Man Sentenced for Killing Pet Rabbit After Bite Incident
- A 30-year-old man has been handed a suspended jail term for the death of a pet rabbit in Sheffield.
- The incident took place at a residence in the city, raising concerns about animal welfare.
- This case highlights issues surrounding the treatment of pets and the legal consequences of harm.
A Sheffield man has received a suspended prison sentence and a 10-year ban on animal ownership after killing his pet rabbit, Milo, following a bite incident. The case, described as "one of the most disturbing" by a veterinary expert, came to light after distressing video footage was recorded in the man's home on August 29, 2023, and subsequently reported to the RSPCA. During the court proceedings at Sheffield Magistrates' Court, it was revealed that the man, who suffers from severe ADHD and was not on his medication at the time, expressed anger towards the rabbit after it bit him. He was recorded saying, “Oh yeah you're going to get it,” which he claimed did not indicate an intention to kill the animal. However, the RSPCA, along with police, launched an investigation after receiving multiple video clips of the incident. At the sentencing hearing on July 26, the court heard from a veterinarian who condemned the man's actions as "extremely cruel," stating that the footage demonstrated blatant violence and unnecessary suffering inflicted on the defenseless animal. Despite references to the man's "kind personality" and "love of animals," the court found him guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, resulting in an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.