'Horned' rabbits spark concern in Sioux Falls

The myth of horned rabbits known as "Jackalopes" might actually be rooted in fact, although the horns aren't as magical as some people might think.

Deb Johnson was visiting her mother, who lives on 26th Street and Holly Avenue, when she noticed something bizarre: a rabbit in the yard had a black growth coming out of its mouth.

"It was several days again after that – and he was sitting outside the front again and not only did he have all this gunk (on his mouth) but this time it almost look like his skin was pulled down a little bit," Johnson said. "He looked a bit different and had a horn on his head."

Sioux Falls Animal Control Officer Milo Hartson said he's never seen a rabbit like the one described, but cautions against anyone handling wild animals.Disturbed by the animal, she posted a question on the Facebook page "Sioux Falls (East River) Pets." She immediately received comments from others in Sioux Falls who had seen the same thing. Many gave theories on what the mysterious black growths could be.

"If they see something – any animal that doesn't look right or has an injury or anything – call Metro Communications," he said. The non-emergency number is 367-7000.

Many people on the Facebook page thought the disease might be Tularemia, an infection that plagues rabbits and can be deadly to humans. Others thought it could be a rabbit form of the Human papillomavirus infection (HPV).

Julie DeJong, a regional wildlife manager for the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, said the disease is more than likely the shope cottontail rabbit papilloma virus (CRPV). The virus is common to rabbits and there's usually one report every year in the Sioux Falls area of an infected rabbit.

CRPV helped scientists create the HPV vaccine for humans and it is also credited as the source of the Jackalope myth. While not harmful to humans, the virus is dangerous to the rabbits it infects.

"These growths can get quite large and can eventually interfere with the animals feeding and other functions," DeJong said. "Often the growths turn into cancerous cells and the animal succumbs to the illness."

Darren Larson saw an apparently infected rabbit just east of McKennan Park in May 2013. He said its growths had spread by the time he saw it again a few days later.

Because officials can't be sure what Sioux Falls residents are seeing, DeJong encourages people to take photos of infected animals and email or bring them to the department's office in Sioux Falls. Residents should also keep their pets away from the rabbits.

"If the wildlife professionals at the GFP or Animal Control believe the animal needs to be captured and tested for disease, they will send personnel out to do so," she said.