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Original poster

2 wild rabbits dying of mixy in my garden

56 replies

traceybath · 25/08/2008 21:55

and they're huddled together under a hedge.

all a bit nature tooth and claw for my liking and my 4 year old is torn between macabre interest and sadness that they'll die.

anyone know how long it'll take? noticed suddenly that all the rabbits round here have vanished (and we had loads) and clearly saw the two with mixy a couple of days ago.

OP posts:
MondayNightFabio · 25/08/2008 22:56

i couldn't do it, i'd shit it and not hit hard enough. it would be dh's job.

NotAnOtter · 25/08/2008 22:58

we once saw a head injured squirrel on a dual carriage way and i made dp stop and finish it ( he is vet) oddly i cant recall what he did...

will ask him

i only remember i was traumatised watching it suffer

cadelaide · 25/08/2008 22:59

Well yes, of course.

Take the large frog I came across last summer in the middle of the road with its back legs skinned and completely flattened by a car. I couldn't walk away, taking it to a vet would prolong its agony and be, imo, ridiculous. So I used a brick.

I didn't enjoy it. I cried, if that makes it any better.

oops · 25/08/2008 23:00

Message withdrawn

IAteDavinaForDinner · 25/08/2008 23:00

Personally, yes I have oops. I have frequently been in situations where an animal has been suffering and distressed and I have obviously not had access to work drugs/equipment and have had to make do.

It's a fact of life in the countryside and a small mercy if we can save some suffering. And forgive me this but knocking a rabbit on the head is hardly an act requiring any degree of skill.

Than again, my clients might well be of different mettle to yours, if you're city-based.

NotAnOtter · 25/08/2008 23:01

yes oops it was a pheasant on saturday!

oops · 25/08/2008 23:01

Message withdrawn

Pannacotta · 25/08/2008 23:02

Can you call the local vet first thing and ask what they suggest? Since it's such a contagious disease this might affect the best way to deal with it.
I couldn't kill them myself even though leaving them is also awful.
Hope the vet or farmer will help. Never nice to see wild animals suffer (or any animal in fact).

oops · 25/08/2008 23:05

Message withdrawn

cadelaide · 25/08/2008 23:06

It was messy enough.

I have destroyed all kinds of wild creatures (including rabbits) and I don't regret any of them, I was taught at a young age how to go about it.

What I do not understand is those people that say "ooh, I don't know how you could do it" and then walk away, now that is really not the way to go.

I've come across lots like that.

cadelaide · 25/08/2008 23:08

I think tracybath can judge for herself whether she can do it.

In fact she already has.

cadelaide · 25/08/2008 23:09

judged, not done it.

Well, I don't think so anyway.

oops · 25/08/2008 23:10

Message withdrawn

Pannacotta · 25/08/2008 23:11

Agree with oops in that most of us wouldn't be able to effectively smash the heads of two (probably blind) dying rabbits.
Surely kinder to leave this to the local vet or if not the farmer who will probably done it before.

IAteDavinaForDinner · 25/08/2008 23:11

IME if someone decides to do this then they will get on with it and do it. If they have doubts they won't contemplate it.

I am sure the OP is a moderately intelligent individual and knows her own capabilities and therefore can make this judgement herself.

I'm surprised that this is such an issue. These days people have such a sanitised, soft-focus view of animals and death. Welfare has to be paramount, obviously, but I think in this situation there's little benefit in boxing up a terrified wild animal and transporting it to a brightly lit building which smells of dogs before restraining it to euthanase.

Pannacotta · 25/08/2008 23:13

this = putting them to sleep in peaceful manner that is.

cadelaide · 25/08/2008 23:13

IAteDavina, I agree wholeheartedly.

.....and now to bed.

oops · 25/08/2008 23:13

Message withdrawn

callmeovercautious · 25/08/2008 23:19

Call a vet or the RSPCA. Please don't leave them. I am a bunny lover but I could and would wring a neck if needs be. But I know how to. Don't put yourself and them through it, there are 2 of them and unless you are confident with the first you may change your mind with the second.

I HATE mixi. I would rather see them gassed in their burrows or shot than put though the torture of Mixi. Did I say I love bunnies? My first baby was a pet rabbit we had for nearly 8 years, he lived in our home with us and was a darling. Just the same as having a pet Dog. Would you hit a dog over the head with no training?

oops · 25/08/2008 23:22

Message withdrawn

IAteDavinaForDinner · 25/08/2008 23:24

[scratches bum and adjusts baseball cap]

oops · 25/08/2008 23:24

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oops · 25/08/2008 23:25

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catinthehat · 25/08/2008 23:27

Questions for the vets:

How should the OP move the rabbits to reduce contamination and danger to other rabbits domestic or wild?

Any way to clean up the area where they've been dying?

Is she going to contaminate the vets surgery by bringing them in or should she stay in the car park?

oops · 25/08/2008 23:37

Message withdrawn