Melissa Zielinski hopes the woman seen on surveillance camera with the rabbit faces more serious consequences.
CANBY, Ore. — A Clackamas County woman who had her pet rabbit stolen from her backyard multiple times is sharing her story to find out if anyone else has lost a pet to the same thief.
Melissa Zielinski said she didn’t know what to think when she noticed the rabbit was missing from her rabbit cage. She then noticed that items had been moved or taken from the backyard.
Law enforcement needed more evidence, so Zielinski said he bought and installed surveillance cameras. She said the suspected thief soon showed up.
The video shows the woman crawling around the rabbit shelter and trying to get through a locked gate. Another night, a thief was seen putting what looked like a rabbit into what looked like a wallet.
Zielinski was shocked to see the suspect’s face on the video. She recognized her. Zielinski said he previously met Bridie Orringer outside her home when she claimed she was picking blackberries. Zielinski once invited her to meet the rabbits.
Another alleged rabbit theft victim met Zielinski on Facebook and reported the incident to authorities. Olinger, who worked near the second alleged victim’s home, is now facing charges related to both victims.
“It can be very stressful and traumatic when you realize your pet is missing,” Zielinski says. “Especially for another victim who has children.”
It took Zielinski years of talking with authorities, searching websites selling rabbits and monitoring surveillance cameras to get to this point.
She became obsessed with keeping an eye out for intruders. “When she (the intruder) went behind the camera, the camera shook and when I came out, the rabbit was missing.”
In one case, the suspect left his cell phone in the yard, Zielinski said.
Zielinski turned the phone over to authorities.
“I literally started locking all the cages because you never know when someone is going to break in and take them.”
Zelinsky said he lost his job and home because of the distraction. She said the homeowner was tired of repeated thefts and police response.
Zelinsky was more concerned about the rabbit.
“I felt like I betrayed them because I felt like it was my job to protect them,” she said.
