Jackson accused of animal cruelty

Michael Jackson has been accused of animal cruelty by activist campaigners who are demanding an official investigation into conditions at his Neverland ranch.

Animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has written to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) asking it look into accusations that giraffes, elephants and crocodiles are being neglected at the estate.

Campaigners claim the they have been all but abandoned since Jackson left the US in June after being cleared of child sex charges. He has been living in Bahrain.

Spokeswoman Lisa Wathne said she had seen aerial photos showing the animals living in bleak conditions, surrounded by pools of urine.

“These animals are in enclosures that are completely barren – it looks like a dilapidated roadside zoo,” she said.

“The animals have no enrichment of any kin. They are deprived of everything that’s natural to them.

“We have heard accusations that employees aren’t being paid and that animals aren’t being fed or that that food is only available on a day to day basis.

“We have asked the USDA to investigate the situation and if they determine the animals are not being cared for properly to confiscate the animals and release them to accredited sanctuaries.”

The charity did not expect to hear back from the department for several months, she added.

“But we do feel that with all the accusations coming forward this is potentially a serious enough situation that there is a good chance the USDA has already looked into it, and we hope it is acting to address the situation.”

Jackson, 47, bought the 2,700-acre ranch in California’s Santa Ynez Valley in 1988 for a reported $17m (€14m).

It once boasted a full zoo, fairground rides and a small scale steam railway.

Last week it emerged that a vet is claiming the singer owes him $91,602 (€75,600) in unpaid bills.

Brian Oxman, a lawyer for the singer, was reported as saying Jackson did not want to comment on this story, while a source close to the family insisted the animals were being cared for “perfectly well”.