POLICE are investigating after a family’s pet rabbit was killed and ferrets were stolen from a North- East allotment.

Thieves entered the secluded allotments in Trimdon Grange, County Durham, last Sunday and speared the rabbit with a thin metal pole.

Dennis Young, 60, said his grandchildren were heartbroken over the death of the six-year-old female “lion head” rabbit, which had originally belonged to their mother, who died four years ago.

As well as attacking the rabbit, thieves also stole seven ferrets, a male and six females, and damaged a number of hutches.

The rabbit died on the operating table as a vet fought to save it.

Mr Young, who lives in Northside Buildings, about 200 yards from the allotments, described the attack on the family pet as “sickening”.

“I’m absolutely devastated that this has happened,”

he said. “My grandchildren are distraught over the rabbit’s death. They are heartbroken.”

“I’ve been breeding ferrets for 25 years and having them stolen in this way is dreadful. It is the last thing I need.”

Police urged anyone who knows anything about the incident, in the North Side Terrace area behind Trimdon Grange Infant and Nursery School, to come forward.

PC Paul Elliott said: “This despicable crime has caused Mr Young and his family a great deal of heartache and I would appeal to anyone with information about those responsible to contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Elliott on 0345-60-60-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.