ANIMAL welfare bosses are appealing for witnesses after five pet rabbits were dumped with a box of cereal at a Blackburn cemetery.

The malnourished bunnies were discovered by appalled visitors to Pleasington Crematorium, off Tower Road.

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RSPCA inspectors are caring for the rabbits and are hoping to rehome them once they are fully recovered.

Inspector Kat Newman said the animals were found ‘dirty and urine-stained’ by a visitor to the crematorium.

She said: “I few people at the crematorium saw the car drive off and found the rabbits abandoned.

“The person who called us to let us know what happened was kind enough to take the rabbits home that night and we picked them up from her the following morning.

“They were all dirty and urine-stained, which is a pretty disgraceful way to treat them.

“They were in a totally unsuitable condition to be rehomed but we’re looking after them and they are getting there.

“It was strange that they were dumped with a box of cornflakes.

“Cereal made for humans isn’t good for them.”

The incident took place at around 2pm on February 7.

Ms Newman said two Asian men in a blue car were responsible for dumping the rabbits.

She added that the make and model of the car was unknown but appealed for anyone with information to call RSPCA East Lancashire on 01254 231118.

A spokesman for the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund said: “There is already a huge problem of rabbits being bought by people who have not considered the long-term responsibilities and then, when the novelty has worn off, being abandoned or doomed to a miserable life alone in a hutch.

“Additionally, rabbits are prey animals and could become extremely stressed in a noisy and busy environment.”

Blackburn mayor, Cllr Alan Cottam said: “There are places like rescue homes for pets who are not wanted and I don’t think a crematorium is the place to dump them.

“Maybe they did it knowing there was a lot of footfall there and that someone would pick them up.

“I’m sure the RSPCA will find them a good home.

“It must be especially frightening for the rabbits having been brought up domestically to be left in the wild.

“It’s cruelty. There are a lot of foxes in that area. If they hadn’t been rescued, they would be a goner by now.”