The Pet Sitter Killed My Rabbit. What Should I Do?

Left my healthy Flemish Giant rabbit with a supposedly reliable pet sitter on this forum for a few weeks while I was away. Came home to find him paralyzed, malnourished, covered in sores, and unable to move. Rushed him to the emergency vet where they said his condition was untreatable. The sitter says she didn’t know about his suffering, but my home security footage shows her neglecting him and even covering up his condition.

Forum support sided with the sitter, calling it an “unfortunate situation.”

Full Story:

After a month-long business trip, I returned home to see that my rabbit was in terrible shape, with a severe wound and immobile. The vet confirmed he had severe sores from being left in his own waste for days and recommended euthanasia due to his irreversible condition.

After reviewing my home security footage, I saw that the sitter didn’t check on him every day like she promised, leaving food and water where he couldn’t reach due to his injuries. I have messages with her on the forum chat, home security footage showing neglect, and vet documentation.

Despite all of this, forum support believes the sitter, who insists she “didn’t notice” anything wrong. She even claims the rabbit was in poor condition when she first arrived.

You really need legal help. This situation is beyond what people here can handle. I’m really sorry you had to go through this.

I am so sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, this forum’s sitter guarantee doesn’t cover rabbits, so they won’t take responsibility.

This is a lawyer situation. What happened to your pet is awful, and if you don’t act, it could happen to others too. Some lawyers specialize in cases involving pets.

This is heartbreaking. How could anyone let an animal suffer like that? If you have video evidence, please take legal action. Report her to animal control or the police. This is clear animal abuse!

Avery said:
This is heartbreaking. How could anyone let an animal suffer like that? If you have video evidence, please take legal action. Report her to animal control or the police. This is clear animal abuse!

Absolutely agree 100%

If the rabbit was in that condition when she arrived, why didn’t she document it or refuse care? If she’s lying, she could do this to someone else’s pet. You need to go after her.

Definitely sue her.

I’m sorry for your loss. I’ve heard too many horror stories about sitters on this forum. Go on social media, let people know what happened and that they didn’t help you. They need to be held accountable.

I couldn’t read the whole post, but I’m so sorry. Please get a lawyer.

You should file a police report. This is animal abuse.

Ren said:
You should file a police report. This is animal abuse.

And report her to the SPCA or a local animal welfare group. Animal neglect like this is criminal.

Take legal action immediately!

Yun said:

Hal said:
Take legal action immediately!

But won’t the forum’s terms push it to arbitration?

I heard their sitter guarantee doesn’t cover rabbits anyway.

You should pursue this legally and bring the vet into the process. This person shouldn’t be trusted with any more pets.

Get a lawyer, don’t let this happen to another pet!

Noor said:
Get a lawyer, don’t let this happen to another pet!

Contact the local news as well. This forum doesn’t want bad publicity. I hate hearing stories like this.

I used to have rabbits, and they can get stressed easily. It’s true that they may act frozen or resist being handled by strangers, which can make care difficult. The sitter may not have known how to check the rabbit properly. Still, it’s upsetting what happened to your pet.

You’ve got video evidence—use it.

People who treat animals this way deserve jail time.