UK Police Investigate Theft of Pet Rabbit After Owners Captured Suspects on CCTV

Humberside Police are investigating the theft of a family's pet rabbit, Peter, who was snatched from his garden hutch by two men. The incident, captured on CCTV, shows the men grabbing the rabbit by its ears and carrying it away while laughing. The owners, who were out at the time of the theft on Saturday afternoon in Hull, discovered Peter missing upon their return.

Amy Ulliott, Peter's owner, expressed her distress after viewing the footage, stating that the way the rabbit was handled could have caused serious injury or death. The family immediately contacted the police and also launched their own search, sharing the video on social media. They were later contacted by a person who had found a rabbit matching Peter's description in a car park about a mile away. The rabbit had been given food and water while the finder attempted to locate its owners.

Peter was reunited with his family on Sunday afternoon and subsequently checked by a vet. Despite being described as 'wheezy and sad,' he is expected to make a full recovery. Ms. Ulliott noted that Peter, who has a medical condition requiring daily medication, was denied his treatment during the ordeal.

According to Ms. Ulliott, the two men involved in the theft were heard speaking in what sounded like Russian. A Russian speaker who reviewed the CCTV footage reported that one of the men said, "We'll make shashlik out of it," a phrase that has been interpreted as a comment about turning the rabbit into kebabs. However, another translation suggests the remark may have been jesting, with one man reportedly asking, "Are there potatoes there?" possibly implying an intention to make rabbit stew. The language was identified as Russian, potentially with a Ukrainian accent.

Ms. Ulliott has appealed for information to help identify the men responsible for the theft, highlighting the cruelty involved in the incident.