NM woman hoards 334 hopping bunnies

RIO RANCHO (KRQE) - Rio Rancho Police Officer and Spokesperson John Francis said Monday the county's animal control division discovered 334 hopping bunnies in one woman's backyard.

Nancy Haseman has been cited for violating a city ordinance that allows five pets per household, and for failing to restrain her animals.

An animal control officer reported spotting rabbits running around Haseman's front yard.

So far rescue groups, mainly House Rabbit Society, have found homes for more than half of Haseman's 334 rabbits.

The discovery was made last month and the House Rabbit Society is still on the lookout for people who'd like to adopt the rest of Haseman's bunnies.

Haseman said it began with one rabbit 12 years ago, when her husband rescued a bunny from a neighbor who had abandoned the pet.

However that one good deed eventually got out of control after the Hasemans began rescuing more rabbits.

"I love animals," Haseman said. "So we bought one from Santa Fe and then we found out we could get other ones from the pound."

Francis said he's seen dog and cat hoarding cases, but nothing like this.

Haseman explained that they kept the males separated from the females, but one day the males hopped the fence.

"That's how it kind of went out of control," she said. "I mean that's how it did get out of control."

The bunnies multiplied quicker than the Haseman's could get them adopted. Then the couple ran out of cages, so the rabbits ran free.

Animal control got involved when the rabbits burrowed their way into a neighbor's yard.

Haseman said the neighbor complained to the mayor's office about rabbits eating her garden.

The rabbit owner admitted to News 13 she knew about Rio Rancho's ordinance that only allows five pets per household, but said she just couldn't say no to her furry friends.

The House Rabbit Society hopes to find more homes for the bunnies before Haseman's June 30th court date.

The group has spent an estimated $3600 on rescuing, adopting and spay and neutering the rabbits.

"Well, I think we just had hoped that you know we could do a service to the animals," Haseman said.

If you're interested in adopting a rabbit, go to the House Rabbit Society's Web Site .