Thunder Bay humane society investigating abandoned rabbits at Mission Island conservation area

The Thunder Bay and District Humane Society said it's investigating another animal abandonment case in the city.

15 rabbits were brought to the society on Saturday, after they were found dumped at the conservation area at Mission Island Marsh.

Humane society executive director Melanie Blanchette said several of the animals were in need of immediate care, as they were missing ears and eyes.

She said investigators haven't yet determined whether that was a result of animal cruelty or bad breeding.

"It seems that they have been kept in close quarters as well," she added. "So it could be a result of them fighting one another or being aggressive with one another. Right now, we have them pretty well separated."

Rabbits didn't even attempt torun

Blanchette said they were domestically-raised rabbits that wouldn't have survived in the wild. They were so domesticated, many of them didn't run away from the area when approached by staff.

"These animals would not have survived in the wild, which is why they were so easy to catch and trap, and they just stayed around the area in which they were dumped instead of going into the wild," she said.

Blanchette saidseveral of the rabbits are still under vet care, but others have been deemed healthy enough to be put up for adoption.

She added that anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Thunder Bay and District Humane Society.