A FIVE-year-old boy's pet rabbit has been found with its head cut off.

Police are investigating after lop-eared rabbit Cooper was discovered decapitated in Diane Stock's back garden, in the Pallister Park area of Middlesbrough, last night, Tuesday, or early this morning.

Mrs Stock rescued the rabbit four years ago as a pet for her five-year-old grandson.

Police have ruled out an attack by another animal and are treating it as an animal cruelty case.

She said she felt "sick to the stomach" when she discovered Cooper this morning, Wednesday.

"My grandson is staying at the weekend and he is going to be devastated," she said. "I'm just going to tell him that Cooper has gone up to heaven.

"When I realised what had happened I just felt ill. We searched for the head for ages but we couldn't find it anywhere, so whoever has done this has taken the rabbit's head with them.

"I just can't understand why anybody would want to do this."

  • Anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the incident or anyone with information is asked to contact PC Gary Cookland on the non-emergency number 101, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.