The carcasses were found Wednesday morning inside their cages outside the high school agriculture building.

Future Farmers of America students raised the pair of New Zealand rabbits, which weighed about 20 pounds each.

"This was a heinous act of cruelty and goes beyond a prank," said Kati Farrer, Ephrata Area School District community relations coordinator. "It appears their necks were wrung or strangled," and then the rabbits were "placed back in the cages."

Ephrata police officer Peter Sheppard determined the killer used a tool to cut through the wire cages, which were locked. Staples holding the screens in place also were pried out.

Sheppard discovered dirt marks on the bodies, which could indicate the rabbits were stomped. Several students were interviewed Wednesday, but no suspects have been named.

"The situation is being taken seriously," said Ephrata police Chief Steven N. Annibali. "We are trying to find out if any students were heard bragging about it."

FAA students own about 40 rabbits housed at the school agriculture building. Some of the rabbits are kept in cages behind the school.

"The students look at these rabbits as pets and love them just as much," Farrer said. "Everyone is asking why someone would do it."

A student found the dead rabbits shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday.

Sheppard, who works in the high school as a resource officer, determined the rabbits were killed late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

The investigation is focused on students, but police are not ruling out adult suspects.

"All possibilities are being considered," Annibali said. "Nothing has been ruled out."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ephrata police at 738-9200.