Run rabbit run

Rabbits have basked in positive PR for too long. Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit has burrowed its way into every child’s heart. Dig around in any Japanese school satchel and you will come face to face with Peter scrunching a carrot.

Cute we think. But our local champion rabbit breeder tells another story. One of sharp teeth and claws and fierce territorial instincts.

When I saw a rabbit on our lawn early one morning, my first thought was “Ah!” so conditioned am I by my childhood. But when I glimpsed a grey flash in my rabbit-proof vegetable garden, the fur flew.

Why I wondered, with three acres of lush grass outside the enclosure, did it bother to cut its teeth on the wire mesh fencing? Like some perverse reverse Great Escape.

Then I took a closer look. My peas nibbled. My carrots nobbled.

Beware the fussy eater.

I spent yesterday fixing the fence. If I see that flopsy bunny again, I’m going to get Mr. McGregor on its ass.