PETA urges South Carolina, IRS to investigate non-profit associated with Myrtle Beach roadside zoo

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) – The proprietor of the roadside zoo Myrtle Seashore Safari and president of the non-profit Uncommon Species Fund could quickly face investigations from the IRS, South Carolina and Florida.

PETA alleges Bhagavan Antle’s (aka Kevin or “Doc” Antle) non-profit, Uncommon Species Fund (RSF) is utilizing charitable donations to fund the roadside zoo whereas claiming to help wildlife conservation.

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Based on PETA, the RSF usually touts worldwide wildlife conservation when soliciting donations from the general public, however as PETA particulars in letters despatched to the IRS, the South Carolina secretary of state, and the Florida Division of Agriculture and Shopper Companies, Antle seems to make use of most of these charitable funds to subsidize the for-profit Myrtle Seashore Safari.

Within the letters, PETA states that Antle, “breeds huge cats, prematurely separates cubs from their moms, and forces them and different animals into anxious and harmful public encounters—actions that don’t profit the animals’ well-being and don’t have any conservation worth.”

PETA is asking the IRS to research the RSF, revoke its tax-exempt standing, and pursue all out there civil penalties and prison prices towards Antle. PETA can be asking South Carolina and Florida authorities to research the RSF and revoke its registration to solicit charitable contributions.

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“Utilizing charitable donations to fund a for-profit roadside zoo smacks of tax evasion,” says PETA Basis Deputy Common Counsel for Captive Animal Legislation Enforcement Brittany Peet. “PETA is asking on federal and state authorities to research whether or not donors are unwittingly propping up ‘Doc’ Antle’s exploitative cub-petting stunts.”

WMBF Information reached out to Myrtle Seashore Safari and the Uncommon Species Fund for remark. Neither has responded but.

Antle’s prices—a felony rely of wildlife trafficking, one other felony rely of conspiracy to visitors in wildlife, and 13 misdemeanor prices, together with 9 counts of cruelty to animals—stem from an investigation by the Virginia legal professional basic that discovered that Antle had trafficked lion cubs between Virginia and South Carolina with the proprietor of the now-defunct roadside zoo Wilson’s Wild Animal Park.

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