Target: Tom Vilsack, Secretary of U.S. Department of Agriculture
Goal: Appropriately punish man accused of neglecting and recklessly caring for zebras.
Three on-the-loose zebras have drawn headlines in Maryland since August. The plight of these animals is much more than just a zany headline, though. At least one of the zebras died after being caught in an illegal snare trap allegedly set by the zebras’ caretaker, Jerry Lee Holly. The poor animal reportedly succumbed from dehydration and starvation. This tragedy could have been avoided if someone in authority would have taken needed action.
Holly calls himself an exotic animal trader. In fact, the three escaped zebras were part of a group of 40 that this man reportedly has on his property. The truly outrageous part of this story: the U.S. Department of Agriculture had allegedly cited Holly over 100 times in both Maryland and Florida for violations of the Animal Welfare Act. Despite these citations, nothing was apparently done, and Holly just kept collecting more animals to potentially put at risk. Now, both the escaped zebras and the animals still under Holly’s care are apparently in imminent danger.
Sign the petition below to demand the agency responsible for looking after the welfare of animals do its job.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Secretary Vilsack,
This agency claims that individuals or groups guilty of “serious or chronic violations” of the Animal Welfare Act receive more severe penalties than the standard slap-on-the-wrist warning. Why, then, was a man cited for 100-plus violations of said act allowed to continue trading exotic animals unfettered? Why did it take the escape of three zebras (and the subsequent painful death of at least one) for Jerry Lee Holly to be charged with animal cruelty?
You must fix this broken system of enforcement. Please begin by giving Holly’s case a high-priority designation. He more than meets the criteria of severity, public safety concerns (some zebras are still on the loose), and extensive public interest. Help make this tragic set of circumstances an example for anyone who flagrantly and recklessly violates their duty of care to innocent living beings.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Pixabay
This creep should be put away for good
USDA turns a blind eye (or two) to animal collectors, breeders, exhibitors, fake refuges, and other animal abusers. Taxpayers support a system that does nothing for the nonhumans it is supposed to protect, and protects the humans who exploit them. Explain that!
No person should have Exotic animals to this extent. This guy is nothing but a hoarder. These animals should be in a refuge where they can be treated and cared for correctly. It’s time to throw the book at these people who don’t follow laws. Take the animals away and throw this bum in jail. Why do they get a slap on the wrist and continue to thumb their nose at the law?
Most importantly rescue every animal from this place and deny him any opportunity to acquire ANY animals, ban him for life
This type of animal sanctuary should not exist! Put this creep in prison!!
Agree all comments do the same to him fucken bastard.
Is it the Dept of Ag, is it the cops, is it Animal Control? Who has authority, what agency has actual TEETH to get anything done?! He probably fed the citations TO the zebras for how much good they do. I mean what does it take to give law enforcers the authority TO ENFORCE?! Ridiculous!
This person Holly should be charged to the maximum! All he is interested in is the profits! He doesn’t care a toss about any of the animals. He has been given too many pardons.! Cited 100 times? That is crazy …the law failed again these poor animals!!
Maximum fines ….BAN HIM FOR LIFE!
A “return the favor” attitude would stop all this animal cruelty in a hurry!
THROW THIS EVIL BEING IN JAIL ,,,, CRIMINAL DESERVES SEVERE PUNISHMENT,,,,ASAP!!!!
The USDA is a joke. Whats wrong with these states that allow this?
Put this “rare animal breeder” in some “rare penal institution” where he belongs. In no way should this “man” go unpunished.
Is this guy really supposed to be running a sanctuary? And if the Dept of Agriculture is responsible to oversee licensed sanctuaries, they need to get out there and stop playing games with this guy and protect those animals by removing them from his care. Why has animal cruelty charges not been brought against him?
Help these animals please!! Never let Holly own animals again!!
Do your jobs for God’s sake! Never allow this inbred scum to own, posess, buy, sell or be near any animal again! This is disgusting that this cancer has spread to two States that we know of and Nothing has been done to prosecute and stop him! Cull this inbred mutant from the human race he deserves nothing less. Good Riddance!
The USDA citations are MEANINGLESS unless they ENFORCE them. What is the point of citing a violator then walking away and not following up? This happens ALL THE TIME. The USDA needs to be called out on this and the situation needs to be remedied.
All the animals must be seized immediately & transferred to sanctuaries. That bastard must be charged & sentenced to 12 years in prison with no early parole, pay a $1 million dollar fine, and be banned for life from owning any kind of animal. Also banned from selling, breeding, or going anywhere where there are animals. This bastard must be charged and be stopped from owning any more animals of any kind. He’s also to be banned for life from owning regular pets (cats, dogs, horses, etc)
The USDA is not doing its job, pure and simple!
This cynical and greedy bastard should be put behind bars for many years ahead, and FORBIDDEN from OWNING ANIMALS ever again! These poor animals must be sent to accredited sanctuaries.
The USDA, please take an IMMEDIATE ACTION!!!!
Why are these hot-climate animals doing in a place that has freezing winters like Maryland experiences? It’s not Africa, you know.