On Saturday, February 11, a member of the public discovered the rabbits on a path in the Slade Ravine.
According to the RSPCA, all of the animals were “severely injured,” with one appearing to have been stabbed and another having its ears and tail severed.
Mat Hawkins, an animal rescue officer who picked up the dead rabbits from a PDSA veterinary clinic, said the vet who examined their injuries suspected the rabbits “may have been used as bait.”
This does appear to be very suspicious, and it is possible that these poor rabbits were used for baiting dogs and then thrown away indiscriminately at this location,” he said.
“They all had terrible injuries and while it could be that a fox has scavenged their bodies, this is unusual as it is a large number of dead rabbits all found in one spot.
“According to the vet, one of the rabbits had a stab wound. He suspected baiting and that the injuries were caused by fighting dogs.
“Because this is a well-traveled path, someone may have seen something that evening,” the animal rescue officer added.
The RSPCA is now urging anyone with information about the rabbits to contact them.
Anyone with information about dog fighting should call the charity’s 24-hour cruelty hotline at 0300 1234 999.
The discovery was also reported to the Metropolitan Police, who assigned CAD 1660/11022023.
The RSPCA is appealing for information after six dead rabbits were discovered with horrific injuries in London woodland,” reads the full statement.
The rabbits, which were domestic pets, were discovered on a path near Plumstead Common in the early hours of Saturday, February 11.
“One of the rabbits appeared to have been stabbed, and another had its ears and tails severed.
“They were all severely injured, and nearly all of their entrails were visible.
Animal rescue officer Mat Hawkins picked up the carcasses from a PDSA veterinary clinic, where a vet who examined the injuries suspected the rabbits were used as bait animals.
More news from London
