FREEHOLD, N.J. – A New Jersey man who abandoned his family's pet rabbit in the woods behind his home was barred from owning animals for five years.
Jong Park was also fined $500 after he pleaded guilty to an animal cruelty charge in Marlboro Township Municipal Court Wednesday.
Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Police Chief Victor Amato filed charges after Park admitted releasing the 1-year-old bunny named Hope because she had outgrown her cage.
Suffering from severe dehydration and tick infestation, the rabbit spent about three weeks in the wild before being rescued.
It has since regained 5 pounds and will be adopted by a new family in Monmouth County.
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