Court refused arrest for owner of Zoo Łączna in Mieroszów
The court did not grant the prosecution's request for the arrest of the owner of the private Zoo Łączna. The man was instead placed under police supervision and asset bail.
No arrest for zoo owner — court refused
The District Court in Wałbrzych refused on Thursday evening to arrest the owner of the private Zoo Łączna in Mieroszów. According to wroclaw.tvp.pl, the man was instead placed under police supervision and asset bail. Four other people detained in the case received freedom-based precautionary measures — without any request from investigators for their arrest.
Five people were detained on Tuesday as a result of actions by the prosecution and police. The prosecution accuses the zoo owner and other suspects of animal cruelty. A report was filed by animal rights organisations, which had reported poor treatment of animals at the facility.
561 animals in neglect
Investigators found 561 animals in a state of neglect on the grounds of the zoo. According to prosecutors, the suspects knowingly allowed animals to experience pain and suffering by failing to provide adequate living conditions, feeding, and veterinary and medical care. During an inspection, buried animal bones were also found, mainly of hoofed animals, with their cause of death remaining unexplained.
Animals were kept in cold conditions despite their species-specific thermal requirements, particularly those from warm-climate regions. The zoo also lacked adequate food supplies. Local authorities implemented emergency assistance by providing heated tents.
Third day of animal removal operation
The third day saw the transport of animals from the zoo continuing. Videos circulated in the media showed animals leaving their enclosures in panic. Residents of Mieroszów gathered outside the zoo, protesting the relocation and defending the facility.
On Thursday into Friday, some attempted to block the animal transport, which led to police intervention. One person was fined, and four others were detained for physical assault on officers. Police were stationed at the scene.
Regional governor engaged in care issue
The voivode of Lower Silesia ordered the burgomaster of Mieroszów to convene the Municipal Crisis Management Team. The voivodeship office requested current information regarding the number of animals, their state of health, living conditions, and access to veterinary care.
Sebastian Jeziorski, deputy director of the Security and Crisis Management Department of the Lower Silesian Regional Office, informed that the voivode is conducting activities aimed at ensuring care for the animals both on site and in the event of potential evacuation. Talks are being held with directors of zoos throughout Poland. Veterinary care is being organised in parallel.
Prosecution appeals to animal rights organisations
Prosecutor Marcin Witkowski, deputy district prosecutor in Wałbrzych, informed at a press conference of "alarming" discoveries. He reported that the prosecution together with other institutions had prepared a scenario for relocating the animals, but this was hampered by an "enormous wave of hatred".
According to the prosecution, part of the organisations dealing with animal rights, which had previously declared willingness to take animals from the zoo, refrained from such actions. Witkowski appealed to animal rights organisations for help in taking over care of the animals with full support from the prosecution and police.
Prosecutor Mariusz Pindera from the Regional Prosecution Office in Świdnica told PAP that the proceedings had been conducted for several months. Its basis was reports filed by organisations concerned with animal protection.
History of the zoo
Zoo Łączna has functioned as a place for animal care for years. In 2012, it received the status of a zoological garden approved by the General Directorate for Environmental Protection. According to information from the owners, exotic animals began appearing in the zoo from that time onwards: tigers, kangaroos, milu deer, and various species of monkeys. In total, approximately 100 species of animals live there.
Before the intervention, the zoo owner assured that the facility was subject to periodic inspections by the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection and the county veterinarian.
Source: Google News PL — Crime (pl)