Live Nativity ends after Jackson camel handler charged with cruelty

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — An eastern Kentucky hospital canceled its live Nativity display after a camel handler from Jackson was accused of animal cruelty.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reported the display was supposed to run through Friday at Pikeville Medical Center, but it was canceled Tuesday.

That action was taken after a woman posted a video on Facebook showing a man shoving a camel, apparently to get it to lie down, then punching the animal in the head.

“Those poor camels have been smacked, kicked, choked by being pulled to the ground every time they try and stand up,” Tiffany Sparks wrote in a message with the video she posted. “My kids and I are absolutely heartbroken seeing them treat the camels this way. We didn’t even get the worst part recorded.”

As of Wednesday evening, the video had been viewed more than 131,000 times on Facebook.

Pikeville police said Joseph P. Price of Jackson, an employee of 5H Ranch in Jackson, was cited on a charge of second-degree animal cruelty.

Price was issued a citation because the charge is a misdemeanor, the Herald-Leader reported.

The hospital said 5H Ranch owner Maxine Hale fired Price after hospital representatives expressed concern.

Hale and her husband, Dave, in the early 1960s began breeding quarter horses and camels in 1965. The ranch provided camels for parades, private events, films and commercials.

Hospital spokeswoman Laura Damron said the hospital had hired 5H to provide animals for the display for more than 20 years and never had reason to question the animals’ care.

Pertinent address:

Pikeville, Ky.