Humane Society of North Texas to Provide Refuge for Two Bears

FORT WORTH, TX (April 20, 2006) - In an effort to support animals in need, the Humane Society of North Texas will be providing refuge for two black bears among the animals seized from a private residence coordinated by Gonzales County officials and the Houston SPCA. HSNT will house these bears until permanent placement is established.

Under the Texas Dangerous Wild Animal law, Gonzales County officials seized 11 bears, 2 tigers, 2 wild hogs and one Macaw Thursday, April 20, 2006. In accordance with this law, it requires an owner to: (1) Register the animal with their local animal control; (2) house the animal in a secure enclosure of adequate size; (3) humanely care for the animal; and (4) maintain a minimum of $100,000 liability insurance to cover any damage, injury or death caused by the animal. The animals were taken from the owner based on failure to meet these standards. It is believed that Gonzales County is the first County in the State of Texas to seize wild animals under this law.

The animals have been owned since the 1980’s and used in performance and varying exhibits. They resided in inadequate transport cages located in a poultry barn for more than nine years.

Additional agencies have offered resources to rescue the animals. The International Exotic Feline Sanctuary (Boyd, TX) has given a home to one tiger and the Wildlife Reserve and Rehabilitation (Kendalia, TX) will permanently house one bear. The remaining animals will be housed at the Houston SPCA until room can be found at reputable sanctuaries across the country.

The Humane Society of North Texas, a non-profit organization serving Tarrant and surrounding counties since 1905, is located at 1840 E. Lancaster, Fort Worth, TX. Our mission is to act as an advocate on behalf of the animals and ensure their legal and ethical protection; to provide for the well-being of animals who are injured, neglected, mistreated or otherwise in need; to relieve suffering and prevent cruelty to animals. In accordance to our mission, we promote kindness, justice and mercy to every living creature entering our door.

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For more information contact
Heather Bern
817-332-HSNT, Ext. 119
hbern@hsnt.org