A rabbit was stolen from a back garden run and found beaten to death in an alley nearby.

Owner Franceska Zoe had left Swifty in her Ashford back garden while she was at work, and returned to find the horrific scene.

Despite having two rabbits, only Swifty - who had just had a litter of babies - was taken after the gate was unbolted.

Miss Zoe said: "What happened next is unknown but she was later found in a private alleyway near the house.

"She suffered two dislocated front shoulders, broken legs and head and face trauma. Swifty was clearly beaten and suffered throughout this.

"There were no puncture marks and no sign that it was any animal, it couldn’t have been because she was secured in her run so she was unable to get out of it.

"When she was found I was traumatised, devastated, angry and upset. It has completely changed the way I am with my animals, the rabbit will never go out in his run again and neither will my other rabbits when they are old enough.

"I need to know who done this to my rabbit. She was a defenceless rabbit who got beaten to death by a person or persons. Nothing eats you up more than not knowing and not feeling safe in your own home on your own street.

"This situation is even worse because she was killed before her babies were even a week old. We will not know for a while yet if her babies will survive as they are still small.

"How can any person do this to a small defenceless animal? Why did they do it to her?"

The Whitfield Road homeowner has vowed never to leave her pets unattended in the garden again.

A police spokesman said: "Officers were called at 9.57pm on August 5 to reports that a rabbit had been taken from its hutch and killed near Whitfeld Road, Ashford. Officers are investigating."

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