New Jersey police department 'hops' in on April Fools Day fun

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP (FOX 29) - April Fools' Day jokes have become hard to catch in the internet age. Even though everyone is on high alert for tomfoolery on April 1st, a prank that's just far-fetched enough to possibly be true can pull the wool over even the most cautious eyes.

When Waterford Township Police Department announced on Facebook that they would begin using a drug sniffing rabbit, people were curious.

"A rabbit? That's new."

"I don't know,"

"What!? Okay..."

Most all of what's posted on a police department's Facebook page should be taken as true, which helped the prankster police throw the community for a loop.

Escalating national controversy about the legalization of marijuana paired with pictures of 2-year-old rabbit, Thumper, in regulation body armor made the post seem all to real.

"Because of all the controversy with the legalization of marijuana, we figured it would be fun to put him on Facebook as a drug-sniffing rabbit and see what kind of response we got," said Cheif Daniel Cormaney.

Cheif Cormaney's daughter, Dayna, did not think people would fall for the prank.

"I didn't really think it would work," said Dayna.

Until all the clever comments, GIFs, and shares started "hopping" up.

"Yes, some people are believing it," said Cheif Cormaney.

Rest assured, Thumper will not be walking the beat in Waterford Township alongside the department's K-9 dog, Niko. But he will keep his badge and uniform...just in case.

"I think we'll keep him around, you never know." said Cheif Cormaney.