Two men in Emmaboda municipality have been charged with aggravated animal cruelty and violations of animal welfare laws, according to reports from local media. The men, who previously owned a tropical animal facility, were found to have approximately 20 animals in their home despite having existing animal bans.
The animals, which reportedly included spiders, scorpions, and turtles, were discovered during a County Administrative Board inspection in September 2024. Eight of the animals are believed to have suffered, with veterinary examinations showing several were undernourished, sick, or had untreated injuries.
Both men had previously been convicted of animal cruelty following the closure of their exotic animal business in another county, which resulted in them receiving animal bans prohibiting them from participating in animal care. The County Administrative Board reportedly seized all animals during the 2024 inspection after receiving a tip about the men violating their animal bans.
The tropical animal facility the two men previously operated was closed in 2019. The charges come after an investigation revealed the animals had been kept in inadequate conditions for an extended period.