http://www.canada.com/richmondnews/news/story.html?id=ba7fac15-1158-423c-b7be-df3a5b60eb8b&k=84801
Dead rabbit horrifies mom
Eve Edmonds
Richmond News
Friday, November 02, 2007
Halloween truly was a night of horror for Merle Vered, who came upon what appeared to be a group of teens, blowing up a bunny rabbit with a firecracker just behind Brighouse elementary school.
"We had been out trick-or-treating and were just crossing behind Brighouse to get to the fireworks display."
Vered noticed a group of what she thought to be teens and a lot of smoke.
"I wondered if they were going to set the school alight."
As she and another parent, along with eight kids, got closer, the teens bolted.
"We noticed something on the ground and the kids ran ahead to look."
They found a rabbit with its guts oozing out.
"I don't want to be graphic, but there was a hole in its stomach," said Vered.
There was also a bag nearby, which she thinks might have been used to carry the rabbit to the park.
She quickly tried to get the kids away. Another adult (she assumes he was the school janitor) seemed to be taking charge of the situation.
"It was very upsetting. Some of the girls started crying."
In fact, she, too, burst into tears when she got home and her husband asked how it went.
What had been a great night was blighted by what appears to have been an act of senseless cruelty. Vered said she doesn't like to be the bearer of bad news.
"I'd rather read good news, but I felt I had to say something about this. I hope the schools can do something about talking to kids about treating animals with respect."
© Richmond News 2007
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http://www.canada.com/richmondnews/news/letters/story.html?id=11ad23ce-eff3-426c-b459-068362fa0260
Bunny pays deadly price for Halloween prank
Richmond News
Friday, November 02, 2007
The Editor,
I am deeply upset and outraged at what I came across on Halloween evening.
My children and I and a group of their friends went trick or treating and then decided to go to the fireworks display at Minoru Park.
So we took a short cut through the park adjoining Brighouse elementary school.
We noticed a group of teenagers that appeared to be letting off fire crackers.
I was concerned because they were very close to the school.
They let off another fire cracker and they all ran away as we approached them.
It was then that we noticed something on the ground -- to my utter horror and dismay it was a dead rabbit that had obviously become the victim of these teenagers. It had been literally blown up by the firecracker/s!
I was shocked by this senseless act of cruelty.
To whoever did this, if you perhaps read this or if you know who did this -- this is not a Halloween prank or a joke but obviously the act of a very sick, sadistic person/people.
You need help and my only consolation is I believe in karma and this will come back to you/them. How could anyone hurt an innocent and defenseless bunny, even if it was already dead? You need to respect all living creatures, both in life and in death.
I was very sad that my children and their friends had to witness and see such a tragic and barbaric event on an evening that was supposed to be a fun-filled night.
I hope those individuals responsible will do some soul-searching and realize that this kind of behaviour is sick and that they need help.
It saddens and worries me to know that these people are living here amongst us!
Unnecessary abuse against all animals should not be tolerated. Animals were put on this earth to live just like us and they do not deserve to be killed for or tortured by people with no hearts. Animals deserve to live and be cared for.
There should be harsher punishments for people who abuse their animals or pets. Animals cannot protect themselves against us, it is our duty to protect them.
If anyone knows who did this senseless, heinous crime please do the right thing and come forward and report to the police.
Merle Vered,
Richmond
© Richmond News 2007