• About BCR
  • News
  • News @ BCR
  • Rescues
  • Issues
  • Cat Laws
Monday, January 25, 2021
  • Login
  • Register
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
No Result
View All Result
Home News World

Exotic cats are not pets

BCR by BCR
July 25, 2007
in News World
0
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

You might also like

Cub Petting Shame

Rules

GoFree

Exotic cats are not pets

 

 

 

Exotic cats are not pets

 

South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

 

July 25, 2007

 

 

ISSUE: A South Florida man with a bad record seeks another annual exotic cat permit.

 

Three years after Bobo the Bengal tiger died in dramatic fashion, shot in his tracks by a state wildlife officer at the end of a massive manhunt, the Loxahatchee man who could not keep him properly caged still holds a permit to keep four other exotic cats in his care.

 

Steve Sipek’s African lioness, black leopard and two Bengal tigers laze about his 5-acre compound in rural Palm Beach County, despite the federal government’s documented conclusion that the animals are not well-cared for or sufficiently confined.

 

That’s because the state doesn’t seem to care.

 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the same agency forced to launch Bobo’s costly manhunt, continues to award Sipek a commercial license to keep his animals. The permit comes with one confounding stipulation: that Sipek use them for commercial or education purposes – in other words, that he exhibit them to the public.

 

So a place the U.S. Department of Agriculture has deemed unsanitary to the animals and vulnerable to escape – due to its lack of medical records and on-site veterinarian, its dangerous debris and weak points in the fencing, which was also a foot lower than minimum standards allow – is welcoming the public in for a closer look, essentially by state decree.

 

"We’re not in it for the animal’s health," a state wildlife investigator told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel in explaining the absurd discrepancy between state and federal licensing guidelines. "If he wants to live in a trash pile, that’s his issue."

 

It’s also an issue for his neighbors, because unhealthy tigers can be unhappy tigers, and if they’re not properly caged, they could be dangerous to the surrounding community, or to visitors. After all, Bobo’s death isn’t Sipek’s first black mark. Two years earlier, the tiger mauled a woman helping to paint his cage.

 

Once again, it’s time for Sipek to renew his state license. Wildlife officers should go the way of the USDA and deny the request, in everyone’s best interests. Because private citizens who raise exotic animals as pets risk more lives than their own, and Sipek long ago ran out of chances.

 

BOTTOM LINE: Wild animals belong in the wild, or in a zoo, not in a residential community.

 

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-editnbsipeknbjul25,0,5338734.story

 


Tags: News World
Previous Post

Haley’s Act

Next Post

Caracal: Big Cat Species Spotlight

BCR

BCR

Big Cat Rescue is Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade

Related Posts

Cub Petting Shame
Cat Laws

Cub Petting Shame

January 17, 2021
439
Be Safe Out There!
How To Start A Sanctuary

Rules

March 31, 2020
27
Big Cat Rescue does bobcat rehab and release of native, Florida bobcats.
Articles by BCR

GoFree

March 29, 2020
108
Nik Tiger being Xrayed
How To Start A Sanctuary

What is a day like at Big Cat Rescue?

June 30, 2020
17
Cougars at Big Cat Rescue
Memorials

Artemis

January 28, 2020
55
Next Post

Caracal: Big Cat Species Spotlight

Leave a Reply

  • Default Comments (0)
  • Facebook Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Help Feed Big Cats

One of the best ways to help is through general donations that can be used however it is most needed at the time.To make a general donation just click the Donate Now button below.  This is the best way to give as it has the lowest credit card processing fees and is immediate help for the cats.

Give to Big Cat Rescue

If you prefer to donate via Pay Pal, please use this link: Pay Pal

Take Action Against Abuse

Shop To Save Big Cats

More From BigCatRescue

  • Rescue Missions
  • About Big Cat Rescue
  • Big Cat Rescue News
  • Reviews
  • Our Recent Work
  • Sanctuary FAQs
  • Big Cat TV

Sanctuary Cats

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Big Cat Information

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Ways to Help

  • Newsletter SignUp
  • Donate Now
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
  • View AMP Versioin
No Result
View All Result
  • 2018 Appeal
  • About BCR
  • About our Cookies
  • BCR in the Media
  • Big Cat Rescue Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade
  • Big Cat Times
  • Blog
  • Board of Directors
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Credentials
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Embed Link
  • GET THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT CUB PETTING
  • Global Big Cat News
  • Intern Program
  • Kids
  • Latest from Big Cat Rescue
  • Licensing
  • Map
  • Map of Big Cat Owners
  • Netflix
  • News about Big Cats
  • News Gallery
  • News@BCR
  • Our Video Series
  • PressRoom
  • Privacy Policy
  • Rescues
  • Search result
  • Series Archive – Default header
  • Shop
  • SnowLeopard
  • Social Stream
  • Staff
  • Teachers
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Terms of Use
  • Test Gravity
  • USFWS
  • Vets
  • Videos archive
  • Get Involved
    • Automatic
    • Sponsorships
    • Volunteer
      • AdvoCats
      • Click to Feed
      • Intern
    • Legacy
    • Roar! Speak Out for Big Cats
    • Ink
  • Finances
  • How We Started
  • Abuse Issues
    • Issues
      • Exhibitions
      • Private Ownership of Big Cats
      • Zoos
      • White Tigers
      • Circus
      • Fur
      • Trophy Hunting
      • Canned Hunting
      • Why Regulations Don’t Work
  • Our Evolution
  • Photos & Facts
  • Videos
  • Our Volunteers
  • Your Privacy
  • Donate
  • Site Map
  • Field Trips

© Copyright 2021 BigCatRescue.Org. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Add New Playlist