An animal rescue group has condemned the treatment of a rabbit that was thrown over a fence and into woodlands like a "bag of rubbish".

Happy Endings Rescue, a shelter in Faversham, shared the shocking story after taking in the bunny, which was spotted by a passer-by in Blean Woods in Canterbury.

The rabbit, named Victoria after her rescuer, was found in the woods on February 12 and promptly taken to the shelter.

The charity posted on Facebook: "We always try and keep our posts positive but sometimes it just isn’t possible.

"Poor Victoria was driven to Blean Woods and thrown over a fence. Her rescuer thought it was a bag of rubbish that was being thrown and that is exactly how Victoria was treated.

"Thank goodness the rescuer looked twice and came to her rescue. Victoria is now safe with us.

"It really is terrifying how some animals are treated by human beings."

The shelter confirmed Victoria will be fully neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before being rehomed.

Happy Endings also thanked those who had donated gifts and money for the abandoned rabbit's care.

It comes as the RSPCA reveals it is backing a breeding amnesty aimed at tackling the surge in rabbits being abandoned while rescue centres are at breaking point.

The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund is calling for breeders to suspend their activities temporarily in order to reduce the numbers of unwanted rabbits left needing accommodation at rescues and animal centres.

The breeding of pet rabbits is unregulated in both England and Wales and the RSPCA says that last year, it saw a 48% increase in the number of rabbits being taken to its animal centres compared to 2021.

It also says there was a 42% fall in the numbers of bunnies finding new homes last year from RSPCA centres compared to 2019, before the pandemic.

Dr Jane Tyson, rabbit welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: "The number of rabbits entering the RSPCA in need has surged since the pandemic, possibly because people could no longer care for their pets as life returned to normal, but also as a result of the cost-of-living crisis too.

"As more are coming into our care, our centres are at capacity, and we are utilising private boarding which is costly to us as a charity. At the same time, we are seeing rehoming rates slowing, meaning rabbits are staying with us for longer than ever before.

"We are pleased to support the RWA&F breeding amnesty campaign and would urge anyone thinking of getting rabbits to do plenty of research first and consider adopting from one of our many centres across England and Wales rather than buying from a pet shop or online."