The former owner of a private zoo located in Gironde was sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of €1,250 by the Libourne court, Tuesday November 5, 2024, reports France Blue Gironde . The man, who welcomed exotic animals such as panthers, wallabies and lemurs on his land, was notably found guilty of mistreatment, detention of corpses, breaches of waste management rules and even concealed work.
Unworthy conditions
As recalled Southwest an investigation was opened at the beginning of 2022 after the death of a tiger on the Moulin de Montfrange site, in Espiet. In total, 55 animals were seized while living in unsanitary and unsuitable conditions.
The owner of the premises increased the number of violations, notably employing untrained staff and welcoming the public without sufficient security. “There was also pollution because there was a whole bunch of food droppings that were rotting and flowing into the nearby watercourse”indicates to France Blue Me François Ruffié, lawyer for the Association for the Protection of Wild Animals.
“I deeply love animals”
During his trial which was held on September 10, the defendant defended himself: “I deeply love animals. Not everything was perfect. I always did everything for them”he declared on the stand. But for Me François Ruffié, “it is not legitimate to keep exotic animals outside their environment. And if we must have it, it must be completely impeccable in terms of hygiene, well-being management and administrative monitoring”.
The 55 animals were definitively confiscated. They will be supported by the 30 Million Friends Foundation. The former zoo manager was issued with a permanent ban on carrying out any activity related to animals.
France
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