Virginia Animal Owners Alliance
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Today is the day that Keith Wilson was scheduled to begin his trial in Winchester, Virginia. The media is alive with the fact that he accepted a no contest plea deal. It's easy to point the finger and jump on the bandwagon if you don't know the facts or history of the case. The public assumes that some justification MUST EXIST for the State prosecution of Keith Wilson and that all of this time and money would not have been spent if some crime had not been committed. Now that he accepted a deal, his enemies feel vindicated and his case is once more national news. Some of us, however, know there is more to the story. We have spent hours in the courtroom and have watched the drama unfold since 2019. We are also aware that the ACLU, the CATO Institute, and others have written extensively about the coercive nature of the plea bargain. In contrast, Michelle Welch (who directs the Animal Law Unit and was prosecuting Keith Wilson) has previously stated that the plea deal is "exactly" what justice looks like to her.
The Keith Wilson story matters to every animal owner in America whether they realize it yet or not. Keith's decision to plead no contest does NOT change the facts of what happened to him or cleanse the Animal Law Unit of their reckless and harmful behavior.
To those who say the raid and seizure was about saving the animals, we would remind them of the macaques that were recklessly euthanized (without being tested) on the recommendation of Dr. Ernesto Dominguez. Secondly, a raid is a highly traumatic situation for the animals involved as they are suddenly confronted by strangers and forcefully removed from their homes. A seizure should not be the first option of authorities. In addition, the fact that the most valuable animals were taken and those of lesser value were left behind should raise questions in the mind of every animal lover.
Virginia's animal care laws have been quietly changed over the years and the change has not been a positive one. Owners have lost the right to decide what is best for their animal. They can be charged if authorities believe they did not euthanize their pet soon enough. It is a crime if your dog's water bowl freezes overnight (even if your dog is in perfect health and you promptly change the water in the morning). You can be held responsible for the feral cat that hides under your porch if it is in less than perfect health--you are considered its owner! Taking an animal to the vet for help is another opportunity for someone to report you and authorities to arrest you. Virginia has the first Animal Law Unit in the country and it appears eager to make a name for itself.
Why isn't the average Virginian aware of this? The law is only used in a selective and arbitrary way. These situations are often kept quiet. If they are reported in the media, many facts are left out. The average citizen does not realize what is happening until it happens to them or someone they know.
The truth of the matter is that Keith should have NEVER been prosecuted. He was practicing common animal husbandry and any concerns authorities had could have been remedied without such heavy-handed actions. It is a common husbandry practice to fill a water trough and not fill it again until it gets low. It is a common husbandry practice to only have the vet look at the sick animal and not the others. It is a common husbandry practice to allow hay to run low in a dry lot, before it is replenished. But ALL of these things were used against Keith as though they were criminal acts. The raid team used water bowls and common maladies such as bumblefoot, obesity, and parasites as their excuse to seize the animals they wanted. Keith was charged with 46 counts over minor issues and was facing years in jail as though he was a murderer. This was excessive. It was malicious. This prosecution should have never happened in the United States of America.
Keith was denied due process and treated guilty until proven innocent. The investigation was initially started by PETA and the suspicions of Deputy Richard Samuels were later used to obtain the search warrant. Actual fact-finding was ignored. On the day of the raid, representatives from PETA and HSUS were present. Deputy Richard Samuels testified on the stand that they were not there, but the FOIA document from the game department proves otherwise! Keith's seizure hearing was held in traffic court, but his appeal bond was set at $300,000.00 in cash. He had passed a USDA inspection shortly before he was raided, but his USDA inspector was prevented from testifying and his USDA inspection reports were deemed irrelevant. The members of the raid team broke both State and Federal law in carrying out the raid of the property and the confiscation of the animals. They argue that it's about the "totality of the evidence", but why did the Commonwealth's witnesses testify about water bowls, obesity, and parasites if these details were irrelevant? The fact is that each of these elements were used to fabricate a case against Keith Wilson.
How have we learned these facts? By sitting in the courtroom.
At Keith's pre-trial hearing on March 14, 2022, we learned that the Commonwealth obtained a warrant for another address THAT THEY DID NOT SERVE. We learned that although the allegation was that the tiger had no water, the attached den which could provide both shade and water was not mentioned in the affidavit. In regards to the hoofstock's dry lot, Deputy Richard Samuels admitted on the stand that he can't always tell the difference between straw and hay. If there were concerns about the amount of food or the presence of water, why didn't Deputy Richard Samuel's talk to one of the zoo staff? He testified that he does not "break cover." Let's remember that we are not talking about drug dealing or human trafficking. We're talking about a family zoo where parents brought their children to have a fun day with the animals. There was no need for him to hide. He should have been required to learn the facts FIRST.
Certain statements that Michelle Welch makes in the courtroom shock animal owners whenever they are repeated. On March 14, 2022, we heard such a statement. Michelle told Judge Alexander Iden that it is TACTIC of animal abusers to only point the veterinarian to the animals they want them to see. Keith's attorney argued that this is a common tactic of ANYONE WHO OWNS AN ANIMAL.
For those who did not attend a courtroom hearing, there are still certain things you can pick up in the media that reveal the level of discrimination Keith has been dealing with since day one.
For example, the Winchester Star is broadcasting the fact that Keith's camels had parasites, because their grain was fed to them by putting piles on the ground. Since Keith is not going to trial, the general public may never know how he would respond to this allegation. However, let's say that this is true. Is it a crime to feed livestock on the bare ground by putting grain into piles? If it is, should every farmer be reported and arrested if he chooses to feed his cattle this way? What about livestock that graze in a field? Can they not pick up worm eggs off the ground while they graze?
As for the presence of parasites, we would like to see an animal owner who has NEVER had to contend with these common freeloaders. Keith's vet testified at the seizure hearing in regards to the care he was providing to the animals at the zoo. Most members of the public do not own camels and do not know that camelids are highly susceptible to certain drugs. This can make them more difficult to treat compared to other livestock. Also, there are only so many dewormers on the market and the parasites will become resistant to the drugs if they are used too frequently. Parasites are a constant challenge for many livestock owners. Is the presence of parasites in an animal a crime in Virginia? Are we going to start investigating everyone who brings a fecal sample to the Virginia Department of Agriculture? Are we going to question local veterinarians about their clients? If not, why not? Laws are only laws if they apply to everyone.
Keith had some parrots who pulled their feathers. The mud hole for the pigs was deemed too small. The bears were "pear bears" and lacked muscle tone. The diets weren't right. The enrichment wasn't rotated frequently enough.
Michelle Welch has previously stated that she likens animals to children, but can you imagine if parents were suddenly labeled as abusive over their child's behavioral issue, obesity, diet, or rotation of toys? There would be public outrage! Animal owners are being micromanaged by the Animal Law Unit. These individuals are holding themselves up as the sole authority on animal care. This is wrong and must be stopped if animal ownership is to survive in Virginia.
No doubt, Keith will always have critics who believe that everything that was done to him was justified. Unless they become the victim of the Animal Law Unit, they may never open their eyes. But legitimate questions remain. Under the plea deal, Keith will have increased inspections. Why couldn't this have been the first option of the State? Compare the Envigo facility to Wilson's Wild Animal Park. The first was given an ability to cure. The second was instantly put out of business. What made the difference? Does the big guy matter more than the little guy?
The next time your animal flips its water bowl or makes a mess of its food, think of Keith Wilson. The next time you wonder if your pet is gaining weight, think of Keith Wilson. The next time you take your SICK animal to the vet and leave the healthy pets at home, think of Keith Wilson. If it makes you angry that the government wants to micromanage your every decision, turn your anger into action. Help us bring reform to Virginia.
And in case anyone was wondering... we STILL stand with Keith Wilson!
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