Animal welfare experts are calling on residents not to dump domestic pets in the wild after a rabbit that was found severely malnourished and tangled in fishing line had to be put down.

The animal was brought into Ettrick Animal Hospital yesterday morning after being found by a member of the public in the Cobbs Hill Road area of Warwick.

The fishing line had dug into the animal’s flesh and cut off the blood supply to the rabbit’s legs. The rabbit’s extremely weak condition left vets with no alternative other than to euthanise.

The case has prompted Ettrick’s practice manager, Andrew Madeiros, to urge the public not to dump domestic pets in the wild.

“Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for pet owners in Bermuda to dump certain types of pets once they no longer want them or can no longer look after them,” Dr Madeiros said.

“There are some parts of the island that have rabbit populations because animals have either escaped from their hutch or they have been deliberately set free.

“This case shows the sad consequences of what can happen in those circumstances and I would urge people not to simply dump pets back in the wild. If you can no longer look after an animal, then you should contact the SPCA.”

Dr Madeiros also urged pet owners to be responsible for the cages and hutches where their animals are kept to ensure they cannot escape.