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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence Regarding Rabbits in Leisure World Ginger Bennington From: PKKitty©webtv.net Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2000 3:29 PM To: gbennington©ci.seal-beach.ca.us Subject: Rabbits in Leisure World Hello, I am a wildlife rehabilitator in Ventura County. I find the planned shooting of rabbits at Leisure World VERY upsetting. Surely there are other ways to deal with the situation. Have they tried putting up owl nesting boxes, for example? It's a much more natural way to control the population. We have a similar community in my town, Leisure Village. The rabbits are comfortable there, too. No children, no noise, no speeding cars, no roaming dogs and cats. A perfect place for rabbits. When you create a perfect environment for a species, they will flourish. Thank you for your time, Pat Katz PKKitty@webtv.net Wildlife Care of Ventura County 8 years, mostly rabbits and quail IWRC k 1 .... .. . . ..,,..ate. Ginger Bennington From: Elaine Peterson Long [cottontail©evl.net] Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2000 9:46 PM To: gbennington©ci.seal-beach.ca.us Subject: Wild Rabbit Destruction Please know that I was appalled over the potential slaughter of wild rabbits. These creatures are very sensitive and delicate in their make-up. They live a short and very fast lives in the wild. They breed at an early age and have litters one after the other. The reason being is the wild rabbit is low on the food chain. Many other wildlife (raptors, raccoons, coyotes, etc) dine on rabbit. It is crucial not to let man upset natures balance. With respect, Elaine Peterson Long TWRC, IWRC, & NWRA Native Rabbits, Song Birds & Squirrels Texas & Federal Permits cottontail@evl.net Ir 1 n ' Ginger Bennington From: Barb D Rondeau [b2d2rondeau c@juno.com] Sent: Thursday, May 04, 2000 7:25 AM To: gbennington©ci.seal-beach.ca.us Subject: Rabbits I'm sending this in regard to Leisure World and their rabbits. What right does anyone have to eliminate wildlife that was here before man. If the humans weren't constantly destroying their .habitat and would learn to live with wildlife this would be a better place. I work hard at keeping rabbits plus other wildlife alive and releasing them back into the wild. I know I 'm not from California but as a wildlife rehabber I just had to voice my thoughts. We all have to look at the whole picture here. Without wildlife we would have a big problem on this earth. Thanks for reading this. Barb Rondeau 49 Melrose Rd. Grand Island, NY 14072 Assistant wildlife rehabber for two years. 1 Page lof Ginger Bennington From: Natalie Franks [njfranks©earthlink.net] Co-u a �rlh` Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2000 12:00 AM To: gbennington©ci.seal-beach.ca.us Subject: Rabbit overpopulation Dear Sir, My name is Natalie Feast, and I run the Rabbit Adoption and Rescue Program at the San Clemente Animal Shelter. I have been inundated with e-mails tonight from all over Orange County regarding the news reports on the rabbit overpopulation problem in your City. The way I understood the report, these are "wild rabbits" not domestic rabbits. Regardless, there is a tremendous cry of outrage over the possibility that these animals will continue to be poisoned...or as stated, shot to death (or worse) injured and left to suffer a painful, long death. As a Rabbit Specialist, and Californian who takes pride in the attitude that we "general" have towards our wildlife and our environment. I implore you, please consider the Humane path in this situation, and without delay...as there will be the "other type" of people who may take matters into their own hands...and make it "Open season" on rabbits in your community. Forgive me if I am unable to offer any full proof method of humanely dealing with the problem at this time. But I know for a fact these methods do exist. If you contact the local Orange County Chapter of the "House Rabbit Society" they are extremely knowledgeable on any Humane way to handle most Rabbit Related issue. If I may be of any help, or perhaps just help to get you in touch with the right people I am available to do so. But, please think of these animals. So much of Orange County cities are being developed to the extent that much of our wildlife have no place to go anymore...my favorite solution is "relocation" of any animals that simply can't survive among us, as we build around them all! Sincerely, Natalie Feast San Clemente Animal Shelter Rabbit Specialist (949)249-0484 njfranks@earthlink.net 05/03/0000 Page 1 of 1 Ginger Bennington From: Kay McCarley [kmccarley@libertycapitalmgt.com] Sent: Wednesday. May 03, 2000 12:52 PM To: gbennington@ci.seal-beach.ca.us; sbyost@home.com Subject: Leisure World Wild Rabbit Situation I have seen the television and newspaper coverage of Leisure World's efforts to control the cottontail rabbit population. I feel it is inhumane to consider shooting these creatures who were on that land long before Leisure World residents. Why can't humans live in harmony with Mother Nature? Are we so selfish to think this earth is created for us alone? So the rabbits eat a few plants and grass--- plants grow back or can be replanted. To kill God's creatures for the convenience of a few humans is deplorable. Having worked in domestic and wild rabbit rescue for many years I can tell you that healthy cottontails do not pose any health risks to humans. Their fecal material is actually good fertilizer. Please have a heart. Do not permit this mass murder to occur! Securities offered through Kay McCarley,a Registered Representative of Royal Alliance Associates,Inc., member NASD,SIPC 05/03/2000 Page lof1 • Ginger Bennington From: Pamala Smith [psmith@bertenusa.com] Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2000 1:08 PM To: gbennington@ci.seal-beach.ca.us Subject: RE: Leisure World Importance: High Good Afternoon Patricia, I am attempting to contact the appropriate people regarding a situation at the retirement community in Seal Beach, Leisure World. It seems that they are having an abundant rabbit population problem. They announced on the news that they have hired an 'extermination' company that will "shoot"the rabbits. I think this is an absurd and inhumane approach to solving the problem! Why haven't any humane groups in the area been asked to help with rescue or relocation? I am very concerned about this situation and would certainly appreciate any time you could use to look into it for me. If you know of someone else I should contact, that would be good also. Thank You for your time! Sincerely, Pamala Smith (805) 597-7300 05/03/2000 Ginger Bennington From: Gbrosebud©aol.com Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2000 6:30 PM To: gbennington@ci.seal-beach.ca.us Subject: (no subject) As a resident of near by Santa Ana I was very disturbed by the suggestion to "Hunt" the local unwanted rabbit population of Leisure world. I strongly urge you to reconsider this "Hunt" as a viable solution to the rabbit population control effort. If the City of Seal Beach in conjunction with Animal Control can't come up with a more acceptable humane solution for the unwanted rabbits I will never shop and will strongly support any movement to boycott your city businesses. I will be following this issue very closely and hope logic prevails. George E. Britton, Jr. 2219 N. Spurgeon Street Santa Ana, CA 92706 714-547-5725 1 Ginger Bennington From: NOGGINBOY@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2000 6:20 PM To: gbennington©ci.seal-beach.ca.us Subject: No Subject I hope you find a more humane way to get rid of rabbits then pellet guns. I 'm sure that would just injure a lot of them. Have you thought of introducing birth control into the population. I have successfully introduced it into a feral cat colony. This could please both sides. If you would like more information feel free to contact me. 1 Page 1 of 1 Ginger Bennington From: Dije Ndreu [dije@gowebway.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2000 6:18 PM To: gbennington@ci.seal-beach.ca.us Subject: please don't kill the rabbits I just saw an extremely disturbing report on channel 4 news about the rabbits near Leisure World being slated for execution. I was shocked and very upset to hear about this. Please consider the following: 1)The rabbits were there long before Leisure World.They should not be killed because humans have encroached on their habitat. 2)There are more humane ways to deal with overpopulation, i.e. sterilization. Please contact local and national humane societies for help with this. 3)Murdering animals is extremely cruel and barbaric. I find it particularly upsetting that people apparently think a golf course is worth killing animals. 4)Even if"polls"of neighborhood residents show that these people want the rabbits murdered, this is still the wrong thing to do. Sanctioning the hunting and thus murder of innocent animals,that, may I remind you,were there before that Leisure World, is unthinkable. Please do the right thing and don't kill the rabbits!!! Sincerely yours, Ms. Dije Ndreu Goleta. CA 05/03/2000 1 � IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS We recommend a program of trapping, sterilization and release as the best solution to the problem of rabbit overpopulation at Leisure World in Seal Beach. All sterilized animal's ears would be notched. Within five years most if not all of the rabbits would be gone naturally by attrition. Meanwhile the residents of Leisure World could plant vegetation that rabbits avoid. The same money slated for the proposed shooting of the rabbits could be dedicated to this program. Additional financing could be raised through a Save the Rabbit Fund. It is human beings who have upset the balance of nature in Leisure World with the extermination of the rabbits natural predators. But it is the animals again who pay the ultimate price. As we recently illustrated in Catalina, where we ended the shooting of the island goats, there are alternatives to death. The goodwill this act of compassion would generate would bring great credit to Leisure World. Please make it happen. Yours truly, di; Bill Dyer Field Representative 310-301-7730 (Phone/Fax) I\nliFG\SE OF:\\I\i;\I S• 131 CA11\O \I 10• XIII I.\ALI.FY,C.\'?1 471 • (-115)3XS-%41 • FAX(415)3$S-3Sb ida«idausa.org • \\'‘‘‘‘iciatia May 4, 2000 Mr. Bill Naran Administrator Leisure World, Seal Beach Golden Rain Foundation P.O. Box 2069 Seal Beach California 90740 Re: Shooting of Rabbits Dear Mr.Narang: I would like to share with you a story about shooting rabbits, although by now you have heard plenty on that topic. Some years ago, 1 had occasion to speak at length with a person who used to shoot rabbits with a pellet gun. That sounds fairly innocuous, doesn't it? But the process he described to me was gruesome, brutal,unfeeling. It chilled me to the bone,and made me wonder how such cruelty could be tolerated in our"civilized"world. Guns do not bring a quick, clean and painless death to the victims. (That should not be news from all we have heard about Columbine High.) On the contrary, the rabbits are often merely grievously wounded by the pellets. If they do not eventually die from the wounds, and the hunter is able to track them down, he would crush them with his boots. Even when the rabbits are deeply wounded,their instinctive "flight"response makes them flee at a surprising speed into the bushes, making it difficult to find them. If the rabbits are not found,they die their slow death in hiding. (This hunter hunted illegally,without permits, in public parklands,but if he had obtained permits, the cruelty would be the same.) Studies have suggested that the proximity of animals have beneficial health effects to senior citizens; particularly those living alone, in lowering their blood pressure, alleviating depression and contributing to a sense of well being. It is not hard to imagine that the sight, sound or thought of the rabbits being violently killed, injured, or dying slow painful deaths would raise the blood pressure, or have serious adverse health effects on seniors who have watched and developed feelings for the creatures. It is hard to imagine why Leisure World would intentionally act to cause such emotional distress to its residents. Rabbits have nerve endings,just as kittens,puppies. and human beings. If it is cruel to shoot,poison or smash kittens and puppies, it is cruel to do the same to rabbits. We need less cruelty, less violence, and fewer guns in our communities. The last thing we want to do is to suggest to our young people that it is okay to violently destroy helpiess creatures that get on our nerves or eat our pansies and golf greens. Tradition or custom does not make a cruel act less cruel. Please do not shoot the rabbits. Sincerely, � J . Newport Beach, California