Owner Of Escaped Zebras On The Loose In Prince George’s County Charged With Three Counts Of Animal Cruelty

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (WJZ) — The proprietor of 3 zebras that escaped their Upper Marlboro workplace successful August and person been seen roaming parts of Prince George’s County has been charged with 3 counts of carnal cruelty.

One of the escaped zebras has died, but 2 are inactive connected the loose, the Prince George’s County Animal Services Division said.

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Prosecutors allege 76-year-old Jerry Lee Holly did not supply due attraction and sustenance to his zebras. One died aft escaping and being caught successful a snare trap respective feet from an enclosure wherever the afloat herd of 40 is kept, according to charging documents.

An researcher with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources said “the carnal should person been seen oregon heard portion it was dying from being caught successful the snare if the caretaker had attended to the zebras successful the fenced enclosure,” according to charging documents.

The researcher believes the zebra astir apt died from dehydration aft warring to escaped itself from the trap, prosecutors said. By the clip the carnal was discovered by Maryland Natural Resources police, the zebra’s assemblage was wholly decomposed, truthful a origin of decease could not beryllium determined, according to charging documents.

Another zebra was recovered dormant wrong the enclosure connected Tuesday and “had been deceased agelong capable that it had entered the rigor-mortis stage,” prosecutors said.

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In September, officials confirmed 3 zebras were connected the loose adjacent the country of Croom Road and Duley Station Road successful Upper Marlboro.

Maryland Natural Resources Police confirmed past week a zebra was recovered dormant successful a snare trap.

According to charging documents, carnal services was alerted astir the 3 escaped zebras connected Aug. 26. A caretaker connected Holly’s farm, Charles Gwynn, told officials helium would cheque connected the obstruction enactment and get an close number of the herd.

“Animal Services made interaction with Mr. Jerry Holly who was alert the zebras were loose, but had not program to seizure the zebras astatine that time,” prosecutors said.

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The caretaker has since made efforts to recapture the zebras, but has been unsuccessful, prosecutors said.

CBS Baltimore Staff