April 2003 More than 20 goats were found dead on private property in Montello, Wisconsin, and approximately 32 emaciated goats and sheep were found still alive. Included in the dead pile were mother goats with their dead babies halfway outside of their bodies. The attending veterinarian reported that these animals died of starvation and neglect. Initially, … Read more »
April 2003 When PETA learned that goldfish were being used in beer funneling contests in a Miami, Florida, bar, we contacted the Department of Business and Professional Regulations to ask that it investigate the bar for health code violations. Reports indicated that goldfish were being dropped into funnels, and bar patrons were being encouraged to swallow … Read more »
April 2003 PETA received a call from a Milwaukee activist who was desperately trying to get live turtle races canceled at a local bar. We immediately contacted the Milwaukee Health Department to provide documentation of the risk of salmonella contamination associated with reptiles, especially in a food-service establishment, and we asked the agency to investigate. We … Read more »
April 2003 Chemical company, AmeriBrom, planned to kill 900 rabbits to retest a chemical already known to be hazardous. Thanks to calls and letters from PETA and activists, AmeriBrom and its parent company, the Dead Sea Bromine Group, reconsidered the proposal and, based on existing data, have decided against performing this test. Read more about unnecessary … Read more »
April 2003 Police in San Francisco, California, were alerted by neighbors to the smell of decay in an apartment five weeks after its resident moved out. Police found a dead dog in the closet. The owner had tied the dog up, closed him inside, and barricaded the closet door with a barbell. Neighbors told police they … Read more »
April 2003 A Chesapeake, Virginia, woman called PETA after witnessing a man intentionally run over and kill three ring-billed gulls. We immediately sent investigators to the scene, took photos, and called Chesapeake Animal Control. The man was charged with cruelty to animals and the judge gave him a severe verbal reprimand for his behavior. Get tips … Read more »
April 2003 Alaska, one of the Suarez Bros. Circus’ “Suarez Seven” polar bears, was rescued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) based on research by PETA that raised questions about the bear’s identity. The USFWS used DNA testing to prove conclusively that Alaska was not, in fact, the polar bear who had been born … Read more »
April 2003 Calgary, Alberta, residents contacted us to let us know about the Calgary Stampede’s cruel chuckwagon races. At last year’s nine-day event, seven animals were killed: * A calf suffered a broken leg during a roping event and was euthanized.* A horse used in the chuckwagon event suffered a heart attack-induced aneurism and died.* Five … Read more »
April 2003 Area residents and students from Raymond High School in New Hampshire contacted PETA when they learned that their school planned to hold a donkey basketball game. We immediately contacted the school’s principal and the district superintendent to alert them to the cruelty of the spectacle. We also sent an alert to our area members … Read more »
April 2003 Employees of Canadian airline WestJet Airlines contacted us when they learned, just two days in advance, that the company planned to include a live tiger at its anniversary party. We immediately contacted the company’s CEO to explain about the cruelty and dangers associated with exotic animal displays. We received a call from a WestJet … Read more »
April 2003 A Virginia Beach, Virginia, resident was the first felony conviction under that state’s newly strengthened animal protection law. A drunken man beat his wife’s cat against a wall, inflicting five broken ribs, a broken sternum and front leg, and head trauma. She died from her injuries soon after. The Virginia Beach SPCA worked with … Read more »
April 2003 Since a tiger escaped in 1999 from a New Jersey tiger menagerie called Tigers Only Preservation Society (TOPS), the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife had been working to have the dozens of big cats moved to a facility in Texas. State and federal agencies found that the current enclosure was too small … Read more »
April 2003 Whistleblowers in Madison-Jefferson County, Indiana, contacted PETA to report that cats were found crawling over dead animals in the county animal shelter’s freezer after they were presumed dead. Cats slated for death at the facility were being piled into a metal box pumped full of nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”), a substance not recognized as … Read more »
January 2003 PETA found a pot-bellied pig at a Suffolk feed store in poor condition, all alone in a small pen. He had probably never seen another pig in his life. In a collective effort, we relocated the animal to a western Virginia sanctuary where he could live comfortably in spacious conditions with lots of friends. … Read more »
January 2003 When the general manager of a popular Los Angeles nightclub contacted PETA about getting on board with the club’s idea to put monkeys on display, we quickly responded, highlighting the myriad problems associated with keeping exotic animals, particularly primates, in captivity. We outlined the public safety issues, the public outcry that would surely ensue, … Read more »
