Santo Domingo, RD.
Former Major League Baseball player, José Rijo, explained that he has owned the crocodiles confiscated by the Specialized Attorney for the Environment on his San Cristóbal farm for over 20 years.
The Special Prosecutor for the Environment raided a property owned by former player José Rijo on Thursday, where he rescued three crocodiles that he held irregularly and in dire conditions.
The expelotero had four crocodiles, but only the bones of one were found.
In a press release to the media, he indicated that the animals were given to them by different people because they did not have the conditions to care for them.
He stated that he is ready to respond to any concerns as and when required.
José Rijo also explained that he once attempted to communicate with staff at the National Zoo in Santo Domingo to deliver the animals.
He said the main purpose of having crocodiles was to ensure their conservation as he has always been an animal lover and the protection of flora and fauna because of his awareness of the importance of the environment.
The prosecution opened an investigation that could lead to sanctions against Rijo, San Cristóbal’s Attorney General for the Environment Rigoberto Santana del Rosario reported.