A Funen animal trainer says she left Ørbæk Marked in tears in July over the conditions for rabbits on sale. Her boyfriend later returned and bought one for 400 kroner, and the seller rejects the criticism.
Avisen Danmark reports that Camilla Stormont, who works professionally with animal training and behavior, visited Ørbæk Marked in July. She runs a horse facility in Odense and lives in Ørbæk, where she keeps several animals, including three other rabbits.
According to her account, she first heard on Friday, July 10, that rabbits were being kept under poor conditions at the market. She and her boyfriend, Alexander, went to see for themselves the following day. Three to four rabbits were stacked in each small cage in the sun, she said.
Stormont said police and Dyrenes Beskyttelse were at the market on Saturday, July 11. When the couple returned on Sunday, July 12, she counted two to three rabbits per cage. That did not change her view of the conditions, and she left the market without an animal.
She said she did not want to give money to a seller she believed was treating animals irresponsibly. Alexander went back alone and paid 400 kroner for a rabbit, which he brought home in a cardboard box. The animal was later named Bumle.
Per Stormont, the seller lifted the rabbit by the scruff of the neck, something she says must never be done with rabbits. She described Bumle as nervous and, in her assessment, stressed and dehydrated on arrival. A veterinarian later established that he is a young male.
Seller denies wrongdoing
Claus Christensen, who runs the company Kæledyrenes Paradis, sold the rabbits at the market and rejects the criticism. He said he has done this for 50 years and denies that the cages held too many animals. He confirmed that the rabbits were lifted by the neck skin, describing it as the only correct method.
According to Christensen, a veterinarian reviewed the conditions at the start of the market without making any remarks. He also confirmed that police and Dyrenes Beskyttelse came by on the Saturday. Asked whether he would continue as before, he said most likely yes.
Stormont said the case drew broad attention among her followers on social media. She subsequently offered a digital lecture on animal training on a pay what you can basis. Around 130 people signed up, and the 4,500 kroner raised went to Bumle’s treatments.
She argues that clear requirements are missing for how much space a rabbit must have. As she notes, existing rules state that animals must not suffer harm, but they do not set specific space standards. The case follows continued debate in Denmark over animal cruelty laws.
Stormont has since become affiliated with Kaninværnet, where she handles the organization’s social media. She said Kaninværnet has reported the seller to the police. She does not yet know the status of the case.
