PETA's Claims Anger Lazy 5 Ranch

MOORESVILLE, N.C.,None — Employees of Lazy 5 Ranch near Mooresville are taking strong exception to claims by an animal rights group that the drive-through zoo is not providing adequate veterinary care for its animals.

In a press release, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is asking area residents to contact Rowan County Animal Control to "demand a full criminal investigation of apparent ongoing, systemic animal neglect by roadside zoo Lazy 5 Ranch."

PETA charged that Henry Hampton, owner of Lazy 5 Ranch – which is on N.C. 150 in Rowan County -- has allowed a young giraffe to "languish" with "severely overgrown hooves" for more than nine months and has also denied water and shelter for the other giraffes residing at the ranch.

PETA's news release states that the group sent "extensive documentation of neglect to Rowan County Animal Control but (they) did nothing but forward the material to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)."

Lazy 5's Sarah Rogers, speaking for Hampton, strongly denied PETA's accusations.

"We've heard the claims made by PETA, and they are completely unfounded and 100 percent false," Rogers said. "Yes, we do have a giraffe with overgrown hooves, but that is why the giraffes are on the gravel street. The gravel naturally trims down the hooves, and the giraffe is not in pain or in any danger. Trimming the hooves naturally takes time."

As for the claims that the giraffes have no shade or water, Rogers also said that was untrue.

"Our giraffe barn is open at all times for the animals to get shade, and water is absolutely provided," she said.

She added that Lazy 5 Ranch works with a veterinarian on a regular basis and none of the ranch's animals are neglected or mistreated.

"As far as I know, no one from PETA has ever been to Lazy 5 Ranch and they have no idea what they are talking about," Rogers said. "We encourage all of our visitors and anyone in the community to ask questions if they are concerned on behalf of the animals. We are happy to educate people."

Rowan County Animal Control visited the premises recently and found no violations, she said.

"We've also heard from the USDA, which has little to no knowledge of how giraffe hooves should be treated," Rogers said. "As I said, we are happy to answer any and all questions about the treatment and care of our animals to help you form your own opinions of how Lazy 5 Ranch operates."

For more information about Lazy 5 Ranch, visit http://www.lazy5ranch.com or call 704-663-5100.

WSOC