Home / Crime and Justice / Hundreds of Exotic Pets Perish in Shocking Animal Welfare Scandal
Hundreds of Exotic Pets Perish in Shocking Animal Welfare Scandal
9 Oct
Summary
- 1,800 animals seized, nearly 400 died or euthanized
- Exotic pets found in poor conditions, some dead or close to death
- Breeder David Johnson sentenced to suspended prison term
In a disturbing case of animal neglect, authorities in the UK have uncovered a massive exotic pet breeding operation that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of animals. According to the details, in December 2020, the RSPCA and police carried out searches at four addresses in Shropshire, where they discovered over 1,800 animals in poor condition.
The investigation revealed that 37-year-old David Johnson, of Manchester, had been keeping a variety of exotic creatures, including snakes, lizards, and tortoises, in substandard conditions. Tragically, nearly 400 of the seized animals either died or had to be euthanized due to the neglect they had suffered.
At one of the properties, inspectors found over 1,000 leopard geckos, along with hundreds of other reptiles, all living in deplorable circumstances. RSPCA Inspector Kate Parker described the scene, saying, "I could instantly feel that it was cold inside. It was cold inside for any animal, let alone reptiles."
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In September 2023, Johnson pleaded guilty to nine offenses under the Animal Welfare Act and was sentenced to 24 weeks in jail, suspended for 18 months. He was also disqualified from keeping animals for 16 years. The RSPCA's Alison Greaves expressed her distress at the conditions the animals were found in, stating, "There were dead and dying animals and it was incredibly sad to see such beautiful animals in these conditions."
The surviving animals were eventually rehomed or sent to RSPCA centers, but the damage done to these creatures is a tragic reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and proper animal welfare standards.
