Hare-Brained: USDA Reportedly Orders Children's Magician to Produce 'Disaster Plan' for His...Rabbit

After a children's magician said he was harassed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture over a permit for the rabbit he used in his act a few years back, Marty Hahne probably figured it couldn't get any more intrusive than that.

(Credit: Marty Hahne web site) 

Silly, Marty...

Now the Ozark, Mo.-based illusionist is saying the trick's allegedly on him, as he notes in an email to blogger, Bob McCarty (emphasis added):

My USDA rabbit license requirement has taken another ridiculous twist. I just received an 8 page letter from the USDA, telling me that by July 29 I need to have in place a written disaster plan, detailing all the steps I would take to help get my rabbit through a disaster, such as a tornado, fire, flood, etc. They not only want to know how I will protect my rabbit during a disaster, but also what I will do after the disaster, to make sure my rabbit gets cared for properly.  I am not kidding–before the end of July I need to have this written rabbit disaster plan in place, or I am breaking the law.

In his email message to McCarty, Hahne also detailed the timeline the USDA reportedly gave him to comply with its order:

1. The new regulation became effective Jan. 30, 2012;
2. The written plan must be completed by July 29, 2013;
3. Hahne and his wife, Brenda, must be trained to implement the plan as written; and
4. The written plan must be available for review by USDA inspectors by Sept. 28, 2013.

Here's an awfully scary clip of Hahne performing a rabbit trick for young audience members:

(H/T: Bob McCarty)

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