Michael Jackson has been getting a lot of stick about the way he looks after the animals on his Neverland ranch, with vets suing for unpaid bills and giraffes seemingly wallowing about in blood.
But, animal fans, you’ve got no need to worry. All the animals in Michael Jackson’s Neverland ranch zoo are completely safe and managed in a particularly non-cruel way, according to the US Department of Agriculture. So now it’s been proven that Michael Jackson legally doesn’t abuse children or animals. But we hear he’s a right arsehole to plants.
Michael Jackson (CDs) is a famous animal lover. He loves animals so much
that he went a grabbed a load of them and let them live on his property
and everything. But then Michael ran off to find a new job in Bahrain
and left the animals behind. This narked a few people, including his
apparently unpaid vet and PETA, who claimed that the animals on
Jackson’s Neverland ranch were being treated cruelly.
Alleged aerial shots of the Neverland zoo showed giraffes standing
around in pools of their own blood, elephants stamping around in their
own feces and crocodiles crammed into tiny enclosures. PETA
spokesperson Lisa Wathne was apoplectic, saying:
"These photos make it clear that the animals are
being held in what can only be described as cruel conditions. They are abysmal and little more than holding cells."
PETA
also sent a letter to the US Department of Agriculture, urging them to
send an inspector to Neverland, even closing it down if needs be. Only,
the US Department of Agriculture did send an inspector to Neverland
last month, and it seems like everything’s A-OK in there for the
animals. Darby Holladay, spokesman for the US Department of
Agriculture, has said:
"I’m unaware of any violations of the Animal Welfare Act at Neverland."
Perhaps
the giraffes were merely standing about in pools of delicious cherryade and
the elephants were simply surrounded by partially-melted Belgian chocolate. Who knows?
Not that Lisa Wathne feels much like apologising on the part of PETA,
though:
"Because Neverland is not open to the public, it’s very difficult to get
information about the place. But when we hear accusations like that –
and many accusations – we have to take note."
C’mon
Lisa! Sorry really does seem to be the hardest word. Maybe PETA could
make amends with Michael Jackson by sending him a gift – possibly a box
of owls or a nice tigerfur rug.
Read more:
Animals are safe at Jackson’s ranch – Scotsman
[story by Stuart Heritage]