Tim Stark

Wildlife In Need was the focus of a 2014 Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting series, which found numerous safety lapses and a troubled history at the tiger petting zoo.

According to USDA inspectors, Stark euthanized a young female leopard by beating it to death with a baseball bat. Another leopard, investigators said, escaped and killed a neighbor’s pets before the neighbor shot it. Stark also is accused of physically abusing young tigers that bit customers’ clothing during a “Tiger Baby Playtime” exhibit.

A troubled Louisville-area wildlife exhibit is the subject of another critical inspection. The latest report cited the deaths of four animals: a kangaroo, an adult otter and two baby otters.

A federal administrative law judge has rejected the United States Department of Agriculture's bid to revoke the exhibitor license of Timothy Stark, the operator of a controversial Southern Indiana wildlife attraction.

Federal regulators have cited the operators of the Tiger Baby Playtime attraction in Southern Indiana after witnessing tiger cubs bite two people — including a young girl — in September, and watching workers swat the cubs with riding whips to keep them under control.

A previous KyCIR investigation found that the Louisville-area nonprofit has a troubled record; that state and federal officials have done little to address complaints; and the handling of lions and other exotic animals is potentially putting the public's safety at risk.

Federally-licensed exhibitors and dealers of dangerous animals in Indiana won’t be subject to additional state regulations. A legislative proposal that would have required certain animal owners to apply for a state license and submit to annual inspections was voted down this week by Indiana’s Senate Natural Resources Committee. The proposal centered on owners of Class III animals, such as wolves, bears and big cats.

Legislator says KyCIR's series on troubled animal refuge underscores need for regulation of animal exhibitors and dealers who trade in wolves, bears and big cats.

Indiana State Sen. Michael Crider wants federal investigators to provide the public with an update on its investigation of a troubled exotic animal refuge in Charlestown, Ind., the focus of a recent KyCIR series.

In the wake of a KyCIR investigation that found a history of problems at an Indiana exotic animal refuge, current and former members of the organization have come forward to talk about their experiences at the facility.