DIONNE BURD FROM HARLOW SENTENCED FOR RABBIT ABUSE IN ESSEX

On October 4, 2013, an RSPCA inspector visited the residence of Dionne Burd in Harlow, Essex, after receiving reports concerning the welfare of her pet rabbit. During the inspection, the inspector discovered the lifeless body of a grey and white rabbit named Tommy, confined within a hutch that showed clear signs of neglect. The rabbit was found to be severely underweight, with a body condition indicative of prolonged starvation and dehydration.

Further examination by a veterinarian confirmed that Tommy had died within the previous 24 to 48 hours due to chronic malnutrition and dehydration. The post-mortem revealed that the rabbit's stomach was empty, and it was emaciated, a condition that would have required many days of neglect to develop. The food and water bowls in the hutch were both found to be completely empty, underscoring the neglectful circumstances that led to the animal’s suffering.

It was established that Dionne Burd, a mother of five, had been responsible for the care of Tommy. She changed her plea to guilty on the day of her trial, admitting to causing unnecessary suffering to the rabbit between September 17 and October 1, 2013. She also acknowledged her failure to provide the rabbit with a proper diet, including fresh drinking water, which is essential for the health and well-being of domestic animals.

In sentencing, Burd received a 12-month community order and was ordered to pay £300 in costs. Additionally, she was disqualified from keeping rabbits for a period of five years, a ban that expired in 2019. The case highlights the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglecting the basic needs of pets, especially in cases where animals are left to suffer due to human negligence.