[sagehen]

Not sure where to post this, but there's a rabbit with myxy wandering around in our garden. I'm not sure what to do? It's probably suffering but if I catch it, I worry that I might get something off it. If I do manage to catch it, what do I do with it? 

[Rosemary]

Cull it. It's a horrible death. You can't catch anything from it. Dan usually shoots them but if you don't have a gun, pick it up by the hind feet and hit its head HARD on a concrete surface or a wall.

[sagehen]

Thanks Rosemary. I went outside, but it had gone into the undergrowth and down a burrow or something. I'm not looking forward to doing what I have to do, at all. What if I don't kill it on first go? The thought is just too horrible to contemplate 

[MiriMaran]

Definitely kill it and hit it on a hard as hard as you possibly can as Rosemary said or hold it on a hard surface and smash its head as hard as you can with a large rock.  Its violent and unpleasant, but instant.  Good Luck.

[doganjo]

It isn't pleasant, but just imagine what it will go through if you don't do it.  Just take it by the back legs and really throw your weight into banging it against a wall. I've had to do it and tried the ground first but it wasn't instant enough. A wall is best.  Even a big rock isn't great - you could miss slightly and have to do it twice.

[redtail]

A fence post or a tree will do the trick - and follow through like a golfer. Death is instantaneous.  If you slow up as you do it your are more likely to have to do it twice.

The thought that you might catch something - Myxy is species specific so no harm can come to you or any of your animals - unless they are rabbits of course. You might however, catch its fleas..... and you can eat it.

[shetlandpaul]

not sure eating it is a good idea.

[Mr Pig]

Whereas once myxomatosis was lethal to virtually all rabbits it infected, the species has gradually developed some immunity and the chances are that this specimin may well recover. The biggest danger is that with its senses dulled by the disease, it is more likley to be caught by a fox or run over on the road.

[cooper956]

If u can catch it it will bee to bad to recover when catching it be prepared for a strugle even a myxy rabbit and kick and threash about. the hiting on something is my  most used way of dispaching as in a feild theres lots of fence posts but if you are lacking in something hard u could use a hammer handle as a baton acros the back of the head make sure its a good hard blow as u want to kill not stun.

[Wizard]

Hello sagehen I suppose I am a bit afeared of the said problem.The few I have dealt with I have severed their heads with my hedge knife It really is a most terrible affliction poor things Then buried them hopefully deep enough to stop Raynard digging them up.I don't really know if he does I've never found one.

[sandy]

Not sure why but I have been smiling at all the gusto everyones putting into describing killing the rabbit I know, just my sense of humor!!!

[doganjo]

It's not funny if you don't get it right first time, Sandy, that's why everyone is so 'enthusiastic' although that isn't the right word! We'er just making sure sagehen has teh confidence to do teh deed and do it right first time.  I appreciate your humour though - I know you pretty well now!

[sagehen]

Thanks for all the encouragement and tips. I haven't seen him today (was dreading seeing him tbh). Sandy, don't worry about finding it funny - I would too if the thought of killing it (wrongly!) didn't sit on my stomach like a stone 

[sandy]

Hi I have a vivid imagination and just could "see" all a large group of smallholders with picks, hammers, sticks and guns a bit like Dads army... .sorry Horrid task for you if you see it again but for that one rabbit you saw there must be hundreds more, carn't help Nature being so cruil (and me being so silly )

[doganjo]

You're not silly, Sandy - although I think Rosemary did say you should be on the stage ....................  Maybe a missed vocation?