Israeli Government Sues Crocodile Farm Operator Over Ongoing Public Safety Risks

The Israeli State Attorney's Office has filed a counterclaim against the operator of a crocodile farm in Petzael at the Jerusalem District Court, demanding reimbursement of over one million shekels. The government alleges that the farm ignored repeated safety and animal welfare violations for approximately 14 years, creating a persistent danger to human life and animals. The lawsuit follows the farm's own legal action against the Civil Administration, Israel Police, and Nature and Parks Authority, claiming damages from regulatory changes and enforcement actions.

According to the state's counterclaim, dozens of crocodiles escaped from the farm in 2011, prompting ongoing inspections, warnings, hearings, and demands for corrective measures that the farm failed to implement. This negligence allegedly led to repeated escapes and necessitated continuous government intervention. Veterinary assessments reportedly found conditions amounting to cruelty and abuse, with some crocodiles suffering severe injuries, including amputations caused by cannibalism and dominance fights.

The state contends it was forced to carry out fencing, security, supervision, enforcement, and euthanasia of 270 crocodiles to mitigate immediate and real threats to public safety. The government insists all alternatives were considered before these measures were taken and seeks to hold the farm financially responsible for the costs incurred, arguing that the public should not bear expenses resulting from the operator's misconduct.