WASHINGTON - The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) released the following statement by Michael Markarian, Executive Vice President for External Affairs of The HSUS, and President of The Fund for Animals, on today's verdict finding Tiger Rescue operator John Weinhart guilty of 56 counts in the tiger abuse case:
We are gratified that the jury in the tiger abuse case took the animal cruelty crimes very seriously, and found John Weinhart guilty of 56 counts, including 14 felonies. This verdict sends a strong message across the country that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated, whether the animals are wild or domestic, housecats or tigers. We hope that strong penalties are imposed when sentencing occurs on March 22.
The nation was horrified nearly two years ago when California Department of Fish and Game officials executed a search warrant at Weinhart's residence and discovered 90 dead tiger carcasses, including 58 baby tigers dead in a freezer. Eleven infant tiger and leopard cubs were found barely alive in an attic, malnourished and dehydrated, representing eleven of the felony charges in this case. Two other juvenile tiger cubs were found outside. Luckily, these young cats recuperated with medical treatment and round-the-clock care at The Fund for Animals' Wildlife Rehabilitation Center near San Diego.
The Fund also assisted the State of California by caring for 54 adult tigers, leopards, and lions who remained at Weinhart's defunct Tiger Rescue compound in Colton. The Fund's Chuck Traisi, who testified at trial, was on site every day for the last 21 months, providing care for the big cats, assisted by hundreds of dedicated volunteers. The animals' food alone cost The Fund more than $500 each day. The Fund placed the big cats from Colton and the cubs from Weinhart's residence at reputable animal sanctuaries and zoos around the country.
In a touching end to this story, the last seven tigers are moving this weekend, joining 32 others at their new ten-acre habitat, complete with dens, trees, grass, and swimming pools, at the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Ark2000 sanctuary in San Andreas. After nearly two years, the last tigers rescued from these deplorable conditions will leave for a better life.
While these big cats were fortunate that humane organizations came to their rescue, unfortunately there are more than 10,000 tigers in private homes and "pseudo-sanctuaries" around this country — double the number of those who remain in the wild in Asia. Most are bred and abused in order for their "owners" to try to "domesticate" them, or for so-called "rescuers" to exploit the animals for commercial profit. Ninety percent die within their first two years of captivity.
Wild animals belong in the wild and we must end commercial breeding, pseudo-sanctuaries, and private ownership. It's dangerous to people, to the animals, and to the preservation of species. We were able to help these big cats, but we cannot help the thousands trapped in horrid conditions in basements, backyards, and cramped cages. We need stronger laws, tougher enforcement, and public education to prevent the tragic consequences of taking a wild animal out of the wild, and to ensure that situations like Tiger Rescue do not occur all over again.
