Selectman wants Kayden to keep her bunny

NORTH HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Seven-year-old Kayden is pleading to keep her pet bunny, even though town rules state the family's property isn't the two acres required for a rabbit.

Seven-year-old Kayden Lidsky considers her pet bunny Sandy her best friend.

"Don't make me give my bunny away because she is my best friend," said Kayden.

News 8's story about the Lidsky family being issued a cease and desist order sparked webpages, even an online petition demanding to let the third grader keep her pet.

"It's been incredible," explained Josh Lidsky, Kayden's father.

The story also resulted in phone calls and e-mails to Town Hall, First Selectman Michael Freda told News 8.

"We don't want to take the rabbit away from the little girl," said Freda, "and I want to make that very clear."

The chief elected official saying the family just has to appeal and request a variance, but it's not his decision, rather that of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA).

"I certainly can't guarantee because I'm not on the ZBA, but I think the ZBA has shown a tremendous amount of compassion and I think they will look at things favorably," said Freda, "because no one wants to hurt a little girl."

So, while the indication is the family will likely be able to keep the rabbit, it doesn't solve the other issues the family has been cited for in violating the blight ordinance because the bunny cage is outside.

"The bunny is not a permanent indoor animal," explained Josh Lidsky.

It's not just the two blight violations, town records indicate the Lidsky's owe sewer fees and back taxes.

"This is about my daughter and her pet bunny," said Josh Lidsky, "they have to leave it at that and not bring up old garbage because old garbage stinks."

News 8 wondered if other folks who have pet rabbits on less the two acres should worry.

"The town is not going to go out looking for rabbit violations, we're not doing that," said Freda.

The Lidsky's appeal to keep their bunny is set for next month.

Read the original story here

View a gallery of photos of Kayden's bunny, including images from supporters