Pet store neglect, over 100 animals dead or sick
Racine, WI (US)Incident Date: Friday, Jan 16, 2009
County: Racine
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Michael J. Wilk
Eight months after authorities found over 100 reptiles and fish dead, sick or living in filthy conditions at a West Racine pet store, the former owner has been charged with 25 felony counts related to animal neglect.
Michael J. Wilk, 28, of Salem, is charged with nine counts of mistreatment of animals causing death and 16 counts of intentionally failing to provide water to an animal. If convicted he faces up to 43 years imprisonment.
Wilk owned Aquatic Oddities at 1302 Grange Ave. On Jan. 16, Racine police and city Health Department officials went to the store to follow up on information they were given about animals being sick and dead inside the store.
According to the criminal complaint, they found dead alligators, fish, snakes, lizards and turtles. Some animals were living in their shipping containers without food or water; others were in filthy tanks with no food or water.
Three electric eels were found to have open sores and were in such a poor state they had to be euthanized, the complaint says. An American alligator was found roaming the basement of the building, without access to food and water.
Wilk was arrested and initially held on a probation hold at the jail. At the time of his arrest, officials said it would take a while to sort out exactly what he should be charged with.
Most of the animals - which included snakes, tortoises and turtles, lizards, scorpions, bearded dragons, alligators and crocodiles - had to be transported and placed with animal rescue groups and specialists from Illinois. Those that survived were in critical condition, and several died after they were rescued, according to the criminal complaint.
Wilk voluntarily surrendered all of the animals at the time of his arrest. He told authorities he had owned Aquatic Oddities for two years.
Wilk was released from jail Wednesday on a $10,000 signature bond. He is due References |
