Dave Bethel, owner of Reptile World, said he is in the process of winding down his business.
Nine specimens from Reptile World were euthanized after the Alberta SPCA took 142 reptiles and amphibians into protective custody.
Last week the Alberta SPCA executed a search warrant of the reptile zoo in downtown Drumheller. On Friday afternoon, the property was returned to Reptile World. Owner Dave Bethel learned at that time most of the collection had been seized.
“They turned the building over to us and gave us a seizure notice for some of the animals. They also gave us an ultimatum to sign over the ones that are remaining,” said Bethel. “Realistically there are not many left, they took 142 reptiles and amphibians. Basically they took everything, except the venomous and the crocodiles. They even took 500 mice.”
The Alberta SPCA released a statement on Monday afternoon, which confirmed that 142 reptiles and amphibians were taken, four of them in January, and the remaining in February.
“All of the removed animals were in distress. Nine of the removed animals were euthanized by a veterinarian because their distress was untreatable,” the statement reads. “In addition, approximately 500 mice, which were also in distress, were removed from the same facility and humanely euthanized.”
It goes on to say that as set out in the Animal Protection Act, the owner has 10 days from the removal to correct the conditions and reclaim the animals.
Bethel believes there is a slim chance they would be returned.
The Alberta SPCA executed a search warrant at Reptile World last Wednesday. Since then, vehicles from the Calgary Humane Society and Alberta Fish and Wildlife were observed on site.
“They have Alberta Fish and Wildlife involved and they are saying they will not be renewing my zoo permit. So right now Reptile World is closed and realistically there is less than a 1 per cent chance we’ll reopen.”
“They can’t say why after all these years, and all the inspections suddenly we are doing everything wrong,” he said, adding that even if the animals are returned, his main concern is to make sure they are given suitable homes.
He says the SPCA are still wanting to him to sign over the building in order to take care of the remaining animals until they can be moved. There is no definite timeline.
“We have the animals in there with no homes to go to, and I don’t know what is going to happen."
He said he is in the process of winding down the business.
If Alberta Fish and Wildlife pulls his Zoo Permit, Bethel said he will be in possession of the remaining animals illegally.
“I am more angry and frustrated, because no one will give me any answers."
