Group protests cull of Granville Island rabbits

A group rallied at Ron Basford Park on Vancouver's Granville Island on Sunday to protest the culling of domestic rabbits that have spread in the area. 

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), which manages Granville Island on behalf of the federal government, says the rabbits were attracting coyotes, which pose a threat to visitors and their pets. 

"We have had to resort to bringing the rabbits to a licensed veterinarian to be euthanized," read a statement from the CMHC. 

It said it believes the population spread after a pair of domestic rabbits were dropped off on Granville Island.

"When we first became aware of them, we sought assistance from Rabbitats Rabbit Rescue, but unfortunately, they did not have the capacity to remove all the rabbits," CMHC said. 

Animal rights advocates protest bunny killings at Granville Island

1 year ago

Duration 2:14

Officials say dumped pet rabbits have reproduced and drawn coyotes closer to Granville Island, but Rabbitats Rescue Society and other concerned animal-lovers say the animals should be removed and sterilized, not killed.

In a writtten statement to CBC News, nonprofit Rabbitats Rabbit Rescue said the organization needed more time to find sufficient housing for the rabbits. 

The organization said the Granville Island rabbits should have been trapped, neutered and housed, rather than destroyed. 

It also said if rabbits are going to be trapped, it should be during the late fall or winter, as trapping mother rabbits at this time of year could leave babies in nests to fend for themselves. 

Animal advocate Laura-Leah Shaw organized the Sunday rally. 

"These are domestic pets that have been dumped, bred, and we need to help them, not hurt them," Shaw said. 

On Sunday, several rabbits could be seen across Granville Island. Shaw said there were approximately 40 bunnies on Granville Island before the culling.

She said domestic rabbits are not meant to live outdoors as they are territorial and will get into fights. 

"It's no life for a rabbit outdoors," she said. 

Shaw said if CMHC had culled a different domesticated animal, like dogs, people would be outraged. 

"But they allow these sorts of things to happen to rabbits. And it's not fair. They deserve just as much a right to life as any other animal," she said. 

Jason Halvorson, who lives near the park, says he was shocked to learn the solution to the rabbit problem was to kill them. 

"It's just cruel. It's completely unnecessary, especially when you have groups like this that are willing to give alternatives," Halvorson said.