For the last couple of days, there’s been discussion on Facebook regarding the Collin Exotic Zoo that was closed yesterday and its animals rehomed due to deplorable living conditions.
I’ll let the following posts explain why I am so frustrated with the legal system. There truly is no justice or protection of the animals as long as animal abuse cases take years to hear or if law enforcement simply fails to do their jobs simply because the victims are “only animals.”
A Few Posting from Global Federation
Mark Hernandez I just have one question -- if the animals were living in inhumane conditions for years -- why did it take so long to rehome them? I mean really -- years?? It is truly sad to read it took YEARS to finally free the animals from such terrible condtions.... I cannot imagine the suffering they underwent...for so many years. 1.26.12
Amanda Katz Someone asked the HSUS about this on their wall. They said they turned in a full report right after the investigation in March 2010, but they aren't legally allowed to take any animals until the state officially seizes them. It took the state that long to act in this case. 1.26.12
There is a case I know of where many groups turned in evidence to a sheriff, 4 inches thick! Clear cut cruelty. No action in more than a year by the law enforcement, despite meetings with the attorney general, etc. In addition, when law enforcement DOES want to act, they want to make sure there is a good place to take the animals. Most reputable sanctuaries are more than full, compared to just three years ago. This economy has placed a lot of animals in need. Law enforcement DOES want to act, they want to make sure there is a good place to take the animals. Most reputable sanctuaries are more than full, compared to just three years ago. This economy has placed a lot of animals in need.
Mark Hernandez I hear a lot of cries for more regulation on exotic wild animals; however, it appears there is either a court backlog on animal abuse related cases because there is only one or two judges available to hear federal cases involving the USDA thereby resulting in cases sitting on the docket for years; or worse, law enforcement officials are hesitant to get involved in animal related cases, for whatever reason. Before new "feel good" laws are put on the books, what can we do to move the cases that are awaiting trial to move forward or to encourage law enforcement to simply "do their jobs?" Animals waiting their day in court, forced to live in deplorable conditions for years on end, is simply inexcusable. 1.26.12
A Few Private Group Postings
Mark Hernandez What is truly sad is that it took YEARS of alleged animal abuse before they were rehomed by HSUS. Why did it take YEARS? Just how many animals have to die before the USDA finally stepped in and did their jobs? Sounds like another Texas sanctuary in which the USDA failed to do its job for YEARS before it finally told the sanctuary to shut its doors and rehome its own animals (WAO). 1.26.12
Diane Gustafson I can tell you why it took years...the same reason it took years to shut down Great Cats of Indiana - not enough ALJs (judges). I was told there were three, and at that time two of them were in Afghanistan, and the other one had a docket 10 miles long. It took about eight years for the USDA to finally take away that owners license to exhibit. EIGHT YEARS. 1.26.12
Mark Hernandez This is outrageous. Had this been a private owner, I can guarantee you it would not have taken "8 years!" The public would have been howling for this to be resolved in 8 days or less... 1.26.12
Diane Gustafson Great Cats WAS a private owner...it doesn't matter. Three ALJs is not enough to cover the entire nation, you know? That's what's crazy! 1.26.12
A Few Big Cat Rescue postings
Mark Hernandez I just have one question -- if the animals were living in inhumane conditions for years -- why did it take so long to rehome them? I mean really -- years?? It is truly sad to read it took YEARS to finally free the animals from such terrible condtions.... I cannot imagine the suffering they underwent...for so many years.
1.26.12
Daniela Rada This is just wrong! We need better laws to prevent this from happening everywhere! Or just do your part go to all small zoos around your are and see if they are truly treating the animal fair, if not TELL the authorities or someone. Remember they can voice their opinion but YOU can do it for them!!! 1.26.12
Terri Halle @Mark, it takes so long because they have to document and issue warnings for changes to be made. If there are charges, then there is court proceedings, then appeals to any verdict. I'm all for protecting anyone innocent if charged with a crime, but damn, OBVIOUSLY this should have been open and shut in 2009 from the looks of the mud and skinny cats! Inspectors should have done something about it long ago, but there are only a few with USDA who also inspect farms and food plants. If Fish and Wildlife was involved then there can be conflict with state and federal, so it goes round and round, much like the incident in Ohio ended up being, because having big cats wasn't illegal and only bears (as native state animals) were checked up on over the years. It's a mess that's for sure, when you add in the fact that ANYONE can easily buy any kind of wild animal on the interWEB, then HIDE it while it's a cute cub in a back yard or garage and until an incident occurs it might go on to live in a basement . . . Like the 4 Servals who lived many years in a NY basement room without any sun or grass or activity - for YEARS, I think it was 10 or more! Tony the truck stop tiger in Louisiana is a perfect example people not wanting to rock the boat or change how things have always been done. That particular state is one of the worst with corrupt 'good ole boys' running the show. Tony has lived for almost 12 years, among traffic noises in the parking lot and interstate; lights overhead/around and never in darkness or peace; has fumes from gas; plus people who throw rocks or trash and let their dogs torment him for a reaction. A verdict late last year ordered the license not be renewed in December 2011, BUT Tony is still there pacing back/forth endlessly. 1.26.12
Terri Halle For those unable to watch . . . I don't watch to be horrified or 'get off' on the horrific use/abuse. I watch to honor those who have suffered. It's the LEAST I can do for them, to be informed and want their life to change for the better. Not looking will not make it go away and Too Many people choose to not look to know better, because knowing better means We Do Better.
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When are folks going to learn that we don’t need new laws, we need laws to be enforced and tried in a court of law in a timely manner. The whole system is failing the animals and then people wonder why there are so many negative stories about the bad owners.
You’ll never hear anything bad about the good owners, simply because they are law abiding citizens. There are so many great animals living in great homes, not owned by sanctuaries, but very few will ever speak out because they don't want to be targeted by animal rights groups, so they are forced into silence.
Meanwhile, the sanctuaries that are scamming money in the name of their animals, can continue stealing for years, until they are finally forced out of business -- by choice! And then start up again, somewhere else, under another name!
Look at the WAO case – Carol Asvestas is still in the animal shelter “business” and yet the government turns their collective heads and *coughs* at the idea of stopping her from, in my opinion, abusing/exploiting animals and scamming money from donors, once more. Crazy is right!
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