” This heinous cruelty & horrific torture must be stopped; no animal should be treated this way. They are sentient beings capable of feelings just like humans! Do meat eaters really want to eat meat from animals that have been appallingly abused! The public have a right to know how the animals they intend to eat, are treated!
Those farms hoping to get Ag-Gag laws are doing so; because they don’t want the public to learn the truth, about the horrific violence & abuse used on their animals; once the public learn of this, they will think twice about buying their products. The people have the power to stop this by raising their voices & demanding better conditions for these poor neglected, abused & heinously treated animals; please use your voice to end this!! Please sign the petition below or at http://www.sliceofcruelty.com/
February 13, 2014 – By Matt Rice
Four workers at a dairy farm that was supplying cheese to DiGiorno Pizza are being charged with a total of 11 counts of criminal animal cruelty. Each count is punishable by up to nine months in jail and $10,000 in fines.
The charges stem from shocking animal abuse captured on a hidden-camera videoby Mercy For Animals at a Wisconsin dairy farm late last year. Abelardo Jaimes, Crescencio Pineda, Lucia Martinez, and Misael Monge-Minerowere charged with violating the state’s animal cruelty statute after they were caught on video viciously kicking, beating, whipping, dragging and stabbing cows at Wiese Brothers Farms in Greenleaf, Wisconsin.
MFA praises the Brown County Sheriff’s Department and district attorney’s office for taking swift and decisive action in pursuing justice for these abused and exploited animals.
Mercy For Animals is calling on Nestlé to adopt meaningful animal welfare guidelines, including zero tolerance for kicking, punching and shocking cows; requiring suppliers to prohibit painful and unnecessary mutilations of animals; and requiring suppliers to provide a safe, clean and sanitary environment for cattle. Tens of thousands of consumers have signed a petition at SliceOfCruelty.com, urging Nestlé to implement such policies, since the investigation’s release.
“These criminal charges should be a wake-up call that heartbreaking animal abuse runs rampant at DiGiorno cheese suppliers. Swift action must be taken to end this unspeakable cruelty. Nestlé has the power and responsibility to implement meaningful policies to end some of the worst forms of animal abuse in the dairy industry,” said MFA’s executive director, Nathan Runkle. “No socially responsible corporation should support dairy operations that torture animals.”
Please take action now to stop this type of blatant animal abuse by signing the petition at SliceOfCruelty.com.
After signing the petition, consider making changes in your own lifestyle to help animals by transitioning to a healthy and humane vegan diet. Visit ChooseVeg.com to learn more.
Watch the shocking hidden-camera video that led to the charges here:
Viewer Discretion Advised – WATCH: Cows Kicked, Stabbed and Dragged at DiGiorno Pizza Cheese Supplier (Please note, these are sentient beings, capable of feeling every strike, punch or kick) should animals be treated like this; just because they are going to be slaughtered? THE ANSWER IS NO!!
Published on 10 Dec 2013
Horrific undercover video taken by a Mercy For Animals investigator reveals disgusting animal cruelty at a DiGiorno dairy supplier. Workers kick, beat, and stab cows and drag them by their fragile legs and necks using chains attached to tractors.
“The video captures workers engaged in numerous serious acts of direct physical abuse and overt brutality—they whip, beat, slap, kick, stab and yell profanity at the cows. … There is a culture of serious neglect and mistreatment of animals in this facility, and the animals are suffering. This must stop.”
Dr. Debra Teachout
“There is no question in my mind, as a veterinarian experienced with farmed animals, including cows, that much of what was being done to the cows was inhumane, brutal and almost certainly a violation of the anti-cruelty statutes of many if not all states.”
Dr. Nedim Buyukmihci
“Dragging live cows, and completely suspending them with the cow lift is severe animal abuse. The actions of these people went beyond rough handling and escalated to the level of cruelty. Kicking, beating, and hard whipping of downed cows is abusive.”
Dr. Temple Grandin
“It is abuse to beat, kick or whip an animal that cannot get up. Hitting an animal in the face is particularly painful. The fact that cows in other scenes are beaten or kicked in the head and face demonstrates the workers have either learned or have been trained that this bothers the animals more than hitting them on other areas of their bodies.”
By Dr. James Reynolds
“Workers were observed to hit, kick and whip downer cows on multiple occasions. Cows were hit in their cervical (neck), thoracic, lumbar, and head regions using hands, ropes, and a thin plastic pipe. All of these actions would have unnecessary and unjustifiable pain and suffering.”
It was a truly horrific death,” states SHARK investigator Stuart Chaifetz. “That horse was cruelly and illegally shocked. People think rodeos are entertainment, but they are not. Rodeos are brutal, vicious events where animals are tortured, and sometimes, as in this case, they are killed.”The type of shocking device used on the horse can deliver about 10,000 volts of electricity.
Miller Manufacturing, makers of the prod have clearly stated previously that the devices are not to be used in a rodeo environment, and are never supposed to be used on horses under any circumstance.Rodeos, such as Cowtown, regularly use the electric prods to make tame, domesticated horses appear wild from pain.“The shocking of horses destroys the myth that the horses are athletes who want to buck,” states Chaifetz. “These animals literally have to be tortured to get them to perform, and that is absolutely animal abuse.”
To add to the horse’s suffering, as he was lying on the ground, one of the “cowboys” grabbed him by the tail and pulled it to drag the horse’s body back. At the exact time that happened, the announcer said that they treated the animals the same as they do the cowboys and cowgirls.After the horse’s legs were tied, the horse was rolled over onto a dirty wood sled. The horse was then dragged across the arena as dirt piled up along his head.
Media coverage:
Tragedy struck at the famous Cowtown Rodeo in New Jersey this weekend when one of the horses died during a live performance … and animal rights activists say there’s evidence the horse was electrocuted.
The rodeo — which has been running since 1929 — came to a screeching halt when a 9-year-old horse named Duke came bucking out of the gate Saturday … only to collapse after experiencing what appeared to be a seizure.
After the horse went down, staffers raced to its side as Duke died in front of the live crowd. Duke was eventually carted away.
After the incident, the animal rights group SHARK — Showing Animals Respect and Kindness — says one of its members was in attendance and witnessed Duke being secretly shocked by an electric device right before he was released from the gate in order to get Duke to buck more wildly.
The SHARK member shot footage of the incident — which shows someone holding a “Hot shot” electric prod in Duke’s holding gate.
Cowtown insists Duke’s death was as natural as it gets due to an “aneurysm of his aorta blood vessel.”
The rodeo explains, “Our vet has assured us that this had nothing to do with the rodeo event and it is a natural (although rare) occurrence to have a horse pass from this reason.”
However, when we called Cowtown owner Grant Harris — who also owned Duke — he told us the device in Duke’s pen DID appear to be a “hot shot” … but says everyone at the rodeo is under strict orders to NEVER use the prod on a horse.
Harris notes that in the video … the device does not appear to ever touch Duke.
TMZ has covered this and the running poll they have, asking if rodeos should be banned, has already received more than 42,000 votes!
Please use this & vote NO to horses being shocked: vote on the poll HERE.
Harris tells TMZ he raised Duke from birth and says he loved the animal … adding, “I am going to be talking to everybody who’s been in contact with the horse to find out if Duke was mistreated.”For its part, SHARK says it will be contacting the SPCA to demand animal cruelty charges be brought up against Cowtown.News Link with Poll:-http://www.tmz.com/2013/07/01/cowtown-rodeo-horse-dies-duke-grant-harris/
On June 29, 2013, a horse began to die 25 seconds after being electro-shocked at the Cowtown Rodeo in Pilesgrove, NJ. This video exposes the electro-shocking and brutal treatment of the horse once he fell to the ground.
To watch the previous video of horses being shocked at the Cowtown Rodeo, go to this link: Cowtown Rodeo Caught Shocking Horses http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG9YYO…
Reno Rodeo Again Violates its No-Shock Promise
For the third year in a row, the Reno Rodeo has been caught using electric shock prods. The images come this time, not from a SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) investigator, but instead from a former reporter for the Reno Gazette Journal who was sitting close enough to get clear images with her cell phone.
The images depict one individual holding a horse’s tail up, while a second individual applies a large electric prod to the genital area of the horse.
Sly, underhanded, cold hearted bastards!
Recently, Reno Rodeo president, John Tipton was quoted in rgj.com as saying,“Livestock prods will be banned in and around the rodeo arena, and anyone found using them will be removed.” Rodeo spokesperson Steve Schroeder was also quoted saying,“Regardless of SHARK attempting to gain further notoriety for asking these questions, the Reno Rodeo has a no-shocking policy.”
“Reno Rodeo Association President, John Tipton is responsible for allowing this abuse,”states SHARK president Steve Hindi. “Banning cameras gave rodeo personnel a green light to continue the abuse. Cruelty charges should be filed, but it seems that no one in any level of authority within law enforcement or the legislature cares about the animal abuse.”
Rodeos like to say that they are a “sport,” but if they were, there would be an oversight agency, as most sports have, to investigate violations and take action. Instead, what we have is the PRCA, more of a hack PR firm than regulatory body, and we know this because if the PRCA was really concerned about protecting animals, then they would have filed numerous penalties against the Reno Rodeo, as well as all the other rodeos SHARK has exposed, including Cowtown.
You can read the story about this HERE.
Please note that everything Ellie Lopez-Bowlan stated is true and SHARK has the evidence from her video to prove it.
In the latest article from the RGJ, the Reno rodeo is once again refusing to release the name of the man shocking the horses. Last year SHARK identified him as Donnie Castle and he is back again this year. Read the rest of the article HERE.
Horse is electrocuted
Published on 8 Jul 2013
For the third year in a row, the Reno Rodeo has been caught shocking horses, in spite of repeated promises that this obvious abuse will not happen. Over and over the Reno Rodeo Association claims that those responsible will not be allowed back. “Those responsible” are from the Flying U Rodeo Company, although the rodeo association refuses to admit it.
The Reno Rodeo Association is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). Although the shocking of the horse in this video is a flagrant violation of PRCA humane rules, those rules exist for public relations purposes only – a marketing scam.
Unethical corporate sponsors of the Reno Rodeo include Coca-Cola, Dodge, Coors, Jack Daniels and Les Schwab Tires.
“Another video just in, which I just had to share with you, for obvious reasons. This kid didn’t have the guts to speak to Steve Hindi (President of SHARK) directly, so he leaves a message! Watch the video & listen to him…how old do you reckon this kid is? I would have to say between 8-11 years old; judging by his voice! As a parent, I would be embarrassed if I had a child of that age using such vulgar language! Whatever happened to parental skills??”
“This kid is having a bit of a tiff about a horse in one of SHARKS video collections on Rodeo. He wants to make out that it’s the horsesfault for bucking too much, hence the broken leg!
Excuse me, but if I were putting a bucking strap on my horse, knowing he is going to hate it & buck…any injuries that occur: I would have to say are my fault, not the horses. I put the strap on, knowing it would agitate him, which made him buck. It is the humans fault in cases like this; where animals suffer broken bones etc.
He is obviously from a rodeo family, so the question really is, what does rodeo teach young people? Well I can tell you what it doesn’t them; compassion, kindness, respect etc. etc. Watch, listen & make your own mind up!”
“Related: I’ve only added one link, as I’ve written too many posts to list here, so if you wish to read others, just do a search on the right of the page; type in rodeo!”
A boy from Canada shows how he has learned “rodeo family values.”
Rodeos are promoted as rough-and-tough exercises of human skill and courage in conquering the fierce, untamed beasts of the Wild West. In reality, rodeos are nothing more than manipulative displays of human domination over animals, thinly disguised as entertainment.
What began in the 1800s as a skill contest among cowboys has become a show motivated by greed and big profits.(1)
The Stunts
Standard rodeo events include calf roping, steer wrestling, bareback horse and bull riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, steer roping, and barrel racing.(2) The animals used in rodeos are captive performers. Most are relatively tame but understandably distrustful of humans because of the harsh treatment that they have received. Many of these animals are not aggressive by nature; they are physically provoked into displaying “wild” behavior in order to make the cowboys look brave.
Tools of Torment Electric prods, spurs, and bucking straps are used to irritate and enrage animals used in rodeos. The flank, or “bucking,” strap or rope—which is used to make horses and bulls buck—is tightly cinched around their abdomens, which causes the animals to “buck vigorously to try to rid themselves of the torment.”(3) The irritation causes the animals to buck violently, which is what the rodeo promoters want them to do in order to put on a good show for the crowds. The flank strap, when paired with spurring, causes the animals to buck even more violently, often resulting in serious injuries.(4) Former animal control officers have found burrs and other irritants placed under the flank strap.(5) In addition, the flank strap can cause open wounds and burns when the hair is rubbed off and the skin is chafed raw.(6)
Cows and horses are often prodded with an electrical “hotshot” while in the chute to rile them, causing intense pain to the animals. Peggy Larson, D.V.M.—a veterinarian who in her youth was a bareback bronc rider—said, “Bovines are more susceptible to electrical current than other animals. Perhaps because they have a huge ‘electrolyte’ vat, the rumen [one of their stomachs].”(7)
The End of the Trail The late Dr. C.G. Haber, a veterinarian who spent 30 years as a federal meat inspector, worked in slaughterhouses and saw many animals discarded from rodeos and sold for slaughter.He described the animals as being so extensively bruised that the only areas in which their skin was attached to their flesh were the head, neck, legs, and belly. He described seeing animals “with 6-8 ribs broken from the spine, and at times puncturing the lungs.” Haber saw animals with “as much as 2-3 gallons of free blood accumulated under the detached skin.”(8) These injuries are a result of animals’ being thrown in calf-roping events or being jumped on by people from the backs of horses during steer wrestling.
Injuries and Deaths
Although rodeo cowboys voluntarily risk injury by participating in events, the animals they use have no such choice. Because speed is a factor in many rodeo events, the risk of accidents is high.
A terrified, screaming young horse burst from the chutes at the Can-Am Rodeo and, within five seconds, slammed into a fence and broke her neck. Bystanders knew that she was dead when they heard her neck crack, yet the announcer told the crowd that everything would “be all right” because a vet would see her.(9)
Incidents such as this are not uncommon at rodeos. By the end of one of the annual, nine-day Calgary Stampedes in Alberta, Canada, six animals were dead, including a horse who died of an aneurism and another who suffered a broken leg and had to be euthanized.(10) The following year, at the same event, six more animals died: five horses in the chuckwagon competition and a calf in the roping event.(11) In 2005, fear caused a stampede as horses destined for the Stampede were being herded across a bridge; some jumped and others were pushed into the river. Nine horses died.(12)
The Omak Stampede is an annual event in Washington that features the Wild Horse Race, in which tethered wild horses are released into the arena while cowboys try to mount and ride them (one horse died in 2005). The event culminates with the Suicide Race, in which horses are ridden at furious speeds down a steep hill and into the grandstand. That event killed three horses in 2004; 19 horses have lost their lives to the race in the past 20 years.(13)
During the National Western Stock Show, a horse crashed into a wall and broke his neck, and another horse broke his back after being forced to buck.(14) Dr. Cordell Leif told the Denver Post, “Bucking horses often develop back problems from the repeated poundings they take from the cowboys. There’s also a real leg injury where a tendon breaks down. Horses don’t normally jump up and down.”(15)
Calves roped while running routinely have their necks snapped back by the lasso, often resulting in neck injuries.(16) Even Bud Kerby, owner and operator of Bar T Rodeos Inc., agrees that calf roping is inhumane. He told the St. George Spectrum that he “ wouldn’t mind seeing calf roping phased out.”(17) During Rodeo Houston, a bull suffered from a broken neck for a full 15 minutes before he was euthanized following a steer-wrestling competition, which was described by a local newspaper as an event in which “cowboys violently twist the heads of steers weighing about 500 pounds to bring them to the ground.”(18)
Rodeo association rules are not effective in preventing injuries and are not strictly enforced, and penalties are not severe enough to deter abusive treatment. For example, one rule states that “if a member abuses an animal by any unnecessary, non-competitive or competitive action, he may be disqualified for the remainder of the rodeo and fined $250 for the first offense, with that fine progressively doubling with each offense thereafter.” These are small fines in comparison to the large purses that are at stake. Rules allow the animals to be confined or transported in vehicles for up to 24 hours without being properly fed, watered, or unloaded.(19)
Spurn the Spurs If a rodeo comes to your town, protest to local authorities, write letters to sponsors, leaflet at the gate, or hold a demonstration. Contact PETA for posters and fliers.
Check state and local laws to find out what types of activities involving animals are and are not legal in your area. For example, after a spectator videotaped a bull breaking his leg during a rodeo event, a Pittsburgh law prohibiting bucking straps, electric prods, and sharpened or fixed spurs in effect banned rodeos altogether, since most rodeos currently touring the country use the flank straps that are prohibited by the law.(20)
Another successful means of banning rodeos is to institute a state or local ban on calf roping, the event in which cruelty is most easily documented. Since many rodeo circuits require calf roping, eliminating it can result in the overall elimination of rodeo shows.
“At last, the big top is falling…but I wish it applied to all animals. All animals in circuses are deprived of their basic needs to exercise, roam, socialize, forage, and play. Horses will still be forced to perform confusing and physically challenging tricks. Former Ringling animal crew employees contacted PETA & reported that horses are grabbed by the throat, stabbed with pitchforks, punched in the face, given painful “lip twists,” and whipped. All animals feel pain, fear, loneliness, stress etc. So why ban one & not the other?? Or am I asking too much? I am very happy that wild animals will finally be banned; but I would have felt a lot happier had it been a ban on all animals performing in circuses!”
The Born Free Foundation has worked consistently for an end to the use of wild animals in circuses since its inception in 1984. Foundation representatives participated in the first Circus Working Group in the mid-1990s, and the second in 2004. Over the years Born Free has seen many lows, and precious few highs. Yet, throughout, the message has been the same: a travelling circus simply cannot meet the needs of wild animals.
Virginia McKennaOBE, Founder of the Born Free Foundation, said: “It has taken a long time – too long – but at last the end is in sight. I know for many, many people this will be a reason to rejoice. I want to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make a ban a reality, including Parliamentarians of all Parties. Victories for common-sense and compassion are all too rare. “
It is disappointing that it has taken this long to get to this stage, given that the recent initiative to ban originated in discussions that took place prior to the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Nonetheless, the draft legislation should be welcomed as finally reflecting public, Parliamentary and expert opinion.
Born Free remains committed to supporting the enactment of similar legislation in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and for an end to the use of wild animals in circuses worldwide.
Will Travers OBE, the Foundation’s CEO, commented: “I hardly dared imagine we would see such a day when, year after year, meeting after meeting, the NGOs participating in the various Circus Working Groups churned through the evidence, debated the practicalities, fought against Defra’s institutional inertia and Government opposition to a ban. Our supporters have been amazing as have our colleagues in other organisations. One more form of wild animal exploitation is on its way out.”
It would not have been possible to achieve this without the support of campaign partners the RSPCA, CAPS and the BVA, and without the help of Born Free supporters. The work of the Zoo Check team is central to the work of the Foundation, and they work tirelessly to protect animals in zoos, circuses, as pets and in the tourist trade around the world.
Anne The Elephant, Abused in Great British Circus By Groom. Owners were charged
If you would like to help support the Foundation’s work on captive animal welfare, please consider becoming a member of the Born Free Foundation or making a donation: www.bornfree.org.uk/give
“I was on the SHARK website looking for a certain video when I found this…the ultimate video of heinous abuse that goes on in Rodeos; compiled by SHARK.online.org For those who know little about Rodeo, it isn’t until you see a bunch of animals injured that you start to think; “hang on, this really isn’t good & is nothing more than animal abuse for the entertainment of the crowds”!
“In the following video, watch as a horse waiting in the chutes has its neck slammed against the steel bars, because it is not acting or not doing what they want it to do…which is acting like an aggressive horse, born & bred to buck!”
“These horses are not vicious or aggressive, they probably just haven’t been backed, i.e. had a saddle put on & broken in properly. Rodeo use a number of things to make the horses appear wilder & buck higher:-
The flank strap, apparently used to enhance or encourage bucking. It’s fitted loosely while the animal stands in the chute, as it would cause serious injury to the horse if it was tightened whilst in the chute, so just beforeit leaves the chute, the strap is pulled upwards causing discomfort or at the least a very odd feeling; making the horse want to buck to be rid of it. The flank strap can cause open wounds and burns when the hair is rubbed off and the skin is chafed raw. Former animal control officers have found burrs and other irritants placed under the flank strap.
Spurs are used to assist the rider to maintain grip and balance. In saddle bronc and bareback events the rider’s feet, at the beginning of the ride, must be positioned either side of the horse’s neck in order to score. During the ride the spurring action assists the rider to maintain balance. Now it depends on the spurs used as to how much discomfort they cause.
Then of course there are the electric tasers used to shock the horses, which the manufacturers say, should NOT to be used on horses; but that doesn’t stop the rodeo gang. It’s not until you look closely at the guys hanging around the chute, that you see a sneaky hand reach in & shock the horse on the rear or near the face & neck; a split second before the gate is opened! Then the device is either passed to someone else or is quickly hidden to avoid detection! If these horses were wild, or born to buck; why would they have to electrocute them?
“If these horses were wild or born & bred to buck…surely they wouldn’t need bucking straps on, or the use of electric shocks to make them buck; it’s all done to give the best show to the paying crowd!!”“Have you ever noticed that the horses usually stop bucking as soon as the flank strap is released??”
“I’ll share this info, for those not familiar with horses, which kind of proves that flank straps must be very uncomfortable or hurt. My horses are well broken in & accustomed to being touched all over; especially the geldings I have had. They often have to have their genital area cleaned out due to something called smegma! Smegma is a collection of dirt and excretions, which builds up inside the sheath & must be removed for the sake of the horse’s health! Those that don’t do it, or might not even know about it, might be wondering why their male horse looks uncomfortable way trying to pee!
“It is not the most pleasant of thing to do, but it is essential. A firm lump of smegma that has collected and hardened inside the horse’s penis, is often referred to as a nut or bean. This bean must be removed as often as possible or it can cause serious pain to your horse. I’ve never been crazy about doing this task, but when done often, the more tolerant they become; some even like it & will drop their penis to be cleaned!”“However, if I was to put a bucking strap around their sensitive flank area, even after having their genitals cleaned out…they too, would buck like crazy, because it is a foreign feeling & not pleasant having a tightened strap around that sensitive area!!”
“As the video progresses, watch how grown men actually bite, yes bite the very sensitive part of the horse’s ear; in the so-called “Wild horse race”! But after the continued abuse, the horse goes down, it doesn’t get up, despite the ear biting &kicking.
” The horse is clearly traumatised, probably injured from its assault by several men, trying to grapple it to the ground. How can anyone call that entertainment??”
“Watch the faces of the calves or steers, as they are roped, then virtually strangled to death by the rope lassoed & tied to the horse’s saddle. Watch as their tongues hang out, desperate to breath; whilst dragged around by the horse!”
“Just watch, make your own mind up, is it right to do the things they do in rodeos to entertain the dwindling crowds? Ask any real cowboy, who works on a ranch, if they would do any of the things done in a rodeo & they will say “No”. Because real cowboy’s or wranglers have to value each & every calf or horse, so there is no way in hell they would rope them like in the rodeo; as it would cause too many fatalities! Rodeo associations as the PRCA claim very few animals are injured and killed in rodeos; they do not disclose the number of animal injuries and deaths. Furthermore, those who do commit humane violations are granted anonymity.”
“Rodeo is nothing more than fake cowboy’s looking for a thrill & the chance at the cash prize, with the event organisers looking for money. So if you care about animals, please don’t go. Anyone that does go to a rodeo, (aside from getting undercover video) can not call themselves animal lovers. How could any animal lover sit & watch, the injuries animals forced into rodeos are often faced with. Broken ribs, backs, & legs not to mention punctured lungs, deep internal organ bruising, hemorrhaging, ripped tendons, torn ligaments & muscles, snapped necks & ultimately those that will endure a long agonizing wait; for the vet to euthanize them… all for a so-called sport”.
“The late Dr. C.G. Haber, a veterinarian who spent 30 years as a federal meat inspector, saw many animals from rodeos sold to the slaughterhouses he inspected. He described seeing animals “with 6-8 ribs broken from the spine, and at times puncturing the lungs.” Haber saw animals with “as much as 2-3 gallons of free blood accumulated under the detached skin.”
“Seriously, are the following parents for real? At this age your supposed to be protecting your kids from getting hurt…not putting in them in harms place. One can see a bad accident just waiting to happen, as the kids helmets fall off; all it takes is one well-aimed kick form a sheep, to cause trauma to the face of those kids. The whole spectacle just makes me want to puke!! It’s about time the PRCM
Animal Defenders International’s undercover investigations go behind the scenes, exposing the abuses wherever animals are forced to perform, including movies, circuses, advertisements, special events and rides. In fact, many of the companies provide animals across this spectrum of entertainment. For example, in Perris, California, ADI captured on video the trainers and owners of Have Trunk Will Travel violently beating and electric shocking their elephants in training sessions and routine husbandry.
These elephants including Tai and Rosie, the famed movie stars of ‘Water for Elephants’ and ‘Zookeeper’, are also hired out for weddings, elephant rides at county fairs, TV ads, and even forced to travel cross-country to do ridiculous tricks in the circus. You can help ADI shine a spotlight on and end the abuse of animals in entertainment. ADI conducts letter writing and email campaigns to legislators, studios, advertising firms and local newspaper editors, and organizes outreach events when the circus comes to town. Find our current campaigns and how you can help detailed below. Together, we will make a difference!
ADI investigation of Have Trunk Will Travel, based in California, which shows trainers and owners violently beating and electric shocking their elephants in training sessions and routine husbandry.
PLEASE WATCH & SHARE this incredible new video “No Fun for Elephants” narrated by Bob Barker and help ADI end the use of elephants giving rides at fairs, performing in circuses, and making appearances at parades and other events in the United States. ADI is sending copies of the DVD, which features our undercover footage, to fair and event organizers all over the country. PLEASE HELP ADI STOP THE SUFFERING – Donate now to help this campaign and our investigations.
Get involved – send a polite email or letter to event organizers in your neighborhood, urging them to stop offering elephant rides. Email usa@ad-international.orgfor information.
Animal Defenders International (ADI) has launched the first nationwide initiative in the U.S. about the use of elephants giving rides or making appearances at public events. At the heart of the campaign is a new DVD narrated by Emmy award winningTV hostBob Barker entitled ‘No Fun For Elephants,’ featuring harrowing undercover footage from inside elephant training facilities in California, as well as abuse of an elephant on tour by a Texas-owned company. The ‘No Fun For Elephants’ DVD is being mailed to event organizers across the U.S., including board members of county fairs, renaissance fairs and organizers of town parades, urging them to adopt a humane ‘no elephant rides or performances’ policy, in view of the suffering these animals endure.
An Animals Australia investigation has again found Australian sheep being illegally sold in a cruel livestock market in Kuwait, despite Animals Australia first notifying Australian authorities of breaches at this market some five months ago.
Under the new live export rules, exporters must ensure that animals remain within approved supply chains. New evidence from Animals Australia has revealed that months after our initial complaint, Australian sheep have continued to be sold and brutally slaughtered at the notorious Al Rai livestock market, in Kuwait. Animals at this marketplace are known to have their legs bound together, be stuffed into car boots, dragged over concrete slabs, and have their throats cut while fully conscious.
This footage taken in August 2012 sparked Animals Australia’s original complaint to the Department of Agriculture.
Warning Very Graphic Video
In January 2013, an investigator returned to the Al Rai market and found even more Australian sheep being offered for sale by at least 11 separate merchants.
Many admitted knowing that they shouldn’t have Australian sheep and ear tags had been ripped out or removed despite the fact that Australian sheep are clearly distinguishable from local sheep in the region. All of the merchants at the market offered slaughter onsite as an ‘after sales’ service.
The Al Rai market in Kuwait City is notorious for cruelty. Animals Australia has conducted a number of investigations there, each time documenting the brutal handling, transport and slaughter of Australian sheep. Preventing Australian sheep from being sold in such circumstances was a cornerstone of why the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System was implemented. Yet nearly one year after ESCAS came into effect in Kuwait, rules continue to be breached and animals continue to suffer.
Al Rai market was already the obvious place in the Middle East for exporters to monitor – the fact they have not done so, even after breaches were discovered, shows how little they care and their willingness to thumb their nose at government regulations. If exporters are not prepared to follow the rules they should have their export licence removed.
Please send an urgent message to your Federal MP to express your opposition to this cruel trade and demand that, while it continues, tough sanctions must be placed on exporters who fail to adhere to the rules.
Australian cattle are again at the centre of a shocking expose that is making international headlines.
Frightened animals being bashed, hit, shocked with an electric prod in the eyes and face before suffering a terrifying death… these are the images filmed by Israeli journalist and undercover investigator, Ronen Bar.Watch his interview…
WARNING: contains Very graphic images.
Published on 11 Dec 2012
WARNING: Graphic vision. YOU CAN HELP: 1) Like & comment. 2) Go to http://AnimalsAustralia.org/israel to sign an instant letter against live animal export.
Please email your Federal MP — express your opposition to this cruel trade and demand that while it continues, there must be independent inspection and oversight in importing countries. For Australian Citizens only:-http://animalsaustralia.org/israel
Live export cruelty continues
Sadly Australia is one of the biggest exporters of live animals for slaughter. In 2011 Australia exported around 700,000 cattle predominantly to Indonesia, and around 2.5 million sheep mainly to the Middle East.
WSPA Australia works actively on this issue of live exports, and the campaign is called ‘Humane Chain’.
During the journey animals can experience stress, heat exhaustion and extreme temperatures. Many don’t eat, are injured or suffer from disease. Despite efforts made by both the Australian Government and the live export industry to regulate the export process, tens of thousands of animals continue to die every year while being exported.
Almost half of all deaths on board sheep vessels are due to starvation because some sheep are not able to identify the unfamiliar pellets they’re given as food.
For every animal that dies, many more suffer further cruelty
Moving to the alternatives to live animal export will not only help animals, it’s also better for our economy
There are alternatives to live animal export that will benefit farmers, jobs, our economy and the animals.
According to an independent assessment (S G Heilbron, 2000) live animal export costs Australia $1.5 billion in lost GDP, $270 million in lost household income and around 10,500 lost jobs.
WSPA funded researched in 2012 that shows that northern cattle farmers could increase their income by 245% if they had access to an abattoir. It would also add $200 million to the regional economy each year and create 1300 jobs. Read the research here.
WSPA funded research in 2010 that shows a sheep processed in Australia is worth 20% more to the economy that one exported live. Read the research here.
This video shows evidence collected during WSPA’s recent investigation into the mistreatment of Australian sheep. Investigators have documented cruelty throughout the live export supply chain, from transportation on ships, through to holding yards and abattoirs in the Middle East. You can take action to help end this cruel trade by visiting http://www.humanechain.org
You can watch a short video that explains the benefits of moving away from live exports and the next steps we should takehere.
Halal certified chilled meat products from Australia are accepted both in the Middle East and in Indonesia. There’s no excuse to continue the live animal export trade.
Australians want an end to live animal export
Three quarters (74%), or 12.4 million, of Australians claim that they are more likely to vote for a political candidate who promises to end live animal export, according to a Longeran Poll from May 2012.
Those animals that survive the journey arrive on foreign soil where they are no longer under Australian protection. Few countries to which Australia sends animals for slaughter have equivalent animal welfare protection laws. Many animals will be slaughtered fully conscious.
The incident occurred on November 24, when owner Gary Branson dropped Chloe off at a relative’s house while he went out of town for Thanksgiving. She left Chloe in her garage when she went out shopping, but the dog tripped the sensor and opened the door.
Police received a call from neighbour Kenny Collins, who said there was a large, aggressive pit bull-mix (chocolate Lab mix, according to Branson) wandering around, barking at his windows. Police arrived with animal control, and Collins’ son began filming the event on hiscell phone.
“He’s basically back in the garage or whatever, staying away from the police,” Collins said. Collins said that Chloe just sat in the garage near her bed for about half an hour while the officers scratched their heads, thinking what to do.
Chloe must have attempted to get back out, because one of the officers used his Taser on her twice, forcing her back inside. Scared, Chloe tried to escape again, but was shot by Price. The animal control officer finally got the wounded dog on the catch pole, but Price shot her four more times, finally ending her life.
Commerce City Police issued a statement that read: “An animal control agent was able to place a ‘catch pole’ around the dog’s neck. The pit bull remained extremely agitated and continued to attempt to attack the animal control agent. Due to the dog’s size and aggressive demeanour, it could not be controlled on the catch pole.
For the safety of the animal control agent and the community, a police officer shot and killed the dog.” Collins said that from the video, you could tell Chloe was just scared and trying to run away from danger. “I totally disagree with it, totally,” he said. “The dog was not attacking people and that’s not what I said when I called 911.”
Gary Branson with framed photos of his dogs
Branson is devastated at the loss of his dog, who had been a therapy dog to him since he underwent heart surgery in 2008.
“She was my constant companion pretty much 24/7. And there’s never been any incidents where she was violent or aggressive,” Branson said. “She was as gentle as a lamb. She loved kids. She loved running around with them, playing with them. She’d let them ride on her like a horse, bounce on her, pull her ears, and she never once did anything to harm a child – or an adult.
She was just a loving, loving animal who loved attention. It didn’t matter from who.” After a thorough investigation, the Adams County District Attorneycharged price with cruelty to animals. The cell phone video, which went viral, has been a key piece of evidence, along with witness accounts. A necropsy was also performed.
Branson is considering taking legal action against the Commerce CityPolice Department. “They had the opportunity to do the right thing – to own their mistake, to apologize for that mistake. And they didn’t,” said Branson’s attorney, Jennifer Edwards. “So now I think they need to change their ways within that police department.
Obviously, there’s something wrong in the culture there. In three months, we’ve gone to trial on one dog getting shot, and now we have another one needlessly murdered. Something has to change.”
WARNING: The link below contains Video which is very graphic and heartbreaking.
You Tube video:- Discretion is advised
Published on 27 Nov 2012
One police officer uses his Taser twice on the dog. Then the dog tries to run away and is captured by the animal control officer on the catch pole. But, after it is captured, a police officer fires five shots at Chloe, killing the dog.
At least one stray bullet hit the animal control officer’s car with neighbors and kids all around.
Commerce City Police initially lied, releasing a statement reading in part, “An animal control agent was able to place a ‘catch pole’ around the dog’s neck. The pit bull remained extremely agitated and continued to attempt to attack the animal control agent. Due to the dog’s size and aggressive demeanor, it could not be controlled on the catch pole. For the safety of the animal control agent and the community, a police officer shot and killed the dog.”
In the video, it does not appear that the dog moved aggressively toward two police officers and an animal control worker. The video seems to show a terrified dog who is determined to run away.
Alicia Hall, an animal behavior technician with the Dumb Friends League, said, “The animal could still potentially be a danger, but if the catch pole is being used appropriately, the animal should be restrained safely. As far as I can see from the video, it looks like the dog actually walked right into the catch pole as it was coming out of the garage and was safely restrained.”
“The video, it’s pretty far away and kind of fuzzy, so it’s hard to see a lot of the dog’s body postures, but what I did see is that the dog did retreat quite a bit from the police officers and the animal control officer. It ran into the garage rather than coming out of the garage. And even when he was coming out of the garage, it didn’t look like he was coming after them, it looked like he was trying to get away from them,” Hall said.
Not surprisingly, Commerce City Police Chief Chuck Saunier defends the actions of the killers.
The dog was temporarily being housed at this location by the owner’s relative. She was charged with numerous violations.
DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS BLOG - SOME PICTURES & VIDEOS CAN & WILL BE VERY GRAPHIC - SO PLEASE, VIEW THIS BLOG AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
You can find out more about me & this blog by reading "ABOUT THIS BLOG" on the menu (when i finish it) lol
PLEASE NOTE.....
Not all of my posts will be current news, or even about animal abuse! I do like to share other animal news, uplifting stories or videos; some that are funny or just touch the heart!
If I have anything to say on any post, you will see it in bold blue writing. I try to remain a lady, but it's hard to contain my anger & emotions at the some of the stories I post; I don’t have a heart of stone, tears stain many articles I write!
Lastly, my apologies for any errors; I am learning whilst posting, so if you find anything that doesn't work or a broken link, sorry, I'm only human!!!!
ABOUT THESE POSTS
I would just like to make readers aware, that I search for stories on the internet; regards animal abuse etc. I copy stories etc. from the internet; assuming these stories are correct at time of publishing. Having said that, sometimes the press get it wrong! So I just want to add that at the time of me posting a news story, I presume all the facts seem present & correct.
Please note....all people mentioned in this blog, are presumed innocent, until proven otherwise, in a court of law.
For anyone wishing to connect to me via my Facebook page...PLEASE NOTE, ONLY PEOPLE I ADD AS ANIMAL ADVOCATES CAN SEE MY WHOLE PAGE...I do this out of respect for those friends I have who do not wish to see graphic images, videos or links of animal abuse!
As 99% of my page is animal related; anyone not in the above group of friends; will only see a limited amount of posts!!
DUE TO ANIMAL HATERS...I WILL ONLY ADD PEOPLE WHO CAN PROVE WHO THEY ARE via Facebook, Wordpress, Twitter etc. & WHO HAVE A GENUINE INTEREST IN ANIMAL WELFARE... i.e. if your Facebook page has absolutely nothing to do with animals, I see no point in joining my page. My Facebook is solely for animal welfare, I am not interested in playing games etc. I don't mean to sound rude but I am not interested in the amount of friends I have, its the quality of those friends that count.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND REQUESTS FOR YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN. I do not want anyone to be upset by graphic images etc.
My aim is to educate & raise awareness to the horrors animals face, at the hands of humans, every day, around the world!!
We can not hope to achieve better laws, to protect animals, unless we unite as one, to speak up for those who are voiceless!!
.
DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS BLOG - SOME PICTURES & VIDEOS CAN & WILL BE VERY GRAPHIC - SO PLEASE, VIEW THIS BLOG AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
STOP ANIMAL ABUSE 
You must be logged in to post a comment.