THIS little rabbit could have died after its heartless owners abandoned it in a tiny box with no water on one of the hottest days of the year.The small, brown rabbit was found on the step of the emergency RSPCA animal clinic, in a box it could not turn round in and a small bit of food.

THIS little rabbit could have died after its heartless owners abandoned it in a tiny box with no water on one of the hottest days of the year.

The small, brown rabbit was found on the step of the emergency RSPCA animal clinic, in a box it could not turn round in and a small bit of food.

It is not clear what day the rabbit was left there as staff left the clinic at around 3pm on Saturday and did not return until Monday morning.

But all over the weekend the weather was hot and at times humid.

Now Avril Mickleburgh , manager of the St George's Street Clinic in Ipswich, has hit out at the people who left it there as the clinic is only manned three days a week – a sign on the door clearly tells people so.

It is an emergency clinic aimed at helping people on benefits who would not otherwise be able to afford veterinary care for their pets.

She said: "It is appalling and disgusting that they just left it there.

"We are here to help – even if the animal is not ill we can help in other ways.

"This does not happen very often and we have kittens and cats left in boxes outside before now."

The rabbit did not appear to be harmed in anyway although it did have a trip to the vets before being taken to the RSPCA rehoming centre at Martlesham.

Ms Mickleburgh said: "It is lucky we went down to get the post today.

"The rabbit was in a box you would put a bird in and could not turn round.

"A cat or something had been trying to get into the box."

Even though the opening times are on the door along with a number for the RSPCA headquarters, the team at St George's Street have now felt compelled to set up a mobile number for people to call to combat this problem happening again.

n. The RSPCA animal clinic is open on Tuesday 12.15pm until 1pm, Thursday 5pm until 6pm and Friday 3pm until 4pm.

Contact 01473 231972 or 07703 803640.

The RSPCA animal rescue home at Martlesham is open from 2pm until 4pm (closed on Wednesdays) and can be contacted on 01473 623280.

www.rspca.org.uk