В Огайо украли победителя выставки: семья ищет кролика Феникса, которого похитили вместе с кормушками

Family says show rabbit stolen from Lorain County Fair Owner says thief also took the fair-owned food and water bowls LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio — A family is searching for answers after they say someone stole their show rabbit from a barn at the Lorain County Fair. Samantha Salamon says her 5-month-old rabbit, Phoenix, was being kept in a barn during the fair when he disappeared on the last day of the event. Salamon says whoever took Phoenix also took his food and water bowls. “To have somebody steal your rabbit, it hurts,” Salamon said. Phoenix won first place out of 13 rabbits in his class on Sunday. Salamon says she was not at the fair when she learned his cage was empty. “I wasn’t even here when I found out. So, I’m driving here bawling my eyes out because believe it or not, rabbits are actually, when you compete heavily, they’re very expensive,” Salamon said. Salamon says the theft is made stranger by the fact that the suspect also took the fair-owned food and water bowls. She believes Phoenix was targeted because of his size and distinct markings. “There was plenty of rabbits in the barn that were for sale that day for $10 because my friend was selling them and they could have easily gotten a very nice pet rabbit for cheap instead of stealing a couple $100 show rabbit,” Salamon said. “He was first out of thirteen. To me, it feels like it was somebody that wanted a better rabbit that couldn’t afford a better rabbit, and so they just decided to steal one,” Salamon said. Salamon filed a report with the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office. She says the barns lack security measures and hopes the fair board makes changes following this and other reported thefts. “A lot of the other fairs have locks on cages because this is not the first time a rabbit, this isn’t even the first time a rabbit was stolen out of that barn. So, I understand why they don’t want locks is because open class does take care of our rabbits. They do feed and water,” Salamon said.’ But obviously something has to happen because we can’t keep letting people’s rabbits get stolen because this is not only my open class fair, but this is also where my son and all three of my kids will do 4-H and show their animals here. This is where we live." “We understand the concern regarding the missing rabbit. As soon as the disappearance was brought to our attention on Sunday, August 30th, the fair took the matter seriously. Other exhibitors were questioned to determine if anyone had information regarding the rabbit’s whereabouts, whether it had been sold or taken accidentally. The barn superintendents searched the barn and surrounding areas in an attempt to locate the missing rabbit. The exhibitor had notified the Sheriff’s office, and the rabbit department cooperated with the local police department regarding the incident. We did everything within our ability to assist in determining what happened and to help locate the missing rabbit. At this time, there are no cameras in the barn, however, it is locked every night when the fair closes. To our knowledge, no other animals were reported missing or stolen during the fair. We take the care and security of all animals exhibited at the fair very seriously and are saddened that this situation occurred. If anyone has information regarding the missing rabbit or may have witnessed something that could assist with the investigation, we strongly encourage you to speak up and provide that information directly to the Sheriff’s office. " The family is asking for help finding Phoenix. He has a visible identifier: his name, “Phoenix,” is tattooed in large letters inside his left ear. “It’s really discouraging to not feel like I can trust anybody at this fair now to not steal an animal or to mess with an animal,” Salamon said. Anyone with information is asked to contact Salamon through her Facebook page, SF Rabbitry. Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.