Animal Control Officers responded to these calls immediately and have worked over the past week, setting humane traps in different properties in an attempt to catch these rabbits. The iplan is to bring the rabbits back to AWLA for triage and transportation to an emergency Wildlife Center for medical care. AWLA was also working with the Department of Wildlife Resources to coordinate efforts.
Tuesday morning April 11, thanks to a call from a member of the public, Officers Elpers and Murray were able to catch one of the rabbits shot with a blow dart on N Barton Street. The dart dislodged itself while the rabbit was in the net. The rabbit was taken to AWLA for triage, and later transported to the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center for continuing care. Hopefully it will make a full recovery and be able to be released back into the wild.
This is the second time in the past 12 months AWLA has discovered the use of projectiles or blow darts on wildlife. AWLA asks that anyone with knowledge of these incidents or sightings of these rabbits please contact Animal Control immediately at 703-931-9241. Please do not attempt to chase the rabbits.
"This behavior will not be tolerated here in Arlington. This is an act of animal cruelty,” said Jennifer Toussaint, Chief of Animal Control. “We put so much time and emphasis on teaching tolerance and harmonious coexistence with local wildlife in an effort to prevent acts such as this."
Reminder: if you have any information about this situation, or you see another rabbit with a dart embedded, please call AWLA immediately at 703-931-9241.