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March 2008
WILDLIFE
GETS HELPING HAND AT TICKFAW STATE PARK
November 27, 2007
CIRCUS
ELEPHANTS AT CENTER OF CONTROVERSY
October 1, 2007
REWARD
OFFERED FOR CAT IN LEGHOLD TRAP
October 2, 2007
STARVING
HORSES IN ACADIA
July 31, 2007
New
"Animal Friendly" License Plate to Raise Funds
for Mass Sterilization of Pets
June 11, 2007
LIVINGSTON
RESIDENT CHARGED WITH CRUELTY TO ANIMALS MINIATURE DACHSHUND
DIES FROM BULLET WOUND
May 7, 2007
HUMANE
SOCIETY TO MONITOR ANIMAL CRUELTY CASES
May 7, 2007
WILD
BOARS REMOVED FROM CITY PARK
April 2, 2007
ST.
BERNARD SHELTER FAILS INSPECTION - ANIMALS AND WORKERS
EXPOSED TO UNSANITARY AND UNSAFE CONDITIONS
March 2008
Wildlife Gets Helping Hand
at Tickfaw State Park
State Officials Recognized for Their Work in Implementing
New Policies and Procedures
New Orleans -
Officials from the New Orleans based humane organization,
The Humane Society of Louisiana, recently visited Tickfaw
State Park, located in Springfield, Louisiana, to present
the group's coveted Golden Heart Awards to Dr. Stuart
Johnson, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Louisiana
State Parks, and Mary Ginn, Director of Human Resources
with the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.
Dr. Johnson and Ms. Ginn were part of an ad hoc committee
which recently rewrote the policies that govern the
treatment and handling of wildlife and domestic animals
throughout the Louisiana park system. The new policies
ensure that all injured wildlife be captured and treated
humanely and turned over to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator
and/or released in the wild. Domesticated animals, such
as dogs and cats, will be transported to the nearest
animal control agency and/or humane organization.
The Tickfaw State Park currently turns over injured
wildlife to Ms. Leslie Lattimore, founder and director
of Wings of Hope Wildlife Sanctuary. Once placed in
this rehabilitation center, a wide range of species
receives life saving attention and medical care. To
train more volunteers in proper wildlife care and rehabilitation,
Ms. Lattimore will be offering training sessions at
Tickfaw State Park, which will be offered to state park
employees and the public, in the near future. Photos
attached in this release include a rehabilitated Red
Tailed Hawk and a Bald Eagle, which were recently released
into the wild.
Ms. Lattimore has rehabilitated thousands of animals
and birds since her incorporation as a charitable organization
over a dozen years ago. Tickfaw State Park will soon
be donating space in the foyer of their nature center
to showcase the work of Wings of Hope.
Photos of rehabilitated animals will be on display,
along with educational materials.
"Dr. Johnson and Ms. Ginn recognize the importance
of providing care for all wildlife on state parks, and
they encouraged the development of new policies that
reflect those ideals. These state officials will also
be encouraging more state park employees to receive
basic trai ning
on wildlife rehabilitation procedures, and they hope
to oversee the purchasing of basic supplies and equipment
that will help stabilize injured or diseased animals
in the near future," says Jeff Dorson, Executive
Director of the Humane Society. "Because of the
support that Dr. Johnson and Ms. Ginn have given to
these programs, we believe that thousands of animals
will benefit in the long run. For this reason, we have
presented these two talented and thoughtful state workers
our Golden Heart Awards," adds Dorson.
For more information on the Wings of Hope, please visit
their website at www.wingsofhoperehab.org.
November
27, 2007
CIRCUS ELEPHANTS AT CENTER OF CONTROVERSY
News Release: for immediate use November
27, 2007
The Humane Society of Louisiana (HSL) this month provided
critical eye witness testimony in the case of three
Asian elephants who appeared with the Kingford Circus
in New Orleans Nov. 16-17. The three elephants, known
as Queenie (AKA "Boo), Jewel, and Tina (AKA "Girlfriend)
are at the center of a growing controversy involving
animal protection groups, federal regulatory agencies,
and the custodians of the elephants. 
HSL inspected the elephants, who were held at the old
Winn Dixie parking lot in downtown New Orleans, in response
to a request by In Defense of Animals (IDA), an international
animal advocacy organization. IDA has been investigating
the plight of Queenie, Tina and Jewel and advocating
for federal confiscation of the elephants and their
placement in a sanctuary.
HSL's inspection revealed three downtrodden-looking
elephants, at least one of whom was notably underweight,
chained under grim conditions at this run down circus.
The operators of the Kingford Circus are the target
of several federal investigations. They have a long
history of violating the federal Animal Welfare Act
(AWA), as documented by numerous inspection reports
by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) field agents
and veterinarians. The Animal Welfare Act is a set of
federal regulations first enacted by Congress in 1966
that set guidelines for the care and housing of some
animals in research laboratories, roadside zoos, and
circuses, among other animal-related enterprises. 
The Kingford Circus is one of several circus identities
used by the Davenport family of Texas. (Other names
include Barnes Circus, LE Barnes and Bailey Circus,
and the All Star Circus of China). In several federal
court proceedings that span the past decade, various
Davenport family members have been fined several hundred
thousands of dollars in penalties for violating the
AWA. In 1998, the circus proprietor, John Davenport,
had had his federal license to exhibit animals revoked
due to animal mistreatment and neglect. However, the
circus continues to operate through the licenses of
other family members.
Problems pertaining to the proper care of these elephants
continue unabated. In March, the USDA ordered Tina and
Jewel, both in their early 40's, off the road due to
severe weight loss and concerns about possible tuberculosis
infection. Reports filed by several different USDA agents
and veterinarians show that Jewel has often performed
while underweight. During some shows and performances,
her hip and back bones have been visible and her eye
sockets have appeared to be sunken, which reveal very
little flesh or muscle tissue on her face or forehead.
In addition to USDA scrutiny, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service is officially investigating reports that the
Davenports purchased Tina and Jewel, both highly endangered
Asian elephants, in violation of the federal Endangered
Species Act.
Despite the legal clouds that continue to swirl around
the elephants, the USDA recently lifted its "stay"
order and authorized the Davenports to put both elephants
back on the road.
Among the egregious AWA violations committed repeatedly
by the Davenports are failure to provide suitable housing,
adequate veterinary care, humane handling and safe transportation
for the elephants. In unusually graphic language, the
USDA has documented the "abuse" of the third
elephant, Queenie with a bullhook (steel rod with sharply
pointed end used to stab, hook and hit elephants and
force them to comply with commands.)
The Humane Society of Louisiana has forwarded its report,
photos, and copies of video footage to the USDA and
has asked that USDA agents thoroughly re-inspect the
Kingsford Circus and file federal charges against the
owners and employees based on the history of Animal
Welfare Act violations. The Humane Society also plans
to notify select members of Congress to ensure that
federal laws to protect animals and endangered species
are vigorously enforced.
Mr. Dorson is available for interviews by calling 901-268-4432
and can provide video tape of these elephants when they
recently were in New Orleans. Mr. Dorson can also provide
copies of USDA inspection reports.
October 1,
2007
REWARD OFFERED FOR CAT IN LEGHOLD
TRAP
News Release: for October 2, 2007 Contact Persons:
Leeann Metherne, Director of Jefferson Animal Control,
736-6118 Jeff Dorson, Director of the Humane Society
of Louisiana, 901-268-4432
(Metairie) - Walking out on to her patio late last
week, Beverly Bourgeois was taken aback by what she
saw. There, in the middle of her back yard, she saw
a small brown cat with a steel leg hold trap clamped
down on her right rear leg. Startled by Mrs. Bourgeois
walking towards her, the cat hobbled away, with the
leg hold trap still clamped to her leg. Mrs. Bourgeois
immediately contacted the Jefferson Animal Control Department,
which dispatched an animal control officer to the scene.
The officer canvassed the area and was able to locate
and catch the injured cat. The officer was able to disable
the trap and placed the frightened cat into a carrier.
The cat was then transported to the East Bank Animal
Shelter, where she was examined and treated by a shelter
veterinarian.
"We are very fortunate to have gotten to this
cat when we did," said Leann Metherne, newly appointed
director of the Jefferson Animal Control Department.
"It is amazing that the trap didn't inflict more
damage. Usually, animals caught in leg hold traps have
their toes, paws, and/or legs completely mangled. If
the animals survive the initial shock of being caught
and injured, they often suffer from effects of dehydration,
trauma, and/or blood loss. Many animals that survive
being caught in a trap have their paws or limbs amputated
as a result of infection. We suspect that the cat's
leg was so small that the trap did not close all the
way on it. However, we are extremely upset that someone
deliberately set this trip within our city limits to
ensnare an unsuspecting animal. it is illegal to use
these dangerous traps outside of trapping season and
within the incorporated areas of Jefferson Parish, where
the majority of animals are domesticated cats and dogs,"
added Metherne.
The Humane Society of Louisiana, a non-profit organization
that investigates cruelty to animal complaints, has
investigated similar cases of the illegal use of leg
hold traps during the last several years. To help identify
the suspect who set this trap, the Humane Society has
offered a $500.00 reward for information that leads
to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Mr. Jeff Dorson, Executive Director of the Humane
Society of Louisiana, and Ms. Metherne, Director of
the Jefferson Animal Control Department, will hold a
joint press conference on Tuesday, October 2, to discuss
the details of this case. The cat that survived this
attack and the trap that was found attached to the cat's
leg will be shown to media representatives during this
conference. The as-yet-to-be named cat will be available
for adoption thorough the Jefferson Animal Control Department.
The adoption fee is $67.00, which will include the cost
of her sterilization, vaccination, deworming, and testing
for feline diseases.
What: Press Conference on Confiscation of Steel Leg
Hold Trap in Jefferson Parish.
When: noon, Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Where: Jefferson Parish Animal Control, Eastbank shelter,
#1 Humane Way, Harahan
STARVING HORSES
IN ACADIA
News Release: For Immediate Use October 2, 2007
Contact persons: Lori Wilson, Director of Rescue Ranch
(504) 818-6120 Jeff Dorson, Director of Humane Society
of Louisiana
Abused and Neglected Horses rescued from Germania
Plantation
( Belle Chasse, La. )-- Three malnourished ponies
were recently removed from the Germania Plantation,
located in Donaldsonville, La. The plantation has fallen
into disrepair over the last several years and the title
to the property has changed hands several times. At
one time, the plantation was properly maintained and
as a result, supported a herd of horses, which were
first allowed to roam the plantation some sixty-five
years ago. Over the years, though, the number of horses
dwindled, and the plantation owners could not properly
care for the remaining horses. Some of the horses began
showing signs of neglect and  abuse,
and last week agents from the Department of Agriculture,
Livestock Brand Commission, visited the site and arranged
for the surrender of four horses and three feral ponies
by the plantation management. The horses were immediately
transferred to new owners, and the three feral ponies
were transferred to Rescue Ranch, the only equine sanctuary
rehabilitation center in Southeast Louisiana.
Rescue Ranch was founded by Lori Wilson, an equine
trainer, counselor, and cruelty investigator. The three
ponies, a buckskin and two sorrels, are finally receiving
adequate health care, becoming socialized, and recovering
from their difficult ordeal. One the horses, "Houdini,"
a red stallion, had been confined to a small, windowless
stall for the past three years. The other two horses,
"Little One," a buckskin, and "Little
Lady," a sorrel mare, were not fed regularly and
are grossly underweight. Two of the horses are stallions
and need to be castrated and all three horses need vaccinations.
To help Rescue Ranch secure funds and resources, the
Humane Society of Louisiana is appealing to its constituents
and supporters around Louisiana and the nation to send
in donations and supplies to care for these deserving
victims of neglect. Rescue Ranch is a non-profit equine
rehabilitation center and all donations are tax deductible.
"Lori has devoted the last twenty years of her
life to helping neglected horses, and we owe it to her
to help her efforts," says Jeff Dorson, Director
of the Humane Society of Louisiana.
Checks or money orders may be sent to: Rescue Ranch,
P.O. Box 7112, Belle Chasse, La 70037. Donations are
also accepted on the Rescue Ranch website through PayPal.
Rescue Ranch also has an account at Double M Feed Store,
located on Holmes Blvd., in Gretna. Donations may be
directly applied to their account as well.
Media representatives are invited to contact Lori
to view the ponies and to interview Lori. She can be
reached at Lori@rescueranch.net, or by calling 504-393-8485.
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