Four years ago while visiting Whonnock Lake Park with my family, I came across a group of rabbits who were living around a mobile trailer in the campground.They were domestic bunnies who at some point had just been set free and were obviously multiplying, but they did rely on people feeding them.

I was horrified to discover these rabbits had been mutilated by something or someone: they had ripped and bleeding ears, chunks of raw flesh hanging open on their bodies, noses half missing, it was totally disgusting. In all there were about ten bunnies who all had a variety of bloody wounds, but there were some in the woods who I could not get as close to, so there may have been more injuries. My gut feeling was telling me that a person was doing this to them, because a coyote would not leave an injured bunny, but would eat it.

Nobody at the campground seemed to care so when I got home I called the BCSPCA. They told me they could do nothing because these bunnies were wildlife and they didn't handle wildlife and suggested I contact a conservation officer. I argued that the bunnies were tame and were not a wild "variety" and that I felt they were suffering and needed medical care. I also told them I thought a person was doing this to the bunnies. The SPCA argued that Ruskin Park was not within their mandated area (in other words they had no pound contract!)The SPCA refused to help and would not get involved.

Had I known then what I know today, that the BCSPCA is mandated to investigate cruelty in the entire province, regardless of any pound contracts, I would have pushed harder.And knowing today about the link between human-animal violence, I feel that some sick person could have made the switch from these bunnies to people.

I did eventually hear back from a conservation officer, but he told me since the rabbits were not wild, I should call the BCSPCA!