Federal officials have shut the public out of a Saginaw exotic-animal shop as a federal lawsuit plays out over claims the owner repeatedly blocked government inspections. The temporary order targets the store operating as Custom Creatures and gives USDA veterinarians and inspectors a clear path inside to check on the animals while the case moves through court.
Judge’s Order Opens the Doors for Inspectors
According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, the government went to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan after agency inspectors were repeatedly turned away. Deputy Principal Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson said, "This case shows that there are consequences for dealers and exhibitors," as the department pushed for emergency relief. The DOJ said the temporary order allows USDA inspectors to evaluate the health and well-being of every animal in the company’s possession.
What Inspectors Say They Saw
Agency and local accounts describe a January visit in which an APHIS inspector allegedly found animals in public areas without access to water or adequate shelter, and a sloth exposed to harsh drafts as temperatures dipped to minus-22 degrees. The federal complaint claims K&M Pets LLC, which runs the shop, denied or obstructed multiple inspection attempts, leading the USDA to send the matter to the DOJ, as reported by WNEM.
Inside the Federal Case
The Justice Department filed suit on Feb. 24 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, listing the case as United States of America v. K&M Pets LLC, docket No. 1:2026cv10644, before Judge Mark A. Goldsmith. The complaint asks for injunctive relief while APHIS finishes its investigation, according to the federal docket at Justia Dockets.
Why Washington Is Locked In
The case lands at a moment when federal agencies are sharpening their civil enforcement playbook for animal-welfare violations. USDA-APHIS and DOJ recently signed a formal memorandum of understanding to coordinate court enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act. The APHIS/DOJ agreement lays out how referrals will be streamlined, how prosecutors will be trained, and what civil remedies are available, according to USDA’s announcement at APHIS.
What Happens Next for the Saginaw Shop
The temporary order clears APHIS inspectors to enter the Saginaw facility, review records, and order any immediate veterinary care they decide is necessary, the DOJ said. Trial attorneys from DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division are handling the case with support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, while the court weighs whether to keep the injunction in place or expand it as the investigation continues.
