http://www.bclocalnews.com/tri_city_maple_ridge/tricitynews/news/94525534.html

Too many discarded bunnies, says Reid

Feral rabbits are proving a problem, says Coun. Mae Reid.
CRAIG HODGE/THE TRI-CITY NEWS

By Gary McKenna - The Tri-City News
Published: May 21, 2010 2:00 AM
They may be cute and cuddly but rabbits released into the wild are wreaking havoc on parks and gardens across Coquitlam.

And one city councillor is hoping to do something about it.

During a meeting Monday, Coun. Mae Reid put forward a notice of motion calling for a ban on the sale of rabbits in the city. The animals rip up lawns and their feces can spread disease, putting people’s health, plants and property at risk.

“We’ve got them everywhere,” Reid told The Tri-City News. “People buy the bunnies and when they don’t want them anymore, they take them and let them go at the park. Loads of people are dropping them off at Mundy Park.”

Rabbits sold in pet stores are not usually spayed or neutered, which means when they are released into the wild, they are able to reproduce. Feral rabbits are now a common site in many local parks.

Reid fears that more rabbits could bolster the predator population, providing more food for larger animals such as coyotes and wolves.

“I think Mother Nature should take care of how many rabbits we need,” she said. “I don’t think anyone wants to see rabbits just needlessly thrown into the bush to be devoured by other animals.”

Reid points to the University of Victoria, where an explosion in the rabbit population has forced officials to euthanize some of the animals. The rabbits at UVic were long seen as a unique feature of the campus. But with the number of the feral animals living in the area approaching 2,000, university staff said a cull was reluctantly implemented.

Those are measures the city of Coquitlam does not want to be forced to contemplate, Reid said.

“Right now, UVic is basically having to kill hundreds and hundreds of rabbits,” she said. “There is no need for this.”

Andrea McDonald, manager of bylaws with the city of Coquitlam, said she believes a ban like the one Reid is proposing would go a long way toward controlling the local rabbit population. Currently, there are 10 rabbits at the Coquitlam shelter and McDonald said many residents fearing for the safety of the animals capture them and turn them over to the city.

“One of the problems is the rabbits are not spayed or neutered,” she said. “Two bunnies can become 60 rabbits pretty quickly.”

The notice of motion Reid put forward was seconded by Coun. Selina Robinson and is expected to be discussed at the next council meeting.

Sarah Hylton-Foster works at the Coquitlam Animal Shelter, which currently houses about 10 rabbits.