Groveland Twp.-The future of an exotic animal business that operated for almost a decade under the radar of township officials as well as many neighbors is uncertain.
On Monday night Township Supervisor Bob DePalma updated the community on Premier Animal Attractions, the 22-acre home to exotic animals such as tamandua anteater, red kangaroo, African serval and tigers owned by Andrew and Rachelle Gehringer.
The business located in the township since 2006 is a federally licensed and inspected facility that provides educational exhibits and programs off premise at various schools, events, camps, and senior facilities.
Township officials were unaware of the business until April 15 when a township resident reported seeing a white tiger on the property and notified DePalma along with the media. The animal sighting was confirmed by the township code enforcer; however, he was denied further access to the facility. DePalma said he contacted the United States Department of Agriculture following the tiger sighting. The USDA is required to issue permits for exotic animals under the direction of the Animal Plant Health Inspection Services. The USDA responded that Premier Animal Attractions was an approved operation in Springfield (Township) before coming to the township.
As a result of the encounter DePalma met with Gehringer on April 29 requesting a tour of the facility with Township Fire Chief Steve McGee, DePalma, and Township Attorney Will Hosler. The tour was necessary, said DePalma, to assure the safety of the community. In the meeting, Gehringer told DePalma that he contacted the township in 2005 and inquired of ‘some lady in the office? to see if there was an exotic animal ordinance. He also said that later he came in and reviewed the township ordinances and copied some fence information.
Andrew Gehringer responded to The Citizen via e-mail 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.?
A few days after the April meeting Gehringer denied the request for the visit requested by DePalma in a reply from his attorney.
‘They would only allow the fire marshal to come on the property and inspect fire related issues,? said DePalma.
‘Otherwise we are not allowed on the property. I am just not comfortable with this situation. I do not feel the township has the option to do nothing. Ultimately they have to comply with local ordinances. The issue is the zoo is there and under the current environment I can’t leave it the way it is. Is there some workable arrangement? Maybe.?
On May 13 DePalma issued a letter to Gehringer and Premier Animal Attractions emphasizing they are currently in violation in two areas.
‘First an exotic animal zoo is not an approved use in the REF Zoning, secondly you are in violation of our Township’s Dangerous, Wild or Exotic Animals Ordinance, Sec. 54-1111,? the letter read.
DePalma gave Premier Animal Attractions until May 21, 2015 to provide a plan to bring the property into compliance.
Premier Animal Attractions responded to an interview request from The Citizen regarding Monday’s meeting through their attorney Liz Downey.
‘Contrary to certain statements made at the Monday (May 11) meeting, the Gehringers have fully cooperated with all appropriate requests for information, including meeting with the township, offering dates for inspection, and offering to meet with the township’s attorneys to discuss any concerns,? wrote Downey in an e-mail to The Citizen. ‘How would you feel if township inspectors showed up at your home without notice, demanding that you drop everything and allow them to rifle through anything and everything on your property, when there is no history of such inspections and the federal inspection records are readily available for their review??
In November 2009 the township planning commission amended the dangerous, wild or exotic animals ordinance requiring registration of the animals within 90 days, insertion of 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, emphasized DePalma.
Downey responded to questions regarding the township ordinance.
‘Andrew and Rachelle Gehringer, who live with their family on the property, have operated their federally-licensed business on the site for ten years without incidents of any sort. Before relocating their ongoing business to the site, the Gehringers told the township that they were a federally-licensed facility looking to relocate in the township, and inquired (both by phone and in person) about any township ordinances concerning exotic animals. At the time, there were no ordinances prohibiting them from raising the animals and housing them on their property.?
Adam and Jennifer Gifford, along with their daughter Vivian, 3, moved to the township in August 2014. They purchased five acres and live about 300 yards from where the animals are housed. Despite their proximity to the animals, they were unaware the animals existed.
‘I don’t want to arm myself when I’m out in the front yard,? said Adam, who attended the township meeting with his wife on Monday. ‘It’s not fair to me given their lifestyle and the township ordinances which are in place are very clear. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. If the ordinances are not enforced why can’t I ignore them (ordinances), too??
‘The exotic animal ordinances says they have to notify the township regarding the exotic animals within 30 days and they did not. They are in violation.That’s why we have ordinances’we are a civilized society. I understand when I moved out here I expected cows, pigs, chickens and the smells that come along with them. But I did not expect tigers. We have foxes and coyotes that come out at nighttime, they are native. But having to live with a big cat next door, I was just not prepared for that. If the township does nothing then we can file a private nuisance motion. But I know they will do the right thing.?
Downey emphasized the key safety aspects of Premier Animal Attractions.
‘But to keep both the animals and the public safe, all animals are housed in a double-containment system (including perimeter fencing and with secure tops around every animal enclosure),? wrote Downey. ‘This eliminates the possibility of any animal climbing or jumping over the walls. In addition, the animals are consistently monitored through several means, including electronically.?
‘The animals cannot defeat the safety systems, but a determined human being can defeat any security system. That’s why the Gehringers have no problem showing the township inspector the details, just as they continue to show them to the federal inspector. But to ensure that no one tries to tamper with the system, they are holding the details of the system private from the general public.?
Gladys Parker, a Brandon Township resident and local realtor, also attended Monday’s meeting to express her concern for the animals.
‘I’m an animal person,? said Parker. ‘Just how are Premier Animal Attractions caring for these animals? Many of them are not accustomed to the cold Michigan winters. Also, most of the animals appear to be babies. If they always have babies, are they breeding these animals? So what happens to them as adults??
The animals are kept in good health, wrote Downey.
‘The U.S. Department of Agriculture inspects their operation several times a year, and has certified that they continue to meet or exceed federal requirements for animal safety and human safety,? continued Downey. ‘They are in exceptional health, enjoying routine veterinary visits and passing multiple federal inspections. A veterinarian is also available on-call should need arise. The majority of the animals have been hand-reared, and thoroughly socialized with the owner/handlers. This makes them healthy, contented animals who are happy in their environment and not looking for a means of escape.?
An inspection is forthcoming, added Downey.
‘The Gehringers had a right to know why the township was there, what the concerns were, who was to be on the property, and what their rights were in connection with any inspection demand. Now that they know who the inspector is and what the township wants to see, they have offered dates for an inspection, so as to satisfy the township that the operation is safe.?