Kelowna's feral rabbit population

To the editor:
Re: EBB’s Rabbit Kill
To: Mayor Shepherd and Council
Cc: Ian Wilson, Lesley Driscoll

Mayor and Council:

How outrageous of the City of Kelowna to approve the hiring of EBB to annihilate the feral domestic rabbits and their offspring from certain areas of the community. This has been a controversial and contentious issue for many residents, animal advocates, and others, who find it unfitting in today’s society, that lethal methods would even be considered an option, when humane proposals from other groups were put forth. TRACS bid came in under EBB’s and has widespread support.

EBB, on the other hand, has been less than forthcoming in the information they provided, and it’s now revealed that an air-rifle has been used to exterminate the rabbits, their third method on the list. Working with rescue groups to place the captured rabbits was the first option. Why haven’t they kept their word? City officials certainly didn’t do their homework before awarding this outfit the contract. Clearly, in light of the horrific information that barbaric methods of killing by injecting the rabbits with dry ice, drowning, or gassing them were part of the plan, it’s a company operating without scruples. Is council endorsing cruelty and suffering to animals? Why the lack of openness and accountability to its citizens by informing them of such a hare-brained scheme?

Going out under the cover of darkness to stalk and kill the victims of a human-made “problem” is not only cowardly, it’s clear that this type of secrecy has the public seeing red. Taxpayer money has been squandered on lethal methods, which all research has proven, is ineffective. Shooting won’t get rid of rabbits. Rabbit prevention strategies and techniques, such as exclusion barriers like fencing, tree wrapping, and habitat modification are workable, as are planting garlic, catnip, or lavender, since rabbits are repelled by the scent.

Research being done at a number of institutions like Murdoch University in Australia indicate that genetically engineering plants like tobacco and clover will help reduce rabbit fertility. Closer to home, research at a Halifax University, scientists have developed a feed that sterilized deer (and possibly rabbits) for 10 years with a single feeding.

Education programs and bylaws that would restrict the breeding and selling of intact rabbits are essential to a multi-pronged approach that would incrementally and humanely reduce rabbit populations. Pet stores, the source of impulse buys, must immediately cease selling baby bunnies and breeders of “show animals” should be required to license their “stock.” Addressing the sources, and implementing proactive measures, will yield positive results. As will the reporting of people who dump their pets.

Considering all the available help and network of people willing to work in a collaborative effort to save the rabbits, it’s time for council to move forward, and get on track, a track that is ethical, humane and respectful of all its inhabitants.

Sincerely,

Carmina Gooch, President
Rabbit Advocacy Group of BC
www.rabbitadvocacy.com
North Vancouver

http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story--10-.htm
Posted: Sep 23, 2008 / 5:00 am
Story# 41962 / Contributed