Big Cat Park Owner Convicted Faces Animal Ban
A practice of widespread animal abuse, according to the prosecution, included lynxes (one of which is seen at The Cat Survival Trust).
Animal ban pending for owner of convicted big cat park
Following his conviction on animal welfare charges, the owner of a large cat sanctuary has been informed that he would not be permitted to own any more animals.
Terrence Moore, the director of the Cat Survival Trust in Welwyn, Hertfordshire, was convicted on four counts of intentionally giving an animal needless pain.
The 77-year-old, according to the prosecution, did not consult veterinary nurses and instead depended on homeopathic treatments.
At St Albans Crown Court, he was informed that if arrangements were not made for the 31 animals at the trust, he would face a five-year ban.
Recorder David Mayall, the judge, declared that he would also compel him to pay fines of £10,000.
An earlier Monday sentencing hearing was postponed until May 30.
"You had had considerable achievements in your life’s work but the time has come when that has to stop," stated Mr. Mayall.
Moore was also found guilty by a jury last week of seven counts of utilizing an animal species without a license for commercial advantage.
He was acquitted, nevertheless, of eight counts of inflicting needless suffering on animals and four counts of exploiting an animal species for profit without a permit.
The four creatures were a female Bengal cat named Jasmine, a male European wildcat named Hamish who had come from a Parisian zoo, a jungle cat named Lily, and a caracal cat.
Prosecutor Charles Miskin KC argued throughout the trial that the Cat Survival Trust was not a zoo but rather a public organization that anybody may join as a member.
He said that Moore "neglected his basic duty of care towards some of these the animals... either through sheer neglect or through a dislike of modern veterinary medicine, or for financial reasons" . He called the location "a shambles" and continued: "Food preparation, storage and disposal was not hygienic, the housing of some animals was inadequate or insecure, and a large number of unvaccinated domestic cats were wandering around exposing the trust cats to risk of disease, especially as they themselves weren’t vaccinated."
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