The lemurs were removed from the home of Debra K. Vesely, 4560 W. Highway 30.
The suit, filed in Hall County District Court, involves eight ring-tailed lemurs (six adult and two young ones) and two adult brown lemurs.
In the suit, Vesely says she was in possession of those lemurs on July 22, 2015, when she was contacted by a representative of the Central Nebraska Humane Society. She was informed that possession of such primates is prohibited within Grand Island’s city limits.
At that time, she says, she executed an agreement signed by the Humane Society representative indicating that Vesely would not dispose or otherwise transfer ownership of the animals until such time as an arrangement could be made to remove the animals from the city limits.
Vesely then made arrangements to move to 2805 S. Gunbarrel Road, which is outside the city limits. In that location, possession of lemurs is not prohibited, she wrote.
In August 2015, the day before she planned to move, representatives of the Humane Society, on behalf of the city of Grand Island, “came to my residence and removed the primates in question.”
In the suit, she notes that, at no time, did the city obtain an order from a “court of competent jurisdiction” transferring ownership of the animals to the city or to the Humane Society. She also says that she was not compensated for the animals.
Vesely, who is represented by James Truell, seeks special damages of $23,000, representing the value of the animals, together with pain and suffering in the amount of $50,000.
The Central Nebraska Humane Society did not return calls seeking comment.
City Attorney Jerry Janulewicz said the incidents alleged in the suit “occurred prior to my appointment as city attorney, and at this point, I haven’t had a chance to discuss the allegations with anyone.”
Janulewicz said he couldn’t discuss the suit.
(The Independent - July 9, 2016)
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