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
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Roadside Zoo News
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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.
662 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.
2,077 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.
3,295 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.
2,516 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.
6,710 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.
733 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.
10,367 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.
6,387 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.
1,288 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.
1,447 views
Nov 22, 2022
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.
582 views
Nov 21, 2022
East Texas Zoo and Gator Park listed for sale by Jason Clay, along with Franklin Drive Thru Safari
East Texas Zoo and Gator Park has now been listed for sale by Jason Clay, following the sale listing for Franklin Drive Thru Safari.
2,673 views
Nov 20, 2022
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary tiger cub death toll rises to five after two cubs drown in icy pond
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary's tiger cub death toll rises to five after two tiger cubs drowned in an icy pond during a frigid Wisconsin night.
5,632 views
Nov 13, 2022
Franklin Drive Thru Safari listed for sale after Jason Clay’s wildlife trafficking indictment
Franklin Drive Thru Safari has been listed for sale after owner Jason Clay's indictment on wildlife trafficking charges with Doc Antle.
6,601 views
Nov 5, 2022
Videos show Morgan Machnik of Premier Exotics abusing animals
Premier Exotics owner Morgan Machnik abuses animals, photo and video evidence shows.
8,261 views
Oct 27, 2022
Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife pleads guilty to five felonies for stealing from Vinton township
Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife Center faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to five felonies for stealing from his town.
1,374 views
Oct 27, 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.
283 views
Oct 23, 2022
Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife Center commits fraud while on bond for felony case
Union Ridge Wildlife Center owner Cy Vierstra is fraudulently soliciting donations to cover legal fees and restitution in his criminal case.
1,441 views
Oct 18, 2022
Cicchelli Second Chance Rescue and Exotics cited with 42 violations in the past year
Cicchelli Second Chance Rescue and Exotics has been cited with 42 violations in the past year and may lose their license to exhibit animals.
352 views
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