Beck Contest Spoiled By Obscure Anti-Rabbit Law

Beck should've known better. I mean, come on. Giving away a rabbit is a serious offense in California. About as serious as Marijuana possession, apparently.

After telling the Associated Press his rabbit, Rocket (the co-star of the Sea Change DVD-A's "Lonesome Tears" video) had been growing restless in his house and that he was looking for a new owner, Beck decided to hold a contest on his website. It sounded simple enough. Just write an essay, explaining why the pop star should give up his pet rabbit pal to you. For good measure and karma to boot, Beck even put in a disclaimer— make sure you and your residence meet the requirements to house a live rabbit. And Beck also decided to throw in an autographed copy of his Sea Change DVD for the winner. Everything looked like it was going according to plan.

Then, it happened. State law reared its ugly head.

California Penal Code, Section 599:

Sells or gives away, any live chicks, rabbits, ducklings, or other fowl as a prize for, or as an inducement to enter, any contest, game or other competition or as an inducement to enter a place of amusement or place of business...

And then came the animal-rights backlash. The members of Internet message board, VeganPorn.com wasted no time in putting the wayward rocker in his place.

"Ok, so this guy has a rabbit, well, he doesn't have a rabbit, because he's human and male, and thus incapable of giving birth to any creature," read one Vegan Porn post, "But the point is, he doesn't want the rabbit anymore, and rather than turn him over to a shelter, he's decided to find Rocket the rabbit a home. It's all well and good until we learn through [site-member] queervegan that the guy is Beck, and he's finding the new caretaker by holding an essay contest on his website. I wish, I really really wish that I believed in humanity enough to think that this will end well, but it's hard, so very hard..."

This heartfelt message prompted the following response from another Vegan Porn member. "How good," wrote site-member manifold, "are such rabbits at surviving in the wild?" (for more scintillating discourse on the matter, visit www.veganporn.com)

Needless to say, despite exhaustive precautions and preparations, Beck's contest was cancelled. Instead, Beck has teamed up with the Pasadena Humane Society, who will put Rocket up for adoption at one of their shelters.

"We're confident," said Beck, "they'll find Rocket the home he deserves and will do so with the most qualified and caring help possible."

Ricky Whitman of the Pasadena Humane Society added, "Thanks to Beck's concern, Rocket will find a great home. The Pasadena Humane Society is very happy to partner with Beck ... Most shelters have lots of rabbits that would make wonderful pets and need new homes."

Well, unlike the Vegan Porn member I quoted earlier, I do have enough faith in humanity to believe this can end well. I think we've all learned an important lesson from California Penal Code, section 599. Now we know, not only is it wrong to use rabbits to entice people into a contest—it's downright dangerous. And knowing, my friends, is half the battle. Let's all say a little prayer for Rocket and hope he finds a good home. And remember, February is not only Black History month, it's also ASPCA Adopt-a-Rescued-Rabbit-Month.