My mother swears that human hair will repel squirrels, deer, and rabbits. I haven't tried this myself, but she is convinced. She got a bag full at a local barber shop. I just said "EWWW, that's nasty!".
Rabbits and particularly deer are adaptable and resourceful. They aren't stupid either. The learn quickly, very quickly. The fencing is about the only long term remedy. Just bunnies, the short fencing works. Deer require a bit more height.
This is assuming the pepper plants were indeed chomped down, rabbit style and not merely cut down by insects.
Doesn't stop the rabbit hunting, however. They eat more than one's garden; flowers, young trees, etc.