A LITTLE girl with autism has been left heart-broken after her much-loved pet rabbit was violently killed.

Shayla Bratherton Selby, six, relied on German Lop Rosie for therapy. Her family, mum Louise and dad Matthew believe the rabbit died after someone entered their garden, took her from the hutch and used a brick to kill her.

Mum Louise said Shayla is struggling to understand what has happened.

She said: “Shayla’s response has been drawing Rosie pictures and telling us ‘It’s ok, Rosie will like my picture and she will come back to life’ which as parents is heart-breaking.”

Mrs Bratherton Selby said: “She was mainly my daughter’s rabbit who was used as a sort of therapy.

“My husband found the rabbit laid flat outside her cage. First he assumed she had been killed by a fox, but upon closer inspection not a single bite or scratch mark could be found.”

Mrs Bratherton Selby added, it was then that her husband found the brick which is believed to have been used.

The family, from the Colcot area of Barry, also believe that the rabbit had been stamped on during the attack. Fortunately the family’s two other rabbits were not killed in the incident.

“We have two other rabbits in two cages either side of Rosie’s,” said Mrs Bratherton Selby. “The first cage had been tampered with, but that rabbit, Dot, is quite aggressive and will not come to the foot of the hutch. The person moved on to the next cage, which was Rosie’s. She is very friendly and always comes to the edge of the hutch for a smooth or pet.

“It’s difficult to describe what sort of deprived mind would willingly go into someone’s property and kill an innocent animal that belongs to a child.”

The family’s spirits have been buoyed by the support they have received since the incident.

“We put the story and pictures on Facebook,” said Mrs Bratherton Selby. “We read all the lovely messages to Shayla as it really shows Shayla there are nice people out there who are caring.”

She added that staff from construction firm Ian Williams have given Shayla Argos vouchers to help her cope.

“My husband would like the person who ever did this to hand themselves in, take responsibility for their actions, and to seek the correct help,” she said. “My husband would also like the person if caught to be made to explain to our daughter why she no longer has a rabbit.”

A South Wales Police spokeswoman confirmed the incident occurred between 8pm on July 19 and 12pm on July 20.

Anyone with information can call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting occurrence number 1700282069.