A WOMAN kept dying rabbits in “atrocious” conditions despite repeated warnings from the RSPCA.

Charlene Blackley, from Poole used the 88 pets as an “emotional crutch” after splitting up with her boyfriend, Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday.

The 29-year-old McDonalds employee kept the rabbits in her parents’ house and garden in Grange Gardens in Parkstone.

RSPCA inspectors visited several times between March and July and warned her about the poor conditions.

The outside hutches were unclean, in a poor state of repairs, and the 59 rabbits had minimal food and water.

Conditions deteriorated and the animals were removed in July – and another 29 rabbits were found upstairs.

Matthew Knight, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said the conditions in the upstairs room were atrocious – the rabbits were in cramped hutches that lacked bedding, food and water.

He said: “One of the rabbits, which had not been given sufficient water, had collapsed and was eventually put down. Blackley yesterday pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to provide the animals with a suitable environment and two counts of failing to provide them with a suitable diet.

Mr Knight said Blackley said it took 48 hours of constant work to clean the hutches and that she was trying to re-home them.

But he added: “She said she started getting a greater number of rabbits when her boyfriend left her and it was an emotional crutch.”

Sentencing was adjourned until October 25.

The court heard likely sentences ranged from a community punishment to 12 weeks in custody. The RSPCA has also asked for Blackley to be banned from keeping rabbits in future.

Harvey Withecombe, defending, said Blackley’s doctor asked that she be allowed to keep a small number.

Speaking after the case, RSPCA Inspector Graham Hammond said: “We don’t want to prosecute people; we just want animals kept so their needs are met.”