UVic Applies To Set Aside Injunction Prohibiting Trapping and Culling of Rabbits

The University of Victoria has applied to the BC Supreme Court to set aside an injunction granted on July 30 prohibiting the university from trapping and killing the feral rabbits that are proliferating on its campus. The injunction was obtained by animal rights activist Roslyn Cassells.

UVic expects the court to hear its application on Aug. 16 in Vancouver. UVic argues that Cassells has no legal standing to bring the injunction forward and that the university’s feral rabbit management plan meets the requirements of the legislation governing the rabbit population.

In an accompanying affidavit, UVic also addresses a number of allegations made in the material file in support of the injunction. The university states that the burgeoning rabbit population needs to be reduced because it constitutes a safety and possible health hazard on campus and causes substantial damage to campus grounds and vegetation. The rabbits are also migrating off campus and into the neighbouring community.

In the affidavit UVic states that it needs to resume trapping before the majority of students return for the fall term when increased campus traffic reduces the success rate of trapping.

The university is continuing to work with community organizations and is prepared to provide rabbits to community groups with the proper permits to relocate them. All rabbits must be sterilized before being moved into sanctuaries.

UVic’s rabbits are likely unwanted pets or the descendants of unspayed or unneutered pets abandoned on campus by members of the community. UVic supports efforts by the BCSPCA to convince districts and municipalities to introduce bylaws prohibiting the sale of unsterilized pet rabbits.

For additonal information visit www.uvic.ca/rabbits.

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