Phoenix, the pet rabbit who received national attention after surviving second and third degree burns by being soaked in lighter fluid, lit on fire and tortured with multiple cigarette burns, required emergency surgery this week to halt life-threatening infection caused by complications from his injuries.

SaveABunny, the rabbit rescue group caring for Phoenix, arranged for surgery by Dr. Debra Scheenstra to perform lateral ear canal resection surgery to Phoenix's left ear in order to remove severe scarring which had caused a massive secondary infection. A horrific attack on Phoenix in late 2005 by a Bay Area teenager resulted in the loss of the outer portion of both his ears causing significant disfigurement and damage to the ear canals.