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.
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Roadside Zoo News
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- Apr 16
Wisconsin bill to limit oversight at roadside zoos fails again
A bill that would have exempted roadside zoos from state licensing requirements failed to pass the legislative session this week.
322 views
- Dec 22, 2023
Texas roadside zoo owner Jason Clay cooperates with feds for lesser sentence
Texas roadside zoo owner Jason Clay has entered into a plea agreement that requires him to cooperate with officials by providing information
2,991 views
- Dec 19, 2023
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.
579 views
- Dec 13, 2023
Animal Haven Zoo cited for feeding maggot-covered meat; failing to treat animals’ health conditions
Animal Haven Zoo cited - animals found with untreated medical conditions and a bear at the roadside zoo found eating maggot-infested meat.
452 views
- Aug 22, 2023
Feds shut down Even Keel Exotics and seize 142 animals
Even Keel Exotics has been permanently shut down and the feds plan to confiscate 142 animals from roadside zoo owner Zachery Keeler.
1,942 views
- Aug 10, 2023
Cicchelli Second Chance Rescue and Exotics permanently shut down by feds
Cicchelli Second Chance Rescue and Exotics, a roadside zoo in Lake City, Michigan, has been permanently shut down by federal officials.
3,142 views
- Jul 28, 2023
Bill Zelenski sentenced to life in prison for Waupaca murder over stolen reptiles
William Zelenski will be eligible for parole in 35 years after being found guilty of killing a Waupaca teen over stolen reptiles.
2,303 views
- Jun 8, 2023
MToxins Venom Lab fined for hiding the death of bald eagle
MToxins Venom Lab in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has been fined for falsifying documents to hide the death of a bald eagle.
6,245 views
- Apr 18, 2023
Cy Vierstra used stolen money to buy exotic animals, hot tubs, kayaks and items for his roadside zoo
Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife Center used stolen money to purchase exotic animals, kayaks, hot tubs and items for his roadside zoo.
2,189 views
- Apr 13, 2023
Animal welfare unknown at Even Keel Exotics after ten missed inspections
Even Keel Exotics in Michigan has missed 83% of USDA inspections in the past year, with ongoing concerns for the welfare of the animals.
727 views
- Mar 1, 2023
African porcupine escapes from Tiger Creek employee’s Texas home
An African porcupine has escaped from the home of Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary employee Natasha Chab and is on the loose in Flint, Texas.
910 views
- Feb 22, 2023
Union Ridge Wildlife Center animals being rehomed while Cy Vierstra heads to prison
The animals at Union Ridge Wildlife Center are being rehomed, according to Ohio officials, weeks after Cy Vierstra was sentenced to prison.
7,036 views
- Feb 6, 2023
Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife Center sentenced to prison for theft of $287,000 in town funds
Cy Vierstra will spend five years in prison for stealing township funds to finance his roadside zoo Union Ridge Wildlife Center.
4,731 views
- Feb 6, 2023
Mother sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in son's murder over stolen reptiles
Tiffany Powell of Waupaca was sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in the murder of her son during a dispute over stolen reptiles.
3,430 views
- Feb 3, 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.
1,238 views
- Jan 30, 2023
A dozen monkeys stolen from a Louisiana zoo
At least 12 monkeys were stolen from Zoosiana in Broussard, Louisiana on January 28, 2023.
290 views
- Jan 11, 2023
Missing and presumed dead: Dog at Rustic Retreat Deer Park
Another animal is missing and presumed dead at the roadside zoo Rustic Retreat Deer Park near Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
657 views
- Jan 6, 2023
Union Ridge Wildlife Center's USDA license canceled in advance of Cy Vierstra's felony sentencing
Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife Center has cancelled his USDA license while awaiting sentencing on five felonies for theft.
1,395 views
- Jan 4, 2023
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary cited with a critical violation for tiger cub drowning deaths
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary has been cited with a critical violation after two tiger cubs drowned in an icy pond.
2,256 views
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