The BBC has said it will not uphold complaints made by viewers against Stacey Solomon's Sprt Your Life Out after 1,500 viewers contacted the station and Ofcom. The complaints came after an episode of the show that see Stacey and her team clear out a family's home, help them get rod of half of their belongings and then carry out a home makeover.
One episode sparked a backlash after the mum-of-five decided to move a family's pet rabbits from their home in the conservatory to a hutch outside. Some viewers thought the move was cruel, reports BirminghamLive.
The Rabbit Welfare Trust's website said: "As part of our A Hutch is Not Enough campaign, we give information to owners to allow them to give their rabbits what they need to lead healthy and contented lives. It is heartening to know that ensuring the welfare of animals is protected by law, under the Animal Welfare Act 2006."
The site says: "Keeping rabbits in a hutch would never enable an owner to meet these welfare needs. Rabbits should be housed in a safe and enclosed area of 3m x 2m x 1m high. The hutch, or sleeping area, forms a part of this total space, which should also include items of enrichment such as a digging tray, tunnels etc. The hutch should never be the sole accommodation for rabbits, they need constant (and that means 24/7) access to the wider overall space to allow them to exercise at will.
"Giving your rabbits access to all or part of a secure garden for 'free running' sessions is great but this is in addition to our minimum size recommendations, not instead of."
It has now been reported by the BBC that the complaints are "not being upheld". The show was therefore found not guilty of cruelty to animals.
