Feds Charge Notorious Exhibitor With More Animal Welfare Act Violations
After PETA Complaint, U.S. Department of Agriculture Charges Lance Ramos for Neglecting Emaciated Elephant, Illegally Selling Animals
For Immediate Release:
October 31, 2013
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
Balm, Fla. — This could be Ramos’ last stand: Following multiple official complaints by PETA regarding the abuse and neglect of exotic animals by Lancelot Kollman (aka “Lancelot Ramos”), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has charged the notorious repeat offender—whose exhibitor’s license was permanently revoked in 2009—with numerous new violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). These charges include failing to give veterinary care and adequate nutrition to a 22-year-old “visibly emaciated” elephant named Ned, whom the USDA confiscated in 2008 and sent to a sanctuary, where he died six months later. Other charges include denying big cats adequate veterinary care, failing to provide two capuchin monkeys with appropriate environmental enrichment, and illegally operating as an unlicensed animal dealer.
Each violation of the AWA is subject to a fine of up to $10,000, and each day that a violation occurs is considered a separate offense—meaning that Ramos potentially faces more than half a million dollars in fines.
“Lance Ramos is notorious for neglecting the exotic animals he forces to perform in circus shows,” says PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Delcianna Winders. “PETA wants families to know that when it comes to exotic-animal exhibitors such as Ramos, abuse is the norm and the priority is profit, not the animals’ welfare.”
In addition to these newly filed charges, Ramos is currently under an open USDA investigation for further AWA violations following PETA’s complaint regarding his illegal exhibition of tigers. Earlier this year, a PETA complaint led the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to pursue criminal charges against Ramos for unlawfully housing tigers at his Balm, Fla., property.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
