Rabbits
RICHMOND, Calif. (July 28, 2004) ... House Rabbit Society (HRS), a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Richmond, CA, rescued a rabbit this weekend who had been duct-taped to explosives and thrown in an East Bay lake.
By House Rabbit Society
Sep 1, 2004, 08:56
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East Bay Rabbit Taped to Explosives and Thrown in Lake: Rabbit Rescue Group Seeking Prosecution of Cruelty Case
RICHMOND, Calif. (July 28, 2004) ... House Rabbit Society (HRS), a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Richmond, CA, rescued a rabbit this weekend who had been duct-taped to explosives and thrown in an East Bay lake. HRS was initially alerted to the situation last week by an online posting containing photos of a bedraggled and terrified rabbit apparently being retrieved from Lake Don Castro in Castro Valley. The rabbit was wrapped in duct tape, and five young people had allegedly attached explosives to her before throwing her into the water.
According to investigators, the fuse on the explosives was lit but did not detonate. The teens had allegedly taken the rabbit - a family pet named Lucky - to the lake with the intent to blow her up and document the atrocity with a camera.
HRS alerted the East Bay Regional Parks District Police, and officers confiscated the rabbit and placed her in HRS care. Detectives completed their investigation and submitted the report to the Hayward District Attorney today. The individuals will be charged with Penal Code 597, Cruelty to Animals. This is a felony.
HRS Shelter Director Erin Williams stated, "The cruelty that Lucky suffered through is nothing short of sadistic. While being taped and thrown in a lake was undoubtedly terrifying and horribly cruel to the rabbit, the use of live explosives is incredibly disturbing. The fact that these individuals tortured and nearly killed an animal and took photos is shocking." Lucky is currently in HRS foster care and is in good condition. Although Lucky lived through this horrible incident, she has shown since her rescue that she is still willing to trust people. HRS will provide her with any medical care that she may need, and the organization plans to find this special rabbit a loving, permanent home.
HRS urges the Hayward District Attorney Tom Rogers (510-670-5100) to hold the perpetrators accountable for the cruelty inflicted on this rabbit. Williams added, "Any cruelty inflicted upon an animal is simply unacceptable. The abuse of Lucky is awful enough, but the fact that they were actually proud enough of their actions to document this torture is horrifying. These individuals pose a serious threat to other animals, and they must be held responsible."
HRS is seeking donations for the care of Lucky and rabbits like her, as well as loving homes for homeless rabbits. For updates regarding this case, please check rabbit.org/rabbit-center/index.html
What You Can Do: Contact the Hayward DA and ask that his office prosecute these young people to the full extent of the law.
Tom Rogers
Hayward District Attorney
24405 Amador Street - Room 103
Hayward 94544
510-670-5100
FAX 510-670-5159
Sample Letter
Erin Williams
Shelter Director
House Rabbit Society
Richmond Rabbit Center
148 Broadway
Richmond, CA 94804
(510) 970-7575
www.rabbit.org
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