Northwest Indiana towns pass policies aimed at puppy mills
Communities across Northwest Indiana are considering humane pet store policies that ban the sale of pets raised at puppy and kitten mills.
Animal Welfare
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4 juveniles accused of poaching deer in Indiana, Illinois
Indiana prosecutors have charged four juveniles from southeastern Illinois with allegedly torturing and poaching more than 20 wild deer in the two states.
Ex-Charlestown wildlife center auctioned off after court ruling
Hundreds of people turned out for an auction at a former Charlestown wildlife center where the ex-proprietor and his ex-wife were found to have violated the Endangered Species Act by taking and wounding animals, including tigers and lions.
State: Ex-owner of defunct Charlestown zoo auctioning potentially misappropriated items
The legal battle over a now-defunct roadside zoo in Charlestown is continuing with allegations that the zoo’s embattled owner is attempting to auction possibly misappropriated items.
Judge: Ex-Charlestown wildlife center proprietor owes PETA $734K
A judge has ordered the former proprietor of an Indiana wildlife center and his ex-wife to pay People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals more than $700,000 in attorney fees stemming from the group’s successful lawsuit alleging violations of the Endangered Species Act.
DNR studying coyote killing laws
A prominent animal welfare group is calling for more regulation – and even a ban – on wildlife killing contests in the state of Indiana.
Trump policy that weakened wild bird protections revoked
The Biden administration on Monday reversed a policy imposed under former President Donald Trump that drastically weakened the government’s power to enforce a century-old law that protects most U.S. bird species.
Public warned to avoid Hammond lake where waterfowl died
State environmental officials are warning the public to avoid a northwestern Indiana lake while authorities investigate the deaths of dozens of ducks and other waterfowl in the area.
On rehearing, appellate court reaffirms ruling against animal shelter
An Indianapolis animal shelter still must face a negligence lawsuit from a family whose daughter was mauled by an adopted dog after the Indiana Court of Appeals reaffirmed its reversal of summary judgment for the shelter on Wednesday. The appellate court granted rehearing for the limited purpose of clarifying the issues of fact that preclude summary judgment.
Hoosiers looking for new pets warned against online scammers
Hoosiers looking to find a new furry friend via the Internet need to watch out for scammers, the Indiana Attorney General’s office announced Thursday.
Ex-Charlestown zoo owner released from jail as nonprofit is dissolved
The controversial owner of a now-defunct Charlestown zoo is vowing to “prepare for war” after his roadside attraction was formally dissolved.
Reversal: Shelter must face negligence suit after adopted dog mauls girl
A south side Indianapolis animal shelter must face a lawsuit from an adopter whose child was attacked by a dog with a history of aggression, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday, reversing a trial court’s grant of summary judgment for the shelter.
Defunct Charlestown zoo owner arrested in New York
After more than three weeks at large, the owner of a former Charlestown zoo has been arrested in upstate New York. He faces extradition to Indiana to face criminal and civil proceedings.
Charlestown zoo owner still at large as state moves for default judgment, dissolution
As the search for animals missing from an embattled Charlestown zoo continues, the state of Indiana is seeking default judgment and judicial dissolution that would formally end Wildlife in Need’s operations. Meanwhile, zoo owner Tim Stark remains at large following an arrest warrant issued in Marion County, as well as an additional warrant in Clark County.
PETA: 22 big cats taken from Charlestown zoo; all animals out
An animal advocacy organization said Friday afternoon it had assisted in the removal of 22 big cats, completing an animal-removal operation from a now-defunct Charlestown zoo. The removal came with the assistance of federal marshals after the zoo’s fugitive owner had made threats of violence and defied court orders.
Charlestown zoo owner at large after contempt arrest warrant
The embattled owner of a Charlestown zoo who has made headlines for defying court orders to turn over animals remained at large Thursday afternoon, a day after an Indianapolis judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
State: Zoo owner illegally removes animals, incites violence in racist post
The feud between the state of Indiana and the owner of a rogue Charlestown zoo is heating up, with the state now seeking default judgment and the court ordering the owner to reveal the locations of animals illegally removed from the Charlestown property. The state says the zoo owner responded with social media posts inciting violence and using racist slurs.
Charlestown zoo owner facing contempt after blocking court-ordered animal removal
As the process of removing animals from an Indiana zoo featured on Netflix’s hit series “Tiger King” begins, the owner of the zoo is already facing a contempt motion for allegedly interfering with the court-ordered removal.
7th Circuit declines to reinstate exhibitor’s license for controversial Charlestown zoo owner
In a second legal defeat in one week, the owner of the controversial Charlestown zoo appearing in Netflix’s “Tiger King” series has lost his bid to reinstate his federal exhibitor’s license.
Judge rules for PETA in suit against embattled Charlestown zoo
A federal judge has ruled that an embattled private Charlestown zoo harmed and harassed big cats in violation of the Endangered Species Act, setting the stage for the transfer of its animals to “a reputable sanctuary.” The ruling is a victory for an animal-rights group in one of several legal actions against the zoo owner who appeared in the Netflix series “Tiger King.”