BURNSIDE, Ky.—The Humane Society of the United States is assisting the Burnside Police Department in rescuing approximately 150 exotic animals in a large-scale alleged severe neglect situation at a local pet store. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Special Investigation Unit, Somerset-Pulaski County Humane Society, Pulaski County Attorney’s Office and Pulaski County Animal Control also provided assistance on-scene.
Local authorities served a search and seizure warrant at Tim’s Reptiles and Exotics off US-27 at approximately 11 a.m. EDT. Dozens of snakes, lizards, turtles, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils and fish were found living in filthy, poor conditions typically seen in severe neglect situations. The pet store operator was arrested by Burnside Police Department on 19 counts of animal cruelty.
The guinea pigs and several turtles were forced to share the same enclosure, which was covered in spider webs. The water in the fish tanks was murky, and most of the animals had no apparent access to food or clean water. Hamsters gnawed frantically on the wire siding of their makeshift enclosure, and some of the rabbits were found in barren cages with nowhere to find relief from the wire flooring.
“It was deeply disturbing to witness the bleak lives of these animals in this shop of horrors,” said Todd Blevins, Kentucky director for the Humane Society of the United States. “We are thankful to the Burnside Police Department and all of the organizations involved in getting these animals the care that they desperately need.”
The animals received initial veterinary exams on-scene and were surrendered to Burnside Police Department. They will continue to receive much-needed attention through several organizations prepared to provide specialized care. Liberty Nature Center, Thoroughbred Exotics, Bourbon County Rescue, Paws 4 the Cause, Lexington Humane Society and KY Fish and Tank Rescue are among the groups taking in the animals.
“I was shocked to see animals living in these conditions,” said Chief Mike Hill of Burnside Police Department. “It is a great relief to all of us here that these animals will have an opportunity to be rehabilitated, thanks to the help from the Humane Society of the United States and everyone involved in making this happen today.”
The assistance of the Humane Society of the United States was requested by the Burnside Police Department after concerns about the welfare of animals on the property were raised by Burnside City Code Enforcement.
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It’s sad to see this is still going on. I’m 71 and have seen some awful pet stores in my time. I remember calling one in in a state whose name shall remain unmentioned to no avail…no humane society there…called police and state natural resources. They found me amusing.
Thank you fir what you do!
I would climb my cage, too.
It’s not hard to keep clean water and a clean environment for animals that are kept in cages. Caged animals are the easiest to care for. Silly, the “pet store” lost out on all of their revenue because they couldn’t put forth the bare minimum.
Pobres animales ! 😢 Gracias por rescatarlos de ese infierno 👏👏
I hope they are never allowed to own a petstore or any animal ever again.
As a reptile specialists I am totally horrified by these conditions!
Those monsters at the pet store need to be locked up and throw away the key. Thanks for saving these animals
I am so thankful that you and your team stepped in and saved these innocent animal's life's!
I am grateful that you did that!
God Bless you all for helping these animals Send the owner to jail for life
Thank You so very much for saving all these sweet creatures. <3 It makes me ill what some people do to animals. Reprehensible. That "owner" of the store should be locked up in the exact conditions they left the animals, period.
Have all the animals been adopted or are there any still in need of a new home??
WTF is this? Some crazy business plan to emotionally blackmail people to buy some animals from these horrible conditions? These cobwebs have to be many years old.
You guys are absolutely wonderful!!
I would request you guys to come at india, because you might get ten thousands shops or more than that, where animals are kept in such careless conditions. No proper food, water, health care, not anything. I would beg you to come to India as I am very small for this now, and you guys are the perfect people who can several these innocent animals.
Omg that is nasty I'm glad the owner is charged
Why did it take so long for the authorities to shut this place down ????? Didn't any one ever report this hell hole to the police ????
What was wrong with these people. If they have a pet shop why are not they taking care of the animals. The point that I'm making also is if they're having a problem why don't they get help to assist with their problem. I think a lot of people belong in the show The wizard of Oz because so many people don't have a brain and I think they're looking for one.
thank you shut all these horrible people down.
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It amazes me that the place is helping 150 animals but you feel free to critique and destroy person instead of helping person.
Virus crap begun by DNC socialists is messing with businesses.Somehow that is not taken into consideration.Then you neuter and kill with much of the monies you collect.How is a person supposed to respect and help you who trash animal lovers in a financial crunch.Bizarre?
I am so upset about this I donate to them but I'm giving extra for this ! Horrific people in this sick world we live in it makes me not sleep at night im mortified with this
Thank you, HSUS, for this much-needed rescue and for all your work.
Looks like a corn snake .
I donate to the Humane Soc. of the US and I'm so so glad you are on top of these animal abuses. There is No Excuse for this neglect!!
Thank you for rescuing them
So sad what people do to animals. Glad you guys saved them and i hope he goes to jail and gets a big fine too.
I sincerely hope she ends up in a cell with an animal lover and regrets the day she was born….
God sees everything, EVERYTHING!! People stop being cruel to God's creations.. Thank you to the men and women that are always watching to. God bless you all..
God Bless Animal"s 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Thank heavens for the HSUS rescue team, animal placement partners, law enforcement and official agencies who saved the vast array of animals at this pet store. A very complex effort, requiring careful documentation, veterinary triage and medical attention, logistics of comfortably transporting the animals to homes, sanctuaries and temporary caregivers. Remarkable!
Do any of the hamsters need a home?
This is gotta be the worst pet shop in the world. Glad they got them out an the leopard tortoise is hughe …
Thank you so much for getting them out!
This guy needs to be put under the jail. 😤
ATROCIOUS on maximum overdrive!!! Bless all of u for rescuing all of them on time. The tank waters are just deplorable at a loss for words. How they survived all the contamination that has been their "home" is beyond anyone's imagination and a miracle in itself! BUT, these amazing & wonderful rescue workers are they themselves the ultimate MIRACLE WORKERS!!❤️💯
The owner should be locked away and the key thrown away…keep him in a cage with no food or water. There is no excuse for such cruelty…absolutely disgusting….poor creatures they did not deserve this… You guys are great. Thanks for the rescue. Good to know they are on their way to a better future.