Couple allegedly dumps boxes of rabbits onto Seletar roadside, abandoned animals found in poor condition
Rescuers recently witnessed the heartbreaking sight of 23 rabbits abandoned after the rain in Seletar, reportedly covered in urine and stains.
A report has been filed with the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) after someone witnessed the culprits in action.
Source: Tan Derrick on Facebook
“Horrifying” smell from abandoned rabbits
Derrick Tan, president of animal welfare group Voices For Animals (VFA), told MS News that he received a call from a friend at 11.45pm on 18 Sept.
His friend’s employee had notified them of rabbits abandoned on the road in boxes along Seletar Farmway 1. They found over 20 rabbits, some wandering about, others still in their cardboard boxes.
The surrounding terrain was wet and damp after the heavy downpour, and the condition of the rabbits we found was heartbreaking. Many were covered in urine and stains, and the smell was absolutely horrifying.
Source: Tan Derrick on Facebook
Mr Tan and the other rescuers found that the rabbits were calm when approached and easy to catch.
7 newborn rabbits also abandoned in box
In total, they rescued 23 rabbits, including seven tiny newborn kits, merely a few days old, that were found inside one box.
Image courtesy of Derrick Tan
The rescuers subsequently combed through the entire stretch of road to ensure they didn’t leave any rabbits behind.
Mr Tan then brought the rabbits back to the VFA office to assess their condition.
Image courtesy of Derrick Tan
He found that some of them were skinny and missing patches of fur, while others had matted, urine-stained fur.
Some of them even suffered wounds on their bodies.
Image courtesy of Derrick Tan
Culprits allegedly told witness he could take the rabbits
Mr Tan told MS News that his friend’s employee witnessed the abandonment. The employee alleged that the culprits were a Chinese couple.
When the couple drove off, one of them allegedly told the employee that he could take the rabbits.
Source: Tan Derrick on Facebook
The witness managed to note down the vehicle’s registration number. VFA has since lodged a report with AVS and submitted the relevant information and evidence.
Furthermore, they are currently assisting AVS with the investigation.
MS News has also reached out to AVS for a statement on the incident.
Rabbits to be put up for adoption after medical checks
Mr Tan also informed MS News that the rabbits will be put up for adoption once they are medically cleared.
He also shared that AVS will be sending their veterinarians, together with veterinarians from The Animal Doctors, to assess the rabbits and provide them with the necessary medical attention.
Image courtesy of Derrick Tan
He will also have to wait for the green light to do so from AVS after the end of the investigation.
Additionally, Mr Tan stated that rabbits are actually one of the most commonly abandoned pets in Singapore.
He explained that small pets like rabbits are easier to obtain and don’t require licensing. This lack of “accountability” results in more of them being abandoned.
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Featured image adapted from Tan Derrick on Facebook and courtesy of Derrick Tan.
