ALDF; A Truck Stop is No Place for a Tiger! Why We Won’t Stop Fighting for Tony

Stephen Wells, ALDF
April 21, 2017

At this moment a 16-year-old Siberian-Bengal tiger named Tony is caged at a gas station truck stop in Grosse Tete, Louisiana, 20 miles outside of Baton Rouge. Confined to a cramped metal cage, Tony breathes in diesel fumes daily while passersby tease and harass him. Tony has lived this way for nearly his entire life, and his circumstances are often a shock to the average person, who feels innately that this is not the right place for a tiger, especially an ageing one with neglected veterinary needs. People ask, “how can this be legal?” and the Animal Legal Defense Fund believes firmly that it’s not. In fact, we’ve been fighting for over six years to have Tony relocated to a sanctuary that can meet his complex needs and give him the veterinary care he is entitled to. Our campaign to save Tony is now even more dire after reports raising concerns about Tony’s health.

Let Tony Live the Rest of His Days in Comfort

All across the world, people follow Tony’s story. Recently, we’ve received many reports from worried citizens stating that Tony appears lethargic and is experiencing diarrhoea and a decreased appetite. The Animal Legal Defense Fund obtained photo and video evidence and enlisted the help of a veterinarian with experience treating exotic animals to review it. In the vet’s expert opinion, Tony is likely suffering from kyphosis of the spine and an injury or other condition that is causing him to limp. This isn’t run-of-the-mill ageing; Tony needs help. Living at a truck stop is, at the least, exacerbating Tony’s poor health. While no animal is suited to living at a truck stop, tigers are particularly ill-equipped because of their sharp sense of smell and sensitive hearing. Independent of all our pending legal work to free Tony, the Animal Legal Defense Fund just submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which licenses the Truck Stop under the federal Animal Welfare Act, urging that Tony be inspected by a licensed specialist and given any necessary veterinary care.

The Legal Battle for Tony’s Safety

We believe that Tony, and all big cats held in captivity, deserve to live in environments that meet their psychological and physical needs. Our campaign to remove Tony from his particularly grim captivity at Tiger Truck Stop has been lengthy and determined. Michael Sandlin, the owner of the truck stop, however, has pulled out all the stops to keep Tony in captivity.  He has spent over $750,000 fighting our efforts and has also manipulated the legislative system by successfully lobbying the Louisiana legislature to pass a special exemption designed solely to benefit Sandlin and allow him to keep Tony. It’s no surprise that Sandlin puts up such a fight; he’s been exploiting tigers like Tony for decades, using them as a gimmick to lure customers to his gas station. The USDA has cited Sandlin numerous times for violations ranging from failure to provide veterinary care to lack of clean drinking water. In 2003, Sandlin relinquished three tigers amid public outrage over his treatment of the big cats. Only Tony remains.

Inspired in part by Tony’s plight, then Representative Warren Triche, Jr. introduced legislation in 2006 to ban private possession of big cats in Louisiana. The law passed, and while it was a tremendous win for the big cats saved from being the next Tony, Sandlin continued to hold Tony in violation of the law. The Animal Legal Defense Fund sued the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for unlawfully issuing Sandlin a permit to exhibit Tony. We were joined in the suit by former Rep. Triche, Jr. and several other Louisiana taxpayers. Both the trial court and the Louisiana Court of Appeal held that Sandlin and the Tiger Truck Stop were ineligible for a big cat permit and could no longer keep Tony captive. In October 2013, the Louisiana Supreme Court let that decision stand. Still, Tony remained at the truck stop.

Despite the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s victory, which should have freed Tony and allowed him to be moved to a sanctuary, Sandlin has been able to keep Tony in captivity because of two legal tactics that he has pursued relentlessly.

First, after the trial court ruled against Sandlin and while his appeal was pending, he filed a separate lawsuit challenging the big cat ban as unconstitutional.  The Animal Legal Defense Fund, along with concerned Louisiana citizens, promptly filed a petition to intervene in that action to defend the constitutionality of the big cat ban.  Both the State of Louisiana and the Animal Legal Defense Fund argued Sandlin’s claims were barred because he failed to raise them in the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s prior action.  Those arguments are still pending today, nearly five years later.

Second, Sandlin manipulated the legislative system by successfully lobbying the Louisiana legislature to pass Act 697, a special law designed to exempt Sandlin – and only Sandlin – from the big cat ban. It was signed into law by then Governor Jindal. The Animal Legal Defense Fund again immediately went to work, suing the state of Louisiana and arguing Act 697 violated the Louisiana Constitution because it was a “special law” designed to benefit one individual from existing state public safety and animal welfare laws. We were again joined in the suit by former Rep. Triche Jr. and other concerned Louisiana citizens.

We’re Not Giving Up

The Animal Legal Defense Fund recently combined its challenges to both of Sandlin’s legal tactics into the same action, filing an amended petition in intervention in Sandlin’s lawsuit that challenged the constitutionality of the big cat ban.  This will allow the Animal Legal Defense Fund — in one motion — to raise arguments both challenging the constitutionality of Act 697’s exemption for Tony and explain why Sandlin’s challenges to the big cat ban itself should fail.  A ruling in favour of the Animal Legal Defense Fund on such a motion should finally put an end to Sandlin’s legal tactics and provide a final resolution allowing Tony to be relocated to a sanctuary.

As the world watches the ups and downs of the fight to save Tony, the tiger’s life remains essentially the same. He doesn’t know his story inspired a former Representative to come out of retirement to fight for him, or that the big cat ban will help others of his kind. All he knows is life in a cramped cage off the highway. Tony deserves the veterinary care he needs and to live out the rest of his life in peace. He doesn’t just deserve it, we believe he’s guaranteed it under the law. We won’t stop until Tony is safe

News source:–http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/we-wont-stop-fighting-for-tony-the-truck-stop-tiger/

 

SICKENING; Animal Abuser Left Puppy In A Paper Bag In Empire Damansara Carpark With Broken Legs And Mouth Taped

“I am appalled, sickend & saddened that someone could do this to such a tiny 3 month old dog. What kind of sick psycho, capable of doing such an evil thing, can manage to walk amongst us; undetected?? This poor little puppy couldn’t hurt a fly it’s so small. The bloody Empire Damansara should be willing to hand over CCTV of the car park where the dog was found! In fact, you would think they would find this such an atrocity that they would be offering any help they can; but they don’t seem to give a rats ass about it! I’m just thankful that an animal lover found this tiny pooch & took action. Please go to the Face Book page below to show your support & help catch the abomination that tortured this tiny dog!”  

Details Published on Wednesday, 29 June 2016 12:48

In the same week that news about a female dog nursing its puppies was found shot dead in Muar, Johor, in Damansara Perdana, a puppy with its legs broken and mouth taped was found in the Empire Damansara parking lot.

Luckily, the puppy was rescued by the hands of an animal lover, who posted details about the condition of the three-month-old frail animal found on June 22.

The user named Vicky Liew relayed on her Facebook how she and her friend came to find the puppy that was left in a paper bag.

The rescuers only discovered later on the puppy, a good Pomeranian breed, had lost its legs when taking it to the vet.

“This poor dog had been abused because both front legs were purposely broken by inhuman people!! Stay strong puppy!!!,” Vicky wrote.

How could anyone do this??

She then tried to hunt down the culprits who abused the puppy by reporting to the management in hopes they were able to track them down through the CCTV footage, however she reported that Empire Damansara was not being cooperative on the matter.

This is just heartbreaking!

“Write on Empire Damansara page to urge them to cooperate so the people who are working on this case can lodge a report to the Department Of Veterinary Services. Keep it viral and keep it going,” she urged the public after sharing it on Dog Lovers of Malaysia group.

FaceBook page:–https://www.facebook.com/groups/dogloversmsia/

The latest updates on the rescued puppy, now named Summer, is living in a new home with loving owner Sim Kian Theng, and shows that the animal had been discharged from the hospital and is recovering well.

“She will be healing soon! I need strong mentality!!! I committed 24hrs care for her!!!,” wrote Sim.

Kudos to good Samaritans like Sim and Vicky, however thus far, no updates have been shared regarding the Empire Damansara management lodging a report against animal abusers, nor statement of them taking action on the case, as well as increasing security in their parking lots with adequate CCTV footage, despite the complaints by netizens and fellow residents.

Last year, the Malaysian government passed the Animal Welfare Act 2015 – a new comprehensive Act with fines 100 times heavier for animal abuse cases. Offenders now face a minimum fine of RM20,000 and possible jail time.

News Link:-http://malaysiandigest.com/frontpage/29-4-tile/619285-animal-abuser-left-puppy-in-a-paper-bag-in-empire-damansara-carpark-with-broken-legs-and-mouth-taped.html

 

 

PETITION; Yorkie Dog Beaten Almost to Death Deserves Justice

“If this women is capable of doing this to a dog, then what’s next? A child?? This women needs to be behind bars so she can never hurt any form of human life…ever again!!”

Posted by Kari Maze

Target: Channing D. Phillips, United States Attorney for the District of Columbia

Goal: Prosecute woman who allegedly almost beat small Yorkie to death.

A 6-pound Yorkie was allegedly beaten by its owner. We need to take action to better ensure the person responsible gets the maximum prison sentence so that other animals will be less likely to meet the same fate.

Kristina Washington allegedly beat her Yorkie and then failed to provide it with medical care. The dog was hit numerous times in various areas of its body and it now has multiple fractures. Some of these fractures include 11 spinal fractures, five limb fractures, multiple fractures to its skull, four broken ribs and a broken foot. The dog’s left leg was also broken so many times that a part of the bone actually absorbed into the body tissue, making it less likely that the leg will properly heal.

Surgeries done on the animal have already cost in the tens of thousands of dollars. Additionally, the dog needs many more surgeries and the animal may not be able to be saved.

Urge the United States Attorney to bring this woman up on two felony counts for this alleged crime, so that she will likely have to spend 10 years in prison. Beating a 6-pound animal is both disgusting and inexcusable.

PLEASE GO TO THIS PETITION LINK TO SIGN, THANK YOU: http://animalpetitions.org/124608/severely-beaten-yorkie-deserves-justice/

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Attorney Phillips,

A woman allegedly nearly beat a small Yorkie to death. If found guilty, it is important that she is punished to the fullest extent of the law so that other animals will not have to suffer under her ownership.

Kristina Washington reportedly beat her Yorkie and then did not get the dog medical care. The dog was beaten to such a great extent that it has multiple fractures. Some of these fractures include 11 spinal fractures, four broken ribs and even multiple fractures to the head.

Veterinarians are not yet able to guarantee that the animal can be saved. Furthermore, surgeries done to help the animal have already cost well over $10,000 and more money is still needed to do other surgeries.

As a United States Attorney, you have the power to bring this woman up on two felony charges in order to better ensure that she will spend 10 years in prison. I therefore urge you to do everything possible to make sure this woman is punished to the fullest extent of the law for committing this alleged, heinous crime. Anyone who almost kills a 6-pound defenceless animal by beating it deserves to spend a great deal of time in prison.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Mary Ann Barton

News link; http://animalpetitions.org/124608/severely-beaten-yorkie-deserves-justice/

Pregnant dog burned alive, gets help from local animal rescue group

"OMG...this is beyond sickening, I can't see the dog walking willingly into fire, so she was either burnt or doused in some type of chemical; on purpose. I pray they catch the scum that did this & will keep her in my prayers, in the hopes that all her pups make it & she finds a forever loving home!" 

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A pregnant dog that was severely burned is doing much better after being taken in by a local animal rescue group.

“Someone did something unkind to this very sweet dog,” says Donna Casamento with Big Dog Ranch Rescue.

Pregnant dog burnt is carrying puppies

It’s something so unkind, it’s horrific to view.  Nina, a terrier mix, has second to third degree burns on her chest, all the way down to her legs.

“It’s been a very very sad situation. We weren’t sure when we first got her how the burns happened,” said Casamento.

But Donna thinks Nina’s burns may have been intentional. And what makes this worse, she’s pregnant.

“Whether she walked into a fire on the ground, like a fire pit or was pushed into a fire pit. Dogs don’t walk into those kind of situations,” she said.”

Now the race is on to save the unborn dogs while Nina recovers. “It’s somewhat difficult for us to tell exactly if the puppies are still alive yet,” Casamento said.

Nina was brought up yesterday from Miami-Dade rescue.  Veterinarians here are taking care of her around the clock. “Every couple of hours, she’s getting this applied to her and then several baths throughout the day,” said Donna. “We’re giving her pain medication about every three or four hours at this point.”

The hope is eventually to find her and her babies, a loving home. “In spite what she’s been through, all she wants to do is sit with her head in our lap and get love. This is a great dog,” she said.

Vets say once Nina becomes comfortable, they’ll be able to perform an ultrasound to see if the puppies are alive. They’re asking the community to help with donations for Nina’s care. Find out how you can help at their website, http://www.bdrr.org/ .

Miami-Dade animal rescue is investigating the case.

News Link:-http://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/west-palm-beach/pregnant-dog-burned-alive-gets-help-from-local-animal-rescue-group

NFL Player Terrence Cody Could Face Animal Cruelty Charges

“I believe his dog died due to worms, & if so, in my opinion, yes this idiot is guilty of animal abuse! The majority of dog owners know that treatment for worms is a must; without worming tablets, dogs can get worms & die if not treated immediately! I can’t believe a man of this stature wouldn’t know about worms in dogs; they are a basic provision for dogs & tablets cost very little! I’m sure he had enough money to by some worming tablets, besides if the dog was under a vets practice, it’s something that they would probably have treated the dog for, or given the owner advice on how to buy tablets & treat the dog for worms; whilst under its regular checkups etc.!”

The Baltimore Ravens will cut nose tackle Terrence Cody – who has been accused of animal cruelty – right after the Super Bowl, the team announced Friday. Baltimore police confirmed that Cody is below investigation and could face animal cruelty charges but…

The Baltimore Ravens will cut nose tackle Terrence Cody – who has been accused of animal cruelty – right after the Super Bowl, the team announced Friday.

NFL Player Terrence Cody

Baltimore police confirmed that Cody is below investigation and could face animal cruelty charges but declined additional comment. Baltimore County state attorney Scott Shellenberger declined to supply details about the alleged incident that sparked the investigation. He mentioned his office will ascertain if criminal charges are appropriate by late next week.

The Baltimore Sun reported that the investigation stems from an incident with a dog. The Ravens did not cite a purpose in a statement announcing the decision to terminate Cody’s contract, but the team is aware of the investigation.

Cody’s agent Peter Schaffer issued a statement that mentioned his client’s dog died due to worms. “There was no animal cruelty,” Schaffer mentioned. “If this affects at all my client’s ability to get a job, I am going to do every thing in my legal energy to guard his rights.”

Cody, 26, was scheduled to turn out to be an unrestricted free of charge agent on March ten, when his one-year, $730,000 contract expires.

The Ravens had high hopes for Cody, who was drafted in the second round of the 2010 out of Alabama. But he has struggled with weight challenges, conditioning problems and injuries in the course of his five-season NFL profession. Cody, who underwent hip surgery after the 2013 season, played in just 1 game this season.

His very best season was 2011, when he started in all of the Ravens’ 16 games and created 34 tackles. He had 87 tackles and two pass deflections in his five seasons with Baltimore.

“Animal abuse of any type is unacceptable,” mentioned Tina Regester, a spokeswoman for the Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “We are pleased the police and the Ravens are treating this as a really serious matter.”

Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.

News Link:-http://www.wpxnews.com/sports/nfl-player-terrence-cody-could-face-animal-cruelty-charges-h2719.html

Dog ‘tortured’ in Limerick given new home in the UK

“There are some evil sadistic people on this planet, that should not be able to breathe the same air as decent folk. I certainly hope they are found & get what they deserve!”

By Donal O’Regan Published 23/01/2015

A PUPPY ‘tortured’ in Limerick has found a new home in England.

The public have raised over €3,400 for George, a five-month-old Terrier, to pay for veterinary operations. He was rescued by Limerick Animal Welfare (LAW) after being thrown over a wall in Southill.

George had a broken pelvis, an untreated eye injury, both hips broken, ear tips cut off, burns to his stomach and his whiskers singed off.

LAW’s Kilfinane sanctuary manager, Marie Quirke said he had been “tortured so badly that he is terrified of people.” In the past three weeks he has been nursed back to health by LAW staff.

“George came home on Saturday from Noah Veterinary Clinic in Baldoyle where orthopaedic surgeon Billy McCartney performed an operation on both his hips to stabilise them using pins. He will need to be on strictly confined rest for four weeks to allow the healing process to work. He is on antibiotics and pain relief. Little George will need to have check-ups with John O’Dwyer, a vet in Henry Street to make sure everything is going well,” said Marie, who wished to thank Mr McCartney, all at Noah, Mr O’Dwyer and everyone who contributed to George’s veterinary care fund on their Facebook page.

“Any money over and above the cost of George’s treatment will go towards two other dogs in our care who also need expensive operations to injuries sustained in road traffic accidents,” said Marie.

After a terrible start to life for George is going to live in the lap of luxury for the rest of his days in England.

Animal lover, Coral Plunkett, got in touch with LAW.

“Having read the cruelty this little man suffered and the battle to recover which faced him I didn’t think twice. I contacted LAW and offered him a home with Matt, Connie and Hannah, also adopted from LAW.

“After speaking with Marie there was no hesitation on my part in naming him George, after St George. Unfortunately George is one of many, you could say he is one of the lucky ones.

The work undertaken by LAW is just amazing and they are totally reliant on the generosity of people, so to have raised over €3,000 for George is just fantastic. Offering your heart and your home to a rescue animal is one of the best investments you will ever make, it will be repaid with love, loyalty and commitment,” said Coral.

News Link:-http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/community/dog-tortured-in-limerick-given-new-home-in-the-uk-1-6537663

 

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY LIKING THIS POST… “Why life in captivity is the last hope of saving tigers” VIA CIRCUSES!!!!

“Yes I agree, due to the dwindling numbers of tigers in the wild & those that are legally shot for pleasure; there aren’t many left in the wild; BUT there are some decent wildlife parks that tigers can be kept in, whilst following the proper gene protocol etc.. But to say they are better in a circus is too much for me to swallow!!! As an animal advocate of many years, I don’t think tigers are or should be allowed in CIRCUSES.” To say tigers are trained without the use of brute force or cruelty is something I can not accept, i.e jumping through rings of fire!!! Please read the following report on why this person thinks tigers are better off in zoos, someone who is an animal welfare specialist!!! PLEASE READ THIS POST…FOR ME ME IT STANDS AGAINST EVERYTHING I BELIEVE AS AN ANIMAL ADVOCATE.”

“PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AGAINST WILD ANIMALS IN CIRCUSES BY LIKING THIS POST…Thanks!

Why life in captivity is the last hope of saving tigers

By Western Morning News  |  Posted: September 23, 2014

By Jamie Foster

I recently went to visit a family who are being attacked. They are hard-working and do not live off state benefits despite being anything but wealthy.

They are a part of a minority community that has been subject to venomous attacks for many years by people who are never called to account. In many ways the prejudices that they suffer are amongst the last socially acceptable, thoughtless bigotries it is possible to openly express.

 

The family I went to visit was a circus family, from Peter Jolly’s circus, the first in Great Britain to be licensed by Defra to have and exhibit big cats. It is a traditional circus maintaining a 300-year-old tradition of showing performing animals to adoring crowds. The family live and work every minute of every day with their animals, which, as a result are in the condition one would expect of pedigree show cattle.

They are physically healthy and mentally stimulated from the constant contact with their trainers. What is odd is that the animal rights lobby has been so successful in persuading a nation of animal lovers that these animals should be in the wild, and that both captivity and being asked to perform are acts of cruelty.

On September 3, Jim Fitzpatrick MP introduced a private member’s bill calling for all wild animals in circuses to be banned.

This is quite an odd legal approach to an activity that is licensed by Defra. It is even more odd considering that the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has already reported on this issue. The committee included the current Farming Minister, George Eustice; Neil Parish, the East Devon MP currently working closely with the RSPCA on animal welfare matters, and Barry Gardiner, a Labour MP well known for his anti-hunting stance.

The committee’s report recommended the Government should not consider a banning wild animals in circuses but should allow the current licensing system to regulate the activity. This was because the committee found that there were no welfare implications to wild animals being kept captive or performing in circuses. This may surprise many people who are used to hearing the opposite in public, but it doesn’t surprise me. I have seen the conditions that these animals are kept in and the condition of the animals for myself.

If you are against animals in circuses, or have no particular view about them, I would invite you to consider a couple of points.

Take tigers. In the past century we have lost 97 per cent of wild tigers on this planet. There are essentially two reasons for this. Tigers are an apex predator that require a large area of land to survive in the wild. Man has encroached on that land and man is not good at sharing. Worse still, for the tigers, man has decided that their component parts are far more valuable after their death than when they are alive. The reality is that there is not so much wild for them to be in anymore and many people willing to go into the wild to shoot them and sell them on the black market.

The reality is that we cannot turn the clock back. The task of providing a habitat and preventing poaching is simply not one we can complete before tigers become extinct if all tigers were to remain in the wild. This is an appalling reality but it is a reality nonetheless. “Exactly…but they shouldn’t be subjected to training tactics, to entertain the public either”

So we are left with the unavoidable conclusion that some tigers must be kept in captivity, despite how much this offends some people’s aesthetic sensibilities.

Of course we can and should keep tigers in zoos and safari parks. These are both places where the animals are safe and can be studied from a distance. They also, however, have an inherent disadvantage. Tigers in zoos and safari parks do not enjoy the level of mental stimulation they would in the wild, largely because it would be frowned upon to allow them to hunt the other residents. It is for this reason that safari parks came into being in the first place.

People wanted to display animals in settings that more closely resembled the wild than traditional zoos, and where the animals had more to keep them occupied.

Ironically they turned to circus people, who assisted in designing the first safari parks in order to minimise the boredom that can be experienced by animals in captivity.

Tigers in a modern circus, on the other hand, have a great deal of mental stimulation, which comes in the form of the training it takes in order for them to perform. The suggestion that cruelty is employed in this training simply isn’t true. If you were to train a tiger by beating it you would end up with an animal whose only act would be cowering in fear. As anyone who has ever tried to train a dog knows, you may be able to stop an animal from doing something by scaring it but you can’t encourage an animal to do something in the same way.

Tricks that tigers do in a circus may be characterised as “undignified” or “demeaning” but the tiger has no understanding of such concepts. To the tiger, the training is fundamentally similar to the play that it would undertake in the wild and prevents boredom and depression that simply locking it in a cage risks. “Oh Please, there is more that enough undercover investigations to prove this wrong…on all levels”

More than this, however, the circus brings the tiger into contact with humans in an entirely positive way. The tiger makes money while it is alive, rather than only having a value in death. It was a quaint hippy concept from the 1960s that money doesn’t matter and everyone should be free, but real life doesn’t work that way. Conserving tigers is a costly business.

In circuses tigers can contribute to this effort. The truth is we have been working alongside animals for millennia. There is nothing wrong with that as long as welfare standards are as good as they can and should be.

In this country we have the highest welfare standards in the world.”Really??? is that why Britain is the last Country to ban wild animals in circuses?“

We need to continue to set an example through the way we maintain those standards, not restrict the areas that good practice can occur in.

Clearly there have been examples of animals being mistreated in the past. This occurs in every walk of life from circuses to our own homes.

The law is entirely adequate to deal with abuse. If someone abuses an animal they should be prosecuted. But banning animals being kept in circuses because some people have mistreated animals is like banning cars because some people crash.

In the US, the Ringling Brothers circus is a multi-billion dollar industry. It grew out of traditional UK circuses and still employs many British performers.

It is an industry that ploughs a fortune into animal conservation. The company owns huge facilities where retired circus animals are kept in fantastic conditions. It is an example of the contribution that private industry can make to the conservation effort and it is an example we should follow, not shy away from.

Currently the animal rights lobby is attacking circuses, and zoos, safari parks, farms, race tracks and abattoirs. The same argument is used to object to all of them. “Sorry I disagree, different living accommodations & racing young horses has nothing to do with zoo life!”

A tiger that lives free in the wild in the way they advocate has an average life span of 15 years. In captivity the average is 25 years, but many go on to 30 years or more. Next time you think about circuses ask yourself if you know the whole truth, or if you have really thought about it at all.

What the legislation says

According to the gov.uk website, anyone in England operating a travelling circus with wild animals must still apply for, and receive, a licence under the Welfare of Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (England) Regulations 2012. These ensure that if a travelling circus continues to use wild animals before a ban can take effect, they will be subject to regular inspections to check they are meeting strict licensing conditions and welfare standards. The regulations are made under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. This act includes the duty of care that applies to owners of animals as well as the offence making it illegal to cause an animal to suffer unnecessarily.” As far as I am aware, Circuses are licensed by their own staff!!”

The RSPCA is campaigning against the use of wild animals in circuses and is lobbying the Westminster and Welsh governments to ban their use in England and Wales. The organisation says: “We don’t believe animals should be subjected to the conditions of circus life. Regular transport, cramped and bare temporary housing, forced training and performance, loud noises and crowds of people are often unavoidable realities for the animals. Scientific research has shown that travelling circus life is likely to have a harmful effect on animal welfare.

Behind the big top

Philip Astley is credited with being the ‘father’ of the modern circus when he opened the first circus in London on April 4, 1768

The word circus derives from the Latin circus, which is the romanisation of the Greek kirkos, which itself derives from Homeric Greek krikos, meaning ‘circle’ or ‘ring’

In 1825 Joshuah Purdy Brown was the first circus owner to use a large canvas tent for the circus performance

In 1919, Lenin expressed a wish for the circus to become ‘the people’s art-form’, with facilities and status on a par with theatre, opera and ballet. Russia later nationalised its circuses

A 2011 Defra consultation saw 94 per cent of respondents, including the British Veterinary Association, backing an end to the use of wild animals in circuses

Keeping wild animals in circuses is to be banned in England from the end of 2015

Attendances for the three travelling circuses using wild animals in 2011 were approximately 153,000

News Link:– http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/8203-life-captivity-hope-saving-tigers/story-22967942-detail/story.html

Comments on the above

The following are a few comments from people regards the above post:-

 

• 
  lovelylizzy  |  September 24 2014, 9:43PM

  The videos are proof of cruelty. These creatures were beaten. Actual fact. Nothing to do with “animal rights lunatics.” It doesn’t matter who made the video. It DID happen. You surely don’t deny this cruelty happened, do you?

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• 
  Equaliser  |  September 24 2014, 8:41PM

  No. I don’t think anything Animal Rights lunatics rely on to feed their insatiable appetite for self righteous human hatred has anything whatever to do with facts.

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• 
  lovelylizzy  |  September 24 2014, 12:57PM

  *That still is factual isn’t it ?*

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  lovelylizzy  |  September 24 2014, 12:55PM

  Did they not lose the case because of their extreme stupidity with not using a credible witness, not anything to do with the cruelty shown on the video. That still is factual isn’t? We can’t deny elephants getting beaten across the face before they go out to perform tricks can we?. It is there in the video. And also the tigers getting whipped is still factual, don’t you think?

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• 
  Equaliser  |  September 24 2014, 7:49AM

  Peta lost their case, HSUS lost their case, Aspca lost their case, the list of Vegan front organisations on the hook for legal fees is unending. Try googling Peta loses court case. It will keep you reading for a week. Vegan racketeering is expensive in thenStates apparently.

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• 
  lovelylizzy  |  September 24 2014, 6:29AM

  @equaliser, I genuinely cannot find anything that says Peta had to pay feld. I would honestly be interested if you could send me a link, it would be interesting. The link you sent me named other groups, but not Peta. Are they as one? As I said I am genuinely interested.

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  lovelylizzy  |  September 24 2014, 6:06AM

  Is the abuse not there to see. The camera never lies now does it? What do you think of these people who beat the elephants? It is irrelevant regarding the paid witness, ( although reckless and bloody idiotic) because the abuse of these animal took place. Surely you can’t deny that? What about the gentleman who wrote the article who said and I quote “The suggestion that cruelty is employed in this training simply isn’t true.” (re tigers) there is another link I posted proving they do get beat. You can’t argue with video evidence. So in summery two questions Did Elephants repeatedly get beaten just before they went out to “perform” ? and is the other video proof that tigers are also whipped and beaten so they will “perform.”?

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  Equaliser  |  September 23 2014, 11:34PM

  You are out of date Lizzy. Peta had to pay Feld due to AR lies and racketeering http://tinyurl.com/lcfkoff

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  lovelylizzy  |  September 23 2014, 7:58PM

  Oh yes and the lovely Ringling Brothers “Feld Entertainment, the parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, must now pay the largest settlement of its kind in U.S. history―*270,000―for violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) dating back to 2007” http://tinyurl.com/pl9fd7w

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  lovelylizzy  |  September 23 2014, 7:47PM

  Oh yes no one in circuses ever beats the tigers. Are you sure? https://http://tinyurl.com/qe5fsmc That is just one of many you can google if you would like to look. These beautiful animal are not here to perform tricks for us humans.

Comment Link on above:-http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/8203-life-captivity-hope-saving-tigers/story-22967942-detail/story.html#comments

“So why does the writer not take the above into consideration? I completely agree with the RSPCA & Scientific research; which is why wild animals should be banned from circuses…PERIOD. I presume this writer knows about the lawsuits & what Ringling have paid in the past due to poor conditions etc. “SERIOUSLY, DOES THIS GUY EXPECT US TO BELIEVE TIGERS ENTERTAIN… BECAUSE THEY ENJOY IT??  IT STIMULATE THEIR MINDS ETC…..I don’t think so…do you???

 Feld Entertainment, the parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus , must now pay the largest settlement  of its kind in U.S. history―$270,000―for violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) dating back to 2007. http://www.ringlingbeatsanimals.com/

PETA has been after the USDA all this time to take action against Ringling for abusing the animals in its care. In recent meetings, we presented unequivocal evidence of animal abuse, including beatings, the death of a lion, lame elephants forced to perform despite chronic pain, and a baby elephant who died during a training routine. We had recently filed a new formal request for action against Ringling, and our attorneys had met with the USDA’s general counsel and urged her to begin enforcement proceedings.

Ringling Beats Animals: A PETA Undercover Investigation

Uploaded on 22 Jul 2009

PETA’s 2009 investigation of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus found that workers were beating, whipping, and hooking elephants and striking tigers. Watch the shocking footage now: http://ringlingbeatsanimals.com

Related articles

• Sad But True: This is What Life in the Circus is Doing to the Health of Performing Animals (onegreenplanet.org)
• UK Government to Ban Performing Circus Animals (ibtimes.co.uk)
• Mersey MP backs calls for ban on use of wild animals in UK circuses (liverpoolecho.co.uk)
• Cameron Stands By Wild Animals Circus Ban (news.sky.com)
• THE FINAL CURTAIN: UK Government Announces 2015 Ban On wild Animals In Circuses In England (preciousjules1985.wordpress.com)
• It’s All Over for Wild Animal Circuses – or is it? (preciousjules1985.wordpress.com)

PETA Petition: Horse Racing’s Daily Double: Drugs And Death – PETA Undercover Investigation

“I am seriously shocked & disgusted at the following painful treatments these poor horses have to endure. A horse, forced to run with a makeshift super glued hoof; later had to be killed! Please watch the video & read on screen or listen to how trainers, vets  or owners talk about their horses…the sick POS need putting down; not the horses! I am furious & sickened by what PETA documented. If you love animals; Please DO NOT BET ON any RACE HORSE either in the US or UK!!”

“PLEASE TAKE ACTION at the link  BELOW; please don’t let them suffer!”

Imagine being forced to run, being pushed beyond the breaking point, the bones in your legs straining to hold up the weight of your body, your bleeding lungs incapable of breathing in enough air, and forced to keep running in spite of it all.

This is what life is like for racehorses who are chronically drugged by trainers in order to mask their pain and make them run faster.

All this, just so their owners and trainers can win money or fame.

For the first time ever, PETA has captured these cruel, standard industry practices on camera during an undercover investigation of leading thoroughbred trainer Steve Asmussen. Watch now:

UGH: Horses Drugged for Racing!

Published on 20 Mar 2014

A PETA undercover investigation of a leading thoroughbred trainer reveals that horses are DRUGGED to make them run faster and to hide their injuries. http://peta2.me/2nnnb

Subscribe to peta2tv: http://peta2.me/2cuol
Take Action NOW to Help Stop This: http://peta2.me/2nnnb
Slaughterhouses: Where Race Horses Retire?!http://peta2.me/2nnnc
Deadly Races: http://peta2.me/2nnnd
Do YOU Love Horses? Help Them NOW: http://peta2.me/2nnnb
Animal Rights = Human Rights: http://peta2.me/2nnnf

“We witnessed a horse so sore it hurt him even to stand, thyroid medication dumped into horses’ daily feed, and horses who had been blistered in a bizarre attempt to stimulate healing. Even at this top level of racing, the syringe is the top training tool, and if the horses get out alive, they’re broken.”

PETA’s investigation revealed the following …

• Many if not all horses in Asmussen’s New York stable were given thyroxine, a powerful drug that treats hypothyroidism. Horses may not have needed the drug―they may have been given it solely to “juice them up” and push them beyond their natural capabilities.
• A horse’s legs were burned with liquid nitrogen, according to one trainer, and other horses’ legs were blistered with chemical paint, purportedly to stimulate blood flow to their sore legs but leaving multiple scars.
• Horses were also given muscle relaxants, sedatives, and other potent pharmaceuticals―treatments designed for ailments such as ulcers, lameness, and inflammation―at times when they had no apparent symptoms.
• Horses are reportedly sometimes electro-shocked with concealed buzzers to make them run faster.
• One horse, Nehro (who came in second in the 2011 Kentucky Derby), was forced to run with chronically painful hooves that actually had holes in them and that were held together with superglue and was eventually killed after becoming violently ill.

HELP HORSES NOW!

Contact your U.S. representative and senators and ask them to support the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2013, Senate Bill 973 and House Bill 2012, which would increase oversight and penalties for overusing drugs in horse racing.

Remember: The best thing you can do to help horses in the racing industry is never to attend any race, including the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes.

Participation in this action alert is limited to those who live in the U.S., but if you are outside the U.S., you can still help horses by sharing the video and encouraging everyone you know to skip horse races.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW AT THIS NEWS LINK:-https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=5365&utm_campaign=0314%20Horse%20Racing%20Investigation%20EA&utm_source=peta2%20E-Mail&utm_medium=Alert

 

Related articles

• A Horse Racing Controversy Surrounding an Oaklawn Trainer
• PETA undercover…
• PETA Accuses Top Horse Trainer Of Animal Cruelty Following Undercover Investigation
• Undercover PETA Video Reveals the Darker Side of Horse Racing
• And, The Asshole Of The Day Goes To Steve Asmussen!
• Undercover video leads to investigation into horse abuse
• End the Abuse of Racehorses
• Horse trainer accused of cruelty

2 Dogs Found Abandoned In Home Covered In Glue And Paint

“WTF…thought I had seen it all; it appears not! Evil, sadistic animal abusing bxxxxxd’s will always walk amongst us, committing their heinous cruel animal attacks; because they are sick POS that know they can get away with it! If caught, they know they will only receive a petty punishment; which will not deter them from abusing again!! ANIMAL WELFARE & ABUSE LAWS MUST BECOME STRICTER WITH MORE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES FOR THOSE THAT ABUSE; I would like to think that harsher punishments, would at the very least, scare first time or younger offenders, enough to hopefully stop them from abusing animals ever again!!” 

Updated: Jan 31, 2014 10:08 PM GST; Reported By Nick Caloway

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –

Animal control officers are investigating after two small dogs were found covered with blue plumber’s glue and left for dead in Nashville. 

This is downright Animal Abuse; those who did this need locking up!!

The female Chihuahuas were found Wednesday by the landlord of an abandoned home on 10th Avenue North.

The dogs had been painted all over with the glue, which eventually hardened and left the animals helpless.

Dottie Dively, the staff veterinarian at Metro Animal Control, said it could be weeks before all the glue comes off.

“We have been successful in shaving some of it,” Dively said. “We may have to shave some more under sedation.”

Divey added since being found, the dogs have been named Sapphire and Opal.

“It fits, because they truly are gems and they will be beautiful again,” she said.

Cruelty investigator Billy Biggs wasn’t shy in expressing how badly he’d like to catch those responsible.

“You go from being sad to being mad,” said Biggs. “There’s no reason to do this to an animal.”

Investigators say it’s possible it was juveniles who committed the crime.

Those responsible could face a charge of aggravated animal cruelty, which is a felony.

It will be at least four to six weeks before the dogs will be available for adoption.

News Link:–http://www.wkrn.com/story/24595811/2-dogs-found-abandoned-in-home-covered-in-glue

Graphic Image: Horse Dragged For 100 yards, Arrest Warrant Issued For Abuser

By  Calily Bien Updated: Thursday, December 6, 2012,

BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Authorities in Bastrop County are looking for a man who allegedly dragged his horse for 100 yards leaving it with severe injuries. 

Horse dragged behind pick-up..cruel bxxxxxd!! Image from Examiner web page

On Nov. 10, a witness saw Mariano Villafuerta, 43, tie a horse to his truck in the 200 block of Mesa Drive in Del Valle and started to drive away.

The witness said Villafuerta accelerated to a high rate of speed with the horse still tied to the hitch of the truck. The horse had a difficult time keeping up, fell to its side and was dragged for about 100 yards.

According to the arrest warrant, Villafuerta then stopped the truck, got out and began kicking the horse in the neck until it stood up. Villafuerta then grabbed the horse by the lead rope and ran the horse down the driveway to the house in the 300 block of Mesa Drive.

The witness noticed that the horse’s left eye was damaged as well as the skin on his body. The deputy who arrived to take the report took pictures of the aforementioned injuries.

The witness said the horse apparently got out of Villafuerta’s property and was roaming around when Villafuerta found it.

The Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office will charge Villafuerta with cruelty to livestock animals by tripping, which is a state jail felony.

As of Wednesday night, officials have not located Villafuerta.

The horse is currently going through rehabilitation at the Meadow Haven Horse Rescue .

News Link:-http://www.kxan.com/news/horse-dragged-for-100-yards

By Penny Eims December 5, 2012:- Man wanted for dragging horse behind truck in Texas

On Tuesday, KEYE TV published a horrific case ofanimal cruelty involving a gorgeous horse who was nearly dragged to his death in Bastrop County, Texas.

The incident took place on November 10, the day that the suspect, Mariano Resendiz Villafuerta, is accused of attaching his horse to the back of his white, Ford F150 pickup and dragging him for over 150 yards.

According to Bastrop County Sheriff’s DepartmentSgt. Ric Cole:

“He was drug at a high speed until the horse couldn’t keep up,” “And then when the horse fell, he drug it.”

Investigators believe that Villafuerta was angry about something at the time, and took that rage out on the horse. According to KXAN News, the authorities were alerted to the horrific situation by a witness who claims to have watched the entire scene.

After the high speed dragging, the horse, now being called “Dragster,” was taken to a veterinary clinic for the multiple injuries which cover his once gorgeous coat.

Dragster is currently being cared for by the Meadow Haven Horse Rescue, where he is expected to recover.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Villafuerta, who is facing one count of animal cruelty, but as of yet, he is nowhere to be found.

Anyone with information is asked to phone 911 or the Bastrop County Sheriff.

News Link:-http://www.examiner.com/article/man-wanted-for-dragging-horse-behind-truck-texas