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2006
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For Immediate Release: May 30, 2007 Government
Announces End to Breeding of Chimpanzees for Research Animal welfare advocates celebrated an announcement by the National Institutes of Health that it would no longer financially support the breeding of chimpanzees for research, a decision that in effect ends the breeding of government-owned chimpanzees. Approximately 500 of the 1,200 chimpanzees in research laboratories in the United States are government-owned. The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) welcomes the announcement as a positive step toward a permanent end to the use of great apes in research in the United States. Unfortunately, although breeding of chimpanzees for research may be at an end, research on chimpanzees already living in laboratories will continue. ARFF has sent a letter to Richard Lerner, President, The Scripps Research Institute urging the institute to commit not to conduct or participate in research that involves the use of chimpanzees or other great apes. “The writing is on the wall concerning the use of great apes in research,” said Heather Veleanu, ARFF Managing Director. “Although it may be years before the final chimpanzee leaves government labs, we are asking Scripps today to end its participation in invasive experiments involving chimpanzees or other great apes.” The Scripps Research Institute, which is constructing a new facility in Florida, continues to use these complex animals in experiments. For example, Dr. Francis Chisari, Head of Scripps’ Division of Experimental Pathology, has been infecting chimpanzees with the hepatitis B and C viruses since the 1970s. Opposition to the use of great apes in invasive research is widespread, even in the scientific community. The United States is one of the few remaining countries to use chimpanzees in biomedical research. Many countries around the world, including Great Britain, New Zealand, Sweden, and The Netherlands, have prohibited research on great apes (chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas and orangutans). For more information about animal research at The Scripps Research Institute, visit www.AnimalRightsFlorida.org/Scripps. # # # |
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For Immediate Release: April 23, 2007 Animal
Fancier Killed by Camel (Gulf County) – On Sunday, April 22, a camel trampled a woman to death at a property in the City of Wewahitchka. Coincidentally, a cover story in last week's The Star newspaper (Port St. Joe) profiled the victim, Cathie Ake, and her husband Donnie. The camel, named “Polo,” had recently joined other exotic animals at the Ake's property, including Muntjak deer, coatimundi and ring-tailed lemurs. The Star described the camel’s pitifully small 300 square-foot enclosure, and Donnie Ake's attempts to train the animal: “Training staff in hand, Donnie commanded Polo to sit by quickly tapping its left knee. Polo let out a deep, gurgling noise... and did its master’s bidding.” In a frightening suggestion, the article noted that Cathie had hoped to “offer camel rides to area children.” Polo was purchased on March 27 at an exotic animal auction at the Sumter County Fairgrounds in Bushnell. On the auctioneer’s website, the camel is offered for sale with the tag line, “Looking for something Different?” Also for sale to the highest bidder last month were kinkajou, zebras, flying squirrels, sloths, anteaters and many other exotic animals native to Africa and South America. The auction, USA/FLA Exotic Animal Auction, is operated by Bill McConnell, a Floral City-based breeder of camels. McConnell is one of hundreds of backyard breeders of exotic animals in Florida. “The breeding and sale of exotic animals in Florida is out of control,” said Heather Veleanu, ARFF Managing Director. “This was not the first time that exotic pets have killed or injured people in Florida, and there will be more incidents like this unless the State of Florida gets serious about stopping this cruel trade.” It is remarkably easy to purchase exotic animals in Florida—at animal auctions, pet stores or over the Internet. Buyers are rarely questioned about whether they have the knowledge or resources to properly care for the animal(s). Exotic animals may be cute when purchased, but when they become too large to handle or too expensive to care for they are often abandoned to suffer in small barren enclosures or are discarded at an auction. Exotic animals are dangerous in captivity and even more so in the event of an escape. In recent years, there have been dozens of incidents in Florida in which captive exotic animals have escaped from their cages or attacked a human being. (A list of recent incidents is available at ARFF's website— www.animalrightsflorida.org/incidentlist.) The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida is demanding a ban on the sale, and breeding, of exotic animals in Florida, including nonhuman primates, tigers and other big cats, and large potentially dangerous animals such as camels. # # # |
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For Immediate Release: April 20, 2007 The
Shrine Circus: Cruelty to Animals with Every Ticket (Orlando) – Members of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) will gather outside UCF Arena to protest the Shrine circus. Again this year, Orlando's Bahia Shriners are sponsoring the Royal Hanneford Circus as their “Shrine Circus.” The Royal Hanneford Circus has a long and sordid record of poor animal care and dangerous animal rampages. PROTEST
DATE: Saturday, April 21 USDA inspectors have repeatedly cited the Royal Hanneford Circus for poor veterinary care. In particular, the circus has been cited at least seven times over the past 10 years for failing to provide adequate foot care for two elephants, “Tina” and “Ina.” Most recently, during a March 2005 inspection, the USDA wrote, “Most of Tina and Ina’s nails are overgrown and there is excessive tissue over their cuticles. One of Tina’s nails has a crack from the outside of her nail to the cuticle.” Nail infections and other foot problems are painful and potentially life-threatening conditions common in captive elephants. Ina died in December 2006; Tina is still with the circus. Public Danger. In February 1999, an elephant with the Royal Hanneford Circus left the ring and ran into the audience during a performance in Poughkeepsie, New York. Several spectators were injured as they tried to get away from the elephant. Don't the Shriners help children? The Shriners Hospitals for Children do good work, providing free medical care to needy patients across the country. But less than 2 percent of the hospitals’ budgets comes from money raised by Shrine temples. Much of the money raised by temples through circuses is used not to help children but to pay for trips, parties and alcohol. “We are urging people to reconsider purchasing tickets to the circus. Watching aging elephants balance on two legs, or muzzled bears riding bicycles, is a horrible way to spend a Saturday afternoon,” said Carla Wilson, ARFF Coordinator. “Circus proceeds buy booze for Shriners; if you want to help children, send a check to the Shriners Hospitals directly.” # # # |
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For Immediate Release: January 16, 2007 Circus-Goers
Choose Animal-Free (Miami) – A committed group of animal advocates from the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) spent the past 10 days, before and after every one of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus' Miami shows, talking with circus-goers outside the American Airlines Arena. With video evidence of the violent training sessions elephants endure as part of regular training, clips of Ringling trainers aggressively hitting elephants with sharp bullhooks, and footage of the sad lives circus animals lead in cages or chains, it wasn’t hard to convince Miamians to think twice before supporting animal circuses. Animal advocates’ efforts were rewarded when families tore up tickets and left before going into the show, when they came out of shows having looked at the animals from a new perspective and vowed never to go to an animal circus again, and finally, on Sunday night, when Ringling Bros. cancelled its last show because of low ticket sales. As long as Ringling continues to attempt to fill arena stands in Florida, ARFF members will alert circus-goers to the big top’s big abuse with literature and a wearable body TV highlighting the suffering of circus animals. In one clip, viewers can see trainers repeatedly attacking elephants with steel-tipped bullhooks and shocking them with electric prods as the animals scream out in pain. "Tear that foot off! Tear it off! Make ’em scream!" the trainer instructs other trainers. "Right here in the barn. You can’t do it on the road. I’m not gonna touch her in front of a thousand people." Videotape and testimony from former Ringling trainers and circus employees reveal that force and abusive training methods are common behind-the-scenes at Ringling (see circuses.com for detailed information). According to ARFF’s Managing Director, Heather Veleanu, “The tide is turning. Americans don’t want to support entertainment that strips animals of their most basic natural characteristics, deprives them of any semblance of a life similar to what nature intended, and demands that they be violently beaten to keep them obedient and afraid.” Earlier last week ARFF filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) against Ringling Bros. after representatives of ARFF heard cicus attendees describing blatant violations of the Animal Welfare Act. ARFF sent a letter to the USDA urging an investigation into allegations that tigers appeared to be “drugged” and were receiving whippings directly in the face. The letter also describes a lame elephant being forced to perform. # # # |
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Immediate Release: November
20, 2006
Trouble at UF Dairy Research Unit (Gainesville) – The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) today filed a complaint* with the University of Florida alleging mismanagement and anim al neglect at UF’s Dairy Research Unit in Gainesville (13200 NW 59th Drive). ARFF’s complaint is based on allegations made by a former employee, as well as an investigation by an ARFF volunteer at the facility in early November. *Copies of ARFF’s complaint available upon request. Patricia Cacace, who worked at the Dairy Research Unit for two years, told ARFF about serious problems at the facility resulting in unnecessary animal suffering. Her allegations included: • Cows becoming sick after eating screws and wire left behind by maintenance crews, plastic gloves used in breeding and other improperly disposed garbage. • Cows suffering life-ending injuries after slipping on poorly maintained surfaces. Slippery surfaces are a common problem in dairy facilities, but proper maintenance can reduce the potential of injury. ARFF’s volunteer noted potential slipping hazards, such as algal build-up on concrete walkways, as well as several cows with wounds on their legs, most likely caused by slips. • Injured or sick cows improperly euthanized by a gunshot to the head. Although gunshot is an industry-accepted method of euthanasia, Ms. Cacace described how cows were cruelly shot several times before dying – perhaps due to use of an inappropriate firearm and/or bullet, or inadequately trained employees. • Untreated illness. Cacace alleged that cows were not treated at first sign of illness or injury. For example, one cow suffered an eye infection that went untreated; eventually the eye had to be removed. Another cow with signs of mastitis was reported to supervisors, but was not treated; the cow later died of toxic mastitis. • Animal cruelty. Cacace witnessed an incident in which an employee at the facility whipped an uncooperative cow with his belt. The employee was scolded, but he was not fired. Deliberate cruelty to animals should be grounds for immediate dismissal. • Hunting. Cacace told a heartbreaking story of “Ruby,” a particularly gentle cow who was accidentally shot in the head by a hunter (hunters are allowed on the property to kill wild pigs). Cacace described how the cow was left untreated for two days before a veterinarian arrived. “Although these allegations are shocking, the conditions may not be uncommon in Florida dairy farms,” said Heather Veleanu, ARFF Managing Director. “What is disappointing is that this farm—operated by the University of Florida as a teaching facility—should be far above industry standards, not substandard.” # # # |
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For Immediate Release: November 3, 2006 A
Life in Chains – Animal Abuse in the Circus (Boca Raton) – Members of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) will gather at the entrance to the Royal Palm Polo Club to protest the return of exotic animals to the Cole Bros. Circus. ARFF will be at the circus entrance showing graphic video footage of the violent training circus elephants endure. In 2004, after years of protests, the Cole Bros. Circus announced that elephants would no longer be a part of the traveling show. Unfortunately, this proved to be only a temporary change. The circus arrived in Boca Raton this week with its two female Asian elephants, "Tina" and "Jewel," ages 40 and 42. During its 2006 season, the circus will have over 500 performances and sometimes travels hundreds of miles between cities. While traveling, Tina and Jewel are kept chained in a cramped semi-trailer. PROTEST
DATE: Friday, November 3. The Cole Bros. Circus has repeatedly refused to retire aging elephants, even when it is obvious that they are suffering from painful arthritis or other captivity-induced health problems (conditions linked to prolonged chaining and lack of proper exercise). In the past 10 years, at least five aging elephants with the Cole Bros. Circus have died. Violent, physical abuse remains a common method of training and controlling elephants and other animals in the circus. In 2003, the U.S. Department of Agriculture cited Cole Bros. after a handler struck an elephant twice with a broom handle. In 2000, USDA inspectors noted that two Cole Bros. elephants had bullhook scars. 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" (the circus settled the charges by agreeing to spend $10,000 to improve elephant care). “Tina and Jewel deserve retirement at a sanctuary where they will find freedom from constant travel and physical abuse,” said Heather Veleanu, ARFF Managing Director. # # # |
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For Immediate Release: September 26, 2006 Animal Rights Group Urges Jim Fowler to Make Proposed Animal Park a Sanctuary (Chipley) – The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) has proposed that the “Jim Fowler's Life In The Wild” animal park be developed as a refuge for animals who have no place else to go—exotic animals neglected by private owners, or discarded from zoos, circuses and the entertainment industry. Although plans for the animal park in Holmes County have hit a roadblock, the financial backers of the project have said that it will go ahead in neighboring Washington County. (In August, the Holmes County Development Commission terminated its contract with the Fowler Center to sell hundreds of acres for the park.) In August, ARFF sent letters to Mr. Fowler and to Barbara Farris, President of Blue Dolphin II, the development group supporting the project. Every year, accredited sanctuaries have to turn away hundreds of exotic and wild animals made homeless by irresponsible owners. Sadly, animals are also discarded by entertainers and established animal parks when they are no longer of value. “We have no doubt that Mr. Fowler is well aware of the problem of private ownership of exotic animals,” said ARFF spokesperson Heather Veleanu. “We are concerned that if Mr. Fowler chooses to purchase animals to stock his park, it may exacerbate problems by encouraging captive breeding and the exotic animal trade. The alternative that we proposed would be welcomed by the general public and by the animal protection community.” # # # |
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For
Immediate Release: September 18, 2006 (Orlando) – On August 23, The Burnham Institute for Medical Research announced that it will open a new research facility in Orlando. As with the arrival in Palm Beach County of The Scripps Research Institute, Burnham’s announcement is cause for concern among animal advocates. Burnham uses hundreds, perhaps thousands, of rats and mice in experiments every year (Burnham does not report its use of mice and rats to the USDA). Unfortunately, mice and rats are not provided even minimal protection under federal regulations. The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) has created a page on its website— www.AnimalRightsFlorida.org/Burnham – with information about Burnham’s use of animals. Promise. The Burnham Institute for Medical Research is a leader in the emerging field of stem cell research. Many believe that stem cells may some day replace animals in research into many diseases, potentially saving millions of animals each year from cruel experiments. Stem cell cultures could generate an endless supply of healthy human cells for studying disease and testing new drugs. Pain. Unfortunately, most stem cell research currently uses animals. The research of several scientists at Burnham involves transplanting human cells into “animal models” of injury and disease. ARFF
has sent a letter to Burnham President John Reed requesting that
Burnham produce publicly available annual reports which include
information about animal research conducted in Florida, including
the number and species of all animals used, as well as details
about how Burnham scientists justify the use of animals, and why
non-animal alternatives were rejected. # # # |
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For Immediate Release: September 8, 2006 Iguanas
– Targets of Cruel Attacks (Fort Lauderdale) – In at least three separate incidents in recent weeks, iguanas along the South Fork Middle River have been attacked by humans. In the most recent incident, a 6-foot-long iguana that local residents named “Iggy” was shot with a crossbow arrow in Wilton Manors. Fortunately, the iguana narrowly escaped serious injury. The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) has pledged a $1000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the attacks. Iguanas, like all animals, are protected from harassment and inhumane killing under Florida’s anti-cruelty statute. The perpetrator, if caught, could face charges of felony animal cruelty. Experts believe there is a connection between animal cruelty and human violence. Individuals who commit acts of intentional cruelty against animals are a particular concern and may pose a threat to humans. Although most people find iguanas fascinating, the animals do sometimes pose unwelcome challenges. Most often, the complaints are that the reptiles are eating ornamental plants. “It is hard to imagine that loss of an orchid or Hibiscus could warrant enough anger in an individual to drive him to attack the responsible animals,” said Heather Veleanu, ARFF’s Managing Director. “Sadly, iguanas are commonly harassed or worse by human residents of our state.” ARFF works with individuals and municipalities in south Florida to find humane methods of solving “problems” with iguanas effectively. ARFF is also lobbying The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission to classify Green iguanas as “reptiles of concern,” which would require a permit to possess the animals. Licensing would discourage impulse purchases of iguanas at pet stores, and help to reduce conflicts between these animals and Florida residents. (Feral iguanas are descendents of animals who were once pets, but became too large or expensive to care for, and were irresponsibly released into the wild.) # # # |
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For Immediate Release: August 23, 2006 Activists Speak Against Exotic Pets (Fort
Lauderdale) – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) has announced proposed changes to their Captive
Wildlife Regulations. The changes will make it more difficult
to obtain pythons, Anacondas, Nile monitors and other exotic reptiles
(current law only regulates the possession of poisonous reptiles).
The regulations also address minimum requirements for new facilities
housing tigers, lions, monkeys and other exotic wildlife. The FWC is hosting workshops to hear from the public about the proposed changes. The only meeting in south Florida will take place tonight in Fort Lauderdale: DATE
AND TIME: Wednesday, August 23, 6:00-8:00pm A representative from the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida will attend the workshop to speak in support of the proposed regulations, and to urge the Commission to go further in strengthening the regulations. The new regulations establish a category of “reptiles of concern,” to include Burmese pythons, Anacondas, Nile monitors, and a few other exotic reptiles. The new regulations require permits to possess these reptiles, and establish minimum caging requirements. Individuals who possess these reptiles will also be required to implant a small microchip under the skin of the reptiles to identify them. ARFF will request that the FWC's proposed definition of "reptiles of concern" be amended to include the Green iguana. “Green iguanas may not have made as many headlines as pythons,” said Heather Veleanu, ARFF’s Managing Director. “But I think if you ask local animal control officers, they'd tell you that iguanas are of equal, if not larger, concern for residents of south Florida.” As with pythons, the iguana population explosion is a result of the pet trade. Iguanas can be purchased for as little as $10 at pet stores. Adding Green iguanas to the list of "reptiles of concern" would discourage impulse purchases of these animals. The regulations also address minimum requirements for facilities housing tigers, lions, monkeys and other exotic wildlife. “With their proposed regulations, it is apparent that the FWC understands the serious risk that tigers, monkeys and other wild animals pose to humans,” continued Heather Veleanu. “But we are frustrated with the piecemeal approach that the FWC takes in safeguarding the public, and in protecting these animals. We are asking that the State of Florida prohibit all commercial trade in dangerous exotic animals.” # # # |
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