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Rabbit Advocacy Animal Matters
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Missing rabbit found with mutilated ear November 30, 2013 Julie Bertrand, Oceanside Star A rabbit missing from a Coombs compound was recovered this week with damage to one of its ears."It looks like they tried to cut the tattoo out of his ear," said Susan Vickery, who looks after hundreds of rabbits from the University of Victoria and the Coombs area. "Imagine the pain." Vickery has been looking for her missing rabbits since discovering in October that two teenage volunteers had been taking animals and equipment from her Earthanimal Humane Education and Rescue Society compound. The injured rabbit was the second she had featured in a poster with an offer of a $1,000 reward. "He was dumped on the highway (near) the Coombs' Emporium," Vickery said. "I caught a glimpse of him and another rabbit diving into the culvert as I drove by." Last week, a Qualicum Beach couple helped Vickery recover another three missing rabbits. They are also helping her track a fourth rabbit. The couple told Vickery that at the end of October four rabbits appeared on a property near the ocean. "They were in the hedgerow and in the backyard," Vickery said. "They were dumped in the woods nearby." After reading an article about the missing rabbits, the couple contacted Vickery. Vickery went on the property and set up traps to catch the rabbits. "A couple of hours later, one was trapped," she said. "Two others were trapped over the next few days." The three rabbits were spayed or neutered and had tattoos in their ears to identify them. Vickery said the three rabbits were in a fairly good state, apart from being frightened. She said she believes there are now fewer than 10 rabbits still missing. Anyone with information can contact Vickery via email at ears600@gmail.com. Comment: Some of the missing Coombs rabbits have been found. “Vickery believes there are now fewer than 10 rabbits still missing.” She doesn’t know? As so many rabbit advocates and others have noted, this facility has been deficient in many regards and does not fit the definition of a sanctuary. There have been numerous mistakes on Vickery’s part that have resulted in untold casualties and other tragedies. Considering its dismal record, it’s no wonder that there are calls to have the rabbits removed and relocated to safe locations outside of the community – before there’s another “what’s next episode?” January 2014 Hundreds of rabbits lost their lives in the short time since they were relocated from UVic in late 2010. Many died inexplicably, some from natural causes, while others were shot to death or stomped on. Despite the numerous reports and concerns about this facility, it has been difficult to proceed much further other than to take complaints. The facility operator has repeatedly cried victim while refusing to accept responsibility. Exposing the truth is never easy but eventually denials and cover-ups are revealed. Hopefully, some change will come from this debacle, although it will in all likelihood take considerable time. Never be silent! See something. Say something. Do something! Visit our Pet Shops/Rabbits/Legislation Get involved! |