Man set baby rabbit on fire at pub and then broke its neck

A thug set a baby rabbit on fire before snapping its neck in front of horrified pub-goers. Police and animal cruelty bosses are investigating the sickening incident at the Eccles Cross pub on Regent Street, Eccles. Stunned drinkers told how they were approached by the man, who was trying to sell the pet.

He is said to have gone from table to table, holding the rabbit by its ears and demanding cash for it. After finding no takers, he is said to have taken the rabbit out into the beer garden before trying to force a lit cigarette into its mouth. Witnesses said he then held it by its legs and smashed it against a picnic table, before setting it on fire.



Police believe he then snapped its neck before putting it into a bin and leaving. Customer Lisa Royle, 29, said she had pleaded with the man to stop. She said: “I had come in for breakfast and was in the beer garden when he brought it out. He was swinging it by its ears.

“He wouldn’t let me or my mate touch it. He threw it into its box really hard and then set fire to its fur. Then he snapped its neck and threw it into a bin. It was really upsetting.” Police say the man went into the pub with two other men at around 11.00am on Saturday. Detectives are now studying CCTV footage.