The highway bunnies are back.
And this time, the province says it will take steps to stop those who abandon the critters along the Trans-Canada Highway at the Helmcken overpass.
B.C. says it is prepared to install security cameras to monitor the interchange, which is a notorious drop-off spot for unwanted pet rabbits.
Anyone caught red-handed will have to cough up a $345 fine under the BC Wildlife Act.
The province says almost all of the rabbits at the interchange had been captured by volunteers to be spayed or neutered and transferred to a refuge.
But then 20 more of the animals were abandoned at the same spot, putting volunteers back at square one.
“Abandoning your pets is an unacceptable thing to do, it has put a wrench in our rescue plans,” said veterinarian Dr. Laurie Gains. “We’ve put a lot of work into it and it does cost a lot of money, and we’re hoping to get as many of them as we possibly can. We want them to all be rescued and go to the sanctuary.”
They’ve also been causing problems for drivers and are undermining the roadway and sidewalks by burrowing under them.
The ministry if the practice doesn’t end it will be forced to consider other solutions, such as euthanization.
The group trying to save the rabbits is raising funds to send more of them to the sanctuary. Click here for more information.
