Abandoned Rabbits on Figueroa Mountain

(Stock Photo)

Update by Public Health Department
August 11, 2017

SEVERAL RABBITS DUMPED ON RURAL PROPERTY: 14 RECOVERED ALIVE, SEVERAL DECEASED

On August 2, 2017, at approximately 1:30PM, Santa Barbara County Animal Services received a call of several loose rabbits on Figueroa Mountain Road. The reports were that 20-30 rabbits were seen, seemingly in distress, along the roadway. Animal Control Officers, Good Samaritans, and volunteers were able to rescue a total of 14 rabbits from the location. Six were found deceased at the dump site.

Santa Barbara County Animal Services wants to remind pet owners that animal abandonment is against the law and unnecessary. Animal Services and partners throughout Santa Barbara County, like Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter (B.U.N.S.), offer resources to rabbit owners who no longer feel that they can provide adequate care. There are many other groups that provide resources to owners of other companion animals making abandonment of any animal even more egregious.

Rabbits are extremely susceptible to the elements. On August 2nd, the temperatures in this area rose to over 100 degrees which could have been the cause of death for several of the abandoned rabbits. In addition, the area they were left is home to predators of all types so the actual number of abandoned rabbits may never be known.

If you suspect animal abuse, including abandonment, is taking place in Santa Barbara County, you are urged to contact Santa Barbara County Animal Services or call 9-1-1. Animal abuse is a crime and as a community, we cannot tolerate it.

Santa Barbara County Animal Services is asking anyone with information about these rabbits or the person responsible for dumping them to contact La PAWS at 805-737-7755. Animal Services would like to thank the volunteers of B.U.N.S. that have gone to search for additional rabbits and also provided safe refuge for those that have already been rescued. B.U.N.S. is also offering a $500 reward to the person with information that leads to the prosecution of the person responsible for abandoning these innocent rabbits.

Source: Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter (BUNS)
August 10, 2017

Please help us identify the person who abandoned 20 plus rabbits on Figueroa Mountain Rd August 1, 2017.  Send this post to other groups and to any friends you have in the Santa Ynez Valley. Animal neglect and cruelty should not go unnoticed. If you know who abandoned these rabbits contact BUNS at 805 683-0521 or info@bunssb.org.

Over 20 rabbits were dumped on Figueroa Mountain Rd at the first cattle guard on August 1.  At  about 9:30 pm a woman saw them and stopped. She and her daughter were able to catch 2 rabbits.  The rabbits were without water or protection from predators. She called BUNS. The next day another woman and her children caught eight rabbits in what had become 100 degree plus heat. She found and photographed 4 dead rabbits. Santa Barbara County Animal Services and the Animal Rescue Team, alerted to the crisis, were able to catch one rabbit later that day.  They found and removed one dead rabbit.  They left food and water for the remaining rabbits.  Teams of volunteers from BUNS (Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter) made several searches of the area and caught 3 rabbits and found remains of approximately 7 rabbits. 

Most of the rabbits caught on Figueroa Mountain Rd were taken to the Lompoc Shelter and transferred to Goleta where they were given to BUNS.  With the three rabbits caught by their volunteers, BUNS is caring for 11 Figueroa Mountain bunnies.  Three bunnies will be kept by their finders.  Between the 15 rabbits recovered alive and the remains found at the site, we estimate that some 20 + rabbits were abandoned.

Releasing domestic rabbits into the wild is cruel and neglectful. It should lead to prosecution.  Left in the wild, domestic rabbits do not have a safe living space. They do not know where to find water. They do not know which plants are safe to eat. They do not know how to identify or avoid predators. Worst of all this group of rabbits was abandoned without water when daily temperatures were in excess of 100 degrees. It is likely that some of the initial deaths were due to heat stroke.  Still others were hunted by coyotes, foxes or bobcats; dying in terror.

There is no reason to abandon a rabbit.  If you cannot keep your rabbits, BUNS can help you find a safe alternative to abandonment.  Anyone needing assistance with their rabbit can get call BUNS.  If you know the name and address of the person who abandoned the rabbits please tell BUNS.

Contact BUNS at 805 683-0521 or info@bunssb.org.