Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man has been sentenced to a year in jail for intentionally setting a pet bunny on fire.
Local media outlets report that 23-year-old Manasseh Walker was sentenced earlier this week after a Sarasota County jury found him guilty of aggravated animal cruelty.
Authorities say Walker told deputies last June that he had burned his girlfriend's rabbit, Thumper, but claimed it was an accident. A veterinarian who examined Thumper said the animal's injuries weren't consistent with Walker's story. No one saw Walker set fire to the bunny, but witnesses say the man had claimed he was bitten by the rabbit moments earlier.
Thumper survived, but lost his ears. He now lives at a wildlife center.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
