Lincoln killed a baby rabbit :-(

[Diane Denney]

Tonight was just horrible. I don't want to get to descriptive because it was awful. First of all Lincoln ran after my cat outside, and rolled him, and thankfully Haku was okay and ran right back into the house, but then the next thing you know I hear this baby screaming sound, and I turn to see Lincoln has a baby rabbit in his mouth, and it's screaming and he won't drop it for me or leave it so I finally got a piece of chicken and he dropped it, but he was so badly injured. He didn't die right away either. I tried to save it, but it was too hurt. I called the vet, and they said they'd put it down for me, but the litlle guy didn't live. This was very traumatic for me and I cried so hard. The vets office told me that dogs do that. My dog Scott has chased a rabbit or two out of the yard, but never took a baby from it's nest. I didn't know I had a rabbits nest in my back yard. Anyway I found the nest, and there are still very new born babies in it, but I don't know if the mother rabbit will come back as Lincoln and now I was near it. I really hope she does. In the meantime thankfully I have the lead still in the ground so I am putting him on that in the meantime until they get a chance to leave. The vet told me that they don't know the difference between that and a squeak toy. I guess he has a strong prey drive which isn't good considering I have three cats. Lincoln is in the house with them all day, but he's in the kitchen, and nothing has happened so far. Do you think I need to worry? Sorry but I love all animals so this was very nerve wracking for me.

[Christine & Shelby]

I would have cried too.... how awful, but he is doing what his instincts tell him to do. I hope you never have to experience that again!

[Kathie and the gang]

I fell really lucky, no rabbits in my yard. Not sure that the dogs would go after them, might--but I can tell you they would be after their droppings. Had rabbits when the boys were young and our Springer got out to that part of the yard and had a fun time under the rabbit hutches. Also had a very sick dog, not a fun clean up.

[Diane Denney]

Update on the rabbit issue. I am happy to say that the rabbits have moved!!! Lincoln did get another baby though while they were transitioning from the nest to the wild, but I was able to get it from him, but I don't know what happened to it as he skittered away before I could see where it went. I didn't realize that they come back to the nest at night when they are first exploring, and once I saw the nest empty I got rid of the contents, and let Lincoln loose. Poor critters were huddled up against the fence, and Lincoln just grabbed one. He is constantly looking for rabbits. I did get a great picture of Mama rabbit feeding her babies which I will post here if I can figure out how to embed a pic into DK discussions...lol