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

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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

Tony

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/

 

$1,000 Reward for Info Leading To An Arrest In Burning of Stray Cat

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“WTF…there are some serious psycho’s that move amongst us, without knowledge; sick bxxxxxxs! I so which I was psychic!!” 

Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes and the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) announce a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who set a cat on fire on May 24, 2013, in the Tompkins Houses in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

The severely burned orange tabby cat was found in the 12th floor stairwell of 200 Throop Avenue by a resident of the building, who called 911.  NYPD and FDNY responded to the scene and recovered the stray cat.  It was determined an accelerant was used to set the fire.

District Attorney Hynes said, “I find it incomprehensible why people would hurt any animal. But unfortunately, it does happen and those people need to be held accountable for their actions.

My office aggressively investigates and prosecutes animal abuse and fighting cases.  I want to commend the Animal Legal Defense Fund for their cooperation with my office in this and other cases, and for offering this reward for information.

Scott Heiser, Senior Attorney and Director of the Criminal Justice Program for the ALDF said, “We are so grateful to District Attorney Hynes and his team for their tireless efforts to bring the perpetrators of this outrageously cruel act to justice.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund posts this $1,000 reward to encourage people to come forward with information.  I hope that whoever saw this crime will do the right thing and call the hotline number.”

Police officers brought the cat to Animal Care and Control of New York City to be examined by veterinary staff who determined that the cat had suffered burns to his bodyThe fire tore through the cat’s fur and skin and melted his claws, exposing tissue. 

The cat was medically stabilized and sent to North Shore Animal League for further treatment.  Unfortunately, he passed away from his injuries.

As part of the investigation, KCDA detectives questioned building residents who reported having seen the cat living in the staircase before the attack.  They believed the cat was being fed by residents.

It is unknown if the attack occurred at 200 Throop Avenue or if he was burned elsewhere and retreated back to 200 Throop Avenue.

The attached reward flyer is being distributed in the community with the hopes of finding and arresting the suspect(s) who committed this crime.   Anyone with any information concerning this crime should call the hotline at 718-250-4400.

News Link:-http://www.brooklynews.com/062713-1000-reward-for-information-leading-to-an-arrest-in-burning-of-stray-cat-1/

Federal Courts Dismiss Activists’ ‘ALDF’ Anti-Foie Gras Suit

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“How can anyone think, shoving a gavage (pipe or tube) down the esophagus, of geese or ducks then force feeding them with, typically, corn boiled with fat (to facilitate ingestion) so the birds liver becomes over enlarged; so it can then be eaten as a delicacy… is totally beyond me! Of course it’s bloody cruel & barbaric, no other animal that I can think of is force fed via a tube to make any part of their body fatter for human consumption. Yes animals are given extra grain & even growth hormones but they are not force fed it via a bloody pipe…it’s savage & uncalled for; we kill enough animals to meet the demand for meat or other animal body parts! Do we really have to  force feed a bird in constant chronic pain from the tube…just for a delicacy?? What will they come up with next, pickled eyeballs, coated in vinegar daily, to get that perfect crunch?? One could say, this is almost as bad as bear bile being taken from a bear!!

Goose being force-fed so humans can dine on their enlarged livers!!

“Look at the disgusting filthy gavage (pipe) & other equipment; there is no wonder so many birds die of disease. While force feeding is required to meet the French legal definition of “foie gras”, producers outside France do not always force feed birds in order to produce fattened livers that they consider to be foie gras, instead allowing them to eat freely, termed ad libitum. Interest in alternative production methods has grown recently due to ethical concerns in gavage-based foie gras production. Such livers are alternatively termed fatty goose liver, ethical foie gras, or humane foie gras.” Source-Wikipedia

“During feeding, efforts are made to avoid damaging the bird’s esophagus, which could cause injury or death, although researchers have found evidence of inflammation of the walls of the proventriculus after the first session of force-feeding. There is also indication of inflammation of the esophagus in the later stages of fattening. Several studies have also demonstrated that mortality rates can be significantly elevated during the gavage period.”Source Wikipedia

The Animal Legal Defense Fund tried to sue the government to declare force-fed foie gras illegal, and federal courts shut it downInside Scoop SF reports that a lawsuit between the ALDF and the U.S. Department of Agriculture was dismissed on Friday. “Please click on the links to read more!”

The ALDF (the same anti-foie group that sued Napa restaurant La Toque) had argued that foie gras is “a diseased product unfit for human consumption,” and asked the court to step in and order the USDA to “remove foie gras from the American food supply.”

In the ruling (warning: PDF), U.S. District Judge Otis Wright explains his decision to dismiss the case:Plaintiffs‘ voluminous submission of technical papers and data supports the Court’s view that Plaintiffs are challenging a scientific conclusion and not a legal one … this is an issue falling squarely under the USDA’s discretion by law.”

Although selling and producing foie gras is still illegal in California, the ALDF is not entitled to judicial review on this case so, for now, the rest of the country can rest easily knowing their foie is safe. “For those who partake in this delicacy…I hope it fxxxxg chokes you!”

· Court dismisses USDA foie gras lawsuit [Inside Scoop SF]
· All Foie Gras Coverage on Eater [-E-]

News Link:http://eater.com/archives/2013/03/27/antifoie-gras-case-dismissed.php

Judge Grants Ben The Bear Permanent Sanctuary

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” What wonderful news, so happy for Ben, hope he has a wonderful life, finally living as a bear should. I only wish that Tony, the truck stop tiger, could finally have his freedom; away from the noise & pollution of the truck stop! One thing is for sure we will never stop fighting for him!!”

Lawsuit Against Jambbas Ranch Means New Life for Bear Who Had Languished for Years on Cement in Chain-Link Kennel

For Immediate Release -August 27th, 2012

Contact:
Lisa Franzetta, ALDF
David Perle, PETA

Fayetteville, N.C. — Cumberland County District Court Judge Kimbrell Tucker, in a lawsuit brought by concerned North Carolina citizens represented by PETA, the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), and local counsel, has signed a permanent injunction that allows a bear named Ben—who had been confined to a barren concrete cage at Fayetteville-based roadside zoo Jambbas Ranch Tours for six years—to reside permanently at the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) sanctuary in California, where he can forage, swim, and build his den under trees.

Ben lived in solitary confinement at Jambbas Ranch, which caused him to suffer physically and psychologically.

Published on 19 Apr 2012 by 

” NOW BEN IS FREE AT THE PAWS SANCTUARY…NO MORE CAGE FOR THIS BEAR!”

He was denied everything that is natural and important to bears. Judge Tucker entered a permanent injunction that ended Jambbas’ ownership of Ben and awarded permanent ownership and custody to PAWS

S. Ben was flown to California via a FedEx climate-controlled plane on August 9 after Judge Tucker issued a preliminary injunction. The permanent injunction also forbids Jambbas from acquiring, owning, or possessing any bears in the future; seeking any state wildlife captivity licenses or endangered species permits relating to owning or possessing any bears; and using Ben’s former concrete cage as the primary enclosure for any wild or exotic animal.

At the PAWS sanctuary, Ben is thriving in a vast natural habitat—one that is measured in acres, not feet and inches—where he bathes in his own pool, rubs his back on trees, and sleeps soundly in his large straw nest under oak trees.

“Ben now has the chance to live like a bear again, finally able to roam, play, and forage,” says General Counsel to PETA Jeffrey S. Kerr. PETA’s local counsel, Calley Gerber, adds, “Today’s news ushers in a victory for animals across North Carolina who are confined in similarly cruel conditions.”

ALDF Executive Director Stephen Wells says, “Ben’s treatment was cruel and illegal under North Carolina law, and the court stopped it, plain and simple.” Adds ALDF local counsel, Gavin Parsons, “We’re very pleased with the court’s order and wish Ben well in his new home.”

Video footage of the transfer and of Ben in his new habitat at PAWS is available upon request.

News Link:-http://aldf.org/article.php?id=2143

Snapperfest Called Off; DNR Says May Violate Law

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“Brilliant news… now just make sure it is banned altogether…forever!”

(Ohio County, Ind.) – Local snapping turtles may rest easy as the controversial Snapperfest will not happen this year.

Snapperfest is a competition that features men and women pulling snapping turtles’ heads from their shell as fast as possible while avoiding being bit by the reptiles. The event caused a national controversy last year when People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and other animal rights groups called the event “turtle torture.”

“Since it began in 1996, Snapperfest has been a shame on the state of Indiana, and compassionate citizens from around the world have been up-in-arms about this pathetic event since undercover video of participants abusing turtles for a cheap thrill came to light,” said Animal Legal Defense Fund director of litigation Carter Dillard.

The owners of Ohio County’s Campshore Campground, which has drawn hundreds of people on Snapperfest weekend each of the past 16 years, have told the Indiana Department of Natural Resources the event will not take place this August.

The ALDF submitted a rulemaking petition to the IDNR earlier this year arguing that a misinterpretation of state law had allowed for illegal cruelty at Snapperfest.

In an August 1 email to the Animal Legal Defense Fund, the DNR told the organization exactly what it wanted to hear:

“We have information from the owners of the campground that the portion of the event using live animals, namely turtles, will not be taking place this year. However, we will continue to monitor the situation. If you have any first-hand knowledge that laws are being broken or about to be broken involving turtles at this event, please share it with us so that it can be checked for compliance with the regulations.”

The DNR acknowledged that Indiana’s animal cruelty laws do apply to the actions against turtles at Snapperfest.

“We’re hopeful the campground makes good on its word to the state of Indiana to leave live turtles out of any summer events this year–and we will look to the state to take swift action against acting in violation of animal protection laws,” said Dillard.

Campshore Campground co-owner Chris Probst told Eagle 99.3 prior to the 2011 Snapperfest that the turtles are treated humanely. He said the turtles are set free afterwards.

“We do not kill the turtles. They are caught by hand. You can’t pull the head off a turtle,” said Probst, insisting there was nothing illegal about the event.

Even a major American beer company has been drug into the controversy. Footage from the 2011 event showed a banner with a Budweiser logo and the phrase “Welcome to Snapperfest.” The ALDF brought the implied sponsorship to Anheuser-Busch, which issued a reply stating that neither they or their local wholesaler sponsored the event.

“For more than a century, we have prided ourselves on our reputation for treating animals with respect…,” the company’s statement read.

As of Friday, Campshore Campground’s website still proclaims “Home of the legendary Snapperfest!” Below is a Animal Legal Defense Fund video of Snapperfest:

Video & News Link:-http://www.eaglecountryonline.com/news.php?nID=4029

PETA, ALDF Appeal Court’s Dismissal of Lawsuit Seeking Lolita’s Freedom

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Case Against Government for Excluding Captive Orca From Endangered Species Act Protections Goes to 9th Circuit Court of Appeals

Miami PETA and the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) have appealed the recent dismissal of the groups’ lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for wrongly excluding orca Lolita from the endangered listing of the Pacific Northwest’s southern resident orcas. The exclusion has allowed the Miami Seaquarium to hold Lolita alone in captivity in a tiny concrete tank for more than 40 years with impunity despite Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibitions against harming and harassing southern resident orcas. The case’s dismissal was based solely on the timing of the filing of the lawsuit—in their federal appeal, PETA and ALDF contend that the government received the required notice of intent to sue and that the case was wrongfully dismissed.

“It is deplorable for the government to exclude Lolita from the protections granted to southern resident orcas solely because a theme park tore her away from her family four decades ago,” says PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Delcianna Winders. “PETA and ALDF will continue to push for Lolita to finally have her day in court and the freedom she deserves.”

“Because the government has not granted Lolita the protections she is rightfully due, she suffers each day in a small tank equivalent to a human confined to a bathtub her entire life,” says Carter Dillard, ALDF’s director of litigation. “The American public is sick and tired of legal loopholes designed to allow companies such as the Seaquarium to profit at the expense of animals like Lolita and the people who care about her well-being.”

The groups’ lawsuit calls for Lolita to be included in the endangered listing, which could include release into a seaside sanctuary in her home waters and, if possible, back into her family pod. In the wild, female orcas spend their entire lives with their mothers, and Lolita’s mother is still thriving at more than 80 years of age. Orcas naturally swim up to 100 miles a day with their families. Lolita currently swims in endless circles alone in the smallest orca tank in North America, where she is forced to perform meaningless tricks for Seaquarium’s profit—an estimated tens of millions of dollars.

News Link:http://www.peta.org/mediacenter/news-releases/PETA–ALDF-Appeal-Court-s-Dismissal-of-Lawsuit-Seeking-Lolita-s-Freedom.aspx

Government Refuses to Protect Solitary Orca

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Despite the endangered-species status of the southern resident orcas, the federal government is refusing to offer imprisoned orca Lolita the same protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that the rest of her family pod enjoys.

Legal Hypocrisy

You may recall that the National Marine Fisheries Service classified Washington state’s southern resident orca population as endangered, giving it protection from being harmed or harassed under the ESA, but without explanation, it excluded Lolita, who was captured from the pod as a calf and has been held prisoner and forced to perform for the last 42 years. PETA called foul on the unlawful double standard and filed suit on Lolita’s behalf, joined by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), Washington residents, and a former employee of theMiami Seaquarium, where Lolita is held captive.

Legal Runaround

The Miami Seaquarium and the federal government filed motions to get the case dismissed, and the judge acquiesced on timing grounds—he didn’t address the merits of the case—meaning that the Miami Seaquarium can continue to confine Lolita to the smallest orca tank in North America (the orca equivalent of a bathtub), prevent her from interacting with any members of her own species, deny her appropriate protection from the sun, and force her to perform silly tricks. But PETA and the ALDF are already regrouping and planning our next move, and the lawsuit’s dismissal is merely a hitch in our efforts to see Lolita released into a seaside sanctuary in her home waters.

You Can Help

Please send a polite e-mail to Eric C. Schwabb, assistant administrator for fisheries, urging him to give Lolita her rightful protection under the ESA.

Link:-http://www.peta.org/b/thepetafiles/archive/2012/05/02/lolita-endangered-species-act-suit-to-proceed.aspx

Urge the USDA to take action and save Ben the bear!

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Urge the USDA not to renew the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) license of Jambbas Ranch in Fayetteville, N.C. due to its repeated and ongoing violations, resulting in the suffering of Ben, a solitary bear, and the other animals kept there.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund, PETA, and two residents of Cumberland County, North Carolina appalled at the living conditions that they’ve witnessed for Ben and other animals at Jambbas have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture challenging its decision to renew Jambbas’ federal Animal Welfare Act license.

Published on 19 Apr 2012 by 

The USDA has for years repeatedly cited Jambbas for AWA violations, including unsanitary conditions, hazardous enclosures, failure to provide adequate veterinary care, and failure to supply sufficient quantities of food and potable water. Yet the agency has continued to renew Jambbas’ license, despite the fact that the AWA clearly prohibits the licensing of a facility that is not in compliance with the Act.

Numerous bear experts have already submitted statements to the USDA in opposition to renewing Jambbas’ license. After spending several hours observing Ben, bear expert Else Poulsen noted that Ben “is suffering greatly and intervention is critical at this time.” Other animals being exhibited at Jambbas, including goats, cows, pigs, rabbits, sheep, bison, elk, deer, dogs, and others, are kept in inhumane conditions and have been documented suffering from untreated veterinary ailments and engaging in abnormal behaviors indicative of psychological anguish.

Sign ALDF’s petition to the USDA, urging them not to renew the Animal Welfare Act license of Jambbas Ranch.

U.S.D.A. sued after renewing Fayetteville’s Jambbas Ranch AWA license Continue reading on Examiner.com U.S.D.A. sued after renewing Fayetteville’s Jambbas Ranch AWA license

Comments Off on U.S.D.A. sued after renewing Fayetteville’s Jambbas Ranch AWA license Continue reading on Examiner.com U.S.D.A. sued after renewing Fayetteville’s Jambbas Ranch AWA license

According to the Fayetteville ObserverPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), and two Cumberland County residents filed suit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A.) last Thursday for renewing the Jambbas Ranch Animal Welfare Act (AWA) license.

Ben the Bear in his 12-by-22 foot cage at Jambbas Ranch in Fayetteville, N.C.
Photo credit:
Photo: Screenshot of ALDF video of Ben the Bear

The U.S.D.A. currently has open investigations into the Ranch’s repeated violations of the AWA.  According to the U.S.D.A. website, the AWA “requires that minimum standards of care and treatment be provided for certain animals bred for commercial sale, used in research, transported commercially, or exhibited to the public.”  Yet, Jambbas Ranch’s over 30 violations since 2006 have included unsanitary conditions, hazardous enclosures, failure to provide adequate veterinary care, and failure to supply sufficient food and potable water.
Much of the controversy centers around Jambbas Ranch’s Ben the bear, who is kept in a 12-by-22 foot fenced-in cage with a concrete floor.  According to the ALDF and PETA’s press release, bear expert Else Poulsen stated:

“(Ben) is suffering greatly and intervention is critical at this time.  Ben exhibits the typical aberrant behaviors of a sensory deprived bear in a substandard enclosure with substandard husbandry practices. His day consists of pacing, begging for bread from visitors, and sleeping—nothing else.” 

In a Fayetteville Observer article, Poulsen observed Ben for four hours last Spring and watched him repeatedly gnawing at the fence and pacing back and forth.  At the time of her assessment, she noted all Ben had in his cage was a metal bowl for water and a ball.
But Jambbas Ranch owner, James Bass, told Myron Pitts of the Fayetteville Observer last year that Ben paces because he thinks he’s going to be fed.  Bass told Pitts that he gave Ben a log after he was advised Ben needed more stimulation.
Bass also stated, contrary to Fayetteville Observer reports, that he had never received an offer for Ben to move to a bear sanctuary in California.  But “any offer should start at five figures. He also said he would need to research the place where they’d want to take Ben.”
Bearing down for Ben, along with PETA and the ALDF, are Cumberland County residents Hosea Ray and Rikki Harrison.  They also have a pending lawsuit in which they are seeking custody of Ben.

Continue reading on Examiner.com U.S.D.A. sued after renewing Fayetteville’s Jambbas Ranch AWA license – Durham Animal Advocacy | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/article/u-s-d-a-sued-after-renewing-fayetteville-s-jambbas-ranch-awa-license#ixzz1sneNOzNI

Protect Your Food – ALDF Battles Ag Gag Laws

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The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is fighting back against the proposed “Ag-Gaglaws by launching a website to highlight its own “workable proposed law;” the Protect Your Food‘, also known as the “Safeguarding the Public from Food-Borne Illnesses Act.”

ALDF’s proposed legislation attempts to ensure that “your state government and counties will stop purchasing potentially unsafe food products from any jurisdiction with an ag gag law.” For the skeptics out there, ALDF has also created a “microsite” that seeks to “inform legislators that their constituents are watching their actions.”

Whether you’re a journalist or Joe the plumber working with an animal welfare group, these ‘ag gag’ laws could mean jail time for anyone working undercover and taking photos or video without permissions. Not only does the law threaten public health and safety and environmental laws, it also obstructs law enforcement and undermines freedom of the press and freedom of speech.

It seems to us, that if factory farms have nothing to hide, (and we know they do), then there should be no problem with “undercover” video. Here’s a thought, stop abusing factory farm animals, and people will stop trying to film it.

ALDF currently has a petition available and is working to engage others via social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

To read more visit Protect Your Food, and watch the video below.

Did you know food safety risks, animal abuse, and illegal working conditions are rampant on factory farms? And the corporate agriculture lobby is attempting to pass so-called “ag gag” laws — laws which would make it illegal to photograph or videotape at agricultural facilities, or to possess or distribute such evidence.

Their goal is insidious — to quiet whistleblowers and eliminate access to critical evidence of farmed animal and other abuses. What’s more, restrictions or prohibitions on these records would decrease the opportunities for food safety violations to be discovered, thereby increasing the risk that consumers could be exposed to and contract illnesses from the consumption of unsafe food products and produce from jurisdictions that pass ag gag legislation.

Learn why ag gag is of grave concern to everyone from journalists to whistleblowers to mothers concerned about the safety of their children’s food, then see how the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s proposed Protect Your Food Act can stop the threat of ag gag laws from reaching your state.http://www.ProtectYourFood.org

News Link:- Thedailyactivist.com

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