NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FLORIDA — The owner of a traveling circus sideshow was arrested after officers responding to a report of an abandoned box truck heard what sounded like someone yelling from inside — and opened the rear doors to find chickens, rats, tortoises, and boa constrictors locked in cages with no food, water, climate control, or ventilation, after being left there for up to 12 hours. One of three rats was dead.
New Smyrna Beach Police responded on October 6 to the area of 3463 State Road 44 for a report of a disabled and abandoned truck. Officers heard sounds from inside the cargo area and opened the rear to find the animals confined in cages and containers. The truck was not running and had no ventilation. Officers determined the vehicle had been left at the location for approximately 10 to 12 hours. The snakes had no appropriate heating or lighting. Several animals lacked adequate food or water.
The animals belonged to Raymond Welch, owner of Purple Pirates Circus Sideshow. Investigators determined the truck had broken down the previous night and Welch had directed his employees to leave the vehicle and the animals behind. Officers located Welch nearby. He acknowledged ownership of the animals and admitted he had left them unattended since the night before. He voluntarily surrendered the animals.
The two chickens and two surviving rats were transported to the Edgewater Animal Shelter. The two tortoises and two boa constrictors were turned over to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for care and housing. FWC is also pursuing additional charges related to exotic animal violations.
Welch was arrested and charged with four counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty for confinement without sufficient food, water, or exercise, and one count of aggravated animal cruelty causing pain or death. He was booked into the Volusia County Jail.
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