In June 1997, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently charged animal exhibitor John Strong of Yucaipa, Calif., with violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
"These charges against Strong are a result of exactly the type of behavior we wish to stop," said W. Ron DeHaven, acting deputy administrator for animal care with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a part of USDA's marketing and regulatory programs mission area.
In addition to operating without a license, APHIS inspectors found that Strong physically abused an African elephant named Moxie and failed to:
-- keep a dangerous animal under the direct control and supervision of a knowledgeable and experienced animal handler during a public exhibition;
-- maintain programs of disease control and prevention, euthanasia, and adequate veterinary care under the supervision and assistance of a veterinarian and failed to provide veterinary care to an African elephant;
-- construct and maintain the primary enclosure for an elephant so as to provide sufficient space to allow the animal to make normal postural and social adjustments with adequate freedom of movement;
-- provide the elephant with adequate water;
-- establish an effective program for the control of pests;
-- utilize a sufficient number of employees to maintain the prescribed level of husbandry practices;
-- transport the elephant in an enclosure that was structurally sound and maintained in good repair;
-- handle the elephant in a manner that did not cause trauma, behavioral stress, physical harm, and unnecessary discomfort;
-- provide structurally sound housing for Moxie;
-- correctly store supplies of food; and
-- clean and sanitize the elephant's primary enclosure.
Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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