Founder of fake “sanctuary” arrested
September 7th, 2006 by admin
Darryl Lee Atkinson, founder of the Horseshoe Creek Wildlife Foundation in Davenport was arrested on September 5 and charged with two counts of “Failure to meet minimum wildlife cage requirements.” He was released after two days in the Polk County Jail.
Officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission found that Atkinson was keeping a tiger in a cage that is too small (Florida’s captive wildlife regulations require cages for tigers be at least 24 feet by 10 feet, and 8 feet high). Officers also found that the tiger cages were made of wire that is not strong enough to contain a large animal. This is particularly disturbing because Horseshoe Creek is open to the public. Their website advertises interactive tours: “Feed a baby Tiger, Snuggle with a snake, Hold an alligator, Play with a baby Florida Panther.”
According to The Lakeland Ledger, “Since 2003, Atkinson has been cited more than 20 times for not having large enough cages for animals.” Violations almost always result in a warning, sometimes a fine; an arrest is unusual. (That’s him in his mug shot.)
Atkinson is a former elephant trainer who keeps more than 40 big cats, and dozens of other animals at his property in Davenport.
Animals at reputable sanctuaries are not hired out for entertainment, and are not allowed to breed. Horseshoe Creek regularly trucks its animals to festivals around the country (they are scheduled to perform at the upcoming Tampa Reptile & Exotic Expo), and Mr. Atkinson has claimed to have bred more than 60 tigers and leopards!
Please contact the State Attorney for Polk County and urge him to take this case seriously, and if Mr. Atkinson is found guilty, to press for the maximum penalty.
Contact:
State Attorney Jerry Hill
Tenth Judicial Circuit
255 N. Broadway Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 534-4800
Online comment form.Write a letter to the editor of The Lakeland Ledger (click here).