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Attorney General’s Office: Animal Law Unit Secures Custody of 119 Animals Judged to Be Mistreated at “Roadside Zoo.”

Budgie: One of 119 animals now in state custody, seized from roadside “Zoo.”
Budgie: One of 119 animals now in state custody, seized from roadside “Zoo.” (Photo: Office of Attorney General)

The Attorney General’s Animal Law Unit has secured custody of 119 animals from a Frederick County “Roadside Zoo.” 

The animals were rescued two weeks ago.  The subsequent seizure hearing  lasted until late last night.

Michael Kelly :  The seized animals include lions, tigers, bears, camels, water buffalo, birds, moneys and more.

Michael Kelly, a spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office

Kelly:  After a 12-hour hearing, the judge ruled the owner of the facility had cruelly treated, neglected or deprived the animals of adequate care.

The order grants custody of the animals to the Commonwealth, requires owner Keith Wilson to post a 300 thousand dollar bond if he wants to appeal, and allows for inspection every 90 days for a year to ensure the animals’ welfare.

The investigation into Wilson’s Wild Animal Park remains ongoing.