Macomb Co. officials seek man who threw bag of baby rabbits from car

A Macomb County Sheriff's Office seeks tips to find a man accused of tossing a bag of live rabbits Monday on the roadside in Macomb Township.

A witness who called emergency dispatchers said he saw a middle-aged man throw a plastic bag with baby rabbits out a small red Chevy's window near Potomac Drive and Shoal Drive, the sheriff's office said in news release.

One rabbit's nose and mouth were poking out of the bag, which had a knot tied around its neck, according to the statement.

Emergency dispatchers sent Deputy Taylor Dibble to the area around 7 p.m. Dibble found the rest of the bag had an airtight seal they needed a key to rip a hole into, officials said.

One rabbit died by the time the deputy took the eight rabbits they recovered to Detroit Animal Welfare Group, a Romeo-based no kill animal sanctuary.

The rabbits were approximately 1-2 weeks old and unable to survive on their own without rehabilitation or their mother, DAWG Director Kelly Labonty told the deputy.

The witness told emergency dispatch he had seen the suspect in the area before. Sheriff's officials ask that anyone with information contact their office.

“The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office takes situations of animal abuse and mistreatment very seriously,” stated Sheriff Wickersham. “I commend Deputy Taylor Dibble for diligently answering the call and giving these animals a chance at life.”