Two Rabbits Bludgeoned to Death in Oakland

[Guest guest]

For Immediate Release

Contact: Erin Williams, HRS (510) 970-7575

Margo DeMello, HRS (510) 970-7575

www.rabbit.org

 

Two Rabbits Bludgeoned to Death in Oakland:

Animal Protection Group Calls for Swift Treatment and

Prosecution

 

RICHMOND, Calif. (March 17, 2005) – House Rabbit Society

(HRS), a national nonprofit organization headquartered in

Richmond, CA, is demanding immediate treatment and

prosecution for an Oakland teenager who bludgeoned two

rabbits to death this week.

 

On March 16, HRS member Asia Grey responded to strange

noises in her backyard, and was shocked to discover that her

teenaged neighbor had broken into her backyard and was

beating her rabbits to death with a brick. Grey ran outside and

stopped him from killing one rabbit, but two of them had already

been brutally killed.

 

She says, " Our family is devastated over the loss of our beloved

bunnies. We are saddened and shocked by this, and we don't

understand how anyone could be so cruel as to beat these

gentle creatures to death. Irving and Benito were both very

outgoing and friendly towards people, even children and

strangers, and I find it ironic that their naturally trusting

dispositions led to their deaths. "

 

Grey has pressed charges against the teenager, who is a foster

child living with elderly foster parents, and she has sought an

emergency restraining order to protect herself and her remaining

animals. Oakland police have charged the boy with felony

animal cruelty.

 

" This is a tragic, horrifying situation, " explains Margo DeMello,

HRS Administrative Director. " Violence against any animal is

completely unacceptable, but the fact that this teenager broke

into a neighbor's backyard and killed her gentle pets in such a

brutal fashion is especially disturbing. Thousands of HRS

members can testify to the fact that rabbits are not just sentient

beings who deserve to live without suffering, but are in fact

treasured family members. A loss of a companion rabbit is just

as devastating as a loss of the family dog. "

 

Numerous studies have shown that children who engage in

animal cruelty are more likely to commit violence as adults, and

that there is a direct link between the abuse of animals and

violence toward humans. Violent acts like the one committed

this week are a sign that without swift intervention, this young

man is on the road towards an even more violent future.

 

DeMello adds, " We commend the Oakland Police Department

for taking this incident seriously. We urge authorities to make

sure that this teenager receives strict punishment and

immediate, intensive counseling for his obvious psychological

problems. We also ask that the Alameda County Children and

Family Services Department investigate why this boy's violent

tendencies had gone unnoticed and untreated, leading to such

tragic consequences. "

 

We encourage anyone who would like to make a donation in

honor of these rabbits to contribute to the Oakland Animal

Services Spay/ Neuter Fund for rabbits, which will help rabbits

throughout Oakland (Oakland Animal Services: Rabbits, 1101

29th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601).

 

For more information and updates regarding this case, please

visit www.rabbit.org/rabbit-center.

 

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House Rabbit Society is an international non-profit organization

that rescues rabbits and educates the public on rabbit care and

behavior through its national network of fosterers and educators,

advocacy programs, and its adoption and education center in

Richmond, California.