MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — Volunteers in Middletown recovered dozens of domesticated rabbits that were dumped in Smith Park in Middletown over the weekend, according to city spokesperson Shelby Quinlivan.
By Monday morning, volunteers had recovered 65 of the animals in total.
The colony of rabbits was found safe and sound, but Quinlivan did not say how many of the animals were initially dumped. No rabbits were found deceased.
Middletown animal control has charged Leah Mendoza, 43, with 35 counts of abandonment. Mendoza could face up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine for the second-degree misdemeanor.
Several rescue organizations and individuals took to social media Saturday afternoon as people gathered to search for the abandoned group of rabbits. Organizers said they searched the park until it closed at sundown Saturday evening and plan to return Sunday morning to continue searching, in case more are still out there.
