AN adult rabbit and four six-week-old baby rabbits have been found dumped outside a property in Peebles.

Animal welfare charity the Scottish SPCA, was alerted to the discovery by an unsuspecting home owner who found the rabbits on their doorstep in Kirkton Manor.

Scottish SPCA Inspector Jenny Scott said: “The rabbits were left in an indoor cage outside the property in Kirkton Manor between 9pm and 7am of last Wednesday/Thursday (May 30 and 31).

“The cage was wire topped which meant the poor rabbits were exposed to the elements with only a small amount of hay available and no water.

“The gentleman that found them popped some vegetables into the cage before calling us to report his discovery.

“Mum and babies are currently being looked after at our centre in Lanarkshire where they’ve been named Primrose, Fiver, Hazel, Bigwig and Pipkin after characters from Watership Down.”

Abandoning an animal is an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. Anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.

Anyone with information is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.