Reptile museum closed, owner charged Hicksville, NY (US) Date: Nov 9, 2004 County: Nassau Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Alleged: Steven Kates

Case ID: 2941 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: reptile View more cases in NY (US) « Back to Search Results Login to Watch this Case

The owner of the Long Island Reptile Museum in Hicksville, N.Y., is facing charges of animal cruelty. Nearly 200 alligators, snakes, turtles and other reptiles were moved to another facility after the building's electricity was turned off this week for unpaid bills.

The museum was shut down a few weeks ago after town inspectors said they found deplorable conditions. The owner was fined and ordered to make improvements, but police said he did not complete them.

The museum has a long history of complaints dating back several years. In April 2002 the museum was charged with cruelty to animals as a result of a report that one of the lizards at the museum had its jaw wired shut.

Animal advocates who visited the museum this past spring say that the animals were dehydrated and underfed. Some dead animals were left on display and others were covered in mites and herpes sores.

The museum's owner, Steven Kates, states that the museum opened in 1995 with good intentions. He acknowledges that there are problems, but that conditions are improving.

According to Mr. Kates, people started dropping off unwanted pets. Soon he had 50 iguanas and 60 boa constrictors.

"I thought I could handle it, but I really couldn't," he declared.

One of the Museum's most outspoken critics, Lori Green, is now volunteering at the site. She has set up a rehabilitation program and helped train the staff, who she describes as "dedicated and caring."

According to Harry Babb, a deputy chief of the Nassau County SPCA , the museum "has been a major problem for some time. We've had vets up there and experts from the animal world, but it is slow going."

If you wish to write to the prosecuting attorney in this case to ask that he prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law, and request jail time and psychiatric counseling if Kates is convicted, write to:

The Honorable Denis Dillon
Nassau County District Attorney
262 Old Country Rd.
Mineola, NY 11501

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References

	WNBC - Nov 9, 2004
	Animal News Center - Dec 27, 2003 200
	PETA Action Alerts

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« NY State Animal Cruelty Map

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