In July, more than 300 birds were removed from Loros Exoticos Baltimore, an exotic bird shop. Now the shop’s owner, Cristian Rodriguez-Morales, faces dozens of charges, including animal cruelty and failure to provide care. Nine of those charges are felonies. The Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, led by Ivan Bates, should pursue every charge to the fullest extent of the law and ask the court to bar the owner from ever keeping or selling animals again.

According to charging documents reported by WBAL, the birds were kept for profit without proper shelter, food, or veterinary care. When a veterinarian examined them at a local shelter, many were badly underweight and dehydrated. Some had serious wing and leg injuries and were disfigured. Sixteen birds had to be humanely euthanized, and others died during treatment.

This happened at a licensed business. The shop had permission to sell exotic birds, yet according to the charges, it kept no records on the animals and fell short of basic housing and care standards. By the time authorities stepped in, many birds were in terrible shape. The Baltimore City Health Department, which oversees animal control in the city, should revoke any remaining permits and explain how a licensed shop went unchecked. Regular inspections of exotic pet shops could stop the next case before it starts.

The surviving birds are now with a rescue that is searching for homes for them. They deserve a future free from neglect, and justice for what they endured. A quiet plea deal or a light sentence would send the message that animal suffering is just a cost of doing business.

Sign the petition to demand full accountability for the owner of Loros Exoticos Baltimore and real oversight before more animals suffer.