Wabbit Season? Seniors Ask to Shoot Rabbits

For the fourth time, Mission Viejo's largest retirement community will seek city approval Monday to shoot rabbits.

During the 6 p.m. city council meeting, the Casta del Sol Homeowners Association will ask permission to continue its policy of shooting rabbits with pellet guns. They will be joined by the Palmia Homeowners Association, which also represents senior residents and is seeking their second approval.

Killing the rabbits is necessary to protect the "landscape, ornamental plants or gardens" within the Casta community, according to a letter to the city dated March 26.

The associations must receive the city's approval every two years to continue to shoot rabbits. Casta first received approval in 2005, and approval was again extended in 2007 and 2009. Palmia was first approved in 2010.

Think the rabbits are still causing trouble in Casta? Judge for yourself by viewing the photos of rabbit damage above. These are the same photos the association sent to the city to demonstrate the damage done to their community.

City staff researched police reports and found that "no reports had been filed claiming personal or property damage" as a result of the rabbit shooting in either neighborhood.