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Rabbit Advocacy Animal Matters
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B.C. municipalities demand controls on rabbits September 27, 2012 - By Kelly Sinoski, Vancouver Sun VICTORIA — B.C.’s rascally rabbits have popped up again, this time in Delta where they’ve wreaked $350,000 in damages to the grounds around the municipal hall and the recreation centre. This time their pesky presence may lead to serious consequences: B.C.’s local governments want the province to ban the sale of unsterilized rabbits as pets. “It’s not trivial when you look at what’s happening across B.C.,” said Delta Coun. Bruce McDonald, who brought the resolution to the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention. McDonald noted “bunnies are such cute little things” when they are snapped up as pets before Easter. But often they’re later abandoned and end up populating fast-growing warrens of rabbits in city parks and public areas. The University of Victoria started a campaign in 2009 to clear its campus of rabbits. At one point, it was estimated UVic had 1,600 rabbits. Many of the rabbits were sent to a ranch in Texas and other sanctuaries. “In most places now, you can’t buy a dog or a cat that are not sterilized. What happens in pet shops is they don’t really care what they do,” McDonald said. The motion, supported by a majority of local government officials, drew concern from Sally Watson, director of Electoral Area A in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. Watson said she buys rabbits for breeding, not pets. “We also have a meat rabbit industry ... how would I ever get breeding stock?” she said. “My rabbits aren’t cute, they’re delicious.” In 2010, the UBCM considered a similar motion that called for the province to ban the sale of rabbits in pet stores but that was voted down. Since then, the City of Richmond has banned the sale of puppies and rabbits in pet stores. Richmond is also considering amending its bylaws to prohibit dumping animals in the wild after somebody left a cat in a carrier off Shell Road across from the Richmond Nature Park to die or fend for itself. Richmond is possibly the first B.C. community to take action against pet dumping. The municipal bylaw would likely give the city the power to levy fines against offenders. NB: It was close, with UBCM delegates voting 55 per cent to support the resolution. However, no action was ever taken as per enforcement of the resolution. The province failed to act. Comment by Carmina Gooch via FB: Rabbits, like all animals in society, need our protection. It is incumbent upon our officials to enact ethical policies and legislation that include all beings. The consequences of not considering animal welfare a priority issue are apparent. www.rabbitadvocacy.com Read more: Ban sale of rabbits (letter published) |