TWO rabbits that were cruelly dumped in a lay-by are looking for a new home.

Holly, a grey coloured female and Vincent, a white male, were discovered by a member of the public in Hampshire last month, running loose in a lay-by, with their carrying cage found nearby with the door open.

Although two of the rabbits were caught, a third large tan and white lop type managed to escape and its fate is unknown.

Both of the both Himalayan -type rabbits are missing their ears but it is not known whether this is a birth defect as a result of their mother chewing them when they were young or whether someone has cut them off.

The two rabbits are being cared for temporarily at the Ashley Heath Animal Centre near Ringwood and need to be homed together.

Sue Brookes, RSPCA animal collection officer, said: “We were unable to find the third rabbit, so sadly we can only speculate as to what happened to it.

“All of these domesticated animals were put in jeopardy when they were released into the wild where they could fall prey to predators or they could easily have been hit by a car.”

Anyone able to offer the two rabbits a home can contact Ashley Heath Animal Centre on 0300123 0749.

Anyone with information about the rabbits should call 0300 1234 999 and leave a message for Inspector Swinfield.