A Midlands couple has been handed a suspended sentence after abandoning 90 rabbits in a woodland area, with 23 of the animals found dead. Kevin Lewis, 49, and Michelle Deakin, 51, both of Yardley Wood Road, Highters Heath, Birmingham, dumped the rabbits at Chaddesley Wood in Kidderminster.
Public Discovery Leads to RSPCA Investigation
Concerned members of the public first alerted the RSPCA on November 11, 2024, after spotting rabbits running loose along Tanwood Lane. RSPCA Inspector Boris Lasserre attended the scene and later provided a statement to Birmingham Magistrates' Court.
“Some were scattered individually, while others were in groups. I also found two live rabbits. I gathered up and bagged all the dead rabbits I could find and in total there were 23,” Inspector Lasserre recalled.
Rescue Efforts and Legal Outcome
Members of the public managed to collect a large number of the live rabbits, while 56 were taken in by Lucky Bunny and Friends Rescue. Lewis pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and Deakin pleaded guilty to one animal welfare offence.
At Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on April 16 and 17, 2026, both defendants were sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months. Additionally, they were disqualified from owning animals. Lewis was ordered to complete 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days, and Deakin 20 RAR days.
The RSPCA has urged anyone with information about animal cruelty to come forward.
