Feds file a claim against “Tiger King Park” owners over “insufficient” care of jeopardized animals
The Department of Justice on Thursday filed a civil complaint in the Eastern District of Oklahoma versus Jeff and Lauren Lowe, the couple team profiled in the prominent docu-series “Tiger King,” for running an unlicensed event park with threatened animals.
The DOJ affirmed in their legal action that after Jeff Lowe’s USDA license was put on hold for “insufficient” and also “incorrect” treatment and also handling of animals secured by the Endangered Species Act in August, he and also his better half, Lauren, relocated their now-unlicensed facility to escape government oversight.
For years, the Lowes ran the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, which was previously possessed by Joseph Maldanado-Passage– additionally understood as “Joe Exotic,” the star of “Tiger King.” The USDA suspended Jeff Lowe’s Animal Welfare Act exhibitor certificate in August after assessors observed offenses including poor nutrition of animals, failing to guarantee hygienic conditions, as well as inappropriate maintenance to units.
Get Breaking News Delivered to Your Inbox Federal attorneys state that the Lowes have because averted government assessment of their brand-new 33-acre parcel of land in rural Thackerville, Oklahoma, called “Tiger King Park.” “Tiger King Park” has actually been real estate jeopardized pets without correct licensing, according to the DOJ.
Federal detectives affirm the roadside zoo run by the Lowes has possibly 100 to 200 pets on display, including some secured by the Endangered Species Act, such as tigers, lions, a grizzly bear and ring-tailed lemurs.
“The government has no information concerning the facility’s arrangements for water system or waste disposal at the center,” the DOJ said. “Upon details and idea, there is no metropolitan water or drain solution at the center.”
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“The Lowes’ animals have actually struggled with and remain to struggle with treatable or conveniently avoidable conditions, which in some instances has actually created the untimely death of animals,” the issue claims. “Indeed, in the last 2 years, many animals have not been seen and/or dealt with by a veterinarian in any way.”
In one instance, examiners said they saw a lion cub named Nala that was not given appropriate treatment by the Lowes and also wound up establishing metabolic bone illness, a condition created by a calcium-deficient diet that causes weak bones. In March, the cub required surgical procedure after ingesting a broken plastic plaything that was left in her enclosure, and throughout the see, the veterinarian health center uncovered she had whipworms, assessors said.
The USDA report claimed Nala was “sluggish, clinically depressed, and slim and would certainly not rise out of the mud from the sitting position even after triggering.” The Lowes were bought to get Nala prompt care by a veterinarian– yet the government says they falsely declared to have an appointment currently set up.
“Due to the Lowes’ failing to offer adequate nutrition and also treatment, Nala has dealt with unpleasant as well as possibly deadly conditions,” the grievance claims.
Because moving locations to Thackerville, court files show just how the Lowes have been showcasing their animals at the brand-new center using the platform Cameo. Lauren Lowe has been seen with lions and also tigers on the paid registration site “OnlyFans,” the DOJ said.
Lowe claimed in March 2018 to have “found out a great deal about sidetracking, drawing away interest, & utilizing smoke and mirrors in the last couple of years,” and also has additionally stated, “If we lose a suit, we just alter the name and open one more pet organization someplace else, we all have several USDA licenses available,” according to the issue.
“The Lowes’ failure to offer standard veterinary care, appropriate food, and secure living problems for the pets does not fulfill requirements required by both the Animal Welfare Act and also the Endangered Species Act,” Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jonathan D. Brightbill of the Environment and Natural Resources Division at the Justice Department claimed in a statement. “Exhibitors can not avert the legislation simply by locking out the USDA as well as relocating their pets elsewhere.”
The government is asking the court to hand over certain pets to the United States, to permit immediate federal examination of the Thackerville center as well as to prevent the Lowes from exhibiting their animals personally or online, amongst other requests. No lawyers are yet on apply for the Lowes.
The problem comes nearly a year after the launch of the Netflix docu-series, which pushed the story of large pet cat possession into nationwide preferred culture.