It's some bunny's lucky day: Rabbit is recovered

A prize-winning rabbit apparently stolen from the Puyallup Fair on Sunday has been found and is expected to be reunited with its owner this morning.

RJ, an orange Netherland Dwarf rabbit that earned a second-place finish at the fair, was apparently left anonymously in a box Friday at a Puyallup school office, said Cindy Johnson, mother of the 13-year-old Cowlitz County boy who owns the rabbit.

Tom Gwin, state 4-H fair manager, said the rabbit was handed over to him Friday after it was found, and it seems to be doing well.

"It's been eating and drinking water like any rabbit would," he said.

Stefan Johnson and his mother are expected to pick up the rabbit this morning.

Gwin said he had no idea why somebody would steal the rabbit in the first place, and why it would be returned now.

Stefan brought RJ to the fair to compete against nearly a dozen other rabbits. Though RJ got second place, the teen was still awarded a blue ribbon.

Johnson thinks RJ was destined for grand-champion status, like his father, Raymond. That could make RJ worth several hundred dollars.

The theft was the first of a show animal at the fair in more than 20 years, according to the fair.

After the theft, the fair increased security inside its 4-H barns.

Johnson said the rabbit left at the school has a tattoo identical to one RJ has.

"It matches the description," she said. "Stefan is so happy. There's a huge smile on his face, a big sigh of relief."

Brian Alexander: 206-464-2026 or balexander@seattletimes.com