A behemothic floppy-eared rabbit was ane of 47 rabbits saved from the cooking pot after an RSPCA raid.

Inspectors said the animals, which included an 8kg rabbit the size of a dog and with seven inch ears, were beingness fattened for slaughter.

The fauna rescue charity found the 47 rabbits stuffed into tiny cages in Ashington, Northumberland, on July 11, and suspected their meat was going to be sold on the blackness market.

A fellow member of the public raised the alarm later on seeing them covered in dirt and struggling to hop around tiny filthy hutches.

RSPCA inspector Trevor Walker, who rescued the animals from an resource allotment, said: "These poor rabbits were living in cramped and dirty conditions which would have been very unpleasant for them especially in the estrus.

Ane 8kg rabbit the size of a dog was found during the RSPCA raid (

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"We found hutches covered in filth and bursting with giant animals where they had been left to brood with each other.

"Luckily a vet found they are all in proficient status, one is on medication for weepy eyes and a wound on the dorsum of his neck, but we hope they will discover loving homes.

"They will make good companion animals every bit they have a nice temperament.

"Sadly, rabbits are condign an increasing trouble across the RSPCA as we are seeing more and more coming into our intendance, many as a result of the cost of living crisis.

"We would really urge people to do their enquiry before taking on a pet and also to make sure you become your pet neutered at an early opportunity to preclude unwanted litters of animals - all of these rabbits will be neutered, microchipped and vaccinated before finding new homes."

Flemish Behemothic Rabbits are often bred for their fur and meat.

Half the rabbits were developed, while the other half were babies that were crossed with a behemothic breed, so they could grow even bigger.

The rabbits were found subsequently a member of the public reported them to the RSPCA (

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RSPCA inspectors believe the rabbits were beingness fattened to sell their meat on the black market (

Image:

North News & Pictures Ltd northnews.co.uk)

The rescued rabbits have now been safely distributed to RSPCA centres around the UK while staff try and rehome them.

The RSPCA says they have seen a 49 per cent increase in the number of rabbits being abandoned in the UK.

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