U.S. Global Exotics loses appeal in animal seizure case

by SUSAN SCHROCK

posted Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010



ARLINGTON — U.S. Global Exotics will not regain custody of the more than 27,000 animals seized by Arlington, a county civil court judge decided Saturday.



Judge Jennifer Rymell of Tarrant County Court at Law No. 2 affirmed Arlington Municipal Judge Michael Smith’s decision that the international pet wholesaler had cruelly treated the animals, which were removed Dec. 15 in the largest such seizure in U.S. history.



The animals, mostly reptiles and amphibians, were inhumanely confined in cramped and dirty cages and denied necessary food, water and veterinary care, Smith wrote in his order.



U.S. Global Exotics appealed the Municipal Court decision, arguing that the city violated the Constitution in seizing the company’s entire animal inventory without providing enough evidence that all the animals were cruelly treated. The company has been closed since the raid, and the owners, Jasen and Vanessa Shaw, have not decided whether they will reopen, said Lance Evans, an attorney for the Shaws.



Rymell’s decision cannot be appealed. The city will turn over ownership of the animals to the SPCA of Texas, which has cared for them since the raid. The nonprofit agency, which has spent about $10,000 a day on the animals’ care, has already made arrangements with zoos, sanctuaries and rescue groups to give the animals permanent homes.



Source: www.star-telegram.com/local/story/1935380.html



This needs to be a wake-up call for everyone in the pet business: import/exporters, wholesalers, retailers and hobbyists; fail to provide proper care for some of your animals and you could loose them all.

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