In response to a recent e-mail to Marcie Moriarty, the BC SPCA's General Manager of Cruelty Investigations, she indicated that the Society is very concerned about this incident and that they oppose the use of air rifles, stomping or clubbing of the rabbits. It was further stated that the City of Kelowna had been advised that the use of an air rifle was not acceptable and should not be used. The SPCA will be asking for EBB's contract to be immediately terminated, as many other people have already done.
It has been pointed out that the PCA Act applies only to owners or people who have custody or control of an animal, and as abandoned domestic (European) rabbits are considered "wildlife" under provincial regulations, they are unprotected. Current animal cruelty laws are woefully inadequate, and while penalties increased for persons, if convicted under the Criminal Code, the wording of the 1892 law remains unchanged. As the individual/s would deny "willful intent" causing "unnecessary suffering" it would be up to Crown Counsel to prove its case, and in all likelihood this case would not meet the criteria. So much for any justice.