An Ellesmere Port pair who left a rabbit to starve to death in freezing conditions have been banned from keeping animals.

Clive and Samantha Bird, of Lime Street, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the white bunny.

Chester Magistrates Court heard how the body of the emaciated rabbit was found in a hutch in their garden in February.

The rabbit’s feet, groin and abdominal areas were matted with urine and faeces.

Magistrates gave Clive, 50, and Samantha, 43, a 10-year disqualification order each, as well as 12-week prison sentences suspended for a year and 120 hours of unpaid community work each. They must also each pay £900 in costs.

RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes said: “There was no clean or dry area for the rabbit to have rested nor was there any food provided.

“There was no sign of dental issues so we believe the rabbit would have suffered for at least four weeks before succumbing to starvation and effects of the cold.

“There was ample food and bedding available for the rabbit just yards away from the hutch so they could have easily cared for the rabbit but did not.”

“I feel that rabbits are the most neglected animal we deal with, mainly because it is relatively easy to do it without being detected. People starving animals because they are out of sight, out of mind is not acceptable.

“This rabbit has essentially been incarcerated in his own faeces without the absolute necessities required to sustain life. This sort of failure and abhorrent neglect should not go unanswered.”