The fact that the Tri-State Zoological Park remains open despite the suspension of the roadside zoo’s license for chronic, serious violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act illustrates deficiencies in the enforcement of the federal law intended to protect animals (“Tri-State zoo appealing license suspension,” Sept. 21 Times-News, Page 1B).
The roadside zoo is challenging the suspension when it should be devoting resources to improving the level of care and complying with the law.
Enforcement actions against a facility by the U.S. Department of Agriculture usually only happen after a long history of citations for violations that is often indicative of pervasive management problems.
An administrative law judge found the roadside zoo guilty of 15 violations, including failure to provide adequate enclosures to prevent the escape of a lion and a tiger; failure to provide sufficient barriers between the public and big cats; and inadequate perimeter fencing around enclosures containing dangerous wild animals.
Other violations significantly affected the health and well-being of the animals. The facility had been cited repeatedly for failure to provide veterinary care to lame animals; for unsanitary enclosures and a filthy pool, enclosures in disrepair, and for excessive rodents and flies.
The administrative law judge made many compelling statements in her ruling, including the fact that the Tri-State zoo is not adequately staffed.
The facility relies on volunteers, who have received little to no formal training, instead of professional caretakers.
All too often, captive wild animals in roadside zoos are kept in grossly substandard conditions.
These attractions may have been popular decades ago, but today there is a much greater understanding of the complex needs of animals such as tigers, lions, bears and primates.
The public should support facilities that are willing to invest in the care of the animals, and those facilities that allow them to exercise and express natural behaviors in a safe environment.
Lisa Wathne, captive wildlife specialist
The Humane Society of the United States
Washington
Letters
More should be done to protect captive wild animals in zoos
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Help keep teen drivers safe during the summer months
Memorial Day marks the beginning of the 100 deadliest days of the year on our nation’s roads for teen drivers.
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Walk Smart
Many local residents will be visiting Ocean City this summer, so it is worth noting that the resort has launched a campaign that it hopes will keep pedestrians out of harm’s way.
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Trailer case bound to increase scrutiny on town of Piedmont
This letter is in response to the recent story concerning the guilty plea entered in federal court by Piedmont’s town foreman (“Piedmont town foreman Shingler enters guilty plea,” May 21 Times-News, Page 1A).
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Fixing community’s problems starts with your young people
I am writing this letter to the editor because I think our community really needs to work on plenty of issues. Some of them are:
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Why are there no answers to these questions?
We currently have the most corrupt administration in the history of the country. Every day more and more lies come from the Obama administration.
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Roaming dogs prove menace to some residents of LaVale
I am writing to inform your readers and the animal control staff of Allegany about a problem that is dragging on and unresolved, yet.
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These types should look to the Boy Scouts for an example
Consider these headlines:
NRA will “Never Surrender.”
The Tea Party will “Never Surrender.”
The No Tax Group will “Never surrender.”
Neocons will “Never Surrender.”
Far Left Liberals will “Never Surrender.” -
Housing project will have bad effect on property in this area
I am writing to you to voice my opposition to a low income housing project that has been proposed for construction on a tract of land on Pine Swamp Road in Mineral County, W.Va. I am a registered voter and resident of Mineral County and live in the New Creek/Pine Swamp area.
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Why have the media been silent all this time?
When I read the Cumberland Times-News Editorial this morning, Friday, May 17, entitled, “Outrageous,” I laughed like a kid at a birthday party!
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What are chances this much money will be spent on road?
I was intrigued by cost data summarized in reporter Kathy Mellott’s recent article, “Completing southern link of U.S. Route 219 said to be best use of highway funds,” which appeared in the Cumberland Times-News on Tuesday May 14 (Page 1A).
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Help keep teen drivers safe during the summer months
