The University of Victoria (California, US) has been struggling to control its rabbit population for years and has faced complaints from neighbours

UVIC - The University of Victoria has been struggling to control its rabbit population for years and has faced complaints from neighbours. Many rabbits, which aren't spayed or neutered, are simply abandoned on the university's grounds which the SPCA says is a growing problem across the capital region.

The SPCA, with support from the university, is approaching municipalities in the CRD to toughen animal control bylaws. The SPCA says pet owners aren't the only problem. Stores are selling the animals that haven't been spayed or neutered. Animal advocates are proposing anyone selling rabbits must spay or neuter them first.

The SPCA is basing its proposal on bylaw amendments already adopted in Kelowna. It has not yet pushed the plan to Saanich, but Oak Bay has hopped on board and Victoria may be next. The bylaw amendments will go before a city committee Thursday, and if adopted, may keep abandoned bunnies out of places like Beacon Hill Park. If the city amends its bylaws, people who drop off rabbits in public places who aren't spayed or neutered will be fined, or receive a warning.

The SPCA hopes the measures keep healthy abandoned rabbits out of its shelter. There are fifty there now and hundreds, even thousands more, spending the winter on Capital Region green spaces.