CYPRESS : Rabbit Reprieve Granted by Council

The bunnies of Cypress have been granted a temporary reprieve.

Faced Monday with a life-or-death decision on ridding the city of 30 pink-nosed residents of Nature Park, the City Council postponed action until next month while it gathers more information on the rascally rabbits.

The council had been asked by the city staff to begin a “rabbit phase-out program” because it seems the cotton-tailed critters haven’t been the most gracious guests since the council gave them permission to stay in the park and doled out $17,000 for their care.

The rabbits have snacked on grass and burrowed under trees, causing soil erosion and other damage to the park, to the extent that the staff recommended eviction.

“We’ve had some damage to the dirt area and trees in the park,” said Gonzalo Vazquez, an administrative analyst in the city’s Public Works Department. “During the rain, a couple of trees toppled over because of their gnawing and burrowing. We are just really concerned.”

Although they haven’t put a price on the damage, it is significant enough that the staff suggested sending the bunnies to the Orange County Animal Shelter, where they would be put on bunny Death Row if not adopted within 72 hours.

Since hopping on to the political scene more than a year ago, the rabbits have captured headlines and the hearts of residents who go to Nature Park to see them. They came into the spotlight when neighbors living near the Ball Road park complained that the rabbits were escaping and munching on their lawns, plants and flowers. Most are tame, and officials speculate that many are abandoned Easter presents.

At the time, an effort to catch the rabbits--whose population was about 100--was foiled by a suspected animal lover who stole the city’s trap. When news of the trap got out, it caused an outpouring of support for the bunnies.

In response, the council took several measures to keep them in check, including building fences, feeding them regularly and starting a bunny birth-control program. They also started an adoption program, which has been fairly successful.

A local animal-rights group donated its time to care for the rabbits, including giving special attention to sick ones. When the organization was unable to continue caring for the rabbits, the council agreed to pay veterinarian technician Jose Lopez $1,200 to do the job.

The rabbits have become a regular agenda item during the past year. While they won council support each time, opposition has been growing lately.

Mayor Richard Partin and Councilman Walter K. Bowman in past meetings voted against keeping them, lacking only one vote for a majority. Bowman argued that the park is not the right place for rabbits, and Partin expressed concern over the money. Officials estimate that about $17,000 has been spent so far for the rabbits’ care and another $13,000 was budgeted this year to continue the petting zoo program. But animal-rights advocates charge that these figures are inflated.

The council will consider the fate of the rabbits at its Feb. 10 meeting.