NORTH HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A North Haven family is asking for help after the town told them they have to get rid of their daughter's pet rabbit.
The family says the town sent them a letter after an inspection was done at their house.
They were told that an old ordinance says people in town aren't allowed to have rabbits on their property if they're not a certain size.
Seven-year-old Kayden Lidsky considers her pet bunny Sandy her best friend.
"She lays with me in bed sometimes," Kayden said.
It's one big bunny, a Giant Flemish weighing over 20 pounds. However, it's not the size of the rabbit, rather the size of the family's property that has the town of North Haven saying the rabbit must be removed from the Susan Lane home.
"I don't want the bunny to go," said Kayden.
A cease and desist order was issued last month informing the family zoning laws do not allow livestock nor rabbits on lots under two acres. And before that a citation was issued for violating the blight ordinance, not only because of an unfinished over hang, but also because of the bunny cage.
The family is reaching out to News 8 because Sandy has been a pet for three years.
"A bunny is not a violent animal," said Joshua Lidsky, "a bunny is not a violent dog or a violent cat or a rabid animal, it's a caged creature that all it does is give love to our family."
Now the family will keep Sandy as they appeal the decision, but if they lose at that level the town attorney tells News 8 it could trigger a Superior Court action enforcing removal of the animal.
"I would love to keep the bunny," said Joshua. "I would love to keep my family happy and the town just let us live our life and pay our taxes."
Dad has tried to explain the zoning law to Kayden, but the third grader just wants officials to let her keep her furry friend.
"I would say don't make me give my bunny away because she is my best friend," Kayden said.
Source has a video, and a picture of this yard that is "too small" for a rabbit.
"Thank you for your message but unfortunately the reality is this is a story that is being incorrectly portrayed. The Town of North Haven did not go out looking for this violation, nor do we want to take the rabbit away from the family. Various blight violations were brought to the Town from neighbors including the size of the large rabbit cage. Mr. Lidsky previously agreed to put the cage inside and when he put it back outside, it created fervor with the neighbors. Some of the concerns involve the attraction of other animals to the area because of the cage and the rabbit. In effect, the safety of the rabbit, the family members and neighbors is a concern for us along with the fact that a blight complaint has been formally filed against the owner by his neighbors regarding the cage.
Although the Town zoning laws prohibit the rabbit from being there, he has been advised that he may appear before the ZBA which is our Zoning Board of Appeals and he can ask for a variance, a very simple procedure. The Town is compassionate on issues like this but we need to ensure that all of the protocols asking for a variance with the ZBA Board are adhered to so we can properly explain to the complainants that all of the Town’s procedures were followed.
Once again, we are not trying to take the rabbit away from the little girl. The Town has received many other complaints about this specific residence involving serious violations that we will have to look at and respond to.
Sincerely,
Mike Freda
First Selectman"
If they kept the rabbit inside (where house rabbits should be kept), no fuss would be made.