HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — More than 20 rabbits are recovering at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay after two dozen were found abandoned at a nature preserve in Plant City on Wednesday.
According to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, county employees discovered the rabbits at McIntosh Preserve on Knights Griffin Road. The rabbits were taken to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
The rabbits were dehydrated, underweight and emaciated when they arrived. Two of the rabbits died overnight.
Staff members also found yellow staining on the rabbits’ paws. Reports say the staining indicated the animals had been exposed to urine for an extended period of time.
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The rabbits were abandoned in a rural area of Plant City and authorities are working to identify the person responsible.
Animal Control said abandoning animals could lead to animal neglect or animal cruelty charges. If an abandoned animal is seriously injured or killed, a person could potentially face a third-degree felony if authorities can prove the animal was abandoned by that person.
The Humane Society said domesticated rabbits released into the wild are vulnerable to predators and are not accustomed to fending for themselves.
The surviving rabbits remain at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. The organization hopes to make them available for adoption within the next couple of weeks.