Victoria rabbits to be killed under new plan

    Victoria Times Colonist January 21, 2011

Photograph by: Victoria Times Colonist, .

VICTORIA — Rabbits found at the University of Victoria after Feb. 28 will be killed under a new plan for a bunny-free campus. The trap-and-kill policy is part of the university's decision to clear all remaining rabbits off campus and send them to sanctuaries. It is a shift from the original management plan of allowing about 200 rabbits to live in the area.  It was reported last week that the death-sentence clause was under consideration. Its introduction is aimed at dissuading rabbit owners from dumping pets at UVic once the final 50 or 60 rabbits are moved, said Tom Smith, UVic facilities management director.  "While UVic is willing to dedicate some resources to rabbit removal, it is unrealistic for the university to divert funding to this task in perpetuity," he said. People are apparently still dumping unwanted pets on campus as several rabbits captured in the past two months had recently been sterilized, Smith said.