A rabbit dumped in its cage near the train tracks in Wimbledon has been rescued by the RSPCA.

A member of the public spotted the bunny, renamed Caramel by RSPCA staff, on the railway tracks after it escaped from its dirty cage.

The pet had been abandoned in a field by the tracks in West Barnes Lane on Friday (April 28). 

Animal collection officer Prisca Giddens (ACO), who collected the rabbit said: “Sadly, the RSPCA is called to many cases where rabbits have been abandoned in their cages.

“However, this was especially distressing as the cage was dumped so close to a railway line.

“Although a water bottle was left, the rabbit had no access to food and the latch to the cage was loose which meant she managed to get out and was found walking along the railway track.”

Officers said the rabbit was lucky not to have been injured during the escape.

She is now being looked after at the Putney Animal Hospital and being treated for a fractured tooth.

ACO Giddens said: “Hopefully she will be rehomed to a loving family very soon. There are lots of rescue rabbits in our animal centres across the country and I would urge prospective pet owners to consider adopting instead of buying from a pet shop and give a lovely rabbit like this a second chance.”