Rabbit Photoshoot Sparks Outrage After Animals Abandoned in NYC Park

According to The Guardian, convicted fraudster Anna Sorokin – better known as Anna Delvey – has once again landed in the headlines, but this time for an incident involving animal welfare. Sorokin, who infamously posed as a German heiress to swindle Manhattan’s elite, was “horrified” after learning that three rabbits featured in her recent photoshoot were later found abandoned in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.

The now-viral shoot showed Sorokin outside a Tribeca subway station, wearing her court-mandated ankle monitor and holding two leashed rabbits. Days later, a Harlequin lop and two other rabbits were discovered near the same cardboard box used in the shoot. Witnesses and rescuers reported the animals were left without proper care, sparking accusations of animal cruelty online.

While Sorokin denies any involvement in obtaining, transporting, or releasing the rabbits, criticism has centered on the use of live animals as props. Animal welfare advocates warn that rabbits are highly sensitive creatures and that “trancing” — placing them on their backs for photos — can cause extreme stress. Similar incidents have prompted campaigns from groups like the House Rabbit Society, which cautions against casual handling or public display of rabbits due to their fragility and abandonment risks.

The man who ultimately released the rabbits has since apologised in a now-deleted Instagram post, claiming he panicked after being asked to take them in, lacked resources, and mistakenly believed they could survive in the park. Thankfully, all three animals are now in foster care.

This story is a reminder that animals are not accessories or photo props — they are living beings who depend on humans for care and safety. If you want to include animals in media projects, opt for rescue partnerships or ethical stock imagery, and never put an animal at risk for the sake of aesthetics. Better yet, Support local shelters and adopt, don’t shop.

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