Politics & Government

Poll Results: Readers Oppose Shooting Rabbits

Councilman Dave Leckness says rabbit extermination is necessary in two Mission Viejo senior communities.

The results are in, and 61 percent of Patch readers disapprove of using pellet guns to shoot rabbits in two senior communities.

The City Council to continue the practice at Casta Del Sol and Palmia. It's a practice that began when Casta for permission in 2005.

Proponents say shooting wild rabbits helps thin the population and keeps landscaping healthy and green.

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It was a big problem, said City Councilman .

"Before extermination was enacted each community had horror stories of conditions the rabbits left behind: eaten flowers and plants, large urine stains (dead grass) on lawns, rabbits droppings on all sideways and patios every single morning, dead rabbits hit by cars etc," he said.

Find out what's happening in Mission Viejowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

And the homeowners in the affected neighborhoods voted "overwhelmingly" in favor of extermination, Leckness said.

Most Patch commenters disagreed with the practice, although one supported it. Here are some of their remarks:

  • S Harris: "There are ways to protect landscaping from rabbits. This is cruel and inhumane treatment of innocent animals."
  • M.G. Mimi "What kind of community shoots rabbits? This is a heartless practice that should never have occurred and it should, certainly not contine. Disgusting!!!"
  • Dwight Broeman: "I have 5-10 (rabbits) in my yard at all times. Love them. I cannot imagine shooting these little furry animals. What right do we have in interfering with their balance of nature? The fact that this even got to the council deck is concerning to me."
  • Averagejoe: "Rabbits are rodents. They carry disease. Their propagation is legendary. They can wreak havoc on any golf course or other landscaping. Plus they attract such predators as mountain lions, coyotes, rattlesnakes and other things that shouldn't be in close contact with humans... I love animals too. I had a pet rabbit as a child. But you have to look at this realistically and act responsibly."


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