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Edited on Wed Sep-21-05 05:28 PM by friesianrider
The only posts I have seen where someone gets "flamed" is when people make stupid posts like "I dumped my dog on someone else, and now she wants to have him put to sleep. Can someone here take him?" or "my cat isn't getting along with my other cat. I'm going to put him to sleep if no one here can take him soon." That kind of irresponsibility with one's pets will get flamed by a group of animal lovers, naturally...and I personally feel it is warranted in situations like that. If someone is going to get a pet, they should really educate themselves as to their care and be prepared to make a lifetime commitment to that pet the same as one would any other member of the family. If you get a pet and make a dumb mistake with them because you didn't properly research their care, I know I wouldn't hesitate to call that person on it. When people make dumb mistakes with their pets when they should know better, then I think some criticism is warranted. I certainly wouldn't coddle someone who was irresponsible with their pets and the pet ran away/got injured/whatever.
That being said: I should say that as a rabbit owner for the last 10 years, it doesn't sound like this OP's sister did something stupid or that this happened because she wasn't being responsible - it sounds like just an unfortunate event that just could and should be improved for next time if they get another rabbit. For anyone reading this though, rabbit hutches should ideally be a minimum of 3 to 4 feet off the ground and very sturdy to prevent this kind of thing (ie, not easily tip over or be broken into by a hungry fox or whatever). The cage should have some kind of nesting box with straw in it for warmth and so the bunny can have somewhere to stand and sleep that isn't wire. It should be covered on at least two sides (preferably 3) and be faced so the wind and rain are hitting the covered sides.
I've seen much worse in terms of rabbits than this OP's story, which is why I definitely do not think she did anything intentionally or negligently wrong. Bunnies are often victims of negligence because people buy them on whims for kids who are too young to handle them safely (bunnies are *extremely* delicate) or care for them. Plus, most people think bunnies are easy to care for and great kids' pets, but in reality they are one of the worst if you have kids and one of the most difficult pets to have if you want to be a responsible owner and care for them properly. I had a moron next door neighbor I kept her rabbit under an upside down Rubbermaid storage container with a couple pencil-sized holes punched in the sides. She just left it sitting on the ground. No bottom, and nothing keeping the container from blowing over or being knocked over. Amazing.
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