An animal rights group has refiled a request that the United States Department of Agriculture investigate a Brown City animal sanctuary for allegedly violating its license under the Animal Welfare Act. However, Charles Vanneste, chief executive officer of Summer Wind Farms, said People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are trying to put him out of business. He said PETA does not like the fact that they have exotic animals in Michigan.
A video, released Wednesday to media outlets, seems to have been taken with a device hidden inside a zippered jacket or carrier.
It identifies a two-year-old female tiger named Daisy with balance problems; a male tiger named Mohan with arthritis; foxes in cages; and bears pacing back and forth in their enclosures.
Vanneste said the video was filmed by a woman who used false identification. He claimed PETA falsifies information and does a lot of things illegally.
The animals at the 140-acre sanctuary were formerly pets, mascots or used for entertainment purposes.
A federal judge dismissed a previously filed lawsuit by PETA aimed at forcing the USDA to rescind Summer Wind Farms’ license. The lawsuit alleged the USDA was rubber-stamping renewals despite repeated violations of the Animal Welfare Act. PETA officials said Summer Wind Farms is a roadside zoo, not a sanctuary,
The video is the latest action in what has been an ongoing battle between by PETA and Summer Wind to have the Brown City business shut down.
The USDA earlier issued a citation to Summer Wind Farms for failing to provide animals with adequate veterinary care. The facility also was cited in September, July, May, February and January 2016. PETA officials say it’s obvious that Summer Wind “did not clean up their act.”
Vanneste said the sanctuary has been working with USDA officials regarding the care of his animals.
