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World's longest rabbit is 'rabbitnapped'

Rabbit - Level 4

The world's longest rabbit has been stolen from his home in England. Darius measures 129cm from nose to tail. Police say he was abducted late Saturday evening. They said: "It is believed the rabbit was stolen from its enclosure in the garden of the property of its owners....We are appealing for information following the theft." Darius' owner has offered a $2,750 reward. She begged for his safe return and said Darius was too old to be bred.

There has been a rise in pet thefts in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic. Darius' owner said: "Every animal is an individual that can't be replaced....[Darius] is such a loveable character." The police said this was a high-profile case as Darius was a celebrity in England. They believe the thieves have a special motive because of the commercial value of the rabbit. The UK's policing minister called animal theft a "vile crime". He promised to crack down on it.

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Rabbit - Level 5

The world's longest rabbit has been stolen from his home. Darius, a continental giant rabbit, measures 129cm from nose to tail. Police say he was abducted from his home in England late Saturday evening. Local police said: "It is believed the rabbit was stolen from its enclosure in the garden of the property of its owners overnight on Saturday. We are appealing for information following the theft." Darius' desperate owner has offered a $2,750 reward for the safe return of her beloved pet. She told the rabbitnappers that Darius was too old to be bred.

There has been a spike in pet thefts in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic. Darius' owner has appealed to those who made off with her rabbit. She said: "Every animal is an individual that can't be replaced, and it's just so upsetting because he is such a loveable character." The police said the theft was a high-profile case as the animal was a celebrity in England. They believe the thieves have an "ulterior motive" and know the commercial value of the rabbit. The UK's policing minister called animal theft a "vile crime" and promised to crack down on it.

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Rabbit - Level 6

One of the world's largest rabbits has been stolen from his home in England. Darius, a continental giant rabbit, is the current Guinness record holder as the longest rabbit in the world. From nose to tail, he measures 129cm in length. Police say he was abducted from his pen late Saturday evening. Local police said in a statement: "It is believed the rabbit was stolen from its enclosure in the garden of the property of its owners overnight on Saturday. We are appealing for information following the theft." Darius' distraught owner has offered a $2,750 reward for the safe return of her beloved pet. She pleaded for his safe return and told the rabbitnappers that Darius was too old to be bred.

Darius' disappearance comes amid a spike in pet thefts in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic. Darius' owner has made an impassioned appeal to those who made off with her rabbit. She said: "Every animal is an individual that can't be replaced, and it's just so upsetting because he is such a loveable character." The police said Darius' abduction was a high-profile case as the animal was a celebrity in England and has made dozens of TV appearances. They believe the abductors have a potential "ulterior motive," and that it could be the work of organized criminals who knew his commercial value. The UK's policing minister Kit Malthouse called animal theft a "vile crime" and promised to crack down on it.

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson