In a recent development, Jerry Lee Holly, the owner of the three zebras that caused widespread excitement during their escape in Maryland in 2021, has been found not guilty of three counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday, bringing an end to a legal battle that had attracted national attention.

The charges of animal cruelty were specifically related to each of the three zebras that managed to escape from Holly's Upper Marlboro farm in August 2021, leaving the pandemic-addled region captivated for three months. However, the situation took a somber turn when one of the zebras was discovered dead in what appeared to be an illegal snare trap in a forest owned by the Girl Scouts. The other two zebras were eventually "returned to the herd" in December 2021, as announced by the county. Notably, county and federal officials were not involved in their capture.

Court records reveal that this was not the first time Holly, 78, faced criminal charges linked to his handling of animals. In fact, this trial marked at least the sixth instance where he faced legal repercussions. Previous cases resulted in guilty verdicts, and according to authorities, there have been hundreds of allegations of misconduct involving animals under Holly's care, reported by local, state, and federal animal welfare officials. Concerns had been raised about Holly's suitability to own zebras, as experts pointed out that his history should have prevented him from having these exotic animals.

Despite numerous interview requests, Holly declined to comment. However, his attorney released a statement last Sunday, asserting that Holly is a successful businessman who has made significant contributions to the local economy for many years. The statement also mentioned that the Maryland charges do not pertain to any zebra deaths, suggesting that Holly intends to present his side of the story in court.

The recent zebra escape serves as another example of the ongoing pattern observed over the years, with officials accusing Holly of mishandling the animals under his care. Inspection reports and court records indicate that inspectors from both federal and Florida agencies have repeatedly accused him of violating animal welfare laws. These violations include instances of inadequate veterinary care, neglect, substandard caging conditions, and poor record-keeping, which authorities argue align with illegal animal trafficking practices.

Furthermore, an in-depth investigation by The Washington Post, examining over 1,000 pages of inspection reports and court records related to Holly's businesses, unveiled that he consistently failed to obtain the necessary permits required by local, state, and federal authorities for breeding, buying, and selling wild and exotic animals. This lack of compliance extended to both Maryland and Florida, where Holly operated his animal business over the past five decades.

It was revealed that when Holly brought a herd of 39 zebras from Florida to Maryland in August 2021, he neglected to obtain the proper permits from Prince George's animal control, a fact confirmed by county officials. The zebras were offloaded at his Bellefields estate before dawn, and it wasn't until several days later that the county became aware of the escape after receiving reports from concerned neighbors. Tragically, it was only weeks later that a Girl Scouts forest groundskeeper stumbled upon the lifeless body of one of the zebras, entangled in an alleged snare trap.

Shortly after the announcement of the deceased zebra, a news helicopter flying over Holly's property alerted authorities to the discovery of a second dead zebra. This time, it was one of the zebras that had remained within the main herd confined on Holly's sprawling farm. Consequently, Holly faced charges of misdemeanor animal cruelty, with animal control officials arguing in court documents that he had neglected his duty by allowing the zebras to escape and by failing to recapture them in a timely manner.

The verdict in Holly's trial marks a significant development in a case that has captured widespread attention. While the owner has been acquitted of animal cruelty charges, the incident has shed light on the need for stricter regulations and compliance surrounding the ownership and care of exotic animals. As Maryland moves forward, it remains to be seen whether this case will spark changes in legislation to prevent similar incidents in the future.