Rascally rabbits run free on Downs despite Qld pet laws
DAILY News readers have reacted to the penalty handed down to a Toowoomba couple for keeping a pet rabbit.
Many readers questioned the Queensland laws, which make the keeping of rabbits as pets illegal.
Mark Haynes said he believed the laws were outdated.
"They are running wild everywhere in SQ QLD," he wrote.
"The horse has bolted."
Marion Carrick agreed.
"The rabbit fence clearly has failed and this law is outdated. Domestic rabbits make wonderful pets," she wrote.
"If domestic rabbits were an issue to the environment, they would be seen in the wild, which they're not."
Reader poll
Should people be allowed to keep rabbits as pets in Queensland?
This poll ended on 07 September 2015.
Current Results
Yes
35%
No
64%
This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.
According to Julie Clark, the laws are a joke.
"Rabbits are running around everywhere," she wrote.
"They obviously don't understand that they aren't supposed to cross the painted lines on the highways."
Other readers were less sympathetic to the couple, saying sig
ns made it pretty clear rabbits were illegal in Queensland.
"How could people miss the signs on the highways stating it is illegal to keep rabbits in Qld," Jacquelynne Rogers wrote.
"Hares are prevalent in Qld so maybe we need a "hare fence" also."
"There are signs coming into QLD across the border that they are banned," Leebee N Craig Price wrote.
A couple found out the hard (and very expensive) way that you can't have one of these as a pet in Queensland ... even if they are super cute: http://ow.ly/RJbOJ
Posted by Warwick Daily News on Thursday, September 3, 2015
What other readers said
Obviously we can't read the signs that tell of the fines
They should fine SD council for keeping them in Warwick. Obviously the rabbits don't know about the rabbit fence
- Dennise McKenzie
I personally don't see what the fuss is about with rabbits.
If they are kept in the right environment how are they a harm?
Just like snake owners, make them get a license and permit to keep such a animal!
Doesn't matter where u look within the sdrc's area there are hundreds of wild ones roaming around.
The rabbit fence went out of date at least 5 years ago if not longer. And let's not forget those white lines they draw all over the ground at the borders cause we all know animals won't cross them. Haha
- Will West
So.....the rabbit board in Warwick, do people on this board get paid to keep us rabbit free, and if so by whom, and what do they actually do?
- Wendy Bateman
"Queensland is the only state to keep an area free of rabbits by maintaining a rabbit-proof fence and controlling rabbit populations in the area." Oh really???
That's why they frequent Warner St hey? Oh and Bisley St? And Bracker Rd?
- Jo Brosnan
