106 animals locked in pet store for a week
Clementon, NJ (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Sep 7, 2006
County: Camden

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Robert Racciatti

More than 400 animal cruelty and disorderly persons charges were filed on Sept 11, 2006 against the landlords of a Camden County strip mall where animal protection officers claim 106 creatures were left unattended in a pet shop closed for a week.

The New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals contends its officers found five dead animals -- two geckos and three tarantulas -- when they and Clementon Borough police were called to the Paradise Pet Center on Berlin Road on Sept 7, 2006.

The remaining 101 animals -- including rabbits, birds, rodents, snakes and lizards -- were found languishing in pens filled with feces and having dirty water or no water at all, according to the NJSPCA.

The charges filed against a partnership called Medici LLC of Mount Laurel and its principal, Robert Racciatti of Deptford, contend the animals were left unattended after the landlords evicted pet-shop owner Austin Rivera and changed the locks on the store on Sept. 1.

But Racciatti disputed the allegations, contending he and his partnership saved the animals from a pet shop owner who was going out of business and unable to pay utility bills.

"They were not unattended. No animals died," Racciatti said. "The electric had been shut down because he didn't pay the bills, which is why we got a court order to take possession of the premises. ... We went in to protect the animals."

He said the partnership hired a man to provide water and food to the animals, and township officials were notified of the situation.

But the NJSPCA contends it was contacted by borough officials to investigate the shop, and whoever was hired to attend to the animals did not do it. Animal officers claim they found the animals suffering when they entered the building last week, including a rabbit that, while still alive, could not move because it was malnourished.

Rivera, the pet shop owner, could not be reached for comment yesterday. A phone number listed for the business had been disconnected.

The NJSPCA filed 106 disorderly persons charges and 106 civil cruelty charges against Racciatti and duplicate complaints against Medici LLC.

References

• Philadelphia Enquire - Sept 13, 2006
• Associated Content
• Star-Ledger - Sept 12, 2006
• BestFriends Network - Sept 12, 2006

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