Abandoned Bunnies Found In New Canaan, Wilton: Animal Control

NEW CANAAN, CT — Five rabbits that appear to have been abandoned were recently found in New Canaan and Wilton, according to a New Canaan Animal Control officer.

In an email Friday, Allyson Halm said one bunny was found on North Wilton Road in New Canaan last month.

"I reached out to Wilton Animal Control," Halm said, "and they indicated that they had four [bunnies] of similar description abandoned in their parks over the past eight months or so."

According to Halm, each rabbit had the same appearance, and it is assumed they are being abandoned by the same person.

Despite being abandoned, she noted each rabbit has been found in good condition.

"Rabbits are prolific breeders and the population can get out of control quickly," Halm said. "They could be being bred for meat, but that is speculation."

According to Halm, abandoning a domestic animal is considered a crime under the state's Animal Cruelty Statute, which "prohibits people from overdriving, overloading, overworking, torturing, depriving of substance, mutilating, cruelly beating or killing, or unjustifiably injuring any animal."

Under the statute, individuals in custody of an animal may not abandon the animal. These offenses are punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment of up to one year, or both, according to the statute.