The president of the national federation of rabbit producer groups (Fenalap) is in the sights of L214. The animal defense association filed a complaint on Wednesday against Frédéric Blot for ill-treatment in his Ille-et-Vilaine farm. L214 lodged a complaint with the Public Prosecutor of Rennes “for the offense of ill-treatment” due to “lack of care for sick or injured rabbits, unsuitable facilities causing suffering and violent handling” and for the offense of abandonment concerning injured animals “left dying”.
The complaint targets the farm located in Domalain “as a legal person”, as well as its manager, Frédéric Blot, and the animal health veterinarian. The images that the association says it shot at the end of May show rabbits raised in cages with a wire floor, to avoid the accumulation of excrement, as provided for by regulations. However, some animals appear to have infected skin lesions and wounds on the ears, legs and eyes.
Rabbits sold under the Le Gaulois brand
Other images, made public on Wednesday evening and often difficult, show dead baby rabbits decomposing or dying, one with its hind legs stuck in a cage. “Some rabbits have yellowed legs from being in contact with their urine,” said Sébastien Arsac, co-founder of L214. According to the association, the farm operates 1,500 breeding does, inseminated every 42 days and giving birth to more than 130,000 young rabbits each year.
“Some of the rabbits from this farm are marketed under the Le Gaulois brand” of the LDC poultry group, assures L214. The association calls for the emergency closure of the operation, which is supposed to set itself up “as an example” and “show the future of the sector”. President of Fenalap, Frédéric Blot is also at the head of the Elvilap group, which markets 2.6 million rabbits per year, or around 10% of French production.