Domestic Rabbit Hunt Cancelled - Statement From The Falconer

Please review the following statement given directly to me by John Purcich.  Thanks to advocates for being a voice for the abandoned domestic pet rabbits.  Further inquiries on how the rabbits will be humanely trapped and rescued should be sent to the HOA President Cheri McIntosh Campbell, the Humane Society or local Rabbit Rescues.  
Thanks to John Prucich for cancelling this hunt and his statement.
Linda Sue

STATEMENT
My name is John Prucich and I am the master falconer licensed in Washington State who was volunteering his free time (no payment) to look at the rabbit issue and give feedback to the HOA neighborhood.

I would like to first state the event is indeed canceled for the 9-22-2019. There will be no hunting of domestic rabbits that have been abandoned in the city this coming weekend or in the future in my case. There will be no hunting in the area on my behalf of legal game animals on the weekend of 9-22-19. I canceled the event with the HOA on 9-14-19. In my prior discussions with the homeowner’s association, I was left with the understanding that the rabbits were wild eastern cotton tailed rabbits and no one was offered money or payment to look at the rabbit issue. Falconry is one of the most regulated activities in the United States of America.  Falconers are licensed by state agencies and must follow numerous state regulations which govern our activities.  Falconers work closely with Fish and Wildlife agencies, particularly here in Washington. 

There have been several pieces of misinformation and incorrect facts shared from the news article & situation. I never knew or heard of domestic rabbits in the city until the news report aired, as I live about two hours away, I was unfamiliar with the area. I am greatly saddened that the reporter/news outlet did not reach out for comment from me. If I had been asked about the situation on air or beforehand, I would have been able to get the word out that there would be no hunting of domestic rabbits that have been abandoned.

Falconry is one of the oldest hunting activities in the world and hunting domesticated rabbits is not that a part of falconry. Other news agency declined to cover this after they were informed that there would be no hunting of domesticated rabbits nor could they find any evidence of rabbits in the HOA’s neighborhood. I have been on calls with many state and private agencies since 9-14-19.  Working on getting my side of the story out but sadly once the news report was published, I could not get in front of the misinformation shared through social media.

I have spent this week working through this situation and having some great discussions from people that called through this petition which I greatly value. We don’t have to agree on every issue. We might not understand fully the values of others, but we can speak with kindness, speak to learn the full truth, and seek out to have an open dialog. I again can confirm that there will be no hunting of domesticated rabbits this weekend of the 22nd of September 2019 or in the future on my part.

Sincerely,

John Prucich
Master Falconer