Case Details

Pet store neglect - 113 snakes, 77 lizards
Vero Beach, FL (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Dec 30, 2004
County: Indian River
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted

Abuser/Suspect: Victoria Genaldi

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 3530
Classification: Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: reptile
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Over 100 snakes in need of water were recovered from an Old Dixie Highway pet store during a state investigation into complaints about the shop.

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission received a phone call about a strong stench coming from Vicki and Fred's Reptiles in the 600 block of Old Dixie Highway.

They found at least a dozen dead snakes, lizards and scorpions in cages, as well as rats roaming freely throughout the store, said Fish and Wildlife investigator Steve Grigg.

"There were definitely some serious sanitation problems," he said.

The store was not properly licensed with the state, Grigg said, and the name of the owner was unavailable Friday.

The agency is working with the State Attorney's Office on its investigation into conditions at the shop.

Workers at the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County spent much of Friday cataloging the different types of snakes and animals and assessing their health.

The store's owner signed the animals over to Fish and Wildlife, who signed them over to the Humane Society, said Executive Director Joan Carlson.

By Friday afternoon, the Humane Society had possession of 113 snakes, 77 lizards and geckos, two turtles, two frogs, several tarantulas and chameleons and one scorpion.

Carlson said she thinks the animals in the store did not have adequate food or water.

"Anything that is deprived of food and water suffers, and it's unnecessary. Animals don't deserve this, no matter what kind of animal it is," she said.

Businesses adjacent to the pet shop were glad Friday the source of a troublesome odor was discovered. Beatrice Walker, owner of Bea's Salon, said she called every agency she could think of to complain about an odor that she smelled for two weeks.

Case Updates

Vicki and Fred's Reptiles in Vero Beach was in jail Thursday serving an eight-month sentence on animal cruelty and other related charges.

Victoria Genaldi, 30, of the 600 block of Fifth Street Southwest, pleaded no contest Wednesday to charges of cruelty to animals, sale of wildlife without a permit and improper caging of a reptile. County Judge David Morgan sentenced her to eight months in jail.

Genaldi initially pleaded not guilty to the three charges. However, a bench warrant for her arrest was issued when she failed to show up for her June trial. She struck the plea agreement with the state after she was rearrested last month.

The State Attorney's Office agreed to drop a failure to appear charge with the plea.

"We feel the State Attorney's Office did a very good job with the case," said Ilka Daniel, outreach director for the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County.

Genaldi's public defender attorney could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Most of the animals and reptiles found last December by law enforcement officers at the pet store were housed by the Humane Society. Genaldi later signed the animals over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which signed them over to the Humane Society.

More than 100 snakes, 77 lizards and a few turtles, frogs, tarantulas and others were in need of water when they were found, according to the arrest affidavit. Investigators also found a dozen dead snakes, lizards and scorpions in cages, the affidavit stated.

Each rescued animal and reptile received veterinary attention. However, most were in too bad condition to be saved, Daniel said.

The ones that were healthy enough were placed with nonprofit, state-registered educational facilities, she said.

"We are extremely concerned with people that harbor exotic pets," said Daniel. "We want to make sure those who do harbor them do it properly. We are pleased with the outcome (of the plea agreement)."

Morgan also ordered Genaldi to pay almost $10,000 in restitution to the Humane Society and about $1,700 to Fish and Wildlife for its investigation costs.
Source: TCPalm - Oct 21, 2005
Update posted on Oct 24, 2005 - 7:25PM 

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TCPalm - Jan 1, 2005

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