THE UK Tiger King’s £3million house of horrors has been exposed – containing 26 carcasses and squalid conditions.
Big cat sanctuary owner Terrence Moore, 78, has been banned from keeping animals for five years after the filthy appearance of his sanctuary were revealed.
Hyde News & PicturesThe owner of the Cat Survival Trust charity has been convicted of of multiple animal welfare offences[/caption]
SWNSAn investigation exposed the filthy conditions of the sanctuary[/caption]
SWNSLily, a jungle cat, was one of the 26 frozen carcasses found in the freezer[/caption]
The founder of the Cat Survival Trust charity has been convicted on four counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals after an investigation shone a light on its inhumane nature.
Gruesome images of the squalid sanctuary, founded in 1970 in Codicote, Hertfordshire, show an unkept, unsanitary environment for the animals.
A spokesman for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “Food preparation, storage and disposal did not appear to be carried out hygienically and in a way that prevented food from spoiling or becoming contaminated and, in some cases, the housing of the animals was inadequate or insecure.”
An image showed a sad and disheveled-looking cat hunched over in an enclosure squinting.
One enclosure had a single insufficient-looking lock and another appeared not to be locked at all.
A disgusting freezer containing 26 animal carcasses was caked in grime, stains and gunk and storage material was strewn across the floor.
“Officers also seized around 26 carcasses from freezers that were used to store animals for long periods of time instead of being dispatched for cremation,” the spokesman continued.
“The jury heard how, in the case of the dead animals, no records of mortalities were seen so it is not known when or why other animals died or if any veterinary treatment was given, or if any investigation was carried out prior to or after the death of any of the animals.”
Unidentified frozen bodies of cats were retrieved without indication as to how they died or how long they had been dead – one of the carcasses being Lily, a jungle cat.
If any animals had died there were no vet reports or archives detailing investigations into why they had died.
The records were described as “a mess” and multiple animals were suffering from diseases that Moore hadn’t brought a vet in for.
One distressing treatment found amid the mess was an ointment called Traumeel.
This is a topical medication for humans used for the temporary relief of muscle an point and is not approved for animals.
Hertfordshire Constabulary added: “It was disclosed that Moore had not had a vet visit the site in a number of years and that he often used a homeopathic product called Traumeel to treat some of his animals, which he claimed did not get sick.
“The product is used for human use in cases of acute musculoskeletal injuries on unbroken skin, and was considered inappropriate to use on animals.”
SWNSUnsuitable locks were found on big cat enclosures[/caption]
SWNSTraumeel was used as medication for cats, despite being branded for humans[/caption]
SWNSA freezer containing 26 frozen animal carcasses was found[/caption]
There were butcher knives stuck to a wall, electric wires running above dirty water bottles, and filthy plastic tubs scattered on the floor.
An investigation initiated by intelligence submitted by the National Wildlife Crime Unit in February 2022 kickstarted the downfall of the UK Tiger King.
In July 2022 officers entered the 12-acre chamber of terrors with a vet to assess the welfare of the of the animals on site.
It was immediately clear that the Cat Survival Trust charity was in no condition to be housing animals.
This led to a three-week trial 12-acre site in which Terrence Moore was convicted of of multiple animal welfare offences.
These charges related to a Wildcat named Hamish, a Bengal Cat named Jasmine, a Jungle Cat named Lily and an unnamed Caracal.
During his five-year suspension, 28 animals will be rehomed and Moore will pay £14,380 in fines and costs.
Just weeks before he was due back in court to finalise the removal of his animals, Moore was airlifted to hospital after he was mauled by a 13st puma at his own sanctuary.
Cops were called to the £3million compound on November 5 and officers were able to retrieve Moore from the cage without hurting the animal.
Moore however was rushed to hospital where his leg was amputated.
SWNSCages looked shabby and unfit for purpose[/caption]
SWNSThe records were ‘a mess’ and archives did not show veterinary history[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
