A RABBIT has been found dumped in a alleyway in a horrendous state.

The young black lion head was found by a member of the public in an alleyway on Clifton Road, Darlington on Saturday 7 March in the afternoon.

The suffering rabbit was left in a box tied closed with a cable tie.

After being taken to a local veterinary practise the animal was found to have been shaved or clipped around the back end of his body, had scabs on his back and stomach, and wounds on his testicles which could be from another animal.

Animal welfare charity, the RSPCA, are now appealing for any further information on the incident.

RSPCA inspector Gemma Lynch said: “The rabbit is a young black lion head unneutered male and was thin.

“He was really lucky to have been found before anything untoward happened to him.

"We are really grateful to the kind person who rescued him and took him to the vets.

"Abandoning an animal is never acceptable, and causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet an animals’ needs are offences under the Animal Welfare Act."

Anyone who has further information should call the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018 and ask to speak to Gemma.

The incident comes shortly after 20 hamsters were found dumped in plastic containers in Park Crescent, in Darlington on Sunday 1 March, and more than a dozen snakes were found dumped inside a pair of children’s pillowcases around the back of a fire station in Sunderland.