An exotic animal owner, breeder and seller was found not guilty of animal cruelty charges after several of his zebras escaped and roamed free in Maryland two years ago, according to local reports. 

Jerry Lee Holly, 78, was charged with multiple animal neglect charges after one of his zebras was found dead in an illegal snare trap 3 feet away from his fence line, according to charging documents reviewed by local news outlet WUSA 9.

“The animal should have been seen or heard while it was dying from being caught in the snare if the caretaker had attended to the zebras in the fenced enclosure, and most likely died of dehydration after a period of a few days struggling in the trap,” investigators wrote, per the news outlet.

Another zebra was found dead in the farm’s enclosure in October 2021, investigators said. 

According to the Chief of Animal Services in Prince Georges County, Holly owned a herd of 39 zebras that he moved from Florida to Mayrland. In August 2021, at least three of the zebras escaped and roamed free for months as a massive search was underway.

A farm worker testified that a tree fell on the 8-foot steel wire fence containing the zebras, allowing some of them to escape, WUSA 9 reported. Prosecutors argued the animals’ escape was caused by neglect on Holly’s part.

An animal control officer testified that he saw signs the zebras on the farm enough food, water and shelter, according to the news outlet.

Holly was previously cited 240 times over 17 years for wildlife violations in Florida, being convicted twice, WUSA 9 reported.

Holly’s lawyer told the news outlet his client is out of the exotic animal game and no longer even has a pet turtle.