FLUFFY baby rabbits were dumped on the side of a Colchester road by their owners just before Easter.

The three male dwarf rabbits, a cross between Lionhead and Netherland, were found by a resident in a hutch with the word “free” scrawled across the front.

They were discovered in Berechurch Hall Road.

It is not known if there were any other rabbits in the hutch which had already been taken.

The three rabbits, which are between eight and ten weeks old, are now being cared for by the RSPCA.

Annie Clarke, manager of the north east Essex branch, appealed to anyone who had taken rabbits from the hutch to get them checked over by a vet.

“The rabbits were in very good condition and had water and food available in the hutch,” she said.

“Members of the public thought it was the hutch that was being offered for free and were shocked to discover the three rabbits inside.

“It is possible that there were more rabbits originally that have already been taken away – we may never know.

“What we would say is if you do not feel you can cope with your animals, abandoning them at the roadside is not the way to deal with it.”

Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA cruelty line on 0300 1234999.