Animal advocates protest rabbit abuse in Brooklyn

New York animal activists are concerned about the fate of a rabbit colony in Brooklyn. One of the residents of the building at 466 Third Avenue raises rabbits in the backyard of the building. Animal rights activists say keeping rabbits outdoors in any weather, including very cold weather, is cruel to them.
A New Yorker keeps animals “so that people in the bustling city have a piece of wildlife nearby.” However, animal activists protest against such seemingly noble impulses. They believe that rabbits are at risk in cold weather.

Organizations such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), NYCLASS (famous for lobbying for a ban on horseback riding in Central Park), and Big Apple Bunnies (an organization dedicated exclusively to bunnies) oppose cruelty, in their opinion, to the treatment of animals.

“It's January, it's very cold,” says Natalie Reeves, a spokeswoman for Big Apple Bunnies. “These rabbits are no more protected than dogs or cats would be if they were kept outdoors all the time.”

PETA and the Big Apple Bunnies have filed a complaint with the Brooklyn District Attorney about the abuse of rabbits. PETA said in a statement that the animals were in "deplorable conditions."

The plaintiffs claim that the owner of the rabbit colony Dorota Track does not provide their pets with the necessary protection and comfort.

Trek, an immigrant from Poland, told reporters that “the bunnies are fine.” She sees nothing wrong with keeping them in the cold in winter.
“I looked at them today, and they feel great,” assures Dorota Trek. “There is nothing unusual about keeping rabbits outdoors.” I take care of them, spend four hours a day every day.”

She also claims that animals are not cold: they have holes and specially equipped shelters. The track did not know that animal advocates lodged a complaint with her with the prosecutor.

“There is nothing illegal in what I do,” says the rabbit owner.