ISTANBUL 

A man was arrested for kicking a rabbit in the western Hiroshima province of Japan, according to media reports on Wednesday.

The incident Tuesday took place on the small island of Okuna, also called “Rabbit Island,” which is inhabited by semi-wild rabbits, according to Kyodo News.

The suspect was identified as Riku Hotta, 25, who kicked the rabbit which was later found dead. Hotta reportedly admitted to animal abuse.

Between November and January, 77 other rabbit carcasses were found on Okuna.

The carcasses had broken bones and other injures which led authorities to believe they were killed on purpose.

Animal abuse cases in Japan had risen by five times in 2023, according to a report by the Asai Shimbun newspaper last May.