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Charges Against Bowmanville Zoo Owner Michael Hackenberger

In late 2015, PETA released a video exposé revealing the cruel training practices of the Bowmanville Zoo and its owner, Hollywood trainer Michael Hackenberger. PETA provided the Ontario SPCA with the evidence, and Hackenberger was charged with five counts of cruelty to animals for offenses including viciously whipping the young tiger in the video and pressing his thumb into a tiger’s eye. These charges carry a potential jail sentence and/or a lifetime ban on owning or working with animals.

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“Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights?”

— Ingrid Newkirk, PETA Founder and co-author of Animalkind

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