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Zootastic fined for past animal welfare violations

TROUTMAN, N.C. — The Lazy 5 Ranch isn’t the only local outdoor animal attraction that has received federal citations for animal welfare violations.

[RELATED: USDA cites Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville with dozens of animal welfare violations]

Zootastic in Troutman was fined $7,450 for multiple violations of the U.S. Animal Welfare Act, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

[RELATED: At least 5 hurt after massive tree crashes on wagon at Zootastic Park]

VIOLATIONS FOR ZOOTASTIC FROM 2016:

  • Improper enclosures
  • Substandard and inadequate feeding areas
  • Failure to provide adequate veterinary care
  • Failure to maintain employee supervision
  • Failure to keep proper acquisition and disposition records

Officials said Zootastic failed to provide veterinary care to a female white tiger who had “a tail wound that was actively bleeding …, one young male liger, who had significant hair loss over approximately 40 percent of its body … and one very young female white tiger cub who had significant swelling around her eyes.”

According to the USDA, the business has passed six of the seven inspections since it was fined.

In April, inspectors found multiple violations including expired medicine, dirty food containers and unsupervised interaction between the public and animals.

After officials found the violations, Zootastic was able to fix them by May's inspection.

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