MURRIE’s pet dog Trixie saying goodbye to bunnies Leo and Ruby in their casket. Photos courtesy of Christina Murie.
The Toronto Animal Services (TAS) are investigating the horrific deaths of two pet bunnies which were killed by a suspected pit bull in New Toronto.
The bodies of Leo and Ruby are to be reclaimed from examination by the TAS tomorrow and Pastor Veta Saunders, of Etobicoke Praise Centre, will say a prayer for the lovable duo as they are buried arm-in-arm in a casket under a magnolia tree this week.
FAMILY dog Trixie playing with bunnies Leo and Ruby and area kids.
Christina Murie, the owner of the rabbits, said they were killed on November 5 by a suspected pit bull that was brought to her Birmingham Business Centre, at 80 Birmingham Street, by a woman who was hired to do some painting.
The local painter had done some work for Murie before.
“I had told the woman not to bring that dog to my property,”’ Murie mourned. “I was not at the property when the bunnies were killed.”
She has been crying for the bunnies for days and one of her employees was so sickened by the gruesome killings that he was off work for a week.
Residents said the dog managed to enter the premises and made its way to an area where the bunnies were kept. The rabbits were chased by the menacing dog and received multiple fatal bites, Murie explained, adding she believes the bunnies were tossed around by the dog.
CHRISTINA with Trixie mourn in private for their bunny buddies Leo and Ruby killed by a suspected pit bull.
She said the bunnies were rare and expensive. Leo was a Lionhead rabbit and Ruby a Himalayan bunny.
The bunnies were house and pet trained and had an indoor space, with a fountain, and were placed outside during the day. They were a favourite of local school children and visitors to the building.
“Both bunnies were adopted from the Toronto Animal Services,” Murie said. “They (TAS) were also surprised that the bunnies were killed.”
“People loved playing with the bunnies,” she recalled. “They were very cute and lovable.”
Murie is hoping the dog’s owners will receive a fine or be required to place a muzzle on the animal.
“This animal is large and should not be allowed on the street without a muzzle,” she insisted. “These dogs can be very dangerous.”
She said another employee was nipped three times by the dog without suffering major injuries.
RARE BUNNIES Leo and Ruby in better days.
Murie is comforted that her other pets, which includes a cat, fishes and turtle in an indoor pond weren’t touched.