MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — A Myrtle Beach roadside zoo has been fined by the United States Department of Agriculture for violating the Animal Welfare Act, according to a news release from PETA.
Waccatee Zoo, which PETA refers to as the “worst roadside zoo in America,” was fined $7,800 by the USDA for six alleged violations, according to the release.
Allegations include that the zoo didn’t supply vet care to multiple animals with overgrown hooves and didn’t water receptacles clean or sanitary, according to the release. One ram had thick layers of crusting above each hoof and cuts with fresh blood on all legs.
Records from the USDA show there were six violations between March 5, 2020, and May 5, 2021.
The six violations, according to the USDA, are:
- March 5, 2020: “You failed to provide adequate veterinary care for two llamas at your facility. APHIS officials observed one adult female zebu and two adult llamas with significantly overgrown hooves.”
- Oct. 22, 2020: “You failed to seek and provide adequate veterinary care for one adult Dall ram at your facility. APHIS officials observed the animal with significantly overgrown dewclaws and hooves, thick layers of crusting above each hoof, and ulcerative lesions with fresh blood on all four limbs. The condition of the animal suggested that the ailments were had been ongoing and was overlooked.”
- Oct. 22, 2020: “You failed to keep the water receptacle clean and sanitary in the dromedary camel enclosure. APHIS officials observed a water receptacle that contained murky, green water. APHIS officials could not visualize the bottom of the receptacle and the camels had no access to potable water.”
- Jan. 26, 2021: “You failed to provide adequate veterinary care for two llamas at your facility. APHIS officials observed the animals with significantly overgrown hooves with toenails that were overgrown and deviating to the side.”
- May 5, 2021: “You failed to seek and provide adequate veterinary care for two Aoudads at your facility. APHIS officials female (sic) observed one female Aoudad with profound right-forelimb lameness that was minimally weightbearing. A second adult Aoudad was seen limping on it’s (sic) left forelimb.”
- May 5, 2021: “You failed to keep water receptacles in the Aoudad sheep and fallow deep enclosure clean and sanitary. APHIS officials observed a water receptacle that contained cloudy, brown water with clumps of brown green plantlike material. When drained the receptacle had brown sludge at the bottom. The animals had no access to potable water.”
“USDA penalties like this are issued to the worst of the worst, and Waccatee’s history of neglecting animals makes it clear that it fits that bill,” PETA Foundation Deputy General Counsel for Capitive Animal Law Enforcement Brittany Peet said in the news release.
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PETA previously sent a letter in December informing the zoo of its intent to sue under the Endangered Species Act, according to the release.
The zoo was closed Friday evening and could not immediately be reached for comment.
