to recoup that. What an absolute bell end

What a dick.

Why on earth should either you or DD pay him anything. It absolutely IS a hill to die on. Especially as you are taking on financial responsibility for the rabbit - at some point itll need to go to a vet and that ain’t cheap.

The absolute meanness of some men never fails to amaze me.

Pure cruelty.

Mmmm
it depends on the original arrangement chances are he did want it in the first place she’s pleaded and he said ok if you pay for if

tbh he should if just said no in the 1st place

I think the fact he’s an ex muddy’s the waters and influences opinions

tbh if someone on here posted 13 year old wants a rabbit told them they can have it if they pay for it doubt there’s be an outcry

Is the hutch even big enough?

Fuck that, id go out and buy my own hutch.

This!

Rabbits need alot of space, your saying cage and I'm curious as to if it's even suitable?

May be better off putting the money towards a proper bunny set up

Now back to the point.

Tell him go shove it and buy your own stuff which hopefully will be bigger and more spacious than the cage the poor thing has been living in.

Personally, I would rehome the poor thing as at 13 your daughter is going to be doing more things socially and won’t have the time or the interest to spend with the rabbit and you’ll be left doing it all.

I'll bet this poor rabbit is in as hutch from a pet shop (the type designed for 'meat rabbits').

It shouldn't be alone OP. If it didn't get on with its cage mates at the breeders it needs a soft introduction under guidance of those with knowledge, to new rabbits. Not to be kept alone, they absolutely should not be kept alone-they're social animals.

I really hope I am wrong and it is in a suitable space for it.
https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/space-recommendations

But please do not keep this rabbit in cruel solitary conditions any longer-and don't teach your DD that this is okay either. She may one day learn that she put this rabbit through misery (albeit through no fault of her own)and that doesn't sit right with animal-lover kids IME.