Animals Reportedly Living in Feces at Defunct Roadside Zoo Deserve Justice

Target: Craig Kellogg, Director of USDA Animal and Plant Inspection Service, Michigan
Goal: Rescue animals from defunct zoo where they reportedly live in their own feces and filth.

Animals were reportedly living in horrible conditions at a defunct roadside zoo. This zoo, formerly known as Sunrise Side Nature Trail and Exotic Park, was apparently in such poor state that they had to have their bear confiscated due to its health conditions. According to reports, the bear had a swollen wound on the face, resulting in ulcers. Each animal had apparently not been attended by a veterinarian for over a year. Despite shutting down their services because of the pandemic, owners James and Barbara Svoboda upheld a license through the United States Department of Agriculture, which ultimately was why an inspector came to their site.

In the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's report, six issues were apparently noted. One bobcat was reportedly obese with matted fur and there was a seemingly malnourished lion with bones protruding. In the bobcat's enclosure feces reportedly covered the litter box and it seemed like the animal could not walk normally. In the lion's exhibit, mold was apparently around the food in addition to feces covering the enclosure. The bear's exhibit was similarly seemingly unattended and unkempt. The caretakers were given a week to fix all the cited issues.

To the inspector’s dismay, the violations were apparently not addressed, and a vet was not even administered to assist any of the animals. The bear's wounds were only getting worse, per reports, with dead tissue around the eye starting to form. This was what resulted in the confiscation of the animal ultimately, however this apparent lack of overall care means the owners should have all animals taken. The animals deserve proper care, treatment, and enclosures.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mr. Kellogg,

A United States Department of Agriculture employee reported violations of a defunct zoo. Lack of compliance from the owners, James and Barbara Svoboda, apparently resulted in one of their bears being confiscated due to terrible health conditions. Enclosures were reportedly deemed unsafe for animals and humans alike, even if the zoo is no longer having visitors. The animals were seemingly not given medical care as well. We ask that you make certain each animal on the facility in Iosco County be properly treated and transferred to safer facilities.

It is quite vile that something like this could allegedly happen. With a reportedly morbidly obese bobcat and malnourished lion roaming in their own feces, these violations must not be disregarded. Please verify that they comply with federal law, and provide justice to these animals.

Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: Wulf Willis

72 Comments

  1. Put the owners in a cage. Only bread and water. Let’em live in their own shit and piss for about a year and let them think about what they did to those poor animals. I’ve got plenty of sympathy for animals and very little sympathy for humans. Animals kill to eat and live. Humans kill and torture for fun. If I ever have a decision to make on whether to save a human or save an animal, it won’t even be close. I’ll save the animal every time.

  2. This deplorable, inhumane situation must be addressed immediately.

  3. It is 21 century for God Sake! Shut down that horror and punish who is responsible for cruelty.

  4. Julia Edinger says:

    SHUT IT ALL “DOWN” ASAP‼️ STOP EVIL TREATMENT TO PRECIOUS ANIMALS,,,,IMMEDIATELY !!!

  5. SHUT THIS DOWN IMMEDIATELY!!!!! STOP THIS HORRIFIC CRUELTY!!!!~

  6. Shut this “zoo of horrors” down NOW! The people who own it don’t care about the animals, so the state officials need to get these animals the treatments that they need. Then, make the owners pay and then throw them in jail. Some people should never have been born. All animals are better than some people. These animals can’t be left in this horrid condition. As a former resident of Michigan, I am appalled that this has not been corrected quickly since it was first reported.

  7. Unacceptable. Take all animals off property. These people need to be held accountable for the abuse and torture of these animals . These animals need to go to a sanctuary to live after they receive vet care . This property should be sold and used on the health care of these animals .

  8. Unfortunately the USDA fails the animals everytime. Even with a bad inspection pointing out the atrocious conditions, it takes FOREVER to shutter these places and get help to the animals in need. We need to also hold the USDA accountable.

    • You are so right about the USDA
      and their inspection services.
      Lets find out about the new person appointed by Biden. Is he/she a
      doer or someone there as a favor placed to end their career?

  9. I strongly agree with Johnny. Animals are worth rescuing unlike these hateful humans who mistreat them.

  10. Would this inhumane cruelty be allowed upon humans!??

    Im with Johnny .k, ANIMALS EVERYTIME!

  11. First of all this facility should not have been licensed. Roadside atrocities
    such as this need constant vigilent
    following by the USDA. Your inspection services are known to be virtually useless i.e., puppy mill inspections.
    No follow ups, no action taken other then to cite the place. Yes, I know you don’t get enough money to do a decent job but I will bet you go home each night happy as a clam that you don’t have to look at the misery until tomorrow. Any way –they are only animals and why is the government spending money on “this?”

  12. Stephanie Geyser says:

    If you can’t look after an animal properly, then you shouldn’t have it. Plain and simple. The Svobodas are either mentally ill hoarders or they are greedy money-grabbing garbage, earning money by abusing and neglecting innocent animals who can’t fight back. Either way, the Svobodas should NOT be allowed near (much less to own) animals ever again. In fact, I wonder how they treat their children (if – God forbid – they every bred themselves)?

  13. Shut this down NOW. These horrific animal abusers must be charged and these poor animals sent to a sanctuary immediately. humanity at its worst.

  14. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON THERE. SOMEONE PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE GO AND SHUT THIS HORRIFIC PLACE DOWN, REMOVE ALL THE ANIMALS TO SAFETY AND NOW, NOW, NOW!! THESE SO CALLED `HUMANS` ARE A DISGUSTING, VILE WASTE OF SPACE. EVIL AND WICKED. THEY MUST BE PUNISHED BUT ANIMALS RESCUED FIRST. KARMA WILL FIND THEM….FOR SURE. THEY ARE A DISGRACE, A DISGUSTING DISGRACE.

  15. Kathleen I Nagy-DeRosa says:

    What will it take to confiscate all of the animals, more harm? Maybe death? What is wrong with our DOA? If these people didn’t care enough about getting the animals help after the DOA ordered them to, how dumb to think they would take care of the rest left behind. Stop being Biden and GET THEM OUT…ALIVE.

  16. Christopher Lang says:

    You people are scumbag lowlife lovers! Anything for that mighty dollar, as long as you don’t feel any of the pain, huh?

  17. KILL THE PEOPLE DOING THIS TO THESE BABIES!!!!ZOOS ARE PURE EVIL!!! DON’T SUPPORT ANIMAL CRUELTY!!!

  18. The animals must be removed and saved and all those responsible for the horrifying living conditions need to be forced to live in the filth they allowed – for the rest of their sorry lives. IMO

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