Rabbit left with puncture wounds on Waiheke Island after being shot with bow and arrow

The rabbit was left with five puncture wounds after being shot with bow and arrow on Waiheke Island. Photo / Supplied

A rabbit has been left with puncture wounds after it was shot with arrows five times.

Waiheke Island SPCA is seeking information that could lead them to the owner of a bow and arrow set.

Michell Hopkins, Waiheke SPCA centre manager and welfare inspector, said a local found the rabbit "running around with an arrow stuck through it" about 8.30pm on Monday in the Church Bay Rd/Mako Rd area.

Hopkins said a vet brought the" very tame" rabbit into the SPCA this morning.

The welfare inspector said she had no idea why anyone would do something like this.

She thinks it was probably someone thinking they were some kind of warrior hero.

Hopkins added that what upset her the most was the fact there were several puncture wounds; "it wasn't an accident".

"I'm almost feeling sorry for the person who did it. We'll probably string him."

The rabbit was lucky to survive. Photo / Supplied

"Hilary" the rabbit is on medication and antibiotics, and will be adopted out when she recovers.

"To the person who did this, what were you thinking? How do you think this animal felt? It's a living creature, it feels pain, and you caused it."

Hopkins said this kind of cruelty was a reminder to people to be vigilant in their neighbourhoods.

"Keep your eyes open to animal abuse and cruelty. We want to know. This is particularly worrying for us, because we don't know if this person is living here...There could be a lunatic running around with a bow and arrow."

No owner has come forward to claim the injured rabbit, which Hopkins believes is a good reason to encourage microchipping.

"Rabbits are notorious escape artists, and if we microchip them like cats it holds people responsible."

Waiheke Island SPCA's post about Hilary the rabbit on Facebook has been met with anger and frustration from users.

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE

The rabbit's wounds. Photo / Supplied

"Twisted, sick, disgusted. Hope whoever did this is found quickly," one commenter wrote.

"Maybe the bow needs to be used on the owner. Might think twice then," another said.

SPCA has already received offers in their comment section to adopt the rabbit.

To contribute towards Hilary's care and medication, Waiheke SPCA is accepting donations to account number: 02 0100 0530359 00, with "rabbit" as reference.