Inle_Rabbitry
Well-Known Member
We just want to share a devistating experience that has happened to us and our rabbitry a few years ago and hopefully others will learn from our tragedy and be able to save their rabbits from what we had to go through.
Afew summers ago when we first started out raising rabbits, we were having a pretty bad insect problem in our house, so we decided to hire an insect exterminator. When the exterminator arrived on our property, wespecifically toldhim not to go anywhere near our rabbitry (or anywhere else that housed animals on our property for that matter) while he sprayed around the house. He nodded his head in what we thought was a simple agreement and he went about his work.
The next day, as I went out to the rabbitry to conduct the morning feedings, I was met with a horrific scene. The rabbits were all dead. Their bodies were limp and soft, which I knew was a sign of poisoning as it doesn't allow for rigamortis to set in. Distraught and in tears, I called the exterminating company and demanded to find out what kind of chemicals they used and also asked if their products were "animal friendly". They assured me that everything they used was safe. After that phone call, I called a local labratory to find out what exactly could've poisoned our dear rabbits. The specialist gave me a list of chemicals that are toxic to rabbits. I soon discovered that the chemicals I was assured were "absolutely animal friendly" were on that very same list the specialist gave me. At that point I was furious. The specialist suggested that I send in one of the bodies of my dead rabbits so he could conduct a necropsy.
I decided to go forth with sending one of the bodies in, and after many months and a large sum of money, I was given the diagnoses. It was indeed the pesticides that killed the rabbits and I was told that most likely the exterminator had sprayed the chemicals directly into the rabbit's water crocks. I called the exterminating company back after this and discussed what exactly what had happened and the proof that I had. I told the management that I specifically told their employee not to spray anywhere near my rabbits, I told them that the next day my rabbits were dead, that I sent in a body for a necropsy, and what had disturbed me the most, was finding out that not only did their employee disregard my requests to stay away from my animals, but most likely deliberately killed my rabbits by spraying chemicals straight into their water sources.
The management did not give me any form of apology and in fact were quite rude, denying anything had happened, and still they persisted that their products were "animal safe". They said that the only way I could do anything about itwas to take them to court, and they assured me, that since they were a big company with lots of money to waste on court fees, I had no chance against them. And sadly, they were right. There was nothing I could do to further my justice in the inhumane killing of my rabbits.
So, my conclusion to this, and my advice to anyone, is to be extremely cautious of having pesticides sprayed in or near your home if you have rabbits, or any other animals. Things may not be as they seem or claim to be and always get things in writting.Think about if something happened to your animals, and being lyed to about, and not being able to do anything about it.
It's a lesson we have saddly learned, but hopefully it will help others rethink the safety of their home and pets.
Afew summers ago when we first started out raising rabbits, we were having a pretty bad insect problem in our house, so we decided to hire an insect exterminator. When the exterminator arrived on our property, wespecifically toldhim not to go anywhere near our rabbitry (or anywhere else that housed animals on our property for that matter) while he sprayed around the house. He nodded his head in what we thought was a simple agreement and he went about his work.
The next day, as I went out to the rabbitry to conduct the morning feedings, I was met with a horrific scene. The rabbits were all dead. Their bodies were limp and soft, which I knew was a sign of poisoning as it doesn't allow for rigamortis to set in. Distraught and in tears, I called the exterminating company and demanded to find out what kind of chemicals they used and also asked if their products were "animal friendly". They assured me that everything they used was safe. After that phone call, I called a local labratory to find out what exactly could've poisoned our dear rabbits. The specialist gave me a list of chemicals that are toxic to rabbits. I soon discovered that the chemicals I was assured were "absolutely animal friendly" were on that very same list the specialist gave me. At that point I was furious. The specialist suggested that I send in one of the bodies of my dead rabbits so he could conduct a necropsy.
I decided to go forth with sending one of the bodies in, and after many months and a large sum of money, I was given the diagnoses. It was indeed the pesticides that killed the rabbits and I was told that most likely the exterminator had sprayed the chemicals directly into the rabbit's water crocks. I called the exterminating company back after this and discussed what exactly what had happened and the proof that I had. I told the management that I specifically told their employee not to spray anywhere near my rabbits, I told them that the next day my rabbits were dead, that I sent in a body for a necropsy, and what had disturbed me the most, was finding out that not only did their employee disregard my requests to stay away from my animals, but most likely deliberately killed my rabbits by spraying chemicals straight into their water sources.
The management did not give me any form of apology and in fact were quite rude, denying anything had happened, and still they persisted that their products were "animal safe". They said that the only way I could do anything about itwas to take them to court, and they assured me, that since they were a big company with lots of money to waste on court fees, I had no chance against them. And sadly, they were right. There was nothing I could do to further my justice in the inhumane killing of my rabbits.
So, my conclusion to this, and my advice to anyone, is to be extremely cautious of having pesticides sprayed in or near your home if you have rabbits, or any other animals. Things may not be as they seem or claim to be and always get things in writting.Think about if something happened to your animals, and being lyed to about, and not being able to do anything about it.
It's a lesson we have saddly learned, but hopefully it will help others rethink the safety of their home and pets.
