Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: 32 sick, neglected rabbits dumped

32 sick, neglected rabbits dumped
Palo Alto, CA (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Aug 1, 2005
County: Santa Clara
Local Map: available
Disposition: Open

Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 5437

Classification: Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: rabbit (pet)

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For the second time in three weeks, a herd of rabbits in deplorable condition have been dumped at Palo Alto�s bowling green.

Residents out for an early morning stroll last Sunday discovered 18 more rabbits at the green, which are in even worse shape than the first group, according to a city animal services official.

Animal services personnel are stunned and dismayed, Sandra Stadler, Palo Alto animal services supervisor, said. The Aug. 21 incident was preceded by a dumping on Aug. 1, when 14 rabbits, covered with sores and tumors, were released at the bowling green on Embarcadero Road. Stymied officials are pleading for information regarding who may be behind the neglect and dumpings.

The incidents are more than a mere nuisance for neighbors �- the animals are suffering, according to Stadler. The first herd was in such bad shape, they had to be euthanized; and the second group is even worse off.

�Five of the 18 were taken to a veterinarian, who said they had to be euthanized right away. The rabbits are starved, with matted fur; and had urine burns. They had the same fungal infection the first group had,� Stadler said.

So far, animal services hasn�t a clue as to who is behind the animals� suffering and abandonment. The green�s proximity to residences does give Stadler hope that there may be witnesses, and she is begging for them to come forward.

�I have to think somebody may have heard something. It would take a few minutes to take 18 animals out of a vehicle,� she said.

Stadler fears this may not be the end of the incidents. Since the second group of rabbits, younger than the first, were in worse shape, Stadler believes the neglect is continuing. She worries at the shape a third group will be in.

�They need to turn them in to a humane organization, to someone who can care for them. Immediately,� she said.

Anyone with information that may be related to the incidents can call Animal Services at 496-5971.

If you have information on this case, please contact:
Palo Alto Animal Services
(650) 496-5971

Case Updates

Someone has been dumping batches of young bunnies in a city-owned garden in Palo Alto for the past six months, a Palo Alto Animal Service and Placement Center official said. Animal officers have picked up a total of 65 rabbits abandoned at Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden near the busy Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto Animal Services and Placement Center Superintendent Sandi Stadler said.

On Jan. 28, 2006, officers retrieved the latest batch of 10 bunnies let loose and deserted in the garden. All but one of the 65 rabbits have been euthanized because of their miserable health and obvious lack of human contact, Stadler said. The survivor - a shy bunny named Maybeline who is now up for adoption - was born near the park after her mother shunned animal rescue officers for a few weeks. "The baby came in later and so we've been able to socialize her at a young age," Stadler said, adding that her mom wasn't so lucky and had to be put to sleep.

Since Aug. 1, 2005, the rabbit hoarder has deserted batches of 10 to 19 rabbits on five separate occasions, Stadler said. The first two groups of rabbits, abandoned on Aug. 1 and Aug. 22, 2005, were in the poorest condition with numerous sores, bite wounds and respiratory infections, Stadler said. "The veterinarian who examined them felt they needed to be euthanized immediately, they were in such bad shape," Stadler said. The other batches, nonetheless, weren't in much better health, and all exhibited unsocial behavior, she said. "It was clear they never been handled by a human," she said. All rabbits showed similarities in appearance, age and condition, which leads investigators to believe one person, or group of people, is responsible for dumping all the rabbits. "Whoever did it probably thought they could survive in a garden park setting," Stadler said. "But in reality, domestic pets of any kind don't do well when let loose.''

Rabbits, especially, become easy targets for predators, such as snakes, dogs, hawks and owls, not to mention speeding cars. Stadler said she believes the rabbits come from a non-spayed female that is likely someone's pet, seeing as they all resemble each other in color and size. A female rabbit could begin to reproduce at 4 months old, have a litter of up to 14 rabbits and become pregnant again in a couple of months. The Palo Alto Animal Services and Placement Center spays female rabbits for $50 and neuters males for $40. Stadler said costs might be higher at other locations since spaying and neutering of rabbits require more time and skills than for example dogs and cats. Abandoning an animal is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $2,500 in fines and no more than 12 months in jail. Stadler said a misdemeanor penalty could be attached to each deserted animal. Pet owners who wish to get rid of their pets have several options other than abandonment. Animal rescue groups are often willing to take in and find new homes for unwanted pets. And if not, then a humane shelter, such as the Palo Alto Animal Service and Placement Center, will at least provide all the basic animal needs, including shelter, food, warmth, physical examination and attention.

Anyone with information about the abandoned rabbits is asked to call the Palo Alto Animal Services and Placement Center at (650) 496-5971.

Source: SF Gate News - February 6, 2006
Update posted on Mar 21, 2006 - 7:11PM

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Palo Alto Online - Aug 23, 2005

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32 sick, neglected rabbits dumpedPalo Alto, CA (US)

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32 sick, neglected rabbits dumped
Palo Alto, CA (US)