Feds Settle With Chronic Violator Despite Dozens of Charges—PETA Calls for Investigation Into 'Slap on the Wrist'
For
Immediate Release:
March
21, 2013
Contact:
David
Perle 202-483-7382
Davenport, Fla. -- Following years of complaints by PETA, Davenport-based circus-operator Hugo Liebel has been ordered to pay the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) a civil penalty of $7,500 and to cease and desist from violating the federal Animal Welfare Act. Liebel had been facing nearly three dozenformal charges, including repeatedly chaining an elephant named Nosey so tightly that she could barely move and denying her adequate veterinary care.
Liebel has an egregious history of animal neglect and abuse and previously paid $2,885 to the USDA in 2005 for similar violations and also paid a fine in Florida for allowing a monkey to escape and run loose, reportedly for more than five weeks, in 2009.
Liebel faced a maximum penalty of $330,000 as well as possible revocation of his USDA license. PETA is calling on the USDA inspector general to investigate the settlement of Liebel's 33 serious charges. Multiple audits have concluded that the USDA's stipulated penalties are so nominal that abusers simply consider them a cost of doing business.
"Hugo Liebel has repeatedly flouted animal welfare laws, and paltry fines have not stopped him from doing so," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "Instead of coddling chronic violators, the USDA must impose meaningful fines, seize animals in trouble, and revoke abusers' licenses."
PETA continues to call on the USDA to confiscate Nosey, who suffers from a severe, chronic skin condition. According to a veterinarian with more than 30 years of experience caring for and treating elephants, photographs of Nosey taken last month reveal that her condition continues to deteriorate and that she is in pain and suffering as a result.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.