Terry Cullen - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Dec 7, 2010: Letter to the Animal Legal Defense fund

from J. Nick Augustine, J.D.

President, Strategy Consultant and Publicist for Terry Cullen

Seized Reptiles Were "On Loan" from Zoos

Discovered by police investigating an assault case, scores of allegedly neglected reptiles – many reportedly ill or with injuries, some already dead – were rescued from Terry Cullen’s residence in May 2010. In yet another example of the link between animal abuse and violence against humans, Cullen is facing charges related to alleged animal abuse, sexual assault and false imprisonment.

Cullen had presented himself as a reptile collector for years, and many of the animals in his possession, including endangered species, were reportedly loaned to him by zoos. That only a handful of these zoos are reported to have come forward to take responsibility for the animals they had given to Cullen “on loan” is no surprise to seasoned wildlife rescuers. Quoted in the Journal-Sentinal is the Colorado Reptile Humane Society’s director Ann-Elizabeth Nash:

"Decades-long transfers of the animals don't make any sense. There is either an institutional commitment to the animal or there isn't," she said. "This is a Pandora's box. Not many people know about this, but numbers-wise this kind of thing is going to make puppy mill seizures a joke. There is this behind-the-scenes interaction between AZA institutions and institutions not AZA. What is the level of self-policing the AZA does? What are the vetting protocols to loan to non-AZA? There is a feeling that if the animal doesn't have fur, it's not something we need to worry about."

Take Action!
Locals are encouraged to support the prosecution by attending court proceedings. A hearing date in the criminal case against Terry Cullen is currently scheduled for December 13, 2010. (Always contact the Court to confirm court dates and locations as they are subject to change.) Please notify us at info@aldf.org if you plan on attending.

Circuit Court of Milwaukee County
Safety Building
821 West State Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-278-4538
Case #2010CF002659

Contact the zoos in your state and ask them to document their policies on “animal loans” for you. Many zoos benefit from taxpayer dollars, and the public should expect there to be a goal of lifetime responsibility with respect to each animal a zoo accepts into its charge, with a clear and transparent record-keeping system in place to discourage untraceable animal dealing. It is unfortunately a rare zoo that meets this responsibility with any meaningful accuracy – breeding programs resulting in animal “surpluses,” “group populations” such as flocks and colonies often being considered in sum, and a zoo’s dependence on entrance gate profits (and indeed the public’s demand for “newer and cuter”) all contribute to a zoo’s participation in the revolving doors of the exotic animal trade industry. Please contact the zoos in your area and email any feedback you receive to ALDF at info@aldf.org.

Resources

Animal Underworld: Inside America’s Black Market for Rare and Exotic Species by Alan Green

Surplus Animals: A Study of Captive Wildlife in the United States (PDF download)

Jul 1, 2010: Reptile 'House Of Horrors' Police Video Released

By Tom Murray

Police released investigation video on Thursday of what they call a "house of horrors" in reports.

It's been called animal hoarding. The video shows turtles in tupperware intermingled with piles and piles of stuff. Alligators and crocodiles were kept in metal horse troughs stacked one on top of another.

Prosecutors say 60-year-old reptile lover Terry Cullen is responsible. Police started investigating Cullen after a woman applying for an internship accused him of sexual assault.

In the warehouse at W Lincoln Avenue & S 13th Street, investigators found an uncaged alligator huddled by a radiator. Those working inside are seen on video wearing masks. They described an overwhelming, musty, animal feces smell..." More & video

May 26, 2010: Animal Expert Arrested

Andrew T. Levinson

2 weeks after police pulled hundreds of animals out of a south side warehouse, local reptile expert Terry Cullen was finally arrested and booked Wednesday, but not for charges of animal cruelty.

No one answered the door Wednesday at the residence listed to Cullen. Cullen was also not home 2 weeks ago when police pulled big snakes, alligators, crocodiles and other exotics from the residence and the warehouse.

Officers originally went to the building near 13th and Lincoln to investigate a sex assault case.

Wednesday, Cullen was booked on two counts of sexual assault, one count of kidnapping, and then released from custody. Police won't talk about the allegations, but the district attorney tells us it's a complex case. He plans to file charges Thursday morning, and Cullen could make his first court appearance in the afternoon..." More & video

May 18, 2010: Owner of animals seized by Milwaukee Police speaks out

The owner of hundreds of reptiles seized by Milwaukee police in south side house last week speaks exclusively to FOX6.

In an email statement Terry Cullen says , "I've been trying to deal with this Machiavellian nightmare while out of town. I've been gravely ill, far from being on the run. I've been back in town with my attorney for the past two days engaged in the appropriate necessary and legal formalities. I am overwhelmingly concerned for the well being of our animals..."

Cullen says he is also very saddened at the loss of his two dogs, Pogo and Kong who were shot by police during the raid. Cullen goes on to say he's devoted his life conservation, and now his life is shattered.

Milwaukee Police say that the criminal matters in the case are currently under review and depositions are on the way..." More & video

May 16, 2010: Reptile House Owner Tied To Defunct Businesses

By: Tom Murray

Investigators say the owner of the reptile "house of horrors" at 13th & Lincoln has ties to a number of odd businesses and properties.

Terry Cullen, 60, is known publicly for his effort to save the critically endangered Chinese alligator.

"Without immediate intervention, these animals will be extinct," he said in an interview found on YouTube.

Cullen owns the warehouse at 2323 S. 13th Street, where it took two days to remove some 250 creatures. The building is now boarded up and condemned due to the amount of animal waste inside...." More & video

May 16, 2010: 300 Exotic Animals Inventoried

By: Tom Murray

Conditions are so bad at the reptile "house of horrors" at 13th & Lincoln that it's been boarded up and condemned. Police want to talk with the owner, Terry Cullen, and he's not cooperating.

"Some of the worst conditions as far as living conditions, clutter," said DNR Conservation Warden Myles Gervis.

Cullen is known in his field for a dedication to saving species, particularly the critically endangered Chinese Alligator.

"We are dedicated to the preservation and conservation of critically endangered reptiles and amphibians," Cullen said in an interview found on YouTube.

Some who have been inside the warehouse at 2323 S. 13th Street describe it as animal "hoarding." They found live animals intermingled with carcasses and feces covering the floor.

From the building, authorities removed seven Chinese alligators, 58 snakes (including pythons, kings and boa constrictors), 52 crocodiles and four giant African pouched rats. There were also dozens of malnourished feeder rats and mice. The inventory totals some 250 live animals.

Authorities also found about 60 exotic animals at a home near 17th & Morgan, including five anacondas and tarantula family spiders.

"I have seen endangered species, but I'd be hesitant to speculate which ones had adequate permits and which ones didn't," said Jay Christie of the Racine Zoo, who helped with identification.

The creatures are now at Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control. Their future is uncertain.

"We'll do everything in our power to make sure they're adequately cared for," said MADACC Executive Director Melanie Sobel.

Cullen told police earlier this week that he's in Connecticut and has since been difficult to reach.

"Mr. Cullen is an individual that we're looking to talk with," said Lt. Paul Felician of the Milwaukee Police Department. "That's all I can say at this time."

Cullen told investigators he doesn't need a permit for the exotic animals because of his consulting agreement with the Wisconsin Humane Society..." More & video

May 13, 2010: Animals seized from warehouse

By: Andrew T. Levinson

Search warrant leads to some 200 reptiles

MILWAUKEE - Police, animal control and animal experts were called to a two story building on 13th and Lincoln Thursday to remove a wide variety of reptiles.

Officials say they may have been inside for years.

Alligators, crocodiles and large turtles were among the reptiles removed from the building..." More

Jesse & Tina Kolb: Springville, Wisconson

Jan 30, 2010: Shelter seeks homes for 193 seized animals

By : Karen Madden

An out-of-court settlement has authorities hoping they can find good homes for nearly 200 animals seized in November.

Tina Kolb, 30, and Jesse T. Kolb, 33, both of the Adams County town of Springville, have agreed to transfer custody of 193 of the 197 seized animals over to the Adams County Humane Society. The animals include dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, horses and a ferret.

"The settlement was agreed to because it was in the best interest of the Adams County Humane Society, Adams County and, most importantly, the animals," said Brenda Merkle, Humane Society president. "Many of these animals will now be available for adoption and will be placed with the best suitable homes."

Dogs, cats, the ferret and guinea pigs are at the Humane Society. The rabbits are being cared for at the Adams County Fair Grounds by 4-H members. All the animals will be spayed or neutered before adoption, Merkle said.

The dogs were thin when they came to the shelter, she said. They are now taken for walks twice a day and are happy, healthy and have good temperaments. However, they're getting restless with the long-term confinement in the kennels.

"They really need a family, love, care and attention," Merkle said.

Jesse and Tina Kolb each are charged with three counts of child neglect, 10 counts of animal neglect and 10 counts of failure to provide proper food to a confined animal. If convicted of the 23 misdemeanor charges, each could face more than 17 years in jail. Both previously entered not guilty pleas to the charges and are scheduled for their next court appearance March 17..." More

Dec 30, 2009: Couple face cruelty charges

By Andy Steinke

Criminal and civil charges were filed recently against the Adams County couple whose children were taken away and whose 193 animals were seized from their home Nov. 11.

Jesse Kolb, 33, and Tina Kolb, 30, of the town of Springville, each were charged Dec. 14 with 10 counts of intentionally mistreating animals, 10 counts of intentionally failing to provide proper food for a confined animal and three counts of mistreating a child. All 23 criminal charges are misdemeanor offenses and carry a maximum penalty of $230,000 in fines and 17 1/4 years in prison..." More

Dec 26: 2009: Couple face 23 charges

By Andy Steinke, Dells Events

Criminal and civil charges were filed last week against the Springville couple who had their children taken away and 193 animals seized from their home Nov. 11.

Jesse Kolb, 33, and Tina Kolb, 30, were each charged Dec. 14 with 10 counts of intentionally mistreating animals, 10 counts of intentionally failing to provide proper food for a confined animal and three counts of mistreating a child. All 23 criminal charges are Class A misdemeanor offenses and carry a maximum penalty of $230,000 in fines and 17 1/4 years in prison.

Separate civil charges were filed Dec. 15 in an attempt to release the ownership of the animals to Adams County — specifically the Adams County Humane Society.

The couple’s initial court appearance to enter pleas for the criminal and civil charges is scheduled to resume Jan. 6, and Judge Charles Pollex may rule on the county’s petition to take ownership of the animals.

During the initial first appearance, the Kolbs requested an attorney and were appointed one by the court, Adams County District Attorney Mark Thibodeau said.

The investigation is ongoing, Thibodeau said, and additional charges could still be filed.

A number of dead animals were found on the Kolbs property, and according to Adams County Humane Society Manager Christina Ackerman a few of the rabbits have died since being seized.

A necropsy was performed on the animals found at the home, but results are still pending, Thibodeau said.

Adams County Sheriff Darrell Renner said the animals that were seized — two horses, 37 dogs, seven guinea pigs, one ferret, 13 cats and 133 rabbits — remain at the locations they were originally taken to: The horses at Central Wisconsin Save The Animal Group in Portage, the rabbits at the county fairgrounds and the rest at the Humane Society.

The animals are costing the county $5,000 per week to care for, county board Chairman Al Sebastiani said, which is why the board considered a resolution at its Dec. 15 meeting to pay the Humane Society $20,000 a month until the animals could be released from its care.

The resolution was tabled because Renner suggested at the county’s Safety and Judiciary Committee that his department pay for the animals’ care through the end of the year. The department’s 2009 budget was still in the black, so it could afford the expense for the remainder of 2009.

Sebastiani said if the board had passed the resolution, the county would have had to “dig for the money.”..." More

Nov 13, 2009: Adams County Struggling To Care For Seized Animals

Children Placed In Foster Care

TOWN OF SPRINGVILLE, Wis. -- The Adams County Humane Society is struggling to care for dozens of animals that were taken from a Town of Springville home Wednesday.

Authorities said three children at the home have been placed in foster care after Jesse Kolb, 33, and Tina Kolb, 30, were arrested Wednesday.

Jesse and Tina Kolb are facing 10 misdemeanor counts each of mistreating animals and three counts each of neglecting a child. They have been released on $5,000 signature bond.

Investigators said they aren't sure why the family was in a situation they described as "unlivable."

For a shelter that typically has about 20 animals, Christina Ackerman, manger of the Adams County Humane Society, said she is doing the best she can with more than 50 animals.

"There were dachshunds, labs, huskies. The huskies are in the worst shape by far," Ackerman said.

In all, 37 dogs of all ages and breeds were seized from the home, and Ackerman said the dogs are suffering from various stages of starvation.

"They are so hungry, but we have to be careful because if we feed too much at once you can really damage -- make them sick and injure them. So we try to feed, every hour or two, a cup to each animal," Ackerman saidIn addition to the dogs, 11 cats, seven guinea pigs, two horses and 133 rabbits are also in the county's custody after the animal seizure that county authorities said was like none they've seen.

"The conditions, some of the initial reports I got, were not fit for anyone to live in the house, because there were so many animals in the house and feces and different stuff on the floor and just in the residence itself," said Adams County Sheriff Darrell Renner.

The county and the Humane Society have to pay to care for the animals as the case works through the court system..." More & video

31 Allegedly Abused Dogs Moved To New Wis. Shelter

More than 30 Jack Russell Terriers have been removed from a Milwaukee-area animal shelter where authorities say the dogs were mistreated.

Oak Creek police acting on an anonymous tip responded to First Friends Animal Rescue in Oak Creek. They allegedly found dogs with open sores and filthy fur.

The 31 dogs were taken to Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission.

The director there is Melanie Sobel. She tells WTMJ the dogs lapped up food and water as though they hadn't been fed for a long time. She says many had sores on their paws and fur soaked in urine.

A message left Saturday with First Friends Animal Rescue was not immediately returned.

Oak Creek police say they're seeking charges that include mistreatment of animals...." Link

Puppy mill laws poised for enactment

BY PATRICIA WOLFF

When Tim and Tara Eichman first laid eyes on Archie, a Lhasapoo rescued from Puppy Haven Kennel in Green Lake County last year, they saw one ugly, sick puppy.

But, dog lovers that they are, they looked past his unattractive exterior and recognized a diamond in the rough. He was covered in a tangle of urine and feces-matted fur run amuck. And once the fur was shaved off, things weren't much better. Archie had gross sores on his puny limbs. He was malnourished and had intestinal worms along with myriad other health problems.

"He was not the kind of dog you'd walk past and say, 'Aw, isn't he cute?'" Tara Eichman said.

Photos: View a gallery of Archie, a puppy mill dog now in a loving home

It took months of TLC but now Archie is sleek and happy and ruling the roost at the Eichman home.

"It took four or five months for him to heal up, get his fur back and for us to fatten him up. For a while we were the only ones who would pet him," Tim said.

On Tuesday afternoon Archie greeted guests and wagged his tail wildly as he lapped up affection from a pair a visitors at the Eichmans' Oshkosh home. The household is a whir of activity most days with baby son Ethan and three dogs – Archie, a pit bull named Maggie and a black lab mix named Sascha..." More

Wood County breeders surrender dogs

BY ADAM WISE

More than 15 dogs that spent a majority of their lives in a Saratoga kennel were in search of new homes around the state Friday following an official surrender from their owners.

On Thursday, Shane Morgan, who along with Tanya Schmoeckel bred and sold a variety of toy dog breeds out of their Saratoga home, surrendered 28 dogs to Wood County Humane Officer Nanci Kinney. The animals had been seized by Kinney the week before after a citizen complained the dogs were living in harsh conditions with ailments such as severe dental disease.

A transportation company affiliated with the Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies loaded more than 15 of the animals at the South Wood CountyHumane Society, whose employees had been overseeing the care of the animals during the custody battle. Schmoeckel protested in Wood County Circuit Court on Tuesday to have the 28 dogs and two Persian cats returned to her home. She was only successful in regaining ownership of the felines.

The 10 or so dogs expected to stay in Wood County mostly consist of young puppies, said Phil Hartley, executive director of the South Wood County Humane Society. As they grow older, they will eventually be adopted, he said..." More

Photo: Jodee Boyd

Report: Breeders refused care for animals

BY ADAM WISE

Two Saratoga residents who had more than 30 of their animals seized by a Wood County humane officer Thursday refused to provide treatment to the dogs and cats before they were confiscated, according to a warrant filed this week.

Tanya L. Schmoeckel, 34, and Shane L. Morgan, 34, were first approached by Humane Officer Nanci Kinney July 28 regarding the health of their animals, after Kinney received a tip from someone who tried buying a Persian kitten from the couple. The informant said the cat was very ill, according to the special inspection warrant.

The humane officer told the couple to take their animals to a veterinarian for treatment. If they failed to do so, some of the illnesses could lead to the animals' deaths. On Tuesday, Kinney contacted Schmoeckel to see if she had treated the animal. She responded "that she was not taking the animals to a veterinarian nor was she going to treat the animals and that Humane Officer Kinney could not come to the property to inspect the animals," the report stated..." More

More than 30 animals seized, shelter requests donations

SARATOGA — A Wood County humane officer seized 29 dogs and two cats from a Wisconsin Rapids-area breeder today.

The dogs, which were taken to the South Wood County Humane Society, 90 Pepper Ave., for evaluation, included dachshunds, pugs, shelties, Maltese, and Yorkshire terriers. Many were puppies.

Five animals were pregnant, with some close to giving birth. The two cats were Persians.

Phil Hartley, the shelter’s executive director, said the animals are not currently available to the public, but he requested donations for the animals’ care, including wet dog food, due to the large number of puppies..." More