Despite having heard from PETA and local animal advocates, the town of Paradise, Utah, along with the local Lions Club apparently organized and held an extremely cruel “bunny chase” at its annual Easter event on Saturday, April 16.
One horrified eyewitness reported that over the course of multiple “chases,” more than 20 rabbits were dumped in a field and frantically charged at by screaming youngsters with the singular objective of tackling the petrified animals, many of whom were frozen in fear, as crowds of adults raucously cheered. Not only was this ordeal obviously terrifying for these delicate, defenseless prey animals, it also presented enormous potential for causing them catastrophic injury—and it would be surprising if some were not badly hurt.
And to make things even worse, the captured rabbits were then evidently sent home with the “victorious” children’s families. Of course, most people who suddenly find themselves with custody of animals are simply unprepared for the responsibility, often resulting in the animals’ neglect, surrender to overburdened animal shelters (where rabbits are the third most surrendered animal, after dogs and cats), or abandonment outdoors to fend for themselves—which is exactly what is alleged to have happened with uncaptured rabbits at previous events who were reportedly just left behind by the organizers.
Please urge the town of Paradise’s mayor and council members to discontinue this barbaric tradition in favor of activities that aren’t cruel to animals—then share this alert with everyone you know!
Please call and send polite comments to the following:
The Honorable Larry Johnson
Mayor of Paradise
P.O. Box 286
Paradise, UT 84328
435-245-6737
[email protected]
Paradise Town Council members
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
