I'm so glad I couldn't sleep last night and was up late watching TV on the couch. I heard a scream and knew immediately that someone or something was harassing the rabbits. I ran to the door and as I threw it open the rabbit screamed again. No sooner had I stepped out the door, two large dogs ran past me. Unfortunately, I didn't get a good enough look to properly identify them, but the white one was clearly a thick muscular (bully) breed, and the other was a black dog, both with long tails (not docked) and both in the 65-75+ pound size.
I immediately checked cages and discovered Porkchop missing and his cage door bent and open. My husband ran for a flashlight to start looking for Porkchop while I checked the other bunnies. Paris's cage was also torn open with the door hanging, but due to the odd shape of her cage, she had been able to get into a second compartment that the dogs were not able to grab her from. I secured her cage as best I could, and went on a search for Porkchop.
I found him halfway across the yard laying on his right side. He was breathing, but not moving. I stroked him and spoke gently to him. I ran my hands over him in the dark to try to check for injuries. I picked him up and gently rolled him over to check his other side. He was completely limp except his breathing and his eyes were wide with panic. I tried to set him upright on his feet but he flopped over. I thought he'd probably broken his back, and that I would have to face the consequences of responsible ownership by humanely ending his struggle. I decided to put him back in his cage while I called animal control. In the amount of time it took me to go in the house, get my phone, and leave a message for animal control, Porkchop perked up. I was surprised to see him sitting up in his cage.
I checked on him an hour later and he was moving around and seemed to be alright. This morning I did a thorough examination from head to toe. Porkchop is terrified and he tried repeatedly to kick and get away when I touched him. I'm sure he's sore and scared. That said, he's alright. His fur is stiff and cowlicked with dried dog slobber, his coat is full of dirt and loose fur, but no blood. I did discover his ears need some ointment, but that's likely from itching, not the dogs. He'll be medicated today to relieve the ear issue, and I'll watch him and hope his temperament returns to normal following this near-death experience.
I found him halfway across the yard laying on his right side. He was breathing, but not moving. I stroked him and spoke gently to him. I ran my hands over him in the dark to try to check for injuries. I picked him up and gently rolled him over to check his other side. He was completely limp except his breathing and his eyes were wide with panic. I tried to set him upright on his feet but he flopped over. I thought he'd probably broken his back, and that I would have to face the consequences of responsible ownership by humanely ending his struggle. I decided to put him back in his cage while I called animal control. In the amount of time it took me to go in the house, get my phone, and leave a message for animal control, Porkchop perked up. I was surprised to see him sitting up in his cage.
I checked on him an hour later and he was moving around and seemed to be alright. This morning I did a thorough examination from head to toe. Porkchop is terrified and he tried repeatedly to kick and get away when I touched him. I'm sure he's sore and scared. That said, he's alright. His fur is stiff and cowlicked with dried dog slobber, his coat is full of dirt and loose fur, but no blood. I did discover his ears need some ointment, but that's likely from itching, not the dogs. He'll be medicated today to relieve the ear issue, and I'll watch him and hope his temperament returns to normal following this near-death experience.
I have added an additional latch to Porkchop's cage to prevent the door from being forced open. I repaired Paris's cage somewhat, though it can still use some other repairs to be ideal. I'm buying lumber today to build a new stand that will house all of the bunnies in a row and keep them even farther up off the ground. From there I plan to add a roof and sides to make a little bunny barn (when completed it will have heat in the winter and a fan in the summer). This will hopefully prevent future issues of this type.
In what seems like lesser news now... Dora has started pulling fur this morning in vast quantities. She has fur in her nest box, fur in her cage, fur all over the ground, fur flying through the air, and fur in her mouth carrying more into the nest. It wouldn't surprise me at all if she ends up half naked when she's done. I expect babies today or tonight, so I should have a head count (hopefully) by tomorrow morning!
In what seems like lesser news now... Dora has started pulling fur this morning in vast quantities. She has fur in her nest box, fur in her cage, fur all over the ground, fur flying through the air, and fur in her mouth carrying more into the nest. It wouldn't surprise me at all if she ends up half naked when she's done. I expect babies today or tonight, so I should have a head count (hopefully) by tomorrow morning!