Animal Neglect Found At Lake Elsinore Exotics Business, Officials Allege

A Lake Elsinore business that breeds venomous reptiles and other exotics for sale to the public is not properly caring for its animals, according to officials from various agencies.

Evidence of animal neglect was found at Global Captive Breeders, according to Justin Carlson, spokesman for the City of Lake Elsinore.

Carlson said an investigation into the facility began Dec. 7 after the city received a complaint. Additionally, Carlson said People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) contacted the city with “serious concerns related to the facility.”

Officials with law enforcement, fire, Animal Friends of the Valleys, and the county were contacted regarding the investigation, and on Wednesday an inspection at the facility found evidence of animal neglect, Carlson said.

“The animals in question are exotic snakes and other types of reptiles as well as rodents,” Carlson said.

Animal Friends of the Valleys is currently assessing the situation, according the AFV Executive Director Willa Bagwell.

“Our primary focus at this point is to ensure the health and well-being of the animals on site,” she said.

Mayor Bob Magee said he appreciates the help the city has received from the various agencies involved in the investigation.

"The city’s primary focus is the health and safety of our residents, and in this case, for the welfare of the animals involved,” he said.

The local phone number for Global Captive Breeders has been disconnected and a call to the company’s Orange County office was not immediately returned.

According to its website, Global Captive Breeders on Third Street in Lake Elsinore is “state of the art,” with over 6,100 square feet of space where animals are housed and bred.

Among the snakes the company breeds are various boas, pythons, colubrids and others; some of the animals are "wild caught," according to the Global Captive Breeders website.