Reptile & Amphibian Forums

MILWAUKEE - Investigators are looking for the owner of dozens of exotic snakes, alligators, turtles, and snakes found in a pair of homes on Milwaukee's south side.

"That's not right at all," said Dennis Lopez, who lives near the homes in the 2300 block of S. 13th St. "I had no idea that was some sort of warehouse."

The Milwaukee Police Department, along with animal care specialists, will begin clearing the warehouse soon, and experts from the Racine County Zoo are on the scene as well. Authorities took about fifty animals from a home a few blocks away on Wednesday. Firefighters carried out huge horse watering troughs.

"Those metal containers contain anaconda snakes," explained Milwaukee Police Lt. Paul Felician. "There were at least five of them that we removed, ranging in size from 20-30 feet in length and probably several hundred pounds."

"We got to see one of those massive snakes today at animal control. We also saw smaller snakes. These are the containers they were found in," he added, pointing at a large metal box. "This one has a feed log written on a notecard. There's also spiders, turtles in plastic crates, large alligators in these bins, babies in this bin, and a single chicken.

Police are requesting assistance from the State Department of Natural Resources. Because it is likely that the animals were moved across state lines, a federal investigation is expected to begin within the next few days.
www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/93697954.html

"Those metal containers contain anaconda snakes," explained Milwaukee Police Lt. Paul Felician. "There were at least five of them that we removed, ranging in size from 20-30 feet in length and probably several hundred pounds."

I watched the video. It never ends. Was the woman that said these animals belonged in the wild an AR person?

Cindy, can you tell us anything?

jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

No comment? Will that work.

The woman who made the comment is the director of the animal control facility.
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Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
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That's fine. Thanks for the reply.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

WITI-TV, MILWAUKEE - It's a job that's going to take more than 24 hours to complete. Experts from animal control in Milwaukee, the DNR, Racine Zoo and fire and police officials are all taking part in the removal of hundreds of exotic animals from a building near 13th and Lincoln on the city's south side.

Snakes as long as 30 feet, turtles, spiders and alligators are just some of the animals being removed from the building. Officials say there were literally hundreds of creatures inside the structure. Thursday, officials from all the agencies involved were methodically removing the animals from the building.

All of the creatures are said to be the property of Terry Cullen, a nationally-known expert on exotic animals. They were being housed in cages and tanks. Some were kept in plastic containers; others in horse troughs.

Police executed a search warrant on Cullen's building on Wednesday afternoon and found the animals. Why the warrant was issued in the first place has yet to be revealed. But when officers first entered the building, they felt threatened by some dogs that met them at the door. Those officers shot and killed two Tibetan mastiffs.
www.fox6now.com/news/witi-100513-exotic-animals-story,0,6418101.story

Sounds like an AR orchestrated sting (witch hunt).
I'm pretty sure they write the copy for the local news.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

I have met Terry Cullen but do not know him well. I do know for a fact he has had animals there for well over 25 years with NO incident that I'm aware of. He also is NOT a novice collector and likely most of the herps were well cared for in his possession. More than likely the seized herp part of it is grossly exaggerated and I feel bad for him as he now has a huge problem to deal with just because he's a Herpetoculturist. The very fact that a person keeps these creatures opens them up for attacks on many fronts. We are likely the most discriminated subculture in the U.S....sorry for the rant
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

I hope this was a suspected grow house because this is the tactic they use for drug dealers, bust in and kill the dogs. It could have been a false claim and if they looked at the power bill it probobly would have been high leading to suspition and when they found reptiles they were trying trying to save face and find something wrong. I hope nothing is wrong and he is able to sue the [bleep] out of them but I am sure they are protected from any wrong doing. If this was realy about reptiles this is very disturbing that they would use such aggressive force. It would be easy to get animal control get the dogs befor they go in to kill them is completely unexcusable. I hope it all turnes of out to be a mistake.
Rob

Tom, wasn't Terry involved with crocodilians, and a recipiant of one of the auctions at Daytona a few years ago?

And they had to kill the dogs????

Yes, he was...thanks
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Sounds like a witch hunt....

He's at Daytona every year. He's good friends with Sam Seashole. I have the feeling the sexual assault thing was an excuse to hit the place. He's pretty legit. And I want to see a 30' anaconda.

Terry is one of the most knowledgeable herp persons out there.
Especially with crocodilians.
I hope this gets straightened out soon for the animals sake and Terry's.
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Tim Cole
www.austinherpsociety.org
www.AustinReptileExpo.com/
www.AustinReptileService.net
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<
Conservation through Education

This story has that distinctive stink about it. I agree completely with the discrimination statement. Still don't understand why the ACLU can't take up our cause.
The photos of the containers makes for good fodder for the yellow journalists (AR propaganda). We MUST do a better job of informing the American Public regarding our SOP's and Best Use Practices in the Herp Trade. They are as ignorant and in the dark on that as they are about snakes in general.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Someone set Terry up, plain and simple. If someone with his background can be hit, no one is safe. I'm surprised the guy from the zoo wasn't aware of his work.

>> Still don't understand why the ACLU can't take up our cause.

They have better things to do like trying to get brutal murderers off of death row...

All kidding aside, if our case has merit, I don't see how the ACLU can turn us down. Do we have to bring suit against them to get them to represent us?

It is a fact and it CAN be proven that individuals, organizations, governments, institutions, and others all actively spread inflammatory prejudicial unsupportable opinions (untruths, half truths, conjecture, out right lies), premeditatedly and with malice aforethought, against us AS A CLASS!

If we are not being institutionally discriminated against, then no one is.

jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Busting in and killing the dogs! Taking your animals you've worked with for over 20 yrs. No, That is going to far. There could be a new t-shirt coming out with someone in a ski mask or bandanna covered face, Holding a big Python with the words," UNDERGROUND HERPETACULTURE 2011." Submit your entry! VM

The proper caricature should be a Home Invasion Crew with the bandannas, with ski masks, armed to the teeth with all kinds of anti-personnel weapons, holding a tattered despoiled copy of the Constitution in one hand and a badge in the other.

Alternatively, you could just write POLICE on the shirt and have a gun in hand.

This would work for many similar disenfranchised groups.

Are any artists available?

jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Someday if the punishment for keeping an anole is the same as a figi iguana or a komodo dragon guess what we'll be keeping!!
Enough said!!!! LOL

JOURNAL SENTINEL (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) 13 May 10 Police arrest woman on suspicion of mistreating animals (Ryan Haggerty)
Police and employees of area zoos and animal shelters spent much of Thursday removing some of an estimated 200 exotic animals, including at least 24 boa constrictors and more than 12 crocodiles, from a two-story building on Milwaukee's south side, officials at the scene said.
More animals will be removed from the building Friday, said Craig Berg, curator of reptiles and aquarium at the Milwaukee County Zoo.
A 50-year-old woman who police say lives in the building was arrested on suspicion of mistreating animals and violating regulations regarding endangered or threatened species, a police spokesman said.
The list of animals found in the building at 2323 S. 13th St. includes alligators, snakes, rodents and snapping turtles, officials said.
Dozens of other exotic animals were removed from a house in the 3400 block of S. 17th St. on Wednesday night, after the animals were discovered by police who were executing a search warrant as part of an investigation into a sexual assault complaint, police Sgt. Mark Stanmeyer said.
Almost all the animals in the building on S. 13th St. were found on the ground floor and in the basement, said Jay Christie, president and chief executive of the Racine Zoo, who was called to the building to help identify the animals.
Two turtles were found on the second floor, he said.
Among the animals found in the building were a 6-foot crocodile and an alligator snapping turtle that weighs as much as 150 pounds, Christie said.
Christie, Berg and employees of Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control, the state Department of Natural Resources and other agencies were photographing and trying to identify the animals. Many workers donned respirators or surgical masks before entering the building.
City workers built wooden, coffin-size crates with breathing holes drilled into the sides to transport the largest animals. Smaller animals were being transported in any available container, including clear, plastic storage boxes.
The decomposed bodies of several animals were found in the building, Berg said. Among the living animals, some were in "subpar condition," but most should be able to make a full recovery, Christie said.
The inside of the brick building was a cluttered mess of animal cages and tanks, according to police officers, firefighters and others who had been inside.
Many reptiles were kept in horse troughs filled with foul water, Berg said.
Police officers spotted a 4-foot crocodile loose in the building when they entered, said Richard Kaiser, chief of the Milwaukee Fire Department's fourth battalion.
"I have not seen this many animals or the conditions we encountered in my career, and I've been here 25 years," said Kaiser, who said the inside of the building reeked.
The address on S. 13th St. is listed in several online directories as that of an organization called Cullen Vivarium Wildlife Conservancy.
Dennis Lopez, who lives next door to the building on S. 13th St., said he had no idea he had hundreds of exotic animals for neighbors.
"It's totally shocking," Lopez said, standing among several dozen people watching from across the street as the animals were removed. "From what I've seen come out of there, you wouldn't even believe (the animals) got in there in the first place."
Lopez, 33, said he didn't notice anything out of the ordinary at the building, except for a large number of trucks and vans making deliveries late at night.
The building appears to be vacant when viewed from 13th St. A video camera mounted next to a second-floor window is aimed at the front door.
"It all seemed really normal," Lopez said. "Nothing suspicious."
Police arrest woman on suspicion of mistreating animals

" Cullen Vivarium Wildlife Conservancy" is legit. Maybe Terry wasn't aware of all that was going on.

Like Tom, I didn't know him well, but well enough. We have a mutual friend that knows him very well, a croc veterinarian, and I know he wouldn't allow that to go on.

So then it is true, Neanderthals did interbreed with Homo sapiens.

Who's to say how bad the odor was, and who's to say respirators were necessary. The same idiots that say the Anacondas are 30 ft. long.

Why do the most blatant misstatements of fact and misguided unsubstantiated opinions consistently get reported as indisputable fact?

jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

"There were at least five of them that we removed, ranging in size from 20-30 feet in length and probably several hundred pounds."

The name of the organization escapes me (not enough caffine yet) but don't the people behind the Bronx zoo have a reward for any snake caught over 30ft?
I seem to recall it was over half a million dollars.
I know this is just another case of the average male with an acute disability of accurately estimating length.
I am sure all their girlfriends are disappointed with them the first time they get the clothes off these guys as well.

HAHAHA
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1.0 Albino American alligator, "Smoke"
1.1 American alligator,"Al Bite Ya & Molly"
1.1 Purple Albino Reticulated Pythons, "Gumbo & Abita"
0.1 Eastern Gaboon Viper, "Gabbie" Recently passed away at 24 years old
Help me find this snake!

The AR crowd seems to believe that the end justifies the means and that all thing are fair in love and war.
They have a notable track record of killing animals in the name of their cause. The only issue would be whether the dogs were dispatched humanely or not.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

The only issue would be whether the dogs were dispatched humanely or not.
jsc

By 'humanely' I'm sure you mean if they get to do it themselves.
The word itself, "humane"; is rhetorical hypocrisy.

Good point. Thanks for your contribution.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

I searched out all the news stories on this that I could last night and only one had the positive comments in it. Even the negative comments made by some of the on site interviewees seem to have some positive comments that almost all the stations left out. In a normal "raid" like this in Milwaukee the local animal shelters would call Terry as one of their contacts to house animals. They had to have an address for him as part of their contact info... did they just not notice he was in the city limits of Milwaukee?? Did Terry provide an alternative address?? Who knows... It is also fair to point out that as far as I know he owned the building and had been there many many years prior to the exotic animal ban being enacted by the city of Milwaukee. On the flip side it would have been up to him to get a grandfather clause added for him and his business.

At least one report admits that the animal were in overall good shape and care but some were not. At this point it is fair to point out again that he did reptile rescue, so some of these "unhealthy" animals may have been rescues. Another thing the same report mentioned was that the officials lost control of one of the crocodiles and it was "free roaming" for a little while while they regrouped, other reports talk about free roaming crocs...

Some mention of floors covered in feces were made but if he had walk in cages for the large crocs then the floor would be part of the cage and he may have had a house down procedure much like many zoos do. I personally know nothing about Terry other than he was near me at an educational show and all of his animals there appeared completely healthy and in good shape. I do feel bad for him and his dogs (which were shot and killed) for sure. Hopefully this will all get worked out favorably in the end.

Jason

There was mention of a 6' croc "guarding it's nest". Is a 6 footer breeding size?

It would be for a dwarf camian.. Really I have no idea what he had there and the only crocodilians I ever saw him with were the chinese alligators. But if he was breeding some croc there it is much more likely he had better conditions than what is being reported.

Just saw somewhere else that he was apparently out of town meeting with some guys from China from a Chinese Alligator farm and a researcher that is trying to study them in the wild. He was working out his end of the project which was financial support.

Jason

There is the possibility that this unfortunate situation could turn around and bite the AR crowd in the ass if his good works are considered.

Of course, the AR folks are rather good at distancing themselves from their surrogates with smoke and mirrors.

Regardless, a serious effort should be made to get the reality and any mitigating circumstances out to the media.

Realistically, it might take filing a lawsuit for illegal prosecution, prosecutorial misconduct, or official oppression to get the attention of the media.

Guess we'll see.

jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

I'm wagering the sexual assault complaint was a way to get in there. And maybe they knew he was out of town.

http://animalhoardinginfo.blogspot.com/2010/05/terry-cullen-milwaukee-wisconsin.html

Don't hoarders generally have such a emotional attachment to the animals they have that they neglect both theirs and the animals care?
I don't see the evidence that Mr. Cullen was a "hoarder".
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1.0 Albino American alligator, "Smoke"
1.1 American alligator,"Al Bite Ya & Molly"
1.1 Purple Albino Reticulated Pythons, "Gumbo & Abita"
0.1 Eastern Gaboon Viper, "Gabbie" Recently passed away at 24 years old
Help me find this snake!

Several species of crocodilians could breed at 6 feet. But I can't of one that would have a nest at this time of the year(in the U.S.)
I think most people who are not reptile people would think the vast majority of reptile people are hoarders.
After all if you have 1 dog 10 snakes is going to seem like a lot.D.C.

TMJ4 (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) 18 May 10 Frozen Alligator Found In Reptile Guru's Home (Tom Murray)
Milwaukee: Neighbors and city officials are urging the owner of the secret reptile warehouse to turn himself in. Police raided what is believed to be 60-year-old Terry Cullen's residence on Monday.
Police emerged carrying a frozen alligator from the home in the 3300 block of S. Kinnickinnic Avenue. They also found a dead snake carcass, but no live animals.
Neighbor Jim Sinicki watched police search the home and took pictures.
"There's no telling what he had in there before the police came by," Sinicki told TODAY'S TMJ4 reporter Tom Murray. "I just want to know some answers, like why is he doing this."
Cullen's warehouse at 2323 S. 13th Street is now boarded up and condemned by the city. Last week, authorities removed some 250 exotic animals from the property and another 60 creatures from his girlfriend's home, including five giant anacondas.
Alderman Jim Witkowiak, who represents the near south side, is calling for Cullen to come forward.
"A lot of the reptiles in here were basically neglected," Witkowiak said. "I just wish he would come forth and cooperate with the police."
On a YouTube video, Cullen urges people to call him with donations for his Chinese alligator fund. He answered that phone last week and told police he was in Connecticut, but has yet to turn himself in.
An attorney who has represented Cullen said he had "no comment" when reached by a reporter Monday.
Police began looking at the addresses as part of a sexual assault complaint, but have not named the target of that investigation.
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/93984359.html
Frozen Alligator Found In Reptile Guru's Home

JOURNAL TIMES (Racine, Wisconsin) 19 May 10 Crocodiles, turtle rescued from warehouse coming to Racine (Janine Anderson)
Racine: Three crocodiles and one turtle rescued from a warehouse in Milwaukee will be cared for at the Racine Zoo.
Zoo President and CEO Jay Christie went to Milwaukee last week to help police and other agencies remove hundreds of animals from the south side warehouse. Most of the animals - which included turtles, snakes, alligators and crocodiles - were in containers, though some of the largest were roaming freely throughout the building.
The animals were discovered when Milwaukee police executed search warrants related to a sexual assault investigation. Racine Zoo staff helped identify and collect about 250 reptiles.
Three crocodiles arrived at the zoo on Monday - an 8-foot-long African slender-snouted crocodile, a 5 1/2-foot-long West African dwarf crocodile and a 5 1/2-foot-long crocodile of undeterminable species. A 175-pound alligator snapping turtle is expected to arrive Wednesday.
The zoo is providing temporary housing and care for the animals, which will be here indefinitely. They will not be on exhibit.
Crocodiles, turtle rescued from warehouse coming to Racine

{Video link at URL below}
WITI (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) 18 May 10 Owner of animals seized by Milwaukee Police speaks out (Myra Sanchick)
Milwaukee: The owner of hundreds of reptiles seized by Milwaukee police in south side house last week speaks exclusively to FOX6.
In an email statement Terry Cullen says , "I've been trying to deal with this Machiavellian nightmare while out of town. I've been gravely ill, far from being on the run. I've been back in town with my attorney for the past two days engaged in the appropriate necessary and legal formalities. I am overwhelmingly concerned for the well being of our animals..."
Cullen says he is also very saddened at the loss of his two dogs, Pogo and Kong who were shot by police during the raid. Cullen goes on to say he's devoted his life conservation, and now his life is shattered.
Milwaukee Police say that the criminal matters in the case are currently under review and depositions are on the way.
Meanwhile FOX6 has learned that some of the animals are being shorted in a garage on S. 6th St. according to one source. At least one worker tells FOX 6 the animals are to starting to smell. City spokesman says they have an expert taking care of the animals.
The Racine Zoo says it has three crocodiles and a turtle.
Here's the entire statement from Terry Cullen:"I have been trying to deal with this Machiavellian nightmare while out of town and gravely ill. Far from "being on the run" I have been back in town with my attorneys for the past two days engaged in the appropriate, necessary legal formalities. I am overwhelmingly concerned for the well being of our animals; the terrible stresses that they have been subjected to and their transport to utterly unfamiliar surroundings. My heart truly breaks at the very thought of the loss of my best friends and loyal companions, Pogo and Kong, our two dogs. You have no concept of our pain at their loss. While the much of the media has vilified and excoriated me with inaccuracies, half-truths and shameful sensationalism, the truth lies far, far from their irresponsible, knee-jerk rantings. Jane and I have devoted our all to conservation. Our shattered lives and reputations have been our reward." Terry Cullen
http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-100518-animal-houses-folo,0,6450177.story?track=rss

JOURNAL-SENTINEL (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) 18 May 10 Exotic animals found at third location (Ryan Haggerty)
The investigation into the people believed to be responsible for hundreds of reptiles found living in squalid conditions last week has spread to a third location in Milwaukee, a Milwaukee police spokeswoman said Tuesday.
Officers found an alligator and a snake Monday inside a house in the 3300 block of S. Kinnickinnic Ave., police spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz said.
The alligator was frozen and the snake was dead, according to WTMJ-TV (Channel 4).
The house is listed in court records as the residence of Terry Cullen. Cullen has kept reptiles for years, has spoken at conventions for people who keep reptiles and has consulted with several local agencies that work with reptiles, including the Wisconsin Humane Society.
In a telephone interview Tuesday, Cullen said he has devoted his life to the conservation of reptiles.
"I have basically given my life to conservation, and I've been repaid with a shattered reputation and life," he said.
Cullen, 60, said he is in the Milwaukee area and is "engaging in all appropriate and necessary legal endeavors relating to this case."
Cullen has not been arrested, but police want to speak with him, Schwartz said.
Cullen's girlfriend, 50-year-old Jane E. Flint, was arrested May 12 on suspicion of mistreating animals and violating regulations regarding endangered or threatened species.She has not yet been charged.
The case began last week when officers investigating a sexual assault complaint found at least 250 animals at two south side addresses.
Police haven't identified the target of the assault investigation.
Dozens of animals, including anacondas, were found inside a house in the 3400 block of S. 17th St. Flint owns the house, according to Milwaukee property records.
Flint and Cullen are listed in tax records as running a nonprofit organization called Cullen Vivarium Wildlife Conservancy Inc. in a building at 2323 S. 13th St.
Police and officials from area zoos who searched that building last week found more than 200 animals, including at least 24 boa constrictors and more than a dozen crocodiles.
Hundreds of mice and rats blanketed the basement floor, and many of the animals - ranging from alligators to turtles - were unable to turn around because the containers in which they were kept were too small and filled with waste, according to an arrest report released last week.
Prosecutors could begin reviewing the case later this week, Milwaukee County Deputy District Attorney Kent Lovern said.
Three crocodiles and a 175-pound alligator snapping turtle are being housed temporarily at the Racine Zoo.
The rest of the animals are being kept in several locations that police have declined to identify.
Cullen said he was told most of the animals are being kept in unheated city garages. He said cold temperatures can harm the animals.
"To me, the utter cruelty is beyond belief," he said of the treatment of the animals since they were discovered.
Schwartz responded in a statement:
"Milwaukee Police, with the help of accredited animal experts, removed these animals from the deplorable conditions in which they were being kept. The animals are now being held safely and in healthy environments, which was not the case when they were discovered during the search warrants."
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/94219339.html

WISN (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) 19 May 10 Owner: Exotic Animals Better Off With Him Than In Police Custody
Milwaukee: Milwaukee police are defending the care of more than 200 reptiles and rodents seized in a series of raids last week.
The owner of the animals has publicly suggested they were better off when he had them.
Police said they're still compiling their case a week after they first raided a storefront and another address, seizing alligators, crocodiles, anacondas and a host of turtles and rodents.
Container after container, the animals were hauled out of the building at 13th Street and Lincoln Avenue last week.
No charges have been filed in the case and the 60-year-old owner hasn't been arrested.
However, his 50-year-old girlfriend was arrested by police on charges of intentional mistreatment of animals and possession of an endangered species.
Police said the animal removal and charges are all part of an ongoing sexual assault investigation, although a police report detailing the arrest states the search warrant "was specifically for the purpose of locating endangered species."
The woman has since been released on $15,000 bail and is awaiting a decision on charges that could come this week.
Meantime, in a published interview, the self-described reptile expert who owns the animals claimed they're not getting the care they need while in police custody.
However, Milwaukee police took issue with the allegation, 12 News reporter Nick Bohr said.
The detective in charge of the investigation told 12 News, "That's a patent lie. They're in a much better condition than I found them in."
Lt. Paul Felician went on to say the animals are in the care of zoological experts at undisclosed city buildings and are getting the heat they need to survive.
Police said they don't know where the owner is and would like to talk to him.
When reached by 12 News, the owner said he couldn't comment on the record.
Police continue to be guarded about the investigation, barring the media from taking pictures or video of the confiscated animals. They've also obtained a court order sealing the release of exactly what they found in their search warrants.
Owner: Exotic Animals Better Off With Him Than In Police Custody