House Rabbit Society
Adoption, Rescue & Education - Richmond, CA
| Phoenix News Release |
[Photos] |
Posted: October 28th, 2005
SUSPECT ARRESTED IN RABBIT BURNING CASE Rabbit Rescue Group Praises Vallejo Police RICHMOND, Calif. (October 28, 2005) – After conducting an investigation into a brutal Bay Area animal cruelty case, authorities have arrested a juvenile suspected of severely burning a pet rabbit. Today, House Rabbit Society (HRS), a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Richmond, CA, announced that Vallejo police has arrested a suspect believed to have soaked a family pet in lighter fluid, lighting him on fire. The arrest comes nearly a month after a Vallejo area resident contacted police after discovering the rabbit, now named “Phoenix,” badly burned in her neighbor’s backyard. On October 2, police responding to the call found a horribly injured rabbit, who they confiscated along with cigarettes, lighter fluid, and a lighter, from the back yard. The officers took him to the Vallejo- Benicia Humane Society, which then treated his extensive injuries and notified HRS volunteers. HRS San Francisco/Marin County Chapter Manager Marcy Schaaf took Phoenix into her care, providing medical care and pain relief for his extensive burns. The rabbit has second and third degree burns over much of his body, and his ears were so badly burned that they had melted. He was also suffering from open wounds and cigarette burns. Although the recovery process has been slow and his ears are still expected to fall off, Phoenix has quickly regained his trust in people and likes to be pet, following Schaaf around her Mill Valley home and playing with toys. House Rabbit Society praises authorities for the arrest of the suspect. The organization is also optimistic that Solano County District Attorney David Paulson will take the case seriously. Schaaf continues, “We are very grateful to the District Attorney's office for their responsiveness to the gravity of this case and have every expectation that the District Attorney will hold the perpetrators responsible for this sadistic act of cruelty. We ask the DA’s office to prosecute this cruelty case to the fullest extent of the law.” HRS plans to find this special rabbit a loving, permanent home. For updates regarding this case or to make a donation for Phoenix’s medical costs (and the care of other rabbits), please check http://www.saveabunny.com/phoenix.php
House Rabbit Society is an international non-profit organization that rescues rabbits and educates the public on rabbit care and behavior through its national network of fosterers and educators, advocacy programs, and its limited-access rabbit shelter in Richmond, California
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Humane Society of US Offers $2500 Reward in Case of Phoenix, the Rabbit Set on Fire RICHMOND, Calif. (October 18, 2005) – On October 1, a group of teenagers soaked a pet rabbit in lighter fluid and set him on fire. Now named Phoenix, his injuries are shocking. He has second and third degree burns, with open wounds and cigarette burns over about a third of his body. His ears have been almost completely burned off. The remaining sections of his ears were so badly burned that they melted and are crisp to the touch. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is now offering a $2500 reward leading to the conviction of the suspect. Please note: there is a suspect in this case, but no witnesses have come forward.
Phoenix is a real survivor. He continues to amaze us with his sweet and friendly disposition, despite what can only be described as prolonged torture. His back has four very deep, third degree cigarette burns that obviously required him to be forcibly restrained and repeatedly burned. His ears are mostly burned off and what is left is blackened and reeks of lighter fluid. Phoenix is now able to enjoy playtime outside of his enclosure. He likes to spend most of the day in my office exploring, jumping up and down from the sofa to say "hi" and ask for attention as I worked on the computer. I can only imagine how sore his little body must be, yet he took great pleasure and pride in running laps around the office, and he even did binkies. It is very touching to watch him start to blossom now that he knows he is safe and loved. At this point, Phoenix is very bonded to me and runs over to have his forehead and cheeks scratched when he hears my voice. He is also apparently feeling well enough to have other things on his mind. You know you're loved and have been "claimed" when you have a very attentive boy bunny doing courtship dances around your feet! Phoenix is still too fragile medically to be neutered or to be introduced to another rabbit. He clearly wants a friend and he regularly "talks" through his enclosure with his neighbor, Sabra, a beautiful, semi-feral bunny girl we rescued from a junk yard on Oakland who's patiently waiting for her forever home. Please help us to turn Phoenix's adversity into triumph by supporting our rescue work and speaking out on behalf of these trusting, sensitive and vulnerable animals. For updates regarding this case or to make a donation for Phoenix’s medical costs (and the care of other rabbits), please check http://www.saveabunny.com/phoenix.php # # # House Rabbit Society is an international non-profit organization that rescues rabbits and educates the public on rabbit care and behavior through its national network of fosterers and educators, advocacy programs, and its rabbit-only shelter in Richmond, California. SaveABunny is the SF/ Marin County Chapter of House Rabbit Society, an international, nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing rabbits facing euthanasia. According to the ASPCA, rabbits are the third most frequently euthanized animals in the country. We have healthy, happy, spayed and neutered boys, girls, individuals and pairs available for adoption to loving, indoor homes. No outdoor hutches. Volunteers and tax-deductible contributions greatly appreciated and welcomed!
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Posted: October 11th, 2005
Pet Rabbit Doused in Lighter Fluid, Lit on Fire Rescue Group Demands Strict Accountability for Cruelty RICHMOND, Calif. (October 11, 2005) – House Rabbit Society (HRS), a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Richmond, CA, rescued a rabbit last week who teenagers had allegedly soaked in lighter fluid and set on fire. The rabbit, now named “Phoenix,” was living at a single mother's house in the Vallejo area. On October 1, her teenage son and a group of friends spent time smoking cigarettes near Phoenix in the back yard. The following day, a neighbor found Phoenix and alerted the Benicia-Vallejo Humane Society. Upon seeing the extent of the rabbit’s injuries, officers confiscated Phoenix, as well as cigarettes, lighter fluid, and a lighter, from the back yard. The officers took him to the Vallejo/ Benicia shelter, which then treated his extensive injuries and notified HRS volunteers. According to HRS San Francisco/Marin County Chapter Manager Marcy Schaaf, the extent of Phoenix’s injuries is shocking. “Phoenix has second and third degree burns, with open wounds and cigarette burns over about a third of his body. His ears have been almost completely burned off. The remaining sections of his ears were so badly burned that they melted and are crisp to the touch. According to Animal Control Officers, it is likely that Phoenix was doused in lighter fluid and set on fire. He clearly suffered immensely, and he is on antibiotics and medication for pain.” Phoenix is currently in HRS foster care, receiving medical treatment for his injuries. Schaaf continues, “Despite the horrible cruelty he endured, Phoenix is a remarkably sweet, loving rabbit who has not lost his trust in people. He loves to be talked to and have his forehead stroked and chin scratched. He is active and eating well.” Although there are no witnesses at this time, the mother is upset by the act of violence and is interested in pressing charges. HRS plans to find this special rabbit a loving, permanent home. The organization also urges authorities to hold the individuals responsible for this atrocity. For updates regarding this case or to make a donation for Phoenix’s medical costs (and the care of other rabbits), please check http://www.saveabunny.com/phoenix.php House Rabbit Society is an international non-profit organization that rescues rabbits and educates the public on rabbit care and behavior through its national network of fosterers and educators, advocacy programs, and its limited-access rabbit shelter in Richmond, California
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