Rabbits at Victoria General Hospital will be shot

The Capital Health Region is going to shoot hundreds of rabbits on the grounds of the Victoria General Hospital. It's estimated there are 500 to 700 rabbits on the grounds.

A report released today says the rabbits are a potential health risk to humans. It says the animals are diseased and their feces are being tracked into the hospital.

"Unfortunately we have to put the health and safety of our patients and our staff before anything else," said Leanne Peterson, an official with the Health Region. "We understand staff members, the community at large and children at the hospital are very attached to the rabbits, and that's very unhappy for all of us". The extermination will start later this summer.