A Popular Local Drive-Through Zoo Cited Again, For Failing To Properly Take Care Of Animals

CHARLOTTE, NC. —  A deer with untreated wounds, limping sheep and a giraffe with overgrown hooves all allegedly at a popular local drive-through zoo that has been cited again, for failing to properly take care of it’s animals.

The USDA cited the owner of the Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville for 13 violations.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture filed a complaint last month — citing the owner of the Lazy 5 Ranch, Henry Hampton, with 13 violations of the animal welfare act. Such as failing to provide adequate veterinary care: Including a giraffe with overgrown, misshapen hooves and three limping sheep.

Lazy 5 Ranch claims most of the problems have been resolved.

“There was a USDA inspection here yesterday, and we got a clean bill of health. There were absolutely no violations found whatsoever,” says Lazy 5 Ranch assistant manager Jennifer Dagenhart.

WCCB talked to Hampton on the phone:

“We’re working very closely with the USDA to address all the issues we’ve had prior to visits by the USDA. We had two completely clean inspections in March and yesterday.” -Henry Hampton, Lazy 5 Ranch owner

A routine USDA inspection back in 2015 found similar issues. Including a pregnant camel having difficulty breathing and a severely swollen head and feet, and a llama with a discolored eye from an old injury.

PETA is again urging people to stay away from the ranch. A spokesperson telling WCCB in a statement:

“Again and again, Henry Hampton has denied sick animals veterinary care and left them to suffer without help, and his mile-long rap sheet of animal-welfare issues reflects that.” -Delcianna Winders PETA Foundation Deputy General Counsel

Ranch employees say despite the allegations, they continue to have many supporters.

Dagenhart says, “A lot of people who come here often, and enjoy it and believe in what we’re doing and have never seen anything wrong with any of the animals.”