Inspections find animal abuse at Indiana wildlife facility
CHARLESTOWN, Ind. (AP) - Inspections by the U.S. Department of Agriculture have found abuse of animals and unsafe conditions for visitors at a southern Indiana wildlife facility.
The nonprofit Wildlife in Need in Charlestown is known for its fundraisers where people play with young tiger cubs, The (Louisville) Courier-Journal reports. An inspection at one such event in September found the cubs had no collars or leashes and were swatted with a short whip if they tried to bite.
"The use of a riding crop to prevent these large, aggressive cubs from biting is considered physical abuse and can cause unnecessary discomfort, pain and suffering to the animal," the inspection report says.
The nonprofit's owner, Tim Stark, told WAVE-TV that he loves his animals and hasn't done anything wrong. He said the riding crop is used as "an extension of our arm and a guiding tool," and that it's "not abuse in any way, shape or form."
At one point during the event, a cub bit a woman, "apparently breaking the skin," according the inspection. Stark said it wasn't serious.
Another USDA inspection of the facility in October found animals were kept in unsanitary conditions. Two enclosures for dogs had exposed nails and chewed wood, and a door for lemurs was broken and they couldn't access their shelter or food and water, according to the inspection.
The inspection found one tiger pen was still non-compliant with fencing. In all tiger pens and the cougar pen, the inspection said there was a "large buildup of bones," which it said can be a source of disease or injury.
Stark said he's spending thousands of dollars to fix enclosures that were considered not tall enough.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals had asked the USDA to inspect the facility.
"This cruel and dangerous operation must be shut down and retire the animals to reputable sanctuaries where they won't be used as playthings," PETA official Brittany Peet said in a release Wednesday.
Stark said he'll fight to keep his license.