Hundreds of Animals Abandoned, Many Perish in Johnson City Store During Flood Evacuations
For
Immediate Release:
September
12, 2011
Contact:
Adam
Miller 202-483-7382
Johnson City, N.Y. -- Following the deaths of nearly 100 animals in the Johnson City PETCO store during last week's severe flooding, PETA sent a letter this morning to Broome County District Attorney Gerald F. Mollen asking him to investigate the matter and, where appropriate, file criminal charges against those responsible. In the letter, PETA points out that the PETCO store is located in an area of the village that was issued a mandatory evacuation order by Johnson City Mayor Dennis Hannon, yet PETCO executives have admitted that "the decision was made to not evacuate the animals." As a result, nearly 100 animals—including birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters, mice, reptiles, and other animals—were left to drown or die of starvation or dehydration in their cages as flood waters rose.
"PETCO's refusal to evacuate the store's animals in the face of imminent danger demonstrates a callous disregard for these animals' lives and well-being," says PETA Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. "These animals died slow, agonizing deaths, and those responsible should be prosecuted."
PETCO management allegedly denied store employees' request to evacuate the store's animals and stated that management would "handle" the situation. However, the employees who entered the store after the floodwaters had receded found that nearly 100 animals had died. PETA believes that PETCO management is in violation of New York's cruelty-to-animals statute, which states that anyone who deprives an animal of necessary food or drink or causes or allows any animal to be unjustifiably injured or killed is guilty of a class A misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for up to one year as well as a fine of $1,000.
PETA's letter to Broome County District Attorney Gerald F. Mollen is available upon request. For more information, please visit PETA.org.