ARFF - News Releases (continued)


	Miss Florida USA Gets Bloody. Rodeo: Animal Abuse in Action. Broward School Board Hears Circus Policy Proposal. Local Restaurant Fails to Remove Cruel Lobster Game. Shriners Annual Convention Draws Ire. Elephants at the Opera?! King the gorilla marks two decades of solitary confinement. Wheaten Terriers Terrorize Boca Raton! Ringling Bros. Circus: The Cruelest Show on Earth. 2008 Exploitation of Animals at Santa’s Enchanted Forest. Use of Live Hens in Casino Game Protested. Click here for more ARFF news releases.

	For Immediate Release: July 15, 2009 Miss Florida USA Gets Bloody Bob Barker joins ARFF in calling on Miss Florida USA to be fur free (Davie) – Famed media personality and long-time animal rights advocate, Bob Barker, recently sent a letter to Grant and Mary Lou Gravitt, pageant producers at Tel-Air Interests, Inc. – the parent company behind Miss Florida USA and Miss Florida Teen USA, requesting removal of the Fur Information Council of America (FICA) from the pageant's sponsor lists. The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) plans to aid Barkers efforts with a protest outside of pageant finals this Saturday. Activists will don “bloodied” fur garments to illustrate what it really means to wear fur. Time and Date: Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 6:30pm Location: Bailey Concert Hall, Broward Community College, 3501 South West Davie Road, Davie In 1987, Bob Barker stepped down as host of the national Miss USA Pageant after his requests to discontinue the use of fur were ignored. In his letter, Barker cited that standard practices on fur farms are gruesome, and clearly favor profit over animal welfare. He went on to state, “What a terrible shame it is that Miss USA and all affiliated pageants have not recognized fur coats for what they are – the skins of ruthlessly tortured animals.” ARFF protests the pageant's use of fur coats and other items as "prizes." A team of ARFF activists will be on site, distributing educational leaflets and brandishing heart-wrenching posters of skinned animals. ARFF will have an informational tent on campus, featuring undercover video footage of fur farms. Incoming audience members and contestants will have the opportunity to get more facts on the industry and speak with an ARFF representative one-on-one. The fur industry tortures millions of animals each year, with no federal law to regulate how they are treated or killed. Historically, the industry has refused to condemn even the most blatantly cruel techniques. Undercover investigations have found that genital electrocution, deemed “unacceptable” by the American Veterinary Medical Association, is commonly used on fur farms. During this procedure an electrically charged steel rod is inserted into the animal’s rectum, and the animal suffers from cardiac arrest while he or she is still conscious. “As long as Miss Florida USA and Miss Florida Teen USA continue to cohort with FICA, they are directly supporting the inhumane practices of the fur industry,” stated ARFF’s Communication Director, Don Anthony. “With many wonderful, modern and cruelty-free prize options available, there is no place for the skins of dead, tortured animals during any Miss Florida USA pageant.” # # #

	For Immediate Release: June 24, 2009 Rodeo: Animal Abuse in Action ARFF calls upon community to teach children compassion and respect for animals (Davie) The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) will gather with informational literature and signs reading "Be Cool Not Cruel…Buck the Rodeo” to protest against the Youth Rodeo in Davie on June 25, 2009. WHEN: June 25, 2009 from 10:30am to 12:00 noon WHERE: Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, Davie, FL ARFF protestors will meet in front of the main entrance to the rodeo, just off from Davie Road. Each summer, children from camps and community recreation programs are brought to the rodeo arena in Davie in a desperate attempt to keep a dying tradition alive. “Adults need to convince young people that twisting a calf’s neck until she falls to the ground or jerking an animal to a falling stop with rope around her neck and back legs is 'sport'” says ARFF Coordinator Jim Dunn. "They have to convince the kids that this isn’t animal cruelty. How do they do that? They institutionalize the cruelty - with an arena and flags and lots of happy talk over the loudspeaker. And they repeat over and over, 'Shucks, it doesn’t hurt ‘em'. But the smart kids know - it really does hurt." Rodeo animals have endured serious injury and unimaginable terror at the hands of these "good ‘ol boys". Many have died. The smart kids are asking, "Why aren’t these people arrested for animal cruelty?” Good question. Events at the "Pro Rodeo for Youth" are violent activities that display and encourage brutal treatment of animals. At the rodeo, children see animals terrorized and harmed, seemingly with adult approval. ARFF is calling upon community members to refrain from supporting the inherent cruelty of the rodeo. # # #

	For Immediate Release: June 19, 2009 Broward School Board Hears Circus Policy Proposal ARFF presented compelling reasons for district to ban affiliations with animal circuses (Fort Lauderdale) The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) spoke before the Broward County School Board this week, calling for the establishment of a district-wide policy prohibiting affiliations with animal circuses at all Broward schools. The room fell silent as ARFF Project Coordinator, Amanda Burk, showed a clip from the documentary video Training and Tragedy which showed undercover footage of a circus trainer violently abusing elephants. "Often schools that do not sanction animal circus fieldtrips still distribute tickets to be used outside of school hours,” says Burk, “No parent expects that events promoted through their school’s distribution of materials would be affiliated with animal cruelty and human safety violations, but that is precisely the message such continued affiliation sends.” ARFF provided informational packets including a twelve-page partial list of one circus’ history of federal animal cruelty violations. ARFF officials await a response that reflects positively upon Broward schools. # # #

	For Immediate Release: May 20, 2009 Local Restaurant Fails to Remove Cruel Lobster Game *The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida will protest with signs reading “Lobsters are not toys!”* (Royal Palm Beach) The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) sent a letter to the owners of the Royal Palm Ale House after receiving several complaints about the lobster game, which is a cruel contraption that works like other coin-operated claw games, but instead of housing stuffed animals or toys, the "prizes" inside are live lobsters. Since the Ale House has not removed the game, ARFF will protest. WHERE: Royal Palm Ale House,1136 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Royal Palm Beach WHEN: Friday, May 22 - 5:30pm until 7pm Supported by scientific evidence which confirms that lobsters feel pain—just as all other animals with sophisticated nervous systems do—ARFF has requested that the Royal Palm Ale House remove this atrocity from its otherwise reputable business immediately. ARFF argues that lobsters used in these games are bumped, poked, prodded and repeatedly tormented by the mechanical claw as the "player" works the control arm in an attempt to remove an individual lobster from the tank. One witness reported to ARFF that he saw intoxicated people “banging on the side of the machine like monsters,” and otherwise tormenting the contained lobsters. Another anonymous tip sent to ARFF noted that “if the business that is hosting the game says that it is not cruel, they obviously have not watched as these lobsters (once caught) are dropped into a shoot; I saw antennas and small legs fall off when I witnessed the game being played.” Several area restaurants have removed the lobster game after receiving complaints from patrons and ARFF. Unfortunately for the lobsters and the community, the Royal Palm Ale House refuses to admit that this game is inhumane, and continues to house it at their bar. # # #

	For Immediate Release: May 6, 2009 Shriners Annual Convention Draws Ire Animal Rights Activists to Protest Cruel Animal Acts used by Shrine Circuses (Coral Springs) Activists from the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) will highlight the truth behind Shrine circus fundraisers, with a protest during the Florida Shrine Association’s 2009 Convention’s opening day activities. When: Thursday, May 7, 2009 from 2:00pm until 3:30pm Where: Coral Springs Marriott Hotel, Golf Club & Convention Center, 11775 Heron Bay Blvd., Coral Springs Shrine circuses have deplorable, long-standing records of animal abuse and human safety violations. Because the Shriners do not hold an exhibitor’s license, they contract with outside parties for animal acts to use under the Shrine name. In doing so, Shriners have been able to deflect an extensive history of animal cruelty directly associated with their circus fundraisers. Animal exhibitors leased by Shriners include Royal Hanneford Circus, Circus Hollywood and Tarzan Zerbini Circus to name a few – each with a hefty record of USDA violations. Charges against these circuses range from failure to meet minimum space requirements, failure to provide veterinary care and nutritious food and clean drinking water, to the use of unsafe enclosures and endangering animals and the public. By employing animal acts, the Shriners put audiences in danger of disease, injury and even death. The list of tragic incidents affiliated with Shrine Circuses is long and varied. In 2005, while contracted by the Mizpah Shrine of Indiana, a Tarzan Zerbini Circus trainer was stomped to death as he loaded elephants into a trailer following a circus performance. In 2003 an attendant of the Hadi Shrine Circus of Indiana was reportedly hospitalized after being bitten on the face by a chimpanzee during a public photo session. Several elephants used by the Shriners have tested positive for a human strain of tuberculosis, and in 2005 an elephant named Lota died as a result of this highly dangerous, airborne disease that is costly and difficult to treat, particularly in elephants. It is clear that the abuse of animals is not necessary to raise funds, as five of Florida's largest Shrine temples use non-animal fundraisers, such as charity golf tournaments, car shows and festivals. While many support Shrine circuses with the impression that their donation will be used to help children in medical need, the fact is that circus fundraisers finance individual temple costs, not hospitals. In reality, the parent group for all Shrine hospitals, Shriners’ Hospitals for Children, is a separate entity from the Shriners, and receives less than two percent of its budget from Shrine temples. A 2007 New York Times investigation titled, “In Shriners: A Blurry Line of Giving,” confirmed a trail of money leading not to children but to trips, parties and alcohol for the Shriners. From deceptive fundraisers to animal abuse, the Shriners’ practices seem far from family friendly. “The Shriners are never held accountable for the accidents, injuries and deaths that are an inevitable outcome of abused and restricted animals forced into constant contact with the public,” according to ARFF Project Coordinator, Amanda Burk. "Continued support of a cruel and dangerous form of entertainment is not only needless and unacceptable; it is reflective of the true character of the organization. As long as circuses are synonymous with the Shriners, so is cruelty.” # # #

	For Immediate Release: April 16, 2009 Elephants at the opera?! Animal rights group protests Pensacola Opera's use of a circus elephant (Pensacola) The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) has sent a letter to the Pensacola Opera protesting the planned appearance of an elephant during the May 1 and 3 performances of Giusseppe Verdi's Aïda. The elephant(s) who will appear at Pensacola's historic Saenger Theatre are owned by Texas-based animal trainer Doug Terranova. Terranova is well-known for renting out his elephants, tigers and other exotic animals for Hollywood films and traveling circuses. One of Terranova's elephants, "Kamba," a 29-year-old female African elephant, appeared in Opera Birmingham's performance of Aïda in 2005. "These wild animals belong in Africa, not at the Saenger Theatre, a few feet from the orchestra and hundreds of opera patrons," said Nick Atwood, Campaigns Coordinator for the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida. "We appeal to the Pensacola Opera not to ruin the show by bringing an elephant on stage. Leave the drama to the singers and musicians." Doug Terranova's two elephants are regular performers in circuses, where they are deprived of everything that is natural and important to them and are forced to perform under stressful conditions. Their appearance in Pensacola will be just another paycheck for Terranova, but for the elephant(s) it will be the continuation of a miserable life of deprivation and confinement. Although this would not be the first time that elephants have appeared in a performance of Aïda, Terranova's elephants have a history of being spooked by loud noises. In June 2008, tornado sirens spooked Kamba and another elephant who were preparing to perform with the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus in WaKeeney, Kansas. The animals bolted from their tethers and ran through town, causing property damage and frightening residents. The elephants were on the loose for approximately three hours before they were recaptured and loaded onto trucks # # #

	For Immediate Release: March 19, 2009 King the gorilla marks two decades of solitary confinement *Isn’t 20 years enough?* (Miami) –This week marks the 20th year that King, a 39-year-old western lowland gorilla on display at Miami's Monkey Jungle, will spend without a companion. Of the approximately 350 gorillas in zoos in the United States, King is the only one who lives alone and who has no prospect of ever having a companion. On March 19, 1989 a female gorilla named “Mitzie” died at Monkey Jungle. Since that day, King has remained alone—despite the efforts of animal advocates. “On this sad anniversary, we are once again asking Monkey Jungle to transfer King to a respected zoo where he could live out the remainder of his life with companionship and dignity,” said Nick Atwood, Campaigns Coordinator for the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida. In 1997, a campaign was launched to persuade Monkey Jungle to send King to Zoo Atlanta, where he could be with other gorillas. Zoo Atlanta has had success in rehabilitating previously solitary gorillas and transitioning them into a gorilla family. But despite Zoo Atlanta’s invitation and pleas from noted primatologist Jane Goodall, TV personality Bob Barker, and thousands of Florida residents, Monkey Jungle has so far refused. Instead, after languishing for years in a concrete-and-bars cage, Monkey Jungle built a naturalistic enclosure in 2000 where King is at least able to feel the sun and breathe fresh air. Although the larger enclosure was an improvement, it is unclear how much time King actually spends in the enclosure, and Monkey Jungle continues to ignore the issue that King is alone. Gorillas and other apes are intelligent animals with complex social and emotional lives. Gorillas are best-off when they are in social situations. King needs companions and this continued solitary confinement is cruel and psychologically damaging. During King’s daily shows at Monkey Jungle, he performs degrading tricks such as the Hokey-Pokey for the amusement of tourists. Monkey Jungle lost its American Zoo and Aquarium Association-accreditation years ago and therefore does not qualify to receive another gorilla. # # #

	For Immediate Release: February 10, 2009 Wheaten Terriers Terrorize Boca Raton! A look behind the headlines shows that banning pit bulls won't stop dog attacks (Boca Raton) – Last week, two pit bulls got loose and attacked several people in Boca Raton, biting one man on the leg. The incidents, while serious, should not be used as evidence to support a ban on pit bulls or other breeds. Legislation has been introduced in Tallahassee that would reverse Florida’s prohibition on breed-specific regulations. If the bill (Senate Bill 922, House Bill 189) passes, local governments would be allowed to ban the possession of pit bulls and other breeds. The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida encourages Floridians to contact their legislators and encourage them to vote no on this harmful, misdirected and discriminatory bill. “Incidents involving aggressive dogs, such as those in Boca Raton, are used to dramatize calls for pit bull bans,” said Nick Atwood, Campaigns Coordinator for the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida. “Dog bite statistics often tell a different story.” News reports following the Boca Raton incidents noted a dramatic increase in animal bites in the city (in 2008, there was a 50% increase in reported bites over 2007). But of the 53 reported dog bites in 2008 and 2007, 80% involved breeds other than pit bulls. “When you consider the popularity of each breed and the number of bites attributed to them, Wheaten Terrier’s may be Boca'’s most dangerous dogs,” suggested Atwood. The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida contends that banning specific breeds does not effectively address the problem of dangerous dogs, and instead penalizes responsible dog guardians and entire populations of dogs indiscriminately. There are more appropriate methods of curbing dangerous dog behavior. Indeed, following last week’s attacks, the Boca Raton Police Services Department emphasized, “the need to better control unleashed dogs” as a means to this end. # # #

	For immediate release: January 8, 2009 Ringling Bros. Circus: The Cruelest Show on Earth Ringling Bros. Circus Protested by ARFF on the Heals of a Federal Court Case (Miami) - It may be the time of year for joy and celebration, but this season the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) will also take a stand against The “Cruelest” Show on Earth - Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus. ARFF Activists will be present before and after each show throughout Ringling’s stay in Miami. Volunteers will don clown costumes and other props to keep up the spirit of family fun while educating patrons about the sad facts of circus life for animals through the use of videos, large banners, literature and other displays. WHEN: Thursday January 8th and Friday January 9th at 7pm WHERE: American Airlines Arena 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami 33132 Ringling’s history of animal abuse and human safety violations runs deep. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited Ringling repeatedly for charges including failure to provide adequate veterinary care, causing physical harm and behavioral stress to animals and unsafe handling practices - just to name a few. Because no federal or other agency monitors training sessions, behind the scenes handlers are free to use whips, chairs and other weapons to gain the dominance that is needed to command constant performance of painful and unnatural stunts. Animals used in the circus do not perform because they want to but because they are scared not to. Ringling Bros. and its parent company, Feld Entertainment, are now set for trial in February 2009 on charges of elephant abuse. Although Ringling claims to be a leader in elephant care, at least 25 elephants, including four babies, have died since 1992. Yet, elephants are not the only ones harmed by Ringling’s negligent and cruel ways, and there are laundry lists of incidents to prove it. Animals used by circuses spend the majority of their time confined by chains or cages, are denied many of their needs and forced to perform almost daily. • In 2004, the USDA launched an investigation into Ringling regarding the death of a two year old lion named Clyde. After traveling through the intense heat of the Mojave Desert, Clyde is believed to have died from heatstroke and dehydration. • Again in 2004, two horses used in a Ringling show were struck by a freight train as they were being unloaded from the circus train near Dayton, Ohio. In addition to the cruelty of training, animal acts also turn the circus into a dangerous environment for families. Former Ringling employee, Tom Rider, made this statement regarding an elephant used by Ringling, “Although she was the most dangerous elephant in the group, she is the one they used in the three-ring adventure where the public is allowed to stand around the elephant with no safety net or other protection around her. Karen had a habit of knocking anyone who came into range, slamming them into the ground, yet they allowed her to have contact with the audience.” “Although love for animals motivates many to visit the circus,” states Melissa Gates, ARFF’s Managing Director, “supporting Ringling, or any circus using animal acts, allows a cycle of abuse to continue. ARFF urges the public not to go if animals are in the show.” # # #

	For Immediate Release: December 11, 2008 Exploitation of Animals at Santa’s Enchanted Forest Protested Community urges Santa’s Enchanted Forest to stop forcing animals to perform at its otherwise festive holiday arena (Miami) – The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) has generated a petition, sent a letter to Santa’s Enchanted Forest (SEF), and will stage demonstrations outside SEF on December 13th and December 23rd from 5-7pm. Many protestors will don holiday outfits to show support of seasonal spirit, and ARFF will supply festively lit signs that ask SEF to cease exploiting animals in its acts. Affection for animals leads many well-meaning people to visit circuses and places like SEF. However, behind the artificial "habitats" and colorful shows these places provide lies a world of hidden cruelty. Unlike human performers, the animals used in shows at SEF do not have a choice. These animals are forced to perform after enduring rigorous training sessions. Such sessions within the animal entertainment industry are known to include violent beatings, deprivation of food and water, intense confinement and many other forms of cruel intimidation. ARFF contends that SEF would turn a greater profit if it discontinued the use of animals. Animals are costly to provide for, and the threat of lawsuits from unpredictable behaviors resulting from the stress of this unnatural captivity of animals is not worth the risk to the patrons or to the animals. As evidenced by ARFF’s petition, people would attend SEF in greater volumes if animals were not a part of the arena. Longtime ARFF member, Jim Dunn, commented on the petition to SEF saying, “I don't think Santa would approve of your commercialization of his animal friends.” SEF is an unnatural environment for animals. “Frequent handling and human contact compromise the physical and psychological well-being of animals used in entertainment venues such as Santa’s Enchanted Forest,” said Melissa Gates, ARFF’s Managing Director. Tethered tightly and forced to walk in endless circles, the ponies used for rides often suffer hoof disorders, saddle sores, and mouth & tooth ailments because of ill-fitting equipment. Sea lions suffer from the chemicals used to treat their water, and often succumb to unnecessary deaths from being held in captivity. Dondi the elephant has been forced into this exploitative existence since being violently ripped from her parents in Thailand circa 1974. Gates adds, “Children learn nothing about animals' natural intelligence or behavior by seeing them in such displays and, in fact, are likely to be miseducated.” Venues such as SEF not only frighten the captive animals and make them vulnerable to harassment, they also create an unsafe environment for people. Bacterial infections that are transmissible to humans can breakout. The scared animals with no means of escape can also lash-out at people in a self-defense response to the stress. ARFF is asking SEF to make its venue cruelty-free by discontinuing the use of animals in its acts. # # #

	For immediate release: December 9, 2008 Use of Live Hens in Casino Game Protested Animal advocates urge casino to stop forcing hens to play tic-tac-toe with gamblers (Hallandale Beach) – The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) has sent a letter to Mardis Gras Gaming President Dan Adkins urging an immediate halt to the “Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken Challenge” promotion at the Hallandale Beach casino (formerly known as the Hollywood Kennel Club). In the game, a hen in a 3-foot-square box “plays” tic-tac-toe against casino patrons by pecking and scratching at a screen. In a windowless compartment at the back of the machine, several chickens—stacked on top of each other in cat carriers—wait to replace the performing chicken. Games continue for eight hours each day. A casino is clearly an unnatural, and undoubtedly stressful, environment for chickens. Chickens are intelligent, sensitive animals who should not be providing entertainment in a busy casino. “Regardless of the outcome of each game, the hen in the tic-tac-toe machine loses,” said Nick Atwood, ARFF Campaigns Coordinator. “Mardis Gras is encouraging indifference to the welfare of animals. We hope that the casino will make the responsible and compassionate decision to halt this ridiculous and cruel gimmick.” # # #

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