Authorities arrested Riku Hotta, a 25-year-old office worker from Otsu City, on Tuesday for allegedly violating Japan’s Animal Welfare Act. The charges stem from an incident where Hotta was seen kicking a rabbit to death on Okunoshima, a popular tourist destination known for its free-roaming rabbits. Takayuki Nakamura, a seasoned photographer who has spent 25 years documenting the island's rabbits, witnessed the event. This arrest raises concerns about the deaths of at least 77 other rabbits reportedly occurring over the past two months.
The incident came to light through a blog maintained by Nakamura's wife, Maroya, who also participates in the documentation of the island's rabbit population. According to their blog, the attack was allegedly part of an experiment by Hotta to observe how the rabbits would react to 'bullying.' This troubling activity led to Hotta’s arrest and his subsequent charge under the Animal Welfare Act.
Nakamura expressed distress over the situation, having observed an unusual pattern among the rabbits since late last year.
"Since November of last year, there have been mysterious mass deaths among the rabbits of Okunoshima," – Takayuki Nakamura
Investigators suspect these deaths are not accidental and may be linked to Hotta’s actions. Nakamura further elaborated on his observations, noting that the circumstances suggested human involvement rather than natural causes.
"There was a possibility that it was an infectious disease, but considering the circumstances, we thought it was probably caused by a person." – Takayuki Nakamura
The picturesque Okunoshima, known affectionately as Rabbit Island, attracts visitors from around the world who delight in interacting with its furry residents. The recent events have cast a shadow over the island's serene reputation.
The authorities have launched a thorough investigation to uncover more details about these disturbing incidents. They aim to determine whether Hotta acted alone or if others were involved in these acts of cruelty. Meanwhile, animal rights activists and visitors alike are calling for stricter enforcement of protection laws to prevent further harm to Okunoshima’s cherished rabbits.
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