2 rabbits allegedly abandoned at Geylang HDB rubbish area on Christmas & Boxing Day

A pair of young female rabbits were found at a rubbish area in a Geylang HDB estate on Christmas and Boxing Day.

They were allegedly abandoned.

A Mothership reader, who wanted to be known only as HJ, said that she received a text at around noon on Dec. 25 about an abandoned rabbit at Block 5 Pine Close in Geylang.

It had been hiding behind some pipes near the rubbish chute area, and was “very scared”, she said.

When her husband went down to the site about an hour later, he saw the rabbit at the rubbish chute area.

There was a cardboard box nearby, containing a piece of bread and some water.

This led to HJ and her husband to believe that the rabbit had been abandoned.

First rabbit rescued, second rabbit found

After a brief chase, her husband managed to secure the bunny in a nearby garden.

It did not appear injured but was "terrified", she said.

They then contacted rabbit welfare group Bunny Wonderland, where HJ volunteers.

The rabbit was safely transported to the Bunny Wonderland headquarters and named “Pommie”.

That might’ve been the end of the saga.

But the next day, on Dec. 26, the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) found another rabbit wandering around the the same HDB estate.

It appeared “scared and hungry”, HJ said.

After securing the rabbit, the SPCA staff contacted Bunny Wonderland and arranged to have the second rabbit taken in as well.

This one closely resembled the first rabbit in appearance.

It was named “Pomsie”.

Dumping case

HJ said that it appeared to be a case of “serial dumping”.

While both rabbits are now safe, they are still recovering from the stress of the incident.

The first rabbit, Pommie, also has not been eating much yet.

She added that the rabbits are currently being reviewed by the vet.

After being rehabilitated and sterilised, they'll be put up for adoption.

If you're interested in giving Pommie and Pomsie a forever home, you can fill up the adoption form here.

Under investigation

In response to Mothership's queries, Aarthi Sankar, executive director of the SPCA, confirmed that both rabbits have been rescued and are now under the care of Bunny Wonderland.

"Upon discussion with Bunny Wonderland, we determined that it was plausible for both rabbits to have been abandoned by the same owner," she said.

She added that the case has since been escalated to the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) for further investigation.

Jessica Kwok, group director of enforcement and investigation at the National Parks Board (NParks), confirmed that the agency is looking into the matter.

"We investigate every reported case if there is sufficient information provided, and we will take appropriate enforcement action against anyone who has abandoned their pet, failed to provide adequate care for it, or has committed an act of animal cruelty," she said.

If found guilty of failure in duty of care to their pets (including pet abandonment), an individual may be charged under the Animals and Bird Act.

First-time offenders face a fine of up to S$10,000, a jail term of up to 12 months, or both.

Top image from HJ