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2009
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For Immediate Release: July 8, 2010 Animal activists ask pageant contestants to show their beautiful side (Davie) – The 2011 Miss Florida USA pageant will conclude this weekend in Davie. Whoever is crowned Miss Florida USA will win a prize package that includes a fur coat provided by pageant sponsor, the Fur Information Council of America, a fur industry trade group. The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) has contacted the 62 contestants with a small request that would make a BIG difference for Florida wildlife. ARFF reached out to contestants through their Facebook pages and asked that, if they are fortunate to win during pageant finals on Saturday night, they donate the fur garment "prize" to local wildlife rehabilitators to help orphaned and injured wildlife (furs are cut into pieces and placed inside an animal's enclosure to provide warmth and comfort). "A fur coat is a horrible prize at a beauty pageant," said Amanda Burk, ARFF Project Coordinator. "We hope that contestants will seriously consider our request to give the fur back to animals." ARFF will hold protests against the cruel fur industry during pageant preliminaries on Friday, July 9 and during pageant finals on July 10, at Broward College's Bailey Concert Hall in Davie. # # # |
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For Immediate Release: June 24, 2010 Did Charlie Crist save Florida from Mega Python? (Fort Lauderdale) – Today, news broke that the Syfy cable television channel is working on a new, made-for-TV movie entitled "Mega Python vs. Gatoroid," starring 1980s pop-stars Debbie Gibson and Tiffany. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the plot centers around Gibson who plays "a fanatical animal-rights activist who frees illegally imported exotic snakes from pet stores, sending them into the Everglades, where they grow to mega sizes," and Tiffany who plays an "overzealous" park ranger. The Syfy channel is increasingly known for over-the-top comedy/horror movies, such as "Dinocroc vs. Supergator," "Mega Piranha" and "Sharks in Venice." Dare we say, the movies are not to be taken too seriously? Still, the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) wants to make it clear that the idea of an animal rights activist intentionally releasing non-native snakes into the wild in Florida is about as farfetched as sharks eating tourists in the canals of Venice. "As much as the idea of a large snake condemned to spend their entire life in a glass case makes our blood boil, we would never release a non-native snake into the Everglades," said Don Anthony, ARFF Communications Director. "Fortunately, thanks to legislation recently signed by Gov. Crist, Debbie Gibson will no longer find large pythons in pet stores in Florida." On June 3, Governor Charlie Crist signed into law Senate Bill 318. The bill will stop the breeding, sale and trade of Burmese pythons, African rock pythons, anaconda and Nile monitors, among other "reptiles of concern" in Florida. The bill takes effect July 1. "Regardless of whether or not the film accurately portrays Floridians who care about animals, it may do some good," suggested Mr. Anthony. "If the idea of a pet snake becoming Mega Python discourages someone from dumping their snake in the Everglades, that's a good thing." # # # |
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For Immediate Release: May 27, 2010 Circus elephant abuse caught on camera (Inverness) – The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) has received disturbing video filmed by an audience member during a performance of the Carson & Barnes Circus at the Citrus County Fairgrounds in Inverness on May 18. The video shows elephant handler Chip Arthur striking an elephant in the trunk with a bullhook—a tool that resembles a fireplace poker with a sharp steel hook at the end—and then hooking the elephant under her chin. The video can be viewed on ARFF's YouTube page: www.youtube.com/AnimalsFlorida In light of the shocking footage, ARFF has sent letters to animal control departments in St. Johns County, Putnam County and Clay County, urging close monitoring of the treatment of elephants when the circus performs in their communities later this week. “Physical abuse of animals in the circus is not uncommon,” said Nick Atwood, ARFF's Campaigns Coordinator. “What is unusual is for an audience member to capture it on camera. The bullhook's sole purpose is to inflict pain on elephants in order to control them and force them to comply with commands. Trainers are known to use the bullhook against sensitive spots on the elephant's body, and that's exactly what you see in this video." # # # |
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For Immediate Release: March 5, 2010 Animal advocates mark 20th anniversary of "Bangkok Six" affair (Miami) – The story that would become known as the "Bangkok six" affair began with a phone call:
Four of the six babies, three of whom had been shipped upside-down, died. Matthew Block, president of Miami-based Worldwide Primates, Inc., was soon identified as a member of the smuggling ring. The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF), determined to bring Block to justice, held demonstrations outside Worldwide Primates and at the steps of the federal courthouse in Miami. ARFF President Nanci Alexander and other local animal advocates attended Block’s court appearances. The case also drew international attention. Prince Philip of England and Dr. Jane Goodall spoke out on behalf of the orangutans. The outcry from animal advocates was credited with persuading the late Judge James Kehoe to reject a government-arranged plea agreement and instead, in 1992, sentence Matthew Block to 13 months in prison. Following his felony conviction, Block transferred Worldwide Primate Inc.’s import license into his mother and spouse’s names. "The Bangkok Six case highlighted South Florida's role in the global illegal wildlife trade," said ARFF President Nanci Alexander. "Matthew Block brokered a deal that left endangered orangutans dead; 20 years later the Block family remains one of the largest importers of primates for scientific research." In 2009, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service records, Worldwide Primates, Inc. imported over 1,000 primates—crab-eating macaques, rhesus macaques and other monkeys—from China, Mauritius and elsewhere, to be bred and sold for scientific research. # # # |
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For Immediate Release: February 12, 2010 Flea Market: No More Monkey Business (Fruitland Park) – One year after a spider monkey escaped from his cage before a performance of the Liebling Bros. Circus at the North Lake Flea Market in Fruitland Park, the owner of the flea market has decided not to invite the circus back. Following the March 13, 2009 escape, “Reggie” the monkey enjoyed his freedom in the wilds of Lake County for one month before being recaptured. The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) recently contacted the North Lake Flea Market and learned that, “after reviewing the information that was presented to him, [President Bill Cauthen] decided not to have the circus back.” The Liebling Bros. Circus is a small circus that travels with one female African elephant, two monkeys and a few horses. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has repeatedly cited the Liebling Bros. Circus for deficiencies regarding its animals. In June 2009 a USDA inspector visited the circus during a stop in South Carolina and found that the monkeys lived in a barren physical environment that lacked required environmental enrichments. The inspector also described as, “dangerous for the public and the animal,” a circus act in which one monkey enters the audience to grab bags of cotton candy from children, and noted, “cotton candy is not an appropriate food for spider monkeys.” During the inspection, the circus was also cited for leaving a monkey unattended and tethered on a pony’s back for an hour. “We're thrilled at the decision by Mr. Cauthen,” said Carla Wilson, ARFF Coordinator. “We know that he heard from many Floridians concerned about Reggie and the other animals in the circus.” # # # |
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For Immediate Release: January 15, 2010 On sale at Flamingo Gardens: Florida's next "problem" reptile? Animal advocates object to exotic reptile sale (Davie) – The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) is appealing to Flaming Gardens, a botanical garden in Davie, to end its involvement in the sale of non-native reptiles and other exotic pets. This Saturday, January 16, Flamingo Gardens will host the "Reptile & Alternative Pet Show & Sale," featuring dozens of reptile breeders who set up booths selling pythons, iguanas and other exotic lizards and snakes. Flamingo Gardens hosts the exotic reptile expo several times each year. The growing problem of pythons and other exotic reptiles in South Florida is well known. An event during which attendees are encouraged to purchase exotic reptiles is at odds with Flamingo Garden's mission of sharing the beauty of Florida's tropical plants and caring for native wildlife. "Flamingo Gardens would never hold a plant sale where Brazilian peppers, kudzu and Melaluca were on sale, yet they promote the sale of exotic reptiles that are also damaging to Florida's fragile environment," said Nick Atwood, ARFF's Campaigns Coordinator. "It is inevitable that some of the reptiles purchased at Flamingo Gardens this weekend will be abandoned or released into the wild." Prior to a similar event in October, ARFF sent a letter* to Stan Wood, Flamingo Gardens' Executive Director. Unfortunately, ARFF's concerns were dismissed. *Copy of ARFF's letter is available upon request. # # # |
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For Immediate Release: December 23, 2009 "Santa" encourages shoppers to Adopt, Don't Shop (Orlando) - Members of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF), including a man dressed as Santa and several elves, will gather outside a central Florida pet store and encourage holiday shoppers to adopt from local shelters instead of buying a dog. DATE: Thursday, December 24 "We are confident that most consumers are not indifferent to the problem, just ill-informed," said Bryan Wilson, ARFF Coordinator. "If people knew how these dogs are treated, they would stop buying animals from pet stores. Each year millions of animals lose their lives in shelters. Our message is simple: Don't buy while they die! " # # # |
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For Immediate Release: December 3, 2009 Health scare for Sir Gus, the “kissing camel” (Orlando) – “Sir Gus,” the camel mascot of Orlando's Bahia Shriners, is receiving treatment for an unknown illness at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine. Several incidents during 2009 have raised concerns about the health of Sir Gus, and the appropriateness of public exhibition of the camel. The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF), longtime critics of the annual “Shrine Circus,” sponsored by the Bahia Shriners at UCF Arena, are calling for the retirement of Sir Gus and a commitment by the Shriners not to replace the camel. In the November issue of Caravan, the newsletter of the Bahia Shriners, it was reported that Sir Gus was taken to UF's Large Animal Hospital in Gainesville on November 5, 2009:
Following treatment at the university, Sir Gus returned home for rest and recuperation. His November appearances were cancelled. Then on Sunday, November 29, Sir Gus took a turn for the worse and was taken back to Gainesville. According to Steve Stevenson of the Bahia Shriner's Camel Herders club, “He had a relapse and is undergoing neurological, blood, and spinal fluid tests as well as x rays.” USDA scrutiny. During an inspection* by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on May 26, 2009, inspectors found that the Bahia Shriner's program of veterinary care was inadequate. The USDA noted, “The camel recently has had an episode of diarrhea.” The Bahia Shriners were cited for failure to have medical records available for review. The USDA also cited the Bahia Shriners for allowing small children to come into contact with the camel while he had diarrhea. In its report, the USDA concluded, “This animal shall not be exhibited if he has any diarrhea unless it has been determined that the condition does not pose a health risk to the animal or to the public.” In addition to Sir Gus' health problems, there are other reasons to be concerned that the camel poses a danger to the public. Due to their large size and weight, camels can be dangerous and difficult to control. In July 2009, a man who was caring for Sir Gus suffered a broken shoulder after the camel butted him with his nose, knocking him off his feet. “We wish Sir Gus a speedy recovery,” said Nick Atwood, ARFF Campaigns Coordinator. “But in consideration of his poor health and his potentially dangerous behavior, we think the Shriners should retire Sir Gus.” Note: In December 2002, the first “Sir Gus” was euthanized after breaking his leg in a fall while being transported in the Shriner's converted school bus. A few weeks following the accident, a baby camel was purchased to become the new “Sir Gus.” *Copies of USDA inspection reports are available upon request. # # # |
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For Immediate Release: October 21, 2009 Circus on a short leash (Tallahassee) – The City of Tallahassee has notified the Cole Bros. Circus that the use of bullhooks by elephant trainers will be closely watched during performances on Wednesday and Thursday, October 21-22 at the Tallahassee Auto Museum. In early October, the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) sent a letter to City Attorney James English urging the city to prohibit the use of bullhooks when Cole Bros. arrived in Tallahassee. The circus is traveling with three endangered Asian elephants.
The bullhook, or ankus, is a tool used to discipline and control performing elephants. Bullhooks have a long handle and a sharp metal hook at one end. Elephant trainers in the circus use the sharp hook to apply pressure to sensitive spots on the elephant’s body. More than a mere guide, the bullhook serves as a reminder of violent, behind-the-scenes training. In response to ARFF’s letter, Animal Control Supervisor Lt. Jeff Doyle sent a letter to the Cole Bros. Circus notifying them of the ordinance. “It is expected that all circus performers, trainers, and handlers will treat animals in a humane and lawful manner while visiting the City of Tallahassee,” wrote Lt. Doyle. The Cole Bros. Circus has a history of abusive use of bullhooks. In 2000, inspectors with the U.S. Department of Agriculture noted that two Cole Bros. elephants had scars from bullhooks. In 1999, the USDA charged Cole Bros. with violating the Animal Welfare Act; USDA undersecretary Michael Dunn stated, “We believe that on numerous occasions, employees of the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus abusively used an elephant hook on several animals.” “Bullhooks cause pain and injury to elephants,” said ARFF Communications Director Don Anthony. “We are disappointed that the City of Tallahassee did not prohibit the use of bullhooks by the circus entirely, but we are encouraged that the city has pledged to keep a close eye on elephant trainers.” *Copies of ARFF's letter, and the City of Tallahassee’s response, are available upon request. # # # |
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For Immediate Release: September 25, 2009 Horse advocates to address St. Augustine City Commission (St. Augustine) – A discussion of horse-drawn carriages is on the Agenda of Monday’s St. Augustine City Commission meeting. The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) will speak before the commission and ask that St Augustine join progressive cities in Florida, such as Palm Beach and Key West, that have removed horse-drawn carriages from city streets. “As long as carriage horses work St. Augustine’s busy streets there will continue to be dangerous accidents and animal suffering,” said Bryan Wilson, ARFF Coordinator. “We are asking the city to take steps towards a ban on horse-drawn carriages.” WHAT: Presentation on horse-drawn carriages; St. Augustine City Commission regular meeting The risk of accidents and the danger of dehydration will be emphasized during ARFF’s presentation. Accidents. Mixing horse-drawn vehicles with pedestrians and motor vehicle traffic is inherently dangerous. Over 2 million tourists visit the historic City of St. Augustine each year. Not surprisingly, accidents between carriages and motor vehicles on the crowded city streets are common. There have been at least ten serious accidents in the past ten years in St. Augustine. Dehydration. In Florida’s blistering heat and humidity, horses are at serious risk of suffering from dehydration or heat stress. There are no limits on how many hours per day a horse can remain on the streets of St. Augustine. Nothing prevents horses from working on the hottest days of the summer. # # # |
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