CONVICTED (2024) | Andrew West, born 12 July 1994, of 38 Adrian Crescent, Southey Green, Sheffield S5 8DL – killed a pet rabbit by hurling him with force onto the floor.

West was caught on a hidden camera picking up grey lop-eared rabbit Milo, whom he was looking after for a friend, by the neck and forcefully throwing him to the ground.

The upsetting footage was captured from the bedroom of a house in Adrian Crescent, Southey Green, and was passed to the RSPCA, who prosecuted West.

He pleaded guilty to one offence contrary to the Animal Welfare Act.

In one of the videos, West can be seen looking for Milo, who is hiding under a wooden structure on the floor, and then roughly picking him up by his neck.

In another, he says to the rabbit: “You’re never going to hurt me again, do you understand?”

Further footage showed Milo being flung on the floor by West and then thrashing around on his side, before being found dead a short time later.

A vet who viewed the video footage and gave written evidence in the case, said: “This is one of the most disturbing cases of violence towards a helpless animal that I have had the misfortune to witness.

“Through his callous actions [West] has blatantly caused a great deal of pain, stress, fear and unnecessary suffering.”

A number of small pets which also belonged to West, including other rabbits, hamsters and gerbils, were signed over by him during the course of the investigation and have since been rehomed by the charity.

A post-mortem report indicated the rabbit had been suffering from a brain infection called E cuniculi.

This is a common infection in rabbits and, although it often causes mild or no symptoms, it may cause serious neurological damage and lead to seizures or death in some cases.

The court heard how RSPCA officers and police had gone to the property on August 31, 2023, where West admitted that he had thrown Milo to the ground a number of times and picked him up by his ears.

When RSPCA officers asked why he was heard in one of the video clips saying, “oh yeah you’re going to get it,” he said this meant he wanted to hurt Milo because he was angry with the rabbit for biting him, but he had not intended to kill him.

West agreed that he had intended to cause the rabbit pain and that Milo would have been scared.

The court was told he suffers from severe ADHD and was not taking his medication at the time.

Two references attested to his ‘kind personality’ and ‘love of animals’.

Speaking after sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Jack Taylor, one of the officers involved in the case, said: “The videos of the physical violence that was inflicted on Milo are extremely hard to watch.

“There is never any excuse for treating animals in this cruel and deplorable way and we’re pleased the person responsible was held accountable for their actions.”

Sentencing | 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days, 150 hours of unpaid work; costs of £400. 10-year ban applicable to all animals.

The Star