Witness Reports That Abuse of Animals Continues Despite Open USDA Investigation of Welfare Violations
For Immediate Release:
November 8, 2012
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
Fayetteville, N.C. -- Following a report, including photographs, from a visitor to Jambbas Ranch—the subject of a successful PETA lawsuit that resulted in the recent high-profile rescue of Ben the bear—that animals at the facility have been denied clean drinking water, are suffering from open wounds, and are languishing in filthy, reeking cages, among other abuses, PETA has sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) asking for an immediate and unannounced inspection of Jambbas.
"Apparently, even an open USDA investigation isn't enough to stop this cruel roadside zoo from depriving animals of even their most basic necessities, including drinkable water," says PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Delcianna Winders. "PETA is calling on the USDA to investigate this new evidence as soon as possible and take immediate action to ensure that these suffering and injured animals get the care that they desperately need."
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
PETA's letter to the USDA follows.
November 8, 2012
Elizabeth Goldentyer, D.V.M.
Eastern Regional Director
USDA, APHIS, Animal Care
920 Main Campus Dr., Ste. 200
Raleigh, NC 27606-5210
Re: Request for Unannounced Inspection of Jambbas Ranch Tours Inc.
(License No. 55-B-0177)
Dear Dr. Goldentyer:
On behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), I am writing to request that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) immediately conduct an unannounced inspection of Jambbas Ranch Tours Inc. (no. 55-B-0177; "Jambbas") for apparent Animal Welfare Act (AWA) violations. A concerned citizen who visited Jambbas on November 4, 2012, reported the following conditions at Jambbas, which implicate numerous AWA regulations:
(1) A Shetland pony is housed in the same enclosure as an ostrich even though the pony kicks at the ostrich, clearly indicating that the animals are incompatible, in violation of 9 C.F.R. § 3.133.
(2) At least two bison are suffering from apparently untreated open wounds in apparent violation of 9 C.F.R. § 2.40(b)(2).
(3) Rabbits are held in filthy enclosures in a barn where the smell of ammonia is so strong that it burned the concerned citizen's eyes, in apparent violation of 9 C.F.R.§ 3.56(a)-(b).
(4) Dogs suffer from crusty eyes and do not have access to potable water in apparent violation of 9 C.F.R. § 2.40(b)(2) and § 3.10.
(5) Virtually all water receptacles at Jambbas contain filthy water, in apparent violation of 9 C.F.R. §3.130.
Please refer to the attached appendix for a detailed discussion. We urge you to inspect Jambbas immediately, and if you find AWA violations, please take appropriate action and ensure that the animals who are kept at Jambbas receive all necessary veterinary care, are supplied with fresh water, and are housed in adequate and sanitary conditions. Please inform me of the complaint number that your agency assigns to this correspondence. Thank you.
Very truly yours,
Delcianna Winders
Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement