"The Magicians" on BBC1

Has anyone else watched this show tonight? It featured an act that included about 30 rabbits. In light of the Horsford Rabbits and as a general animal welfare issue, I found it questionable. A television studio is not a suitable place for rabbits, and on a couple of occasions, rabbits looked scared at the magicians shouting. I also found it worrying that a couple of rabbits were squashed into boxes, although it was just for a short space of time. Even my 10 year old recognised all of this, and pointed out that individual animals were showing signs of fear. At the end of the act, the magician gave one of the rabbits a kiss which makes me think that these particular bunnies are loved and cared for. But again its giving out an impression that rabbits are just cute and furry, and disregarding that it was probably really stressful and unsuitable for them.

I think I feel a complaint coming on, with reference to the work that PACT and other rescues are doing....

And again, if this was cats or dogs there would be an outcry.

I do feel that I would mingle very well with Toyah Wilcox and Gloria Hunniford....

I totally agree with you. I find it unsettling to see animals used as props. Would people be happy if it was a collection of tiny babies being used?

I couldn't agree more, i was really enjoying the show up until this point. I actually felt sick while watching it and the way he kept shouting while he was holding the bunnies was unsettling for me as well. It p*ssed me right off. I did go straight to the BBC website but couldn't see where to complain.

Agreed too! Maybe one dog doing a trick is fine but they generally enjoy it...but rabbits are normally farely timid...I know mine hate it even if they just meet a new person >_<!
Gah it also just gives off the impression that they aren't intelligent enough to be scared or bothered about it...

Joanne26 wrote:I couldn't agree more, i was really enjoying the show up until this point. I actually felt sick while watching it and the way he kept shouting while he was holding the bunnies was unsettling for me as well. It p*ssed me right off. I did go straight to the BBC website but couldn't see where to complain.

Here's a link

https://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/forms/

I've complained, not sure what the BBC were thinking and I certainly don't want my money spent on it. The size of the hutch they had on was disgraceful too. Hasn't done a lot for rabbit welfare really

I saw the very end of this as the magician was holding a giant bunny. I was fuming, it was terrified and the shouting and the clapping were obviously distrssing all the bunnies. Thanks for the complaints link. Will be filing mine. As Corrina said we make one step forward and then 12 steps back with an item like this

I didn't like it and thought those bunnies looked so stressed, it was awful, I worry about their future too, where are they all kept?, what happens to them?, I wish I didn't think like this at times

i wrote in to complain. Here's my letter:

I was shocked to see the use of live rabbits on your show last night. This really gives out the wrong message that it is ok to use animals for entertainment.

I've concerns about the animals used in the programme - there are all sorts of welfare issues this raises. I wonder where the animals came from and where the rabbits will end up now the show is over.

Apart from the animals used in the show, using these on TV also has further implications. There are over 33,000 rabbits in rescue centres already. Many coming from breeders who supply the met and meat industry and have 'surplus stock'.

I also have concerns that the show will lead to parents buying rabbits for their children, again supporting the pet trade and putting further strain on our rescues.


Recently, there's been a horrific case of cruelty and neglect by a backyard breeder supplying the pet and meat industry where 74 rabbits were rescued (34 of them pregnant). Our UK rescue centres are at bursting point and struggling to cope.

Ill thought out shows such as this one showing animals as entertainment does not help the cause of rabbit rescues and I would like assurances that the rabbits are well cared for in suitable living conditions that meet guidelines as set out by the RSPCA and that showing animals for entertainment purposes will not happen again.

Perhaps you would like to donate to the cause by way of an apology?

http://www.pactsanctuary.org/donatio...d-rabbits.html

I look forward to hearing from you.

I have put in a complaint. what annoyed me most was when he lifted one of the buns and her back legs were splayed out and he did airplane impressions with her. Also the assistant and her stupid stiletto shoes. There were so many very young rabbits loose that it was an incredibly dangerous thing to wear. The fact that they were burrowing under the shed to hide showed how stressed they were.

Very good letter I was trying to find a clip of this on youtube, but I guess one isn't up yet...might have to look on bbc i player if it's on there...then if I decide to write a complaint I'll have actually seen it lol