PETA Investigation Prompts Federal Arrest Warrant for Animal Dealer

Owner of U.S. Global Exotics Now a Fugitive; PETA Releases Footage That Led to Historic Seizure of 26,000 Animals From Texas Warehouse

For Immediate Release:
May 4, 2010

Contact:
Daphna Nachminovitch 757-622-7382 

Arlington, Texas -- Just months after a PETA undercover cruelty investigation led to the seizure of more than 26,000 animals from the now-defunct U.S. Global Exotics, Inc. (USGE), former USGE owner Jasen Shaw, who is wanted by the federal government, is now on the run. Shaw is under investigation for smuggling, conspiracy, and aiding and abetting--all of which are violations of the Lacey Act, a wildlife protection law that is enforced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Shaw is believed to have fled to his native New Zealand in an attempt to escape prosecution in the U.S. PETA has just released investigative video footage that has never before been seen by the public.

"Federal wildlife laws protect species from overexploitation and ensure humane transport of live animals in trade," said Special Agent-in-Charge Nicholas Chavez, who oversees U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service law-enforcement operations in the Southwest. "We appreciate PETA's help with this case. We were able to take the information PETA used to secure the seizure of the animals, launch a separate investigation of U.S. Global Exotics' import practices, and document multiple violations. While most importers comply with wildlife protection laws, this company did not."

"For years, U.S. Global Exotics was hell on Earth for animals, but now its owner is on the run," says PETA Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. "We commend the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for taking swift and decisive action, and we hope that this case puts the notoriously cruel international animal trade on notice."

USGE was a multimillion-dollar business that bought and sold hundreds of thousands of animals a year and counted among its customers wholesale dealers that supply animals to pet stores and pet store chains--including PetSmart and PETCO. Evidence gathered during PETA's seven-month investigation was shared with local and federal law-enforcement officials and resulted in the largest cruelty-to-animals seizure in history. USGE stopped doing business immediately following the seizure. The company's license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture has been canceled, and its Arlington facility is up for sale. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Shaw or his wife, Vanessa, is encouraged to call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement at 817-334-5202.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.