Two Rabbits Bludgeoned to Death in Oakland

For Immediate Release
Contact: Erin Williams, HRS (510) 970-7575
Margo DeMello, HRS (510) 970-7575
http://www.rabbit.org

Two Rabbits Bludgeoned to Death in Oakland:
Animal Protection Group Calls for Swift Treatment and Prosecution

RICHMOND, Calif. (March 17, 2005) – House Rabbit Society (HRS), a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Richmond, CA, is demanding immediate treatment and prosecution for an Oakland teenager who bludgeoned two rabbits to death this week.

On March 16, HRS member Asia Grey responded to strange noises in her backyard, and was shocked to discover that her teenaged neighbor had broken into her backyard and was beating her rabbits to death with a brick. Grey ran outside and stopped him from killing one rabbit, but two of them had already been brutally killed.

She says, "Our family is devastated over the loss of our beloved bunnies. We are saddened and shocked by this, and we don't understand how anyone could be so cruel as to beat these gentle creatures to death. Irving and Benito were both very outgoing and friendly towards people, even children and strangers, and I find it ironic that their naturally trusting dispositions led to their deaths."

Grey has pressed charges against the teenager, who is a foster child living with elderly foster parents, and she has sought an emergency restraining order to protect herself and her remaining animals. Oakland police have charged the boy with felony animal cruelty.

"This is a tragic, horrifying situation," explains Margo DeMello, HRS Administrative Director. "Violence against any animal is completely unacceptable, but the fact that this teenager broke into a neighbor’s backyard and killed her gentle pets in such a brutal fashion is especially disturbing. Thousands of HRS members can testify to the fact that rabbits are not just sentient beings who deserve to live without suffering, but are in fact treasured family members. A loss of a companion rabbit is just as devastating as a loss of the family dog."

Numerous studies have shown that children who engage in animal cruelty are more likely to commit violence as adults, and that there is a direct link between the abuse of animals and violence toward humans. Violent acts like the one committed this week are a sign that without swift intervention, this young man is on the road towards an even more violent future.

DeMello adds, "We commend the Oakland Police Department for taking this incident seriously. We urge authorities to make sure that this teenager receives strict punishment and immediate, intensive counseling for his obvious psychological problems. We also ask that the Alameda County Children and Family Services Department investigate why this boy's violent tendencies had gone unnoticed and untreated, leading to such tragic consequences."

We encourage anyone who would like to make a donation in honor of these rabbits to contribute to the Oakland Animal Services Spay/ Neuter Fund for rabbits, which will help rabbits throughout Oakland (Oakland Animal Services: Rabbits, 1101 29th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601).

For more information and updates regarding this case, please visit http://www.rabbit.org/rabbit-center.

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House Rabbit Society is an international non-profit organization that rescues rabbits and educates the public on rabbit care and behavior through its national network of fosterers and educators, advocacy programs, and its adoption and education center in Richmond, California.