City eyes removing zoo designation from Lickety-Split: Animals were removed by wildlife authorities and police last month

2008-09-06

Mary-Jane Egan, London Free Press

A city committee will consider a bylaw Monday to repeal the zoo designation for London's controversial Lickety-Split Ranch and Zoo. The city's environment and transportation committee will debate the issue and send a recommendation to city council's next meeting. Cheryl Miller, chairperson of the committee, said the Lickety-Split controversy has become an embarrassment for the city and since the establishment has not operated for two years, the time seems right to repeal the licence.

Wildlife authorities and police raided the zoo last month, seizing animals and charging owners with having exotic animals without a licence. Lickety-Split owner Shirley McElroy had a zoo licence from 1996 to 2006 but failed to renew it in 2007, prompting the seizure. McElroy could not be reached for comment.