Thursday, May 20, 2010

University's bunny battle intensifies

CBC NEWS Thursday, May 20, 2010

A battle over bunnies at the University of Victoria is heating up as animal rights activists fight the school's attempt to cull the animals' growing population. About 100 rabbits have been killed as the university tries to deal with about 1,300 of them on school grounds. Officials are trapping the rabbits, then having them killed. "We're delivering the rabbits to a veterinarian, who's euthanizing them through an injection," said the university's facilities manager, Tom Smith.

Activists say destroying the rabbits is unnecessary and call for alternative methods to deal with the population explosion. A local veterinarian has offered to neuter male rabbits free of charge, said Kelly Carson of the group Save UVic Bunnies. "It could be time-consuming, but ultimately, it's the right thing to do," said Carson. The university says it might consider some method of sterilization eventually, but in the short term it has to act quickly, Smith said. The animals are frequently hit by vehicles, leave droppings and have dug holes all over the campus, especially on athletic fields."The purpose is to rid the area of rabbits because of the critical concern we have for athletes hurting themselves," said Smith.


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