For Brightwaters rabbits, it's cruel world out there

ST. PETERSBURG -- To joggers and bicyclists, the rabbits may look like they are enjoying themselves in Snell Isle. But animal advocates say that despite their propensity to multiply, the rabbits are not faring well.

In recent months, residents of the 2000 block of Brightwaters Boulevard have complained of rabbits eating grass, plants and flowers. At Thursday's neighborhood association meeting, David Vetter, a board member for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, blamed human ignorance.

People adopt the pets, then get tired of them, Vetter said. "They figure it's a wild animal, and they'll just set it free."

Rabbits reproduce every 32 days, said Dana Hakes, chapter director for the Tampa Bay House Rabbit Society. Hakes participated in roundups to capture the animals, which are usually white or brown and weigh 4 pounds or less.

A December effort netted 12 rabbits, including one who was pregnant with seven more. A second roundup netted another half-dozen. Hakes said there is "no question" that the captured animals are domesticated house rabbits, not cottontails.

Unlike their sleeker cousins, house rabbits do not cope well with the elements, she said. The Brightwaters situation is no exception.

Rabbit babies have fallen into swimming pools and drowned, or been picked up by herons, Hakes said. Dogs, cats and fire ants pose other challenges.

Some of the rabbits have eluded capture, in which rescuers try to herd the animals into pens. Occasionally they also use nets, Hakes said, but these can cause injury or death to rabbits and are not recommended for residents to try on their own.

The county SPCA rents humane traps for a $50 deposit (later refunded), and $2 a day. All sources say that inducing rabbits to go into the traps is difficult so long as there is grass or other vegetation to eat. But rescuers have had some success in herding the animals into the traps.

"It's going to be a living nightmare," SPCA executive director Beth Lockwood said of the Brightwaters rabbits. "But at least people are working on the problem, and it has a chance of getting better."

Around the neighborhoods

Azalea Homes Community Association president Karen Smith has lined up four speakers for a Valentine-themed meeting. The American Heart Association, a diagnostic facility that does CAT scans, and the Mended Heart, a support group for people with heart disease, will be represented. Another speaker will address Medicare and Medicaid fraud. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Thursday at Azalea Recreation Center, 1600 73rd St. N.

Disston Heights residents will hear from Mayor Rick Baker at the neighborhood association's meeting. The public is invited to attend. The meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Gladden Park Recreation Center, 3901 30th Ave. N.

Association presidents representing Crescent Lake, Crescent Heights, Greater Woodlawn, Euclid-St. Paul, and Fourth Street business owners have begun meeting to address common concerns such as prostitution, traffic calming and code enforcement.

The North Shore Neighborhood Association has begun discussions with the city on where a proposed bicycle and pedestrian path should go. Traffic committee chair Julie Turner said some residents fear routing the path down First Street N would bring too much traffic into the neighborhood.

Edgemoor residents can leave odd-sized throwaway items at the curb for pickup Monday. Furniture, carpeting and appliances rate among acceptable items. Do not leave tree limbs longer than 4 feet, or any paint or solvents. Edgemoor's boundaries run from 54th to 62nd avenues N, and Dr. M.L. King (Ninth) Street to Foch Street NE.

Meetings

BARTLETT PARK: 6 p.m. Thursday. Frank Pierce Recreation Center, 2000 Seventh St. S.

CHILDS PARK: 7 p.m. Monday. Childs Park Recreation Center, 4301 13th Ave. S. Police Chief Chuck Harmon.

FIVE POINTS: 7 p.m. Wednesday. Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 301 37th Ave. N. Architect Ronn Ginn, on plans for the Entowne Motel.

HARBORDALE: 6 p.m. Monday. Trinity United Methodist Church, 2401 Fifth St. S. Police Chief Chuck Harmon.

MEL-TAN HEIGHTS: 6 p.m. Tuesday. Bristle Temple Church, 2901 18th Ave. S.

MELROSE-MERCY/PINE ACRES: 7 p.m. Tuesday. 20th Church of Christ, 820 20th St. S. Neighborhood plan.

NORTH KENWOOD: 7:30 p.m. Monday. Edward White Hospital auditorium, 2323 Ninth Ave. N. Construction permit supervisor Janet Freggens.

OLD SOUTHEAST: 7 p.m. Thursday. Society of Friends Hall, 130 19th Ave. SE.

FOURTH STREET BUSINESS: 8 p.m. Wednesday. Your Peace of Mind, 400 12th Ave. N. Plans for the Entowne Motel.

MLK BUSINESS DISTRICT: 8 a.m. Wednesday. Call Mark Taber, 528-0270, for meeting location.

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