ra7751
Well-Known Member
Hi All,
It is vent time for me. But I think there is a lesson here for us all since we are all dedicated rabbit slaves.
I went to opening day at the NC State Fair yesterday. Last year we had a nasty incident with one of the "old school" breeders (and I am not anti-breeder....I am pro-rabbit) in which one of her Belgian Hares was severely injured and she left the rabbit at the rabbit prison there at the fair. Well, since most of the breeders at this fair areone little group and this particular person knew I would be at the fair and would be watching...I did not expect a problem this year....but I was wrong.
I had not been in the rabbit prison for long when I noticed a little rex that didn't look right. I had to take a closer look. In wildlife, we are trained to watch for posturing to make sure a released animal is OK..and the same applies for our rabbits. This rabbit was sitting upright on it's rear end with both rear legs extended forward. When I approached, the rabbit didn't move. The look in his face told me he was in pain. I reached underneath to touch him and when he moved...his rear legs dragged behind him. He had broken his back and the owner left him on display for everyone to see. Of course, most people didn't even notice but I did and went balisitic. I stormed out to get fair officials and I think the person I had the problem with last year saw me. When we returned the injured rabbit had been removed. I didn't see the rabbit leave the fairgrounds with the breeder and I stayed and watched. I suspect he murdered the rabbit right at the fair grounds.
I did speak at length with one of the vets from the state Department of Agriculture which controls the fair. She agreed that the rabbit should not have been on display and should not have been killed on the fairgrounds property. She is willing to support my efforts to institute changes for next year's fair. Right now I am so mad I am having problems writing this. I would have taken that rabbit. And he might have lost his life in the end....but I would not have done it by smashing his head into a wall. So inhumane. I am going to make sure the person that did this pays and pays dearly.
But the moral of my rambling and fuming tirade is to ask all of you tolook carefully when you are atthese fairs and festivals. Speak up if you see a sick or injured animal no matter what the species. They can't speak for themselves....as the ASPCA slogan says....we are their voice.
Randy
It is vent time for me. But I think there is a lesson here for us all since we are all dedicated rabbit slaves.
I went to opening day at the NC State Fair yesterday. Last year we had a nasty incident with one of the "old school" breeders (and I am not anti-breeder....I am pro-rabbit) in which one of her Belgian Hares was severely injured and she left the rabbit at the rabbit prison there at the fair. Well, since most of the breeders at this fair areone little group and this particular person knew I would be at the fair and would be watching...I did not expect a problem this year....but I was wrong.
I had not been in the rabbit prison for long when I noticed a little rex that didn't look right. I had to take a closer look. In wildlife, we are trained to watch for posturing to make sure a released animal is OK..and the same applies for our rabbits. This rabbit was sitting upright on it's rear end with both rear legs extended forward. When I approached, the rabbit didn't move. The look in his face told me he was in pain. I reached underneath to touch him and when he moved...his rear legs dragged behind him. He had broken his back and the owner left him on display for everyone to see. Of course, most people didn't even notice but I did and went balisitic. I stormed out to get fair officials and I think the person I had the problem with last year saw me. When we returned the injured rabbit had been removed. I didn't see the rabbit leave the fairgrounds with the breeder and I stayed and watched. I suspect he murdered the rabbit right at the fair grounds.
I did speak at length with one of the vets from the state Department of Agriculture which controls the fair. She agreed that the rabbit should not have been on display and should not have been killed on the fairgrounds property. She is willing to support my efforts to institute changes for next year's fair. Right now I am so mad I am having problems writing this. I would have taken that rabbit. And he might have lost his life in the end....but I would not have done it by smashing his head into a wall. So inhumane. I am going to make sure the person that did this pays and pays dearly.
But the moral of my rambling and fuming tirade is to ask all of you tolook carefully when you are atthese fairs and festivals. Speak up if you see a sick or injured animal no matter what the species. They can't speak for themselves....as the ASPCA slogan says....we are their voice.
Randy