Man Who Set A Rabbit On Fire Charged With Animal Cruelty — #JusticeForThumper Leads To Florida Resident’s Arrest

A man who set a rabbit on fire has been charged with animal cruelty. Authorities in Florida arrested a resident for burning a pet bunny just because it had bitten him.

Deputies from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office had been on the lookout for a man who had set a pet rabbit on fire. The suspect, identified as Manasseh Walker, was believed to be hiding in the Punta Gorda/Charlotte County area. To expedite the manhunt, the sheriff’s office asked the common citizenry for help on social media platforms, to locate the Englewood resident. A resident of Loranza Avenue, where the incident occurred, had spotted an injured rabbit and alerted the authorities that led to the investigation into the case of animal cruelty.

Twenty-two-year-old Manasseh Walker was charged with aggravated animal cruelty for the intentional burning of a domestic rabbit. According to a witness, Walker claimed he had been bitten on June 12 by “Thumper,” a domesticated pet rabbit. It is not known why the rabbit, otherwise a docile and easily frightened creature, chose to bite a grown man. However, rabbits are known to bite humans with their sharp front teeth. After the animal allegedly bit Walker, the man reportedly set the rabbit on fire. The witness added that Walker was seen running after a rabbit that appeared to be on fire.

Subsequent to the incident, Animal Services officers were called to a home on Loranza Avenue on June 12 when a neighbor spotted an injured rabbit, reported KXAN. The animal was administered first aid and rushed to a rehabilitation clinic. The doctors shared their opinion and said the wounds on the rabbit indicate it may have been lit on fire intentionally. Thumper did suffer serious burns. Doctors, however, have confirmed the animal will survive.

Judging by the photo, which Sarasota deputies posted on their Facebook page, the rabbit appears out of danger, albeit scorched and scared.

After the photo was posted, the owner of the rabbit came forward and narrated the entire incident. Correlating the same with witness accounts, it became clear that the suspect was bitten by Thumper, and few moments later, the man was seen chasing the rabbit while it was on fire in the 12000 block of Loranza Avenue.

While the Sarasota detectives continued to investigate, their social media appeal came through. In less than 24 hours since the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office asked for the public’s help, the agency announced the Englewood man responsible for the intentional burning of a domestic rabbit had been taken into custody, reported Bradenton Herald.

Walker was arrested Thursday afternoon in the 300 block of East Grace Street in Punta Gorda, owing to the joint efforts of the SCSO Fugitive Apprehension Unit, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, and Punta Gorda Police Department, reported Palm Beach Post. Sarasota deputies expressed their gratitude towards those who voluntarily came forth with information, as well as those who helped spread the news about the animal cruelty using the hashtag #JusticeForThumper. A statement from the sheriff’s office read as follows.

“Thank you to all who helped share Walker’s photo and bring #JusticeForThumper.”

With Walker in custody, deputies are expected to conclude the investigation soon. He is currently being held in the Charlotte County Jail. Meanwhile Thumper is being treated in a Venice rehab clinic, reported NBC News. Speaking about the poor creature, Dr. Renee Simoneaux, owner of New Hope Pet Hospital in Charlotte County gave a update on his condition.

“Thumper likely has a long way to, but recovery is tricky. Any kind of animal cruelty is a pretty horrific thing. Burn wounds can be very tricky. Tend to get infected very easily. There’s a lot of pain you have to deal with.”

[Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images]