Wanted: Runaway rabbit!

This cheeky bunny is quickly becoming one of Shropshire’s most hunted runaways.Gizmo, the beige and brown Velveteen Rex rabbit, is earning a notorious reputation on a housing estate in Cleobury Mortimer. The family pet doesn’t own a hoodie and is yet to be spotted on a street corner, but he is in danger of being given an “animal Asbo” for his misdemeanours.

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The rascal rabbit went missing about three weeks ago and has now landed himself in hot water after munching his way through some prize wallflowers.

His owners, the Siddall family, have searched tirelessly for him after he escaped the family home in Whitcombe’s Orchard, with owner Rachel enlisting the help of seven children, plus neighbours and their dogs.

The elusive rabbit has refused to return to the safety of his hutch and has instead caused havoc on the estate eating flowers belonging to elderly neighbours.

Two complaints have been made to South Shropshire Housing Association and Rachel, 31, received a call and a letter from Elaine Rees to say an official order for the nuisance pet was being issued.

Rachel said a policeman who was with Mrs Rees at the time of the phone call, said it was like an Asbo for animals and Rachel said she began to laugh.

The housing association has sent Rachel a letter saying the situation must be monitored ahead of an order being issued. Rachel said she was told if the help of a professional was enlisted to trap the hungry bunny, she could be billed £100 a day.

She said: “The rabbit’s called Gizmo, but I’m going to rename him Asbo. We have seen him about but we just can’t catch him. I really have had enough.”

Rachel and her daughters Charlotte, nine, and Jessica, seven, have put wanted posters up all over Cleobury Mortimer. Rachel said she would refuse to pay the massive bill to pest control and was desperately trying to seize the rabbit herself.

“We still have two rabbits, Flopsy and Stanley, but the children miss Gizmo.”

As a result of Gizmo’s antics, Flopsy is now residing in Rachel’s mum’s greenhouse and Stanley is living in luxury in a Wendy house as Rachel is scared to let them outside.

The charge sheet: Gizmo’s life of crime

• Gizmo may look like a typically cute bunny but he is accused of a reign of terror in and around Cleobury Mortimer.
• His alleged crimes include:
• Nibbling some prize wallflowers that belonged to elderly neighbours.
• Going on the run and refusing to return to his hutch despite the cold weather.
• Being on the run for three weeks.
• Prompting a “manhunt” involving his owner Rachel and seven children.
• Causing the Siddalls’ other rabbits Flopsy and Stanley to stay in the greenhouse.

Any bounty hunter wishing to claim the £10 reward for his return can telephone the family on 07854 489590.

By Catherine Roche