USDA suspends animal exhibitor's license under AWA Bridgeport, TX (US) Date: Aug 1998 Local Map: available Disposition: USDA Citation Person of Interest: Heidi Berry Riggs

Case ID: 6350 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: captive exotic View more cases in TX (US) Login to Watch this Case

In August 1998, the U.S. Department of Agriculture summarily suspended the animal exhibitor's license of Heidi Berry Riggs. Riggs, doing business as the Bridgeport Nature Center, Inc., in Bridgeport, Texas, will not be allowed to operate as a federally licensed exhibitor for the next 21 days.

"The USDA has taken this action against Riggs because we believe she failed to exercise proper care in the public exhibition of dangerous animals," said Michael V. Dunn, assistant secretary for marketing and regulatory programs. "In addition to this summary suspension, we are also charging her with numerous violations of the Animal Welfare Act."

Riggs is being charged with:

-- Failing to place an animal under the direct control and supervision of a knowledgeable and experienced animal handler during periods of public exhibition;

-- Failing to provide adequate shelter for three tigers being kept outdoors;

-- Failing to provide a suitable method to rapidly eliminate excess water from outdoor housing facilities;

-- Offering two tigers for transport in an enclosure without sufficient ventilation;

-- Offering two tigers for transport in an enclosure without projecting rims;

-- Offering two tigers for transport in an enclosure without proper "Live Animal" and directional-arrow markings; and

-- Failing to provide a written program of disease control and prevention, euthanasia, and adequate veterinary care under the supervision and assistance of a veterinarian;

"These charges are all very serious and the results of two separate investigations," 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. "There is currently a third investigation into Riggs regarding several more possible violations of the AWA."

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References

USDA - August 18, 1998

« TX State Animal Cruelty Map

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