The City of Kelowna has responded to concerns regarding the rabbit stomping incident by saying that:
As of September 30, the City has requested that EBB Environmental Consulting suspend the use of air rifles in its rabbit control program. We do not condone the actions taken by the independent contractor. A review of rabbit management techniques is underway.
Read more: www.rabbitadvocacy.com
Rabbit cull method suspended
by Rachael Kimola, Castanet - Story: 42157
Oct 1, 2008 / 11:42 am
Kelowna’s controversial rabbit cull method has been suspended, at least for the time being.
Based on allegations of cruelty to animals in the methods used to dispose of the City’s feral rabbits, the City has requested that EBB Environmental Consulting suspend the use of air rifles in its rabbit control program immediately.
A security guard, Gwenda Garrett, made a complaint to the RCMP after claiming she witnessed two people stomp a rabbit to death after shooting it with an air rifle early Saturday morning.
The complaint was dismissed after the RCMP determined that the actions did not constitute animal cruelty.
Joe Creron, City Parks Manager, says the use of air rifles will be suspended while they meet with EBB to determine a more humane way to cull rabbits if a single air shot fails to put them down.
“They will still be shooting the rabbits, but we need to find a better way to put the animal down if the air rifle fails,” says Creron.
He says they were appalled when they heard of the actions of the EBB employee.
“It’s a difficult issue, but we need to try and not let emotions take over. After I heard what had happened I phoned a local vet and asked for a professional opinion and was told that clubbing is considered humane because it does put the animal out of its misery right away. However, we will be looking for a better method.”
Creron says they expect the review to take until at least next week. He says this issue has resulted in a lot of response from the public.
“We’ve been getting some pretty angry emails from people, not just local residents, but from animal rights groups. We are on PETA’s website. Some of the groups are pretty extreme and known for drastic actions, but so far we’ve just been getting lots of emails. At the same time we are hearing concern from orchardists who are worried about the impact the animals will have on their livelihood.”
Trapping of the rabbits will continue during the review.
http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-42157-1-.htm#42157