Rabbit cull: Shoot to kill

Richmond Review By: Jeff Nagel
Black Press
Jul 15 2006
B.C. SPCA officials say they don’t necessarily object to a rabbit cull using guns, as long as it’s done professionally.
“Gunshot euthanasia, if done correctly, can be a humane death,” said chief animal protection officer Shawn Eccles. “It is relatively pain-free and it is quick.”
The concern is if rabbits are shot but not killed.

An increase in the local rabbit population has some calling for a cull on bunnies.

“How do we know these animals aren’t going to be wounded and running off, suffering and not receiving any care?” he asked.

With a large increase in the Richmond rabbit population this summer, Coun. Harold Steves has called for a rabbit cull. The rabbits are eating many of Richmond’s farm crops.
Eccles said the existence of colonies of feral domestic rabbits “all over the Lower Mainland” underscores the need for more responsible pet ownership.

Releasing unwanted pet rabbits in parks or fields is far from humane, he said.
“These animals are subject to all sorts of perils that are out there,” he said. “People have to stop dumping their animals. It comes down to responsible animal ownership.”
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelters are overrun with rabbits, but do still accept them.

Eccles also said Vancouver Rabbit Rescue and Advocacy, a new society, has been formed to try to care for the animals and find homes.