A BRUTAL pet killer is being hunted after a rabbit was found decapitated at a Basingstoke animal rescue centre.

The five-year-old bunny, named Dexter, had been cared for at STARescue for three years.

He was put out in one of the runs at the back of the centre, in Lyford Road, South View, on the evening of Tuesday, September 30. But the following morning, STARescue founder Shirley King made the grim discovery.

Shirley said: “It didn’t look like an animal attack – the cut to the neck was far too clean. I was really shocked. I’ve never seen anything like it before.

“We have always let our animals use those runs and it has been totally safe.

There is no entrance to the back of the centre and it would be difficult for foxes to get in.”

Wanting a second opinion, Shirley, 66, took the dead rabbit to Basingstoke Veterinary Centre, in Brighton Hill, for further analysis.

A subsequent report concluded that the rabbit had been crushed with a heavy object before its head was removed with a sharp blade after death. The expert found “no evidence of bite wounds or other injuries which would have been sustained from an animal attack.”

Shirley said: “I knew from the start that this was done by a person and not an animal. It is terrifying that this happened. Someone must have jumped over our gates to get to Dexter.

“I have no idea who would do this or why they would do this. I think people need to be aware of this danger.”

Shirley added that since the incident, she had bought security cameras and lighting for the outside space of the rescue centre, and had reported the matter to the police.

Shirley, who lives in Popley, said: “I can’t understand how someone could do this to a defenceless animal. It’s very upsetting.”

The police confirmed to The Gazette that they have received a report about the decapitation.

Anyone who can help the inquiry, should contact Basingstoke police on 101.