PORTLAND - Several rabbits stolen from the Portland Meat Collective have been returned, a spokesperson said Friday.
Camas Davis said 17 of 18 rabbits taken last week prior to a butchering class had been returned to their owner.
The 18 animals were dropped off at the home of workers with the organization Rabbit Advocates on Sunday, which initially worked to find temporary foster homes for the animals, before discovering they were stolen.
On Friday, PMC members were able to pick up the 17 rabbits from the Rabbit Advocates' lawyer's office.
"We understand that Rabbit Advocates as an organization in no way condones the actions of the person who stole the rabbits and we believe them when they say that they were in no way involved with the theft," Davis said. "We also appreciate their concern for the rabbits, and want to assure them that while their owners raise them for different purposes than Rabbit Advocate foster homes do, they always have been and will be very well cared for."
Davis said the 18th missing rabbit, "Roger," was being cared for by someone negotiating with one of the owners.
No arrests have been made in the case.
PMC helps people procure local livestock and provides butchery, processing and cooking lessons.
The stolen rabbits were being raised for the own personal consumption of some PMC associates. The group also said ten baby rabbits were left without mothers as a result and died of malnutrition immediately after the theft.
Anyone with information was asked to call Portland police.
