Oregon zoo proprietor arrested after raid finds medication, weapons and $1.6m

Oregon police have arrested a zoo proprietor on drug fees following a police raid on the facility earlier this month that discovered medication and widespread animal mistreatment.

The Coos county sheriff’s workplace mentioned that Brian Tenney, the proprietor of West Coast Recreation Park Safari, was arrested on Tuesday on fees of methamphetamine possession, manufacturing and tried distribution. He was later launched because the district legal professional’s workplace awaited extra data, a workers member on the Coos county jail mentioned when reached by the Related Press.

West Coast Recreation Park Safari has been beneath scrutiny in current weeks, following a raid in mid-March that resulted in drug seizures. Authorities served a number of search warrants on the zoo, which holds greater than 450 animals and is positioned close to the small city of Bandon on the southern Oregon coast. The motion adopted an investigation into the power, together with inquiries into the animals’ welfare, Oregon state police mentioned.

Police mentioned they discovered 80g of methamphetamine, 44 firearms, roughly 8g of cocaine and $1.6m in money, cashier’s checks, bonds and certificates. Inspectors additionally raised considerations concerning the remedy of the animals, together with malnourished lions and leopards that had “hips, ribs, and backbone prominently displayed beneath the pores and skin”.

Veterinarians and workers with the Oregon Humane Society and the state departments of fish and wildlife and agriculture responded to the scene to evaluate the animals’ well being, meals high quality, water provide, sanitation and enclosure situations, authorities mentioned.

Police mentioned 310 animals had been relocated to animal sanctuaries or rescue amenities. After being evaluated by veterinarians, a camel, a hen and a kinkajou had been euthanized.

The investigation is ongoing.

The Related Press contributed reporting