The Medicine Hat Police confirm an investigation is taking place after two bunnies were found shot with an arrow (Tiffany Goodwein/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

WARNING: disturbing content

MHPS investigating animal cruelty after bunnies found shot with arrow

Jul 5, 2021 | 5:08 PM

Warning: Some of the details in the story may be disturbing to some readers.

MEDICINE HAT, AB – What started as a video of feral bunnies in her backyard turned into a more sinister discovery for Darla Clarke.

“As I was shutting off my camera, I saw what looked like a pencil but it was an arrow going from its back through its whole body, out the side, and I realized that someone had shot it,” she said.

Stunned and disturbed by the rabbit sighting, Clarke phoned city bylaw, but by the time they arrived, the bunny had moved on. The next day, July 1, it was spotted again, so Clarke and her neighbours notified the local bunny rescue.

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Bunny Run Rabbit Rescue arrived on scene. Amanda Hennessey from the rescue organization said the incident was the second call they’ve received about a bunny that was shot with a crossbow arrow in recent weeks. Both incidents occurred in the Southlands neighbourhood.

(Bunny Run Rabbit Rescue)

The first case, according to the organization occurred on Father’s Day. That bunny was found near a shed at the Southland Greens Condominiums.

“It was very hard to see, these poor bunnies, the one, the arrow had actually gone through its head, but it is still alive, running around, just trying to stay alive, but it was right through its head, and the other one, it went right through its stomach,” Hennessey said.

Both rabbits were rushed to the Animal Medical Centre in Dunmore, but they each had to be euthanized.

Hennessey said she is concerned that more hurt bunnies could be out there. The public safety risk, is also an added concern, given the Southlands area is heavily populated with a park and school nearby.

“This isn’t hunting, this isn’t sport, this is animal abuse, and it is very dangerous to be discharging any sort of weapon that has the ability to puncture through flesh,” she said.

Her concern is something Clarke echoes.

“It’s very concerning, we have a dog, we have a six-year-old, so it is very concerning,” she said.

The Medicine Hat Police Service confirms an investigation into both cases is taking place.

“It is being investigated under the criminal code for cruelty to animals, and there is also a bylaw offense for discharging a bow within the city limits,” Insp. Brent Secondiak said.

No suspects have been identified as of yet. Insp. Secondiak said the level of punishment for animal cruelty is determined by the courts but it can range from a hefty fine to possible detention.

As for Hennessey, she’s hoping for justice for the bunnies and hopes the cruelty towards bunnies stops

“It’s not funny. It’s not just an animal running around. It is a soul, it’s a personality, it is a life, and disrespecting and abusing a life like that is never okay,” she said.