[FEL-L] RE: Bear, cougars seized from rural Maquoketa farm

[Bigcats10 at aol.com]

Bear, cougars  seized from rural Maquoketa farm


MAQUOKETA (AP) --- Jackson County authorities say  they're considering 
implementing an exotic animal ordinance after a 900-pound  black bear, four cougars 
and dozens of other animals were taken from a rural  Maquoketa farm this week 
after reports of  neglect.



Authorities seized 55 animals from the property of  Randy and Pam Garien, 
said Jackson County deputy Steve Schroeder. The seizure  also included two fox, 
two cats, eight puppies, 11 horses, 12 dogs and 15  chickens -- "the largest 
animal seizure in Jackson County," Schroeder  said.

The deputy said county supervisors are considering drafting an  ordinance to 
prevent further problems.  
Dr. Jennifer Doll, a veterinarian who accompanied the deputies to the farm,  
said many of the animals appeared to be neglected.

The bear was found  with no food or water with more than a foot of the bear's 
own feces lining its  cage, according to information in a search warrant 
filed in Jackson County  District Court. Doll said in the report that one horse 
had a lacerated leg,  which didn't appear to be healing well, and there was 
minimal food and  water.

Doll told deputies she recommended the removal of all the animals  "due to 
inadequate husbandry and lack of clean living conditions."

A  veterinarian tranquilized the cougars and bear before hauling them away,  
Schroeder said. The animals were taken to an undisclosed location, he  said.

"We are waiting for veterinarians to examine all 55 animals to  determine 
their conditions," Schroeder said.

A disposition hearing will  be scheduled in August to determine what happens 
to the animals. No charges have  been filed against the Gariens, pending the 
veterinarians' reports.

Two  previous complaints were made to the Sheriff's Department by neighbors 
-- one in  April concerning no hay or water for the horses, and another in 
March 2005  reporting cougars in the pens. No action was taken in either 
complaint. 
_http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2006/07/26/news/breaking_news/doc44c732ea3
2847870187966.txt_ 
(http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2006/07/26/news/breaking_news/doc44c732ea32847870187966.txt) 
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