Owner of Lickety Split zoo found guilty of license infraction

2009-02-17

Jill Buchner, London Free Press

The owner of Lickety Split Ranch south of London was found guilty of keeping animals in captivity without a license this morning. Justice of the Peace Robert Seneshen ordered the forfeiture of the wildlife, but no additional fines.

Animals were seized from the roadside zoo in August, 2008, and will not be returned to the ranch. The seized wildlife include a white-tailed deer, a raccoon, four lynx, three foxes and a bobcat.

Ranch owner Shirley Campbell had received a license for owning the animals from 1999 to 2006, but didn’t apply for a license in 2007 or 2008. A licence is required by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.

Prosecutor Brian Wilkie said a ticket was issued to eoncourage Campbell to move forward and get the license.

“Removal of the animals is certainly the last resort and that’s where we are today,” he said.

Seneshen said he would like to see more protection for these animals than the law provides today.

Campbell wasn’t in court today.

About a dozen demonstrators outside the provincial offences court said they were pleased with Seneshen’s decision. But they too are looking for a better way to protect animals in roadside zoos.