THE VETERINARIAN who tends to Michael Jackson’s exotic animals at Neverland Valley ranch is suing the beleaguered song and dance man for unpaid bills.

Jackson has not lived at Neverland since being acquitted of child molestation charges last June. He is now holed up in the Persian Gulf emirate of Bahrain, but the lawsuit was filed in Santa Maria, California, where he stood trial last year.

Dr Martin Dinnes alleges Jackson owes him $US91,602 in veterinary bills. Dinnes has worked for Jackson for over 15 years, and helped the reclusive pop idol acquire giraffes, elephants, orangutans and flamingoes to keep him company.

Dinnes continues to treat the animals on a near-weekly basis, though media reports in December claimed the beasts were running low on food until Jackson belatedly wired enough funds through to Neverland to ward off starvation.

A hearing has been set for May 2, though Jackson will not be required to attend. Jackson lawyer Thomas Mesereau said he had not yet seen the complaint and could not comment.