SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man is charged with animal cruelty after authorities say he intentionally set a pet bunny on fire.
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office charged 22-year-old Manasseh Walker with setting the rabbit named Thumper on fire last month.
The Bradenton Herald reports that witnesses said Walker claimed he’d been bitten by the bunny and moments later was seen chasing the rabbit while it was on fire.
The Sarasota Sheriff’s office used a social media appeal to track down Walker, using the hashtag #JusticeForThumper and posting photos of the injured rabbit. Walker was arrested in Punta Gorda this week.
A phone number for Walker couldn’t be located.
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