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LOCKPORT – The operator of Big Run Wolf Ranch has settled a federal complaint with the Department of Agriculture.
The Humane Society of the United States and John Basile's attorneys, Valerie Glockzin and Jennifer Kearney, announced Tuesday that Basile was ordered to pay a $6,300 fine and had his license to exhibit dangerous animals suspended for one month following an August 2015 inspection of the ranch, 14857 N. Farrell Road, Lockport.
According to the Humane Society, wolves, a bear and a Siberian tiger were kept in inadequate enclosures, did not receive needed veterinary care and nutrition, and could've threatened the public.
"Basile's case demonstrates the weaknesses in Illinois law that allows unqualified people to harbor dangerous animals in residential neighborhoods," society spokeswoman Naseem Amini said in a statement.
Basile said Big Run Wolf Ranch was operating for a decade before the nearest subdivision was built and defended his qualifications as a licensed exhibitor.
"Repairs were made on everything in that report in the time frame I gave them ... as they have been with every other routine inspection I've had in all the years I've been doing this," he said Tuesday. "I think this was just some fallout from the tiger [incident]."
In February 2014, Basile brought the young tiger into Uncle Richie's Bar in downtown Lockport to promote a "Wildfest" event at the ranch. He was walking the animal on a leash down Ninth Street when a passing police officer noticed the commotion, according to police reports. A woman told investigators the tiger had also been in the bar two months earlier and bitten her hand.
Basile pleaded guilty in August 2015 to disorderly conduct and was sentenced to a year of court supervision and a $500 fine.
Basile said the federal complaint's allegation of improper food storage was due to a broken refrigerator door, but the situation was soon remedied.
"I'd already been trying to get it replaced, but since it was an older model, it ended up being cheaper to get a new freezer," he said.
Basile said the ranch's veterinarian was researching the proper diet for big cats when the inspection occurred.
"As part of my license a vet is required to come in and inspect [the habitat] and conditions once a year," Basile said. "There've never been any problems with that and I'm confident I'll pass the next one [in a few weeks]."
A routine USDA inspection was performed Jan. 26 and found everything in full compliance, according to a report provided by Glockzin and Kearney.
Basile said Big Run Wolf Ranch will reopen April 1 and fundraising efforts continue to build a pool for the tiger's new enclosure.
"I live off my UPS pension, everything I earn and any donations go toward these animals," Basile said. "I look forward to taking care of them when I wake up everyday and giving people a chance to see them."