A judge is now deciding whether an elephant will be returned to its controversial circus owner or remain free in a U.S. wildlife preserve.
For now, Nosey the elephant will remain at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. And separately, her owners are now facing animal cruelty charges, according to local media.
After more than 10 hours of testimony Friday, District Court Judge Angela Terry of the Lawrence County reserved her decision in the high-profile animal rights custody case.
The much-anticipated court hearing regarding Nosey’s future was held yesterday in Lawrence County, AL. The judge said she would review all notes and documents and a written decision will be forthcoming. Until a final decision has been reached, Nosey will remain at The Sanctuary. pic.twitter.com/qmTVLdNZci
— Elephant Sanctuary (@ELEPHANTSdotcom) December 16, 2017
The trial judge heard arguments Friday surrounding the beleaguered elephant, which was seized back in November from a Florida-based circus.
Its patriarch, Hugo Liebel, has always denied allegations of abusing Nosey.
“On November 9th, our elephant was stolen from us. A rural Alabama judge granted custody to a rural county animal control department without solid reason, and who had absolutely no elephant or large exotic animal experience. They stole her from us, a family who was completely licensed and insured to exhibit and possess an elephant,” the outfit posted on Facebook soon after the seizure.
And the circus has tried to mount a social media campaign.
But Nosey has a huge support network.
Complaints from animal lovers and groups such as PETA, have been filed for years to authorities to remove Nosey from his care. Allegations include mistreatment, chaining, improper access to food and water. Celebrities too have jumped to Nosey’s defence.
And Liebel has been cited by federal officials over the years for infractions around Nosey’s care.
And now, there’s are local media reports that the Liebel and his wife have been arrested.
Breaking: Sources close to the Nosey the elephant investigation confirm to @waff48 that her owners, Hugo Liebel and his wife, were booked into the Lawrence County Jail this morning on animal cruelty charges related to the elephant. Judge still has to rule on her custody/seizure pic.twitter.com/bQwch8o746
— Lindsey Connell WAFF (@Lindseyreporter) December 16, 2017
I’m told they are being processed now at the jail. Not clear just yet on when the warrants were issued. I’ve asked the sheriff’s office for more information and I am waiting for a response.
— Lindsey Connell WAFF (@Lindseyreporter) December 16, 2017
UPDATE: Sources say owners of ‘Nosey the elephant’ arrested on animal cruelty charges
— McKinley Strother (@mckinleystv) December 16, 2017
FIRST ALERT: Nosey the elephant’s owners arrested on animal cruelty charges >> https://t.co/JhMkgmE68r pic.twitter.com/cB99a5XGUV
— WAFF 48 (@waff48) December 16, 2017
One thing is certain. The battle for Nosey is far from over.
USDA and Congress: Please help to rescue an abused elephant named Nosey – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/VxV0Pzkx30 via @Change
— Sherri Wohlever (@WohleverSherri) December 16, 2017
Main photo The Elephant Sanctuary/Twitter
