Case Details

Over 400 rabbits neglected, more than 200 dead Heber Springs, AR (US) Incident Date: Friday, Jan 11, 2008 County: Cleburne Disposition: Alleged Case Images: 1 files available Alleged: » Lisa Ann Yates » Walter Jenkins

Case ID: 12965 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: rabbit (pet) View more cases in AR (US) Login to Watch this Case

Last week The Heber Springs Humane Society shut down a rabbit growing operation in an old chicken coop. The animals had no water, and the only food was rotting and moldy on the ground.

Carrie Hendrix of the Heber Springs Humane Society explains, �They were raised for meat rabbits, and I'm sure probably their feet were sold and dyed as rabbit's feet. Their fur was probably sold as well besides the meat.�

The owner of the property became suspicious after the renters stopped paying their rent.

They investigated and found more than 400 rabbits in the chicken house, many of them were in dirty cages. By the time the humane society came to remove the animals more than half of them were dead.

Hendrix shows a picture, �Here's a pile on the floor where they just threw the bunnies on the floor and left them there.�

Rescuers found dead animals on the ground, piled in carts and even still in the cages. Many were being eaten by the surviving animals. The ears on one rabbit were clipped by others nibbling on them to survive.

Authorities arrested 42-year-old Walter Jenkins and Lisa Ann Yates. Both face one charge of animal cruelty.

Hendrix says, �We have some animal rescue groups and some local people around the towns that raise rabbits that already had adequate shelter for them. And everyone from the shelter took one home, at least one. So we all have some.�

More than 190 rabbits have already found new homes. There are just a handful are left to adopt. It�s a happy ending at least for some of the rabbits.

References

Today's THV - Jan 14, 2008

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