• Madonna: Leave Pig-Hunting Hubby at Home.
• ARFF Offers $1000 to Nab Orange County Animal Abuser.
• Satan Loves KFC.
• Will Developer Get Away With Abusing Wildlife?
• ARFF Fires Off Letter to Orlando City Commission.
• Anti-Marine Park Billboard Unveiled With Protest at Discovery Cove.
• Orlando Commission to Vote on Controversial Horse-Drawn Carriages.
• Horses Get Day In Court.
• ARFF Crashes Miami Metrozoo’s“Ball Of The Wild”
• Captive Pigs Attacked at Florida High School.

For Immediate Release: July 11, 2006

Madonna: Leave Hubby at Home
Activists hope pig-hunting Guy Ritchie will not join mega star in Miami

(Miami) – The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) has asked Madonna not to bring her husband— filmmaker Guy Ritchie— to south Florida when her “Confessions” tour arrives in Miami for two sold-out shows (July 22-23) at the American Airlines Arena.

During a previous tour in Florida, Guy Ritchie spent a day killing wild pigs near the town of Okeechobee.

“With all that south Florida has to offer, Guy Ritchie chose to kill animals,” said ARFF Managing Director Heather Veleanu. “Fortunately, Madonna recently had a change of heart concerning hunting. We’re hopeful that this compassion will rub-off on her husband.”

(In 2005, Madonna told a British magazine that she had given-up bird shooting after witnessing the dying breaths of a bird that she had shot at her estate in England.)

ARFF is opposed to all bloodsports—recreational killing and maiming of animals—but the hunting of wild pigs is particularly barbaric. It is common for hunters to use dogs to find, chase and viciously attack pigs. Dog packs will chase a wild pig until he or she is exhausted. Hunters follow on foot or in swamp buggies. Before the dogs are restrained, the pig can suffer horrible injuries. Dogs can also be badly injured. Hunters often crudely kill pigs with knives.

The State of Florida has one of the strongest laws against animal fighting in the nation. It is a felony to stage fights between dogs, or other animals. In addition, Florida’s Attorney General has stated that hog-dog rodeos, a bloody event in which dogs are set upon wild pigs confined in a pen, violate Florida’s animal fighting law. Sadly, the law specifically exempts the use of dogs to hunt wild pigs. ARFF is working to remove this exemption.

For more information about the hunting of wild pigs in Florida, visit www.AnimalRightsFlorida.org/Pigs.

For Immediate Release: June 27, 2006

ARFF OFFERS $1000 TO NAB ORANGE COUNTY ANIMAL ABUSER
Group Joins Effort to Bring Animal Abuser to Justice

(Orange County) – The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) is offering a $1000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the mutilation and death of a duck.

On Sunday morning, the duck was found bloody, beaten and with her bill cut off by a woman at Barber Park in Orlando. The woman regularly feeds the ducks at the park and had fed this particular individual for the last three years. The woman was deeply distraught over her discovery and has asked local police to investigate. ARFF is offering $1000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this violent crime.

ARFF believes that other animals in the area may be in danger as long as the person or persons who committed this crime are at large and is urging residents not to leave animals outside unattended. “We hope members of the community will realize the seriousness of these heinous acts and come forward with any information regarding this crime,” says ARFF Managing Director Heather Veleanu. “According to leading mental health professionals and law-enforcement agencies, perpetrators of violent acts against animals are often repeat offenders who pose a serious threat not only to other animals, but to the community as a whole.”

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Orlando Police Department at (407) 246-2425.

# # #

For Immediate Release: June 6, 2006

SATAN LOVES KFC
6/6/06 – Protestors Claim KFC is Hell on Earth for Chickens

(Fort Lauderdale) – A life-size Colonel Sanders dressed as Satan will be used by members of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) on 6/6/06 to show people how hellish life is for chickens who are killed for KFC. ARFF members will wear evil Colonel Sanders masks and wave signs that read, “Colonel Sanders is Satan to Chickens” and “KFC is Hell for Chickens.” Other ARFF members will distribute leaflets to passersby, and one activist will wear a body screen TV showing shocking video footage of factory-farming abuse.

DATE: Tuesday, 6/6/06
TIME: 7:00 PM
PLACE: KFC, 3061 W. Sunrise Blvd.

KFC is the number one chicken killer in the world. Each year more than 850 million chickens are tortured and killed for the restaurant chain. They are crammed by the tens of thousands into sheds that stink of ammonia fumes from accumulated waste and given barely enough room to move (each bird lives in a space about the size of a sheet of paper). KFC drugs and breeds chickens to grow so large that many become crippled from the weight of their massive upper bodies. They often have their throats slit while they are still conscious, and many are burned alive in hellish defeathering tanks.
An undercover investigation at a KFC “Supplier of the Year” slaughterhouse in Moorefield, W.VA., revealed that workers were stomping on live birds, tearing their heads off, spitting tobacco in their eyes, and spray painting their faces.

ARFF’s wicked demonstration is part of a national campaign to convince KFC to make basic improvements to the lives of chickens raised for its restaurants. The welfare improvements include: replacing ineffective electric shocks and throat slicing with more humane methods of killing, improvements in living space for chickens, and a prohibition of the intentional starvation of breeding birds ("forced molting").

Until then ARFF wants the public to know that, “The Colonel’s secret recipe is live scaldings, painful debeakings, and crippled chickens,” says Holly Bowman, ARFF Campaign Coordinator. “We are urging people to shun Satan on 6/6/06 by not eating at KFC.”

# # #

For Immediate Release: May 5, 2006

WILL DEVELOPER GET AWAY WITH ABUSING WILDLIFE?
Animal Rights Group Urges Prosecution of Ron Bergeron

(Hendry County) – South Florida developer Ronald Bergeron has been boasting about an incident involving an alligator that occurred this past weekend at his property in Hendry County. (Mr. Bergeron even provided a local newspaper with photos taken during the incident.) In a misguided attempt to impress friends, Mr. Bergeron jumped onto an alligator and, in his words, began to “wrestle.”

Alligator wrestling is a common but cruel sideshow attraction in which a wrestler jumps onto an alligator's back, forces the mouth closed, and attempts to flip the animal. Of course, alligators are never willing participants in this spectacle.

Mr. Bergeron told local media that he punched the alligator after being bit.

“We have no objection to Mr. Bergeron playing ‘cowboy,’” said ARFF spokesperson Heather Veleanu, “But physically attacking Florida wildlife is cruel, and we believe that it is also a crime.”

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has made it clear that molesting or harassing wildlife is a crime. The American alligator is designated a "Species of Special Concern" in Florida and is provided with additional protections under the law.

Florida statute 372.663 makes it unlawful to “possess, or capture, or attempt to kill, injure, possess, or capture, an alligator.” Also, under Florida’s cruelty to animals statute (828.12), it is a crime to “torment” an animal.

“There are very good reasons why it is against the law to harass wildlife,” continued ARFF spokesperson Heather Veleanu, “By pressing charges against Mr. Bergeron, the fish and wildlife commission would discourage others from attempting similar stunts.”

# # #

For Immediate Release: March 29, 2006

ARFF FIRES OFF LETTER TO ORLANDO CITY COMMISSION
Regulatory Legislation Is Necessary to Safeguard Horses’ Welfare

(Orlando) – Today, the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) sent an urgent letter to Mayor Dyer and Commissioners, urging them to immediately adopt minimum requirements protecting carriage horses and the public if they are unwilling to support a ban. During a recent commission meeting, concern for the safety and welfare of the horses was expressed by both the residents of Orlando and by members of the commission.

In Florida’s blistering heat and humidity, horses suffering from dehydration or heat stress can die in just a few hours. Periods of intense exercise followed by periods when the horse is simply standing around, plus a limit on the horse’s access to water, greatly increases the risks of heat stroke and colic (a major cause of death in adult horses). In order to prevent these tragedies, ARFF is urging the commission to take the following necessary steps:

1. Prevent horses from working before 5 pm in the summer.
2. Horses shall not work more than 3 hrs in a row, and no more than 6 hrs in a 24 hour period and should be rested a minimum of 15 minutes in the shade after every ride.
3. Ensure that horses are provided with an adequate amount of clean, fresh, cool water.

“Many progressive cities throughout Florida, such as Palm Beach, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Key West, Treasure Island and Panama City Beach, have all acted to ensure the welfare of horses by prohibiting animal-drawn vehicles,” says Holly Bowman, ARFF Campaign Coordinator. “Orlando’s failure to adopt minimal requirements designed to protect horses in Florida’s extreme heat and humidity would be particularly unconscionable.”

Letter Available Upon Request

# # #

Safety Concerns
Vehicles frequently strike horse drawn carriages, resulting in severe injuries or death to passengers, drivers, passers by and horses. While pulling carriages, horses easily become startled by sudden noises such as sirens, horns, motorcycles, and thunder, and often race into traffic or onto sidewalks. Just last month, a horse pulling a carriage bolted through blocks of traffic in New York City and crashed into a car, injuring the carriage driver and two people in the car. In Florida, St. Augustine has had 16 published horse-drawn carriage accidents since 1996 alone. Several involved serious injuries, hospitalizations, and thousands of dollars in property damage.

Animal Suffering
Horses used in the carriage industry endure lameness, hoof deterioration, skin sores, bone bruising, and neck, shoulder, and back problems. Subjecting horses to Florida’s blistering heat and humidity, heavy traffic, vehicle fumes, and constant pounding on hard pavement are the inevitably cruel aspects of allowing carriage rides in Orlando.

Florida Cities Ban Horse drawn Carriage Rides
Progressive cities throughout Florida, such as Palm Beach, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Key West, Treasure Island and Panama City Beach, have all acted to prohibit horse drawn carriages.

“Because of the clear threats to the public’s safety and the overwhelming evidence of the misery endured by the horses, we are hopeful that the commission will make the responsible decision to keep both the public and the animals out of harm’s way and vote against the carriages,” says Holly Bowman, ARFF Campaign Coordinator.

# # #

For Immediate Release: March 7, 2006

HORSES GET DAY IN COURT
Orlando Defends Improper Passage of Ordinance

(Orlando) - The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) will have its day in court today in its case against the City of Orlando. A lawsuit was filed in January after the city improperly passed an emergency ordinance increasing horse-drawn carriages in the downtown area and jeopardizing the safety of people and horses.

WHAT: ARFF v. CITY OF ORLANDO Hearing on Motion for Temporary Injunction
WHERE: Orange County Courthouse, Orlando Hearing Room 800-02
WHEN: 3pm

Today Circuit Court Judge Cohen will decide whether city officials abused emergency ordinance powers which are reserved for issues “necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health, safety, and welfare” of its residents. By bypassing state and city notice and hearing requirements, city officials frustrated the right of Orlando residents to be heard on compelling issues surrounding controversial horse-drawn carriage rides, and thwarting the democratic process.

Safety Concerns
While pulling carriages, horses easily become startled by sudden noises like sirens, horns, motorcycles, and thunder, and often race into traffic or onto sidewalks. Just last week, a horse pulling a carriage bolted through blocks of traffic in New York City and crashed into a car, injuring the carriage driver and two people in the car. In Florida, St. Augustine has had 16 published horse-drawn carriage accidents since 1996 alone. Several involved serious injuries, hospitalizations, and thousands of dollars in property damage.

Animal Suffering
As Holly Cheever D. V. M., a respected equine vet who has treated carriage horses in New York, points out, “Lameness and hoof deterioration are inevitable when a horse spends his or her life walking or jogging on the unnaturally concussive asphalt of city streets.” Ill fitting harnesses cause skin sores, bone bruising, neck, shoulder, and back problems.

ARFF is joined by Plaintiff, Heather Carpenter, an animal rights activist and member of the group. Ms. Carpenter is one of many individuals who would have addressed the city council regarding, among other concerns, the long list of accidents involving horse-drawn carriages. Ms. Carpenter contends she would have pointed out that, “recognizing that horse drawn carriages pose serious threats to the publics’ safety, numerous Florida cities have passed ordinances prohibiting these antiquated and unsafe contraptions, including Palm Beach, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Key West, Treasure Island, and Panama City Beach.”

According to ARFF’s managing director, Heather Veleanu, “The emergency ordinance was passed for the sole purpose of rushing horse-drawn carriages onto the city’s streets during the holiday season despite clear threats to public safety and evidence of the misery endured by the horses. To add insult to injury, the ordinance was passed in such a manner so as to intentionally circumvent public comment.”

# # #

For Immediate Release: March 4, 2006

ARFF CRASHES MIAMI METROZOO’S “BALL OF THE WILD”
Group Calls for Lifetime Care Policy

(Miami) – Waving a blown-up photo of Edith, and signs that read, “Adopt Lifetime Care Policies,” members of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) will protest at Miami Metrozoo’s “Ball of the Wild” -- a major fundraiser for the zoo. The protest is part of an ongoing campaign urging Metrozoo not to dump older and unwanted animals, and encouraging a policy that ensures LIFETIME care for all animals they acquire.

WHAT: Demonstration for lifetime care for animals
WHEN: Saturday, March 4th at 6:30 PM
WHERE: Miami Metrozoo, 12400 SW 152nd Street, Miami.

Last year, Miami Metrozoo’s policies for the care of animals came into question when their former chimpanzee star was found languishing in an underground cement pit in Texas. Further investigation revealed that Edith, a great ape listed as an endangered species was housed at the Miami Metrozoo from 1982 to 1987, but through a series of transactions ended up in the deplorable roadside zoo in Texas.

Edith’s plight points to a far too common practice by the nation’s most highly regarded zoos: disposing of older or unwanted animals to make room for cuter, more profitable babies. In fact, zoos have even developed a system to move unwanted animals like Edith out the back door and sell them, resell them, and sell them again; so that ultimately they disappear from all records and everyone along the line has deniability if it becomes known that an animal has ended up in a bad place.

Since Edith’s discovery, ARFF representatives and members of the concerned public have pleaded with Metrozoo to take responsibility for their role in Edith’s miserable situation by adopting policies which would ensure that animals in their care don’t end up in the hands of third party dealers, animal auctions, canned hunt facilities, invasive biomedical research, deplorable roadside zoos, the pet trade, or other equally horrific fates. Regretfully, Metrozoo has refused to change their policies and continue to do business with disreputable zoos and dealers.

“Metrozoo’s failure to ensure that no other animals suffer Edith’s fate is unconscionable,” says Holly Bowman, ARFF Captive Exotic Animal Specialist. “We hope to encourage people attending the party to add their voices to the thousands of others already calling on Metrozoo to adopt a lifetime care policy.”

ARFF's Lifetime Care Policy is Available upon Request.

# # #

CAPTIVE PIGS ATTACKED AT FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL
Animal Rights Group Offers $1000 Reward Leading to Arrest of Perpetrators

(Dunnellon) – In two separate incidents in recent weeks, pigs were attacked at Dunnellon High School. The pigs were among a group of 28 being raised by students in the school's Future Farmer's of America program. 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.

Sadly, the pigs— including the two who were injured— were shown and sold for slaughter at last week's Southeastern Youth Fair in Ocala.

ARFF is urging Dunnellon High School Principal Bobby James to take this matter seriously, and to severely punish the perpetrators if they turn out to be students. ARFF is also asking Marion County Sheriff Ed Dean to conduct a thorough, in-depth investigation of the attacks on the pigs at Dunnellon High School. When the perpetrators are caught, ARFF is demanding that they be charged with felony cruelty to animals (Florida's animal cruelty statute makes intentional and repeated infliction of pain or suffering a felony).

In addition, ARFF has sent a letter to the Marion County School Board requesting that they seriously consider discontinuing Future Farmers of America's animal programs in district schools. Projects that involve the raising and killing of animals condone violence and teach disrespect for life.

The Southeastern Youth Fair claims that last week's swine show taught young people "life skills" such as responsibility, record keeping and marketing. These lessons can easily be taught without the abuse of animals.

“Unfortunately, the abuse and neglect of animals in programs such as Future Farmers of America is not uncommon,” said ARFF spokesperson Holly Bowman. “The incidents at Dunnellon High School are also troubling because intentional animal cruelty is often a strong indicator that a person has emotional problems; violence toward animals often escalates to humans.”

# # #