Two visitors, not associated with receiving rabbits, pass by the carnival rides during the Hancock County 4-H fair.
Tom Russo | Daily Reporter
HANCOCK COUNTY – Just in the last few weeks, concerns among the community were raised as people received rabbits as game prizes at the Hancock County Fairgrounds.
The topic was brought up on a Facebook page, Greenfield Gabber, where members of the community can post in regards to the town. It was posted by a member of the community they had received a rabbit as a prize from one of the carnival games from The Carnival Company.
Holly Plank, vice president of 4-H Ag Association, said they were made aware of the situation on Wednesday afternoon that fair week.
“We immediately contacted the owners of the carnival and escorted an officer to the location reported. The issue was immediately resolved,” Plank responded in question to what action had been taken.
This year has been the first year the Hancock County Fairgrounds have booked with the company.
Amanda Dehoney, superintendent of Hancock County Animal Management said they were notified by a volunteer and had an officer go out and address the situation. Dehoney said the people were very understanding and had stopped handing out the rabbits and said it would not go on in future years.
The Greenfield Code of Ordinances states in Ord. 2009-15, “It shall be unlawful for a person to sell, offer for sale, trade, barter, or give away, within city limits, any animal as a novelty, prize, or as an incentive to enter a place of, amusement, or offer such vertebrate as an incentive to enter any business establishment or enter into any business agreement whereas the offer was made for the purpose of attracting trade for the establishment, other than establishments selling animals as its primary business.”
Denise Derrer Spears, public information director for the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, said as far as Indiana having an overall code for giving away live animals as prizes, there isn’t one.
Indiana Code 15-17-18-11, section 11 states, “A person who sells: (1) a bird under the age of three (3) weeks; or (2) a rabbit under the age of two (2) months; commits a Class B misdemeanor. This subsection does not apply to commercial breeders or distributors whose facilities are adequately equipped for the care of young birds or rabbits. (b) A person who dyes, stains, or alters the natural coloring of a bird or rabbit commits a Class B misdemeanor.”
The law addresses concerns of selling rabbits but does not directly address the issue of selling live prizes, Spears said.
Spears also mentioned they had a veterinarian check on the situation that happened at the fair, but it was determined their agency didn’t have jurisdiction for the situation.
One community member received a rabbit as a prize, and while her step son was thrilled she knew they would not be able to take care of the rabbit properly. She was then able to give the rabbit to a close friend who had experience in rehabilitation with rabbits and wildlife.
Monte Gorham, father of the owner of the company, had said the family was unaware of the ordinance for Greenfield since they were from out of town. In the past they have been able to hand out rabbits as prizes in other counties without issue.
Jennfier Hancock is the founder of Hancock Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, and is a member of the Indiana Wildlife Federation and found out about the situation through Facebook.
Hancock said that for those who did receive the rabbits need to take care of them properly, which means veterinary care visits.
“They’re a huge responsibility,” Hancock said. “They should be given a full veterinary exam… Bunnies stress really easy, so just the stress of being at the fair could cause some health issues.”
As far as the kind, Hancock said after communicating with a wildlife biologist, they were unable to determine whether or not the rabbits were wild based on the images that were posted to the Facebook page.
Jennifer Rickett of Greenfield, was shocked by the sight of someone receiving a rabbit and was offering to take them from the people who had received a rabbit before the stop had been made. She planned to work along Hancock in making sure the rabbits would be adopted properly through Hancock Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation; however, no one with a fair rabbit has reached out to them so far.
“If you’re a responsible pet owner, veterinary care is always a part of the program,” Rickett said.
Despite the misunderstanding, anyone who received a rabbit or comes into contact with wildlife that needs assistance can contact Hancock Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation or any rehabilitation center for further help.
