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Every Easter children are barbarically taught to chase fragile boned rabbits down for fun, the prey animals are slid into, tackled and piled upon by screaming children. Videos, photos and witnesses reveal the horror of fragile sensitive rabbits being smashed by multiple bodies, kids fighting over rabbits and the adults surrounding possibly injured rabbits from sight. It is reprehensible police were seen in the audience and the event may have occurred on government property at the park beside town hall.

Without regard to injury trauma or possible death unknowing children terrorize helpless prey animals while the adults laugh and cheer the event on like barbarians. (Sponsored by Paradise Lions Club)

The event is extremely terrifying to a prey animal whose instincts alert multiple predators are attacking them. Four to five rabbits are put on the ground in hot weather while multiple amounts of children are set loose screaming, terrorizing, chasing and tackling them.  Rabbit’s have heat stroke easily, their spine can easily be broken from mishandling or the rabbit kicking to escape and they can have heart attacks from fear.  

To a person educated in rabbit care, there are serious concerns many of these rabbits suffered severe injuries, trauma or death.  Concerns the survivors were dumped or left in neglect from not being wanted as parents could be overheard telling their kids to get rid of the bunny they caught, that they didn't care for the one they won last year and that they'll dump it later.  

Tomorrow 7/23/2022, yet another cruel and inhumane rabbit and chicken chase will be held in Mendon, UT to celebrate Pioneer Day and more fragile boned rabbits and chickens will be senselessly terrorized.

The rabbit chases violate Utah’s Code Ann. § 76-9-301 
We the petitioners respectfully ask the Mayor’s and Police to honor the Utah Animal Cruelty laws and put an end to their cruel traditions of despicable animal cruelty and replace them with fun alternatives the whole family can enjoy like tug-of-war, sack races, apple bobbing, relay races, and more. 

Paradise Utah is small in population where Latter-day Saints Churches are abundant.  According to the Church of Jesus Christ/Latter Day Saints "Gospel and Animals"- It is an unrighteous thing to treat any creature cruelly.

Most children have little to no understanding or ability to handle such delicate and vulnerable animals. Teaching children compassion towards animals is a responsibility we all share.

For The Rabbits,
Linda Sue

ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS - Title 76 Utah Criminal Code

76-9-301. Cruelty to animals.
(1)As used in this section:
(h)"Torture" means intentionally or knowingly causing or inflicting extreme physical pain to an animal in an especially heinous, atrocious, cruel, or exceptionally depraved manner.

(2) Except as provided in Subsection (4) or (6), a person is guilty of cruelty to an animal if the person, without legal privilege to do so, intentionally, knowingly, recklessly
(c) injures an animal;

References

HJNews - Photo Gallery: Rabbit and Chicken Chase

Paradise Utah Lions Club

Mendon City Pioneer Day Celebration Facebook

Utah Animal Rights Coalition (UARC) - info@uarc.io

Humane Society of Utah - jfox@utahhumane.org

Best Friends Animal Society - info@bestfriends.org

Cache Co - Sheriff Chad Jensen

Paradise Bunny Race - Youtube

Bunny and Chicken Scramble - Youtube