$2,500 Reward Offered for Help in Rabbit-Shooting Case

PETA Joins Virginia Beach Animal Control in Search for Culprit or Culprits Who Shot Rabbit With an Arrow

For Immediate Release:
May 21, 2015

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

On the afternoon of May 8, a Virginia Beach resident made a gruesome discovery in the 1100 block of Selwood Drive, near Providence and Princess Anne roads: A wild rabbit was struggling to move with an arrow stuck in his or her body. Because of the severity of the injury, the rabbit had to be euthanized, and Virginia Beach Animal Control has yet to determine who shot the animal. That’s why PETA is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this crime.

“Every moment that this rabbit struggled to move with an arrow piercing his or her body was pure agony,” says PETA Senior Director Colleen O’Brien. “PETA is urging anyone with information to come forward immediately, before someone else is hurt.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—offers tips for helping wildlife on its website and also cautions families to keep their animal companions safely indoors. Animals should always be accompanied in the yard and escorted on walks with a comfortable, secure harness and leash.

Anyone with information about this case should contact Virginia Beach Crime Solvers at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP (1-888-562-5887) and may remain anonymous.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.