The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a nonprofit Clark County wildlife rehabilitation center has violated the Animal Welfare Act.
People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sued Wildlife In Need after a report cited the facility for botching a declawing procedure on a two tiger cubs.
The USDA also fined Wildlife In Need $300,000 and revoked its Animal Welfare Act license, which allows holders to exhibit, transport and handle certain animals.
Wildlife In Need rescues and rehabilitates bears, lions, tigers, cougars and other exotic animals. It came under scrutiny last June, after a worker there was bitten by a hyena.
The 183-page USDA report details more than 120 violations. Among them is a complaint alleging Wildlife In Need owner Timothy Stark euthanized a juvenile leopard with a baseball bat in June 2013.
In August 2013, government inspectors say Wildlife In Need failed to “obtain adequate veterinary care” for an ocelot, a serval and a coatimundi. All of the animals died under “unclear circumstances,” according to the report.
The report also says Stark used a “great deal of profanity” toward federal inspectors.
WFIU's request to Stark for comment was not returned by the time of publication.
