100 animals were confiscated from this unaccredited Quebec zoo while its owner was arrested and charged with neglecting them: St-Édouard zookeeper charged with animal cruelty https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/st-edouard-zoo-normand-trahan-1.5143106
The raid was featured on CBC's The National On a side note, i'm kind of mixed on the animals being sent to sanctuaries across Canada. Surely there a few CAZA-accredited zoo which could use them and give far better care then a sanctuary?
Two other news. One is that the Granby Zoo is looking to take in some of the animals: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/zoo-st-edouard-quebec-protest-save-animals-1.5149973 The other, more importantly, is that some of the community are rallying to support the former owner and keep the zoo open. I don't know enough about the zoo to comment any further.
The zoo will soon be closed: Quebec zoo at heart of cruelty allegations ordered closed by workers' safety board
Some specific details on the situation of the animals: New Details About The Canadian Zoo Animal Cruelty Case Prove How Severe The Situation Really Was
Another article on it, this one longer: Details emerge of alleged abuse at now-shuttered Quebec roadside zoo
It be interesting to know what "drives" these people. Someone should look into it more in depth! I do believe that quite often authorities do mishandle animal cruelty cases, overlook the majority of more serious offences when economic interests are at play and go for the easy cases for PR media. This driven by the pressure Groups looking over their shoulders and then to be Seen to be doing something! However, it does seem pretty clear here
Some of the animals are being transferred to care facilities: Mistreated animals in Quebec zoo allowed to be transferred
There's are population explosion among the animals in SPCA's custody, who'd like to sterilise many of them as a result. On the other hand, some have died, like a lion. SPCA coping with population explosion among St-Édouard Zoo animals in agency's care
It underlines that animal welfare organisations do lack the expertise and resource facilities to deal with wild and exotic zoo animal rescuees! I find their talk of sterilisation particularly poignant! A failure in duty of care IMO.
The owner of the zoo has pled guilty to four animal welfare offences. He has been fined $7000 (hardly seems enough) and banned from owning animals for commercial purposes (too bad its not all animals period). At least he cant open a new zoo and the animals who were in his care are now safe at much better facilities. Unsanitary conditions, no veterinary care: Quebec zoo owner pleads guilty to animal welfare offences
