A horrified mother is warning pet owners to be on their guard after her family's rabbit was savagely killed.

Police and the RSPCA are investigating the death of three-year-old Pickles after his owner found the rabbit's mutilated body in the back garden of her home in Crawley.

The black and white rabbit, which had only arrived at its new home two weeks earlier, had been decapitated and suffered injuries to his paws. His head is still missing.

His devastated owner, who recently rehomed Pickles after he outgrew his previous owner's house, was staying at her partner's when the incident occurred.

The woman, 35, who lives in Black Dog Walk with her teenage son, has asked for her identity to be withheld.

She said: "I had been staying with my boyfriend because I was ill with a kidney infection. I came home and found the rabbit just lying there on the grass in front of his hutch.

"I was in tears for the next six hours. I couldn't believe someone had been in my garden and mutilated my pet. He was defenceless. Whoever did it must be sick.

"The neighbours say they heard a noise in the early hours of the morning.

"The police said it was clear another animal was not responsible. There wasn't even a bit of fur in his cage.

"The kids who played with him are very upset. Everyone round here is disgusted. He was a beautiful animal.

"I hope more people will come forward to say if this has happened to them because whoever did it should be punished."

The RSPCA said it was awaiting the results of a post-mortem.

A spokeswoman said: "If anyone has any information and wants to talk to us about this incident, they can call our cruelty line on 0870 5555999 and speak to us in confidence."