Dorota Trec lives in Gowanus, where she keeps about 80 rabbits as pets. Yesterday, close to 20 NYPD officers raided Trec’s backyard and took custody of the animals in anticipation of the snowstorm that blanketed the north-east. Authorities were concerned that the rabbits would be in danger considering the difficult weather conditions.
The rabbits roam relatively free behind a tire shop at Third Avenue and Ninth Street and according to DNAinfo, they like eating chicken wings. Some neighbors have complained and animal rights activists have been pushing for an investigation into the conditions of the rabbits for weeks. The ASPCA as well as the Animal Care & Control of NYC helped assist the NYPD with the raid.
A spokeswoman for the ASPCA said in a statement that, “The rabbits were in imminent danger from a severe blizzard headed for New York City.” But Trec insists they were taken care of, “There was no emergency. If they were dropping dead, somebody would see them dropping dead.” Trec now plans on suing the NYPD as well as the animal welfare advocates for taking her pets.
The NYPD did not give details for what they plan to do with the animals or where they were being housed.
(Photo: Matthew Katz)
