18 March 2023 , 16:02
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The BBC has reportedly revealed the results of its official review regarding the 'animal cruelty' complaints made following Stacey Solomon's DIY show.
Sort Your Life Out - which sees the mum-of-five, 33, help to transform homes - was criticised by animal welfare charities after it re-homed a family’s pet rabbits in a tiny hutch.
The Fall Family's rabbits had been living in the conservatory, but creating a space outside for them to scamper about in was part of the makeover.
However, fans of the show were “disgusted” when the 'new home' was revealed as a two-storey hutch blasted as being “completely unsuitable”.
More than 1,500 viewers complained about the programme, including Charity Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals.
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A decision has reportedly been reached after thousands of viewers complained to the BBC following an episode of Stacey Solomon's Sort Your Life Out (BBC)But the BBC reports complaints are "not being upheld", and therefore the show was 'not guilty of cruelty to animals', according to The Sun.
The Mirror has contacted the BBC for comment.
The show was hit with complaints on social media following the episode in which one viewer fumed: “Disgusting treatment of rabbits on last night’s Sort Your Life Out. I have two free roam house rabbits and to think of them stuck in this crate makes me feel physically sick.”
The rabbits were re-homed in hutch (BBC)Meanwhile, Charity Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals: said “Very disappointed with the decision on rehousing on the family pet rabbits on Sort Your Life Out. Stacey Solomon – you need to research the suffering endured by thousands of pet rabbits in small hutches.”
Rabbit rescue organisation Save A Fluff says on its website that rabbits in the wild “cover an area the size of 30 tennis courts every day”.
It adds: “Domesticated rabbits need this same amount of exercise to keep them fit and healthy, as well as keeping them entertained and their minds active.
The animals were initially in a conservatory (BBC)“Typical pet shop hutches are way too small, even for those labelled ‘large’ or ‘mansion’, so you may have to look elsewhere for something suitable for your bunnies.
A BBC spokesperson told The Mirror: "The family’s pet rabbits usually live outside and were only living indoors for a short period of time after being neutered. They are therefore acclimatised to living in the garden.
"The rabbits have full access to a wide, enclosed garden to roam around in, with the hutch being a place to come and go as they please during the day, as well as a safe and secure space for them to sleep in at night."