Found a wild rabbit

Question
Our Beagle flushed out a baby cottontail this evening. I'm guessing 2-3 weeks old. It is nearly four inches long and has its fur. It also moves pretty well (it almost got away from the Beagle). My question is when is it appropriate to re-release it. Should we put it back out in the yard and hope Mom finds it, or should we keep it inside until it is big enough to fend for itself. Thanks for your help.


Answer
Dear Lee,

If the baby was four inches long and running fast enough to get away from a Beagle, then it is old enough to be released.  Mama may still be feeding him, so be sure to let him go in the spot where you found him.  But he may already be on his own, and keeping him inside will cause him great stress and may be life-threatening.  

As long as he is uninjured, please release him ASA--preferably around dusk--where you found him.

Good luck!

Dana