A SCHOOLGIRL is having nightmares after discovering her pet rabbit ripped to pieces.

Rachael Tallis-Dent was looking for her rabbit Lucy after it disappeared from the hutch in the garage of her home in Eskdale Avenue, Blackrod.

The 11-year-old girl came across the dead pet 100 yards away on a neighbour's front lawn. It had been mauled and had a leg missing.

Rachael's mum, Julie is convinced the rabbit, who the family have had since Easter, is the latest victim of pet attacks which have claimed the lives of other rabbits on the estate and injured cats.

Last year she rescued a cat which was being mauled in her garden by two dogs.

And she believes it is dogs who were responsible for Lucy's death, pushing their way into the garage through the open side door.

"The door and the latch of the hatch were splintered and gnawed at and there were dog like footprints on the garden and on the drive," she said.

She is now hoping that if anyone saw the attack, they will inform Bolton Council's dog enforcement officer.