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