ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) _ A judge has granted custody of more than 27,000 animals to the city of Arlington after they were seized last month from an exotic animal dealer.
Municipal Judge Michael Smith ruled Tuesday that U.S. Global Exotics owners Jasen and Vanessa Shaw cruelly treated hundreds of species of exotic animals at their Internet-based wholesale business.
Arlington officials have said the December raid turned up starving snakes, reptiles packed in shipping crates and rodents that killed and ate each other.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that animal welfare groups have been caring for the animals since their removal.
The Shaws’ attorney, Lance Evans of Fort Worth, said he believes that neither the facts of the case nor the law support Smith’s seizure order. He expects his clients will appeal. In the meantime, he says U.S. Global Exotics remains closed until the couple decides on an appeal.