Retile Abandonment Prosecution

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The HSUS Calls For Stern Prosecution In Phoenix-area Pet Shop Reptile Abandonment Case (Sept. 28, 2007) — The Humane Society of the United States wrote Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas, urging strong prosecution of a shocking case

in which a pet shop owner is charged with abandoning 160 reptiles, amphibians, rodents and invertebrates inside his sweltering Surprise store in August. At least 33 animals died. The shop’s owner, Christopher Novak, was charged with 60 felony counts of animal cruelty and 66 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office deputies allege the animals were abandoned for more than three weeks without food, water and medical treatment. Temperatures inside the

store reportedly surpassed 110 degrees. “Given the high levels of care necessary to keep reptiles alive and healthy, it is particularly egregious that a pet shop owner would abandon their care so mercilessly,” wrote Dale Bartlett, The HSUS' deputy director for animal cruelty issues. “An animal who suffers a death by neglect or starvation suffers every bit as intensely as one who is killed by more directly-inflicted abuse – sometimes even more so, because the suffering of an animal who dies of neglect is protracted.” The HSUS asked Thomas to seek meaningful jail time and a ban on owning or living with animals upon any conviction in this case. The HSUS’ State Director for Arizona , Kari Nienstedt, said the Maricopa County Sherriff’s Office deserves much praise for its investigation. “Sheriff Joe Arpaio is widely recognized for his commitment to enforcing animal cruelty laws, so it comes as no surprise that he did not hesitate to take on one of Arizona 's first animal cruelty cases involving reptiles,” Nienstedt said. -30-

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