One of the Flemish Giant Rabbits weighed 8kg - the same as a medium sized dog - and had ears measuring 7 inches long

One of the Flemish Giant Rabbits weighed 8kg – the same as a medium sized dog – and had ears measuring 7 inches long (Pic: SWNS/RSPCA)

Xl-seven giant rabbits accept been saved from the chop after they were found crammed into tiny cages at an illegal breeding farm.

A member of the public raised the alarm later on seeing them covered in dirt and struggling to hop around tiny filthy hutches on an allocation in Northumberland.

RSPCA inspectors say the animals were being fattened upwards so they could exist slaughtered and their meat sold on the black market place.

1 of the Flemish Giant Rabbits weighed 8kg – the same equally a medium sized dog – and had ears measuring 7 inches long.

RSCPA inspector Trevor Walker rescued the animals from their cages in Ashington on July 11.

He said: 'These poor rabbits were living in cramped and dirty conditions which would take been very unpleasant for them especially in the rut.

'Nosotros constitute hutches covered in filth and bursting with giant animals where they had been left to breed with each other.

A woman holds one of the rabbits which is massive

Flemish Giant Rabbits are often bred for their fur and meat (Motion picture: RSCPA/SWNS)

The rabbits were living in squalid conditions

The rabbits were living in squalid atmospheric condition (Picture: RSCPA/SWNS)

The rabbits were all giant breeds with some adults and some babies

The rabbits were all giant breeds with some adults and some babies (Picture: RSCPA / SWNS)

'Luckily a vet establish they are all in good condition, 1 is on medication for weepy eyes and a wound on the back of his cervix, only we promise they will find loving homes.

'They will make expert companion animals as they have a prissy temperament.

'Sadly, rabbits are becoming an increasing problem across the RSPCA equally we are seeing more and more coming into our care, many as a issue of the cost of living crisis.

'Nosotros would really urge people to do their research earlier taking on a pet and also to make sure you become your pet neutered at an early opportunity to forestall unwanted litters of animals – all of these rabbits will exist neutered, microchipped and vaccinated before finding new homes.'

Flemish Giant Rabbits are oftentimes bred for their fur and meat.

One-half the rabbits were adult, the other half were babies that were crossed with a behemothic breed, and then they could grow fifty-fifty bigger.

The rescued rabbits have now been safely distributed to RSPCA centres around the UK while staff try and rehome them.

The RSPCA says they have seen a 49% increase in the number of rabbits being abandoned in the UK.

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