Michael Jackson giraffes at centre of spat
Giraffes that once filled out Michael Jackson’s menagerie are the centre of a spat between an animal rights group and Arizona police.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is seeking to confiscate two giraffes after the alleged death of two giraffes in the pack. The group writes: “PETA recently learned that two of the giraffes have died and that the possible cause of death of at least one of the animals was improper feeding and/or exposure to cold temperatures.”
The giraffes that once belonged to the late Jackson have been on city property since 2007 when they were bought by Tom and Freddie Hancock of the Voices of the Wild Foundation, Inc. from Neverland.
Freddie Hancock confirmed the death of the two giraffes but slammed PETA’s allegations. “Those animals are well taken care of,” he said. “They are not neglected. They are not abused. They are in appropriate facilities. The facilities have been inspected by USDA and the Health Department.
“There is absolutely no basis for any of these allegations. The animals are in a safe environment. They have somebody with them 24/7. They are being taken care of properly. These animals were part of our family.”