Nothing to do with the escape of the nine wolves which led to the closure of the Tarn animal park in December 2021. The release obtained this Wednesday by Sauveur Ferrara, the owner of the Zoo of the 3 valleys, concerns other offenses, noted between 2013 and 2017. Among them, the possession of non-domestic species without authorization, or the deprivation of food or watering of animals. Facts of which the Castres court therefore did not recognize the materiality.
“Given the file, it makes sense, legal rigor and common sense end up taking over,” rejoiced this Wednesday Françoise Mathe, the lawyer for Sauveur Ferrara. During the trial, she pleaded for release, denouncing a “chaotic file” and “errors” of the prosecution. Three employees, also prosecuted, were also released.
The prosecution could appeal
Chérif Chabbi, the public prosecutor of Castres, leaves a period of reflection to say if he appeals. During the hearing on July 6, his prosecution had requested a six-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of 10,000 euros against the manager, considering that “there is clearly a structural lack of security” in this animal park, located at Montredon-Labessionnie.
A dispute still opposes the zoo and the prefect of the Tarn before the administrative justice concerning the closure following the escape of the wolves, four of which had to be killed. But according to Sauveur Ferrara’s lawyer, there would be “no longer any obstacle to the reopening of the zoo”.