The Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has issued a warrant to the ownership the Reptile World, and is in control of the building for the next three days.
Roland Lines communications manager for the Alberta SPCA confirmed with The Mail that a search warrant was issued and investigators are on scene today at the private zoo.
“Alberta SPCA peace officers are in attendance to address animal welfare concerns at the zoo,” said Lines. “ Our investigation is about the animals. For something like this, we are required to have a search warrant for our investigations that would give us the three day access.”
The animals have not been seized, but the Alberta SPCA does have that authority.
“ The Animal Protection Act give us the authority to remove animals from a property if our officers believe the owner is either unable or unwilling to give them the care they require,” Lines explains.
He said the search warrant also allows the Alberta SPCA to bring other individuals onto the premise to assist.
“Obviously this situation is complicated by the fact this zoo specializes in reptiles, which have very particular needs. So we have two specialist veterinarians onsite with us to help assess the medical condition and appropriate treatment of each animal,” said Lines.
Dave Bethel, owner of Reptile World, confirms the officers are on site. The Mail observed three marked vehicles as well as an RCMP cruiser at the property Wednesday morning. He says while the officers have the authority to seize animals, they cannot seize the property.
“Basically we are shut down,” said Bethel. “ We’ve been here 26 years and they haven’t given me a chance to defend myself, they haven’t told me what the charges are, so it is just a nightmare.”
Bethel says the SPCA has asked them to hand over the animals and the building or at the end of three days the collection will be seized.
Lines said he could not speculate what would happen when the authority of the search warrant expires.
