MOORESVILLE, N.C. — A popular exotic-animal park in our area will pay thousands of dollars in fines for charges of mistreating animals. The Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville and it's sister property in Ohio have settled with the government to pay a $20,000 fine.
According to court records, the ranch did not admit to any of the charges against them in making this settlement. Those charges were about issues ranging from 2014 to 2017.
Some of the 12 examples given by inspectors include claims that the farm failed to obtain adequate veterinary care for a pregnant camel, for a deer with multiple wounds and limping sheep. All a miscommunication according to farm staff when we talked with them last year.
"It wasn't an issue of veterany care it was our documentation of that. And we understand that the usda has to do their job. We're an open book. We'd love for you to come out and see for yourself," a worker said.
Federal inspectors will keep checking back with the farm to make sure they are in complaince.