Rabbit rights call could get second hearing next month Published duration 26 August 2015

image copyright Thinkstock image caption Rabbits Require Rights Scotland are seeking tighter controls on the sales of rabbits

Campaigners hope a petition calling for greater legal protection for pet rabbits will get a second hearing in Holyrood next month.

Rabbits Require Rights Scotland's 2,044-name petition was first discussed by MSPs earlier this year.

It calls for rabbits to be given the same protection as cats and dogs as well as regulations on breeding and the minimum size of housing.

The Scottish SPCA said it rescued 728 rabbits in 2014 and had taken 550 into care so far this year.

'Like sweeties'

Rabbits Require Rights Scotland described rabbits as the "UK's most neglected pet".

A spokeswoman said: "As the law currently stands there are no enforceable welfare protection available to rabbits.

"They are too easily sold and too easily discarded. For want of a better word, they are sold like sweeties."

image copyright SSPCA image caption The Scottish SPCA has been dealing with dozens of unwanted pet rabbits

The spokeswoman added: "We will return to parliament for the second hearing of our petition sometime in September or October when the new session dates are announced.

"We've had some good feedback from other welfare bodies in support of our aims, so it is hoped that some level of the improvements we have called for will be addressed."