VANDALS have terrorised harmless rabbits after scaling fences to destroy the huts where the orphaned animals are kept.

During the last few weeks cruel thugs have been getting into the RSPCA's complex in Longridge Road, Ribbleton, Preston, to vandalise the rabbit hutches.

They have kicked-in the wire mesh surrounding the hutches and frightened the animals.

Now staff at the centre are concerned for the welfare of the pets and fear one or more of them could soon be dead because of the stress the thugs have caused.

"The rabbits are in a state of shock and we have an expectant mother at the moment whose babies might not survive because of this," said assistant Carla Shaw.

The situation has led to a shortage of hutches and staff have had to close the door on accepting more rabbits in the future.

Carla, 19, who has worked at the RSPCA for two years, added: "There is a danger of rabbits destroying their own babies -- they do this when they feel threatened.

"Some we take in are found and some are from people who can't look after them -- perhaps they were presents for children who got bored of them.

"These people will now have to keep hold of the rabbits and there is always the danger that they may feel this is impossible and destroy them.

"We have a system where we keep the rabbits until someone is ready to take them -- and we will take one in as we let one out."

Eunice Theacher, a regular visitor to the animal centre, said: "The meshing is the only thing that protects the rabbits from foxes -- I can't understand why anyone would want to hurt these harmless creatures. Sergeant Paul Barnes from Fulwood police station, said: "The RSPCA can phone us with any reports of nuisance behaviour and we will deal with the culprits accordingly. We can offer them crime prevention advice and patrol more in that area."

Carla added: "At the animal centre we are worried because we do not know what these people will do next.

"These rabbits have never hurt anybody -- the people who are terrorising them are causing a lot of distress for no reason."