Residents of a southwest neighbourhood are upset about seeing a rabbit with an arrow stuck in its body.

"To my shock and amazement, it had an arrow sticking two feet out of each side of him and he was still nonchalantly nibbling away at some lettuce someone had left out," says Danny Burmiester, who spotted the animal hopping around Coach Hill on Sunday.

Burmiester tried to help the animal but it hopped away. "My girlfriend was quite upset and was in tears and she was quite appalled at the whole situation."

The Humane Society is appalled as well. "It's absolutely disturbing to see that bunny. It's heartbreaking to see that somebody could do that to an animal," says Lindsay Jones.

Veterinarians say, despite the rabbit's injuries, it could still live a long time. "If the arrow is not through a vital organ, that rabbit could live quite some time with that arrow sticking out – possibly days, weeks, or even longer," says Dr. Laura Major from Coach Hill Veterinary.

Major is advising residents not to try and catch the rabbit if they see it. "If they move that arrow, it could actually go to a vital organ rather than stay where it is where it's not causing damage," says Dr. Major.

Police are advising anyone who sees someone discharging a weapon, including a bow and arrow, within city limits to call them.