Groveland Twp.-It was a phone call township Bob DePalma was not expecting.
On April 15 a township resident reported seeing a white tiger near their home.
‘At first I thought’well maybe the resident was seeing a really big white dog,? said DePalma. ‘So I sent out the township ordinance enforcer and the Michigan State Police too. The ordnance enforcer stopped at the gated residence and yes there were tigers. However, the owners did not allow further entry.?
The facility in question is home to Premier Animal Attractions owned by Andrew and Rachelle Gehringer. According to the companies Web site the 22 acre fenced property includes to exotic animals such as tamandua anteater, red kangaroo, fennec fox, arctic fox, hamadryas baboon, African seval and tigers. The business is federally licensed and inspected facility that provides educational exhibits and programs off premise at various schools, events, camps, senior facilities and have resided in the township for nearly a decade.
Andrew Gehringer responded to The Citizen via email after residents expressed concern to township officials and the tigers were reported to media.
‘First and foremost, questions regarding our facility arose on the evening of April 15 only from the result of an individual(s) unwarranted trespass well over property lines,? he wrote. ‘No animals were or ever have been loose from their enclosures. Since then, we have been in contact with the township supervisor and have plans for further research and discussion by both parties. It has recently come to our attention that more stringent (township) ordinances were adopted Nov 9, 2009. Due to an unfortunate oversight, we now must find additional clarity on the matter. We meet and/or exceed all federal/state standards pertaining to being a Class C licensed exhibitor in Michigan, and have always maintained excellent standing while warranting no safety concerns over the last 19 plus years of business operations.?
In 2009 the township planning commission amended the dangerous, wild or exotic animals ordinance after a query from a potential township resident had eyed the community for a home to possibly breed pythons. While it is unknown if pythons were reside in the township the board of trustees OK’d amending the ordinance in November requiring registration of the animals within 90 days, insertion a microchip for tracking purposes and if the animal dies they cannot be replaced.
‘The wording for the (township) amendment is from the State of Michigan’s exotic animal rules. I’m not willing to agree they are grandfathered in,? said DePalma. ‘They were in the township for nine years and I never even knew they were there.?
DePalma said he contacted the United States Department of Agriculture following the recent tiger sighting. The USDA are required to issue permits for exotic animals under the direction of the Animal Plant Health Inspection Services.
‘Actually the animals were in Springfield Township before moving to Groveland,? he said. ‘They (USDA officials) told me that Premier Animal Attractions were an approved operation in Springfield (Township). I contacted the Springfield supervisor Collin Walls and he did not know where they were in that township either. Still, I find it hard to believe that a large carnivorous animal can be moved into the township and no one is notified. Really? They notify the township when a used car lot wants to move into the township but not tigers? It’s just very poor procedures for the USDA. It’s just gross negligence and there’s no excuse for that.?
Calls to the USDA officials were not returned to The Citizen as of deadline.
Gerhinger said Premiere Animal Attractions are held to the same standards of animal care and housing as any zoo in the country.
‘Many of our closest neighbors not only know about our facility, but have addressed no concerns to ourselves nor the township over the last nine years,? he wrote. ‘We have always operated our business with public safety in mind. We have documented natural disaster plans, even though it is not required by any of our licensing agencies as well as 24 hour facility surveillance both remote and mobile.?
DePalma emphasized there are 8,000 acres of woodlands in the township.
‘How easy would it be for those animals to get lose and never be found in all that woods?? he said. ‘Those cats are only two miles from my house’there are predatory cats right down the road. If neighborhood children are out playing nearby I understand it would be terrifying to parents. We’ll decide in the next few day what we can do, I’ve been in touch with the township insurance company and the (township) attorney. Right now they are in violation of the township exotic animal ordinance and the zoning ordinance. The property is currently zoned, ‘rural estate farms?? there is no private exotic animal zoo is that ordinance.?
Gehringer expressed concern for the clarity of the ordinances.
‘We in no way, do, or ever have, promoted animals of this nature as ‘pets?,? he wrote. ‘However, these local ordinances adopted in 2009 concern ourselves and probably should concern other residents of the township as well. After further research, there seems to be some ambiguity as to what constitutes an ‘exotic animal.? This could in fact include many household pets including animals like chinchillas, hedgehogs, snakes, lizards, sugar gliders, etc. Many city ordinances are more tolerant than in this rural/farm community and many Groveland residents may in fact be in violation. Our hopes are to work with local officials to establish better guidelines within this ordinance while exempting the one properly licensed facility like ours.?