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Water Hole Exotics in Odessa, TX, has been cited with 74 violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) from May-December 2021, resulting in a 21 day license suspension.
Water Hole Exotics is owned by Daniel and Bobbi Pradon who share a license as an animal dealer. The facility had not been inspected in 18 months when U.S. Department of Agriculture Veterinary Medical Officer Tamila Stott arrived to conduct an inspection in May 2021. The inspection report indicates Stott was blocked from completing an inspection.
“The licensee told the Animal Care Inspector that he would not allow entrance to the property for purposes of an inspection because ‘the pens are a mess. I haven’t been able to hire help and now is not a good time,’” according to the inspection report.
The USDA completed nine additional inspections at Water Hole Exotics from August-December 2021 and documented dozens of instances of animals suffering without veterinary care in filthy enclosures with dirty water and inadequate shelter.
On August 24, the USDA documented 14 animals in need of veterinary care.
On August 30, the USDA documented 17 animals in need of veterinary care.
On September 8, the USDA documented 12 animals in need of veterinary care.
On September 14, the USDA documented 11 animals in need of hoof care.
On September 27, the USDA documented 10 animals in need of hoof care.
On October 6, the USDA documented 24 animals in need of veterinary care.
On October 19, the USDA documented 17 animals in need of veterinary care.
On November 4, the USDA documented 16 animals in need of veterinary care.
On December 6, the USDA documented 14 animals in need of veterinary care.
The Pradons were cited five times for failing to employ sufficient help to care for the animals. Their total violations include 38 non critical violations, 10 critical violations and 26 direct violations.
USDA records indicate the Pradon’s USDA license was canceled in 2004, 2007 and 2012. Their current license is active through October 2022.
On December 3, 2021, the USDA sent notice to Water Hole Exotics that their license was being suspended for 21 days due to multiple AWA violations.
“We are taking this action because we have reason to believe that you have willfully violated … the regulations and failed to meet the minimum standards for animals,” according to the suspension notice.
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