A $500 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for dousing two small rabbits with paint.
Both rabbits were covered with paint when they were found on the night of March 17 near the intersection of First and Spring streets in Friday Harbor. Authorities suspect the incident may have been part of a cruel St. Patrick's Day prank which proved fatal for one rabbit. Both were saturated with green paint, according to the San Juan County Sheriff's Department.
Sheriff Bill Cumming said it appears the incident is a case of animal cruelty, a gross misdemeanor. However, he said a resulting charge could be more severe since one rabbit apparently died as a result of being covered with paint and discarded in town.
One rabbit was reportedly struck by a car and died at the scene. The other was taken to Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center where the paint was removed. A significant amount of fur was removed along with the lead-based paint and the rabbit had been traumatized by the ordeal, according to Serena Lockwood of Wolf Hollow. Lockwood expects the rabbit to make a full recovery.
"We don't have much information at this point," Cumming said of the investigation. "Anyone with any information can remain anonymous."
A grocery van parked near the scene reportedly was vandalized with blue spraypaint on the same night. It's unclear at this point whether the two incidents are related, Cumming said.
Information about either incident can be provided to the Sheriff's Department at 378-4151. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
Back to Top If you have information on this case, please contact: Sheriff's Dept 378-4151
References | BCNG - April 11, 2006 |
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