News – “Monmouth, NJ man fined $2K for releasing pet rabbit into wild”

[wendyzski]

Saw this on my local shelter’s blog!  Hopefully this kind of thing will start happening more often…

Monmouth, NJ man fined $2K for releasing pet rabbit into wild

Thursday April 09, 2009, 6:01 PM

A Monmouth County man was fined $2,000 today for releasing his family’s pet rabbit into the wild, a practice animal experts fear may be repeated by others who buy bunnies, chicks or ducklings at Easter, then decide they can no longer care for the animals.
Jong Park, 51, of the Morganville section of Marlboro, was charged with the disorderly offenses of abandonment and failure to provide proper food, water and shelter, said Victor “Buddy” Amato, chief animal cruelty officer for the Monmouth County SPCA.
Amato said he filed the charges after interviewing family members, who said they released the rabbit, named Hope, after she grew too big for her cage.

Neighbors alerted authorities after they spotted the white rabbit in the woods where she was abandoned about three weeks ago, Amato said.

Suffering from severe dehydration and tick infestation, Hope was rescued three days ago, Amato said. The bunny, weighing about 10 pounds, should have been about 5 pounds heavier for her age, he said.

“This was not a gray cottontail. This was a domesticated white rabbit,” Amato said. “It is amazing it survived a couple weeks in the woods. This animal should not have survived. Any kind of predator could have gotten it.”

The family adopted the bunny last Eastertime from a friend whose pet rabbit had a litter, he said.

The family did not return a message left at the home.

Animal experts and health officials have long warned families against buying or adopting rabbits, ducklings or chicks, particularly at Easter.

“At Easter, it’s all cute and fine and good, but when they get big, what are they going to do with it?” Amato said.

“The dumping of unwanted, domesticated farm animals along our roadways or in our parks is cruel and thoughtless treatment as they cannot take care of themselves and either starve or get injured by a motor vehicle,” said Ella Boyd, public health coordinator for the Ocean County Department of Health and a licensed veterinarian. “It is sad and unnecessary.”
Hope will be offered for adoption when she reaches her appropriate weight, Amato said.

Park will have to address the charges in municipal court.

 

[Sarita]

That’s great. Hope is gorgeous – how sad that they were so cruel. I’m so happy they rescued her.

It’s nice too that the neighbors alerted the authorities too.

[TARM]

OMG is she a flemmie? How many other breeds should be 15 lbs???

[kralspace]

That is so sad, I’m glad they were able to rescue her. Hope the judge is an animal lover big time.

[3crazybuns]

I sure hope that judge throws the book at him (literally!) I HATE people who abuse animals, the person I rescued Oreo from was threating to release him!….I hate ignorance!!!

[Sage Cat]

She is beautiful.
So glad she was found & he was charged!

[MarkBun]

She is very pretty, and from the look of her back feet, she’s not done growing yet. Good job for the SPCA. Think I’ll send them a thank you email.

Edit:  Just sent them a $25 donaton and the following message:

Hello there,

 I just read a news report about an abandoned white rabbit named Hope that wound up with an arrest and fine of $2,000 to the individual who let the rabbit loose in the woods.  I wanted to say thank you to you and everyone who helped with it, especially Victor “Buddy” Amato for finding the guilty party and imposing this fine on him.  Too often rabbits are not considered ‘real pets’ and people simply believe that they can easily survive in the wild if let go.  I hope that this example will serve to educate others that domesticated rabbits are NOT wild and cannot survive in the wilderness.

I made a small donation in Hope’s name to the Law Enforcement division of the SPCA.  I wish it could be more. 

 Thank you again.

 Sincerely,

Mark Mensch

Rabbit owner and rescuer

[Beka27]

That is GREAT! I hope HOPE will find a wonderful home that will love her forever! She is beautiful!

(Shame on YOU, dude!)

[jerseygirl]

Oh my gosh she’s beautiful! I cannot comprehend how someone would feel okay about releasing her – seriously.  Wendy, it that a newspaper article or a write up by the rescue? I would be interested to read any news article on it.   Somewhat pessimitic – I have thought that people may dispose of the unwanted in another manner if they are aware of a fine…I’m hoping a public article has explained surrendering them is the way to go.
Thanks again to Markus – rescuer you are!

[Lightchick]

THAT IS AWESOME!!!

(I want that rabbit–how ADORABLE! Hope is such a good name for her.)

[babybunsmum]

look at her standing proud! she’s beautiful and the ignoramous pathetic idiot who was fined doesn’t deserve to share space with such a lovely creature. thank goodness hope was rescued <3 thanks for the share wendy!

and way to go markus!

[MarkBun]

Here’s the response I got back from my email:

Dear Mark,
Thank you for your kind note and your support of Chief Amato and our Humane Law Enforcement efforts. It’s a big county and we could not do it without the support of the community. Between our Humane Education Programs in the schools and Humane Law Enforcement Division, we do our very best of educate the public and prosecute those who marginalize and mistreat animals of all kinds. We certainly appreciate all of your rescue work on behalf of the animals.
Sincerely,
Rich

Yup, I’d have to say the way she is standing definitely made me fall in love with her too.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Markus!! Your generosity continually astounds!! *bunny hugs*

THAT is freaking fantastic that they fined someone that amount!! If only they did that here!!!

Can someone post the linky to the shelter? I think we should all write thank yous-and I want to post that article on my website as well!!

[hoops&yoyo]

OMG – I live in Monmouth County NJ and work in Morganville where this bunny was dumped!!!! I didn’t see this in the newspaper but will definitley keep on top of it! I am going to try to find out when the hearing is and go. WHAT A SLIMEBALL!!!

[MarkBun]

They are located at this addy:

http://www.monmouthcountyspca.org/

As for generosity, I don’t have a lot of money but when something like this happens, it needs to be recognized that there are those of us who love what they’re doing.

Now, I’ll just have to have pasta instead of pizza a couple more nights this month…

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

^^ No name brand Kraft Dinner saves me all the time

[Deleted User]

Hope is gorgeous indeed! I’m very pleased they fined this guy! I’m almost positive that it would have been cheaper for him to buy a larger enclosure for hope…..

[MarkBun]

Actually, it would have been cheaper to turn her over to the SPCA.  Granted, we don’t want that to happen but if you’re really of the mindset of rather letting your pet go than buy a larger enclosure, you shouldn’t have a pet.  Worst case scenario is that the rabbit will pass on but peacefully and not in the jaws of some coyote.

[Deleted User]

I’m reallly glad that Hope is not with her former owner… I doubt the cage size was the true reason for dumping her in the first place.

[bunnytowne]

She is gorgeous.  Poor things was probably terrified and confused.  Glad she made it.  Shame on that man.

[jerseygirl]

hoops&yoyo, would you also be able to keep an eye out for when she’s officially up for adoption? It’d be good to post her adoption page in the Rescue section on bb.com

[jerseygirl]

*thread bump* so not to forget Hope.
Does anyone know any updates on her? Hoops&YoYo?

[sharper]

wow, i can’t imagine what those long scary 3 weeks were like for her.

[Author]

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