Lesley Hampson

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that is unusual in some ways, but it is becoming more common as the economy slides south, says Lesley Hampson, prosecuting officer for the MSPCA.
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New Zealand rabbits are "typically used as a meat rabbit," says Hampson.

The four injured animals were transferred to a care facility in Boston.

With the two who suffered from splayed legs, likely "due to inadequate caging," euthanization "was the most humane course of action," Hampson says.

One of the others suffered from numerous cuts and on its back, face and ears, "maybe from being overcrowded with other rabbits."The fourth suffered from a sunken eye, perhaps due to fights with other rabbits in a crowded cage.It is blind in one eye.

The two surviving injured animals will be given to special foster care for at least six months before becoming available for adoption, says Hampson.
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Abandonment is a felony punishable by up to five years in jail or a $2,500 fine per animal, says Hampson.
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But as the economy sours, animals are more vulnerable to abandonment, says Hampson.

Animal-cruelty cases are on the rise across the state.In 2006, MSPCA's law enforcers responded to 2,942 complaints.In 2007, the number rose to 3,104.

"Some people don't know (about surrendering pets) and it's not as convenient," Hampson says.
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"They would have likely been eaten by predators, especially the injured ones," says Hampson.
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The case is unsolved, but "he's doing really well now," says Hampson.

MSPCA Law Enforcement officer, Lesley Hampson, met with the Lowell Humane Society staff who had determined that four of the eight rabbits required further medical attention.Officer Hampson transferred them to the MSPCA's Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston.

METHUEN - A Chelmsford man voluntarily surrendered 30 cats to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.MSPCA police received a tip from someone who complained about a man living with at least three dozen cats, according to Officer Lesley Hampson of the MSPCA law enforcement division.They investigated the complaint and the man, who Hampson declined to identify, agreed to ...

MSPCA police received a tip from someone who complained about a man living with at least three dozen cats, according to Officer Lesley Hampson of the MSPCA law enforcement division.

They investigated the complaint and the man, who Hampson declined to identify, agreed to let the cats be taken to the shelter at 400 Broadway Wednesday night.
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The owner started with only two cats three years ago, and they multiplied since then, Hampson said.

"It started off with two and he didn't spay and neuter them, and this is what you get," Hampson said while standing a few feet away from two of the cats huddled together in a litter box.
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Hampson wouldn't say what the complainant told authorities about the situation.

"I have concerns about the way they were caring for their rabbits," said MSPCA law enforcement officer Lesley Hampson.

She suspects the rabbits, aged 1 to 3, were kept in tiny cages and often fought with each other.

"I'd like them to come forward so we can discuss how they are housing their other rabbits and why they did this," she said.

The rabbits were dumped between noon and 2 p.m. on May 23 in Littleton in a wooded area off an office parking lot near Route 2 and Route 495.A passerby who saw the incident told the MSPCA they saw a green car with two men and a woman dump the rabbits and speed off.

Two bunnies were euthanized because they could not fold their hind legs underneath their body - the result of being housed in a cramped cage, Hampson said.
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Hampson said the rabbits are friendly now, but were initially skittish.

"They were scared as to what they had gone through," she said."It was a little traumatic for them."

Hampson said the society is looking for donations to cover the roughly $400 needed to spay and neuter the four rabbits, as well as the extra cost to care for the rabbits.

The rabbit owners could be charged with felony animal cruelty for abandoning the helpless bunnies.

MSPCA police received a tip from someone who complained about a man living with at least three dozen cats, according to Officer Lesley Hampson of the MSPCA law enforcement division.Read this article in full with a

Although MSPCA officer Lesley Hampson said Hong and Kong owner Richard Eng "was in violation of three state laws," no charges were filed.
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"Not all cases result in court action," Hampson said, declining further comment.

Peter Oberton and Officer Lesley Hampson.