An animal cruelty case that appears to be lingering in Douglas County District Court shouldn’t be allowed to just go away.

A 22-year-old Lawrence man was arrested last August after he allegedly attempted to kill his roommate’s pet rabbit by sealing it in a plastic bag, trying to break its neck and finally cutting it. He was charged under a new state law that allows for felony charges to be filed against a person who “intentionally and maliciously” kills, injures, maims or tortures an animal. The rabbit in this case died later at a veterinarian’s office.

Since the man was charged, his preliminary hearing has been postponed at least twice. Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson needs to make sure this case is pursued and resolved.

The suspect’s claim that he was trying to kill the animal and eat it because he no longer could care for it doesn’t seem to hold up. The rabbit was a pet that didn’t belong to him. And even animals that legitimately are killed for food must be handled in a humane manner. This rabbit was not.

The new state law was intended not only to protect animals but to protect people from those who follow the common path from abusing animals to abusing humans. This is a serious matter that the county shouldn’t allow to go unprosecuted.