A Midlothian couple have described their devastation after their beloved rabbits were set loose or taken from their back garden in Newtongrange.
Nikki Leese, 25, and Mark Richardson, 24, said that they had been visiting Nikki’s parents overnight from Friday, May 12, until Saturday, May 13.
When they returned home they discovered that the chicken coop garden structure that they home their seven year old rabbits - Snowy and Nugget - had been cut open.
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They say the incident must have happened between midnight on Friday and 6.30pm on Saturday but that the damage to the rabbit run structure looked man made.
The rabbits have been a part of Nikki’s family for almost eight years and she fought back the tears as she explained the importance of the animals.
“We don’t exactly know was happened but when we returned from visiting my parents I went out to feed and water the rabbits but the chicken coop rabbit run had been cut,” she said.
“We have no idea if they were taken or had been let out but the cut to their enclosure was clean and definitely looks like it was manmade, it could not have been made by an animal.
“After trying to find the rabbits in the back garden we inspected the area and found that two Jerry cans and a shovel were missing along with the rabbits.
“Both of the cans were full of fuel and we later found one of them down the communal path at the back of our garden fence the following day.
“The rabbits mean so much and they are a part of the family. They are very timid and scared of people unless there is a bond that has been built with them.
“They have great character and really crack us up, Snowy is pure white with blue eyes and floppy ears whilst Nugget is white and grey but with different tones of grey. She has unusual markings and looks as though she has a Harry Potter scar running across her face.
“We just want them returned home to us safely. We believe they escaped through the Lingerwood Cottages from our home on Lingerwood Walk.”
Nikki said she is distraught and the incident has also left her little brother extremely upset.
The couple contacted the police as they believe that the rabbits could only have got out of the enclosure through the help of intruders.
“I got them when I lived at home and brought them with me when I moved out. They have been a part of some big milestones.
“I’ve cared for them since they were 12 weeks old and it does not make sense why someone would do this.
“We have no feuds with neighbours but think it may have potentially been a bunch of teenagers letting them out for a laugh, but it had to be someone that knew the area as we have a camera at the front and they came in from the back.
“We just want them returned home as soon as possible, if someone has stolen them, please bring them back as I cannot bare the thought of something bad happening to them."
Police Scotland have said that they are looking into the matter and that enquiries into the incident are ongoing.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were called on Saturday, 13 May, to a report of two pet rabbits being taken from a garden in the Lingerwood Walk area of Newtongrange that happened overnight.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”
Nikki has asked that anyone with any information on the rabbits whereabouts contact her on 07377942108.
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