Four plaintiffs stepped forward with accusations that owners of the Cricket Hollow Animal Park, Pam and Tom Sellner, were violating animal neglect laws. The plaintiffs wanted a judge to order the Sellners to not purchase any more animals going forward.
The judge ruled in favour of the plaintiffs and initially, over 150 animals were removed from the premises, which is considered a zoo in Manchester, Iowa. The animals ranged from black bears to gerbils.
“The animals are living in deplorable conditions,” Delaware County District Judge Monica Wittig wrote, calling their enclosures “subpar in all manners.”
Sadly, many of the animals were placed next to their predators which made it very disturbing for them. Additionally, the environment at the zoo was not healthy for human visitors, as the animals relieved themselves in the same areas where they ate. They had no consistent access to fresh, clean water.
One of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, the Animal League Defense Fund, is helping transfer the animals to various sanctuaries. Over the course of 18 hours, 159 animals were removed. These included mice, rabbits, sheep, raccoons, geese, mini horses, goats, cats, and more.
For additional information on the animals saved, please press play on the video below.
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