ANIMAL refuge staff believe they have found the region's unluckiest rabbit.

Last Christmas Double Brandy was dumped on the doorstep of a veterinary practice in a box.

But far from being a starved waif in need of a good feed, it weighed 6.3kg and had to go on a crash diet.

Now staff at Bunny Burrows in Richmond, have found out the New Zealand red cross has a rare disease called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

The condition means the rabbit's skin is very fragile and wounds can take a long time to heal.

"She's been very unlucky," said sanctuary manager Gwen Butler.

"When she first arrived I though she just hated being touched, but now I realise being handled must have been painful for her.

"Although she is still a happy bunny and it probably bothers me more than it bothers her."