Oregon woman obsessed with rabbits again arrested

Wed Jun 17, 2009 3:08 PM EDT

us-news, odd-news, us, odd, lady, bunny, washington-county, bunny-lady

Joseph B. Frazier, Associated Press Writer

PORTLAND — Washington County's "Bunny Lady" is back in the hutch after violating a court order banning her from owning animals for five years.

Miriam Sakewitz, 47, was arrested Tuesday at a hotel in the Portland suburb of Tigard after an employee reported finding rabbits hopping around in her room.

Problems for Sakewitz started in October 2006 when police in Hillsboro, about 15 miles west of Portland, found and confiscated nearly 250 rabbits in her home, including about 100 dead ones in freezers and refrigerators.

Police said she broke into the facility where the survivors were being cared for in January 2007 and stole most of them back. Authorities found her a few days later in Chehalis, Wash., with eight live rabbits and two dead ones in her car. Another 130 rabbits were recovered at a nearby horse farm.

Sakewitz was sentenced in April 2007 to five years probation and was banned from owning or controlling animals. She also was told not to go within 100 yards of a rabbit.

That summer, Sakewitz was ordered to spend three days in jail for violating her probation by keeping a rabbit in her house. County probation officer Susan Ranger also said Sakewitz had canceled counseling sessions and refused to open the door for unannounced visits. Ranger said she found no rabbits when she finally got inside but did find a half-empty 10-pound bag of carrots.

Since then, Sakewitz has remained "pretty quiet" — until this week, said Washington County probation officer Bob Severe. "We hadn't heard much further from her," he said, adding she was thought to be living in Clackamas County.

On Tuesday, Washington County animal control officers removed eight adult rabbits, five young ones and a dead one from Sakewitz's hotel room, Tigard police spokesman Jim Wolf said.

Sakewitz was in custody Wednesday, and Wolf said he did not know if she had an attorney. She was to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon on animal neglect charges.

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Groups: Animal Lovers, Northwest News and Views
Regions: United States , Portland-OR

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{"commentId":7702123,"authorDomain":"cheffie38"}

Dawn-345105

maybe she is obsessed with the sexual behavior of the rabbits..lol idk

but maybe in the plea deal they should have ordered her therapy???

{"commentId":7702123,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"cheffie38"}

2 votes

#1 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 3:49 PM EDT

{"commentId":7702220,"authorDomain":"eric24"}

Simplistic Reality

What is it with all the crazies in Portland these last couple months?! One messed up story after another.

{"commentId":7702220,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"eric24"}

2 votes

#2 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 3:53 PM EDT

{"commentId":7706860,"authorDomain":"anrkist"}

Anrkist

Try being from Texas.

{"commentId":7706860,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"anrkist"}

2 votes

#2.1 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:10 PM EDT

{"commentId":7709230,"authorDomain":"barkinhound"}

Tex-988483

Try bein from Abalama.....

{"commentId":7709230,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"barkinhound"}

#2.2 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:31 PM EDT

{"commentId":7709520,"authorDomain":"cookinmama"}

cookin mama

Too many of the crazies have moved there, and ruined it. IMO

{"commentId":7709520,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"cookinmama"}

1 vote

#2.3 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:49 PM EDT

{"commentId":7702941,"authorDomain":"ScienceGuy"}

ScienceGuy-356641

Are they sure her name isn't Lenny?

{"commentId":7702941,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"ScienceGuy"}

3 votes

#3 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 4:16 PM EDT

{"commentId":7703022,"authorDomain":"dckidd"}

dckidd

Fried rabbit anybody?

{"commentId":7703022,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"dckidd"}

1 vote

#4 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 4:19 PM EDT

{"commentId":7709529,"authorDomain":"cookinmama"}

cookin mama

How about rabbit stew.

{"commentId":7709529,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"cookinmama"}

1 vote

#4.1 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:50 PM EDT

{"commentId":7703551,"authorDomain":"beamerab3"}

Al 616

I guess it's Wabbit Season.

My god, she's nuts. She has to be. She needs to be institutionalized. She broke into a holding area to get her rabbits before her conviction?

WTF!

{"commentId":7703551,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"beamerab3"}

3 votes

#5 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 4:38 PM EDT

{"commentId":7703601,"authorDomain":"blackcat8838"}

Nan-813417

compulsive rabbit-collecting behavior, a new syndrome

{"commentId":7703601,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"blackcat8838"}

2 votes

#6 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 4:40 PM EDT

{"commentId":7704325,"authorDomain":"debrarescuesdogs"}

debrarescuesdogs

crcb

{"commentId":7704325,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"debrarescuesdogs"}

1 vote

#6.1 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 5:10 PM EDT

{"commentId":7704670,"authorDomain":"ostrichstealth"}

MrCerebellum

She even looks like a person who collects more small animals than necessary.

{"commentId":7704670,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"ostrichstealth"}

2 votes

#7 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 5:24 PM EDT

{"commentId":7711106,"authorDomain":"jibade7"}

JoMan

Yeah, like a princess from Disney gone bad.

{"commentId":7711106,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"jibade7"}

#7.1 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:47 PM EDT

{"commentId":7711313,"authorDomain":"animallovernwriter"}

Auteur 1536

Have you heard of the show "Drawn Together"?

{"commentId":7711313,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"animallovernwriter"}

#7.2 - Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:05 AM EDT

{"commentId":7727789,"authorDomain":"jibade7"}

JoMan

No, sorry.

{"commentId":7727789,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"jibade7"}

#7.3 - Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:30 PM EDT

{"commentId":7727955,"authorDomain":"cmscorpio"}

diversity

Auteur - Yes ....very funny cartoon.....Love the trashy Betty Boop....

{"commentId":7727955,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"cmscorpio"}

1 vote

#7.4 - Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:36 PM EDT

{"commentId":7704937,"authorDomain":"lgold212"}

lgold212

Bunny hop-da-hop, hahaha!!!

{"commentId":7704937,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"lgold212"}

#8 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 5:36 PM EDT

{"commentId":7705018,"authorDomain":"SirThinkswaytomuch"}

Sir. Thinkswaytomuch

Pets 'r meat?

{"commentId":7705018,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"SirThinkswaytomuch"}

#9 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 5:40 PM EDT

{"commentId":7705087,"authorDomain":"micksmit"}

Mick SmitDeleted

{"commentId":7705105,"authorDomain":"rdonaldsnyder"}

R. Donald Snyder

You're no bunny 'till some bunny loves you..............

Every bunny needs some bunny sometime............

{"commentId":7705105,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"rdonaldsnyder"}

9 votes

#11 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 5:44 PM EDT

{"commentId":7711473,"authorDomain":"rdonaldsnyder"}

R. Donald Snyder

My bunny lies over the ocean.....my bunny lies over the sea......

{"commentId":7711473,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"rdonaldsnyder"}

1 vote

#11.1 - Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:18 AM EDT

{"commentId":7705155,"authorDomain":"jef69la"}

J. Turner

get out of her business! let her live how she wants to. animal neglect charges? its fine if u want to raise them then kill them for food though!! stay out of our homes government. this is a waste of time!

{"commentId":7705155,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"jef69la"}

#12 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 5:46 PM EDT

{"commentId":7705192,"authorDomain":"mfeo"}

mfeo

This is your last warning before I have to Taser you! Step away from the door and put the Bunny down!

It would be cool if they photoshopped her picture to have two buck teeth, bunny style in front.

{"commentId":7705192,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"mfeo"}

2 votes

#13 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 5:48 PM EDT

{"commentId":7705321,"authorDomain":"robynlewis04"}

robynlewisTX.

I hate to ask a stupid question but what was she doing with all those rabbits in a motel room? Maybe she wants a rabbit fur coat ala 101 dalmations?

{"commentId":7705321,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"robynlewis04"}

#14 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 5:54 PM EDT

{"commentId":7705399,"authorDomain":"nohigher"}

xipotec

scary how screwed up the human brain can get.

Obsession with sex, ok

obsession with drugs, I understand

Gambling problems , I understand the draw ..

BUT RABBITS?

{"commentId":7705399,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"nohigher"}

#15 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 5:58 PM EDT

{"commentId":7706169,"authorDomain":"beamerab3"}

Al 616

Just ask Anyanka.

{"commentId":7706169,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"beamerab3"}

#15.1 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:36 PM EDT

{"commentId":7705429,"authorDomain":"micksmit"}

Mick SmitDeleted

{"commentId":7705537,"authorDomain":"jiggs214"}

jiggs-502598

ONE of you is the Easter bunny!!!!! Dang you guys are good......who is it? Speak up!

{"commentId":7705537,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"jiggs214"}

#17 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:05 PM EDT

{"commentId":7705801,"authorDomain":"BlueLeftHand"}

Kim-298921

The lady is mentally ill. Pet collecting is a recognized disorder. You could probably find a somewhat similar case on the books in every city in the US. Sometimes it starts as an enthusiasm for a lonely person, but it reaches a point where the pet owner is no longer in control of their need to have these pets, even though they are suffering.

{"commentId":7705801,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"BlueLeftHand"}

1 vote

#18 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:17 PM EDT

{"commentId":7705982,"authorDomain":"king-of-messico"}

Louie Lou

You guys think she's related to this guy perhaps?....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JlVqfC8-UI

{"commentId":7705982,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"king-of-messico"}

2 votes

#19 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":7706235,"authorDomain":"beamerab3"}

Al 616

God, I love that cartoon. Thank you, Louie Lou, for taking me back to that magical time in my life.

{"commentId":7706235,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"beamerab3"}

#19.1 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:38 PM EDT

{"commentId":7706329,"authorDomain":"king-of-messico"}

Louie Lou

I aim to please. :-)

{"commentId":7706329,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"king-of-messico"}

#19.2 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:42 PM EDT

{"commentId":7706066,"authorDomain":"cmscorpio"}

diversity

I wonder how she'll react to carrots if they feed them to her in jail?

She may start hopping around dropping little round pellets out of her ass!

Crazy ass nutcase......send her to Bellevue Mental Hospital..... not jail!

{"commentId":7706066,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"cmscorpio"}

1 vote

#20 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:31 PM EDT

{"commentId":7706213,"authorDomain":"Lakes"}

Lakes-1108723

Washington County probation officer Bob Severe said Sakewitz had undergone a court-ordered mental evaluation but that no treatment was recommended.

I wonder if they gave her a Rorschach test!

{"commentId":7706213,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"Lakes"}

1 vote

#21 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:38 PM EDT

{"commentId":7706258,"authorDomain":"sherwood-1"}

atsidiwashichu

I see nothing wrong with being obsessed with rabbits. I especially like them fried, with potatoes and gravy on the side.

{"commentId":7706258,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"sherwood-1"}

#22 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:39 PM EDT

{"commentId":7709253,"authorDomain":"barkinhound"}

Tex-988483

With a side of grits as well....

{"commentId":7709253,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"barkinhound"}

#22.1 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:32 PM EDT

{"commentId":7706959,"authorDomain":"cmscorpio"}

diversity

Miriams favorite holiday - Easter

favorite book - Watership Down

favorite animated movie - Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

favorite movie - Donnie Darko

favorite food - Carrots

favorite cartoon character - Bugs Bunny

favorite color - snow bunny white

favorite magazine - Playboy

favorite car - Volkswagen Rabbit

favorite singer - Eddie Rabbit

favorite song - White Rabbit (Jefferson Airplane)

{"commentId":7706959,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"cmscorpio"}

1 vote

#23 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:15 PM EDT

{"commentId":7707224,"authorDomain":"animallovernwriter"}

Auteur 1536

I like "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", that's a good movie. And Jessica's hot.

{"commentId":7707224,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"animallovernwriter"}

#23.1 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:30 PM EDT

{"commentId":7707997,"authorDomain":"cmscorpio"}

diversity

LOL....yes it is a good movie, but I've never viewed a cartoon character as "hot"..........i guess if your into animated porn.

A good one that you would enjoy would be "Fritz The Cat".

{"commentId":7707997,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"cmscorpio"}

1 vote

#23.2 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:16 PM EDT

{"commentId":7708038,"authorDomain":"animallovernwriter"}

Auteur 1536

No I prefer the real thing but if the character looks good I'll fantasize of them.

{"commentId":7708038,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"animallovernwriter"}

1 vote

#23.3 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:19 PM EDT

{"commentId":7709276,"authorDomain":"barkinhound"}

Tex-988483

diversity:

That is dang funny. Or, should I have sed bunny?

{"commentId":7709276,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"barkinhound"}

1 vote

#23.4 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:33 PM EDT

{"commentId":7710005,"authorDomain":"animallovernwriter"}

Auteur 1536

Ha ha

{"commentId":7710005,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"animallovernwriter"}

1 vote

#23.5 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:24 PM EDT

{"commentId":7707150,"authorDomain":"animallovernwriter"}

Auteur 1536

She looks like a nut. She probably tries to have sex with the rabbits too. I'd hate to know what her cat looks like. Why don't they just throw her in a straight jacket and put her in the nut house and be done with it?

{"commentId":7707150,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"animallovernwriter"}

#24 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:26 PM EDT

{"commentId":7707299,"authorDomain":"geminipixie83"}

Helena619

There are many other things that are much worse to be obsessed with than a bunch of rabbits. Ever heard of crazy cat laddies? She's a crazy bunny lady! Although keeping dead ones in her fridge and freezer seems odd. Plenty of people eat rabbit meat but I can't imagine eating them after they were once your pet! As long as she is treating them humanly I see no harm in it.

{"commentId":7707299,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"geminipixie83"}

#25 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:34 PM EDT

{"commentId":7707895,"authorDomain":"animallovernwriter"}

Auteur 1536

She had dead rabbits in her possession and you say she can have rabbits if she treats them humanely? Exactly how did the rabbits end up dead? Overcrowding? No food? Did she kill them herself? That's what we should be asking.

{"commentId":7707895,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"animallovernwriter"}

#25.1 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:11 PM EDT

{"commentId":7707719,"authorDomain":"king-of-messico"}

Louie Lou

Hope she doesn't hear this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHP49lJEkiM

{"commentId":7707719,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"king-of-messico"}

2 votes

#26 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:00 PM EDT

{"commentId":7710694,"authorDomain":"r-s-m2008"}

HarV-789140

Funny. But what if she didn't realize one of those furry little bunnies was...The most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered creature you ever set eyes on? Killer rabbit!

{"commentId":7710694,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"r-s-m2008"}

2 votes

#26.1 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:16 PM EDT

{"commentId":7745523,"authorDomain":"r-s-m2008"}

HarV-789140

Apparently this group isn't into MP's Holy Grail.

{"commentId":7745523,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"r-s-m2008"}

#26.2 - Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:20 PM EDT

{"commentId":7707816,"authorDomain":"tboschma1"}

aliveinsd

I'll admit to keeping one rabbit. She came to live in my yard one cold winters morning. Her ears were badly infected and she was very thin. I took her to an animal hospital. Her ears were cured. She continued to live happily in and out of her hutch and put on weight, becoming stronger every day. She used a litter box, just like a cat, and would nuzzle my neck while making soft clicking noises. I named her 'Chopper' because of the way her ears lay flat out at the sides like an idle helicopter.

Chopper would dance and spin in the noon day sun. Allot of entertainment. One day she jumped over the garden wall and returned to the wild. It wasn't right to keep her held in a hutch, or even my home. I learned from Chopper, too. Rabbits are clean, smart, and lovable.

Please lock up the "Bunny Lady," or at least remand her to some badly needed therapy. I am not a PETA nut-case, but her story is truly stomach-turning...even frightening.

{"commentId":7707816,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"tboschma1"}

2 votes

#27 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:05 PM EDT

{"commentId":7707925,"authorDomain":"animallovernwriter"}

Auteur 1536

You have a rabbit but you're not an obsessive crazy person like she is.

{"commentId":7707925,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"animallovernwriter"}

#27.1 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:12 PM EDT

{"commentId":7708912,"authorDomain":"tboschma1"}

aliveinsd

Funny! Yes, Auteur. I did keep one rabbit. And I might be a bit obsessive and crazy, regardless. Our golf course is hopping with rabbits, but none of them are mine. I promise.

{"commentId":7708912,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"tboschma1"}

#27.2 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:10 PM EDT

{"commentId":7711095,"authorDomain":"jibade7"}

JoMan

Rabbits are great. I've had 3 so far in my life. They are individuals and have goofy personalities.

One, named Hausenpheffer, would grab the paper towels when I was cleaning her cage and run like mad, and I would have to chase her and get them from her, and then she would do it all over again. Another wasn't very personable and when he didn't want to go back in his cage he would spin and pee. I won't tell you what I called him.

{"commentId":7711095,"threadId":"605893","contentId":"2940595","authorDomain":"jibade7"}

1 vote

#27.3 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:46 PM EDT

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