ARFF's Billboard Targets Cruel Circus

ARFF's billboard, located just east of the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop on Sunrise Boulevard, is proof that ARFF has no plans to back down in the fight for circus animals. The photo portrays the domination and oppression of animals that perform three times daily at the Swap Shop. In addition to the cruel Hanneford Family Circus, featuring dogs, cats, three elephants and a tiger, a temporary exhibitor currently features chimpanzees.

Congratulations Activists On a Job Well Done: Bubba Arrested!

ARFF added $4,000 to a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a third, formerly unidentified, party involved. On March 29, Clem was arrested with radio producer Brent Hatley, pig trapper/hunter Paul Lauterberg and Daniel Brooks, a listener who held down the boar. Hundreds of letters and emails poured into the station and law enforcement agencies, prompting the Hillsborough State Attorney's Office to file third-degree felony animal cruelty charges.

Since the slaughter, dozens of companies have pulled their ads from the station's parent company, Clear Channel Communications - proof that our hard work pays off! Clear Channel will now be forced to rethink its long-standing policy of tolerance with regard to animal cruelty.

For an update of sponsors to contact, go to www.adaptt.org/unclearchannel.html.

Please thank the State Attorney and encourage him to vigorously prosecute this case

State Attorney Mark Ober
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
5th Floor Courthouse Annex
Tampa, FL 33602
Ph: (813) 272-5400
Fax: (813) 276-8580

Please contact the judge and ask him to give the maximum sentence allowed by Florida law:

The Honorable Herbert J. Baumann
801 E. Twiggs St., Room 317
Tampa, FL 33602
Ph: (813) 272-6879
Fax: (813) 276-8707

Upcoming Demonstrations:

Don't let anyone tell you fish do not feel pain! Fish have sophisticated central nervous systems - they experience pain and stress, particularly from being hooked while searching for their sustenance, dragged through the water and wrestled to exhaustion before dying of suffocation.

The "rodeo" boasts to attract the greatest number of boats and anglers of any tournament in South Florida. Dolphin fish, wahoo, king mackerel, blackfin tuna and cobia will be among the fish that will be tormented under the guise of entertainment. Manatees, shorebirds and other wildlife suffer injury and death from sloppy habits of anglers as monofilament lines and hooks are often left behind and wreak havoc on wildlife.

A Hot, Horrible Summer for Carriage Horses in St. Augustine

Monday, June 11, 3:30 p.m., City Commission meeting, St. Augustine City Hall, 75 King Street

Directions:
From I-95, take exit #92 (U.S. 1). Follow U.S. 1 north approximately 20 miles. Turn right (east) on King Street and follow to City Hall (on the right).

Summertime is especially tough on these horses, as they pull heavy carriages for hours in blistering heat and humidity, breathing vehicle exhaust fumes. Leg deformities, heat exhaustion, inadequate water, shelter and veterinary care, and the ever-present threat of accidents are harsh realities of this industry. St. Augustine has a terrible history of accidents - there have been more than 16 traffic accidents involving horse-drawn carriages since 1996, many resulting in serious injuries to horses and people. Many Florida cities have passed ordinances prohibiting carriage horses, including Key West, Palm Beach, Pompano Beach and Panama City Beach.

Updates:

Activists Get Ready: Faunavision On Its Way!

ARFF will soon have a tool to reach and affect hundreds of people a day! Assembly is underway of a Faunavision van - a mobile audio-visual information unit that shows undercover video footage of animal cruelty in areas ranging from fur farming and factory farming to puppy mills and circuses. A 35-inch color monitor is displayed on the side of the van so the screen can be easily seen from the street, whether the van is traveling or stationary.

As seen in the documentary, "The Witness," the van will include high-performance speakers, a computerized message board and cordless PA system. In just a few hours one or two activists can affect a level of change that would normally require the work of hundreds. The van will create a climate for public education, opening the eyes and minds of viewers compelled to stop and watch the images

ARFF will be looking for volunteers to take shifts driving the van. Let us know if you want to help!

Compassion for Animals Symposium brings activists together

Outreach Coordinator Brett Wyker recruited several new members at an information and merchandise table. Welcome, new members!

Managing Director Heather Lischin was one o f the speakers for the event, which gave her the chance to brag a little about ARFF's accomplishments since we began in 1989. If you were unable to attend this year, we highly recommend you join us next February

ARFF Joins PETA in Burger King Campaign

ARFF joined forces with PETA to "welcome" Burger King's (BK) new CEO, John Dasburg, by holding signs and passing out literature to passers-by, many of whom were BK employees, at 6 a.m., April 2.

Compassionate people around the world are demanding that Burger King follow McDonald's example and cut ties with suppliers who cram 12 hens into tiny cages; sever the beaks of baby chicks with a hot blade; starve hens for up to six weeks in order to shock their bodies into another laying cycle; and stuff breeding sows into cement stalls so small that they can't even turn around or lie down comfortably. We will continue this campaign until BK demands compliance from its slaughterhouses and leaves the industry's animal cruelty guidelines behind in favor of higher animal welfare standards.

Visit www.MurderKing.com for more information.

A special thanks to ARFF member Josh Kahn for his invaluable dedication to this campaign.

Victories:

S. Florida Fair Takes a Step Toward Compassion

Complaints and pressure from animal advocates led to a new policy for the sale of chicks, ducklings and bunnies this year: Fairgoers can no longer buy the animals and take them home the same day. Instead they must wait until the last day of the fair, discouraging impulse buys! Sold at prices as low as $3 per chick, little thought was going into these purchases. The fair also banned live-animal giveaways from the game booths.

Please congratulate the fair board for their wise and humane policy and encourage them to continue their path toward compassion.

Buck Christian, President
South Florida Fair Board
P.O. Box 210367
West Palm Beach, FL 33421-0367
Ph: (561) 790-5230
Email: buck@southfloridafair.comCattle

Abuser Goes to Jail

PCecil Todd Yates of Osceola County was sentenced to 18 months in Osceola County Jail and fined $5,000 for starving hundreds of cattle. Yates was arrested for not complying with judge's orders to feed and rehabilitate them after neglecting the herd for months.

Please send thank-you cards to State Attorney Lawson Lamar for this successful prosecution and ask him to continue his efforts to defend the rights of animals.

State Attorney Lawson Lamar
Courthouse Square, Suite 3500
Kissimmee, FL, 34741
Ph: (407) 343-3200
Fax: (407) 3433290

Circus Not Welcome In Port Orange

The City of Port Orange said "NO!" to the Clyde Beatty Cole Bros. Circus (CBCB) in February thanks to the actions of ARFF member Billy Regar of Daytona. When he learned that the circus' request for a spot in the city to perform annually was on the council's agenda, he alerted us for help. ARFF sent the mayor and council a list of CBCB USDA violations and a letter discouraging the city from opening their doors to the animal abusers. They listened!

Please thank Port Orange officials. If your city considers opening its doors to a circus, please contact ARFF immediately!

Mayor Dorothy L. Hukill and Council
Port Orange City Hall
1000 City Center Circle
Port Orange, FL 32119
Ph: (386) 756-5212
Fax: (904) 756-5208

U of Miami Cancels Wildlife Show

An ARFF member alerted us that Eaton Residential College, one of the dorms on campus, planned to invite Pangaea Productions for a wild animal display in February. When we informed U of M about a cougar attack in Pangaea's past and the exploitation and abuse involved, the school chose to provide a more humane program for the students. Pangaea profits from the use of monkeys, panthers, large snakes, eagles and others.

Congratulations, Girls!

Plantation High School Health Occupations students won 3rd Place in the State Community Awareness Project. They will compete nationally with their project, "Animal Care & Safety." Teacher Shari Nunez heads up the class, including students Manoella Montenegro, Brittany Horwitt, Deena Swenson Jessica Frady, Julie Hall, Jennifer Isaacson and Melissa Lay. Heather Deeley spoke to the students about the importance of spaying and neutering and animal rights in general.

ARFF Member Fights For Sled Dogs

Margery Glickman, of Miami, has been in the national news for her crusade against dog abuse that is commonplace in the Iditarod. A 1998 vacation to Alaska opened Margery's eyes to the abuse sled dogs suffer, tethered in kennels, living in their own waste, taken out only to train, which includes being tied to the back of all-terrain vehicles and treadmills. Many dogs die or are injured in the grueling 1,150-mile race. Margery has formed the non-profit Sled Dog Action Coalition. Check out her website at www.helpsleddogs.org

Beta Fish Sales Discontinued

Eckerd's and Publix report they have discontinued the sale of Siamese Fighters and Betas thanks to your complaints! Many ARFF members reported finding the fish dead in their tiny bowls. These stores will sell the remaining fish and order no more! If you see them at any other store, let the manager know you disapprove and refuse to shop there until the fish are removed. Keep your eyes open - make sure they stick to their word!

Deerfield Beach Nixes Earth Day Exploitation

"Vanishing Species" wildlife exhibitor was removed from Deerfield Earth Day/Arbor Day event guest list when ARFF warned the city about the dangers and exploitation involved. ARFF got involved when we discovered that an alligator, wallabies, a panther and other animals would be on display at the event. The day after we sent a fax to Deerfield officials, we got a call from City Manager Larry Deetjen, saying the exotic animal display had been cancelled. If your city or county is considering an animal display at a local event, please contact ARFF

ARFF In The Media:

• 1/10: Managing Director Heather Lischin had interviews with CBS Ch. 4, Fox Ch. 7 and NBC Ch. 6 during a Burger King (BK) press conference with PETA.
• 1/15: The Miami Herald printed comments from Communications Coordinator Heather Deeley asking for prosecution of a golfer who bludgeoned a rare black swan on Donald Trump's West Palm Beach golf course.
• 1/21: Heather Deeley's comments were included in a column in the Palm Beach Post about the South Florida Fair's new policy delaying the purchase of animals until the end of the fair to discourage impulse buys.
• 2/12: ARFF Director Laura Guttridge spoke about the Animal Fighting and Youth Deer Hunt bills on the Brett Palmer Show
• 2/27: Heather Lischin was interviewed by the Sun-Sentinel about the Animal Fighting Bill.
• 3/1: MSNBC, CNN Headline News, WSVN (Fox) Ch. 7, and WLTV Ch. 23 covered ARFF's demonstration in downtown Miami, where dozens of people were shown watching a video of Burger King (BK) suppliers' inhumane practices. Outreach Coordinator Brett Wyker spoke with CBS Ch. 4 about BK's refusal to require improvements in animal welfare by its suppliers.
• 3/3: WPTV NBC Ch. 5 aired an interview with ARFF President Nanci Alexander about the cruelty behind cosmetic research at the annual Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association convention in Boca Raton.
• 3/11: ARFF member Leisel Appel was featured in a Frank Cerabino column in the Palm Beach Post. She spoke of her commitment to non-violence and the rights of animals.
• 3/16: Heather Lischin spoke to the Sun-Sentinel about King's new exhibit at Monkey Jungle.
• 4/2: WSVN (Fox) Ch. 7 aired the ARFF/PETA Burger King demonstration at BK headquarters in Miami.
• 4/3: ARFF's involvement in the Burger King campaign was mentioned in the Sun-Sentinel.
• 4/3: Heather Lischin was interviewed about Hoof and Mouth disease by Florida's Radio Network.
• 4/9: Heather Lischin was quoted by the Citrus County Chronicle on the cruel practice of hunting wild pigs with dogs in Florida.
• 4/10: The Sun-Sentinel printed an interview with Heather Lischin about the Animal Fighting Bill.

ARFF In The Community:

• 1/12-20: ARFF had a booth at the South Florida Fair. Volunteers included Billie Calabrese, Ella Dragif, Jim & Maggie Dunn, Angie Greico, Heather Lischin, Diana Moreton, Kathleen Phillips and Amalia Santiago.
• 1/27: ARFF member Emily Oesterling organized a fur protest outside the Palm Beach Saks Fifth Avenue.
• 2/2: Communications Coordinator Heather Deeley spoke to Plantation High School's Health Occupation students about the overpopulation of cats and dogs and animal rights in general. The students visited community centers and schools to educate people about caring for companion animals, and spread the word on the overpopulation crisis and the importance of spaying and neutering.

Letters to the Editor:

Publications:
Letters to the editor appeared in the Boca News, Coral Springs Forum, Florida Today, Gainesville Sun, Miami Herald, Press Journal, Orlando Sentinel, Palm Beach Post, Sarasota Herald Tribune, St. Petersburg Times and Sun-Sentinel.

Gifts and Memorials:

• In loving memory of my yellow lab, Happy, from Heidi Juhl & Ron Wiendl.
• In memory of Rachel's dear little dog Winston, R.I.P., from Holly Pearson.
• In honor of Jodi Alexander's engagement, from Dita White.
• In honor of Attorney Bernice A. Dillman, from Eileen Bushman.
• In loving memory of Thomas Lucky Glorso, from Moody Plumbing.
• In honor of Abby Lee Schultz's 2nd birthday, our granddaughter, from Diane & Jerry Hoffman.
• In memory of Earl, equine friend of my daughter, Kathy, from her mom, Rosemary Rogers.
• In memory of Alan Jay Shnapier, M.D., from Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Gilbert.
• In memory of Alan Jay Shnapier, M.D., from Diane & Jerry Hoffman.
• In memory of Alan Jay Shnapier, M.D., from Mavin & Judith Kornfeld.
• In memory of Alan Jay Shnapier, M.D., from Mr. & Mrs. Charles Jaffee.
• In memory of Alan Jay Shnapier, M.D., from Congressman Peter Deutsch.
• In memory of Alan Jay Shnapier, M.D., from Vice Mayor of Hollywood Cathleen Anderson.
• In memory of Alan Jay Shnapier, M.D., from Wayne Pacelle.
• In memory of Alan Jay Shnapier, M.D., from Logan Smith.
• In memory of Alan Jay Shnapier, M.D., from Dorcas & Howard Smith.
• In memory of Alan Jay Shnapier, M.D., from Barbara & Stanley Rosenthal.
• In memory of Alan Jay Shnapier, M.D., from Vickie Peslak-Hyman.

Animal Rights Foundation of Florida
P.O. Box 841154 Pembroke Pines, Florida 33084
tel: 954-917-ARFF · fax: 954-979-6415 · email: arff@animalrightsflorida.org