NYC Council proposes to ban sales of pet rabbits

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Bunny rabbits are furry and adorable, but they could soon be illegal to buy in New York City.

The city is now one step closer to banning the sale.

"It's too many, it's hundreds of rabbits that have been impacted," said Sandra DeFeo, of the Humane Society of New York.

Move over Elmer Fudd, a new New York City Council proposal is now targeting bunnies.

More and more animal shelters are being overrun with the floppy eared pets.

"Over the past few years we have seen an increase in rabbits coming in for adoption," DeFeo said.

Sandra DeFeo with the Humane Society of New York says the recent surge in population has made it hard to match bunnies like this with a good home.

"It has been harder for us to adopt rabbits that we do receive. One of the rabbits we have now we've had for two years," DeFeo said.

Meanwhile records from city shelters show they're already on track to surpass last year's total intake number of 382 abandoned rabbits.

"We see a lot of rabbits who have been neglected, abused, just not taken care of properly, and abandoned because people buy them and then realize how much work goes into caring for them," said Dr. Alex Wilson, a veterinarian.

The new ban if approved by the mayor would restrict pet shops from selling rabbits within city limits.

"Having a retail business as it is, is tough so anything that could potentially take away a sell is painful, but I think it's just all an adjustment period that needs to happen," said Daniel Kopulos, the owner of Fauna Pet Shop.

Call it tough love, but even some pet shop owners agree restrictions are necessary.

"I don't think it should have a major effect on the industry. If anything, it just changes the way people look at having pets in general," Kopulos said.

"If we keep going the way we're going now it'll be too much for everyone, there are just too many rabbits," DeFeo said.