rabbits on bus case

Charges laid in rabbit seizure
Edmonton Humane Society seizes 45 rabbits from old transit bus in south Edmonton

Mary (shown above) was involved in the case and was adopted

Edmonton, January 25, 2010 - Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) Animal Protection Peace Officers have laid charges against two Edmonton men after removing 45 rabbits from an old transit bus in south Edmonton.  William Lavery, and Nathan Smith, both of Edmonton are facing charges under section 2 of Alberta’s Animal Protection Act.  Here is the breakdown of charges: 

• Causing distress – APA Section 2(1) “No person shall cause or permit an animal of which the person is the owner or the person in charge to be or to continue to be in distress.” (Lavery and Smith);

• Animal care duties – APA Section 2.1(a) “A person who owns or is in charge of an animal must ensure that the animal has adequate food and water.”(Lavery and Smith);

• Animal care duties – APA Section 2.1(b) “A person who owns or is in charge of an animal must provide the animal with adequate care when the animal is wounded or ill.”(Lavery);

• Animal care duties – APA Section 2.1(d) “A person who owns or is in charge of an animal must provide the animal with adequate shelter, ventilation, and space”.(Lavery and Smith).

A preliminary court appearance is scheduled for February 9, 2010.  If convicted, Lavery and Smith could be prevented from ever having animals in their care again (prohibition), and could be fined a maximum of $20,000 for each charge. 

The charges stem from the seizure of 45 rabbits discovered living on an old transit bus on November 10, 2009 at 9620 – 27 Avenue in Edmonton.  A concerned citizen had called the EHS worried about the condition of some animals inside the bus.  EHS Animal Protection Peace Officers found 45 rabbits.  It is alleged that many were living in deplorable conditions in their own feces and urine; some without any food or water; and many in very poor health. 

Too often, the Edmonton Humane Society finds pet owners over their heads and not able to properly care for their animals.  The Society encourages anyone who is trying to care for a large number of animals to call for help, before being in a position of putting animals’ lives at risk.   

The EHS also reminds anyone caring for pets to have them spayed or neutered so their pets do not multiply to an out of control number, and to help control the pet population overall.   

UPDATE: JAN. 30 - Three of the rabbits remain in the care of the EHS.  One is still available for adoption Doodles (ID 23133).   Six others out of the eight deemed adoptable have already been adopted and one is still in foster care. 

This case has been extremely emotional for EHS staff members, since the majority of the rabbits involved either required humane euthanasia or died in the Society's care due to a highly contagious and untreatable respiratory disease among rabbits (snuffles). 

Media coverage:

Metro News Edmonton

Edmonton Journal

Inews 880 radio

CBC News Edmonton

Edmonton Sun

Global TV Edmonton

CTV Edmonton

630 Ched radio