On Tuesday, the Castres court heard from the Tarn's animal park manager. Nine wolves had escaped from their enclosure in December. The Castres court also heard that the manager was guilty of previous offenses including possession of non-domestic pets. Without authorization.
The Trois Vallees zoo, in Montredon-Labessionnie, was closed by prefectural decision on December 22, 2021, three days after nine wolves escaped from their enclosure. Four of them had escaped from their enclosure and were shot.
On Tuesday, Sauveur Ferrara, the manager, and three capacity managers, appeared. They were referring to offenses that occurred between 2013-2017, such as irregular operation of this type establishment and deprivation or watering animals.
Freddy Marta (deputy prosecutor for Castres) stated in his indictment that there was "clearly a structural shortage of security" at the zoo.
He demanded against Sauveur Ferrara a six-month suspended sentence and a $10,000 fine.
Concerning the capacity, Sebastien Muller asked for a three month suspended sentence, a 5,000 Euro fine against Sebastien Müller, Alain Boucher a 2000 euro fine and the release Michael Sorensen.
Francoise Mathe, Sauveur Ferrara’s lawyer, made a plea for his release. She denounced, on the sidelines, a "chaotic case" and "errors” of the prosecution. She stated that she wanted "relaxation for all offences".
Several civil parties were represented at the hearing, including the Brigitte Bardot foundation and the France Nature Environnement, Stephane Lamart, associations for animal rights defense.
Catherine Pons-Fournier (the lawyer representing the Brigitte-Bardot Foundation) stated that the manager was "completely accountable".
Judgment was set for July 13. Prior to that, Sauveur ferrara was summoned Monday by the Toulouse administrative court regarding the closing of the 60-hectare zoo.
