|
LEGAL STATUS AFFECTS WHAT
CAN BE DONE ABOUT ABUSE
Besides laboratory testing, rabbits have a legal problem. In most states and counties,
they are classified as "livestock" instead of as "companion animal." What that means is that they do not have the legal protections
that dogs, cats, and other animals have under some animal welfare acts. The legal problem that they share with all other non-human
animals is that they are all classified as property. This allows such awful practices as giving away baby rabbits as carnival
prizes to people who know nothing about rabbit care and often, no care sheet is given out with the rabbits. Many of these
babies die shortly after being given away or are abandoned fairly quickly thereafter.
RABBITS
IN THE NEWS/ACTION NEEDED
Rabbitwise ALERT
Live Bunnies Fed to Snakes
Here's the news story:
|
05/25/2007 10:31 AM ID: 62667 |
|
Teacher Feeds Live Bunny to Python
in Front of Students |
|
|
Several parents of students at Jacksonville's Trinity Christian Academy are upset after a biology
teacher fed a live bunny to a python which a student brought to school at an after-school demonstration, and then posted the
footage on YouTube.
A local animal control spokesman said although uncomfortable to watch, it
is a natural action, adding "There is nothing illegal we can tell from what we've seen. It's not illegal to own a python in
Florida."
The festive students wore fake snakes around their necks, with one saying
"No one felt [threatened] by it. It was pretty much, 'Hey, this is going to happen if you want to be there.' More people showed
up than they thought would."
|
Here are links to related news stories: (the really graphic parts are avoided)
Here's the link where you can see the YouTube video if
you wish. The negative commentary about the savagery of the human heart is well worth the read:
Other YouTube Videos of Snakes Eating Bunnies:
These videos are of snakes eating live bunnies with the bunnies screaming, the adolescent
boys in the background laughing as they pick "the cute one" of the four bunnies to be given to the snake. The one with
the mouse being eaten has background music about meeting death. Warning: The graphic
parts are shown in full. You can stop the video and scroll down to the "Comments" section so you don't have to see the
video. You can also flag it in this area for "unacceptable violence."
YouTube Videos of Snakes Eating Rabbits and One Mouse
This kind of barbarity staged for the gratification of human sadistic impulses is unacceptable in
a civilized society. Because it's legal does not make it ethically acceptable. There is nothing "natural"
about this set-up between prey and predator since the rabbit had no chance of escape. To call it so is nothing more
than a cheap rationalization to find a somewhat socially acceptable way, as if the rabbits or the snakes chose to be there, to
get away with enjoying gratuitous violence against another living being. Instead it is the taunting of two animals,
one who suffered and died in prolonged fear and agony for the PLEASURE of an human audience, who dressed in costume to
further the carnival atmosphere.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
In all of your correspondence, please point out that if a puppy or a kitten
had been in the place of the rabbits, the wail of complaint would have been heard to the level of a din.
1. Write a letter/e-mail of complaint to:
Trinity Christian Academy
2. Complain to Jacksonville Animal Care and Control for publicly condoning this
behavior by stating that it is a "natural action" at:
Jacksonville Animal Care And Control
2580 West 1st Street
Jacksonville,
FL 32254
Phone: (904) 387-8963
Email: jaxpets@coj.net
3. Visit the YouTube video sites (you don't have to watch the video) to
Post your comments protesting the video AND to
Flag the video as inappropriate for unacceptable violence
4. Vote "yes" that it was too graphic at
PHOENIX THE SURVIVIOR
CURRENT CRUELTY CASE
The Hickmans (Leo the Lop "Rescue") are each currently charged with a misdemeanor
charge of cruelty for EACH of the 50-some rabbits that were abandoned and two felony cruelty charges for two buns that
died. Their next court date is March 7, 2007 at 1:30 pm. You can go to www.courts.state.va.us, click 'General District', then 'Hanover', then 'Criminal', then 'Active', then
type in 'Hickman' to see the progress of the case after the next court date. The District Attorney received many letters
from rabbit folks asking them to take this case seriously and that that is exactly what has happened. So, thanks to
all of you! WRIC Channel nbsp;8 in Virginia put the story on tv and plans to continue to follow it.
REPORT/COMPLAIN
ABOUT ABUSE
Complain to companies that misuse rabbits in print and media advertising.
How to help abused and neglected rabbits: at Rabbit References, click on Care, Feeding, Tips then select "Help abused/neglected
rabbits."
You
can advocate for rabbits by writing to prosecuting attorneys, judges, other officials, and the media when offenders are
brought to trial. To learn about rabbit abuse cases and their status click on this link:
WEB
SITES THAT PROMOTE CRUELTY
Report animal cruelty on the web:
The rabbits thank you with all their hearts.
REPORTING SICK, INJURED, ORPHANED, MISTREATED, NEGLECTED OR ABUSED ANIMALS
IN THE METRO DC AREA:
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: (202) 234-8626, option 1
MARYLAND
Montgomery County: (240) 773-5900
Prince Georges County: (301) 499-8300,
option 1
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Alexandria: (703) 838-4774
Arlington County: (703) 931-9241,
option 1
Fairfax County: (703) 830--3310
Loudoun County: (703) 777-0406
PET
STORE NEGLECT / ABUSE
CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IMPROPER
CARE OF ANIMALS IN PET STORES: www.peta.org/mc/factsheet_display.asp?ID=36#top
ACTIVE ABUSE
CASES
Yuma, AZ, rabbit beheadings:
Meza, AZ, drowning of domestic rabbit:
|
