A woman has been fined £500 for leaving her pet rabbit to starve while she went on holiday.

Sareena Ebraheem, of Martlesham Walk, Grahame Park, told Hendon Magistrates Court that she had left her friend Aysha Ahmet to look after the rabbit, named Bob, while she was on holiday for ten days in August 2007.

Ahmet, of Fairway Avenue, Brent, initially fed Bob every few days but then went on holiday herself, leaving him trapped in a hutch during a heat wave.

Both women were found guilty of causing unneccesary suffering to an animal and given a six-month conditional discharge at Hendon Magistrates Court on Friday.

Ebraheem was ordered to pay £2,000 court costs and Armet £500.

RSPCA Inspector Mike Beaman said: “This poor rabbit was left alone in its hutch during a heatwave with no-one providing food or water. People need to make proper provisions for their animals when they go away.”

Bob survived the experience and is currently at the RSPCA’s Southridge Animal Centre in Potters Bar.

He is currently looking for a new home and anyone interested should contact the centre on 0870 4427104.