Tiger neglect
Underwood, MN (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Jun 14, 2005
County: Otter Tail
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Wendy Sue Mears
Wendy Sue Mears, 40, is accused in Otter Tail County District Court in Fergus Falls of improperly caring for the tigers, including housing them in cages that were too small, depriving them of adequate food and water and failing to keep their living space clean.
The court complaint says when the tigers were seized from Arcangel Wildlife farm June 14, many appeared to be in adequate or fair condition.
However, veterinarians who assisted with the investigation found up to a foot of feces and wet straw in the bottom of their cages, court records say.
The tigers were housed in wire mesh cages that did not appear to be secure enough to safely contain the animals' size and strength, the complaint says.
The door to one cage was held in place with frayed nylon straps.
Court records also say:
Some cages did not contain fresh water. No food was on the property when the animals were seized, but Mears said she was going to get turkeys.
Mears did not have a system for draining rain or waste water.
She also failed to obtain the proper license for exotic animals and register the animals as mandated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. On May 27, Otter Tail Public Health officials observed turkey carcasses piled in the open that were used as a food supply.
Mears faces 12 misdemeanor charges: three counts of mistreating an animal, three counts of depriving an animal of necessary food, water or shelter, improper disposal of animal carcasses, two counts of improper storage of solid waste, animal creating nuisance, possessing a regulated animal and failing to register a regulated animal.
The animal creating nuisance charge relates to a lion that escaped June 11, just days before the tigers were seized. A sheriff's deputy shot the lion after it wandered onto a neighbor's land.
Mears told investigators two ponies, a llama and a goat also escaped from the property that day and she hadn't seen them since, court records say.
She also had six to eight dogs on the property and voluntarily gave several to the Humane Society, records say.
Mears told investigators the tigers belonged to David Piccirillo, but he abandoned them on her property, court records say. She said they became a burden for her to care for and feed.
Ryan Cheshire, assistant Otter Tail County attorney, said no charges are pending at this time for Piccirillo.
On June 25, the tigers were transported to one of three animal sanctuaries in Mississippi, Tennessee and Indiana.
Tammy Quist, executive director of Wildcat Sanctuary in Cedar Minn., who was instrumental in finding homes for the tigers, said all nine are doing well.
"They've adjusted faster than we thought they would," Quist said.
Two female tigers placed at the Cedar Hill Animal Sanctuary in Caledonia, Miss., have some existing health problems that could be related to malnutrition, said Kay McElroy, executive director.
One is on antibiotics because of a small hole in the side of her head that drains constantly, she said. The tiger - named Tammy after Quist - may need surgery, McElroy said.
The other, named Sonja after a volunteer who helped transport the tigers, has a neurological disorder that prevents her legs from working together, Quist said.
The condition, which causes the tiger to walk in circles, can be caused by genetics or malnutrition, she said.
The lion that was shot after it escaped also had the condition, which leads Quist to suspect it could have been caused by malnutrition.
But McElroy is hopeful the tigers will overcome their health problems. They now have a huge area to run in, a pond to swim in and a customized diet, she said. References
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