How could someone do that to some poor innocent animals. Domesticated rabbits are not meant to be out in the wild. I'm sure there are plenty of places that would take them.
... according to "Rabbit Production", a college-level textbook on domestic rabbits and rabbitry management, domestic rabbits and wild cottontails can complete the mating act. However, during observation in the laboratory, the fertilized eggs never made it beyond the first few cell divisions because the wild cottontail and the domestic rabbit are different species with different numbers of chromosomes. Hope that clears up the crossbreeding question: it's a pretty common misconception... Taken from a rabbitry forum.
Dh was told the DNR are worried about disease more then anything. But seen big bunnies going down corn row.
Hi K-Kid--Yes, it is true that tame and wild rabbits interbreed. We have seen the result here on our gardening complex. I must say that some of the "polka-dot-coloured" offspring sometimes with floppy ears do look cute and charming...but other people's gardens are NOT the place for someone else's miscalculation. To tell you the truth, I cannot comprehend someone that would do such a thing.
KK I would be hopping mad as well. I to can't understand why people think that dumping or letting go of a domestic animal in the country is ok. The guy should have taken them to, or had someone take them to a local Humane Society. KK you need a couple of big Red Tail Hawks and Owls to help take care of that problem. I also like JBest solution. Rabbit is delicious. Two of our friends raise them for meat. They then take them to a butcher shop and have then kill, and process then meat for them. We buy a 3 or 4 pound rabbit for about 2 dollars a pound. Because the rabbits are butchered by a meat market they can sell them to the public. You have a lot of good food on foot just hopping around. Plus you could regroup some of your losses from what the rabbits have eaten. How about Koszta's Hare Farm. :-D
His wife was shocked they ate the flowers. But keeps telling her DH people are mad. She says he drives around (counting) them. Told if they come back to my house. Have room in freezer. We do not let our dogs Roam. And take for walks. clean up their mess
