For Immediate Release November 21, 2008
Rabbits to be Killed by Bolt to the Head
First shooting, stomping, then talk of lethal injection...what next?
The captive bolt.
Kelowna, B.C.: Since an employee of EBB Environmental Consulting was caught stomping a rabbit wounded by pellet fire, the Kelowna rabbit massacre was brought to a standstill, ending at a toll of 400 animals. Lethal injection was the next method considered to dispose of the rabbits, but since the resulting toxins render the flesh dangerous to animals in wildlife centres, City Parks officials in Kelowna have come up with yet another killing method. This is the penetrating captive bolt strategy, which drives a metal rod into the animal's brain.
"How in the world are they going to restrain these frightened rabbits properly in order to assure a humane kill?" asks Sinikka Crosland, President of TRACS. "I have personally viewed ten hours of kill box footage taken at a horse slaughter plant, and numerous horses were not adequately stunned by the first bolt. The target area on a rabbit's head is so much smaller. Add to that a thoroughly terrified rabbit, and it's a recipe for a lot of suffering."
EBB has not offered any caught rabbits to TRACS. As of yesterday when we checked, they had not offered any to the local SPCA branch, nor to the Rabbit Advocacy Group in Vancouver.
City Parks and EBB rely heavily on AVMA guidelines to determine humane methods of killing the animals. Although these guidelines list "laboratory rabbits" under the captive bolt category, another section cautions: "Use of the penetrating captive bolt is an acceptable and practical method of euthanasia for horses, ruminants and swine. It is conditionally acceptable in other appropriate species." The guidelines also state that death may not occur if the equipment is not maintained and used properly.
It is the view of TRACS that City Parks' lethal management strategies for rabbits have to date been cruel and totally unacceptable. What will it take for Kelowna to rise above engaging in animal cruelty and consider humane, non-lethal intervention instead?
For more information, please phone TRACS: 250-768-4803.