Share

Odenaalsrus faces spike in rabbit population

Johannesburg - Odendaalsrus risks seeing a spike in its rabbit population after the owners of an informal rabbit farming operation facing legal action began giving them away to residents, the NSPCA said on Monday.

“An additional concern has arisen as uncontrolled breeding and a possible overpopulation of rabbits is now likely to take place in the area,” senior NSPCA Inspector Grace de Lange said in a statement.

Inspectors had warned the owners of the rabbit breeding and slaughtering operation to take them to a vet.

Between 450 and 500 rabbits were kept in overcrowded, small, wire hutches in the garage of a residential property. Some hutches contained 8 rabbits. Rabbits that had given birth were with both dead and living offspring.

They were slaughtered in the kitchen and either donated to churches or sold to the MJ Fish Market and Food Lovers Market in Welkom. The two stores confirmed to inspectors that they sold the rabbit meat.

“The owners were evasive, hostile and reluctant to co-operate. Warnings in terms of the Animals Protection Act were issued to improve the living conditions of the rabbits immediately or face prosecution.”

The NSPCA had to obtain two warrants to gain access to the property.

Most rabbits had bleeding feet and sores on the soles of their feet, no room to move freely, no bedding, and poor quality food.

“There were no records of the number of rabbits kept and no veterinary records were available.” 

When inspectors returned to the property last Thursday, they discovered that all the rabbits, except for one, had been handed to poor locals or whoever was willing to take them.

“Some of the rabbits were found running as strays in the local township. The community confirmed that a woman had stood at the corner and demanded that all people passing by take rabbits from her for free, as many as they wanted.”

Inspectors were looking for them and residents had been encouraged to hand them back.

“Many rabbits have already been handed to the SPCA and some community members agree that they are not able to care for the rabbits that were forced onto them.”

The owners now face criminal charges for concealing the rabbits.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 314 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 450 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.96
-0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.95
-0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.48
-0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.36
-0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.4%
Platinum
911.60
+1.6%
Palladium
1,012.97
+1.1%
Gold
2,216.03
+1.0%
Silver
24.89
+1.0%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.9%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.9%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE