OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - An Omaha petting zoo will get nine seized animals back after citations against it were dropped.
City Prosecutor Matt Kuhse told the Omaha World-Herald that Scatter Joy Acres meets the definition of a zoo, meaning it meets the exemption in city ordinance that allows the housing of non-domesticated animals.
The animals taken Aug. 24 by the Nebraska Humane Society include a porcupine, seven Patagonian cavies and a coatimundi. The Patagonian cavies look like jackrabbits and are native to Argentina. The coatimundi is a mammal that looks like a cross between a cat and a raccoon and is native to the Americas.
Scatter Joy board member Tim Heller says the organization appreciates the support it has received since the public became aware that the animals were removed.
Humane Society spokeswoman Pam Wiese said the animals would be returned as soon as logistically possible.