PETA Rallies Supporters to Push for Cruelty Charges Against Lazy 5 Ranch

Vet, USDA Point to Chronic Neglect of Exotic Animals Ignored by County Animal Control, the Body Responsible for Local Law Enforcement

For Immediate Release:
August 11, 2011 

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Mooresville, N.C. — PETA has posted an action alert on its popular website asking visitors to contact the Rowan County Animal Control (RCAC) to demand a full criminal investigation of apparent ongoing, systemic animal neglect by Mooresville-based roadside zoo Lazy 5 Ranch. PETA sent extensive documentation of this neglect to RCAC—but RCAC did nothing but forward the material to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which has no authority to enforce local and state animal protection laws. Although the USDA has cited Lazy 5 Ranch repeatedly for violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act and ordered owner Henry Hampton to provide proper veterinary care for the zoo's animals, Hampton has refused to do so, and his animals continue to suffer. RCAC is the only body with the authority to investigate the facility for compliance with local laws and, if any apparent violations are found, to charge Hampton with cruelty to animals.

Of particular concern is Lazy 5 Ranch's continuing failure to provide adequate veterinary care to a young giraffe with severely overgrown hooves. USDA documents indicate that the giraffe has been forced to languish in this painful, damaging condition for more than nine months. Dr. Mel Richardson, a veterinarian with 42 years of experience caring for captive wild animals, reviewed the evidence, including photographs of the giraffe's feet, and concluded: "This giraffe's current condition is painful and places her future in jeopardy. . . . Allowing this abnormal condition to continue is clearly causing unnecessary discomfort and, in my view, is causing this animal unnecessary suffering."

For more information, please visit PETA.org.