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Roadside Zoo News
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Maggot-infested corpse prompts Animal Haven Zoo violation
A decaying maggot-covered lamb carcass, a peacock with an untreated injury and numerous safety hazards were identified at Animal Haven Zoo.
May 22, 2024


Natural Bridge Zoo animal forfeiture hearing moves forward
A judge ruled against an attorney for Natural Bridge Zoo today, indicating a forfeiture hearing for 95 seized animals will move forward.
Dec 19, 2023


Morgan Machnik of Premier Exotics cited for abusing servals; releasing bobcat
Morgan Machnik of Premier Exotics cited with four federal violations for abusing servals and releasing a captive bobcat into the woods.
Feb 3, 2023


Special Memories Zoo owner and manager agree to pay Animal Legal Defense Fund $130,000
Special Memories Zoo owner Dona Wheeler and former zookeeper Gretchen Crowe have agreed to pay Animal Legal Defense Fund $130,000.
Nov 22, 2022


Videos show Morgan Machnik of Premier Exotics abusing animals
Premier Exotics owner Morgan Machnik abuses animals, photo and video evidence shows.
Nov 5, 2022


Montana woman charged for killing and skinning a dog she thought was a wolf
Amber Barnes of Montana has been charged with animal cruelty for shooting and skinning a dog that she mistook for a wolf.
Oct 28, 2022


Gretchen Crowe and Dona Wheeler agree to settlement for lawsuit that shut down Special Memories Zoo
Gretchen Crowe and Dona Wheeler of Special Memories Zoo have agreed to pay a settlement to Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Oct 27, 2022


Montana woman under investigation for killing and skinning a dog she mistook for a wolf
Amber Barnes of Kalispell, Montana, is under investigation for shooting and skinning a domestic dog that she mistook for a wolf.
Sep 26, 2022


Waccatee Zoo, dubbed the worst roadside zoo in America, is permanently closed
Waccatee Zoological Farm in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is closed and may remain permanently closed.
Sep 11, 2022


Feds work to shut down Cicchelli Second Chance Rescue and Exotics
The feds are working to shut down the roadside zoo Cicchelli Second Chance Rescue and Exotics in Lake City, Michigan.
Sep 6, 2022


Jessica Rivera no longer conducting USDA inspections after complaints from Roadside Zoo News
USDA Inspector Jessica Rivera is no longer conducting inspections after repeated complaints from Roadside Zoo News.
Aug 4, 2022


Appeals court overturns ruling in Special Memories Zoo lawsuit
Dona Wheeler and Gretchen Crowe of Special Memories Zoo are on the hook for legal fees, an appeals court has ruled.
Aug 1, 2022


Opie Acres under investigation for cutting off an opossum’s leg
Opie Acres in Tennessee is under investigation after owner Jerry Harvey cut off an opossum's leg without veterinary supervision or guidance.
Jul 27, 2022


Judge compares endangered animal mistreatment to child porn in Special Memories Zoo lawsuit
Special Memories Zoo is closed but now an appeals court will decide if Dona Wheeler and Gretchen Crowe must pay more than $70,000 in fees.
Jun 8, 2022


Dr. Aaron Stachmus retains veterinary license while facing 18 cruelty charges for seized animals
Aaron Stachmus continues practicing at Brookwood Animal Clinic while facing 18 charges for hundreds of animals removed from his property.
May 6, 2022


More than 100 animals seized from Norman, Oklahoma veterinarian Aaron Stachmus (again)
More than 100 animals were seized from Norman, Oklahoma veterinarian Aaron Stachmus for the second time in less than a year.
Apr 21, 2022


The Last Tourist documentary exposes cruelty in the animal entertainment industry
The Last Tourist exposes the negative effects of tourism including the horrific treatment of animals used in entertainment.
Apr 5, 2022


Roadside zoo week in review April 1, 2022
EZ's Farm, Animal Gardens, Barking Cow Farms, Animal Haven Zoo, World of Wildlife, Double H Exotics and Waccatee Zoo were cited by the feds
Apr 1, 2022


Two years after Special Memories Zoo fire, debate over legal fees continues
On the anniversary of a fire that killed 35 animals at Special Memories Zoo the debate over whether the zoo must pay legal fees continues.
Mar 24, 2022


Wisconsin woman found guilty of animal mistreatment jailed for Huber violations
Aysha Carbon, who was found guilty of eight counts for abandoning three ferrets and a dog to die, has been jailed for Huber violations.
Mar 11, 2022
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