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December 19, 2005
Parrots in peril
At Martha Scudder’s Parrot Depot in Roy, hundreds of parrots, including many endangered species, have lived in cold, wet, filthy conditions for years, according to eyewitness accounts, experts, deposed testimony and scores of post-mortem reports.
The people and documents indicate Scudder’s has neglected hundreds, and possibly thousands, of parrots over its 25-year history. A veterinarian working with the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County called the 5-acre farm on 332nd Street South a “concentration camp” for birds.
Plastic sheeting covers eight ramshackle wooden sheds. It flaps in the wind and offers little protection to the 800 parrots living there. At least one roof has been leaking unfixed for years, according to the veterinarian in a lawsuit deposition. Seven other sheds are equally dilapidated.
Several complaints about Scudder’s have been made to the Humane Society and one to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Plus, animal control inspectors have checked the property and warned Scudder that they believe the facility violates the state’s animal cruelty law.
Still, not a single bird has been removed or a fine issued.
Posted by sue at December 19, 2005 09:42 AM
Comments
Every one is appalled by the conditions described in various documents. Nothing however has changed and the birds still suffer and die. Washington state officials and Bonney Lake Officials ignore all violations of abuse and neglect at these aviaries and the cities of Bonney Lake and Roy send inspectors out who verify violations of zoning laws and the health dept identifies violations and even though all of the public complaints have been verified the Mayor of Bonney Lake and officials of Roy and Pierce County dont give a rip. Violations have been occurring for decades yet not so much as 1 fine has been levied against these operations.
Posted by: Larry at January 10, 2006 06:02 PM