Distressing news on Thursday when the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal’s Law Enforcement Division joined with the Hunterdon CountyProsecutor’s Office and issued two search warrants for the Hunterdon Humane Animal Shelter on Stamets Road in Alexandria Road and a nearby veterinarian hospital.
Seventeen cats were removed and were transported to the Flemington Animal Hospital. Four of the cats were humanely euthanized. All of the animals have been receiving medical attention. The facility failed to quarantine sick cats with respiratory infections thus spreading illness to healthy cats.
There are also two pigs living in terrible condition at the facility. A decision from the Department of Agriculture will determine their fate.
Charges are expected to be filed within a week to ten days.
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.
Police told News 12 that the owners will likely face charges.
Jersey City Animal Control responded to the Neptune Avenue home and the owners eventually allowed them to tend to the dog but it was too late to save the animal’s life, News 12 reported.
The owners admitted that they put the dog in the cage on the roof so neighbors “wouldn’t be bothered by its barking,” police told News 12, according to the report.
Neighbors told News 12 they had seen the dog on the roof all day and heard its cries.
“I’m a dog walker and I was horrified,” one neighbor told News 12. “Yesterday, I was walking dogs with bottles of water and they couldn’t even walk on the concrete.”
Jersey City police officials did not immediately provide more information about this incident.
Much to his surprise, a dog was inside! It was a badly injured miniature pinscher.
The min pin had a large gash in his head, couldn’twalk, and his vision was gone. He was carted off to Clayton VeterinaryAssociates, where it was determined from bruising and swelling to his neck that he had been strangled, in addition to sustaining the blunt force to his skull.
But there s hope for the little dog, who was to be named Beacon. Just this week he took his first steps since his injury on his own. He still has a long way to go, but hopeful technician Janelle Hall says there is still much progress possible.
“We’ve seen a huge improvement,” she said. “He should regain about 70 percent or more of his walking ability.”
Beacon is undergoing a variety of treatments, including laser therapy, antibiotics, pain medications and acupuncture. He will have hydrotherapy, as well as “tender love and care,” to work his leg muscles so he can walk again.
Officials are still searching for the perpetrator of the brutal crime. They were initially informed of his being found in the bin, but were unaware that his injuries were due to abuse and attempted murder. The New Jersey SPCA is investigating.
In the meantime, Beacon, who is between 10 and 12 years old, continues to persevere.
His sad story and remarkable fortitude have already ensnared one lucky dog-lover’s heart, and the potential new owner has applied to adopt him when he is well.
Everyone has that neighbor who leaves their dog outside to bark all day. From dusk till dawn, Hunter is barking at every leaf that floats by, and we all wish he would just shut up. But to what end do we wish that possible? Most of us would rather the owner just take better care of their pet, but some have gone so far as to devocalize their dogs.
Though it is rare, some people do take their dogs and even cats to the vet to have a ventriculocordectomy performed, which is the removal of the vocal cords. This procedure is done by going through the mouth or by making an incision in the throat.
Sue & Perry
This medically unnecessary surgery can cause scar tissue build-up, and impair a dog’s ability to breathe and eat. Additional surgeries may be needed to remove scar tissue, as is the case with Sue Perry’s adopted Newfoundland, Porter.
“I was just horrified by this,” said Perry. “When he tried to bark, I was like, ‘What the heck?’”
Perry is adamantly against the inhumane procedure, and wondered how Porter’s previous owner could do such a thing, then give him up anyway. She belongs to the Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets, which fought to get “debarking” outlawed in Massachusetts. Karen Mahmud, another of the group’s activists, also has an adopted dog, a Chihuahua named Lola, who had previously been devocalized. Lola coughs constantly, and acts like there is something lodged in her throat.
“It’s very, very upsetting,” said Mahmud. “I would never think that it’s ok to put a dog under needless torture. If a dog barks, a dog barks.
The two women, who have never met in person, created an online petition demanding that the American Veterinary Medical Associationspeak out against debarking. They say as long as the AMVA does not condemn it, they condone it. The petition has already garnered over 130,000 signatures.
Karen & Lola
The practice of devocalizationis illegal in Europe, as well as in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania, but the word needs to get around to outlaw it in the rest of the states. Mostveterinariansrefuse to do this surgery, and it is no longer taught in veterinary schools.
“My feeling is very strong that this procedure is done strictly for the convenience of people who don’t want to hear or are annoyed by their pet’s vocalizations,” said Joel Woolfson, a veterinary surgeon. “It has nothing to do with the health of the animal.”
Dog experts say much of excessive dog barking is down to the owners: the dogs are bored, socially isolated, poorly trained and suffer from anxiety or compulsive disorders. Of course, they also bark when stimulated or when they feel their territory or themselves are threatened.
Sheilah Robertson, veterinarian and assistant director of the AMVA’s Animal Welfare Division, said the Animal Welfare Committee will consider scientific evidence and public opinion on the matter when they review the devocalization policy.
Governor Christie signed A.2023/S.1976 on Friday making it illegal to slaughterhorses for humanconsumption in New Jersey. The law also prohibits the sale of horse meat for human consumption, bans the transport of live horses for the purpose of slaughter, and bans the transport of horse meat for human consumption.
Governor Christie signed a New Jersey law that now prohibits the slaughter of horses and the sale and transport of horses and horse meat for human consumption. Credits: Photo by Liz Lamont
“This bipartisan measure is a nod to our decency and respect for horses in our state, ensuring that no horse is slaughtered in New Jersey for human consumption. It also ensures that our highways will not be used to transport horses to slaughter in other states which have not enacted a similar ban on the practice.”
The bill was introduced by Assemblyman Ronald Dancer(R) of Ocean, Burlington, Middlesex and Mercer Counties and Senator Raymond Lesniak (D) of Union County.
“New Jersey does not eat horse meat and our horses will not be taken from stable to a table.”
More than 80 percent of Americans are against the slaughter of horses for human consumption, and even though there are no horse slaughter plants in the United States, over 100,000 American horses are still exported to Canada and Mexico for slaughter.
The law now imposes a fine of $100 and imprisonment of 30 days for anyone convicted of slaughtering or selling horse meat for human consumption. Civil fines ranging from $500 to $1000 will be applicable for each slaughtered horse.
“Now more than ever, it is critical that we do all we can to get Congress to pass the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. If passed, this legislation would achieve two things: It would prohibit the export of our horses to other countries for slaughter, and it would completely ban horse slaughter for human consumption in the United States. While there is currently no commercial horse slaughter occurring in the U.S., proponents are working to resume it. Unless citizens object, horses may soon be commercially slaughtered in our communities for human consumption overseas. A slaughter facility in New Mexico has already applied for government approval to slaughter horses.“
Animal protection organizations and humane supporters continue to support the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011 – HR2966/S1176 which will prohibit the transport and sale of all horses in the United States.
For more information how you can help, please click here.
The measure known as Patrick’s Law comes in response to the case of a pit bull in Newark that was starved, put in a trash bag, and thrown down an apartment buildinggarbage chute.
“That abuse and neglect had to be penalized,” said Kean, R-Union. “It was wrong to start, needs to be recognized as wrong, and we need to now go forward understanding that because of instances like this we need to have real penalties so we can prevent abuses going forward.”
The bill Kean in sponsoring upgrades severe physical cruelty to an animal from a disorderly persons offense to a fourth-degree crime. Fines would be raised to a max of $5,000.
Tougher penalties will be a deterrent for people who would otherwise abandon their pet, according to Kathleen Schatzmann, New Jersey director of the Humane Society.
“If they do not have the ability to keep their animal, there are facilities that will take them in,” Schatzmann says. “Contact your local shelter, local rescue. You could even call you police department.
“They can put you in touch with the health department who can let you know of some of the resources that you have in the community,” she says.
The bill’s namesake, found by a maintenance man after it was thrown down a garbage chute, is now recovering.
“Patrick’s case was one of extreme neglect,” Schatzmann said. “Unfortunately, his is not the only case that we have in the state. So we want some from of justice for the suffering of this poor animal.”
“Great News, now we just have to keep our fingers crossed that thelegislation is approved by the House of Representatives and Senate.
Named after a defenseless pit bull puppy who was tossed into a trash bag and thrown down a garbage chute in a New Jersey apartment house, Patrick’s Law was introduced into the Senate Economic Growth Committee on Thursday in Trenton calling for more severe penalties for animal cruelty.
Fully recovered and living happily with his foster parent from Garden State Veterinary Specialists, Patrick has become a symbol for the need for stronger animal cruelty laws. Credits: Facebook/The Patrick Miracle
The bill, S1303 which was introduced by Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean (Morris, Somerset and Union Counties) was approved by a vote of 3-0 and will increase animal cruelty crimes upgrading current disorderly animal cruelty offenses to fourth degree crimes. In cases of egregious abuse cruelty, where a domestic animal dies as a result of a person who has a prior conviction, the crime would be upgraded to a third degree crime.
Punishments would include fines up to $5,000, community service, and restitution including veterinary costs and continued care.
Juveniles involved in animal cruelty could be tried as adults. The bill also provides mental health evaluations and ordered treatment for juveniles.
Patrick’s Law will also include stricter penalties for dog fighting, proper care and shelter for dogs, and more penalties for leaving dogs in hot cars.
The idea of Patrick’s Law was introduced nearly two years ago when a starved one-year-old pit bull was rescued. Named Patrick because ofSt. Patrick’s Dayas the day the miracle dog was rescued, the 20 pound bag of bones who could not even stand on his own was taken to Garden State Veterinary Specialists for emergency treatment. Despite the great odds against his recovery, Patrick not only survived but became a symbol of the need for stricter animal cruelty laws to protect innocent animals.
Patrick As He Was Found
Kisha Curtis, the New Jersey woman who has been charged with the neglect to Patrick was charged with animal cruelty, but contends she was not responsible for starving the dog, although she has admitted she abandoned Patrick. Curtis is due back in court in October.
Patrick has made a full recovery and continues to reside with his foster family from the Garden State Veterinary Specialists. His future placement will be decided at a later date.
On the Patrick Miracle Facebook page, over 17,000 people “liked” the introduction of the new law, 1217 people shared the link explaining the stricter animal cruelty law, and 2600 people gave their opinions on the page extolling the benefits of Patrick’s Law.
The legislation must be approved by the House of Representatives and Senate.
Mare with broken leg was being held up by other horses before police removed it; colt with open, infested leg sore also removed from waterless ranch to receive veterinary care.
A South Brunswick man is facing charges in Plainfield Township after two horses he owns were seized due to neglect.
Dominic Deflorio, 63, who resides in the section of South Brunswick with a Princeton mailing address on Route 27, was charged with animal cruelty after failing to provide two horses with needed medical attention.
The two neglected horses were suffering from serious leg injuries and were “in dire need of veterinary care” that the owner was unwilling to provide, according to authorities. The horses were seized from a private property by Plainfield police Monday night, according to court records.
One brown colt had a leg wound that maggots were eating through and exposing bone. The other horse, a brown mare, had suffered a broken leg.
But like something out of a Disney movie, other horses in a 15-animal herd that occupy the property were helping the wounded mare to stay upright, according to an application for a search warrant on file at District Judge Joseph Barner’s office.
The officer who filed the warrant, Scott E. Zabriskie, wrote that he “believes the seizure of the … two horses is necessary for their survival, as they require immediate veterinary care, of which the owner … is unwilling to provide.”
Deflorio, who could not be reached for two days following an initial complaint, told police on Monday that he would take the horses back to his property in New Jersey. However, police took the horses from the property at 5326 Kesslersville Road at a little before 9 p.m.
From the description in the search warrant, there was no source of clean water on the site – only “a green, algae-ridden pond” and “one water trough, partially filled with dirty water.”
The trough is located “at the bottom of a large ravine,” the warrant says. “Due to the location of the trough, one of the horses observed on the property could not access the water trough.”
The responders also could provide no water to the animals from the property itself. Water service to the property had been shut off, Zabriskie wrote.
There was no word in the warrant about the condition of, or provisions for, the other 13 horses on site.
Police were called to the scene on Saturday for a report that four horses were loose in the area of Youngs Hill and Kesslersville roads. Neighbors had captured the horses, which had apparently escaped through a hole in the fence at the property before police arrived.
“To whomever did this, you are a heartless, pathetic, malevolent, iniquitous, libidinous, putrid, nefarious, reprobate…put simply…a reject of the human race!! You may think you have got away with this but….but I believe in Karma…& we are all out to catch YOU!!”
Investigators are searching for the person or people responsible for setting a dog on fire and leaving the animal to die.
On Sunday, a young female pit bull named Chloe was discovered on the 700 block of Gray Street, covered in severe burns, according to the SPCA.
On Sunday, a young female pit bull named Chloe was discovered on the 700 block of Gray Street, covered in severe burns, according to the SPCA.
Investigators say she was initially brought to ACCT Philly, the city’s animal control shelter. Due to the severity of her injuries however she was soon transferred to the Pennsylvania SPCA as a case of animal cruelty.
Investigators say the dog appeared to have been doused with an accelerant and set on fire. She suffered extreme burns on her entire body. Veterinarians at the Pennsylvania SPCA’s Shelter Hospital evaluated Chloe and gave her pain medications as well as initial treatment of the burns.
The dog is being transferred to a specialty hospital through the Animal Alliance of New Jersey in Lambertville where she will receive intensive treatment.
“This is an extreme case of animal abuse,” said Lisa Germanis, V.M.D, head veterinarian at the Pennsylvania SPCA’s Shelter Hospital. “At this point, the next couple of days will be critical as to whether the dog is able to survive the injuries it endured.”
Poor Chloe, covered in severe burns after someone set her on fire.
The Pennsylvania SPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement Department is currently investigating.
Investigators say they already located the dog’s owner and believe Chloe lived near the location where she was discovered. Investigators also believe there are multiple witnesses who have information on the people or person responsible.
The Pennsylvania SPCA is offering a $500 award for anyone with information on the crime.
Please call the Pennsylvania SPCA at 1-866-601-SPCA if you have any information.
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.
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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!!
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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 
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