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Canmore Rabbit Cull: Town Officials Threatened Over Plan To Kill Wild Rabbits

First Posted: 11/25/2011 2:45 pm EST Updated: 02/07/2013 7:52 pm EST

CANMORE, Alta. - RCMP are investigating two threatening emails sent to an Alberta town planning to get rid of thousands of feral rabbits.

Cpl. Darleen White said Friday the email messages to Canmore near Banff National Park contained threats of violence.

She declined to provide more details.

The people who sent them could be charged with uttering threats under the Criminal Code, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail, she said.

Canmore has hired a contractor to trap the hoppers, which have been multiplying like rabbits in the years since wildlife officers killed coyotes in the area.

The town says the trapped rabbits will be gassed unless a responsible group is willing to sterilize and relocate them.

Animal welfare groups, including Save Canmore Bunnies, have been lobbying against the plan.

A website also urges tourists to boycott the scenic Rocky Mountain community if it doesn't back off plans to destroy the rabbits. Save Canmore Bunnies says it has nothing to do with the website.

Town officials declined to comment on the threats other than to say they have been referred to police.

Earlier this week, Mayor Ron Casey said trapping the rabbits could start next week.

Casey has said the rabbits are too plentiful and could attract predators. Earlier this year, Alberta wildlife officers shot two cougars near the community.

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MCrawford
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12:59 PM on 11/27/2011
This story isn't presented in an accurate way. These were domesticated rabbits released into the town by an irresponsible Pet Owner. Why isn't it inhumane that someone left these domesticated animals outside in the elements. If this were a dog or cat, people would be mortified..

What I can't figure out is this: If there are 1000s of people wanting to save the bunnies, why don't you all just take one home with you? I have yet to see one Bunny Activist take one into their own home. As a cat lover, I have absolutely taken in cats that would otherwise be euthanized. If you really care about the bunnies, get them off the streets of Canmore and back inside a home.

And just to stir the fire a little more: Why isn't the same group working hard to raise fund s for a homeless shelter?? Animals in Canmore are treated better than human beings. Our Food Bank is constantly unable to provide for everyone who is hungry, there is no homeless shelter, there is a lack of affordable housing.

If the rabbits didn't have soft fur, this would not even make the news. Do you ever see major cities fighting to save the rats? Or snakes? How about we shave all 2000 rabbits and see if you still want to protect them? Because on a very basic level, this issue is implying that even in the animal world the 'beautiful' have more rights than the 'not-so-beautiful'.
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Thundering Skies
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03:16 AM on 11/27/2011
May I ask why the mayor is willing to pay a contactor $50,000 to trap and kill these rabbits but is unwilling to offer the same amount to the rescue organizations? The people trying to rescue, sterilize, then rehome are trying to do a job more complicated and more humane than mass killing. What is wrong with this picture. The exterminator a cousin?
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MCrawford
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12:46 PM on 11/27/2011
Only because the group has been unable to actually come up with a feasible plan. They just yell, and call names, and send threats, and have their children cry at Council meetings. The group was equally eligible to submit their own written proposal.
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Thundering Skies
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04:20 PM on 11/28/2011
The major people involved are the ones that successfully captured, spay, neutered and rehomed the University of Victoria rabbits, as well as others. They are experienced and are a responsible group. These people do not send threats or behave in an inappropriate fashion as they are aware that this type of behaviour only weakens their standing. The people you refer to may have good intentions but feel powerless to get the town to have a little compassion.
The major issues the rescue group are battling are time and money. The feasible plan hinges on those two things. They are scrambling to come up with the neccesary funds within the time constraints. The town has been living with the situation for years yet suddenly they have to resolve the issue within 2 weeks. If the town would pay them the $50,000 and give them more time to do the job, the problem is resolved. Why is the exterminator a valid business transaction, dollars for services rendered and not the rescue organization? They already have vets waiting to spay and neuter. They have people coming forward to take in the rabbits. The most important issue to the town is to remove the rabbits, what difference would it make to them if the rabbits are allowed a life after their removal?
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Sane and Humane
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01:00 PM on 11/26/2011
"Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages.” Dali Lama

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." - Mahatma Gandhi
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Cananna
I like trees and bunnies.
3368 Fans
 
05:30 PM on 11/25/2011
This makes me sick. I am working very hard to help raise funds to get these bunnies gone to sanctuary.
I live and work in Canmore.It's not a big town. In order for the bunnies to go to sanctuary, the town and its citizens have to be on board. If I speak my opinion, or even try to raise funds in town are people going to assosciate me with the threats?
This is a slap in the face for legitimate and quite frankly, reasonable, rescue groups, and actions like like this turn public opinion and will likely end up killing the rabbits.
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aintnoliberalnow
Old,cranky and retired
21 Fans
03:24 PM on 11/25/2011
Curse you Walt Disney!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
PoliticalJunkie65
"Buzzinga!"
187 Fans
07:29 PM on 11/26/2011
Don't you mean Looney Toons? (Bugs Bunny)
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aintnoliberalnow
Old,cranky and retired
21 Fans
10:34 AM on 11/27/2011
Yah, Walter Lantz too but Walt Disney started it with Thumper in Bambi. So curse them both.
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