PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
All but one of the 18 rabbits stolen before a Portland butchering class have
been recovered, police said Friday.
The rabbits were reported stolen last week when Levi Cole, who was preparing
to instruct a class for the Portland Meat Collective, found someone broke into
his backyard rabbit hutch early in the morning.
The Portland Meat Collective is a local network that teaches people how to
buy meat directly from growers, and how to butcher it themselves.
Portland police investigated the theft and learned from the victim that the 18
rabbits were dropped off at a rabbit advocacy location in Portland.
Detective Darrel Miller of the Portland Police Bureau worked with the advocacy
group, Portland Meta Collective and the supplier to recover 17 of the 18
rabbits.
Police said the animals were returned to their rightful owner. A spokesman
for the Portland Meat Collective said the rabbits won't be going back to the
same location they were stolen from.
The one rabbit that remains missing was adopted and the investigation on its
whereabouts is ongoing.
No arrests have been made in the case, but the director of the collective
speculated that the theft could be politically motivated.
Miller wants to hear from anyone with information about the theft of the
rabbits. Anyone with a tip can call 503-823-4783.
Copyright 2012 KPTV (Meredith Corporation.) All rights reserved.
