A charity has been left devastated after vandals smashed up rabbit hutches and pulled out a chicken’s feathers in a bizarre and traumatic act of cruelty.

The break-in took place at the Agricultural and Rural Centre (ARC) in Romiley , Stockport , a specialised farm that helps people with learning disabilities and mental health issues, offering therapy through working with the animals.

The raid happened sometime between 7.30pm on Saturday (December 9) and lunchtime on Sunday, and staff discovered the damage when they went to feed the farm’s smaller animals.

Paula Forth from ARC said: “We think they broke through the fence. They have got into the polytunnel where we keep the smaller animals in the winter.

“We had about eight to 10 rabbits in there at the time, and they have smashed up all the hutches so most of them have escaped – we are down to three now.

“They also plucked the feathers out of one of the chickens. That was the most upsetting thing.

“Vandalism is one thing, but to purposely hurt an animal like that is another, it is really shocking. Sunday was horrendous, I could not stop crying.”

The chicken survived, and has been taken home by one of the volunteers to be looked after.

ARC are appealing for people in the surrounding area to check their gardens for the escaped rabbits.

“They may well try to hide in people’s gardens and find warm places,” Paula said.

“We have been looking for two days but we haven’t found any of them.

“We have also been knocking on doors, but because it happened when the weather was bad anyway, no one has seen anything.

“Where they have got in is down by the canal, so it is quite secluded.”

But Paula said that despite the trauma of the break-in the community has rallied round to help.

“I couldn’t believe it to be honest,” she said. “Someone set up a crowdfunding page to help us repair the damage and install CCTV, and it is up to £400 already.

“We have had people volunteer to come and help us with the repairs, and other people have donated rabbit hutches, it has been amazing.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed that they were called to the break-in and are investigating.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the police on 101, quoting reference number 1911 of 10/12/2017, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

To make a donation to the crowdfunding campaign visit gofundme.com/help-raise-money-for-the-arc .