Case Details

Neglect - 37 exotic birds
Liberty, NC (US)

Date: Mar 13, 2004
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged Abuser: Stephen Repp

Case ID: 2145
Classification: Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: captive exotic
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37 exotic birds were rescued from the business place of Stephen Repp, 119 Swannanoa Ave., Liberty. Health director MiMi Cooper released details of that March 13 action on Monday.

Repp was breeding the birds in cages in the second story of SFP Research, his medical supply business in Liberty, Cooper said.

With the help of a mobile veterinary response team from N.C. State University, Cooper, her staff and members of the Liberty Police Department took custody of 16 conures of assorted varieties, one slender bill parrot, two Goffin cockatoos, two lesser sulfur-crested cockatoos, one African Grey parrot, five finches, three red-rump parakeets, two scarlet macaws, two military macaws, one blue-fronted Amazon and two Quaker parrots.

Cooper said representatives from the N.C. Zoo assisted in the rescue. The birds were in varying stages of neglect but are recovering in quarantine at the Randolph County Animal Shelter.

One iguana was also taken from the property, but Cooper said its condition was so deteriorated, it had to be euthanized.

Cooper said Repp is cooperating fully with authorities. She said charges will be handled by the Liberty Police. In this case, the health department's task is to abate the public health nuisance and to assist the police.

Liberty Police Chief Jerry Brown said Repp is charged with one count of animal cruelty.

Cooper ordered him to remove all animals from the premises, disinfect the premises and not to have any animals there in the future.

Authorities contacted Repp after receiving several complaints via phone calls and email, Brown said. Cooper's office was contacted simultaneously by someone in Florida who reported learning of the conditions on an Internet chat line, she said.

The exotic birds are in quarantine to ensure they do not harbor any disease that could be transmitted to humans or other birds.

At the end of the 30-day quarantine, the birds will be turned over to Phoenix Landing, a bird rescue group based in Virginia.

Phoenix Landing will place the birds at zoos, free-flight facilities or with individuals after an extensive screening of applicants.

Cooper said the Columbia Zoo in South Carolina has already requested the four macaws. The N.C. Zoo do not request any of the birds.

Cooper said the county will ask the judge to order Repp and Trotter to pay restitution for costs incurred for the upkeep and health care of the animals.

The judge could also order additional fines, community service and/or counseling for the suspects, she said.

In Repp's case, he did the best thing possible for the birds he owned, Cooper said.

"The happy ending to his story is that, when officials contacted him, he said 'You're right. I need to do something,' " Cooper said. "We were able to help these birds before their conditions got worse."

Anyone who would like to make a financial contribution toward the care of the birds can contact Cooper at (336) 318-6200. Cooper said the department is in need of large bird cages to better house the birds. The cages can be donated or loaned.

Loaned cages will be thoroughly cleaned and returned at the end of the quarantine period.

References

The Courier-Tribune

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