I was sorry to read what happened to the rabbit Karen Bidwell bought for her son Tom's birthday (Letters, August 21).

Like many, she seems to think all you do is buy a rabbit and hutch and stick it in the garden.

None of the hutches I have seen for sale offer protection against weather, let alone foxes. I put food out every night for foxes and enjoy seeing them in the garden and I have a rabbit.

The hutch should be kept in a shed or garage at night and the rabbit brought out into a large run during the day, making sure it has a shaded area at all times. They need exercise and should not be left in a hutch all day - the small area at the bottom of hutches is not sufficient as a run.

When I got a rabbit and hutch, my husband made it fox and weather-proof with extra boards and perspex. My rabbit is totally safe from foxes and is snug and warm all winter.

Come on all you rabbit owners, take care of your bunnies.

-Val Staveley, Withdean