Story By: Kathryn Quinn, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

A pet owner is being investigated for leaving five baby rabbits to starve to death in an empty apartment when they moved out.

According to local media, the unnamed flat owner in the town of Krems an der Donau in the north-eastern Austrian state of Lower Austria moved out and left the poor animals to fend for themselves.

Reports said that five kits were starved to death while a male adult was found alive, but in a severely weak condition.

Pictures Credit: CEN/ Tierheim Krems

When animal activists from the Krems Animal Shelter entered the flat, they found a filthy rabbit hutch with the five dead kits and the barely-alive buck.

An animal shelter spokesperson said: “The rabbits suffered a painful death due to hunger and thirst. It seems the animals were left to fend for themselves when the owner moved out.”

It is not known who called the animal welfare specialists to the apartment.

Two weeks ago, a white female rabbit was found in a box near the animal shelter after recently giving birth.

There are similarities between the doe in the box and the five dead kits and it is believed that she could be the mother.

Meanwhile, the shelter has said that the buck is recovering after receiving treatment.

According to local media, the police are investigating the matter and the home owner could face charges of animal cruelty.

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