SIX baby rabbits which had been dumped on a woman’s doorstep have died, possibly as a result of being interbred.

The bunnies, which were in a litter of nine, died despite being seemingly healthy when checked by a vet.

The RSPCA Worcester and mid-Worcestershire branch has been called to a spate of abandoned rabbits in the area including the litter of six-week-old bunnies left on the doorstep in Stourport Road, Kidderminster, on Saturday, August 3.

A stray rabbit was found in New Bank Street, Worcester, another two in Redditch and two albino rabbits were spotted loose in Upton-upon-Severn two weeks ago.

Margaret Layland, the branch’s small animals rehoming co-ordinator, said posters had been put up and information posted on websites to try to reunite them with their owners but in every case, no one had come forward.

“We had wondered if they were being dumped because people were going on holiday but we haven’t had people coming to us wanting to give up their rabbits,” she said.

“We are pretty sure they have been abandoned because we have tried to find their owners but nobody has come forward.

“People don’t think of it as the same as dumping a dog because they assume they will go live with the wild rabbits – but that isn’t the case.”

Mrs Layland, of St John’s, Worcester, said domesticated rabbits did not know how to fend for themselves in the wild and were also used to being handled.

The remaining three rabbits from the litter are now being cared for by volunteer Sarah Coleman in Malvern, but are not expected to survive. If they do they will be neutered and vaccinated and hopefully rehomed.

“Without having a costly post-mortem examination, we can’t be sure of the cause,” said Mrs Layland.“On arrival they were health checked at the vets and all was well. They were also eating and drinking well.

“If animals are interbred, they are prone to deformities and we believe their internal organs haven’t developed.”

Anyone who wishes to offer one a home should call Mrs Layland on 01905 421849.