A WINCHESTER woman has called for more control over large dogs after her rabbit was mauled to death in her front garden.

Lisa Fleming, of Fromond Road, Weeke, saw her five-year-old Lionhead rabbit Roger killed last Wednesday evening by a Husky.

The rabbit had been placed outside in an enclosed area for her daughter Tia to play with before the dog attacked.

Lisa, 44, an office manager, said: “It’s quite usual for our rabbit to be in the garden with my daughter Tia and her friends.

“This time they were inside when it was mauled by this Husky. But if it had happened a couple of minutes later it would have been in front of my eight-year-old daughter.

“These big dogs should always be on leads or be muzzled. I’ve spoken to the dog warden and he agrees with me. Something has to be done.”

Tia said: “I am really sad what happened to my rabbit. Roger won a trophy for the best animal at the Littleton Show in 2010 and I was really proud of him.

“I am scared when I see big dogs now.”

Lisa added: “We had Roger since he was eight weeks old. We recognise him being in the garden was our responsibility, but that doesn’t excuse what happened.”

The family also have a Labrador, two-year-old Darcy, and Lisa added she always keeps him on a lead.

A city council environmental health spokesman said: “We received a report about an incident in Weeke and we are investigating."