Horrific Break-In at Preschool Results in Three Beloved Rabbits Found Dead, One Decapitated

The shocking death of three rabbits at God’s Garden Preschool in Ahwatukee has prompted an intensive investigation by Phoenix police, who are examining the circumstances surrounding what has been described as a brutal act of animal abuse. The incident reportedly occurred either late Thursday night or early Friday morning, and officials suggested that it appears to have been a deliberate act carried out by an intruder.

Denise Tobin, the preschool’s assistant director, expressed profound grief over the loss of the rabbits, who were integral to the school’s environment and activities. “They’re just part of our school family,” she said. The emotional impact on the preschool community is palpable, particularly among the children, who are mostly aged between two and five. Tobin noted that the students enjoyed daily interactions with the rabbits, which only heightens the tragedy of their deaths.

The grim discovery was reportedly made by a teacher arriving for duty at 7:30 a.m. on Friday. Upon arrival, she allegedly found the rabbits lined up in a disturbing arrangement: Sunny, a young female rabbit, was outside her pen, while her mother, Ruby, was found inside. The third rabbit, Charlie, was found decapitated near his body, raising troubling questions about the nature of the attack and the intentions of the perpetrator.

According to Tobin, there were no signs of forced entry into the fenced area where the rabbits were kept. However, the zip ties securing the netted fencing were reportedly cut, leading Tobin to believe that the assailant had taken careful, calculated steps to access the animals. “It was pretty deliberate,” she emphasized, underscoring the suspicious nature of the incident.

The school’s post on social media further conveyed the distress felt by the community, stating, “We are a bit devastated,” particularly in the case of Sunny, who had been watched grow from birth. The post, which aimed to calm concerns among parents, indicated that while the children would be informed of the rabbits’ passing, they would not be provided with distressing details about the circumstances.

Police responded swiftly to the scene and have classified the incident as an ongoing investigation into multiple acts of animal cruelty. The intent behind the heinous act remains unclear, and animal control is expected to help determine the cause of the rabbits’ deaths, although initial reports suggest no blood or visible injuries were found on Sunny and Ruby.

God’s Garden Preschool, which has served the community for 24 years and has fewer than 100 students enrolled, announced that to enhance safety protocols, all entrances, including playground gates, would remain locked moving forward. The preschool expressed its hope of introducing more rabbits in the future, yet it also acknowledged the need to take time to process this unsettling loss.

As the investigation continues, community members are left grappling with the emotional fallout from this tragic incident. The unsettling questions surrounding the motives of the alleged intruder linger, and many are urging for increased vigilance in protecting their school’s beloved animals.