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Canadian Zoo Closes After Owner Was Arrested For Animal Cruelty

Following an initial inspection in October 2018, four animal bodies, including two tigers, were found along with the bodies of two birds.

STEPHANIE HILASH: ‘The Quebec St. Édouard Zoo to permanently closed following an animal cruelty investigation and due to the facility’s inability to provide proper care to the animals. On May 21, 2019, Normand Trahan, owner of St. Édouard Zoo, was arrested by SPCA investigators on charges of animal neglect and cruelty… Trahan would face two charges under the Criminal Code; one count each of criminal animal neglect and criminal animal cruelty… Prior to his arrest, Quebec’s Wildlife Ministry had inspected the zoo several times, requesting that improvements be made to the living conditions… 

According to the Humane Society International (HSI) website, this resulted in nearly 200 animals being seized from the 69-year-old. If found guilty, he could face up to five years in prison with a lifetime ban of owning an animal. (HSI) has stated that this could be the biggest case of animal cruelty in Canadian history… Following an initial inspection in October 2018, two alpacas were seized. CBC stated that four animal carcasses, including two tigers, were found along with the bodies of two birds…

According to CBC, between 2010 and 2016, the zoo owner had been fined on several occasions for minor offences pertaining to the zoo. The infractions that lead to the closure allegedly took place between May 2016 and October 2018… The Montreal SPCA and Canada’s Accredited Zoo and Aquariums (CAZA) are now working alongside one another to relocate the animals as quickly as possible’. SOURCE…

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