USDA charges unlicensed animal exhibitor
Scotch Plains, NJ (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Dec 24, 1997
County: Union

Disposition: USDA Citation

Person of Interest: Harold D Kafka

In September 1998, the U.S. Department of Agriculture charged animal exhibitor Harold Kafka of Scotch Plains, N.J., with violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

"Just last year we settled numerous AWA charges with Kafka, who was then operating as the Scotch Plains Zoo," 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. "Now, it seems that agreement we reached in good faith has been broken. And, we still have serious concerns about the welfare of his animals."

APHIS alleges that Kafka operated without a license on Dec. 24 and 25 of last year. If found guilty of this charge, Kafka could face a previously suspended fine of $22,500.

References

• USDA - September 10, 1998

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