Legal Limbo

[JoyCounts]

So I don’t write on this forum very often, but trust when I say I read on this forum all the time. I love learning about other peoples bunnies and comparing them to my own goofballs. That being said, I need to rant a little, and only bunny people will really feel me.

Reader’s Digest Backstory:

Back in November, 192 rabbits were confiscated from terrible conditions from a lady in the greater St. Louis area by the Humane Society.  Let me throw in that this is the second time rabbits were confiscated from her. She was charged 21 counts of animal abuse for the worse case rabbits. Here’s the kicker, after that, her trial was in December and the judge awarded her the rabbits back, saying that she was following standard breeding practices!!!! His words basically said: Some of them are sick and malnourished, but not all of them are, so it’s okay. He also said the conditions would be horrible for children but okay for rabbits since rabbits are farm animals. I mean really WHAT THE HECK?! 

Well before the trial, I went and volunteered a few times taking care of the rabbits (I don’t go as often as I could because it really depresses me but I try).  In the process, I feel head over heels for a lionhead lop boy, who resembles my Lua, but a little larger and with airplane ears.  Before the trial, I told the House Rabbit Society people that when he was available I wanted to adopt him, because there was no way in my mind a judge would send them back ( I probably jinxed it). Anyway, many of the HRS people had put ‘dibs’ on rabbits, so they just added my name and his number to the list.

Fast forward, judge awarded them to lady (I daydream about awful things involving her) but Humane society hasn’t returned them because there is still the 21 counts of abuse to deal with. I promised that little bunny that I’d adopt him, even if it meant going to her to get him, but the problem is now all of those rabbits are stuck in a legal limbo and I’ve not heard any news that things are progressing.  It breaks my heart and makes me so angry all at the same time.  I literally google her name everyday hoping for news that things are moving along or something.

Anyway, if you’ve read all of this, thanks. I’ve done a LOT of screaming angry rants, and my poor boyfriend has just kind of had to put up with me. It’s just soooooo frustrating. So many of those bunnies could be in a loving home now, but can’t because a stupid judge messed everything up. RAWR! It’s so stupid….

[Eepster]

Patience. There really is no other option.

[LBJ10]

Unfortunately, this is the reality that rescues face all the time. Sometimes the animals are given back to their owners, even though a rescue had put in a ton of effort to remove them from a bad situation. If a judge doesn’t think things are “bad enough”, then the animals must be returned to their owner. The law can seem weird sometimes too. An animal might be kept in less than desirable conditions (by the standards of most animal-loving people), but can still be within the limits of the law. A good example is people who keep their dogs outside 24/7. It can be bitterly cold outside, but as long as the dog has a dog house and food/water then it isn’t against the law.

I’m sorry you got attached to the little guy. I’m sure he would love to go home with you. I don’t think there is anything wrong with offering to buy him from the owner once he is returned. You would have to be “nice” though, even though you are angry. Otherwise, she could refuse.

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