STOMPer Teeny Teh opposes the consumption of rabbit meat at any time, and finds the act of restaurants offering rabbit meat in the Chinese Year of the Rabbit particularly distasteful.

Earlier this week, STOMPer Jacelyn wrote in to express her worries that people might impulsively buy rabbits as pets to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, then later abandon them.

STOMPer Teh pens her views:

"I refer to the “Year of the rabbit stew” article in Tuesday's (Jan 4) Straits Times.

"The fact that more restaurants are riding on the “Year of the Rabbit” to serve rabbit meat is not only tacky but cruel.

"The House Rabbit Society (Singapore) HRSS, opposes the consumption of rabbit meat – be it in the Year of the Rabbit or at any other time.

"Animal welfare groups have uncovered the severe suffering and brutality involved in the rabbit meat industry.

"Rabbits that are bred for meat in rabbit farms are confined to tiny metal cages where their paws are in constant direct contact with hard metal wires, which results in painful sores and open wounds.

"They live their entire lives directly above huge masses of their own excretion which emits acidic ammonia gases, leading to painful eye infections where the rabbits’ eyes bleed and get infected with pus, sometimes causing complete blindness.

"As a result, the rabbits fight and cannibalize each other, or go mad and mutilate themselves by gnawing at their own body parts.

"Rabbits are intelligent, social animals that enjoy interacting with people. They should be loved and treated as pets and companions instead of having to endure such torture.

"By purchasing rabbit meat, people are encouraging these cruel, inhumane acts. We urge all Singaporeans to boycott rabbit meat. When the buying stops, the suffering will."

The following photographs and video may be considered graphic for some. Viewer discretion is advised.