Feds Investigating Zoo After Gorilla Escape
Date: 09-Oct-03
Country: USA
The department has launched a probe of the Franklin Park Zoo to determine if there were any violations of the Animal Welfare Act, a federal law that covers animals on display at zoos, USDA spokesman Jim Rogers said.
Zoo spokeswoman Melissa Grossenbacher confirmed that federal authorities had inspected the zoo last week after the gorilla, nicknamed "Little Joe," escaped for the second time in as many months.
"What we're being investigated for is the animal getting out of its enclosure - certainly not a cruelty thing or anything like that," Grossenbacher said.
Little Joe caused a brief panic on the streets of Boston's Roxbury neighborhood when he busted out of the zoo on Sept. 28. Police brought in reinforcements equipped with automatic weapons, nets and night-vision goggles to help catch the primate.
The maximum penalty for breaking the Animal Welfare Act is a fine of $2,750 per count per animal per day, Rogers said. The department also has the power to revoke or suspend licenses.
