Giant Rabbit Attack? Update on Mohawk Incident

Mohawk Mystery Animal Attack

Click on image for full size version

Mr. Charles Kader of the St Regis Mohawk Tribe has forwarded this official press release, “Animal Attack on Vehicle – Akwesasne Mohawk Territory.”

Media Statement

St. Regis Mohawk Tribe

Environment Division

Subject: Reported Damage to Automobile by Unknown Animal: Sample Results

On Ennisko:wa/March 21, 2007 Mr. Adrian McDonald reported that his mother’s automobile had been severely damaged and that the Tribal Police and New York State Police had made an investigation. The damage occurred at the residence of Mrs. Edith McDonald, Cook Road, Akwesasne. Police initially speculated that an animal had caused the damage.

Mr. McDonald brought in several pieces of damaged parts that were stained with blood, and contained remnants of tissue and hair. The environment division collected several samples including more damaged automobile pieces stained with blood. Cotton swabs were used to collect blood and tissue samples. Photographs were made of the damage.

The photographs and samples were submitted to the office of Ward B. Stone, NYSDEC Wildlife Pathologist for examination. His initial examination indicated that a dog with powerful jaws and strong neck, such as a pit bull likely caused the damage to the automobile. The hair sample was determined to be that of a cottontail rabbit.

Mr. Stone has since detailed the most likely scenario to have been that a rabbit was the stimulus to the actions of a dog that resulted in the damage. The rabbit may either have taken shelter in the wheel well or was wedged after being hit by the car. In either case, the dog trying to get to the rabbit did the damage. Mr. Stone in his correspondence to the Environment Division stated, “It was a medium-sized dog with tremendous jaw and neck power. This [damage] and the tooth structures make a pit bull the likely source of the damage.”

This was an unfortunate occurrence that caused severe damage and loss to a community member’s property. If someone in the neighborhood is harboring the dog that caused the damage, the authorities ask that the owner step forward and take responsibility.Les Benedict, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, Environment Division, Akwesasne, NY

Mohawk Mystery Animal Attack

Click on image for full size version

Mohawk Mystery Animal Attack

Click on image for full size version