18 Search Results for "linda"
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Abuse Suspects Abuse Suspects
- From: 11233455987
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Exotic Animal Stock Video. Lions, Tigers, Bears, Cubs & More! Choose from our online collection! www.walkingwithlions.com
Animals in their naturalhabitat!Onceinalifetimeexperience!www.BaobabExpeditions.com
Big Cats. Huge selection of Big Cat items. Yahoo.com
AnimalLover0104@aol.com is alias email First name is Janice Real email: Chuffer927@aol.com Thinks that people should be allowed contact with Class 1 animals, regardless of size. Supports white tiger breeding and exotic pet trade.
lndmonk@aol.com Has many emails Hates BCR and supports exotic pet trade Claims BCR abuses and breeds Name: Linda Hunnicutt Address: 27 Beaton Path, Leicester, NC 28748 Phone: (828) 683-2009 She uses a number of other names and aliases as well to make it look like several people are responding on an issue, rather than her, or just her.
President, Phoenix Exotic Wildlife Association
Name: Jeanne Hall Website: http://www.PhoenixExotics.org P.O. Box 1132 Chehalis, WA. 98532 Phone: 360-767-0746
Supports exotic pet trade. Hates BCR. Thinks exhibitors and white tiger breeding are ok. Leads exotic pet organization and disagrees with USDA and AZA.
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- 7 months ago
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Vernon Yates Producing More In Vernon Yates Producing More Inbred Cubs
- From: TheirVoice
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Vet, hospital team up to
save cubUpdated: Thursday, 30 Apr 2009, 9:40 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 30 Apr 2009, 4:54 PM EDTST. PETERSBURG - A tiger cub may find a new lease on life at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg.
"Fabian" is one of two cubs born on Easter Sunday at a wildlife sanctuary in Seminole. He's now been taken by Safety Harbor veterinarian Dr. Don Woodman.
The cub's parents never appeared to be more than just friends.
"They are roughly 19 years of age and they've been housed together for 14 years, is my understanding, and never shown any real inclination to breed. Easter Sunday, I got a phone call -- there was a surprise," Dr. Woodman told FOX 13.
Both of the baby tigers were born with a cleft palate. Essentially, there's no roof to their mouths.
Several veterinary specialists recommended euthanizing the cubs -- a step Dr. Woodman wasn't willing to take.
"I was born with a cleft palate and I just didn't have it in me to euthanize an animal simply because they were born with a severe cleft palate," he explained.
So Dr. Woodman turned to All Children's Hospital and pediatric plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Gallant, who was willing to perform corrective surgery. Unfortunately, the second cub did not survive, but Fabian will undergo surgery in about two months.
Dr. Woodman and his wife are caring for the cub both at his animal hospital and at home. Fabian has to be fed with a squeeze bottle and a feeding tube because he's unable to nurse as he would in the wild.
The Woodmans are optimistic, saying Fabian is a fighter.
Baby Tigers Treated at All Children's Hospital
When it comes to some unique patients at All Children's Hospital, the cat's out of the bag.
Make that cats - Chester and Fabian. They're tiger cubs, born Easter Sunday at Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation in Seminole, FL. A local veterinarian contacted to check out the newborns quickly discovered they both had a problem - cleft palate, a hole in the roof of the mouth that makes it difficult for babies of any kind to suck, swallow and grow. Tiger cubs born with this defect usually don't survive, and might ordinarily have been euthanized on the spot.
But this vet just couldn't do that.
Dr. Don Woodman, from the Animal Hospital of Northwood in Safety Harbor, was born with a cleft lip and palate that was repaired by Virginia surgeons forty years ago. He knew - in theory - the cubs' cleft palates could be fixed.
But as Woodman began checking with veterinarians across the nation, he could find no one who had attempted a cleft repair in a big cat. Undeterred, Woodman turned to an expert in human cleft repair - Dr. Michael Gallant, a pediatric reconstructive surgeon at All Children's Hospital. For more than thirty years, Gallant has been changing the faces of newborns at All Children's with miraculous results.
Could he help a pair of tiger cubs?
Maybe - but first, he'd need more information. And the best way to get it would be through an MRI study. Gallant approached administrators at All Children's Hospital, which agreed to scan one of the cubs, so long as it could be done without additional costs or impact to patient care.
On Wednesday night April 22, the Woodmans brought the cubs through a rear hospital entrance close to the MRI unit. A group of doctors and hospital staff volunteered their time to help out, including pediatric anesthesiologists Linda Jo Rice, MD and Michael Garcia, MD; pediatric radiologists Kevin Potthast, MD and James Anderson, MD; MRI Radiology Technologist Deb Brannon; Speech-Language Pathologist Margie Wells-Friedman and orthodontist Amy Anderson, MD, members of the All Children's Cleft Palate Team.
It's hard to ask a baby - or a ten-day old tiger - to hold still for an hour-long MRI scan. So Fabian had help sleeping through the study, thanks to Drs. Rice and Garcia.
Dr. Potthast and MRI Technologist Brannon collaborated to customize the scans to a tiny tiger's anatomy. And, all the while, Dr. Woodman stood at his furry little patient's side in the MRI Unit.Meanwhile, Chester was surrounded by his own group of specialists. As he nestled in the lap of Susan Woodman, vet tech and wife of Dr. Woodman, Dr. Anderson used a special material to cast a mold of Chester's upper jaw and cleft. It allows Anderson to fashion a cleft feeding appliance like ones occasionally used for babies. Much like a retainer, it snaps into place, covering the cleft with a hard surface that will make it easier to suckle.
Then, it was time for Chester's dinner. Until this point, the Woodmans and their staff had been feeding the cubs their formula through a tube into their mouths. Speech Pathologist Wells-Friedman showed Susan how to use a baby bottle with a special nipple designed for human infants with cleft palate. Bottle-feeding will be much easier than the tube approach once the tiger's teeth begin to come in.
Sadly, five days after their visit to All Children's, one of the tigers - Chester - passed away due to respiratory arrest. Despite the best efforts of Animal Hospital staff, he could not be revived.
It will take some time for Drs. Woodman and Gallant to evaluate the cleft repair possibilities for Fabian, but they are hopeful the surgery can be done. Fabian will need to grow before surgery - at least two months from now. In the meantime, he's getting the best of care at Animal Hospital of Northwood - with All Children's ready to help if needed.
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/pinellas/tiger_cub_cleft_palate_043009
While the doctors and hospital are to be commended for their compassion, Vernon Yates of Wildlife Rescue should be ashamed for allowing yet another "accidental" mating that has resulted in more tigers being bred for life in a tiny, concrete jail cell in his back yard in Seminole, FL. Given the fact that tigers can breed several times a year, the far more likely scenario is that this poor captive tigress has been getting pregnant and then killing and eating her own cubs all these years, which is what captive cats often do. Real sanctuaries do not breed, buy, sell, trade nor enable those who do. Find out what a real sanctuary looks like at SanctuaryStandards.com
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- 1 year ago
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Genesis Wildlife Center: A dec Genesis Wildlife Center: A decent life for wildlife?
- From: Guatemala
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CONCRETE JUNGLE: Inside the Genesis Wildlife Center
Published: Sunday, April 05, 2009
Updated: Sunday, April 5, 2009 11:30 AM EDT
A series of reports by The Times-Tribune about the conditions and operations of the Genesis Wildlife Center in Scranton's Nay Aug Park.Genesis Wildlife Center: A decent life for wildlife?
BY LAURA LEGERE
STAFF WRITERPublished: Sunday, April 05, 2009
Updated: Sunday, April 5, 2009 11:15 AM EDTFirst of three parts
Margaret Miller, the 64-year-old director of the Genesis Wildlife Center, escorted a visitor into a side room full of caged birds that nattered and squawked when she entered.
She stood in the narrow middle of the room partitioned by parallel 2-by-4s suspended thigh-high, each board labeled in handwritten pen "Do Not Cross." As an additional precaution, Ms. Miller likes to have a volunteer sit in the room to prevent people leaning over the wobbly boards and sticking their fingers into the birds' cages. The birds are apt to bite, she said.
"Isn't that right?" she asked the birds. The birds bobbed their heads.
Genesis Wildlife Center aims to be a sanctuary for animals that once were unwanted or abused. But a lack of adequate funding, modern facilities or a long-term plan means chronic problems often are overlooked or patched with makeshift solutions.
Since 2003, when the menagerie was moved to the city-owned building that once was part of the Nay Aug Zoo, the center has struggled to make a home fit for the animals, revealing limitations in both the facility and the way the center is run.
Care fails inspections
The center strains to meet even the minimum standards of animal care set by the federal government under the Animal Welfare Act.
Inspections by the U.S. Department of Agriculture between June 2005 and September 2007, obtained by The Sunday Times in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, describe an array of infractions.
- Read the Inspections (.pdf)
In June 2007, four "grossly overweight" primates were given a "morning snack" of waffles coated with marshmallow topping. They had become "very sedentary" in their cages after apparently gaining back the weight lost on a previous diet.
In November 2005, a member of the public accompanied an employee and volunteer inside the tiger and cougar enclosure, where she was allowed to pet the tiger. Neither animal was restrained or under a handler's control.
In June 2005, most of the medications stored in the office were noted to be expired, including an antibiotic that had been expired for a year but was being administered to a coatimundi, a long-tailed mammal in the raccoon family. The outdated medicines were still on site during an inspection two months later, when staff members threw them out.
None of the animals was examined by a veterinarian during the six months between October 2005 and April 2006, despite the center's program calling for the animals to receive monthly checkups.
Throughout the 27 months of inspections there were numerous examples of noncompliance concerning the building, including dangerous or frayed wire in the animals' metal enclosures, an exposed heater, peeling paint and wallpaper, and gaps and weeds around the perimeter fences that posed a risk to animal or human safety.
In the nine inspections during the period when records were released, Genesis was found to have 17 examples of noncompliance with the Animal Welfare Act. During two of the nine inspections, the center was found to be violation-free. A Freedom of Information Act request for records of USDA inspections performed in 2008 and 2009 is still pending.
'Is it going to kill them?'
Ms. Miller, who owns the animals, said she generally receives clean inspections. When she is cited, the violations most often have to do with maintenance of the city-owned building, "things that I have no control over," she said, like the aging structure, the weeds around it, and the occasional mice that get inside.
"I think I'm doing a terrific job, and most people do. If I was doing something wrong, they would close me," she said. "And if (the animals) get a waffle every once in a while, is it going to kill them? No. No, it won't."
She explained that the citation for having a visitor inside the tiger and cougar cage was a misunderstanding: The woman was the mother of the center's lynx caretaker at the time and she was trained to work with big cats, though she was not wearing any identification when the inspector saw her.
"I don't take people in with the cats because the cats would kill you," Ms. Miller said.
Not all of Genesis' inspectors have recorded violations. The state Game Commission, which regulates the center as a wildlife menagerie, has never issued a citation "for any deficiencies or blatant violations" in seven years of at least twice-annual inspections, said Mark Rutkowski, a conservation officer for the region.
A June 2008 inspection report — the only one released in response to a Right-to-Know records request — indicated the center passed all 22 categories on which it was evaluated, including providing bedding, clean water and adequately sized pens for the animals.
- Read the Inspection Report (.pdf)
Mr. Rutkowski said visitors' complaints to the Game Commission about the center often are about what he calls "aesthetics."
"When people go there, they go there looking for these well-groomed animals you might see at the Bronx Zoo or Philadelphia Zoo, and that's just not what the center is," he said.
But the center's most vocal critics say their concerns go beyond aesthetics: they fear it is unsafe for both people and animals and sends the wrong message to the public.
"The way they display those animals, the huge message you get from that place is these wild animals make good pets," said Mary Sweeney, a former Scranton resident. "A big part of the attitude is, 'Aren't they cute.'"
Eunice Alexander, who grew up in the Hill Section next to the Nay Aug Zoo, said there is little educational value in displaying animals in small cages with concrete floors.
"You can't really do education divorced from any kind of habitat context," she said. "You're showing them that animal seems to be OK in nothing."
Backlash over breeder
The most sustained roar of public criticism leveled at Genesis Wildlife Center began a year ago and was caused by two tiger cubs then big enough to emit only fledgling mews.
Ms. Miller acquired the cubs two months after her beloved Siberian tiger, Reba, died. Many visitors were happy for the chance to see baby animals, but others questioned whether a small, aging facility that admittedly struggled to afford to stay open was an appropriate place to bring 11-week-old tigers.
Captive wildlife and animal sanctuary experts now say the transfer of the cubs had far graver implications.
Ms. Miller obtained the tigers from G.W. Exotic Animal Park, which formerly billed itself as a sanctuary but now considers itself a "conservancy and educational zoo" in Wynnewood, Okla. Sanctuary representatives say G.W. Exotic is notorious for inhumane treatment of its animals.
In 2006, the USDA fined the park $25,000, suspended its license for two weeks and put it on an 18-month probation for violating at least 14 regulations of the Animal Welfare Act.
The park is particularly infamous among animal sanctuary experts for breeding exotic animals indiscriminately to entice visitors who want to play with new cubs. For sanctuary accrediting agencies, such as the American Sanctuary Association and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, breeding breaks the cardinal rule of true sanctuaries because it adds to the population of unwanted captive species.
Lisa Wathne, a captive exotic animal specialist with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said acquiring cubs from the park makes Genesis complicit in G.W. Exotic's behavior.
"Genesis is essentially enabling them to continue breeding these animals," she said.
Vernon Weir, director of the American Sanctuary Association, said Ms. Miller's move is particularly problematic because of a surplus of adult tigers in the country.
"There probably wasn't a single day in the last 10 years when someone didn't call me about an adult tiger that didn't have a place to go," he said. "For them to get tigers from this breeder down in Oklahoma is ridiculous."
Ms. Miller said she had "nothing to do with" G.W. Exotic's practices as a breeder or its past USDA violations. She explained that she found a listing for the cubs in the Animal Finder's Guide, a publication for those who raise captive wildlife. She was asked to make a donation to the park to reserve the cubs, and never got the money back.
She said she does not breed animals at her center — the male tiger and monkeys are neutered, she said, and the male lemurs were "fixed" after several reproduced. She also countered the claims that she is complicit in G.W. Exotic's breeding.
"Do you think he's going to stop? He's not going to," she said of G.W. Exotic. "I wanted two baby tigers that I wanted to save out of there. Does it mean I approve? No."
Now she says she is "truly sorry" she brought the tigers to Genesis, in part because of the public criticism and in part because of the cost. The tigers each eat about 20 pounds of meat each day and a pallet of meat costs about $3,600.
Asked why she acquired the cats, knowing the high cost of feeding them, she said she had leftover meat when Reba died and other cats to feed.
"I had children coming and asking about Reba and not understanding death or where she was or why she went. And some of the cards from the children, that probably influenced me," she said. "But if I could have flashed forward and seen everything, I probably would not have taken them."
Higher standards
Around the country and the world, zoo, aquarium and sanctuary accrediting agencies have worked to set a true standard for humane, viable animal care and distinguish what they call "pseudo-sanctuaries" from real ones.
Accredited sanctuaries are marked by their exceptional care, their avoidance of any trade in animals, and their dedication to creating havens for animals that have been exploited. Once a sanctuary is accredited, it often is easier for it to receive funding and other grants.
Sanctuary accreditation exists because simply complying with the Animal Welfare Act "is so inadequate in terms of what these animals need," said Kim Haddad, a board member of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and the manager of the Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition.
"Our standards are much, much higher" than USDA regulations, she said. "They take into account the natural history of the animal, the animal's life experience."
According to Mr. Weir, the director of the American Sanctuary Association, accredited sanctuaries should have steady finances, strong nonprofit boards, plenty of room for animals to roam and enrichment activities to stimulate them. They also should have a robust education program that focuses on why exotic animals should not be pets.
Both organizations also indicated their willingness to work with sanctuaries to help them meet such standards, if the sanctuaries disavow breeding and trade.
"The whole idea behind it, it's not to shut every place down that's not perfect," Dr. Haddad said. "It's to say, 'Here's how you do it right.'"
Genesis Wildlife Center is not accredited as either a sanctuary or a zoo, although Ms. Miller said she would like to work toward it. She had papers in her office about accreditation through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, but had not heard of the American Sanctuary Association or the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
She is in the process of cutting back at the center, working to place some of her tropical birds at an Ohio sanctuary.
"I'm thinking about not doing this (anymore)," she said.
She has been flustered by a stream of public criticism and believes she is being personally attacked, even as she draws consolation from students, volunteers and supporters she works with daily.
She said she wants everything for her center that critics want: a space that serves the needs of her animals and benefits the community.
"I would like it to be a place that, when people visit, they walk away saying, 'Wow, did you see that amazing little wildlife center at Nay Aug Park?' Not, 'The building's falling down. They're not adequately staffed. They don't have funding.'
"Why would you want people to walk away thinking something like that?"
Read more from the Concrete Jungle series
Contact the writer: llegere@timesshamrock.comClose 'zoo' at Nay Aug
Published: Monday, March 09, 2009
Updated: Monday, March 9, 2009 4:13 AM EDTBack when Scranton's government operated a zoo at Nay Aug Park, the obsolete, wholly inadequate facility became a major embarrassment and a metaphor for the blighted park and the city itself.
The Doherty administration has strived mightily to restore the park, making it once again a source of pride. Yet it allows a reincarnation of the decrepit zoo to drag down the effort.
Although the Genesis Wildlife Center is not technically a zoo, it serves that purpose in terms of its role in the park. And, although it is not operated by the city, the center operates in much the way the city operated the former zoo — hand to mouth, month to month.
The center has a dedicated director and volunteers, and it might well do some good work. But it is far removed from the modern zoos that grace the parks of progressive American cities — the sort of parks to which the Doherty administration otherwise aspires.
Mr. Doherty saw the center as a means to establish a zoo-like presence at the park without binding the city government to a project that it could not afford. The question that the mayor and City Council should consider, going forward, is whether the center enhances the park. The answer, unfortunately, is that it does not.
If Mr. Doherty and council think a zoo is fundamental to the ongoing renaissance and long-term stability of the park, they should methodically go about establishing one. That would involve substantial planning, expert opinions, and a step-by-step implementation plan, including long-term sustainable funding.
The most likely objective conclusion, unfortunately, is that Scranton simply cannot afford to operate a zoo according to modern standards for humane treatment of animals and for amenities required by human visitors. That is why the city does not have its own zoo now.
If the government studies the matter and reaches that conclusion, it should help the wildlife center with a relocation, and use the old zoo grounds to enhance the park in a different way.Nay Aug tiger cub fights infection
Published: Sunday, January 25, 2009
Updated: Sunday, January 25, 2009 8:11 AM ESTIn the six months since Nay Aug Park welcomed two new tiger cubs, both big cats have grown up quickly, but the male continues to be plagued by health problems.
Ivan, a Siberian tiger now 7 months old and 130 pounds, has not been able to fully fight off ringworm he arrived with from Oklahoma. Margaret Miller, director of the Genesis Wildlife Center, said the fungus keeps reoccurring, and Ivan is under regular veterinary care. Otherwise, he is a healthy growing tiger, but Ms. Miller is worried his immune system could be compromised.
"With him tiring easily, that scares me," she said.
The other tiger, an Indochinese named Alea, has a clean bill of health, and she and Ivan are inseparable. Both often share a pen now with the cougars at Genesis.Tiger cubs debut at Nay Aug with video
A male tiger cub at the Genesis Wildlife Sanctuary on Friday, July 25, 2008. Linda Morgan/Staff Photograph BY JEREMY G. BURTON
STAFF WRITERPublished: Saturday, July 26, 2008
Updated: Saturday, July 26, 2008 1:00 AM EDTIf the newest stars at the Genesis Wildlife Center were feeling any effects of a cross-country trek, they didn't seem to show it.
But two bottles of formula and some ground beef are apparently enough to conk a couple of tigers right out.
The Genesis sanctuary on Friday introduced two new tiger cubs, two months after the death in May of 15-year-old Siberian tiger Reba, a park favorite.
The Indochinese tigers, a male and a female, arrived Thursday night from G.W. Exotic Animal Park, a conservancy and educational zoo in Wynnewood, Okla.
"Long drive there, long drive back, but it was well worth it," volunteer Robin Perri said.
With the acquisition of two new cubs, some have criticized the aging, outdated facilities as inadequate for such animals. Throughout the afternoon, though, visitors crowded in front of the enclosure for a glimpse at the cubs. Little kids grinned, and adults marveled.
"Oh my goodness gracious, isn't he cute?"
"Wave to him!"
Staffers said the cubs were doing well and enjoying the attention.
Linda Layland, of South Scranton, said her 6-year-old granddaughter, Stephanie, bawled over the death of Reba.
On Friday, Ms. Layland carried her 18-month-old grandson, Jeremy, who doesn't make a habit of sitting still for long but spent a half-hour watching the two cubs feed and play.
"The kids need something like this," she said.
For now, the 11- and 12-week-old tigers will be housed in an enclosure next to the 3,700-square-foot cougar pen, and they will rotate time outside until a partition can be built between the big cats. Eventually, they will all share the single space, possibly also with the wildlife center's Siberian lynx.
Mayor Chris Doherty is expected to announce a contest to name the two cubs.
Many residents' concerns stem from the rocky history of the former Nay Aug Zoo. Twice in five years in the 1980s, Parade magazine named it among the worst zoos nationwide. The facilities date from 1938, with renovations in the 1970s, 1990s and in 2003, when the Genesis sanctuary moved there. In 1981, two Humane Society officials called the zoo "archaic" and recommended it be closed, which it was in 1991.
Genesis is not by definition a zoo, and its volunteers feel like they are catching flak for a burden that isn't theirs.
"All the things the public wants, I want, too. But it's not my building," Genesis director Margaret Miller said.
Ms. Miller said the new cubs don't represent a change in mission or direction. As a rescue, it's rare for the center to acquire young, healthy animals, but Ms. Miller said they are simply replacing what was lost.
Reba's death cast a pall over the center. The staff was devastated; the cougars didn't eat. Ms. Miller said the cubs bring an infusion of energy and excitement.
"They fit in here just perfectly," she said.
Contact the writer: jburton@timesshamrock.comAbout the Genesis Wildlife Center animals
A pig nose turtle swims in a tank at the Genesis Wildlife Center at Nay Aug Park. April 1, 2009. PAMELA SUCHY / Staff PhotographerPublished: Sunday, April 05, 2009
Updated: Sunday, April 5, 2009 9:20 AM EDTMore than 50 animals from over 20 species reside at the Genesis Wildlife Center. Click each for more information.
WILD CATS
Bearcat (1)
Cougar (1)
Cougar (1)
Fennec foxes (2)
Genet cats (2)
Lynx (1)
Tigers (2)
PRIMATES
Capuchin monkeys (3)
Lemurs (5)
Long-tailed macaques (2)
Patas monkey (1)
Rhesus macaques (2)
Spider monkey (1)
AQUATIC LIFE
Fish (1)
Galapagos tortoises (2)
Pig-nosed turtles (2)
Red-eared slider turtles (About 20)
Red-foot tortoise (1)
Russian tortoises (2)
Spiny soft-shell turtle (1)
OTHER
Fruit bats (5)
Two-toed sloths (3)
Various tropical birds
SOURCE: GENESIS WILDLIFE CENTER'It's like I lost a part of me' with video and photos
Published: Thursday, May 08, 2008
Updated: Thursday, May 8, 2008 1:00 AM EDTBut as the sun beat down on the zoo area, the Elmo doll lay alone in the middle of the cage, which still contains mattresses and blankets for each of Reba's animal roommates.
BY STACY BROWN
STAFF WRITER
Visitors to the Genesis Wildlife Center in Nay Aug Park stared into an empty cage Wednesday, as if expecting Reba the tiger to toss around the Elmo doll she often played with to the delight of those young and old.
But as the sun beat down on the zoo area, the Elmo doll lay alone in the middle of the cage, which still contains mattresses and blankets for each of Reba's animal roommates.
Reba, the beloved Siberian tiger, died late Tuesday. She was 15.
After Reba had been cremated early Wednesday, Katlynn, the cougar whom Reba helped raise, moved about slowly, apparently grieving for her companion. Katlynn barely mingled with the cage's other cougar, Dakota.
"Katlynn licked Reba's head as she died last night," said a tearful Margaret Miller, director of the wildlife center. "This is what people don't see: The real animals and what they're really like."
Ms. Miller raised Reba after she obtained her from a small zoo in Marshalls Creek in 1993.
"When I got her, she was nearly dead," Ms. Miller recalled. "Her mother didn't have any milk, one other cub had died, and Reba was in an incubator. I held Reba in the palm of my hand; she was so small.
"It's like I've lost a part of me."
Reba featured in a 2007 video about the Genesis Wildlife Center:
Contact the writer: sbrown@timesshamrock.com
Reba, a park favorite since her arrival here in September 2003, suffered a seizure three weeks ago and was taken to the University of Pennsylvania, where doctors performed an MRI, a CT scan and blood test, all of which failed to show why the tiger was ill, Ms. Miller said. The average life expectancy of a Siberian tiger is 8 years in the wild, but 20 to 25 years in captivity, she said.
"It was a fluke blood clot that caused the seizure," she said.
Tears flowed freely among the workers and passers-by at the Genesis Wildlife Center on Wednesday.
"I can't believe we won't see her anymore," said Jesse Walker, a Dunmore resident and frequent visitor to the Wildlife Center. "I heard about Reba dying, and I felt bad. I wanted to see if I could see her just one more time, but it was too late."
Ms. Miller said all the animals will eventually die, but the staff provides regular, first-rate care for all of them.
While the city pays heating bills and contributes $50,000 annually and the use of the building, Ms. Miller has said she needs about $150,000 more a year to run the facility.
The center has relied heavily on donations, and Ms. Miller has said that she often pays for some expenditures out of her own pocket.
One expense Ms. Miller would not have minded paying, if it were at all possible, was whatever the cost would have been to keep Reba alive.
"She was so adorable. Everyone loved her and she loved everyone," said Fern Norton, wildlife center volunteer. "Margaret (Miller) is devastated, as are all of us."
http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/multimedia/GWCFOIA.PDF
http://thetimes-tribune.com/articles/2009/04/05/news/sc_times_trib.20090405.a.pg1.tt05genesis_s1.2420904_top2.txt - Blog post
- 1 year ago
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Florida Wildlife Commission Fi Florida Wildlife Commission Fights Florida Association of Counties
- From: TheirVoice
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Description:
Florida Wildlife Commission Fights Florida Association of Counties who ask for Home Rule so that citizens can decide if wild animals belong next door.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-snakes0908feb09,0,2251395.story
Central Florida counties seek stricter snake ownership laws
A state association will meet with wildlife officials to seek stricter requirements for owners of risky pets.
Denise-marie Balona | Sentinel Staff Writer
February 9, 2008
DELTONA - You'd never know that inside Brian Radenberg's house on Snow Drive are the things of nightmares.
Well, nightmares for many people. The 54 cobras, vipers and other venomous serpents slithering in locked glass cages are Radenberg's pets.
And, until recently, he was able to raise and breed them as he pleased. But city officials learned about the deadly creatures and now want them out.
"What if they get loose?" asked Dale Baker, who heads code enforcement in Volusia County's biggest city. "What if there was a tornado that dropped out of the sky? Then we'd have 50 venomous snakes crawling around."
However, keeping snakes at home is legal with a state license, and there's little that local governments such as Deltona can do. Only the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has authority over who can have venomous reptiles and other exotic animals such as tigers and bears.
Other Florida communities have long been frustrated about what they consider a public-safety hazard. Seeking action, the Florida Association of Counties has called a special meeting this month with the wildlife commission. The association, a tax-funded lobbying and education group, will ask the commission Feb. 25 to begin requiring owners of dangerous pets to undergo criminal-background checks and to somehow warn firefighters, paramedics and police about the animals.
Association leaders also will request that the state limit dangerous animals to certain areas, association spokeswoman Cragin Mosteller said.
Ideal climate
Hundreds come to this state to raise snakes because the warm climate is ideal. In Central Florida, zoos, laboratories and universities are licensed to keep venomous reptiles. But the vast majority of the region's nearly 50 licenses are held by residents who keep snakes at home.
"People throughout history have been infatuated with wildlife and wanted to contain it and study it, and this is an evolution of that," said wildlife-commission Capt. John D. West, who oversees snake licensing.
Many owners try to keep a low profile so their neighbors don't panic. But West said enthusiasts such as Radenberg, 37, and Josh Kibbey, a 29-year-old snake keeper in Oviedo, are experienced and careful.
They also have met strict requirements, including completing 1,000 hours of training and passing surprise inspections.
Kibbey, who keeps about a dozen venomous snakes in the house he shares with his mom in Seminole County, has worked with snakes for years. He thinks more people would become snake fans if they took the time to learn about them. But they're not for everyone.
"You get people that they got to have the newest car or the biggest animal and this and that -- because nobody else has it," said Kibbey, who works at a pet shop. "I don't want somebody getting into it for the wrong reason."
Industry leaders and scholars said interest in reptiles and ownership has grown in Florida and around the world. The number of licenses issued in this state, however, has fallen since the permit fee rose from $5 to $100 about five years ago.
Penalties for unlicensed snakes
State officials acknowledge there are likely people in Florida who own deadly snakes but do not have licenses -- a crime punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Florida's snake-friendly rules are one of the main reasons the state is attractive to snake keepers, said B.W. Smith, who owns Southern Reptile Education, a Smyrna-Ga.-based consulting and training group.
Smith said some states and cities have been terrorized by snakes and, as a result, have prohibited venomous reptiles or adopted regulations so stringent that they amount to a virtual ban.
"We saw this happen in Alabama several years ago," he said via e-mail. "Some idiot had a couple cobras get loose in his trailer park, and the state promptly proposed an all-out ban. It was later changed to a permit system. We most often see this in cities."
Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart said deadly snakes have no place in homes. If the reptiles escape -- even if they avoid humans, as scholars say they do -- they can endanger small pets.
In October, two policemen helped catch a 4-foot-long monitor lizard with potentially toxic saliva in Edgewood that had forced dogs and cats indoors.
"The zoos are very much capable of taking care of the exotics," Stewart said.
Denise-Marie Balona can be reached at dbalona@orlandosentinel.com or 386-851-7916.
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- Blog post
- 1 year ago
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Wesa-A-Geh-Ya to close, owner Wesa-A-Geh-Ya to close, owner says
- From: CaroleBaskin
-
Description:
UPDATE: Wesa-A-Geh-Ya to close, owner says
Volunteer mauled Sunday has part of leg amputated
By Sarah Whitney
swhitney@yourjournal.com
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 3:03 PM CDT
Wesa-A-Geh-Ya, an exotic animal center in Warren County, was the site of a mauling Sunday. Owner Ken Smith told the Warren County Commission on Tuesday he plans to close the facility and send the animals to a sanctuary in Kentucky.
Wesa-A-Geh-Ya owner Ken Smith announced Tuesday his plans to close the exotic animal center located in Warren County.
The decision spurs from Sunday's tiger attack on volunteer Jacob Barr, the center's lack of funding and past and present legal problems, Smith said.
"The whole purpose is to give the animals a better life and make it easier on myself, my wife and my family. I've got too many opponents against us with the animals," Smith told members of the Warren County Commission. "I'm not a quitter, but these animals deserve better. Our funding is cut off."
Barr, 26, of Warrenton was assisting another volunteer at the center in moving the tiger, named Hercules, from his cage for cleaning purposes when the tiger jumped the fence and attacked Barr, Smith said.
Barr was taken by helicopter to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, where he underwent surgery.
Hospital officials said Tuesday that Barr had lost his leg below his knee, and was in fair condition.
When deputies with the Warren County Sheriff's Department first arrived at Wesa-A-Geh-Ya after the mauling, they were led to believe Barr was attacked by a stray black and white pit bull that had been scared off by gunfire, Sheriff Kevin Harrison said.
"That was the story," Harrison said. "The Smiths stuck to that story, as did the volunteers."
After leaving the wildlife center, Harrison received a tip from a friend of the victim's father, who said Barr was attacked by a tiger, which Smith had shot multiple times, killing it, and then put the body in a truck and transported it to a family member's house in New Truxton, Harrison said.
After authorities returned to speak with Ken and Sandra Smith and volunteers about the new information, they acknowledged the incident was a tiger attack, Harrison said.
Ken Smith said the volunteers made up the pit bull attack story because they didn't want to get the animals in trouble.
"When the sheriff came back, that's when I told him," he said. "I'm the one who set the record straight."
The tiger's body then was voluntarily surrendered to the sheriff's department, which turned it over to the University of Missouri-Columbia veterinary school for an autopsy and to properly destroy the remains.
Smith said Tuesday the tiger that attacked Barr was Hercules — not Tony, as had been previously reported. Hercules had been rescued before living at the facility, Smith said.
But Dangerous Wild Animal Registration Forms filed with the sheriff's department list Tony and Hercules as cage mates and both being born at the facility.
Smith said if he had to kill every animal at the center to get the "young man's" leg back, he would.
"I was lucky we didn't lose anyone's life over it," he said.
Smith told commissioners all the exotic animals at Wesa-A-Geh-Ya and their cages will be sent to a sanctuary in Kentucky, where they will receive better care and more legal protection.
Harrison said Smith's decision, if followed through with, is in the best interest of the county and ultimately the more than 55 animals at the facility including tigers, lions, arctic wolves and a bear.
"I will commend them for turning over the care of these animals to a facility who has the ability to care for these animals," Harrison said. "Their intentions have always been honorable, but I think they lack the funding and the facility to adequately house and care for them."
Wesa-A-Geh-Ya has been the focus of legal dispute in the community for several years.
In 2004, the Smiths relinquished their U.S. Department of Agriculture license after the organization alleged the center did not have proper veterinary measures in place and did not employ properly trained staff. The move closed the center's doors to the public.
Ken Smith was found guilty in May of not properly registering more than 55 animals at the facility. The ruling also determined that the facility was not an animal sanctuary.
On Tuesday, Smith entered a plea of guilty to Circuit Court Judge Wesly Dalton for failing to properly maintain accurate records as a wildlife breeder with the Missouri Department of Conservation and was required to pay up to a $100 fine.
But during interviews Ken Smith has consistently maintained his innocence.
"I've been accused of being guilty before I got to court," he told commissioners. "I got Warrenton justice. I didn't get justice in that courtroom."
The Smiths have said that in the facility's 21 years of operation, an animal has never escaped from the grounds. The facility first existed as a breeder in 1987 and then as a not-for-profit in 1998.
Sandra Smith said Sunday's incident may have been prevented if the center were allowed to put in additional safety measures it requested, including a cover for the cages and a 12-foot chain-link fence surrounding the site's 3,000-square-foot perimeter.
The Warren County Planning and Zoning Commission did not allow these changes, she said.
"This incident could have been avoided if people would have let us do the improvements we wanted to do," she said. "For nine years now, we've been fighting and fighting. We've not broke any laws out here. Accidents happen. It shouldn't have happened."
Ken Smith added that as a caretaker of exotic animals, he can't wait 30 days for the zoning commission to make a decision on whether he can make a cage bigger.
"I have to react to what the animal is telling me right then," he said, otherwise someone gets hurt.
County officials including Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage and Planning and Zoning Coordinator Linda Gant told Smith Tuesday that nothing prohibited him from putting tops on existing cages.
Commissioners initially declined to comment, citing a pending investigation involving planning and zoning and the Smiths, but Engelage issued a prepared statement after Smith announced he would close the facility.
"After researching our records, back in 1995 they, the Smiths, were told if they wanted to do any improvements they would have to get a conditional-use permit," he said. "Since that time, we have no record of any conditional-use permit for cages or perimeter fences were ever asked for." - Blog post
- 2 years ago
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Lions Served Up in FL Restaura Lions Served Up in FL Restaurants
- From: CaroleBaskin
-
Description:
Big Cat Rules
This page is devoted primarily to pending changes in Florida's captive wild animal rules, but even if you are not from Florida, this could make a big difference where you live because Florida currently produces more big cats than any other state. These cats are hauled all over the country, and sometimes even to foreign countries where people are not as concerned with protecting animals. When the cats cats can no longer be used to support their owners they are often dumped along the way; sometimes into the hands of unwitting exotic pet owners, sometimes they are served up in restaurants and sometimes they are dumped into the wild with no survival skills. Ending the trafficking of exotic cats in Florida will greatly reduce the number of these cats who end up suffering in all parts of the world. The comment period on these proposed rules closes 5PM on July 4, 2008 , so be sure to mail or email your comments before then if you want to be a part of the cure. Send them to RuleChanges@MyFWC.com and put "Captive Wildlife" in the subject line or mail them to Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission c/o Captain Linda Harrison at 620 S. Meridian treet Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600.
Below is the summary of the rules proposed by the FWC and Big Cat Rescue's comments are in bold .
Summary of Proposed Rule Changes - 2008
Chapter 68A-6, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.)68A-6.002 Categories of Captive Wildlife
* Clarify that categories of wildlife includes taxonomic successors and subspecies thereof.
* Classification changes:* Class I:
o Gaur (family Bovidae)
o Hyena and Aardwolf (family Hyaenidae)
o Cougars, panthers (Puma concolor)
o Cheetahs (Acinonyx jabatus) typo: jubatus
* Class II:
o Patas monkeys (genus Erythrocebus)
o Vervet, Grivet or Green monkeys (genus Chlorocebus)
o Change Bearded sakis to include all sakis (genus Chiropotes and Pithecea)
o Change reference of specific jackal species to all jackal species (family Canidae).
o Change reference of Gray wolves and Red wolves to all wolves (family Canidae); and delete reference to wolf x domestic hybrid percentage.
o Include American alligator (family Alligatoridae)
o Giraffe and Okapi (family Giraffidae)
o Tapirs (family Tapiridae)
o Wild cattle, forest, woodland, and arid land antelope and similar species of nonnative hoof stock of the family Bovidae.
Examples include: Forest buffalo, Banteng, Anoa, Waterbuck, Wildebeest, Hartebeest, Eland, Kudu, Nilgai, Bongo, lechwe, Roan and Sable antelope, Sitatunga, Bontebok, Blesbok, Topi, Kob, Addax, Oryx, Gemsbok, and other species of the family Bovidae which are of similar size, habits and nature.* Delete percentage language associated with wolf x domestic hybrids.
o Include language to address the regulation of hybrids resulting from wild x domestic animal crosses which are substantially similar in size, characteristics, and behavior so as to be essentially indistinguishable from wild animals. This should apply to hybrid cats as well as they are being released into the wild and creating a Super Feral.
o Such hybrids to be regulated as wildlife at the highest Class if the wild parentage. as the wild parentage
* Provide that fox, skunks, bats, raccoons or white tail deer taken from the wild may not be possessed as personal use wildlife. add bobcats and cougars because of the rabies issue and the inability to distinguish between a native bobcat or cougar and a non native bobcat or cougar. Most other states already protect their native wildlife this way and with the FL Panther in such peril, it only makes sense.68A-6.004 Standard Caging Requirements for Captive Wildlife
* Include proposals to use open air habitats, except as provided, must be approved in writing by the Commission prior to use before housing wildlife.
* Add the requirement for providing devices that allow for temperature regulation in Red Panda enclosures, as is necessary to ensure the well being of this species. Add: snow leopards, Amur tigers & Amur leopards.68A-6.0011 Possession of Wildlife in Captivity; Permit Requirements
* Require USDA registered research facilities currently exempt from meeting the requirements of 68A-6, F.A.C., to maintain a detailed research proposal, annual record of progress toward research objectives and to meet cage strength requirements in 68A-6.003, F.A.C.
* Provide that the provisions of 68A-6, F.A.C., do not apply to Bison possessed exclusively for the purpose of production of meat, skins or hides, or progeny thereof.68A-6.0022 Possession of Class I, II, or III Wildlife in Captivity: Permit Requirements
* Remove brushtailed possums from the list of wildlife that may be possessed for personal use without a permit. (Currently listed federally as an injurious species).
* Require experience for Class I and Class II to be with the species or other species in the same genus that are substantially similar in size, characteristics, care and nutritional requirements to the species for which the permit is sought . typo of a space before the period
* Require applicants for Class I and II to provide times experience was obtained. should include times, places and activities performed
* Increase the hours of experience requirement with test option, as provided for Class II applicants to 500 hours. (Same as VR)
* Modify reference requirements to allow for one of the references to be provided from a representative of a professional or governmental institution such as a University, Public Service agency, Zoological association or herpetological society. Associations and Societies should be defined as accredited or nationally recognized and not just a little band of exotic pet owners calling themselves an association or society.
* Provide that the experience requirements do not apply for alligators when possessed in accordance with 372.6673, F.S.
* Provide that the experience requirements do not apply to Bovidae when possessed in accordance with 372.16 or 372.661, F.S.
* Require corporations to have qualified personnel responsible for the care of Class I or II wildlife.
o Personnel must meet the experience requirements provided for Class I or II wildlife.
o Documentation of experience for such personnel must be submitted upon initial application and any change in personnel.
* Require a USDA license to be obtained within 180 days after initial application and maintained when Class I wildlife is possessed for exhibition or sale.
* Clarify language for Critical Incident/Disaster Plan requirement (372.921, 372.922, and 68A-6), modify form and form date.68A-6.005 Transportation Requirements for Wildlife; Caging Requirements for Performing and Non-Performing Animals
* Include language in (1) (g) that all wildlife shall be transported in a cage or enclosure appropriate for the species. This really needs to be stated in concrete terms when transporting exotic cats. A circus wagon may contain a tiger, but in the back of a pick up truck there is no barricade to prevent public contact. You can eliminate some of the most abusive practices by restricting the transportation of big cats, except to and from the vet, to and from their final destination, such as in a transfer of ownership or under a previously filed circus itinerary which is open to public scrutiny in considerable advance of the event.
* Include language that all transport cages which contain wildlife shall be labeled "Caution or Danger – Wild Animal"68A-6.007 Possession, Transportation, Exhibition and Caging Venomous Reptiles and Reptiles of Concern
* Clean up language for reptiles of concern to include their "taxonomic successors."
* Address taxonomic split of the amthistina complex in the genus Morelia to better reflect the intent of the listing of Amethystine or scrub pythons as reptiles of concern.
o Includes all subspecies of the genus Morelia that exceed 12' in length upon maturity.
* Modify reference requirements to allow for one of the references to be provided from a representative of a professional or governmental institution such as a University, Public Service agency, Zoological association or herpetological society.
* Require corporations to have qualified personnel responsible for the care of venomous reptiles.
o Personnel must meet the experience requirements provided for venomous reptiles.
o Documentation of experience for such personnel must be submitted upon initial application and any change in personnel.
o Consistent with requirements for Class I and II wildlife.
* Insert new form date for the Critical Incident/Disaster Plan form due to form modifications.68A-6.0041 Exceptions to Standard Caging Requirements for Captive Wildlife
* Include Bison (when possessed for propagation purposes only) as exempt from standard caging requirements, except fencing requirements, of 68A-6.004.
* Corrected rule reference in paragraph (4), as necessary due to previous rule changes.68A-6.003 Facility and Structural Caging Requirement for Class I, II and III Wildlife
* Require cages or enclosures that use the ground as flooring to have buried concrete footers or bottom apron to further prevent escape from digging or erosion. In 15 years we have never had a cat dig out because it just isn’t their nature. In the 700+ dangerous incidents involving exotic cats since 1990 not one of the 150+ escapes was attributed to a cat digging out. Records from 1919 to 1989 are not as plentiful, but none of them ever mentioned a cat escaping by digging out either. Escapes are almost always due to humans acting negligently and occasionally a big cat goes over the top or through a wall, but not underneath. This would be a punitive measure to require concrete floors, which are broadly known to cause debilitating injury to captive cats, or to require a concrete footer or apron with no benefit occurring for the cat or the public. This may be applicable to bears and wolves, who are known to dig, but should not apply to cages housing exotic cats of any kind. See the list of killings, maulings and escapes here: http://www.bigcatrescue.org/big_ca t_news.htm
* Insert new form date for the Critical Incident/Disaster Plan form due to form modifications.
* Make changes to (2)(c)5. as necessary for newly proposed changes to Class I and Class II:
o The following proposed Class I wildlife may not be possessed on property within an area zoned solely for residential use: I have been in the real estate business for 25+ years and to my knowledge, and that of my colleagues, there is no zoning that is “solely for residential use” so that only plays to the uninformed and doesn’t really restrict anything. The most logical answer to where these animals should be housed, is the simplest: If a Class I animal cannot be kept for personal use and must be a business or sanctuary (a non profit business), then the business or non profit business must be located on land that is either commercially zoned, or a Planned Development specifically created for such a purpose. Grandfathering in existing cats would be acceptable as long as the cats were not replaced.
+ Gaur (family Bovidae)
+ Hyena and Aardwolf (family Hyaenidae)
+ Cougars, panthers (Puma concolor)
+ Cheetahs (Acinonyx jabatus)
* Make changes to (2)(d) as necessary for newly proposed changes to Class II non-human primates:
o Include all sakis as exempt from facility requirements as specified in (2)(c)1.-4.
o Exclude Patas monkeys as exempt facility requirements as specified in (2)(c)1.-4., due to size0 range upon maturity.
* Clarify in (2)(e) which facility requirements are being referenced when referring to the facility requirements that Class I or II are exempt from meeting.
68A-6.0021 Possession or Transfer of Class I Wildlife as Personal Use Wildlife; Transfer of Wildlife and Record Keeping Requirements
* Make change to rule title to include "Record Keeping Requirements"
* Provides a "grandfather" clause for any Class II wildlife possessed for personal use that is up listed to Class I.
o Any Class II wildlife that is up listed to Class I wildlife upon the effective date of Rule 68A-6.002, F.A.C., is eligible for a permit in accordance with the provisions for Class II wildlife.
* Provide in paragraph (1) that no other class I wildlife may be "transferred" or kept for personal use. The intent is to prevent continued acquisition of Class I for personal use by grandfathered entities.
* Require all Class I wildlife possessed for personal use to be permanently identified by means of tattoo, brand, passive integrated transponder (PIT tag), photographic id or other method that identifies the specimen from others of the same species.
o Specifies requirements in instances where photographic identification is used.
o Requires owners to maintain records of identification and submit same to FWC.
o Permanent identification requirements effective July 1, 2009.
* Change the length of time records of sale/transfer are required to be maintained to 3 years. Add: requirement that these transfers be submitted within 30 days to FWC where they are to be maintained and available to the public. The FWC is never going to have the resources to research these transfers to look for trends and animals who are falling through the cracks. It is only through public access via a transparent system that the abuses will be discovered and rectified.
* Specify that sale/transfer records are to include: date, quantity and species, name and complete address of recipient; and license identification number where applicable.
* Provide that record of sale/transfer are not required for that wildlife that may be possessed for personal use without a permit as specified in 68A-6.0022 (2) (a) – (v), except as otherwise required.68A-6.0023 General Regulations Governing Possession of Captive Wildlife; Record Keeping Requirements
* In paragraph (2)(a) include "68A-6.007" as it pertains to requiring wildlife to be maintained in cages or enclosures constructed in compliance with the specified rules.
* Include language that requires out door enclosures for non-native venomous reptiles or reptiles of concern to be covered as provided in rule 68A-6.007.
* Require structural safety barriers to be present to prevent public contact with unconfined Class I or II wildlife by the public. These barriers should be constructed of similar construction materials and/or strength as the main enclosure, because a rope is sufficient…until one day it is not.
* Requires possessors to maintain an accurate record of all changes in inventory to include: births, deaths, acquisition and sales or transfers.
o Records are to be kept on the licensed premises and open to inspection. Add: requirement that these records be submitted within 30 days to FWC where they are to be maintained and available to the public. The FWC is never going to have the resources to research these transfers to look for trends and animals who are falling through the cracks. It is only through public access via a transparent system that the abuses will be discovered and rectified.o Describes the information required for records of birth, death, and acquisition.
o Requires that records of sale/transfer are to be maintained as provided in 68A-6.0021, F.A.C. Add: requirement that these records be submitted within 30 days to FWC where they are to be maintained and available to the public. The FWC is never going to have the resources to research these transfers to look for trends and animals who are falling through the cracks. It is only through public access via a transparent system that the abuses will be discovered and rectified.68A-6.0024 Commercialization of Wildlife; Public Contact; Bonding or Financial Responsibility Guarantee
* Delete reference to "public contact" in rule title. Language pertaining to public contact will remain in 68A-6.0023.
* Require persons permitted in accordance with 372.921, F.S., to demonstrate consistent and sustained commercial activity as characterized by:
o A regular media advertising campaign, or Internet Web site;
o Signs, billboards or flyers advertising commercial wildlife services or operations;
Regular "Open for business" hours;
o Written business is conducted on printed letterhead, indicating the name of the company or business;
o Documented exhibition of wildlife to the public, with or without a charge, of no less that 12 times per year; typo: than 12 times
o Sale of wildlife including any lesser acts thereof as defined in Rule 68A-1.004, F.A.C.
* Paragraph (1) is renumbered as (2); and paragraph (2) is renumbered as (3).68A-9.006 Wildlife Rehabilitation ermit
* Delete reference to "joint" permit and update language to accurately reflect federal permit requirement when rehabilitating migratory birds.
* Reflect correct application title and delete "incorporated by reference" to allow for standardization of agency permit applications without necessitating a rule change.
* Update the reference of no rehabilitation permit required for rehabilitation on non-native species, to include Class III, venomous reptiles and reptiles of concern.
* Provide that exotic or non-native wildlife may not be comingled with native wildlife possessed for rehabilitation purposes.
* Provide that wildlife may be held no longer than 180 days before it must be released, transferred or euthanized.
* Allow that the 180-day requirement may be extended in instances where a licensed veterinarian has certified that a longer holding period is necessary in the interest of the health and welfare of the wildlife. In all instances where the text says licensed veterinarian, it should read “a veterinarian licensed in Florida.”
o Require medical records in these instances to be maintained at the facility and made available for inspection upon request.
* Require evaluation by an independent rehabilitator or veterinarian before physically impaired wildlife is diagnosed as unreleasable.68A-6.0025 Sanctuaries; Retired Performing Wildlife and Identification (New proposed rule) As long as sanctuaries are still required to carry the USDA permit and the $10,000 bond, this would be a nice way for the public to easily discern a true sanctuary from a profit making or self serving entity. The permanent identification*, record keeping and submission of such records should apply to all entities in possession of regulated wildlife. *other than those animals being returned to the wild.
* Defines captive wildlife sanctuaries as a facility established solely for the purpose of providing lifetime care for unwanted or infirmed wildlife.
* Requires sanctuaries to be licensed per 372.921 and not for profit corporation status as described in 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
* Prohibits acts which perpetuate the commercial trade in captive wildlife including the trade, sale, offering for trade or sale, breeding, or buying of captive wildlife or parts thereof. One way that pseudo sanctuaries perpetuate the commercial trade in captive wildlife is by providing a dumping ground for those who breed, use and discard. In many cases pseudo sanctuaries are opposing regulation that ends the trade in exotic animals because if there were no animals to rescue, there would be no need for them to exist. Legitimate sanctuaries will contract with those disposing of wildlife to have them surrender their licenses and/or agree to stop breeding, selling, buying and trading. Big Cat Rescue’s goal is that one day soon there will no longer be a trade in exotic cats and thus no need of rescue facilities.
* Prohibits full or incidental contact as defined in Rule 68A-6.0023 (3)(a)2.- 3., F.A.C., between the public and such wildlife.
* Requires permanent identification, recordkeeping of such identification and submission of such identification records to FWC.
* Allows persons licensed per 372.921, F.S., to maintain performing wildlife which due to age or physical condition may no longer perform, for the purposes of providing lifetime care.
o Requires permanent identification, recordkeeping and submission of such records as required for wildlife maintained by a captive wildlife sanctuary.68A-6.0071 Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements.
* The Captive Wildlife Inventory-Reptile form, FWCDLE_620IV-R (12-06), will be reviewed to determine if modifications are necessary. Should modifications be made the date (12-06) will be changed to reflect the modified date.
* No additional changes are anticipated for this rule.See the entire language of the proposed rules here: http://myfwc.com/captive/CaptiveCh anges_08.htm
The public comment workshops were June 9-13 with only a dozen or so attendees at each meeting.
These are issues that Big Cat Rescue believes should be included in this rule making period but are not in bold so that it is easier to read online:
Contact was addressed, but not sufficiently. It goes without saying that the public should not be allowed contact with Class I animals, but allowing contact with Class I cats under 25 pounds just creates a tremendous demand for babies that are being discarded or killed when they exceed the weight limit. There is absolutely no reason to encourage this unconscionable practice and ending it would largely end the trafficking in big cats. A federal bill, Haley’s Act HR 1947 is expected to pass this year that bans public contact with big cats and their babies and Florida shouldn’t be drafting rules that will conflict with federal law. Florida’s Congresswoman, Kathy Castor and Congressman Vern Buchanan are co-sponsors of Haley’s Act and when similar bills have passed in Congress they have been unanimous. This is the most important rule change that the FWC can implement to stop the abuse that is the subject of so many of the complaints by both Floridians and visitors. Find out more about big cats bred in Florida who are used, abused and discarded at Dying To Be Held.
All exotic cats should be re-classified as Class I due to their ability to inflict severe injury and the potential for environmental damage should they be released into US eco systems, where only bobcats, cougars and the occasional jaguar are known to live.
Definition of “the public.” Too many places charge a fee for people to be a volunteer for a day so that they can circumvent the prohibitions on coming into close contact with Class I wildlife. The way we deal with that at Big Cat Rescue is to require minimum hours per week, to be logged into a computerized data system. A person has to consistently log 8 hours volunteer time per week and have been a volunteer for 18 months (and a whole lot of classes, training, etc.) before they are allowed to be anywhere near a Class I cat and even then are not allowed any direct contact.
One of the issues that came out in public workshops on the Sanctuary issue was that it is ridiculous to allow an entity to call themselves both a sanctuary and a breeder/dealer by holding one of each license, regardless of the closeness of proximity between one operation and the other. You are either a sanctuary, which is a place that rescues animals from exploitation or you are exploiting them. It’s that simple. Having the FWC bless an operation with their interpretation of the term “sanctuary” when the underlying entities in charge are, at the same time adding to the problem serves only to help mislead the public. Using the requirements set out at www.SanctuaryStandards.com would truly set sanctuaries apart from zoos, breeders, dealers, circuses and such.
Last, but again one of the most important rule changes the FWC can make is to allow cities, counties and municipalities to enact their own, MORE RESTRICTIVE measures to protect their citizens and to improve their image in the public eye as being forward thinking when it comes to protecting animals from the abuses associated with breeding and keeping wild animals in cages.
I applaud the FWC for their efforts and look forward to the successful implementation and enforcement of better rules to protect the animals and the public.
For the cats,
Carole Baskin, CEO of Big Cat Rescue
12802 Easy Street Tampa, FL 33625 813.920.4130 Info@BigCatRescue.org
************************************* ************************************************** *****
Legislation cannot change the heart, but it can restrain the heartless.
The pages behind the banner below make it easy for you to see what bills are currently being considered at both the Federal and State level. Then, by entering your zip code, the software allows you to easily send an email either to the legislators from your district or to those on the Committee considering the bill.
Take Action
Please note that when you click the Legislation tab the Federal bills appear. There is a toggle link at the top right that will take you to the State bills.
The power here is in numbers. By having many people email their legislators we can tremendously improve the chances of legislation coming out of Committee and passing. The site is updated automatically as the status of bills changes, so you can be most effective by checking back from time to time. And most important, please tell others about this easy way to be heard and help pass these bills!
Visit these pages for more information:
See an interactive online map of exotic cat owners.
Why we need better laws:
Maulings, killings and escapes
Slideshow of what captivity means to the animal
The American Bar Association has an Animal Law Committee. Visit it HERE.
If you have any questions about the legislative pages please feel free to email us at MakeADifference@BigCatRescue.org
If protecting animals through intelligent legislation is important to you then please help us keep this program available through your generous donation:
Email this 1 MB video to a friend, right click here and "Save Target As" to your hard drive. - Blog post
- 2 years ago
- Views: 191
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Ex-Tarzan Steve Sipek 3 Ex-Tarzan Steve Sipek 3
- From: TheirVoice
-
Description:
Tarzans Bobo was no 600-pound kitten
Published July 18, 2004
It turns out there might be something more dangerous than having a tiger lunge at you:
Defending yourself against a tiger lunging at you.
State wildlife officials have been bombarded since an officer shot and killed Bobo, the 600-pound tiger that escaped from the walled, 5-acre home of Steve Sipek. He's the former B-movie Tarzan who dotes on a beloved collection of lions, tigers and a cougar in the Loxahatchee countryside.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has refused to name the 24-year-old officer, for fear he'd become the most abused person since Cubs fan Steve Bartman reached for that foul ball.
Hundreds of angry phone calls and e-mails have poured in to Fish and Wildlife. Officials say they've received death threats from people who decry the inhumanity of killing an animal.
Hundreds of people turned out for a candlelight vigil Thursday night, the mood tearful and bitter.
"They executed an endangered animal for no reason," choked Laura Koster, a neighbor of Sipek who keeps 17 animals at her own rural spread.
She insisted that witnesses saw the tiger sleeping -- "waiting for his daddy to take him home" -- when the officer shot his rifle.
Which was news to me. When I asked who these mystery witnesses were, she couldn't say.
"Somebody told me about them," she managed.
Gisele Dechabert of Wellington said she'd been deeply moved by the repeatedly broadcast scene of Sipek, smeared with his tiger's blood and crying, "They murdered my Bobo."
Sipek had raised the 6-year-old Bengal-Siberian from a cub. N eighbor Mickey Wachs said the creature was so docile that he routinely sucked Sipek's thumb. Slept with Sipek.
All of which makes his loss terribly sad.
But reading conspiracies into Fish and Wildlife or claiming "murder" is nuts.
Sure, Bobo was a pussycat to Sipek. But Bobo never stopped being a wild animal.
Two years ago, he clamped his jaws into the skull of Carol Pistilli, a wild-cat lover who was painting cages at Sipek's place.
Six surgeries later, Pistilli still lacks hearing in one ear and full use of her facial muscles. While she doesn't blame the cat for her injury -- she actually attended the vigil on Thursday -- the incident shows that the tiger's untamed nature hadn't deserted him, no matter how domesticated his routine.
Now imagine Bobo outside the familiar walls. He's on the loose for 26 hours, without food or "his daddy's" comfort. He's easily spooked. Even Sipek said the sound of news helicopters alarmed him.
Why is it so hard to imagine that the fatal incident went down as Fish and Wildlife says it did?
The agency says it wanted to catch Bobo unharmed, and when an officer finally spotted the tiger, he radioed for the dart team. But the cat turned toward him and lunged, teeth showing.
The officer feared for his life and fired.
A tranquilizer gun wouldn't have helped. Jack Hanna, of TV's Animal Adventures, told on Larry King Live how a friend shot an escaped tiger in Knoxville with a tranquilizer gun in 1976. The man was 20 feet away, but the tiger still jumped him, gutting his stomach. Killed him.
So Fish and Wildlife officers can be pardoned for thinking Bobo might not be ready to lick them hello.
Critics are calling for an investigation. Good idea. Let's examine the attitude that you can treat a wild predatory animal as a pet and take no responsibility when things go wrong.
Sipek is a classic blame-shifter. When Bobo bit Pistilli, he explained it as "purely a mistake by the lady."
When Bobo got loose on Monday, he said some unknown intruder with a grudge against him must have let the tiger out.
If Bobo had mauled a child while roaming last week, Sipek and his supporters no doubt would have found a way to pin it on the child.
Sipek is threatening to get 50 more tigers.
One more is too many.
Howard Goodman's column is published Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. He can be reached at hgoodman@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6638.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/columnists/sfl-
phoward18jul18,0,4460222.column
Dear Howard
Thank you for being the voice of reason. I too am outraged at this senseless loss of life, but it is obviously the fault of any person who would make a pet of a wild animal. I would go a step further and say that stupid people can't be held entirely responsible when our government allows them the right to own nature's top predator. I would also find fault with the general population who is so apathetic to the situation that legislation is driven more by those who breed and sell tigers than those who think there is no good reason to do that.
There are laws (finally) against selling big cats across state lines as pets and in the state of Florida you cannot get a permit to own a big cat as a pet, but the loopholes in both laws are so gaping that even someone with the IQ of Tarzan could leap through them. All you have to do is say that you are a tiger breeder to avoid both laws. Why is that OK?
Ron Tilson , the head of the tiger species survival plan, that is carried out via accredited zoos, says that the state of Florida needs to produce 2 or 3 tigers this year for the plan to work and that those pairings are already planned in two major zoos. N o one else needs to be breeding tigers, or any other exotic cat, so why is that allowed?
The following is a partial listing of incidents involving captive big cats since 1990. These incidents have resulted in the killing or deaths of 178 big cats, 55 human deaths, and more than 185 human injuries.
According to the Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition, since April 2003, big cat incidents include, 4 human fatalities, 18 human injuries, 124 animal fatalities, 28 animal escapes & 222 confiscations. http://www.bigcatrescue.org/big_cat_news.htm
Enough of my soap box. Thanks for speaking out on this matter in an intelligent fashion.
Tarzan follow up stories
Even in Loxahatchee, a tiger isn't the right pet
Palm Beach Post Editorial
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Steve Sipek was right when he said that Bobo, his Bengal-Siberian tiger, "didn't have to die." But he's blaming the wrong people.
Just because state law has allowed people to keep big cats as pets doesn't mean it's a smart thing to do. And if Mr. Sipek was going to keep Bobo -- who weighed an estimated 600 pounds -- on his 4.71 acres in Loxahatchee, he had a responsibility to the animal and to the public to make sure it didn't get out.
On Monday, Bobo did. On Tuesday, as searchers went through the woods after 26 hours, the tiger apparently went at a state wildlife officer, who fired several shots. If that story is correct, the death is not the fault of the officer or the animal. The officer had to protect himself, and he was in that position only because of Mr. Sipek's irresponsibility. As for Bobo, it wasn't his fault, either. Such animals act on instinct. In the right mood, they might look huggable, but they are wild and potentially dangerous. Gail Laviola of Panther Ridge Sanctuary in Wellington, which also is home to a tiger, put it best: "They can be trained, but they can never be tamed."
If Mr. Sipek were applying today to have big cats on his property, he would be denied. He would need at least 5 acres. And if the state did grant someone permission to own or care for "dangerous animals," he or she would need a condition-use approval for the land from the county commission. Most likely, it wouldn't even get that far. In 1980, the state banned non-commercial ownership of dangerous animals. Mr. Sipek and a woman from Miami were owners before then, and the state let them keep their permits.
Strict regulation protects animals, not just neighbors. Private owners, no matter how much they might love their "pets," aren't up to the task. Mr. Sipek first speculated that an ex-girlfriend let Bobo loose. Then he changed his story, saying that intruders had done it. But whether he made a mistake that let the cat escape or someone else intentionally caused it, Mr. Sipek was at fault. Zoos or professionally managed sanctuaries with adequate staff are the proper alternative.
The tiger escaped in Loxahatchee, which despite rapid growth remains rural. Rural, though, doesn't mean that carnivorous cats can be shrugged off. The area's many horses fit the rural picture. A roaming tiger doesn't.
From Mr. Sipek's point of view, Bobo's escape ended in a tragedy. But the tragedy could have involved someone's child or a neighbor. Mr. Sipek chose the wrong pet, and he kept it in the wrong place.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/auto/epaper/editions/thursday/opinion_045fda7b a306102f00f8.html
Bobo casts shadow over ownership law
By Dwane RobinsonPalm Beach Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Former Tarzan actor Steve Sipek could buy 500 more Bengal-Siberian tigers today and not even notify the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission about it, according to the state's wildlife agency.
But this policy that would allow Sipek to obtain an endless amount of wild cats is not written anywhere, said Capt. Linda Harrison of the commission's law enforcement division.
Animal-rights groups have criticized Florida's laws and regulations affecting the possession of dangerous animals as pets, saying they are confusing, conflicting and ineffective.
Richard Graulich/Palm Beach Postenlarge
Mourners raise candles during a vigil Thursday night at Okeechobee Boulevard and C Road in Loxahatchee as they listen to former Tarzan actor Steve Sipek talk about his dead tiger, Bobo. The escaped tiger was killed Tuesday after allegedly lunging at a wildlife officer.
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POPULAR PAGES Florida is one of 20 states that bans the personal ownership of large cats such as Bobo, who was killed Tuesday after allegedly lunging after a wildlife officer who was assisting in the capture of the 600-pound tiger.Florida is "in its own separate category because the statutes are good, but the regulations are terrible," said Wayne Pacelle, chief executive of the Humane Society of the United States.
On Aug. 1, 1980, the state banned keeping 22 types of dangerous animals as pets, but gave an exemption to owners such as Sipek, who previously owned these animals.
But instead of limiting the ownership only to pre-1980 animals, as animal-rights groups say is typically done, state wildlife officials interpreted that the exemption extended to all new animals the licensed owners obtained, if the pets were within the same familial classification.
In Sipek's case, that means he can have more big cats, such as lions or tigers, but no bears or orangutans, since he did not own them prior to 1980. Harrison said the ban and the state policy are not confusing or contradicting, but it was for at least one wildlife official.
"I don't believe it's intended to cover additional animals that you would get," Charlie Shelfer, deputy general counsel for the wildlife agency, said after initially reading state regulations. However, he later backed the long-established policy.
Although a purpose of the wildlife agency is to discourage keeping the 22 most dangerous animals as pets, there is no notification process or automatic inspections when licensed owners continue to obtain these animals, Harrison said.
"We have no mechanisms for tracking individual animals," she said.
Harrison added that the state does have strict licensing requirements, affecting safety, caging and an owners' experience with these animals.
In related news, Gov. Jeb Bush was briefed on the incident by officials at the wildlife commission and the governor concluded the appropriate action was taken.
"The safety of the public is the first and utmost priority," said Jill Bratina, a Bush spokeswoman. "They took the appropriate steps to assure individuals, people and children in that area were protected. The animal at issue can pose an extreme danger to the public if not properly secured."
Staff writer Rochelle Brenner contributed to this story.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/loc al_news/epaper/2004/07/w1b_tarzan_0716.html
Candlelight vigil held for Bobo; angry crowd support owner
By Tal Abbady and Shahien Nasiripour
Sun-Sentinel
Posted July 16 2004LOXAHATCHEE -- For a few hours Thursday night, supporters gathered to pay a final tribute to Bobo, a Bengal tiger shot and killed Tuesday by a wildlife officer.
About 300 people attended a candlelight vigil a mile from owner Steve Sipek's home to express their love for the slain tiger and their anger with state wildlife authorities.
Armed with flowers and letters of support for Sipek, the crowd waved angry signs denouncing the actions of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.Mourners demanded to know why the tiger was shot, chanting, "We want justice. We want the truth."
"There's a bond between exotic cat lovers," said Jana Londre of Boca Raton, who owns large cats, including a lynx. "When one of us suffers, we all suffer. I'm just here to support Steve and his cat. We all want to know why did they have to shoot and kill Bobo?"
Sipek arrived about 30 minutes into the 8:30 p.m. vigil, surrounded by a crowd of well-wishers. As Sipek made his way through the maze of supporters, the alcohol-fueled crowd shouted things like, "Save a tiger, shoot a wildlife officer." A sign held high on Okeechobee Boulevard read, "Who attacked who! Cops or tiger? Tell us the truth!"
Sipek addressed the crowd, saying, "They killed Bobo because they wanted to kill Bobo. They didn't think we're a family, but this is what Loxahatchee is all about."
As he talked, he held up pictures of him and Bobo lying together in bed.
Sipek, a former actor who played Tarzan in movies, lives on a compound where he keeps a half-dozen large cats and has become a local curiosity.
Bobo escaped Monday afternoon and a team of wildlife officers and wildlife experts manned a search for the 6-year-old tiger that ended 26 hours later when the animal reportedly lunged at an officer.
Wildlife commission officials, besieged by the public outcry over Bobo's fate, refused to name the officer who shot Bobo because he has received death threats, officials said.
Authorities have said they may try to take Sipek's exotic animal license from him after this latest incident.
Bonnie Glover, a Loxahatchee resident since 1969, said, "These cats are taken better care of than some parents take care of their kids. I'm here because I'm angry with what wildlife did."
Wildlife authorities have an ongoing investigation of the shooting. Pathologists in Gainesville did a necropsy Thursday on Bobo.
Details from the necropsy done by specialists at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine were not available Thursday. The necropsy was ordered by the wildlife commission as part of its investigation, and after Sipek accused officers of a needless shooting.
The unnamed officer who shot the animal has been with the commission for more than three years, is highly regarded and has received several commendations, agency spokesman Willie Puz said.
David Hitzig, executive director of the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter, was with several wildlife officers near Bobo just before he heard shots fired. He said he heard the officer report by radio that Bobo, whom officers planned to tranquilize and capture, was approaching him.
When Hitzig arrived at the dead tiger's body moments later, he said the officer was badly shaken and reported that the tiger had growled and lunged at him. Hertzig said Bobo was shot at least once on the right side of his neck.
Tal Abbady can be reached at tabbady@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6624.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/hockey/panthers /sfl-cbobo16jul16,0,2013616.story?coll=sf la-sports-panthers
Questions mount as community mourns loss of Tarzan's tiger
LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. (AP) — Neighbors in this once-rural community on the outskirts of the booming South Florida suburbs said Wednesday that Bobo the 600-pound tiger lived quietly, like any other pet before he was killed.
Many in the community are outraged that Bobo was shot and killed rather than tranquilized.
Many in the animal-friendly area expressed outrage after Bobo was shot and killed Tuesday by a wildlife officer following a failed 26-hour hunt for his capture. The big cat escaped Monday from the five-acre home owned by Steve Sipek, who's known as Tarzan from his days starring in movies of the same name.
"We all want to cry because Bobo was a victim. They didn't have to shoot him," said Kim Smith, who lives on the edge of the search area where neighbors have held candlelight vigils and made signs and T-shirts that read "I love Bobo."
But others, including animal advocates, argue Bobo should never have been kept as a pet and that Sipek should lose his license to keep another tiger, a panther, a cougar and lions at his home.
"These animals do not belong in a backyard. They are a time bomb waiting to go off," said Wayne Pacelle, chief executive officer of the Humane Society of the United States. "It's bad for the cat. It's bad for the owner and it's bad for the community."
Exactly how Bobo escaped beyond a maze of interlocking cages, a 12-foot fence and a sign that reads, "Trespassers will be eaten," remains under investigation.
Sipek alleged that someone opened several gates so Bobo could escape. He also has accused wildlife authorities of abusing power when they killed Bobo, saying they should have used the tranquilizer guns they had on hand instead of the M-4 rifle.
"Bobo was shot in the right side of the face, which means Bobo was surprised and only had enough time to raise his head before they shot him," said Sipek, who described Bobo and his other cats as his children.
Authorities with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission question Sipek's claims, and insist they tried to recover the cat unharmed.
Just as officers approached to shoot him with a tranquilizer gun, Bobo turned, took an aggressive posture with his teeth bared — then lunged at an officer. FWC Major Brett Norton said the officer took about eight steps back to try to retreat safely before shooting him as a "last resort."
"He feared for his life. He's got a tiger snarling at him, ears back. He knows this tiger has attacked before and he opened fire," Norton said.
Bobo attacked a woman working inside his cage last year, fracturing her skull with his teeth and causing permanent damage.
FWC Lt. Charles Dennis said the agency has twice before recovered Sipek's escaped animals without harm, first a leopard in the mid-1980s and then a cougar in 1995.
Dennis said using the tranquilizer was not an option because it can take up to a minute or more to sedate a big cat like Bobo.
"In the amount of time it takes for that drug to take effect, you're dead," Dennis said.
The shooting is under investigation and a necropsy will be performed on Bobo before he's returned to Sipek. Authorities also are investigating whether Sipek can keep his license for his other cats, and whether he should pay for the massive 26-hour hunt for his escaped pet.
Norton said officials are looking into a claim that Sipek left his gate open.
Sipek says he developed his affection for big cats after one pulled him from a fire on a set more than 30 years ago, saving his life, and he promised then he would always rescue and take care of such animals if he recovered.
"I will not let them go. I will never give them up," he said, sitting about 10 feet from "Elvis," a lion who was napping in a cage.
But good intentions aren't enough to keep the animals, the owner and the community safe from harm, animal advocates say.
"These animals suffer greatly in captivity," said Lisa Wathne, captive exotic animal specialist for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. "They are relegated to extreme confinement, barren and boring conditions. And one of the side effects of that is they take any opportunity to escape, as Bobo did."
PETA estimates 15,000 tigers live as pets in the United States — more than the number living in the wild. Wathne said PETA believes animals like Bobo should be kept in accredited sanctuaries, with larger spaces to roam and experts "providing enrichment to minimize the boredom and the sterility of their lives in captivity."
Sipek's neighbors say they will rally to help him keep his remaining big cats.
"He's done nothing but good for these animals and the community is going to support Tarzan," said neighbor Nathan Hanson.
Jack Mitch, another neighbor, described Bobo as a well-known community celebrity.
"He was our mascot out here," Mitch said.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-07-14-tig er-community_x.htm
One-time Tarzan actor mourns after wildlife officer kills tiger
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Willie Puz on the escaped tiger (Sun-Sentinel multimedia producer Doug Phillps)
Jul 13, 2004 (RealAudio)By Luis F. Perez, Shahien Nasiripour and Akilah K. Johnson
Sun-SentinelJuly 14, 2004
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Former Tarzan insists he'll keep his tigers
By Joel Hood - South Florida Sun-Sentinel
July 14, 2007
Loxahatchee Groves Bo was in a bad mood.
The 400-pound Siberian Bengal tiger stalked angrily inside his shaded iron enclosure, finding little relief from the heat. Visitors watched him pace behind pencil-thin iron bars. Bo wanted nothing to do with them; he held them back with an irritated growl.
"It's too hot for him," owner Steve Sipek said, entering the cage with a small bucket of severed turkey legs. "He's a little cranky."
It's a mood that's spreading around the Sipek compound as the reclusive cat lover prepares for what has become a yearly battle with state and federal officials to keep his exotic felines: two Bengal tigers, an African lioness and a black leopard.
A year ago, federal inspectors denied Sipek an exotic animal permit to legally keep his cats because his five-acre ranch did not meet standards in the Animal Welfare Act. But the former B-movie actor, known around the Groves simply as "Tarzan," was granted a state permit that allowed him to keep the cats if he used them for educational or commercial purposes.
Sipek said he's reapplying for another state license, but remains defiant as ever toward federal officials and what he calls their"ridiculously high standards" for animal care. He said his cats are well cared for and challenges the authority of the federal officials to make any demands for better conditions. His last federal license inspection lasted less than an hour before Sipek ran the officials off his property.
"I told them to get the hell out of here and don't come back," Sipek said. "They have no authority to police me in my own home. Government likes to be the boss over everything. They're only in it to harass you."
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health division last toured Sipek's ranch in January 2006. The inspection and licensing arm of the USDA had given Sipek failing grades on two previous inspections and found conditions had improved little this time. Inspection records note that Sipek did not have a veterinarian on site or on call and that no medical records existed for the cats.
Inspectors found a section of fence was only seven-feet high, a foot lower than the minimum standards for these types of animals. They noted vertical gaps in the fencing large enough for outside animals to pass through to gain access to the enclosed tigers and lioness. They also pointed out other potential weak points in the fence.
Records show inspectors told Sipek that he did not provide a proper diet and feeding program for the cats and that his grounds were littered with dangerous debris. As with past failed inspectors, this record concludes that Sipek is not allowed to participate in USDA"regulated activities," such as exhibiting the animals, until he obtains a federal license.
Five months later, Sipek easily passed inspection by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and received a state license.
"We're not in it for the animal's health," said John West, the commission's investigations captain. "We don't need to see shot records or veterinarian records or anything like that. If he wants to live in a trash pile, that's his issue."
Sipek admits he's frustrated by this discrepancy in state and federal standards. While the state last year said he was a good guardian for the cats, the USDA launched an investigation into his care. USDA officials would not say whether the investigation is ongoing.
"It's a lousy situation," Sipek said. "The USDA is not qualified to issue licenses."
West agrees it's a confusing and complicated permit process and said the state has ongoing discussions with the USDA to simplify it.
The Croatian-born Sipek, who starred as Tarzan in a foreign remake of the film in 1970, garnered international attention in 2004 when a 600-pound Bengal tiger he owned, Bobo, escaped from his compound and into the rural residential community of the Groves. The tiger was later shot by Fish and Wildlife officials, but soon after, Sipek received another commercial license from the state for two tiger cubs, Bo and Little Bo. Those cubs are now 2 years old and weigh 400 pounds.
USDA spokesman Jim Rogers said federal licenses trump state permits, meaning that Sipek could face legal action if the agency wanted to
prosecute him for illegally owning exotic cats. Rogers would not comment on Sipek's case specifically, but said "if he's operating in a
way that we regulate without a license, we will pursue it."
If they do, Sipek could face fines or a court appearance. But he said he's not worried.
"Nobody could take better care of my cats than I can," Sipek said."The health of the cats is all that matters. That's all I care about and that's all they should care about, too."
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-flpcat0714pnjul14,0,4576283.storySee an interactive online map of exotic cat owners . See people being stupid with big cats, endangering themselves and others HERE . See the awful conditions that many captive cats endure HERE .
Tarzan Buys New Tiger Cubs After State Shoots His Escaped Pet Tiger
LOXAHATCHEE -- Steve Sipek still wears grief like a heavy overcoat a year after a wildlife officer shot and killed his escaped tiger, Bobo , igniting a torrent of outrage.
His massive shoulders sag. His bright-blue eyes suddenly shed tears.
But just as suddenly, the retired actor who played Tarzan in B movies brightens and sings a ditty he wrote about the two new loves in his life:
Bo and Little Bo.
The 3-month-old tiger cubs are asleep on the floor when Sipek cracks open the door of his jungle-motif bedroom and coos like the proudest of new papas.
"Where are Daddy's kisses?" he asks, bending to nuzzle the fur balls. "Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?"
Bo and Little Bo -- Bengal-Siberian mixes like their beloved namesake -- are lifelines pulling Sipek back from the depths of despair. They are not unlike the lion that rescued him from a burning movie set 35 years ago, kindling his love affair with exotic cats.
The 26-pound cubs also are ready for showtime as the star attractions of Tarzan's Big Cat Sanctuary, Sipek's latest plan to fill the gaping hole in his heart.
Unable to obtain more big cats under an old personal pet license last issued by the state in 1980, Sipek applied for and recently received a state license to exhibit exotic wildlife. That allowed him to buy Bo and Little Bo for $3,200. He's still working on getting a federal license.
But there's another hitch. He says he must open his 5-acre compound in the secluded Palm Beach County neighborhood of Loxahatchee Groves to the public, inviting in the very beings he has spent much of his life avoiding:
People.
"I have no choice," he said. "I have to, or else I lose my license."
The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, which objects to any private person keeping exotic cats in backyard cages, says Sipek is wrong. Noting there are no legal requirements for exhibitors to actually show their cats, the foundation says he is simply using a loophole in the law to obtain more personal pets.
"Lots of people get the exhibition license, and they fulfill that by having a few people come in and look at the animals," said Heather Veleanu, managing direction of the foundation. "They do it by inviting their neighbors or their brothers and sisters over."
Sipek, who also owns a lioness, a Bengal tiger and a black leopard, readily admits he's a reluctant exhibitor. But he says he'll do whatever he must to keep his new cubs. In the meantime, he's working on a Web site, jungleworld.org , where would-be visitors can learn more information.
It's a classic Catch-22 for a self-described loner who has felt betrayed by those closest to him.
After all, Sipek prefers the company of big-fanged felines that could kill with a single pounce to humans, who he says have caused him nothing but heartache during his 63 years.
His mother, he says, orphaned him in his native Croatia as a baby and then reclaimed him when he was 8, only to beat him regularly. He says he hasn't talked to his son in a year.
And he has had nothing but bad luck with his ex-wives and girlfriends who, he says, have left him, his cats and his granite and marble house behind.
"Cats are the only creatures who love you forever, who are loyal forever," he said. "You never have to wonder if they betray you."
'They murdered my Bobo'
Sipek suspects an angry former girlfriend coaxed Bobo out of the house and left a series of cages and gates open the afternoon of July 12, 2004, when the 600-pound cat greeted a startled mail carrier on C Road with a swipe of his declawed paw.
Within hours, C Road became a media roadshow, with live images from the fringes of the intensive hunt for Bobo beamed around the world. The next day, five shots rang out just beyond Sipek's compound, and Bobo fell dead.
Prosecutors found no evidence that Sipek was responsible for the cat's getting loose.
Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission called the shooting a necessary tragedy by an officer left with no other option. While the officer waited for a tranquilizer team, the big cat whirled around, bared his teeth and lunged, they said.
But an inconsolable Sipek called the shooting "murder," insisting the brush above Bobo's body was undisturbed, an impossibility had the big cat really turned and leapt.
"They murdered my Bobo ," he wailed in grief at the time. "They want the glory. They want to say, 'We killed the tiger. We saved the people.' "
His pain and outrage struck a chord, generating songs, poems, paintings, bumper stickers and vigils in Bobo's memory. It also unleashed such a torrent of hate mail and threats against the wildlife commission that biologists were encouraged not to wear their uniforms in public.
Consumed by grief, Sipek retreated behind his gates, only to face more misfortune. A week after Bobo's death, an electrical fire badly damaged his house. Then, in September, his cougar Missy died, and hurricanes Frances and Jeanne finished off what the fire started. The final kick came the next month, when his lion Elvis succumbed to old age.
For the next eight months, Sipek ricocheted between rage and grief and the desire for revenge. He didn't recognize neighbors who dropped by with food or a helping hand. He quit his daily swims and exercises, adding 35 pounds to his once astonishingly fit physique.
He relied on a retinue of women who, drawn by the former movie star's pain and the magnetism of his big cats, donated countless hours to help him get his place and his self back in shape. Four of them still come around regularly, happy to take Sipek's tall orders --"hot and sweaty guy-work with lots of tools" -- to be around him and his cats, especially the new cubs.
"Seeing him on TV so distressed broke my heart," Kathi Carchia, a volunteer from Wellington, said while taking a break from fixing a pool filter. "Definitely, there's been a big change in him since the babies came."
35-year love affair with cats
Sipek's romance with big cats began in 1970, while filming Tarzan and the Rainbow, one of two movies in which he portrayed the ape man he had worshipped since watching Johnny Weissmuller in the role as a boy. But his life changed forever when he was captured and staked to the ground for one scene and fire broke out, engulfing Sipek in flames.
Sipek, who went by the stage name Steve Hawkes, knew he would die, until Samson, a lion who also starred in the film, dragged him to safety. From then on, he devoted his life to caring for big cats, many of them maimed discards from breeders and zoos.
To date, he said, he has spent more than $7 million of his movie-industry revenues on 102 cats who shared his home like children.
But none, Sipek reluctantly allows, was quite as special as Bobo . The bond between man and beast was so strong, the 6-year-old tiger would suck Sipek's thumb like a pacifier before climbing in his bed to sleep.
So, Sipek said, he agonized over whether Bobo would approve of his acquiring two new cubs: "Would he think I was abandoning him in death? Would he think I didn't love him anymore?" he asked
Sipek, who visits Bobo's elaborate grave marked by a headstone and statues of lions, giraffes and elephants, twice a day, found his answer after a calico house cat crawled through a hole in the garage apartment where Sipek has lived while his house is repaired.
Fearful the big cats would maul the little cat, he gave the stray away. Weeks later an identical -- but different -- calico crawled through the same hole and stayed. For Sipek, it was a sign.
"It had to be," he said. "Two identical cats found the same hole. That was too much for me."
Laissez-faire neighbors
Some of Sipek's neighbors say his expanding menagerie is too much even for live-and-let-live Loxahatchee Groves, 12.5 square miles of large homesteads, nurseries, stables and a nudist colony where animals -- horses, dogs, cats, ostriches and emus -- still outnumber people.
Backdoor neighbor Kim McLain, citing Bobo's escape and his 2002 mauling of a woman who let herself into Sipek's property, said Sipek hasn't shown himself responsible enough to keep wild animals.
But the majority seem to enjoy having the king of iconoclasts in their iconoclastic neighborhood.
"I actually like it," said Richard Harkleroad, a painter who lives nearby. "In the morning I can hear the animals roar."
And now, on occasion, a rejuvenated Sipek will join them, letting loose an unmistakable Tarzan yell.
Maya Bell can be reached at 305-810-5003 or mbell@orlandosentinel.com .
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-asec21tigers05aug21,0,3205327.story?page=2&coll=orl-home-headlines
Dear Maya Bell
Orlando Sentinel
What a shame that so many people are being deceived into feeling sorry for Sipek, when he is the reason the tiger was shot. His desire to have a "chick magnet" to get stupid women to do his dirty work for him all these years and his desire to feel power over a chained, cage creature has caused 102 cats to die as his pets. Exotic cats live for 20 years; how could so many be dead?
Shortly after the Bobo incident he had one of these women, who identified herself as Cindy, call Big Cat Rescue and ask us to take his adult cats because he wanted to buy more baby tigers. We don't provide a dumping ground to enable people to continue being irresponsible and low and behold, the ones he wanted to get rid of have died and he gets to be seen as the victim by you and your paper. It makes me so mad, I could spit.
You also failed to mention that just two days ago a 17 year old girl, also drawn by a Tarzan type with big cats, was mauled to death posing with the cat for her photo. http://www.bigcatrescue.org/big_cat_news_files/2005/17yroldkilledbytiger.htm
Now THAT is sad.
Tarzan the tiger collector adopts 2 cubs
Steve Sipek, who owned a tiger that was fatally shot, plans a zoo at his home.
By Shahien Nasiripour | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Posted June 23, 2005
LOXAHATCHEE -- Tarzan's got two new tiger cubs.
Bo and Little Bo, 6-week-old Bengal-Siberian tigers, arrived at former B-movie Tarzan Steve Sipek's compound Friday.
Sipek is best known as the man who owned Bobo , the 600-pound declawed Bengal tiger that was fatally shot by a state wildlife officer in July after it escaped from his home.
Sipek bought the cubs from an exotic-cats breeding center north of Orlando for $3,200.
Despite losing his state license to own tigers as pets, Sipek said he found a loophole that allowed him to own more: a commercial license.
He applied for the license, an annual permit that requires him to operate a business in which he exhibits the animals, and was approved last month.
Sipek now has the two male cubs to go along with a 15-year-old Bengal Tiger named Princess, a leopard named Oko and Steffi the lioness.
He may get more.
Sipek plans to open his home as a zoo, he said. It was the only way the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission would let him own another tiger, he said.
"Tarzan's Big Cat Sanctuary" is scheduled to open in six weeks, he said. Visitors will be able to schedule tours of the compound with Sipek by logging on to his soon-to-be-created Web site. Visitors will be led through Sipek's home and along the series of intricately designed cages. They also will be able to have their pictures taken with Bo and Little Bo.
Neighbors seem to be happy for him.
"If I had little kids, I might be a little nervous," said Gene Melchiori, who lives behind Sipek. "If I see them in my yard, I won't go out and poke them with a stick, but his cats are usually friendly."
Despite Sipek's portrayal of the state wildlife commission as being in an adversarial role, the agency supports him too.
"We look at him the same as we would any other applicant," state wildlife spokesman Willie Puz said. "There are certain criteria that need to be met, and so far he's met them."
Shahien Nasiripour is a reporter for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, a Tribune Publishing newspaper.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orl-locbobo23062305jun23,0,1568056.story?coll=orl-news-headlines
FL Bengal tiger escapes from cage
Officers use tranquilizer darts to capture Tristan
By Akilah Johnson
Staff Writer
Posted February 27 2005
A 500-pound tiger escaped from its cage at Panther Ridge Sanctuary in Wellington and trotted around its compound sniffing at horses for more than two hours Saturday before wildlife officers captured it, officials said.
About 9:40 a.m., a woman feeding Tristan didn't latch the cage completely, and the Bengal tiger pushed past her and escaped, officials said. Tristan's owner, called 911.
More than 20 Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies and state wildlife officers arrived at 14755 Palm Beach Pointe Blvd. By noon, wildlife officers -- with the help of David Hitzig, executive director Jupiter's Busch Wildlife Sanctuary -- were able to tranquilize the tiger and return it to its cage, Willie Puz, a Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman, said.
Two tranquilizer darts were be used because the first had little effect, Puz said. The second dart startled Tristan, making the cat take a couple of quick steps, Puz said. But the tiger didn't run, and its actions weren't much of a threat, he said.
Then, 4-year-old Tristan became groggy, lay down and went to sleep, he said.
Tristan's escape reminded many of an incident seven months ago, when a 600-pound Bengal tiger named Bobo escaped from his cage and his compound in Loxahatchee. Bobo was on the loose for 26 hours before he was shot dead by a Conservation Commission officer, who said the cat lunged at him while he was waiting for other officers to arrive with a tranquilizer gun.
During Tristan's two-hour jaunt Saturday, the cat approached several horses on the 10-acare property, which is both a refuge for abused, neglected or abandoned cats and a horse farm.
"The horse kind of kicked at it, and the tiger said, `I don't want any part of this' and just walked away," Puz, said.
Judy Berens, Tristan's owner, was cited for escaped captive wildlife, a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by 60 days in jail or a $500 fine. This was her first infraction, Puz said.
Berens could not be reached for comment despite attempts by phone.
According to the sanctuary's Web site, Panther Ridge has 16 large cats, including Amos, a black leopard, and Eros and China , two spotted leopards. Some were left with her; others Berens bought because she felt they weren't being taken care of properly.
A German film crew doing a documentary about how easy it is to buy exotic animals in the United States bought Tristan but was unable to find a qualified zoo to adopt the tiger when the film was completed, according to the Web site.
Tristan never made it outside of the sanctuary's perimeter fence or came in contact with the public Saturday, but officials didn't take any chances.
"If a wild animal gets out of its cage there's a potential for anything," Puz said. "Even for the people who were in the compound."
The sanctuary provides tours, but it was unclear Saturday if one was taking place when Tristan escaped.
There were sheriff's deputies and wildlife officers with rifles inside and outside the perimeter fence in case the tiger ran or got out of the fence, officials said.
The incident with Bobo created a public furor. Bobo's owner, former B-movie Tarzan Steve Sipek, accused the officer of killing the declawed cat unnecessarily, claiming the officer panicked and disputing the officer's account of Bobo lunging at him.
Commission officers around the state where threatened after the shooting, something Puz said has sense subsided. He got his last piece of hate mail about Christmas, he said.
Akilah Johnson can be reached at akjohnson@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6645.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/ news/local/palmbeach/sfl-ptiger27feb27,0,6619459.s tory?coll=sfla-news-palm
Exotic pets dwelling closer to home
By Mark Schwed, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Sunday, July 18, 2004
For two years, Antoine Yates kept a 400-pound tiger named Ming in his small N ew York City apartment -- until the tiger mauled him and sent him to the hospital with serious injuries.
In Colton , Calif. , state officials raided a former animal trainer's ranch and found 39 tigers, including 11 cubs hidden in a crawl space in the attic, and 58 dead tiger and lion cubs stuffed in his freezer.
New Jersey officials gunned down an escaped tiger, only to find he belonged to a woman who was keeping 29 of the beasts in her back yard.
And today a public funeral is scheduled for Bobo, the 600-pound Siberian-Bengal mix who escaped from his owner's compound in rural Loxahatchee, only to be shot and killed by a wildlife officer who said he feared for his life. Bobo was buried Saturday in a private service.
What in the world is going on with all these tigers?
Quite simply, a population explosion of one of the most magnificent creatures on the planet, and one of the most endangered. But this mating marathon isn't happening in the wild, it's in America , especially Florida .
According to the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, there are now 15,000 captive tigers in the private sector, three times the number of wild tigers in Africa and Asia combined, more tigers than people know what to do with.
"Virtually every day I get a call from someone who wants to get rid of a tiger or big cat," says Carole Lewis, 43, who has 150 of the beasts at her Big Cat Rescue in Tampa . "I turned away 312 last year. The problem is that number is doubling every year. It's getting worse and worse. It's insane. It's reached a crisis point."
Even though Florida has an outright ban on possessing tigers as personal pets, the state now has 1,455 registered tigers, a 50 percent increase in 15 months and second only to Texas in the nation. Florida also has 262 U.S. Department of Agriculture-licensed exhibitors for big cats, more than any other state. And wildlife activists say there are now more tiger breeders in the state than anywhere else.
Dangers of the business
Florida is on its way to becoming the tiger capital of the world.
"It's downright scary," says Linda Howard, a captive wildlife specialist who keeps track of big cat populations in America . "Those 1,455 registered tigers are the legal ones. It doesn't include people possessing them illegally. It's shocking."
And dangerous. In the past five years, nine people have been mauled to death by big cats in the United States . Just last year, three people were killed, 14 were injured and hundreds of the animals either escaped or were confiscated from their owners, according to the Humane Society of the United States .
"These are highly endangered species," says Kim Haddad, a veterinarian and manager of the Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition. "Yet in this country we're breeding them in the back yard and selling them like cats and dogs. It's dangerous for people and inhumane for the animals."
Hogwash, says Randy Davies, 43, of Phoenix , who's been selling exotic animals for 20 years and now operates the www.wildanimalworld.com Web site. "Over the years, we've saved every animal you see in a zoo -- elephants, giraffes, tigers. The only way they're going to survive is if we keep them breeding and have places to put them."
The exotic animal trade is a $15 billion worldwide business and it's flourishing. Primates, venomous snakes, elephants, giraffes, lions, bears and tigers -- all are for sale, wildlife experts say. There are 1,000 sites on the Internet that offer exotic animals.
These days, animal experts say you can pick up a cuddly tiger cub for $300, half the price of a Shih Tzu dog. A cougar costs even less.
Wayne Pacelle, chief executive of the Humane Society of the United States , says people buy them for all sorts of reasons. "They eat them, they shoot them, they keep them as pets," he says. "It's a whole underworld that is operating in the U.S. that victimizes literally tens of millions of animals a year."
Jim Lolli, 55, of the Lolli Brothers Livestock Market in Macon , Mo. , has been auctioning and selling exotic animals since 1978. "I haven't sold a tiger at auction for 20 years," he says. "But there are a lot of people who do it. There's a huge black market. I've had people say they sold a tiger to someone to shoot. It's illegal. It's as bad as selling cocaine."
Or is it?
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Vernon Yates Wildlife Rescue a Vernon Yates Wildlife Rescue and Rehab 2
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In 2008 Vernon Yates was dragging his wagons full of pacing tigers in a parade and the crowd boo'd him to the point that he was told he is no longer welcome. The times are a changing...
Vernon Yates refers to his own family as belonging on the Jerry Springer show.
Family dispute turns deadly
After deputies shot the husband with a Taser, he pulls a gun. The deputies shoot, killing him.
Published January 13, 2006 A Pinellas County sheriff's deputy investigates the scene of Thursday's shooting at 1438 Chesterfield Drive in Clearwater . An apparent domestic dispute turned deadly when deputies shot a man who pulled a gun.
Deborah K. Yates and her husband were fighting when deputies responded to a 911 call.
DUNEDIN - Sheriff's deputies trying to break up a struggle between a husband and wife Thursday shot and killed the man and apparently wounded his wife by accident, authorities said.
Pinellas County sheriff's deputies heard screams from the couple's home at 1438 Chesterfield Drive as they responded to a 10:31 a.m. 911 hangup call.
Borrowing a neighbor's ladder, four deputies climbed over the home's fence where they found Donald R. Yates, 45, and Deborah K. Yates, 42, fighting in the corner of a screened room at the back of their home.
Mrs. Yates was behind her husband during the struggle, sheriff's spokesman Mac McMullen said, and the couple did not respond to commands from the deputies. Standing 3 to 4 feet away, Deputy Jason Stibbard hit Donald Yates with a Taser.
The Taser forced Donald Yates away from his wife. That's when he pointed a .40-caliber Glock semiautomatic handgun at deputies, McMullen said.
From 6 feet away, Deputy Christine Smith and Deputy Christopher White saw the gun pointed at them and feared for their lives, McMullen said.
They fired eight rounds from their .45-caliber handguns. Donald Yates was struck several times in the legs and torso. Mrs. Yates was struck in the left leg.
McMullen said Donald Yates did not fire his weapon. It appeared that two of the deputies' rounds struck Mrs. Yates, he said.
The shooting took place in a quiet middle class neighborhood of well-kept, well-landscaped ranch homes near the Toronto Blue Jay's spring training complex. The Yates' home has wind chimes and a little windmill in the front yard and firewood stacked in front of the garage.
Neighbors said they heard the shots about 10:45 a.m.
"I opened the door, and there was an army out here," said Marcia Patton, 52. "I heard Debbie screaming. Then I heard pop-pop-pop-pop-pop."
The couple was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg where Donald Yates died and Deborah Yates was listed in serious condition late Thursday, McMullen said.
McMullen said it appears Deborah Yates was trying to prevent her husband from killing himself.
Both deputies who fired their weapons were placed on nondisciplinary paid administrative leave, McMullen said. A fourth deputy, Cpl. John Davis, was injured climbing over the fence.
None of the deputies have been involved in a shooting before, according to McMullen.
In the past six months, deputies have responded to three calls at the Yates residence. In July, they responded for a report of family trouble. In October, they responded to a reported battery. Information on a third incident in November wasn't released.
local wildlife trapper Vernon Yates. He liked to play the tough guy but would give you the shirt off his back if he liked you. Or he could be your worst nightmare if he didn't. "If you look at the family tree it's a Jerry Springer show," Vernon Yates said.
Deborah Yates entered the family in 1980 when she married another of Yates' brothers, Richard Lee Yates. She was 16, he was 17. They divorced three years later but were remarried in 1992. The marriage ended for good in November 1998.
The couple has two sons, Richard Lee Yates Jr. 24, and Alfred Michael Yates, 11.
In February 2004, Deborah Yates married Donald Yates, her former husband's brother. It was Donald Yates' third marriage. He has a son and two daughters from his first two marriages.
Donald Yates worked at a dental lab in Oldsmar. After a heart attack about 10 years ago, Vernon Yates said Donald Yates decided to live for today because there may not be a tomorrow.
He bought a couple of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and had his girls decked out in leather Harley garb while they were still toddlers.
His other joy was his 1970 Monte Carlo .
Still, trouble found its way to 1438 Chesterfield Drive . The call deputies responded to Oct. 25 was to arrest Deborah Yates after she hit her son Richard with a fist and plastic telephone, according to records. She pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear in court on that charge March 15.
Vernon Yates doesn't believe his brother was suicidal. All the Yates boys have gun collections in their homes, he said. Donald Yates seemed fine when they spoke just before Christmas, Vernon Yates said, and his brother loved his kids and his motorcycles.
He said his sympathies went out to his nieces and the sheriff's deputies who fired.
"Donald, I'm sure, had the option to put the gun down and he didn't," he said.
Mrs. Yates skates with the family's grade school-aged daughters, neighbors said. The family has four dogs, including two bloodhounds, three birds and two ferrets.
"They loved their animals, they were very good to their animals and their children; the kids got everything they wanted," said neighbor Sherri Pauline, 59. "And if you needed anything, Don was there to help you."
Times staff writer Jacob H. Fries and researcher Carolyn Edds contributed to this report.
http://www.stpetersburgtimes.com/2006/01/13/Northpinellas/Family_dispute_turns_.shtml
http://www.bigcatrescue.org/bigcat exhibition.htm#VernonYates
Tiger cub found along Florida interstate
WTVT's Stan Jason reports on this unusual find
December 28, 1998
Web posted at: 10:36 p.m. EST (0336 GMT)
LARGO, Florida (CNN) -- A Siberian tiger cub spent the weekend recuperating in a sanctuary for rescued animals after the rare feline was discovered by a couple driving on a Florida interstate.
The motorists spotted the cat walking alongside U.S. 275 in Pasco County about three miles north of a rest stop on Friday. Fearing a car might hit the cub, they caught it and called the Florida Fresh Water Fish and Game Commission.
A Chiefland family reported the cub missing several hours later. They told authorities the tiger was being transported by a relative when it apparently escaped a cage inside a horse trailer and then fell or jumped.
The 50-pound (23-kilogram), 5-month-old tiger was en route from Gibsonton, 25 miles south of Tampa , to Chiefland in Levy County .
Tiger will get vet checkup
A wildlife officer alerted Vernon Yates of the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Largo , which has about 40 big cats . Yates, who cares for animals that have been abused or abandoned, took in the cub, named "Jimmy."
On Monday, wildlife officers planned to send the tiger to a veterinarian, saying it had sores that didn't appear to be from a fall onto the roadway.
"There's no real injuries like you expect if it dropped out the back of a trailer," said Yates. There were some small sores and some bigger sores that had already formed a scab, he said. Otherwise the cat appeared to be healthy.
The Fresh Water Fish and Game Commission is investigating. Authorities say the driver faces charges related to the improper transport of an animal resulting in escape.
http://www.cnn.com/US/9812/28/fringe/tiger.cub/
Buzz on Hunter's Green panther turns to roar
Though a trapper finds no evidence of a Florida panther or escaped cougar, more residents say they have seen it and parents continue to keep their children inside.
By DAVID PEDREIRA
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 5, 2000
HUNTER'S GREEN -- The legend of the Hunter's Green panther continues to grow, but the trapper charged with snaring the elusive beast remains a skeptic.
There are no tracks and no photographic evidence, said Vernon Yates, a Seminole-based trapper who agreed to try to catch the phantom cat at no charge to the community.
A rooster Yates put in a trap out in the woods more than a week ago to lure the big cat is still crowing away every morning. If a panther were lose, Yates thinks the bird would be in its stomach by now.
"If he was a wild cat, he would shred that trap," Yates said. "There's just no hard-core evidence right now."
A lack of proof hasn't stopped the panther buzz running through Hunter's Green.
Many residents are still keeping their children indoors as new sightings get traded from community to community.
Saturday, another resident of tony Heritage Oaks saw a large cat near a pond on the Hunter's Green golf course. Later in the week, another sighting allegedly occurred at the Vinings apartment complex.
Every time the cat is seen, Yates said, it grows in size and menace. One resident swore the animal topped out at 180 pounds.
"It's getting bigger," said Yates, who runs Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation. "But so far, we've only caught a possum."
Ann Johnson, manager of the Hunter's Green Community Association, said all the people who reported seeing the animal are credible witnesses. The association has told all its residents to stay alert, she said.
"Some people think it's a panther, some people think it's a cougar," Johnson said. "For the most part, people are anxious for us to get the cat contained."
The Florida panther, or Felis concolor, is one of the most endangered large cats in the world. It is a relative of the western mountain lion.
Panthers, also known as cougars, mountain lions or pumas, usually don't roam north of Highlands County .
State wildlife officials have visited Hunter's Green several times in the last few weeks to look for traces of the big beast.
"We still haven't verified what it is," said Mike Cundiff, a wildlife officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Yates believes the animal is either a bobcat or a jaguarundi, a south American cat introduced to Florida in the 1940s. He plans to pull up his traps by the end of the weekend if the animal doesn't appear again.
"If someone had a picture of it today, it would be a different story," Yates said.
* * *
-- David Pedreira can be reached at (813) 226-3463 or pedreira@sptimes.com.
http://www.stpetersburgtimes.com/News/050500/Northoftampa/Buzz_on_Hunter_s_Gree.shtml
Rising from the bait, rooster now a pet
After the bird languishes in a panther trap for a month, pitying subdivision neighbors bring about its removal.
By MELANIE AVE
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 27, 2000
TAMPA -- The white-feathered rooster was living in a cage in New Tampa, bait for a phantom panther.
But it was the trapper who got caught.
Someone felt the rooster wasn't living the good life of his neighbors in the Hunter's Green subdivision. There was an anonymous complaint, officials came to take away the bird and the trapper ended up accused of neglect.
"We have no problem with trappers leaving their bait," said Sgt. Lois Wimsett, investigations supervisor with Hillsborough County Animal Services. "But they can't leave them to emaciate and suffer while they're waiting to be eaten by a panther. That's inhumane."
On Friday, the rooster, unnamed but described as "friendly" in an animal control report, sat in an air-conditioned pen alongside barking stray dogs at the county pound. He was waiting to go to his new home, a farm with a roomy chicken coop with plenty of sawdust and hand-mixed feed.
And trapper Vernon Yates of Seminole was fuming.
Yates said he did not mistreat the rooster and wants to know why it was seized after he left it in the care of two Hunter's Green residents.
"I don't think they ought to make the statement that I was neglecting it," Yates said.
The saga of the rooster began in April.
A Hunter's Green resident saw what she thought was a panther frolicking in her back yard. Weeks later, a neighbor saw a similar large cat as she pulled into her driveway. Another neighbor saw it drinking from a golf course pond.
It has been seen several other times, as recently as last weekend near the Vinings apartment complex.
While no one had seen tracks or photographed the elusive beast, a skeptical Yates agreed to take the case.
"I told them I'd bring the trap and wouldn't charge them if they agreed to feed" the rooster, he said. "They agreed to do it."
Yates said he told one of the Hunter's Green women that the rooster could "eat just about anything": corn, bread or meat.
For about a month, the rooster waited at one end of the trap, about 4 feet long. He was separated from the main trapping chamber by wire mesh. He had a feed and water bowl.
The rooster attracted two opossums and a raccoon, but no panther.
Wimsett, the animal services supervisor, said her department received an anonymous report May 15 about a confined chicken "without sufficient food, water or exercise." Animal services left a note on the trap.
A day passed, and Wimsett said she heard nothing from the rooster's owner. So an officer took the rooster, in good condition but a little hot and underweight, to the animal shelter on Falkenburg Road .
After 10 days without word from the rooster's owner, Wimsett let Hillsborough County Animal Services employee Linda Smith adopt the rooster. Wimsett said she may cite Yates for abandonment or neglect.
When Yates finally learned his rooster was gone, he drove to Hunter's Green and collected his trap.
"The game commission, everybody, knew that chicken was there," he said. "If they had a problem, they knew how to get ahold of me."
Yates is not going to try to get his rooster back.
"To hell with them," he said. "As long as the chicken's being cared for, I don't care."
Friday afternoon, Smith prepared to take home the rooster, whom she calls "sweetie" and "pretty boy." He will be cock of the walk on her 2.5-acre Wimauma farm with 16 chickens, six goats, two cats, three dogs, one guinea pig and one quarter horse.
"I just couldn't stand to see him euthanized," said Smith. "I thought, "Hey, I've got room for one more animal.' "
-- Melanie Ave can be reached at (813) 226-3473 or melanie@sptimes.com .
http://www.sptimes.com/News/052700/T ampaBay/Rising_from_the_bait_.shtml
This pictured appeared in today's St. Petersburg Times.
For vehicle security, get The Cub
[Times photo: Dirk Shadd]
Nen-Nen, a 200-pound, 14-month-old Siberian tiger, waits in the truck of her owner, Vernon Yates, who was attending to another matter. Yates, the director of Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, was called to Atlantic Auto Repair in St. Petersburg to assist in the removal of a 6-foot snake from a car. Nen-Nen provided nothing but moral support.
I would have given anything to see the look on the poor Parking Enforcement Officer's face when they passed this vehicle on their rounds!
Phil Oropesa
One 4th Street North
St. Petersburg , FL 33713http://www.expo1000.com/parking/contest/cub.htm
The article below had a photo of Vernon Yates with his baby white tigers on his boat.
http://www.bigcatrescue.org/white_ tigers.htm
An unnatural fate
St. Petersburg Times; St. Petersburg , Fla. ; May 27, 2001; LINDA GIBSON;
Abstract:
[Janie], a white Siberian tiger; Taking a cruise last weekend on Lake Seminole are, cubs Teddy and Emily, 5 months and about 75 pounds, and Nini, 11 months and 150 pounds, with owner [Vernon Yates], and his girlfriend Tina Pennington.; This tiger cub,; one of a litter of three - she yellow, the other two white males - was born in December at Wild Bill's Airboat Tours and Wildlife Sanctuary in Inverness.; [Susan MacKay] of Inverness holds a Siberian tiger cub; Photo: PHOTO, JILL SAGERS, (2); PHOTO, STEVE HASEL, (2)
On Jan. 6, the St. Petersburg Times ran a picture of an Inverness woman bottle-feeding a couple of 4-week-old tiger cubs, who at that age were cute enough to soften the hardest heart.
The photo featured Susan MacKay, who along with her husband, Bill, runs Wild Bill's Airboat Tours and Wildlife Sanctuary in Citrus County , where they breed tigers.
Readers probably assumed cubs at the sanctuary would stay there for a safe, comfortable life. In reality, they are for sale. And their futures, particularly those of the distinctive-looking white tiger cubs, are fraught with hazard.
Until a few years ago, white tiger cubs were one of the hottest commodities in the wildlife trade. People who work with captive wildlife say a blue-eyed white cub could fetch a price of $50,000 or more.
High prices encouraged frenzied breeding. Females can give birth to litters of two to three cubs up to three times a year. The result is a glut of tiger cubs, both white and yellow. Predictably, prices have plunged. Below is white tiger at Wild Bill's.
"They were rare. Now everybody's got them," said Mitchel Kalmanson, an insurance broker in Maitland who specializes in animal and entertainment coverage. "Values have dropped so drastically on white tigers they're not worth insuring anymore."
Now that their dollar value has plummeted, their prospects are gloomy.
Exact numbers are impossible to obtain, but owners of wildlife sanctuaries say there are far more cubs available than suitable places for them to live. Some are bought by people who think they can make pets of them. Sellers often encourage this misperception.
"They get sold to somebody who may be buying them with some degree of innocence," said Lynn Cuny , founder of Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation in Boerne , Texas . "They'll be given a false bill of goods about how these animals will behave. People really believe that in 10 generations you can breed out millions of years of being an elusive carnivore."
Cuny says she knows of one dealer who tells potential buyers the animals will remain tame if they're not fed red meat.
The quest for valuable cubs led to inbreeding of mothers with sons, brothers with sisters. As a result, many white tiger cubs are born with deformities of the eyes, organs, skeletons or digestive tracts. Because of those conditions, "They have absolutely no conservation value whatsoever," said Ronald Tilson, a Minnesota Zoo executive who coordinates the American Zoo and Aquarium Association's species survival plan for tigers.
In nature, white tigers are rare. Both parents must carry a recessive gene for that color. Normal tiger behavior in the the wild prevents the kind of inbreeding necessary to produce white cubs.
Once captive-bred cubs are grown and become problems for private owners, they face even bleaker prospects. Most zoos and circuses breed their own cats. Sanctuaries already are full of castoffs and routinely turn down people who offer to donate the tigers they bought as cubs.
"We had to turn away 311 cats last year, mostly lions and tigers," said Carole Baskin, founder of Big Cat Rescue, a sanctuary for big cats in north Hillsborough County .
So what happens when the owners can no longer handle them?
"They end up in roadside zoos where they'll probably live a wretched life," Tilson said.
"If they're lucky, people might call a vet and arrange a humane death," Cuny said.
Janie's story is an example of what can happen to a white tiger cub.
When she arrived in 1997 at Vernon Yates' of Seminole, she was 4 years old and should have weighed about 400 pounds.
She weighed 100 pounds.
"Janie could hardly hold her head up," Yates said. "You know what a greyhound looks like? You could see her ribs. We didn't even have to hold her down to put an IV in her."
Janie's owner, Bruce Eisenmann, sent her to Yates on orders from an inspector with the state Wildlife Commission. She was one of three tigers in Eisenmann's possession in Alva, near Fort Myers . The inspector found the cats after a neighbor complained. All were emaciated, with hairless patches of skin and open sores, according to wildlife commission records.
Through his company, Tiger Rescue Foundation, Eisenmann got the tigers to display at schools, churches, nursing homes and civic associations. In June 1997, he pleaded no contest to a charge of animal cruelty and was put on probation.
Yates said Eisenmann told him the tigers had been ill.
"We could never find anything wrong except not enough food," Yates said.
Eisenmann has moved from Florida , according to his mother in South Carolina . Contacted there, Louise Eisenmann said her son was too ill to discuss the matter. She did not elaborate.
Eisenmann's Tiger Rescue Foundation no longer exists. Because nobody ever paid Janie's boarding bill, Yates says, the tiger still lives with him.
So do Nikita and Natasha, whose Jacksonville owner gave up on them as pets; Sunny, the pet of a Fort Lauderdale man who got scared of her; Roslyn, another ex-pet; Calvin, a pet who was going to be euthanized because of medical problems; and Hobbes, who was given to Yates in a shoebox a few hours after his birth; and a number of cubs.
Kalmanson said at least a dozen people in Florida breed white tigers for sale.
The MacKays advertise their cubs in a trade magazine called Animal Finders Guide. Among listings for elk calves, albino groundhogs, wolf cubs and wallabies is theirs:
Two male white and one natural color female tiger babies. Raised in our home on bottles with lots of love, they are real sweet. White tiger babies have blue eyes. Another litter due April 1.
McKay said he hopes to sell the white cubs for $10,000 each.
When the cubs are small, they're so cute and playful that some people find them irresistible.
But, says Baskin, "After a year or so, people realize they make horrible pets."
As sexual maturity nears, tigers experience a growth spurt and a change in behavior that can stun unwary owners.
"Suddenly, this person has a several-hundred-pound carnivorous animal in their home," Cuny said. "It's not uncommon for people to have dogs, cats and children in the same home."
Even Yates, who runs the wildlife sanctuary, has had difficulty managing his tigers. Twice in a year, they have had litters of cubs unexpectedly, which he acknowledges shouldn't have happened. He said he plans to castrate the males or get contraceptive implants for the females. He plans to keep the cubs, not sell them.
There's one other issue. If tigers aren't suitable pets, what message does Yates send by taking them for rides on his boat?
"It is a problem," he said. "When people see that, they see the good side. But I tell them, 'You're not seeing the other side. These are large animals, and they can hurt you.' "
Yates has a state license to keep tigers and tells people it's illegal to keep them without one.
The challenges grow along with the animal.
"How do you get a 500-pound tiger to the vet? We have people call us all the time asking, 'How can we do it?' " Baskin said.
People also fail to consider that the vet who treats their dogs and cats probably doesn't have any experience with tigers.
Tigers live for up to 20 years, Yates said. They're noisy even after being spayed or neutered. They eat 15 to 20 pounds of raw meat a day.
One of MacKay's tigers weighs around 800 pounds.
"He's very friendly," MacKay said, "but he's testy if you turn your back on him. He'll come for you like you're a toy. He could crush me in a heartbeat."
He has been hurt just once, he said, when one of his tigers gave him a "love bite."
"Just a 14-stitcher," MacKay said. "He put his mouth around my ankle and didn't release his grip."
Although MacKay gave an initial interview to the Times about raising cubs, he later would not respond to telephone and fax inquiries regarding the advisability of breeding them or criticisms of the practice by others.
Once owners decide their "pet" isn't working out, they discover how hard it is to get rid of a grown tiger.
"The first thing they'll do is call the local zoo," Cuny said. "Nine times out of 10, the zoo says, 'No thanks.' Then they'll call animal control, which tells them to try a sanctuary. The sanctuary will most likely say, 'We'd love to help you but we're full.' Or, 'We're a non-profit. We can take it if you can contribute several thousand dollars toward its lifetime care.' "
In Florida , it's against the law to own a tiger as a pet. But there are loopholes. If you're going to use a tiger for some commercial purpose, such as as a mascot for a business, or to educate the public, or to be photographed for movies or commercials, you can get a license to own a tiger. The animals also can be sold to buyers from states that don't regulate private ownership of non-native wildlife, such as Texas or Alabama .
But even within Florida , enforcement is scattered. Florida 's Wildlife Commission has only 10 investigators to cover the entire state.
"People hide them from inspectors," Kalmanson said. "They get thrown in cages that are too small."
Some people who buy or sell tiger cubs tend to be secretive. Even if properly licensed, they don't want to attract attention from neighbors or animal-rights activists.
One seller with an ad in Animal Finders Guide listed four Siberian tiger cubs, born April 20, as free to a good home. She listed a phone number in the 727 area code.
She abruptly hung up when she learned her caller was a reporter.
St. Petersburg Times staff writer Linda Gibson can be reached at (813) 226-3382.
Wife Shot, Husband Killed When Deputies Enter Fray
By STEPHEN THOMPSON , The Tampa Tribune
Tampa Bay Online
DUNEDIN - At the front door of Donald Yates' home, a sign reads, "We Don't Call 911," and beneath it dangles a replica of a gun.
At 10:31 a.m. Thursday, someone did dial 911 from the home. Then the call went dead.
When deputies arrived at 1438 Chesterfield Drive , they heard screaming from a screened-in area at the back of the house, Pinellas County sheriff's spokesman Mac McMullen said.
Four deputies then found themselves in the room, with Deborah K. Yates, 42, on the back of her husband, Donald, 45, who was holding a .40-caliber handgun, McMullen said.
As the struggle continued, deputies shot Donald Yates multiple times, and he died after being flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg .
Deborah Yates was shot once in the leg and was in serious condition at Bayfront, McMullen said.
Neither Yates nor his wife obeyed the deputies' commands as they attempted to break up the fight, McMullen said. Deputy Jason Stibbard shot his Taser at Donald Yates from three or four feet, he said.
The couple separated, with Donald Yates rolling to the floor, his weapon pointed at the deputies, McMullen said.
Deputies Christine Smith and Christopher White, fearing for their lives, fired their .45-caliber handguns eight times at Donald Yates from about six feet away, the spokesman said.
Yates was hit multiple times in the torso and legs. The bullet that hit Deborah Yates could have come from either deputy's weapon, McMullen said.
A preliminary investigation suggests Deborah Yates might have been trying to stop her husband from killing himself, McMullen said.
Donald Yates is the brother of Vernon Yates, who runs Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation , a Seminole shelter for wildlife that police agencies can't find homes for anywhere else.
"I find it hard to believe Donald did this," Vernon Yates said. "It's almost out of character for him, even though he thought he was a Hell's Angel biker dude and wore leather.
"I don't blame the officers," he said. "I'm sure they told Donald to drop it and he didn't."
When Vernon Yates heard media reports about the Chesterfield Drive shooting, he wondered whether it was at his brother's house "because him and Debbie fight like cats and dogs."
Deborah Yates was Donald Yates' third wife, Vernon said. With his first, he had a son, D.J., 26. The two worked in the maintenance department at Knight Dental Group, which makes crowns and bridges for dentists, the company's chief executive officer said.
Donald Yates also had two daughters, 8 and 5, with his second wife, Cheryle, whom he divorced in 2002. The two shared custody of the girls.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/1083099 3/from/RL.5/
See an interactive online map of exotic cat owners . See people being stupid with big cats, endangering themselves and others HERE . See the awful conditions that many captive cats endure HERE .
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Gloria Johnson Gloria Johnson
- From: TheirVoice
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Description:
Gloria Noble Johnson
See an interactive online map of exotic cat owners . See people being stupid with big cats, endangering themselves and others HERE . See the awful conditions that many captive cats endure HERE .
Why is Gloria Johnson trying to discredit Big Cat Rescue?
I had contacted Gloria Johnson after a complaint came in from Tallahassee about her backyard zoo. As someone who started out as an ignorant exotic pet owner myself I figured that Gloria did not mean any
To my knowledge, no one ever grew in the opposite direction. A lot of us who now understand that you can't exhibit a dangerous exotic animal like a pet (whether in person or in photos of us touching the animal) without causing people to want one too. Most people who run accredited sanctuaries started out as buyers and breeders and thought we were doing a good thing, but learned that we were not. I can't name a single person, who started out knowing what we know now, and practicing that belief, that then went backwards and decided it was okay to breed, buy or sell wild animals for life in cages. People either mature to the belief that these animals are too magnificent for lives of deprivation and confinement, or they just don't grow at all. Gloria is passionate and I wanted to see her really make a difference for the cats.
The following is not intended as an attack. I would still like to help Gloria on her path to a better understanding of what her actions do to the animals. I do not doubt her sincerity, only her understanding. The information here is mostly her own words as of 2006 and is posted only to illustrate why she is angry that we are active in Tallahassee. She even posted a blog site that is called the Animal Rights Activists Slammer Blogsite where she encourages people to rail against anyone who would speak out to protect animals. Big Cat Rescue is working hard to stop the breeding, selling, buying, trading and public contact with exotic cats so that places like ours do not have to exist.
Gloria Johnson has a pet white tiger and two pet cougars. She claims to have bought them for education purposes, but to show others your pets and tell them they shouldn't buy big cats as pets is not an effective way to curb the problem. She claims to have rescued Casanova pictured here, but she told Der Spiegel that she mortgaged her house to pay Robert Baudy $5000.00 for him because white tigers usually sell for $15,000.00. Gloria wrote to me on 3/1/06 saying Cassanova was not given to her but rather, "I worked hard at raising the money from donations for a discounted price Baudy quoted me." She bought Cassanova at a time when Robert Baudy was under investigation by USDA for the death of a volunteer and his killing of a tiger. Just a few months after defending her purchase from Savage Kingdom, Robert Baudy's license was permanently revoked by USDA .
This is what she says on her web site about acquiring her white tiger : "Casanova was facing the possibility of not finding a home when the breeding center where he was born began the process of ceasing operations. After spending 3 whole days with him there, Gloria Johnson called all of the tiger lovers she knew while in Casanova's cage and raised enough money to take him home and give him as happy a life just like her cougars!"
In the photos below you can see the kind of education she does; walking a 6 month old tiger on a leash outside, on the school lawn and within a few inches of children, many of whom where confined to wheel chairs. USDA does not consider a leash a proper restraint for a big cat and Florida state law prohibits contact with a Class I cat. Der Spiegel reported that the cat weighed 100 lbs at the time. Anyone could have reached out and been bitten in the following scenes that occurred at the Gretchen Everhart School in Tallahassee, FL on Nov. 2, 2005. The bigger issue here however is the message being conveyed. Telling children that big cats make bad pets while walking them on leashes and bottle feeding them in front of everyone is not only a hypocritical message, but also does nothing to teach children about the true nature of these animals in the wild. No wonder so many people are mauled and killed each year when they see this sort of activity. More on the number of people mauled and killed here: http://www.bigcatrescue.org/big_cat_news.htm
Florida boasts the best laws in the nation regarding captive wildlife, but they can't be everywhere preventing this sort of activity and when they do discover it, there is little they are willing to do about it because there is no where for the animals to go and if they confiscate and kill it is political suicide.
Italicized words are not Gloria's.
The following are Gloria's own words about how she came to own these cats and what her attitudes are toward those who would stop the breeding, buying and selling of exotic cats.
From: GJPanthergirl@
Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2005 12:05 PM
To: MakeADifference@BigCatRescue.org
Subject: Confusion and Frustration
Dear Carol,After I spent most of the afternoon thinking and writing to you, I turned on the TV just in time (by accident) to see "growing up tiger" about a sanctuary out west somewhere and it documented the 2 babies from birth to their first birthday. The husband/wife team just talked documentary style while the babies ran around the house or took bottles. The tears poured down my face as I remembered how many times that was me - I just can't seem to let go - right now if I were to be honest with you I would tell you that what would make me the happiest person would be to have some tiger babies toraise. Its the empty nest syndrome I guess. I literally feel it in my stomach and ache for a baby.
When the show was over I pulled out my own video of Sasha and Sergei, just one pair of the many tigers that have lived with me. It was an hour long and it upset me when it was supposed to bring happy memories. I miss them so much. Carol, I can't let go! I'm not Christian, although I am religious, and that bond that is formed when those little babies are in my arms, to me, is something god-given. It transcends all that is material in this world. Yes, it even transcends love between a man and woman. (Feeling that, that is why my man of 11 years broke up with me)
Okay, now I've purged a little and cried a little over my coffee, I feel a bit better. Thanks for listening, I know you understand. What really set me off this morning (I slept until 10:30!), was, after going out to say good morning to Sugar and Lakota as I always do even before dressing or making coffee, I then got the Sunday paper. I read about St. Francis Wildlife Refuge raising $28,000 at an event last night! It made me sick. In this town people just blindly give St. Francis support when all they know is that he (Jon) saves wounded wild animals (squirrels, skunks, raccoons, ducks, baby birds, turtles, etc., etc, but mostly birds). Last year when I desperately needed some money I worked for him (he's 10 minutes or less away). I was appalled!! Half the birds in outdoor "huts" (all dark, no sunlight) are completely rehabilitated, can fly perfectly and should have been released ages ago.
Inside the place is filthy, when I picked up an aquarium full of hatchlings to eye-dropper feed them, underneath were, I swear, hundreds of german cockroaches. They even crawled up my arms. Every cage and every pile of newspaper for lining the cages is swarming in roaches. When we washed the towels in hot water and bleach it didn't even kill them. They just jumped right out when you got the towels out for the dryer. He has domestic dogs and cats that belong with the Humane Society. I've been in the cages with the dogs, they're healthy, playful and friendly. He's always crying for money and giving fundraisers where he brings birds of prey and people just fork out the money. If they would just go and look they would probably file complaints.
I can't get any recognition for what I do . Yes, I admit this is partly jealousy, but its just not fair and there's not a thing I can do about it. If I came out, by name, with bad words about St. Francis all of Tallahassee would hate me. (Jon didn't even send me my last pay check after asking twice I gave up). This is a good example of the press screwing things up, they "slant" him to be a "savior." When I was just learning from Baudy and there were "glamorous photos" of a blonde with full grown tigers, they did an article on the Sunday front page and inside were about 8 full color large photos - this was nothing more than "Lobbyist falls for Big Cats." (the title proves it was for puresensationalism) I didn't have Cougar Ridge Center then, which hasa real purpose! Sure people tell me its wonderful what I'm doing, but can I get any press coverage now to start raising funds? Hell No!
GLORIA
2/28/06 Gloria emailed saying "You took a photo of me and "Nadia" in a lovely pose, and in big bold letters with an arrow, said NOTE TIGER CHAINED DOWN. You know that is a lie. That was simply her hook from her collar to her leash which was in my hand." Note: USDA's policy does not consider a leash to be a proper restraint.Pound for pound a tiger is 12 times stronger than a man. She went on to say, " It's time Carole, remove that crap, ALL OF IT ABOUT ME, or you will pay the consequences."
Where did all of those tigers she raised end up? The above was a letter she sent me just before she went out and got Casanova She said she had to sell her car because she can't make ends meet, but took in a cat that will cost her 8,000. a year to care for if she does it right. Where will these cats go when she can no longer care for them?
Poster Child for those who circumvent pet laws by getting a USDA license
The Christian Science Monitor
By Mark Clayton | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor August 31, 2006The grainy picture, taken at a private wild-animal park, shows a girl reaching out to pet, or grab, the tail of a full-grown leopard. How will the leopard react?
As the debate over private ownership of exotic pets intensifies in the US, attention is also beginning to fall on private wildlife exhibits that display "big cats" like lions, tigers, and leopards.TIGER HUG: Gloria Johnson with Casanova at her Havana, Fla., farm.
As states ban private custody of exotic pets, some owners seek USDA licenses.
PHIL COALE/AP/FILE
Licensed by the US government, these parks are required to put "significant barriers" between visitors and big cats. But there's enough gray area in the law so that some facilities permit close contact with the animals, including touching them - sometimes with tragic results.
In the year since 17-year-old Haley Hilderbrand was fatally mauled while posing for her senior photo with a leashed tiger at a Kansas wild-animal park, pressure has grown at federal and state levels to explicitly ban public contact with big cats at facilities that are licensed and regulated by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
In April, Kansas became the first state to ban direct contact between humans and potentially dangerous animals at wildlife exhibits. It also joined 21 states that prohibit private ownership of certain big cats.
Last month, Rep. Jim Ryun (R) of Kansas introduced legislation in Congress to beef up the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), which governs animal safety at USDA-regulated facilities. His bill would prohibit direct contact between big cats and the public and require the USDA to write public-safety regulations for exhibitor licensees.
Activists say AWA rules are too weak to ensure that the animals are securely kept and well maintained - or to protect humans from the animals on display. "We're not even that critical of the USDA because it doesn't really have the authority it needs to deal with the public-safety problem," says Greg Wetstone of International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), a Yarmouth Port, Mass., animal rights group.
About 5,000 lions, tigers, and other big cats are kept by nearly 700 USDA big-cat licensees in the United States. Someone seeking a license to exhibit tigers is subject to requirements similar to those for someone seeking a goat license, IFAW reported last week, after a year-long investigation of such facilities.
As a result, in states where private ownership of exotic animals is banned, people can legally keep their animals by getting a USDA license as an exhibitor. In a rising number of cases, license applicants are mom-and-pop outfits building animal collections.
"These animals are dangerous, and it takes a lot to contain and feed them," says Mr. Wetstone of the IFAW, which included in its report the grainy photo of the girl touching the leopard. "So some folks decide to make a few bucks and escape state rules barring them as pets. They go get a USDA license."
The IFAW report - which looked at 42 wild-animal exhibits in 11 states, all USDA-licensed - cites these problems.
• Most of these big-cat facilities are "structurally unsound."
• Most allow public contact between people and big cats.
• "Vermin and grossly inadequate sewage disposal" are often evident. Meat fed to big cats is often rotten.
• Many facilities have no attendants at big-cat exhibits, and some "allowed children to work as attendants."
In the past decade, there have been 13 big-cat-related incidents in Florida, 12 in Texas, six in California, and five each in Illinois, Nevada, Minnesota, and Kansas. Since 1990, 13 people have died in these incidents, IFAW says.
A USDA spokesman says AWA regulations are adequate to keep the public safe and are zealously policed by its team of inspectors.
"There is no public-safety crisis," says Darby Holladay with USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. "Whenever any incident occurs, the USDA animal-care program looks into it. If there's a possible violation of the Animal Welfare Act, enforcement action is taken."
The process can be slow. In the case of the park in Kansas where Hilderbrand was mauled, the USDA has yet to decide on whether to revoke the operator's big-cat license.
Critics of the IFAW report say it fails to deliver specific violations at specific facilities. "I don't think it's a well-informed report," says Marcus Cook, spokesman for the Feline Conservation Federation, which represents big-cat exhibitors. "If they know something, let's report it. If you've got a valid complaint, let's make it to the USDA. Don't just throw a bunch of numbers out there."
An IFAW member says the group has more than 2,000 photos documenting the violations cited in its report. "Our staff member was at [one] facility when a leopard bit the finger off an untrained worker," says Josephine Martell, a principal author of the report. "You can't just say, 'here's the tiger. Take care of him. I'm going to get some coffee.' But that's what's happening."
On Dec. 4, 2006 Der Spiegel used Gloria Johnson as an example of how Americans expose school children to deadly animals in the name of education. More Here
From her wish list on her web site as the thing she most wants:
Wish List as of 1/06:
- Our first goal is to get a new Florida Panther baby (cost $500-$1000) . This will also require funding for food, vitamins and medical care.
No reputable person would be breeding and selling baby Florida Panthers so to have what she wants she will have to support the pet trade.
Gloria was appointed to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Captive Wild Animal Technical Assistance Group. Her quote from the first day of sessions sums up the attitude of the majority of the committee when she said in defense of creating regulations that would serve her and other exotic animal owners and violate the publics' safety, "We shouldn't have to cow-tow to the public."
From: GJPanthergirl@
Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2005 9:12 PM
To: MakeADifference@
Subject: Re: FWC letter
BTW, all State Agencies promulate their own rules by Adivosry committee advice or testimony from the public. If there is a committee I will do everything to be on it. I think the makeup should be a majority of animal people. The general public knows squat about these important issues !
GLORIA JOHNSON
From: GJPanthergirl@
Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2005 12:41 PM
To: MakeADifference@
Subject: Re: Baby lion
Carole, I don't see anything bad in this story. We all know that these cats are extremely fragile, more so than domestic cats and we all have lost one (or more) before despite our best efforts. I'm finding myself spending hours trying to "read between the lines" on what you want. True you did send me rules with supposed Big Cat Rescue suggestions. But those suggestions were already law. After I saw a few like that I didn't finish reading because it was too confusing. I'm having to guess where you want to go and that is a waste of time.What if we don't agree at all? Do you still want to sit down with me? I believe in compromise and get the impression that you are a caring individual capable of it. But also, I know many "animal rights activists" who you can talk to until you're blue in the face and it is a total waste of time. Please don't take offense, try to put yourself in my shoes. I just need concrete statements of what you want todo/change. Could you just send me a simple list. Forget about Rule or Statute numbers just tell me simply: I want: - this - this and - this. And then we will really know if we are on the same page.
I'm starting to have some concerns. I definitely will not condone anything that is a "ban". Also, you will feel much better if you stop focusing on the sensationalism of news articles. Get out and find all the many, many people like me who love and enrich their animals lives.
These animals have wild instincts but they are not wild animals. There is an important distinction here.
p.s. I don't know Marcus Cook, but I do know that all little babies rub their noses against the walls and look "beat up". This happens even when their in their home cat-a-tats. Its a baby thing and they obviously don't hurt themselves because they do it again. FCF does many wonderful things to help teach and actually work in native lands to preserve endangered species.
GLORIA
She was referring to this photo that she defended.
Lakota's Courage
by Gloria Johnson
My 4 year old female cougar, Ashukalee (Sugar) was very sick as a baby and was never socialized (by my choice) to do public appearances away from home. Therefore to do the educational programs I so wanted I needed a baby. This is why I came to own Lakota. He came from C.W. Wathen's Chestatee Wildlife Preserve in Georgia .
When I first saw him, he seemed so fragile I was almost afraid to pick him up. It was as if I'd never done this before. Lakota was only 4 weeks old - so young! This was my baby and I would not be giving him back as I do the tigers I work with for Robert Baudy. I had also never had a single baby. With no sibling, he looked to me for everything. And I fell into a paranoid "new mom" syndrome that had me stressed at every hiccup. Fortunately I had friends from the FCF, like Bobbie and Jessica Bean, Mindy Stinner, Lynn Culver and Tracy Wilson, who were always there to take my calls and reassure me.
He was a happy baby, playful and energetic and very affectionate and as the weeks passed, I saw him change quickly. He came home with little nubby ears, like a teddy bear. Soon afterwards his ears were bigger than him! At 7 lbs. he ruled the roost. Since he had proved he knew how to use the litter box, I let him roam the house. He loved my house cats and he loved to sleep with me.
Lakota was very smart. His bottles were heated in the microwave and any time he heard it beep he would come running in anticipation of food. He took to the harness and leash very easily and fell in love with Sugar when he met her.
Our first visit to a school was to a private school for gifted children - the brightest of the bright. I was as very nervous but they were warm, polite and helpful and he was very well behaved and sweet. He got in my lap and hung his little paws over my knee and watched them all very fascinated. I left so fulfilled! They made me feel so appreciated and they understood the message I was trying to share with them. I received the most beautiful thank you letters too.
Our next class visit would require a three hour drive and an overnight stay. My mother went with us to help drive. The previous April I had been diagnosed with a broken L5 vertebrae and was healing from a bone graft and I still was having severe and constant pain. This appearance would involve about 5 times as many students as our first time but also went very well.
After my surgery in April, it had been Sugar who inspired me to get out of bed. Pain was relentless. It was worse than before the surgery. The only thing that gave me any solace was to lie with her. To be close to her, to feel her warmth and hear her purr, as if she knew I was in pain and not feel I was a burden to her as I felt I was to all of the people in my life. But try as I might I felt myself slipping quickly into the deep depression that comes from chronic pain. I was definitely at the end of my rope. Yet I kept trying to keep up with my school programs, training of Lakota and writing my book which has been purchased by Lyons Press. I had responsibilities that must be met for my life to be complete. But truthfully, I didn't know if I could. Even in the best of times pain was stealing all of my joy.
In November the annual Thomasville Plantation Wildlife Arts Show was coming to Georgia . Mark Kelso, one of my favorite painters, would stay with me so he could photograph and sketch Sugar and Lakota. C.W. would also stay with me because he was providing all the animals for Jim Fowler and I would help C.W. take care of and show the animals. I would once again be reunited with my favorite white tiger who used to sleep in my bed, but was now 350 lbs. I should have been thrilled, but wrenching pain just the week before had me on the floor in tears wondering how I would ever manage to perform all the duties of hostess, animal keeper, trainer, exhibitor and teacher. I prayed this weakness would pass and I would find the old me again. All of my guests arrived as planned and the first day showing the animals with Jim Fowler was a huge success. As Jim spoke C.W. and I arose out of the ground on a rising stage behind him in with surprise animals. The white tiger, of course, was the exciting finale!
According to an email that Linda Hunnicutt sent out by accident to the entire Yahoo list (when she thought she was only sending it to a friend of hers named Karen) Gloria Johnson is the person responsible for funding a web site that is devoted entirely to disseminating false and misleading information about Big Cat Rescue. The following is the entirety of that email: end #mainContent
----- Original Message -----
From: lndmonk@aol.com
To: monkeyyardsale@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2006 3:11 PM
Subject: Re: [monkeyyardsale] Caorle Baskins.
In a message dated 3/10/06 3:06:36 PM Central Standard Time, lndmonk@aol.com writes:
No Vernon didn't I did... with Vernons information..lol.... and with all the messages we have sent out, (you and me) she is being removed from the commission board and they will be doing a TV expose' on her next week.. the tv crew is out at Vernons now.. he keeps calling me and having me speak to the reporter on behalf of simply simian... so we are in the forefront anyway.... Gloria is the one that wanted the website.. she is our ace in the hole, a professional lobbyist.. doing a crack up job at it too.. and she is thinking we are angels as we put that site up for her.. she was supposed to send you a check for the cost a few days ago.. so when you get it that is what it is for... not a membership... from Gloria Johnson...
I thought this was going to Karen please you guys keep this quiet...
Monkey Transport Fund ( March 2006)
SIMPLY SIMIAN INC.
Repo-Pac
Grannys against Peta
Warrior Grannys strike against Peta.Check for yourself to see if Gloria Johnson meets the sanctuary standards for an accredited animal refuge.
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- 2 years ago
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Linda Hunnicutt Linda Hunnicutt
- From: TheirVoice
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Description:North Carolina Case Records Detail
Name
HUNNICUTT,TIMCase Number
1999CR 008117County Code
240County Name
CRAVENAddress 1
1607 QUEEN ANNE LNAddress 2
City
NEW BERNState
NCZip
28560Race
UGender
UDate of Birth
Citation Number
Trial Date
Jul 26 1999District Court Case Process Type
SSuperior Court Case Type
SDefendant State Identifier
Defendant In-Jail Indicator
Date Case Served on Defendant
Jul 7 1999Check Digit Number
Local Identification Number
Originating Agency Routing Identifier
Case Office Location Code
Court Type
Criminal District CourtDate of Update
Alias Name(s)
none foundOffenses
Case Number
1999CR 008117County Code
240Offense Sequence Number
01Charged Offense Code
2666Charged Offense Type
MisdemeanorCharged Offense Description
SIMPLE WORTHLESS CHECK 0015442Charged Offense Statute Number
14-107(D)(1)Arraigned Offense Code
2666Arraigned Offense Type
MisdemeanorArraigned Offense Description
SIMPLE WORTHLESS CHECKArraigned Offense Statute Number
14-107(D)(1)Convicted Offense Code
2666Convicted Offense Type
MisdemeanorConvicted Offense Description
SIMPLE WORTHLESS CHECKConvicted Offense Statute Number
14-107(D)(1)Called and Failed Date
Failure to Appear Date
Order for Arrest Date
Convicted Offense Class
2Plea Code
GUVerdict Code
GUMethod of Disposition Code
WCOffense Disposition Date
Jul 26 1999Fine Amount (whole dollars)
Court Costs Amount (whole dollars)
0086Restitution Amount
154.42Monies Paid Indicator
YMonies To-Be-Paid Date
Non-Motor Vehicle Fail-To-Comply Date
Show-Cause Order Date
Probation Violation Date
Motor-Vehicle Failure-To-Comply Date
Special Condition
Witnesses
Witness Name
MALLARD OIL COCase Number
1999CR 008117County Code
240Agency Code
OTHName
HUNICUTT,TIMOTHY MALONECase Number
2001CR 003562County Code
240County Name
CRAVENAddress 1
1607 QUEEN ANNE LANEAddress 2
City
NEW BERNState
NCZip
28560Race
WGender
MDate of Birth
Nov 15 1957Citation Number
Trial Date
Sep 28 2001District Court Case Process Type
SSuperior Court Case Type
SDefendant State Identifier
Defendant In-Jail Indicator
Date Case Served on Defendant
May 18 2001Check Digit Number
Local Identification Number
Originating Agency Routing Identifier
Case Office Location Code
Court Type
Criminal District CourtDate of Update
Alias Name(s)
Name
HUNNICUTT,TIMOTHYCase Number
2001CR 003562County Code
240
Offenses
Case Number
2001CR 003562County Code
240Offense Sequence Number
01Charged Offense Code
3999Charged Offense Type
MisdemeanorCharged Offense Description
OPERATE ILLEGAL RAFFLECharged Offense Statute Number
14-309.15(D)Arraigned Offense Code
3999Arraigned Offense Type
MisdemeanorArraigned Offense Description
OPERATE ILLEGAL RAFFLEArraigned Offense Statute Number
14-309.15(D)Convicted Offense Code
Convicted Offense Type
none foundConvicted Offense Description
Convicted Offense Statute Number
Called and Failed Date
Failure to Appear Date
Order for Arrest Date
Convicted Offense Class
Plea Code
Verdict Code
Method of Disposition Code
VDOffense Disposition Date
Jul 10 2001Fine Amount (whole dollars)
Court Costs Amount (whole dollars)
Restitution Amount
Monies Paid Indicator
Monies To-Be-Paid Date
Non-Motor Vehicle Fail-To-Comply Date
Show-Cause Order Date
Probation Violation Date
Motor-Vehicle Failure-To-Comply Date
Special Condition
Witnesses
Witness Name
WILCUTTCase Number
2001CR 003562County Code
240Agency Code
CPDN. Carolina Case Records [Alias] DetailName
HUNICUTT,LINDACase Number
2001CR 003561County Code
240County Name
CRAVENAddress 1
1607 QUEEN ANNE LNAddress 2
City
NEW BERNState
NCZip
28560Race
WGender
FDate of Birth
Jul 1 1942Citation Number
Trial Date
Sep 28 2001District Court Case Process Type
WSuperior Court Case Type
WDefendant State Identifier
Defendant In-Jail Indicator
Date Case Served on Defendant
May 18 2001Check Digit Number
S04291QLocal Identification Number
Originating Agency Routing Identifier
Case Office Location Code
Court Type
Criminal District CourtDate of Update
Alias Name(s)
Name
HUNNICUTT,LINDACase Number
2001CR 003561County Code
240
Offenses
Case Number
2001CR 003561County Code
240Offense Sequence Number
01Charged Offense Code
3999Charged Offense Type
MisdemeanorCharged Offense Description
OPERATING AN ILLEGAL RAFFLECharged Offense Statute Number
14-309.15(D)Arraigned Offense Code
3999Arraigned Offense Type
MisdemeanorArraigned Offense Description
OPERATING AN ILLEGAL RAFFLEArraigned Offense Statute Number
14-309.15(D)Convicted Offense Code
3999Convicted Offense Type
MisdemeanorConvicted Offense Description
OPERATING AN ILLEGAL RAFFLEConvicted Offense Statute Number
14-309.15(D)Called and Failed Date
Failure to Appear Date
Order for Arrest Date
Convicted Offense Class
2Plea Code
GUVerdict Code
GUMethod of Disposition Code
JUOffense Disposition Date
Jul 10 2001Fine Amount (whole dollars)
Court Costs Amount (whole dollars)
0090Restitution Amount
Monies Paid Indicator
YMonies To-Be-Paid Date
Non-Motor Vehicle Fail-To-Comply Date
Show-Cause Order Date
Probation Violation Date
Motor-Vehicle Failure-To-Comply Date
Special Condition
NOT CONTINUE RAFFLE OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY RAFFLE DUR/SS.
Case Number
2001CR 003561County Code
240Offense Sequence Number
02Charged Offense Code
5099Charged Offense Type
MisdemeanorCharged Offense Description
VIOL UNSUP PROBCharged Offense Statute Number
15A-1345Arraigned Offense Code
5099Arraigned Offense Type
MisdemeanorArraigned Offense Description
VIOL UNSUP PROBArraigned Offense Statute Number
15A-1345Convicted Offense Code
5099Convicted Offense Type
MisdemeanorConvicted Offense Description
VIOL UNSUP PROBConvicted Offense Statute Number
15A-1345Called and Failed Date
Failure to Appear Date
Order for Arrest Date
Convicted Offense Class
3Plea Code
GUVerdict Code
GUMethod of Disposition Code
JUOffense Disposition Date
Mar 28 2002Fine Amount (whole dollars)
Court Costs Amount (whole dollars)
0090Restitution Amount
75.00Monies Paid Indicator
YMonies To-Be-Paid Date
Non-Motor Vehicle Fail-To-Comply Date
Show-Cause Order Date
Probation Violation Date
Motor-Vehicle Failure-To-Comply Date
Special Condition
Case Number
2001CR 003561County Code
240Offense Sequence Number
03Charged Offense Code
5099Charged Offense Type
MisdemeanorCharged Offense Description
VIOL UNSUP PROBCharged Offense Statute Number
15A-1345Arraigned Offense Code
5099Arraigned Offense Type
MisdemeanorArraigned Offense Description
VIOL UNSUP PROBArraigned Offense Statute Number
15A-1345Convicted Offense Code
Convicted Offense Type
none foundConvicted Offense Description
Convicted Offense Statute Number
Called and Failed Date
Failure to Appear Date
Order for Arrest Date
Convicted Offense Class
Plea Code
Verdict Code
Method of Disposition Code
VDOffense Disposition Date
Jun 12 2002Fine Amount (whole dollars)
Court Costs Amount (whole dollars)
Restitution Amount
Monies Paid Indicator
Monies To-Be-Paid Date
Non-Motor Vehicle Fail-To-Comply Date
Show-Cause Order Date
Probation Violation Date
Motor-Vehicle Failure-To-Comply Date
Special Condition
Witnesses
Witness Name
WILCUTT,W,C,JRCase Number
2001CR 003561County Code
240Agency Code
CPDAliases associated with Linda Hunnicutt:
We have listed information on those who seek to discredit us for two reasons:
1. So that you can make your own determination as to their credibility and sincerity.
2. In the hopes that you will say a silent prayer for them asking that they find peace and discover their inner beauty that will cause them to want to spread good will rather than gossip.
It has been reported to us that Linda Hunnicutt claims and has claimed to have 501(c)3 nonprofit status in numerous places on the internet, including using organization names:
Monkeys in the Mountains; National Primate Association and North Carolina Survivors.Another of her online petitions was at http://www.thepetitionsite.com and described as "To fight Terrorism at home and to raise funds for this prototype program The National Primate Association Inc. a 501-C-3 Non-Profit association is offering two opportunities to win with your donation dollars."
If you go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/APES/ and search for "Hunnicutt" in the archives you can read about a few of the situations in which this person was said to have ripped off people who bought monkeys from her including Betty Cahill. [note: Linda Hunnicutt has no USDA license to be dealing in wild animals]
Hunnicutt was reported to be the owner of a YahooGroups list called Caucasian Caucus which was a white supremacist forum.
She is also said to have had a so-called animal rights site at http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/9569/inde x.html
A few names she is alleged to use:
Linda Lamm
Lynn Lamm
Linda French
Linda Hunnicutt
Lynn Hunnicutt
Mrs. Tim Hunnicutt
Lynda Schubkegel
Linda Schubkegel
IrvShe is reported to be active on lists under many addresses, a few of which are:
hgh4all@aol.com
jmarconsulting@yahoo.com
Lindahun@aol.com
lindahun@petlover.com
lindahunnicutt@aol.com
lindahunnicutt1@netzero.net
lndmonk@aol.com
Lschubkegel@aol.com
lynnhunnicutt@yahoo.com
lynnlamm@yahoo.com
monkeysinthemts@aol.com
mountainladydiamond@yahoo.com
nationalprimates@yahoo.com
natprimate@aol.com
ncsurvivors@aol.com
repopac@aol.com
rlamm@boxfrog.com
roflmao101@yahoo.com
shirley250@aol.com
Simplysimianinc@aol.com
timhun@aol.com
timhun@aol.com
z6e6v8nb@aol.com
- Blog post
- 2 years ago
- Views: 324
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Phoenix Exotics Part 7 Phoenix Exotics Part 7
- From: TheirVoice
-
Description:
From: exoticanimals2@...
Date: Fri Mar 17, 2006 5:46 pm
Subject: Re: Bay News 9 exoticanimals3I found the earlier post that someone had taken off of Bay News 9 and I am wondering why that specific post was copied and pasted with out posting all of them. In case anyone would like to see the other posts I have copied and pasted them.
Jude
From: " Deb" < chimps@...
Date: Sat Mar 18, 2006 8:06 pm
Subject: BCR news clip now available to view luvgr8apesThe news story can now be viewed at the following site:
http://www.phoenixexotics.org
Permission to cross post most definitely granted
From: " Deb" < chimps@...
Date: Sun Mar 19, 2006 12:01 pm
Subject: BCR & FCF connection is fact luvgr8apes
Straight from BCR site.. When did Carolyne join FCF, 2000? Sounds like Carole
Baskin doesn't allow or approve of volunteers who do not agree with her ideas.
But it's ok for CC to remain... how convenient.3/16/06 Chris Hawes interviewed former volunteers who had left our mission prior
to the year 2000 due to their failure to evolve with our understanding thatexotic cats should not be bred, sold, traded or used for personal gain. Message: 16
Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2006 10:23:37 -0000
From: " slowswimmer1 " thomaskirby169@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: MN: Wow! We got noticed! DetailsIt's just crazy. A lot of this stuff seems so very staged that I get suspicious. I made this speech about how it wasn't necessary for there to be a conspiracy and they were just taking advantage of natural occurences but there are features of both the Hilderbrand
incident and the Gamble incident that are very suspicious, stinking of setups. Maybe all it was was that they were so mentally ready for it. But the Gamble incident came shortly after Meme's death and a lot of Quist's bashing of other tiger owners including Gamble. Sometimes things happen at far too opportune a time. Even without being guilty of arranging incidents, some of these people are obvious ghouls.Sometimes they deliberately employ the most indecent tactics that they can excuse, like attacking someone right after a family member has died and driving them to have to move their animals when they are disabled by grief. When they are that indecent, arranging incidents doesn't seem like such a stretch anymore. I don't really think that
this kind of vulture has the patience to wait until something dies of natural causes.A long time ago a writer by the name of Vance Packard talked about a "screwing by expertism." Experts on a given subject would lie to support a given agenda, like we are seeing. The "truth" became what the hired experts said. Real people have big trouble understanding what happened because they have trouble believing that such lies
carried such weight, especially when they know that a lot of people don't believe those lies or the experts.But the PETA types have really played both ends against the middle and screwed us around. People really do expect PETA types to push for laws allowing people to keep big cats and oppose those laws on those grounds even through PETA has very vocally opposed private ownership. How do people get so confused? It's because PETA deliberately confuses people. Local authorities often deliberately confuse people too. Why does one sanctuary get a pass and another doesn't? To further the confusion, to make people think that the animals are being rescued, and because they know which sanctuary owners are willing to conspire to destroy the others. Someone like Quist gains an unlimited supply of animals that she doesn't have to pay the owners for. She
gets the donations for "rescuing" the animals. A lot of them no one is going to know if they were euthanized to make space and made into fur coats the way Baskins does. They even confuse people about why the "rescues" were necessary, when it's often due to the ban laws.I am having real trouble living with all of this.
Message: 8
Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2006 14:17:21 -0700 (PDT)
From: BOB PITT <azooforu@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Re: drawing attention to zoo incidentsYOU ARE NOT A ZOO !!! You may be licensed like a zoo, you may be inspected like a zoo, but I PROMISE you that you will NOT be considered a ZOO to the general
public or to a politician. You are a "private collector, a road side attraction." You are no
different then any other USDA licensed facility that does NOT have an AZA stamp by their name.Read the first post I wrote. I said we need to show the experts are wrong and are not deserving their EXPERT status.
We are NOT showing that ownership is this or ownership is that. We are showing AZA is nothing more then a club. they have the same incidents as everyone else. We are showing that PETA is a scam, as well as HSUS. We are showing the BCR is a lying, thieving witch. We are showing that WAO is a lying, thieving witch that needs to go back to her own country and deal with their animal problems. We are showing that TAOS and ASA are both nothing more then CLUBS, that have NO more experience, or better care then any private keeper.
We need to show how these groups with their experts cause the deaths of 100's to thousands of animals every year. PETA claims 90% of ALL MACAQUE monkeys
have Siamian B. If this were true many people would be dead every year, when in fact the last death due to S. B. was to a research tech. working with a known Siamian B monkey, NOT A PRIVATE KEEPER !! These "EXPERTS" have casued many monkeys to be killed because they are "BELIEVED" to have a diesease.. This is what we MUST SHOW !!!We must stop hiding in the shadows, we must stop thinking we are exempt, we must stop saying cat people are worse then monkey people. Stand TOGETHER and call our enemies BLUFFS. They can NOT show proof of ANY of their claims. Likewise , most if NOT all of our major enemies have such a SHADY BACKGROUND, that if we go on the attack and ask questions into their groups we can and will win victories every step of the way.
Their comes a time in every fight to drop the gloves. NOW is the time to hit right in the nose. This will snap the @#@#$#@%@$'s back into th real world. It is time to STOP turning the other cheek, stop letting it go in one ear and out the other. It is time to PUNCH them right in the nose and give them a REALITY BREAK.
Message: 11
Date: Sun, 9 Apr 2006 15:19:55 -0400
From: "Ray" < rrooney@ucwphilly.rr.com
Subject: Re: drawing attention to zoo incidentsPeople are listening to zoos damn EVERY other form of owner and exhibitor. Zoos have credibility. Everybody assumes they know everything.
Yes, zoos are working with AR groups. This is largely because they feel superior to everyone and think they don't make mistakes. They feel invulnerable to criticism. They have defused most of the classic "ethical" questions regarding captivity to the public's mind. They feel safe.
If we place THEM in perspective maybe they will see the same arguments can be used against them. Keepers and public get hurt in every segment, not just "pet" ownership, which is low by comparison.
The sanctuary groups also feel secure since they are directly in bed with the AR groups. Airing their dirty laundry would make them less willing to criticize others. They get a COMPLETE pass as things stand now. They are the number ONE thrust behind ban pushes and ALWAYS get themselves exempted.
If they thought THEY risked facing the same consequences of a ban they'd be a LOT less willing to demand them, maybe even shut up or change sides.
How long would Carole Baskin campaign for changes to Florida's laws if she knew they would shut her down too?
The public is not getting the whole picture on this anymore than they get it on 95% of any other stories. The media takes a side, doesn't question info supplied by those it agrees with, and acts as a tool, knowingly or unwittingly, to push the agenda.
Most of the time they never hear the true details. If they did they would hesitate to lie by omission lest it come back to bite them. No reporter likes to be embarrassed.
We have to provide perspective. Nobody else will. A few seeds of doubt here and there could kill some stories and campaigns and change directions of others.
Staying silent is accepting the current situation, even endorsing it.
Ray
Point out shady pasts
Message: 22
Date: Sun, 09 Apr 2006 08:45:47 -0000
From: " Marsha " <marshaha@pressenter.com
Subject: Re: MN: Wow! We got noticed! Details--- In Phoenix_Exotics@yahoogroups.com, Tim Stoffel <tim@... wrote:
Any theories what happened here?Not enough info on this specific case, and it looks like no witnesses. Past history of the tiger and the autopsy may be the only clues. If you like conspiracy theories...I have to wonder if someone has come up with something to agitate big cats into being more likely
to attack (unbeknownst to the handler, who would otherwise take sensible precautions) A device that plays an annoying sound the human can't hear, a scent, etc. Who has a vested interest in seeing more attacks happen, so they can pontificate on how the incident proves
that private ownership should be banned? Perhaps the best Anti ammo of all is when the person that is injured or killed is someone with years of experience, who truly love their animals, who are assumed to be able to "read" their animals. You'd think that every owner would be taking extra precautions these days with so much publicity about each incident. So why are these incidents happening? Complacency on the part of handlers, perhaps a defensive desire to prove large carnivores aren't the killing machines the media portrays? Inbreeding? Environmental factors? Or a deliberate act?Marsha
Message: 23
Date: Sun, 09 Apr 2006 08:48:31 -0000
From: " Marsha " <marshaha@pressenter.com
Subject: Re: MN: Wow! We got noticed! Details--- In Phoenix_Exotics@yahoogroups.com, Tim Stoffel <tim@... wrote:
tell you how many times (the tiger) kept running at the fences and just making that screeching roar. It's something I'll probably never, ever forget. I don't know how these people get used to it and work with those animals."It's not the spine-tingling "screeching roar" that steals human hearts, it's those chuffs of greeting and purrs of contentment.
Marsha
Message: 24
Date: Sun, 9 Apr 2006 05:48:46 -0700 (PDT)
From: BOB PITT <azooforu@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Re: MN: Wow! We got noticed! DetailsThe zoo director who states he is against private ownership, what can we find on him. At least a dozen accidents have occured in the USA at ACCREDITED ZOO's. The time has come to show the faults of all of our enemies. AZA, TAOS, ASA, BCR, ACE. Everyting from questionable financial records, to lacking health papers, to violations of the AWA. This needs to be complete and detailed, then we can present it to a national paper and show facts, NOT opinons.. WOULD ANYONE like to lend a hand on getting this together, proofing and set-up and final print. This has to be done to combat comments like the Sen.made in the paper about banning them all. It has to be done in a detailed, and undeniable fashion. This is what is on our side. Figures are real for us, and
INFLATED against us.. This is what we MUST show. Message 12
From: " lndmonk@aol.com " lndmonk@aol.com
Date: Thu Apr 13, 2006 4:21pm(PDT)
Subject: Re: Getting paranoid nowIn a message dated 4/13/06 12:19:19 AM Central Daylight Time,
aklizard@ptialaska.net writes:well if we license all breeding it should weed out, or breed out irresponsible people too, then only responsible ones could reproduce, why limit it to dogs?and accidental breedings would be banned too, by making a law that all must be neutered but the approved , surely that is more dire with all the billions I believe API, BCR,WAO and many many other licensed facilities are proof irresponsible, lying, cheating, and corrupt people are not weeded out by simply licensing ....Again who will be the judge of who is responsible and allowed to breed and who is not?? TAOS? PETA? HSUS? USDA? AZA? Linda
_Simply Simian_ (http://www.simply-simian.com/)
Re: Zoning Report
Message 18
From: " exoticanimals2@comcast.net " exoticanimals2@comcast.net
Date: Fri Apr 14, 2006 10:17am(PDT)
Subject: Re: Big Cat Rescue approved for rezoningWatch for their upcoming news on Washington's Channel News 5. Will be airing
next week. I also, will be a part of that news.
Jude From: Bigcats10@aol.com
County officials give Big Cat Refuge the right to rezone 3 acres for housing
and other amenities.By JACKIE RIPLEY, Times Staff Writer
Published April 14, 2006...and who was watching the tigers?
Posted on Fri, Apr. 14, 2006
Details emerging from the tragic Pine County tiger attack that took the life of trainer Cynthia Gamble last week paint a more gruesome picture than previously imagined. The tiger, now euthanized, was examined and found to have had parts of the woman's body in its stomach. The cat was at least 150 pounds underweight, no doubt a major factor in the killing.
Gamble, who held a USDA license for her bankrupt Center for Endangered Cats, was described by friends as an expert handler who "loved" her feline charges. That would have been tough love at best. No reasonable parent would starve a child out of love, and Gamble's terrible fate offers the most compelling case yet against private ownership of big cats.
Not helping is the confusion of who's really acting in the interest of the animals. Carole Baskin of Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Fla., denounces private ownership of menageries such as Gamble's. Las Vegas tiger trainer Zuzana Kukol expressed support of Gamble but accuses Baskin of breeding cats rather than rescuing them from abusive owners. Baskin calls that "old news," saying her past actions are what make her so adamant against the practice.
Whatever. The whole scat fight is reason, as expressed in a letter on this page, for restricting big cats to their natural habitats or zoos -- and accredited ones at that.
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/du luthtribune/news/opinion/14337083.htm
Caro le’s Note: Zuzana Kukol was the VP of Phoenix Exotics and may still be.
From: "Tim Stoffel" < tim@lionlamb.us
To: <Phoenix_Exotics@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, April 15, 2006 2:19 AM
Subject: Re: [Phoenix_Exotics] Aslan / Big Cat RescueOn Fri, 2006-04-14 at 14:58 -0400, Jerry & Linda Gleisser wrote:
Thought you'd find this result I got from googling Narnia artwork
interesting:Aslan Lion Photo with Cub
Find out what having your picture
with a baby big cat is all about.
www.BigCatRescue.orgIt took me a few minutes to find this as a SPONSORED LINK on Google. If you follow the link, it takes you to one of Carole Baskin's anti exhibiting pages, full of misinformation and hate. I wonder if there is a way to petition Google not to accept money for such a misleading link.
Further, to use the good name of ASLAN to promote her twisted agenda is reprehensible. Aslan is such a special name among lions that I would never even use that name myself. In my opinion, using Aslan's name this way is the same as using God's name in vain. All this will do is call a well-deserved curse down on Mrs. Baskin.
For the lions,
Tim Stoffel Message 17
From: " Prometheus Horse " prometheus_horse@yahoo.com
Date: Sat Apr 15, 2006 1:13am(PDT)
Subject: Re: Aslan / Big Cat RescueWhy not squabble about it on the boards related to the movie and get them roaring at BCR about their use of the name . Picketing movie-fanatics isn't good press no matter how you slice it so I'd bet it'd disappear in a hurry.
DTF
Message 18
From: " BOB PITT " azooforu@yahoo.com
Date: Sat Apr 15, 2006 6:01am(PDT)
Subject: Re: Aslan / Big Cat RescueAlso, is that more "LOBBYING" on there part. We have a non-profit and I know that you can only use a very small portion of you revenue for this purpose. I'm sure all trips to all the bans they are pushing are on this, as well as the people who write them up, and I
wonder what kind of "GIFTS" the board got to go against everyone else to allow their zoning ?? Do you think they (board) did it for a free years pass .. LOL Message 22
From: " Ray " rrooney@ucwphilly.rr.com
Date: Sat Apr 15, 2006 9:32am(PDT)
Subject: Re: Aslan / Big Cat RescueSend the link to Disney legal and see what they think. They probably have a trademark issue here. This is akin to selling toys with the name on them. Be sure to send a copy of Carole's 20-year plan so they understand she's an enemy of theirs too.
Otherwise there's a risk of them allowing her to do it as a charitable act.
Ray
Message 24
From: " Ray " rrooney@ucwphilly.rr.com
Date: Sat Apr 15, 2006 11:02am(PDT)
Subject: Re: Aslan / Big Cat RescueDANGER!
That's the WORST thing we could do. (Been there!)
There's a very REAL danger that they would actually encourage Disney to sanction it as a PR move.
Think about it: Concerned, loving, sanctuary for poor abused pet big cats wants to get support for its oh-so-wonderful work. What a swell opportunity for promotion and positive PR for a big and hated media company!
And it's for the lions, right?
And if Disney doesn't do it they will be attacked as a cold, heartless, corporation by the movie crowd, as is their habit. So, which way will Disney/Walden jump in that situation?
Remember, those people neither know who Baskin is nor the complex exotic animal industry, animal rights/liberation, and political web. Many right here haven't gotten it yet. Many there WILL be AR-leaning to start with.
The result? BCR gets an OK AND a powerful media partner - which owns networks - to promote her agenda.
Can't you just see it? "This week on ABC! At 8:00 it's Carole Baskin's World of Wild Cats!" You thought the crocodile hunter was big? Get a real media outfit behind her and watch the dust. Tippi will be an old forgotten star but Carole will be a current name.
Better write Disney fast, before Carole and her AR friends sell them on it. Mention her back story. Don's murder, etc.
Ray
Message 1
From: " annette.lundberg " annette.lundberg@chello.se
Date: Sun Apr 16, 2006 0:48pm(PDT)
Subject: Carol Baskin and bigcatrescueHi,
i am forwarding this from the bobcat-lynx list Its interesting though...
Annette
Vänliga Hälsningar
Annette & Sirpelkvick
From: "Cyndi" <luna6killer@...>
Date: Sat Apr 15, 2006 9:54 pm
Subject: Fw: [hybridcats] IMPORTANT SEND THIS TO EVERY CAT/HYBRID LIST YOUCANHi everyone - this came thru on another list I belong to - please check it out and then see if you can help. This site has the most damaging slide show and the page referred to is very anti-exotic or hybrid owner. There is some evidence (I can't verify it yet) that the owner of this website may actually be a less than honest person as it has been stated that most of her exotics were actually her animals and she was breeding them and selling the kits at one point? Anyways, not trying to start any more 'flames' around here but would like to see if we could keep this from happening. Exotic and hybrid owners do not need a bad rep!! Cyndi
From: <mailto: julia2@gate.net > julia2@gate.net
To: <mailto:julia2@gate.net> julia2@gate.net
Sent: Saturday, April 15, 2006 3:06 PM
Subject: [hybridcats] IMPORTANT SEND THIS TO EVERY CAT/HYBRID LIST YOU CANHELP COMBAT CAROL BASKIN'S LIES!!!!!
If you google in bengal cats, jungle cat hybrid, chausie, savannah cats, safari cats, or stone cougars (all keywords in the Big Cat Rescue flaming hybrid page, a sponsored link appears on the right hand side of the Google page that reads...
<http://www.google.com/url?sa=l&ai=BspopFJt ARNGaIpHosQGC_YQG8PvGDoykkvYBxL7mtQuQvwUQARgBKAM4A EiTOVCszY7B_f____8BmAHfc6oBBDJOUlPIAQGVAic0LAo& ;num=1&q=http
://www.bigcatrescue.org/hybrids.htm> All Hybrid Exotic Cats
are listed here with photos, facts,
stories, myths & breeder insiders.
www.bigcatrescue.org <http://www.bigcatrescue.org/>
Click on that link and you are directed to the page she has set up maligning hybrid cats, exotics and breeders.
This means that anyone looking on the biggest search engine in the world for a hybrid will promptly see the above sponsored link and fed Carole Baskin's lies . Not only will this impact on adoptions, but it will undermine everything responsible breeders and hybrid owners have worked to accomplish for so many years.
This is a PAY PER CLICK link--anytime anyone clicks on the link, BCR pays.
Go to Google. Type in one of the key words. Click on the sponsored link. When the page appears, hit the "Back" button. Click again. Click as many times as you can in your spare time. If the link does not appear, it means that the daily or monthly budget may have been maxed out. Check back daily and click away. Message 4
From: " Prometheus Horse " prometheus_horse@yahoo.com
Date: Sun Apr 16, 2006 8:15pm(PDT)
Subject: Re: Carol Baskin and bigcatrescue (IMPORTANT)*smiles* well, you're sorta half right. Sites log each click by individual IP per day (usually 12m to 11:59p). So if you're on dialup, you can click, log off, sign back on and click again, running their bill up . If you're on DSL you're pretty much stuck to one click a day. But that's a flyby of how IP logging works regarding charge-per-click. Thus, if too many clicks come from an individual IP address they'll void them all, but... the trick is "how many is too many?" Either way... there's the long and the short of it all. DTF
Message 23
From: " Mbrafford@aol.com " Mbrafford@aol.com
Date: Mon Apr 17, 2006 1:25pm(PDT)
Subject: Re: [Phoenix_Exotics] Re: Need a Big Cat Expert to replySo, does Phoenix launch editorials back at her or is it best to remain silent? I would think silence is our enemy. The Lakeland Area is close to Tampa and Orlando Florida and is the home to a very large SPCA organization. The town also has many of Florida`s politicians living there. I know, I taught their children. The Ledger was chosen for a reason.
Message 1
From: " Ray " rrooney@ucwphilly.rr.com
Date: Mon Apr 17, 2006 2:20pm(PDT)
Subject: Re: Need a Big Cat Expert to replyIF the Ledger will publish an opposing view then write them.
The SPCA is already working with Carole through HumaneUSA if I recall correctly.
The pliticians are a toss-up. Some may be open to reason and some may agree philosophically with Carole. Contact all you know about and maybe it will create enough doubt to undermine support for her.
Too many believe what they hear and never question or look into things. The material has to be brought to them and shoved under their noses or they will act on slanted views and lies.
Ray
Message 5
From: " Ray " rrooney@ucwphilly.rr.com
Date: Mon Apr 17, 2006 3:08pm(PDT)
Subject: Re: Need a Big Cat Expert to replyThey also need to be informed that activists are using their editorial pages to push an agenda without their knowledge. A link to the original source should suffice. Maybe they will also want to know about Carole's past.
There are several good stories here for an enterprising reporter. Maybe even a Pulitzer. Ray
Re: Smuggling exotics across state and federal boundaries in violation of the Lacey Act
myzootoyou@yahoo.com http://www.geocities.com/animalambasador/ (979) 388-0782 Nathan Wheelock < myzootoyou@yahoo.com > wrote: Well.....we were talking about ferrets. 50,000 ferrets are beleived to be in California. CA has advocotes for legalization, yet gets shot down each year. I, for,one, have no problem with people sneaking in ferrets, or hedgehogs/sugar gliders for that matter.
Message 20 From: "Prometheus Horse" prometheus_horse@yahoo.com Date: Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:42pm This is primarily directed to Mark Cameron, but just so everyone knows.... I don't promote illegal activities until all legal means are, or have been exhausted. I've done emergency relocations to prevent seizures of animals by the powers that (may times shouldn't) be.... and other similar activities, where the only damage is to the pride of some DA, ACO, or other governmental or quasi-governmental individual. My forte is canines.... which are a bit easier to transport en masse without arousing suspicion, but when it comes to saving an animal's life, you're damn skippy I'd do damn near whatever it takes. And that's something you can take to the bank. And for those that immediately think "AR raids"... no. That's not in me, nor would I ever be that way, but in the hypothetical I wouldn't be averse to aiding in the "disappearance" of an animal accused of something before it can be seized, the midnight-relocation of an accused indivdiual's beloved animals, or even the magical escape of specific animals from the animal version of death row. And yes, I do support the underground exodus of Pit Bulls from the cities of Denver, and would support the same from Aurora if they pass legislation similar to Denver. For any explanation greater than that, you'll have to get to know me personally. DTF
Kathy Gallagher < celticferret@yahoo.com > 614-785-0794 HEART OF OHIO FERRET ASSOC. & RESCUE P.O. Box 15753 Columbus, OH 43215-0753 wrote: Jumping in Without giving you the route there are directions posted on ferret boards for getting into CA without having to go through CA agricultural inspection. There are roads with no inpsection and there are roads where the inspection centers have been closed due to budget cuts. It's all in the knowing and in the time of day. KG
- Blog post
- 2 years ago
- Views: 203
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Phoenix Exotics Part 4 Phoenix Exotics Part 4
- From: TheirVoice
-
Description:
From: < lndmonk@yahoo.com
To: <Phoenix_Exotics@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2006 11:51 AM
Subject: [Phoenix_Exotics] FloridaA bill is going to be presented in the house tomorrow possibly called the
"Python Act or Bill". It is being presented by Rep Bill Posey district
24 (1850-487-5053) and Rep Poppell district 29 (850- 488-3006).The actual bill or number could not be found yet but it is to stop the
breeding and selling of exotics in Florida. Not sure which exotics yet.Carol Baskins is going to be at a press conference in Tallahassee today
to support it.Just getting information on this and will let you know clarifications as
they come. Please get involved in this one!_Simply~Simian Inc._ (http://www.simply-simian.com/index.html)
_Protest Big Cat Rescue and Carole Baskins _
( http://www.simply-simian.com/catrescu.htm ) From: "Bob Nevin" < bob@...
Date: Thu Feb 9, 2006 2:32 pm
Subject: Re: [Phoenix_Exotics] Florida iluvclydesda...What's the deal with these people?!
We had a 10' boa constrictor or python for a 6th grade classroom pet in
Elementary school and no one blinked an eye. Now if your neighbor has one
people freak!! More small pets get squashed by cars than get swallowed by a
pet snake. Give me a break. Oh now I see they want to lump in other exotics
in as well.This society has gotten so into safety and sterilization, its driving me
nuts! Here is the latest safety craze at my supermarket, seat belts for the
shopping carts - required!!! ughOne thing I need to stress regarding this bill is the breeding situation.
Banning breeding will highly limit the amount of genetic diversity in an
animal population. Though controls can be made so that the animal breed
doesn't overpopulate, banning breeding outright will not fix the problem.
Banning the sale of such animals will also not solve the problem and
actually make it more difficult to for state animal control officers to
enforce. All this would just go underground and there will be a huge lack of
control on the breeding because it will go undocumented just as there is in
drug trafficking.I know I'm preaching to the choir but want to give my thanks to lndmonk for
bringing this to our attention.I will send my 2 cents to the Governor and state congress people ASAP even
though I'm not from Florida.-Bob
(Its my God Given right to responsibly own a lion and support those who do.) From: "Ray" < rrooney@ucwphilly.rr.com ...
Date: Tue Feb 7, 2006 2:59 pm
Subject: Re: [Phoenix_Exotics] Contact Geraldo runeraion
Who? Big Cat Rescue? It's been covered here in excruciating detail the last
month. Just go to the Yahoogroups site and read the messages you passed
over. In a nutshell:The story starts with Carole's husband's dream.
Big Cat Rescue got its start as Wildlife On Easy Street (WOES) back in the
mid 90s.It was founded by millionaire Don Lewis, who made his fortune in real
estate, trucking, and other ventures.WOES was started as a unique bed & breakfast where visitors were allowed to
come and learn about exotic cats and, after a bit of instruction, were
allowed to spend nights in a cabin divided in half - one side for the tiger,
lion, etc.they would spend the night with and the other for the guests. A screened
wall separated them.They bred and bought animals in a fashion similar to Tippi Hedren years ago.
They published books on having exotic cat pets. Things were sweet for the
millionaire and his second wife but they were about to sour.Tired of hassles from government and AR people Don Lewis purchased 200 acres
of land near Begaces, Costa Rica to move the operation to. This is when
trouble started for him.Life in the USA is easy, convenient and comes with all civilized amenities.
At the best, life in Costa Rica would be uncomfortable and basics such as
electricity undependable. Never mind good highways, malls, clubs, spas,
entertainment, etc. Carole was well less than thrilled and made it known to
Don.Don started setting things up and was preparing to transport vehicles there
on Monday, August 18th, 1997. He supposedly left home to do this and drop
off some signs at his real estate agent's office and was never seen again.The signs were found outside the real estate agent's office when they
arrived that day but nobody had seen Don.The next day, August 19, Don's wife Carole filed a missing person report
with the sheriff's office.Don's van was found the following day at Pilot Country Airport in
Springhill. The manager said it had been there a couple of days, parked on
the grass between some planes and hwy 52. The keys to the van were still in
it, tossed on the
floor. Nothing of note was found in it.Then authorities got a tip that Don and Carole were having marital
difficulties and that Don had gone to court 2 months before claiming Carole
had threatened to kill him. The judge turned down his petition for
protection and Don went on living with Carole until he disappeared.Don's children from his first marriage accused Carole of killing him and
feeding him to the big cats. Deputies searched Wildlife On Easy Street but
found no evidence.Did Don Lewis just up and fly away to Costa Rico, leaving everything in
life, including his kids, friends, and millions, behind? Or did someone just
want it to look that way?In 2002 Carole got Don declared legally dead and inherited everything.
In 2004 Carole married board member Howard Baskin on November 1st and is now
known as Carole Baskin.Following Don's disappearance Wildlife On Easy Street turned 180 degrees. It
no longer promoted ownership but opposed it and joined AR and sanctuary
groups and started spouting the party line against ownership.The cats that Don and Carole had bred and bought suddenly got "stories"
about how they were saved from abuse and abandonment. A few animals were
taken in and their stories embellished similarly.The move to Costa Rica obviously never happened and it is unclear what
became of the land. Sold to developers? Defaulted on?Carole decided the name of her operation did not sound good and changed it
to Big Cat Rescue. She is now Florida's version of Carole Asvestas (Wild
Animal Orphanage aka Animal Sanctuary Of The United States) and campaigns
for bans countrywide and seeks to change Florida's constitution if she can't
get them to ban more ownership.Stories abound of questionable fund raising, improper keeping and treatment,
and shady deals. See the recent messages here for more.I will let those engaged in the protests fill you in on their actions and
reasons but that too has all been here for weeks.What is missing is any media interest in telling the true story of this
terrible string of events. Even Geraldo's show will be promoting them
instead of investigating them.This is wrong.
Ray
From: < lndmonk@yahoo.com
To: <monkeyyardsale@yahoogroups.com; <repo-pac@yahoogroups.com;
<simply_simian@yahoogroups.com; <Phoenix_Exotics@yahoogroups.com;
<SSAMembership@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 10:59 AM
Subject: [Phoenix_Exotics] Protest information:The Protest against the Big Cat Rescue and Carole Baskins will be on this
coming Saturday starting at 9 AM thru 1 PM. Meet at the corner of Easy
Street and Citrus road. Please dress in a manner that will not reflect badly on
the protestors. This is an important protest as Ms. Baskins is one of the
very ones who is influencing legislators against private owners of exotics.
Not just cats. All exotics. If she can be shown for exactly what she is her
influence will be nullified. This is very very important and anyone that
can be there should try and attend.
NO YELLING OR SCREAMING OR PROFANITY. simply hand out flyers and answer
questions. DO NOT BRING YOUR PETS. Vernon Yates will be spokesman and
talk to the media which will be in attendance.Lets show our support for this man who has stood up for private owners for
years and continues to do so.I will be leaving NC on Thursday for Florida and have room for a few
companions if you want to attend and need a ride let me know asap.Linda
_Simply~Simian Inc._ (http://www.simply-simian.com/index.html)
_Support Vernon Yates Demonstration_
(http://www.simply-simian.com/catrescu.htm) From: Tim Stoffel < tim@...
Date: Sat Jan 28, 2006 2:37 am
Subject: Re: [Phoenix_Exotics] Carole Baskins is on the Hillsnborough Co. Animal Advisory Committee timbalionguyOn Fri, 2006-01-27 at 14:24 +0000, Dana wrote:
Hello Group! I am a new member. I have the large macaws for pets. I
live in Hillsborough County Florida.
Carole Lewis Baskins is on the Hillsborough County Animal Advisory
Commmittee.The Animal Advisory Committee is an appointed group of
people to develope the long range plans for the Animal Ordinances and
Policies of this county. The appointed memebers of this committtee are
also members of animal activist groups. So much for being neutral, all
seem to have personal agenda to push thru.(mandatory microchipping ect.)
I object to Carole being on this committee. I would like any feedback
that would give me factual info on her.
It is bad enough that she would like to take our right to own exotics
away, but now to "regulate" how we own our pets(dogs and cats).
Thanks, DanaExpose and discredit them!
For the lions,
Tim Stoffel From: "Bob Nevin" < bob@...
Date: Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:14 am
Subject: Re: [Phoenix_Exotics] URGENT iluvclydesda...Well you caught me with nothing but dust mites in my wallet!! lol I just got
done paying a huge tax bill and I'm up in Ohio. I have an idea though and
that's to spread the word about this to other animal groups like
DraftnDrive, Some of your primate sites. There is another one called Tigers
as Pets too.Hope this helps.
-Bob From: < lndmonk@yahoo.com
To: <Phoenix_Exotics@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2006 10:15 PM
Subject: Re: [Phoenix_Exotics] URGENTIn a message dated 1/24/06 8:05:53 PM Central Standard Time,
bob@... writes:I'm with him in spirit.
I was hoping for more than spiritual help..lol... I am going to be going
down there I am pretty sure, and am busy printing out flyers now. We are
also making a booklett of Carole Baskins life to mail out to the polititians
she is courting now.. lets see how they like being associated with a suspected
murderer? And a admitted liar and forger.. Susan already admitted to the
cops she lied n the stand about the will and her name was forged on it.. too
bad she didn't tell the truth the first time and this all may have had a different
outcome.Is there no one on this list that can take the time for a Fl vacation now?
People need to start standing up for what they believe and say.. bullys always back down when faced with real opposition._Simply~Simian Inc._ (http://www.simply-simian.com/index.html)
From: "Z" < tigers9@...
Date: Tue Jan 24, 2006 11:03 pm
Subject: RE: [Phoenix_Exotics] URGENT zbrubruffI live too far but please keep us posted:-)
Z From: Phoenix_Exotics@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Phoenix_Exotics@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of lndmonk@yahoo.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2006 10:42 AM
To: Phoenix_Exotics@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Phoenix_Exotics] URGENTOK guys we have a guy that is willing to stand up and be heard... Vernon
Yates in Fl is going to picket Carole Baskins and her big Cat rescue
Facility during the upcoming event at her place with the polititians ( major sucking
up) and needs help... Anyone that can attend the demonstration please get in
touch with Vernon. I am personally planning on trying to get there.. If
you can help in any other way please do so. He will need funds to print flyers, butmostly he needs support. He has fought this woman for a long time with no help and should have been supported all along since Carole has made it very clear she is against us all as private owners... Lets help him out... Linda
You can also donate to just help Vernon with his facility since Carole has done all possible to discredit and dishonor him for his stance against her. I am sure he would appreciate some help with his animals at this time also.
_Simply~Simian Inc._ (http://www.simply-simian.com/index.html)
From: "Z" < tigers9@...
Date: Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:14 am
Subject: RE: [Phoenix_Exotics] carole Baskin petition zbrubruffHere is the story of these cougar kittens as told/seen/imagined by Carol
Baskin.
She makes people feel sorry for these cubs, but her petition is against
private ownership, gee, how deceitful IMHO.
Z
http://www.bigcatrescue.org/rescuenewscubs.htm From: "Bob Nevin" < bob@...
Date: Mon Jan 23, 2006 2:06 pm
Subject: Re: [Phoenix_Exotics] Kids, Cats & Candidates-Carol Baskin press release iluvclydesda...Ok this Carole person is a true whack Job.
From: < lndmonk@yahoo.com
To: <Phoenix_Exotics@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 11:19 AM
Subject: Re: [Phoenix_Exotics] Kids, Cats & Candidates-Carol Baskin press
releaseFrom the WEB:
_Welcome to Wildlife Rescue and Rehab_ (http://www.wrrfl.org/)
Follow up on the "disappearance" of Carole's Lewis Baskin's former
husband, Don Lewis, in 1997, case # 97-069-358 with the Hillsborough County
Sheriff's Dept.On Thursday January 19th a cold case detective paid a visit to Susan
Aronoff, a former friend of Carole and staff member of Wildlife On Easy
Street/Big Cat Rescue. During this interview Susan admitted to the detective that it
was not her signature on Don's supposed will which appeared after he
disappeared. Susan revealed that Carole had forged her name as a witness to Don's will
and that she was told by Carole to appear in court and say that the signature
was in fact her own.Susan further admitted that she perjured herself in court out of fear of Carole, as she had cats boarded at Easy Street and believed they could be in danger if she did not cooperate.
From: lndmonk@yahoo.com
Date: Mon Jan 23, 2006 9:01 am
Subject: Re: [Phoenix_Exotics] Kids, Cats & Candidates-Carol Baskin press release lndmonkIn a message dated 1/23/06 4:56:22 AM Central Standard Time, tim@...
writes:This woman doesn't mess around!
She's mis-educating children and politicians at the same time. Perhaps a
whole bunch of us need to visit that day wearing T-shirts with the TRUTH
on them!there are already people out there insisting on something being done about
her..On Thurs Jan 19th a cold case detective showed up at the home of one of
the supposed witnesses on the will.This witness admitted to the detective that
it was not her signature on the will, that Carole forged it, and the witness' perjured herself in court under fear of Carole, as her cats were boarded there.
That same detective is following up on several other peoples information on
her.Why don't we all simply write the polititians stating what we all know about
her and her so called rescue operation? I am sure they would not want to be
associated with someone that was suspected of feeding her vanished husband
to the cats?Hopefully in the near future the whole thing will be resolved so Don's children and friends can get on with their lives knowing the truth about his dissappearance. There are agencys working on it now.
_Simply~Simian Inc._ ( http://www.simply-simian.com/index.html )
From: "chimps" < chimps@...
Date: Tue Jan 17, 2006 9:32 pm
Subject: [Phoenix_Exotics] Carol Baskin: link w/interesting info re BCR/WOES luvgr8apes
Here's an interesting site where someone finally has the cajones to stand up to
Carole and expose her true agenda and lies on an actual website. There's also a
link to an article from a People magazine special edition titled True Crime
Stories with photos of Carole and her mysterious 'missing' millionaire husband.
Check it out..
http://wildliferescueandrehab.org/learnthetruth/index.html - Blog post
- 2 years ago
- Views: 137
- Not yet rated
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Phoenix Exotics Part 2 Phoenix Exotics Part 2
- From: TheirVoice
-
Description:
Subject: PE members are threatening you?
To: Phoenix_Exotics@yahoogroups.com
From: SOUTHZOO@AOL.COM
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 00:38:50 EST
Subject: Re: [Phoenix_Exotics] Carole- BCR comments- My responseIn a message dated 2/17/2006 12:37:20 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
tigers9@cox.net writes:U mean kind of like a bullet?...;-) it depends if u r on the receiving end
or not.;-)ROFL! Yup, fully loaded!
Community email addresses:
Post message: Phoenix_Exotics@yahoogroups.com
Subscribe: Phoenix_Exotics-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe: Phoenix_Exotics-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
List owner: Phoenix_Exotics-owner@yahoogroups.com
Website: http://www.PhoenixExotics.orgShortcut URL to this page:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Phoenix_Exotics/ Subject: Comment from GreenPeople directory
Hello,
We received the following comment from tigers9@cox.net regarding your listing at:
http://www.greenpeople.org/searchResults.cfm?memid =5833
The comment is:Wasn't Carole Baskin/Lewis formerly called Widlife on Easy Streeta breeder, and most of her animals she bought/bred herself,or got retired tigers from Ringling,who pay for their upkeep?See link to her book where she admits it: http://www.species.net/Carnivora/General/Easy/Easy indx.html I also own her video,BIG CAT COMPANIONS on breeding exotic cats.
Subject: Comment from GreenPeople directory
Hello,
We received the following comment from azooforu@yahoo.com regarding your listing at:
http://www.greenpeople.org/searchResults.cfm?memid =5833
The comment is:
Wildlife on Easy Street is nothing more then a place a greedy woman keeps HER RETIRED BREEDERS at, and some Ringling Circus tigers who are paid for (OVERCHARGED) by the compnay. She higly inflates the cost for enclosures that are secured by hog rings. The land their enclosures are built on was formerly a dump, and junk still pushes it's way to the top
of the animals' enclosures. They have been under investigation for numerous violations to the ANIMAL WELFARE ACT by the USDA. This isn't paradise, it's BUSINESS.Subject: GreenPeople listing: Big Cats and Private Owners
Bob Nevin ( Bob@chnevin.com ) Robert W. Nevin, VP, Recruiting10223 Sablewood Dr. Aurora, Ohio 44202 (Tel) 800-388-7986 (Fax)330-995-3592
has visited your GreenPeople listing:
Big Cat Rescue
http://www.greenpeople.org/searchResults.cfm?memid =5833
and is emailing you the following:
Its my right to responibly own a lion. If you don't like that then clam up. I feel real bad that you can not educate people on how to work and care for big cats short of saying you can't have them. If owning big cats are banned, then you will see an even greater problem with enforcement because all the cats will be sold on the black market without any papers or breeding certificates. Also a lot more accidents and inexperienced people working with them will get hurt or even worse.
Its very important that you educate people how to work and train the big cats. Also, its very important that we save the species and private owners are doing a good job. I think that you should start realizing and welcoming that fact instead of trying to make a mockery of it.Carole’s Note: GreenPeople decided that the opinions were without merit and did not post these libelous comments. The book link is maintained by one of our opponents who hides behind a bulk registrar and the text is not endorsed by Carole Baskin or Big Cat Rescue.
Linda Hunnicutt lndmonk@yahoo.com Brought pet monkey from NC into FL and said she left it in her car at Vernon Yates while she protested our Kids, Cats & Candidates day. She had led the group from Phoenix Exotics in coming here from out of state. Linda Hunnicutt of Simply Simian Address: 27 Beaton Path, LeicesterCity, State Zipcode: Leicester, NC 28748 Phone: (828) 683-2009 Her criminal convictions that include bank fraud and charity fraud are HERE .
Email: lndmonk@aol.com
From: lndmonk
To: monkeyyardsale@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 11:32 PM
Subject: [monkeyyardsale] Home againI just got in this afternoon and found 1300 messages none of which I could get too. This computer has gone AWOL. I have had to go to yahoo then back to aol to read the newest ones? what a mess.
Anyway needless to say I deleted the most of them..
I got to Fl on Friday night, really Late, Had a flat on the I 10 INTERSTATE and had to get the Road Rangers out there to help change it and found they couldn't doit either as it has locking nuts on the wheels to keep people from steeling them.. My Son finally told me to tell them to knock off the stud that had the lock on it. which was the solution..
Then had to drive very slowly for the next hundred forty miles which was worse than waiting for the Rangers..lol.. Anyway after staying lost on the interstate interchanges for about an hour I just called and told my son to come get me which he did and found I was only about 10 minutes from his house.lol... I did get there though which is what counts. The demonstration was a good one, have the photos etc and will get them up on the website and in the newsletter comming out in a few days.I did get a lot of aggravation there, those people are really mean. One blonde which I will not mention her name, was put up to pulling my strings, she had the nerve to come up and start asking me questions about what I had in my car, if I had a monkey in there? when I asked her who the hell she was she said Carole Basking, now I think you all know I have a mouth, but I only uttered a few profane words to her and told her to get the FFFFFFF away from me.. I never raised my hand but my Grandaughter was standing there with huge eyes just waiting for the blows to start flying..lol... Of course everyne thought that was really funny.... then Vernon who I entrusted with Buddy during the demonstration came by and put his arm around me and told me we had a little problem... Buddy had opened his cage and was up in a tree? He also learned a few new words ...lol...
It was a wonderful experience, those people are dedicated, serious and working for us all. I got to put faces with names and loved meeting all of them.
We did our job. Only abut 3 cars went into the place while we were there , and one of the candidates read our material and switched sides, grabbed a sign and was standing with us on the street. The cops she had called to keep us from harrassing her guests ( she had very very few of them to harrass) took our flyers thanks to someone who told them their husband was a cop also and eased up on us.
People in that town got the message, the traffic was heavy, and everyone slowed down to see the signs.. They were read. Lots of people would give us the thumb up sign so they must have nad some previous knowledge of BAskins.
The most excitement was when the fire engine flew in with sirens and lights flashing followed by a ambulance.. I actualy was hoping maybe Carol had met with a horrid accident? but we never did find out what the problem was.
I am really dissapointed that Geraldo didn't show up to see the real truth and went ahead and aired the show but from what I heard from someone? it was not a good one and didn't show much of her place at all so he evidently edited it quite a bit. That is a positive thing. Our messages did get through.
That is not the end of it, there will be bigger and better demonstrations and like I said on another list. It aint over till the fat lady sings and I haven't had any voice lessons yet. so we will keep on till we get it right.. After all we are new at this stuff but are learning real quick.
It is good to be home and get some real sleep in my own bed but Karen better get my bed at her house ready cause I am heading out of here next week for Texas... Yeee Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
It is snowing still here, the ground is frozen and I am movin on south... Buddy told his father tonight he was a southern monkey.. didn't like this hillbilly place.. LOL.....
Linda
Carole&rsq uo;s Note: Name: Linda Hunnicutt of Simply Simian Address: 27 Beaton Path, Leicester, NC 28748 Phone: (828) 683-2009 Email: lndmonk@aol.com She is said to use a number of other names and aliases as well to make it look like several people are responding on an issue, rather than her, or just her.
I did not go up to the group of protestors but did have them filmed to find out who was there. They claim to have had a candidate join them, but all of the candidates who were scheduled to come, did come, with the exception of one woman and I do not know who the man in the photo they are promoting as a candidate was. While she claims only three cars came, we had 178 guests. The officer we hired to manage traffic was not duped by them and knows the trouble that irresponsible exotic animal owners cause in the Tampabay area.
From: lndmonk@yahoo.com
Date: Sat Mar 4, 2006 11:35 am
Subject: Fla Python bill. lndmonkThis is the bill Carole Baskin is pushing so hard.. it is only a open door
to other more dangerous amendments which will be coming if this is passed...
Everyone keep in mind that we need Fla as a example of regulations that are
fair and working .Fla. Python bill:
It now has a number - HB 1459. The Senate bill still does not but if you
track the house bill, when the Senate companion is ready it will tell you so
you don't always have to keep checking on Posey's reptile bill. I hope you
will give this number to everyone you know so they can track it . That is how
to find out what Committees it gets assigned to and who is on them, When it is
put on the Committee Agenda (in the order the Speaker assigns the
Committees) and where, what time, date, etc., then after, if it was passed,
failed, tp'd (temporarily 'postponed 'Note this doesn't mean passed - but postponed)
.
Once there is a Senate Bill you will want to take its number and go to
Senate bill tracking to find out, the who, when, what, etc. as described above.
(Florida)_SIMPLY SIMIAN INC._ (http://www.simply-simian.com/)
_Repo-Pac_ (http://www.repo-pac.com/)_Grannys against Peta_ (http://www.grannysagainstpeta.com/)
Warrior Grannys strike against Peta. From: Bigcats10@aol.com
Date: Sat Mar 4, 2006 7:14 am
Subject: Re: [Phoenix_Exotics] BCR Ban Big Cat Exploitation petition bigcats10In a message dated 3/4/2006 3:02:51 AM Eastern Standard Time,
lndmonk@yahoo.com writes:If you notice the very first line on the petition admits she is lobbying .... isn't that against what her non profit status allows?
Here is an excerpt from the IRS re: 501:
Exemption Requirements
To be tax-exempt as an organization described in IRC Section 501(c)(3) of
the Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for one or
more of the purposes set forth in IRC Section 501(c)(3) and none of the
earnings of the organization may inure to any private shareholder or
individual.
In addition, it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial
part of its activities and it may not participate at all in campaign activity
for or against political candidates.
_http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0 ,,id=96099,00.html_
(http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0 ,,id=96099,00.html)Ms. Baskin is on the BOD of Humane USA which is a political group which has the freedom to participate in these activities.
Also, USDA has no jurisdiction over these activities. Contacting the IRS with all of Carole's political maneuvers is an excellent idea. It can't hurt.
Vicki
From: "Ray" < rrooney@ucwphilly.rr.com Raymond Rooney
Date: Sat Feb 25, 2006 4:13 pm
Subject: Re: [Phoenix_Exotics] API expose runeraion
This must have happened while I was away but I am dismayed that people here fell for this.Without having read the exchanges I can only guess that they were taken on their word and no checking was done. I would appreciate it if someone could
point me toward the time period when these guys popped up. I'd like to study their approach.This may mark the first time an AR sting has been pulled successfully but it's not the first time someone has come to us wanting to see animals and owners with negative intent.
We all remember the NY Times reporter, the Al Guart "expose'" and court circus, and nibbles from various TV producers. We did get lucky with one UK photographer but that was a fluke.
Strangers are not going to seek us out to tell our wonderful story. There's no percentage in it. It's a poor seller. At best it might make filler in a pet publication but people who come thousands of miles don't do it for penny pieces.
And I don't care how nice you think someone is, you never show them a dirty enclosure, ratty fences, or less-than-perfect specimens. It doesn't matter if they were just sick or if you just rescued them from somewhere, animals in poor condition look bad and give a bad impression.
You can not count on slack from a "fellow exotic owner", especially if you haven't verified that they are owners or seen their place. Carole Baskin is a "fellow exotic owner."
Outfits like API have huge resources and can drag people in from anywhere in the country. Or the world. Sister organizations can supply people if they think you might know their own staff. HSUS, IFAW, and API are global.
Those who had poor conditions and/or animals did a lot of damage and need to clean up their acts. They should expect a visit from some agency - F&W, animal control, humane society, USDA, as appropriate. These people will give names when they see the lawmakers next and documenation is a natural request.
Worse, it will cost Phoenix credibility and scare away those who might have supported its actions. They now have to fear this being used against them if they support us in the future. If the group representing "responsible ownership" is so "bad" what does that leave?
AR people are a lot of things - cultists, fanatical, emotional, and sometimes disturbed - but they are not idiots and are determined liars, two-faced, and well-connected. They WILL lie to your face, assure you they are your friends, share your concerns and goals, and want to help you and your animals then turn around and blow you all to hell.
The ends justify the means.
Remember, to them we are not nice people with interesting jobs or hobbies. We are scum, exploiters, abusers, psychotic, and stupid. There's no shame in lying or doing any other action to horrible people, there's pride.
And if it negates a whole group of opposition people then it was justified and furthers the goal of animal liberation.
Empty cages! Empty cages!
But we should take this away from all this: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."
Let this be a learning experience. Don't be a show-off. If you can't control the outcome, don't get involved. Even if you are within regulations they make it sound awful - poses with wild animal, animal lives life in small prison, etc.
If they aren't from a trusted group don't let them on the property! Ray
From: <President@...
To: <Phoenix_exotics@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2006 11:44 AM
Subject: [Phoenix_Exotics] API exposeOpening Statement given at the Phoenix Exotics meeting, 9am, Feb 24th by
President Jeanne Hall.Welcome to the Phoenix Exotics Meeting.
Due to the nature of this meeting we may possibly have protestors or reporters outside or in attendance. Please refer such folks to Vicki. We have security, and she is in charge.
We also have another similar situation. As many of you know Phoenix Members have been opposing ban legislation from API (Animal Protection Institute) for years. One of the most successful places we have opposed ban bills is Washington State. Well, API has done an undercover operation which they have just released as an "in depth investigation". Actually, a couple of very nice seeming fellows dropped by from overseas. Known on the list as Austrian Tom, he and friend "fred" were welcomed into our homes as fellow exotic owners
visiting our country. This occurred a few months ago. Their report shows they did not understand what they were shown or told. We are supposed to respond to such a violation with terror. We are supposed to run away from the big scary ARA (Animal Rights Activists) and withdraw from the fight. But this violation shows something else much more important. It shows WE are being effective enough against the API that they felt the need to use dirty tricks. There was no need to resort to such deceitful behavior as pretending to befriend owners or intentionally record owners without their consent. In fact, the report tries, hard, through editing the info, to meet their agenda without really hitting the mark. Soon we will have a full response to this report up on the web. With pictures of these undercover agents included. We are NOT running away or hiding. API's cowardly actions only show we ARE having an effect.Message to API: API, we know WHO you are and WHAT you are doing. You are invited back anytime, but this time let US record YOU.
President, Phoenix Exotic Wildlife Association
Jeanne Hall
http://www.PhoenixExotics.ORG
President@...
P.O. Box 1132
Chehalis, WA. 98532
360-767-0746Permission to crosspost and forward freely, granted.
- Blog post
- 2 years ago
- Views: 113
-
Lisa Walker Lisa Walker
- From: TheirVoice
-
Description:
Lisa Walker
type="text/javascript"> When Carole Baskin and Big Cat Rescue became known for trying to stop the trade in exotic cats as pets, Debbie Sandlin began slandering them in an attempt to draw the attention off the subject; Exotic Animals as Pets, which is not a subject anyone can defend, and try to misdirect attention in any way she can. _uacct = "UA-771426-1"; urchinTracker(); // When Carole Baskin and Big Cat Rescue became known for trying to stop the trade in exotic cats as pets, several of the exotics dealers enlisted pet breeders to began slandering her in an attempt to draw the attention off the subject; Dangerous Animals as Pets, which is not a subject anyone can defend, and try to misdirect attention in any way she can. Carole Baskin had advocated strongly for laws that banned dog fighting in 2006 and 2007. Carole had been appointed to the Animal Advisory Committee and was elected President with a primary task of reducing the euthanasia rate in Hillsborough County. Surveys show that 3/4 of all the dogs who end up euthanized in shelters are pit bulls. The only exceptions are in the areas where mandatory sterilization of pit bulls occurs and in those places pit bulls make up 1/3 of the animals killed in shelters. People who breed pit bulls say they do it because they love the animal, but just like with exotic pet owners, it typically isn't the animal they love, it is the ego trip possessing that animal gives them, that they love.
Lisa Walker was often an attendee at the Animal Advisory Board meetings to deter the county from banning pit bulls. On June 20, 2007 she testified before the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners on the subject of dog bites asking that education be substituted for breed bans. Since there is no money for such educational programs, it essentially allows them to continue to breed animals that were selectively bred to kill. Breeders like Lisa Walker and exotic pet dealers worked together to have Carole Baskin removed by Brian Blair from the Animal Advisory Committee .
Lisa Walker lives with her fiancee Reid Hutches and they are pit bull breeders. The address she used in her false complaint about Big Cat Rescue is registered to Reid Hutches. Several places on the web refer to Lisa Walker as the main contact for the Mid-Florida APBTC and use the same number as on her complaint: (813) 983-8175. She is listed as the secretary of the Mid FL APBTA and claims to be a non profit organization and solicits donations online, but as of 10/16/07 the name Mid Florida American Pit Bull Terrier Association cannot be found as listed on the Division of Consumer Services web site. Soliciting in FL without being registered subjects the violator to $1,000.00 a day in fines.
The Mid Florida American Pit Bull Terriers Association will be hosting a two day ADBSI Sanctioned Conformation and Weight Pull Show
September 17-18, 2005 at the Sumter County Fairgrounds, 7684 SR 471, Bushnell, FL
All ADBSI rules apply.
All Dogs must be crated.
No Human Aggressive Dogs or Dog Aggressive Humans
Secure Collars Only, No Quick Release & No Choke Chains.
For More Information Contact:
Reid Hutches 813.983.8175
9005 Esthel Road
Tampa, FL 33637
email: midfloridapitbulls@earthlink.netThere is no shame in our game...we are the next level! www.houseofblueskennel.com
The term "game" in pit bull fighting rings means that the dog will fight no matter how badly he is injured.
These people often use aliases, false addresses and other methods to hide their real identities when they spread their libelous claims because when their background becomes known, it is apparent that there is no truth to their assertions. It is all a ruse, meant to distract from the real issue which is that exotic animals should not be kept as pets.
According to a 3/15/07 post on the Working Pit Bull of America Club of FL web site, B.O.C.C. Brian Blair notified the pit bull breeders of the likelihood of an impending ban on their breeding. In this Tampa Tribune article Brian Blair threw the public out of a public meeting and attempted to continue it behind closed doors, so it comes as no surprise that he is being supportive of those who are opposed to letting their neighbors know that they have dangerous animals next door. The following is posted exactly as it was found, mis spellings and all:
Hillsborough County Commissioner White brought forth item #S-7 at the last meeting. Some of you may have seen the story Tuesday on ABC Action News.
Item #S-7 calls for a "dangerous" breed ban to possibly include all pit bull type dogs, german shepherds, rottweilers, dobermanns, and mixes thereof. Once Hillsborough figures out a way to get this legislation pushed through, I am sure it won't be long until it spreads to other counties. They are even discussing trying to overturn the FSS that bans BSL in Florida, which would be a real disaster.Here is the fax that I received from Chris, aide to Commissioner Brian Blair. It is a memorandum from Sheree C. Fish, Managing Attorney, Health Care and Human Services Division of Hillsborough County to Renee Francis Lee, Hillsborough County Attorney and was distributed to all Hillsborough County Commissioners.
Re: Ban and/or have additional restrictions on ownership of specific breeds of dogs
In connection with the discussion to be held on March 7, 2007, by the BOCC, we have researched the issue of breed specific regulations. A brief discussion follows below:
Over the years, newspapers and broadcasts across the United States have reported on injuries inflicted by dogs on humans or other animals. In recent months, many of these attacks have occurred in Hillsborough County. Ohter state and local governments have adopted an approach for eliminating dog attacks known as, Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL). BSL has been embraced by some communities, shunned by others, and strongly opposed by a number of dog owners and canine organizations. BSL, in simple terms, is a statute or regulation that is directed toward one or more specific breed of dogs.
As of July, 2000, thirty-eith states had enacted BSL on a statewide level or in certain municipalities, or were considering BSL on one of the levels. In 1980, Hollywood, Florida's City Commission passed an ordinance that required persons who owned pit bull dogs to "complete special registration forms and prove the possession of $25,000 of public liability insurance. In 1984, a New Mexico town completely banned pit bulls and allowed couty officers to confiscate and euthanize the dogs. In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a legislative committee is considering a bill that would allow Broward Counth locales to ban specific breeds of dogs from public areas. Denver, Colorado has prohibited" any person to own, possess, keep, exercise control over, maintain, harbor, transport, or sell within the city any bit bull". Michigan has prohibited any prospective "possession, maintenance, and harboring" of any "pit bull terriers,", and justifies the prohibition by stating that " the township has further concluded that it is in the interest of public health, sagety and welfare that the presence of pit bull terriers be limited in this community to only those existing licesed pit bull terrier dogs in order that the threat of this breed will eventually be removed from this community. Des Moines, Iowa and North Little Rock, Arkansas have also imposed stringent confinement, licensure, and control requirements (including provisions for animal sezure and disposal) upon any animals deemed "vicious" and ownership of Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, or Bull Terriers or mixes requires a breed-specific licensure fee of $500.00.
That was followed by a lot of similar postings to this anonymous one below by the breeders and dealers:
If any of you have been following my other post…They are proposing a pitbull ban in my county. I had some great help from other forum members on writing a letter. Well I sent it out about 9:00 this morning and wow…I got replies from 3 of the commissioners within 2 hours. I am very pleased with the information I received, because there will be NO BAN!!!! Wooo-hooo!!!! It is against the state constitution to ban any specific breed of dog! This is what I received…short and brief but I also received a transcript from the last meeting on the dangerous breed ban!
Statistics on Pit Bull Attacks in America:
According to the Centers for Disease Control, dogs bite 4 million to 5 million Americans every year. Few attacks are fatal (25 in 1996), but serious injuries—everything from a gash in the arm requiring a few stitches to severed hands and fractured skulls—continue to rise and now stand at more than 750,000 annually, up nearly 40 percent from 1986. Dog bites are one of the top causes of non-fatal injuries in the nation.
Children are the most frequent victims, accounting for 60 percent of the dog bites and 20 of the 25 dog-bite fatalities in 1996. Dog attacks are now the No. 1 reason that children wind up in hospital emergency rooms. Incredibly, nearly half of all American kids have been bitten by the age of 12. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that more than $100 million gets spent yearly treating dog bites in the nation's emergency rooms, and U.S. insurance companies paid out $250 million in dog-bite liability claims in 1996.
Pit bulls and pit-bull crosses (not always easy to distinguish) have caused more than a third of the nation's dog-bite fatalities since 1979 and a comparable proportion of serious injuries. The rising number of attacks, and the unease pit bulls and other dangerous dogs cause in public spaces, have spurred many municipalities to crack down with legislation ranging from muzzle laws to bans on pit bulls and certain other breeds.
http://www.city-journal.org/html/9 _2_scared_of_pit.html
Merritt Clifton, editor of Animal People, has conducted an unusually detailed study of dog bites from 1982 to the present. (Clifton, Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada, September 1982 to November 13, 2006; click here to read it.) The Clifton study show the number of serious canine-inflicted injuries by breed. The author's observations about the breeds and generally how to deal with the dangerous dog problem are enlightening.
According to the Clifton study, pit bulls, Rottweilers, Presa Canarios and their mixes are responsible for 74% of attacks that were included in the study, 68% of the attacks upon children, 82% of the attacks upon adults, 65% of the deaths, and 68% of the maimings. In more than two-thirds of the cases included in the study, the life-threatening or fatal attack was apparently the first known dangerous behavior by the animal in question. Clifton states:
If almost any other dog has a bad moment, someone may get bitten, but will not be maimed for life or killed, and the actuarial risk is accordingly reasonable. If a pit bull terrier or a Rottweiler has a bad moment, often someone is maimed or killed--and that has now created off-the-chart actuarial risk, for which the dogs as well as their victims are paying the price.
Clifton's opinions are as interesting as his statistics. For example, he says, "Pit bulls and Rottweilers are accordingly dogs who not only must be handled with special precautions, but also must be regulated with special requirements appropriate to the risk they may pose to the public and other animals, if they are to be kept at all."
http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/stat istics.html
The letter that Carole Baskin wrote advising neighbors of exotic animal owners about a public workshop to address the proposal that neighbors be notified in the event of an escape is posted below:
Dear Exotic Animal Neighbor, October 2, 2007
Did you even know that there are people living right next to you who own dangerous Class I and Class II wild animals? It could be anything from a bobcat to a tiger. While they may be caged now, what happens in a hurricane? The cobras and black mamba sort of neighbors are even more prone to escape. We post a list of the big cat escapes, killings & maulings on our website.
Keeping wild animals in private collections is cruel to the animals and dangerous for you.
At a recent meeting of the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission they voted down a recommendation that neighbors be notified BEFORE someone moves in next to them with dangerous wild animals because the breeders, dealers and exotic pet owners were there but their neighbors weren’t. They decided to offer two more meetings for neighbors to respond before voting on whether you should be notified when a dangerous wild animal escapes near you .
Of course, just like all of their other meetings, you won’t be notified by them of when and where.
We think you have a right to know.
DATE AND TIME: October 8, 2007, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
PLACE: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry Auditorium, 1911 SW 34th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32614.DATE AND TIME: October 9, 2007, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
PLACE: The Ft. Lauderdale City Commission Chambers, 100 N. Andrews Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33301-1016.For more information on the meetings contact Captain Linda E. Harrison, FWC Division of Law Enforcement Linda.harrison@MyFWC.com
To find out who in your neighborhood has these animals will cost you $50.00 (and a lot of frustration, because the FWC doesn’t want you to know) but you can try to get the list from FL Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Attn. Debbie Manderfield 2590 Executive Center Circle, Suite #200 Tallahassee, Fl 32301. We purchased the list and found your address to be adjacent to one of the owners of Class I or Class II wildlife. We thought you ought to know.
For the cats,
Carole Baskin, Founder
See an interactive online map of exotic cat owners . See people being stupid with big cats, endangering themselves and others HERE . See the awful conditions that many captive cats endure HERE .
- Blog post
- 2 years ago
- Views: 420
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Debbie Sandlin AKA Debra Sandl Debbie Sandlin AKA Debra Sandlin
- From: TheirVoice
-
Description:
Debbie Sandlin
When Carole Baskin and Big Cat Rescue became known for trying to stop the trade in exotic cats as pets, Debbie Sandlin began slandering them in an attempt to draw the attention off the subject; Exotic Animals as Pets, which is not a subject anyone can defend, and try to misdirect attention in any way she can.
Debbie Sandlin was briefly a volunteer at Wildlife on Easy Street about a decade ago. She never graduated from Red level to Yellow level which indicates that she either was there less than 6 months, did not keep her volunteer hours up or that she was not progressing through her training as required to achieve the next level. After Don Lewis disappeared in 1997 the sanctuary stopped breeding and trading in exotic cats and there was a small band of people who left when the policies changed. Between 1997 and 1999 Susan Aronoff , Judy Watson , Jim Moore, and Debbie Sandlin left Wildlife on Easy Street because of the change in direction .
Susan Aronoff, nka Susan Bradshaw was thrown out of the volunteer program when she was caught making money on the side by inviting guests to stick their hands in a lion's mouth to let him lick raw meat off their hands. She since has relocated a number of times, living briefly with Debbie Sandlin and others. Susan started a number of big cat breeding facilities, such as the Preservation Station, but has had to relocate several times after irritating her neighbors, alienating her sponsors and being financially incapable of staying afloat. Vernon Yates has housed her lion, Judah, for her when she was without land and caging in his 2 acre backyard facility that holds nearly 50 big cats in concrete cells. It was this alliance of Vernon Yates , Susan Aronoff, and Debbie Sandlin, that fed the lies and half truths to the Bay News 9 reporter, Chris Hawes . Because they have been able to mislead one reporter they have used the credibility of the Bay News 9 name as their sole source of credibility.
Debbie Sandlin was the woman in the trailer carrying the pet monkey around with her in the video taped interview by Bay News 9. People who know her say that she does most of this at Susan Bradshaw's bidding because she looks up to Susan and wants to please her. She stalks Carole Baskin and Big Cat Rescue and has called in to repeat her nasty diatribe as a phone in caller on WMNF when Carole Baskin was interviewed. She has written numerous letters to supporters, regulating bodies, accrediting organizations and the media trying to discredit Carole Baskin and Big Cat Rescue.
These people often use aliases, false addresses and other methods to hide their real identities when they spread their libelous claims because when their background becomes known, it is apparent that there is no truth to their assertions. It is all a ruse, meant to distract from the real issue which is that exotic animals should not be kept as pets.
The letter that Carole Baskin wrote advising neighbors of exotic animal owners about a public workshop to address the proposal that neighbors be notified in the event of an escape is posted below:
Dear Exotic Animal Neighbor, October 2, 2007
Did you even know that there are people living right next to you who own dangerous Class I and Class II wild animals? It could be anything from a bobcat to a tiger. While they may be caged now, what happens in a hurricane? The cobras and black mamba sort of neighbors are even more prone to escape. We post a list of the big cat escapes, killings & maulings on our website.
Keeping wild animals in private collections is cruel to the animals and dangerous for you.
At a recent meeting of the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission they voted down a recommendation that neighbors be notified BEFORE someone moves in next to them with dangerous wild animals because the breeders, dealers and exotic pet owners were there but their neighbors weren’t. They decided to offer two more meetings for neighbors to respond before voting on whether you should be notified when a dangerous wild animal escapes near you .
Of course, just like all of their other meetings, you won’t be notified by them of when and where.
We think you have a right to know.
DATE AND TIME: October 8, 2007, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
PLACE: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry Auditorium, 1911 SW 34th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32614.DATE AND TIME: October 9, 2007, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
PLACE: The Ft. Lauderdale City Commission Chambers, 100 N. Andrews Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33301-1016.For more information on the meetings contact Captain Linda E. Harrison, FWC Division of Law Enforcement Linda.harrison@MyFWC.com
To find out who in your neighborhood has these animals will cost you $50.00 (and a lot of frustration, because the FWC doesn’t want you to know) but you can try to get the list from FL Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Attn. Debbie Manderfield 2590 Executive Center Circle, Suite #200 Tallahassee, Fl 32301. We purchased the list and found your address to be adjacent to one of the owners of Class I or Class II wildlife. We thought you ought to know.
For the cats,
Carole Baskin, Founder
Debbie Sandlin was quoted in opposition to a bond requirement that insures exhibitors of big dangerous animals can be held accountable.
Captive wildlife changes
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is considering requiring anyone obtaining or making change to a permit for large wildlife to notify neighbors and emergency personnel.
Owners who exhibit animals would be required to buy $2 million worth of insurance or post a $10,000 bond to cover the costs of escapes and injuries.
For more information, visit http://myfwc.com/commission/2007/Sept07/index.html ...
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Thursday considered changes for Class I wildlife permits. The permits are required for owners of big cats such as tigers, large primates like baboons, elephants, bears, rhinoceros and other large wildlife.
More than two dozen residents and organizations in the region hold Class I permits. They include zoos and wildlife sanctuaries as well as private businesses that train, breed and sell exotic animals.
...But the commission did move forward a measure requiring owners who exhibit animals to buy $2 million worth of insurance or post a $10,000 bond to cover the costs of escapes and injuries.
The Florida Legislature passed the bonding and insurance requirement last session, expanding a bill that initially dealt only with venomous snakes. Gov. Charlie Crist signed the measure into law, so the requirement will be effective next year unless lawmakers make changes.
...Others include wildlife breeders, trainers and roadside zoos. Exotic animals in the region gained attention in 1998, when a Bengal tiger in Newberry killed its trainer and owner in a six-week span.
Kari Bagnall, founder and director of Jungle Friends, said the incident shows why private owners shouldn't keep large wildlife. She said private owners also include businesses that sell animals for their parts, teeth and pelts.
The law should be changed to prevent anyone except certified sanctuaries and zoos from having Class I permits, she said.
"They really just need to make these animals illegal," she said.
Florida's subtropical climate, tourist industry and Miami's role as a major port account for a large number of exotic wildlife in the state, said Capt. John West of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The state bans residents from having Class I wildlife as pets. Residents can still obtain permits to exhibit the animals, which allows rescue operations and others to keep wildlife if they publicly show the animals or use the animals for educational purposes.
Wildlife must be kept behind fences at least 8 feet tall. New regulations require public notification in case an escape happens.
"The neighbors would get a call, law enforcement would get a call and we would get a call," West said.
Holly said he used to breed wildlife in Maryland and had a neighbor there who continually called law enforcement for minor issues. He said he fears a requirement to notify neighbors of permits will lead to similar problems here.
"There's lots of reasons your neighbors should not control what you do," he said.
The bonding and insurance requirements apply only to people who exhibit wildlife and not those who breed them. Holly said he already has insurance, which he thinks is a necessity for anyone with large animals.
"Everyone should have insurance in this world," he said...
Archer resident Debra Sandlin has permits for large cats and primates, but said she only has a black macaque, a monkey that now requires a Class II permit.
Fish and Wildlife should concentrate on enforcing existing regulations, she said, rather than adding new ones.
The changes are intended to bolster large sanctuaries while forcing small operations out of business, she said.
"It's not going to benefit the animals," she said.
Excerpted from the Gainesville Sun
See an interactive online map of exotic cat owners .
See an interactive online map of exotic cat owners . See people being stupid with big cats, endangering themselves and others HERE . See the awful conditions that many captive cats endure HERE .
- Blog post
- 2 years ago
- Views: 158
- Not yet rated
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Gini Valbuena Gini Valbuena
- From: TheirVoice
-
Description:
Gini Valbuena
When Carole Baskin and Big Cat Rescue became known for trying to stop the trade in exotic cats as pets, Debbie Sandlin began slandering them in an attempt to draw the attention off the subject; Exotic Animals as Pets, which is not a subject anyone can defend, and try to misdirect attention in any way she can. When Carole Baskin and Big Cat Rescue became known for trying to stop the trade in exotic cats as pets, Gini Valbuena began slandering them in an attempt to draw the attention off the subject; Exotic Animals as Pets, which is not a subject anyone can defend, and try to misdirect attention in any way she can.
pay to come have their pictures taken with a baby chimp or baby orangutan. She also uses the babies for photos by themselves, by dressing them up in baby clothes, for calendars and such. She keeps one adult chimp (at least) in a barred cage in her back yard and she has turned a room inside into a cage as well. She hands out cards that say Valbuena Photography and Valbuena Chimps and defines herself by the latter. On her website she proudly displays disturbing photos of naked and nearly naked children with chimps doing things like sticking their fingers in a crying baby's mouth. Read about how dangerous zoonosis is HERE She claims to have owned 15 chimps and 4 orangutans, but says she only owns two chimps now named Kenya and Tanzee. When she has been profiled in the news she refuses to say where her chimps and orangutans end up when she is through using them. She will only say that they always go to a great sanctuary...but that isn't likely.Great sanctuaries are accredited and as such they do not enable people like Gini Valbuena to continue to use, abuse and discard primates. Before giving her a moment's worth of your time, find out where these primates really end up, who is footing the bill for their care for the next 40 years and make sure you see them in person.
These people often use aliases, false addresses and other methods to hide their real identities when they spread their libelous claims because when their background becomes known, it is apparent that there is no truth to their assertions. It is all a ruse, meant to distract from the real issue which is that exotic animals should not be kept as pets.
The letter that Carole Baskin wrote advising neighbors of exotic animal owners about a public workshop to address the proposal that neighbors be notified in the event of an escape is posted below:
See an interactive online map of exotic cat owners . See people being stupid with big cats, endangering themselves and others HERE . See the awful conditions that many captive cats endure HERE .
The letter that Carole Baskin wrote advising neighbors of exotic animal owners about a public workshop to address the proposal that neighbors be notified in the event of an escape is posted below:
Dear Exotic Animal Neighbor, October 2, 2007
Did you even know that there are people living right next to you who own dangerous Class I and Class II wild animals? It could be anything from a bobcat to a tiger. While they may be caged now, what happens in a hurricane? The cobras and black mamba sort of neighbors are even more prone to escape. We post a list of the big cat escapes, killings & maulings on our website.
Keeping wild animals in private collections is cruel to the animals and dangerous for you.
At a recent meeting of the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission they voted down a recommendation that neighbors be notified BEFORE someone moves in next to them with dangerous wild animals because the breeders, dealers and exotic pet owners were there but their neighbors weren’t. They decided to offer two more meetings for neighbors to respond before voting on whether you should be notified when a dangerous wild animal escapes near you .
Of course, just like all of their other meetings, you won’t be notified by them of when and where.
We think you have a right to know.
DATE AND TIME: October 8, 2007, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
PLACE: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry Auditorium, 1911 SW 34th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32614.DATE AND TIME: October 9, 2007, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
PLACE: The Ft. Lauderdale City Commission Chambers, 100 N. Andrews Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33301-1016.For more information on the meetings contact Captain Linda E. Harrison, FWC Division of Law Enforcement Linda.harrison@MyFWC.com
To find out who in your neighborhood has these animals will cost you $50.00 (and a lot of frustration, because the FWC doesn’t want you to know) but you can try to get the list from FL Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Attn. Debbie Manderfield 2590 Executive Center Circle, Suite #200 Tallahassee, Fl 32301. We purchased the list and found your address to be adjacent to one of the owners of Class I or Class II wildlife. We thought you ought to know.
For the cats,
Carole Baskin, Founder
PDF with photos
Curious? You can get closer
For $100, you can spend an hour with an chimp. The money goes toward the owner's medical bills.
By LEONORA LAPETER
Published October 13, 2006CLEARWATER - On Cheri Pierce's list of things to do before she dies: hold a chimpanzee.
So Pierce, who lives in New York, traveled to a home in Clearwater last week for her very own private chimp encounter.
Noah, a 7-month-old chimp, pulled her blond hair, swatted her cheek and kissed her on the mouth. Gini Valbuena, Noah's owner, hovered in the background.
Valbuena has owned and raised dozens of chimps and monkeys over the past four decades. She currently has three chimps at home. For 20 years, Valbuena cared for her menagerie with the money she made from running a photo studio out of her home.
But in August, she had gallbladder surgery and racked up $50,000 in medical bills - all without insurance.
Suddenly, she needs the chimps as much as they need her.
"I fully supported them for many years," Valbuena wrote in an e-mail. "Now we work together doing something they love. ... We've hit a bump in the road due to circumstances we could not foretell, but we'll steer around it together."
* * *
Her first monkey - a capuchin, the kind used by organ grinders - was a gift from her parents when she was 12 years old.
Valbuena can't explain why, but she connected with the monkey.
More followed: gibbons, chimpanzees, orangutans. She owned some of them, but also raised many for other people. She also has had several big cats, including a lion. Valbuena also married, had four children and divorced. To this day, her daughter picks up her kids' toys with her feet - like a chimp.
Back then, there were no laws against owning chimps or lions as pets. Today, by law, you can own them only if it involves a commercial use.
Valbuena took photos of regular folks but she also photographed the chimps in dresses and suits and sent them to greeting card companies.
A few years ago, her photo studio went under and she began offering chimp encounters for $100 an hour. She also takes her chimps to Naples for a few months each year for corporate events at a private preserve.
One of her chimps, 5-year-old Kenya, is over 40 pounds and is not allowed to participate in the encounters. Usually when her chimps reach sexual maturity, between ages 7 and 9, Valbuena sends them to an 82-acre farm she won't name somewhere in Florida .
She continues to raise them from afar.
* * *
In Florida, you can swim with dolphins, manatees and stingrays, pay to have a tiger cub climb your leg and touch a legless lizard named Jimmy Dean.
About 55 people and companies in Florida are licensed to exhibit chimps, which cost anywhere from $30,000 to $60,000. They include Busch Gardens in Tampa and Walt Disney World in Orlando.
Valbuena, who doesn't want to give her age but is in her 50s, is one of them. She's locked in a continuous battle with animal rights activists, who disapprove of private ownership of wild animals or using them for amusement.
Valbuena says chimps love the interaction and she loves them like children. She does not sell her older chimps to research centers, and figures anything that keeps the species going is a good thing.
In August, after her gallbladder was removed, Valbuena began advertising her chimp encounters more. "It is very enriching for the chimps as they become bored easily and we are always looking for ways to entertain them," she says.
But then she wonders. Her parents raised dozens of foster children.
"Sometimes I think about Mom and Dad raising all those foster babies all those years. All that time and attention, and I know there are all these children out there, and sometimes I feel guilty about giving it all to an animal, but these are just like my children. They are my family."
* * *
Valbuena sits on a stool as 3-year-old Kira, dressed in a Bugs Bunny diaper, clings to her. Dr. Darryl Heard, a University of Florida professor and zoological medicine specialist, gives Kira anesthesia.
"It's okay. Kisses. I know. Sorry," Valbuena coos, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
The chimps are her life. They eat five or six times a day and need round-the-clock care, like human infants. And now Kira needs a tooth extraction, at a cost of $500.
Valbuena knows of at least three chimps and four monkeys who have died under anesthesia.
Is she doing the right thing?
About 45 minutes later, the doctor calmly tells Valbuena the tooth came out, but there is something wrong with Kira's breathing.
Valbuena's chin quivers.
"There's so much happiness and joy in them and when one is the sick, it's the worst," she cries.
Kira, however, is fine. Valbuena cradles the groggy chimp. "Hi, darling, Mommy's so glad you're better."
Before heading back to Clearwater, Valbuena sits in her Dodge Caravan in the parking lot and slides Kira into a toddler-size pink one-piece with white eyelet trim along the back.
"Put your jammies on, darling," Valbuena says. "Mommy's so sorry you had to go through that."
All is well.
* * *
Behind Valbuena's home on a deck with two large cages, Pierce arrives to play with Kira. Valbuena makes the New York woman wash her hands with a disinfectant first.
Heard, the UF animal doctor, says chimps and people can give diseases to each other. Valbuena, however, says her animals have all their shots and have been checked for diseases. She's more worried about people giving the animals diseases.
Pierce has gifts for the chimps, a xylophone and a pair of maracas. Kira quickly breaks the xylophone's mallet in two and hides one of the maracas in the crook of her leg.
Then she leaps into Pierce's arms and gives her a big hug.
"Oh, I love you," says Pierce, her blue eyes fixed on the chimp's craggy face. "Want to come home with me?"
Kira and Pierce kiss, then Kira does a somersault.
"I don't know how you do it," Pierce tells Valbuena. "I'd play with them all day."
The chimp smiles, revealing a gap in her front teeth. Then she looks around for Valbuena, who's standing off to the side, monitoring the encounter.
"Mommy's not going anywhere," Valbuena says.
[Last modified October 13, 2006, 06:30:58]
Chimps aren't pets
The story of a woman who owns chimpanzees presented Gini Valbuena as an animal lover who is now "working together" with her chimpanzees to raise the $50,000 she racked up in medical bills because she didn't have health insurance.
According to the article, Valbuena is promoting a $100-per-hour "chimp encounter" to individuals and groups. In the past, Valbuena also "raised monkeys for other people." And when the chimps reach sexual maturity, "Valbuena sends them to an 82-acre farm she won't name somewhere in Florida." Is it no wonder animal rights activists have been in a "continuous battle" with Valbuena?
Anyone with common sense would be in conflict with her. Chimps should not be pets, and they don't belong in diapers and children's clothing.
Allowing people the freedom to "own" wildlife, from chimpanzees to python snakes, is unconscionable. And the Times' choice to write a piece that touts exploitation as humanitarian is revolting.
As a former director of an animal welfare organization, I will tell you that every story like this negates what we try to do to mitigate the overpopulation of pets in this country. Shame on you.
Marylou Doehrman, Spring Hill
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ON CHIMP PIMPS
Shame, shame!
SHAME ON YOU for promoting Amazing Animal Actors ("Talking with the animals," June 28, 2002).
These chimpanzee babies belong with their mothers, not with a chimp pimp renting them for $200 an hour. Chimpanzees have long childhoods, like us; in the wild they are not weaned until about 5 years old and stay near mother until about 9.
Chimpanzees are not furry little humans, and must not be treated like animated toys for human amusement. What will really happen to these youngsters when they are no longer cute and cuddly? Raised away from chimpanzee society, they have not learned to act like chimpanzees, and no reputable zoo will take such misfits.
Sadly, when chimpanzee children have grown too big and strong to be easily controlled, they are typically sold into biomedical research or to ramshackle roadside zoos, or are forced to breed a new generation of performers. Chimpanzees can live to be 60 years old, but entertainers are usually discarded before they reach 8.
Because chimpanzees are just like us in all the ways that matter, it is wrong to use them for amusement. Shame on your newspaper for giving free advertising to a chimp pimp.
Cyn Krueger
Stop Experimentation on & Exploitation of Chimpanzees (SEEC), Mercer Island, Wash.'Pay to play' chimp program is the problem
Re: A chimp play date, story, July 5.On behalf of the Chimpanzee Collaboratory, I would like to point out that your July 5 article on Gini Valbuena's "pay to play" chimpanzee program in Clearwater omitted a few important details.
We are a group of scientists, public policy experts and attorneys that includes world-renowned primatologist and advocate Jane Goodall. We are dedicated to improving the lives of chimpanzees and other great apes. Programs such as Valbuena's are exactly what we are trying to protect chimpanzees and other great apes from.
Captive chimpanzees in this type of situation are usually taken from their mothers at infancy and are denied the opportunity to grow up in a normal chimpanzee family. Later in life, they become too strong for a "hands-on" approach by even the most caring human guardian.
Chimpanzees are extremely social beings, but they become so humanized when raised in this manner that, once placed in a sanctuary with other chimpanzees, they do not know how to interact and they suffer horribly from social isolation. Those are the lucky ones. More often than not, chimpanzees used in entertainment end up being sold to biomedical laboratories or roadside zoos, where they may remain for decades.
Readers who wish to learn about the true nature of chimpanzees and their plight can contact the Center for Captive Chimpanzee Care in Boynton Beach (www.savethechimps.org). This sanctuary, run by Chimpanzee Collaboratory member Dr. Carole Noon, is home to chimpanzees who previously lived in an Air Force laboratory. She also provides sanctuary for chimpanzees who were orphaned by their owners, who initially kept them as pets but were no longer able to take care of them.
Noon provides true sanctuary for these individuals and allows them to be who they are - chimpanzees, not props for our entertainment.
Liz Clancy Lyons,
The Chimpanzee Collaboratory, Washington, D.C.Cruel advertisement
October 11th, 2006 by adminRecently, a disturbing advertisement appeared on the popular online community, Craigslist.com. The ad featured a photo of a baby chimpanzee and offered “hands-on” encounters with chimpanzees for $100/hour. The ad promised, “Your encounter may include holding, feeding, playing with and photographing a young chimpanzee.”
The ad was placed by Gini Valbuena, who operates a business (Valbuena Chimps) out of her home in Clearwater. In addition to “Chimpanzee Encounters,” she also rents her chimpanzees for commercials, trade shows, etc. Unfortunately, this is not illegal. But it is certainly exploitive and teaches horrible messages about these endangered animals.
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4 Responses to “Help us get cruel advertisement offline”
on 12 Oct 2006 at 8:24 pm Lisa
When will this disgusting, inhumane and cruel practice be put under the spot light and eliminated. Cannot Gini Valbuena be charged with anything?on 12 Oct 2006 at 9:02 pm Bridget Devaney
Gini needs to get a job that requires her to work instead of her poor animals that have no choice in the matter. I’d respect her if she was charging for “Gini Encounters” for $100 an hour.on 18 Jan 2007 at 8:29 pm Sam Hunah
That’s just awful. And you know I have done some research on this Gini and it looks like she’s had about 20 chimps in her lifetime. Where did they all go?on 18 Jan 2007 at 8:34 pm forthechimps
She’s a Godshame. She has dumped soooo many chimps over the years that she needs her own sanctuary just to keep her unwanted retirees.
How this woman is still allowed to treat her babies like this is just a huge question to me.
How does she think the baby chimps feel when they always see the older ones that grow up with gone one day…doesn’t she understand that they know what their future holds?
Doesn’t she care?
I hate her.See an interactive online map of exotic cat owners . See people being stupid with big cats, endangering themselves and others HERE . See the awful conditions that many captive cats endure HERE .
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By Joel Hood - South Florida Sun-Sentinel 
