Who Massacred The Rabbits ?

[CreamCake]

The fields at the back of Weeping Cross / Saxonfields (along the railway line heading towards the canal) has a colony of rabbits which has been thriving for years. I like to walk across there on a regular basis before going for a stroll along the canal. Over the last few weeks I have noticed many rabbit corpses lying randomly across the fields. The bodies appear free from damage (not been shot or savaged by dogs / foxes etc). I have a horrible feeling somebody has been poisoning them. There are a lot of pets and young children who use those fields so the thought of this practice taking place is a alarming.
Anybody have any ideas ?
Seems sick to kill animals for the fun of it

 

[Withnail]

What about their eyes?

If they are puffed up and swollen it could be mixy.

Edit: Here is a link to a picture of a rabbit with mixy - do not click if you are easily discomforted by such things.

 

[CreamCake]

Yep, I'm familiar with Mixy and they are not showing the signs, sadly.
I also find it unusual no predators have had a good munch on them, not like foxes or rats to miss a free dinner.

 

[United57]

I think Farmers can control rabbits but there are rules.

leaving them lying there is probably not one of them

Call the RSPA

http://www.the-piedpiper.co.uk/th14(c).htm

 

[Rikki]

I also think landowners have a legal requirement to control rabbit numbers, but like you say I doubt they should just leave them lying about. However saying that it does make more sense to let the local wildlife have a free dinner than throw them away

 

[Withnail]

Yep, I'm familiar with Mixy and they are not showing the signs, sadly.
I also find it unusual no predators have had a good munch on them, not like foxes or rats to miss a free dinner.

Hmm, curious indeed - who is the landowner?

 

[shoes]

/case

 

[United57]

I also think landowners have a legal requirement to control rabbit numbers, but like you say I doubt they should just leave them lying about. However saying that it does make more sense to let the local wildlife have a free dinner than throw them away

If they have used poison I think they are in trouble by leaving them about.