In a world populated by anthropomorphic mammals, a rabbit from rural Bunnyburrow named Judy Hopps fulfills her childhood dream of becoming the first rabbit police officer in Zootopia, an urban utopia.
Despite being the police academy valedictorian, Judy is relegated to parking duty by Chief Bogo, who doubts her potential. On her first day, she is hustled by Nick Wilde and Finnick, a con artist duo. The next day, Judy abandons parking duty and arrests Duke Weaselton, a thief who stole plant bulbs. Bogo reprimands her, but a female otter named Mrs. Otterton enters Chief Bogo's office pleading for someone to find her missing husband Emmitt who's part of a string of disappearances of predator individuals; when Judy volunteers, Bogo fires her, citing insubordination as a reason. However, when Assistant Mayor Bellwether praises the assignment and informs Mayor Leodore Lionheart Judy is taking the case, Bogo reluctantly gives her two days to find Otterton, threatening that she must resign if she fails.