VANDALS are thought to have been behind the theft of three rabbits from their hutch on land behind School Lane in Brinscall.

The pets went missing some time between 4pm on Friday and 9.30am on Saturday.

The culprits broke the locks on the hutches to get at the animals.

Two of the rabbits were later found on a trampoline in a neighbouring garden.

One of the pets, a grey, fluffy dwarf lionhead variety, has not been found.

The owners, who have kept rabbits and chickens there for several years, said they were saddened by the incident.

“I suspect it was just kids messing around,” said co-owner Gill Ellis, of School Lane, “but these are innocent little creatures, and they would be quite traumatised by it.

“They must have been rough with them too, as one of the rabbits had a claw ripped off.

“As for the remaining one that is still missing, well, it’s possible a fox could have got it during the night.

“She was a very timid little thing and didn’t like being picked up at all.”