An ex-cabbie is accused of animal cruelty for slitting a rabbit?s throat and leaving it outside the cab company where he used to work.

Police believe 57-year-old Gerard Skills, a Vietnam veteran, was trying to send a message when he allegedly left the rabbit outside the cab company?s stand at the Hawthorne train station. However, Skills? former employer says he has no idea what that message might be.

According to authorities, Skills quit his job last month?and the rabbit was found on May 2, with two puncture wounds in its neck and lying in a pool of blood.

Although the rabbit was discovered May 2, Skills was not charged until Wednesday, when he was arrested for slashing the tires of 13 vehicles, including those of a Mount Pleasant police cruiser.

The owner of the taxi stand says he is not surprised. He says Skills made frequent trips to a Veterans hospital for medicine and counseling.

Skills was charged with felony animal abuse and felony criminal misconduct. He is currently being held at Westchester County Jail on $10,000 bail.