Thugs filmed themselves laughing as the helpless nine-year-old pet was dangled in mid-air by his ear (Image: Amy Grace)
This is the shocking moment a heartless thief was caught on CCTV snatching a beloved family pet rabbit by its ears before laughing and casually walking off. The cruel incident took place on St Pauls Street in Hull, East Yorkshire, in broad daylight at around 5.18pm on Saturday (October 17). Distressingly, the animal was dangled in mid-air by his ears for more than 20 seconds as he writhed and fought to break free.
Distraught owner Amy Grace, 38, returned home from the shops with her son Harvey to discover nine-year-old Peter missing. After checking her CCTV camera to see if he was hiding, she was horrified to discover two men loitering outside her front garden gate before launching the senseless attack.
The footage shows one thug, dressed in a dark winter coat, bending down to grab Peter before lifting him into the air by his ears. His companion – wearing a leather jacket and black hat – can be seen jovially filming the whole ordeal on his mobile phone as both men walk away laughing.
Speaking of the moment she watched the footage back, mum-of-two Amy said: “All I could do was scream and cry when I saw it. You can see him trying to fight in the video, which is what broke my heart. He fought so hard. “I can’t believe how cruel people can be to something so innocent.”
Peter, who normally lives in the back garden, was roaming in the front area due to ongoing work at the rear of the property. A wooden pallet had been placed against the gate to keep him safe. The nine-year-old rabbit suffers from gut stasis – a critical condition requiring medication three times a day.
Nine-year-old Peter suffers from gut stasis – a critical condition requiring medication three times a day (Image: Amy Grace)
Following the terrifying ordeal, Amy and her children spent hours desperately searching nearby parks, gardens and flats with torches, fearing the worst. Posting a desperate appeal on Facebook, Amy wrote: “I want to know who the f*** these are that took my baby! Now!
“He is 9 years old and a bunny, he relies on medication… he needs finding ASAP if he is still alive. My children are devastated.”
At one point during the search, Amy claimed she was told the men had tried to sell Peter to a neighbor, who had assumed he was a wild rabbit. Fearing the cruel treatment had proved fatal, Amy admitted she had given up hope, suspecting his neck may have been broken while he was swung about.
Humberside Police confirmed they are investigating the theft and are appealing for witnesses (Image: Amy Grace)
However, in a miraculous twist, Amy confirmed on Sunday (October 19) that Peter had been safely reunited with the family after being spotted by a kind stranger.
She posted: “Peter was found dumped in a car park last night and a lovely kind stranger has messaged me with a video and I now have him home. He will be going to the vets to make sure everything is ok with him.”
Humberside Police confirmed they are investigating the theft and have appealed for witnesses to come forward. A spokesperson said: “We received reports of a rabbit being stolen from a garden on St Pauls Street, Hull at around 8.30pm on Saturday, 17 October.
“Inquiries remain ongoing and anyone with information that may be able to assist officers with ongoing inquiries is urged to call 101 quoting log 441 of 17 October.”