Ayinde O. Chase - AHN News Editor
Columbia Station, OH, United States (AHN) - An Ohio animal caretaker was mauled to death while feeding a bear. The victim, 24-year-old Brent Kandra, was an employee of Sam Mazzola, an exhibitor of exotic animals.
Investigators are looking into the incident to ascertain what may have provoked the attack.
However it appears the bear was out of its enclosure for the feeding and police were reportedly told that was routine. After the attack authorities were able to get the bear back in its cage without further incident.
News of the attack reached the Lorain County Sheriff's Office about 7:30 p.m. on Thursday via a 911 call. Hours later a spokesman for the Cuyahoga County Coroner confirmed Kandra died Friday morning at MetroHealth Medical Center.
Mazzola was also rushed to a medical care facility after the attack to be treated for an unspecified medical condition.
Previously he's come under fire from animal-rights groups for his unconventional business practices.
PETA went after Mazzola 4 years ago for his practice of letting paying customers wrestle his
black bears according to reports.
Also an inquiry by the Department of Agriculture led to Mazzola losing his license to exhibit exotic animals. Additionally he faced a $13,950 fine for his bear-wrestling act since he didn’t have the proper licensing
Read more: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7019657385#ixzz0xGvdrxHH
Read more: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7019657385#ixzz0xGvTqzqn
Showing posts with label ohio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ohio. Show all posts
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Farm Sanctuary Responds to Clearing of Ohio Dairy Farm Owner of Criminal Charges
Farm Sanctuary President and Co-founder Gene Baur: “It is nothing short of a dereliction of duty for a professional trained to provide medical care to animals to support practices such as kicking them and to say that it is to the benefit of the animals.”
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – July 8, 2010 – On Monday, an Ohio grand jury decided to clear Gary Conklin, owner of Conklin Dairy Cattle Sales LLC, of criminal charges in connection with the abuse of cows on his farm. In a disturbing video distributed worldwide in May, Mr. Conklin is shown kicking a “downed” cow too weak to stand by herself. According to a statement given to the media by the prosecutor in the case, four large animal veterinarians told law enforcement officials that “delivering a sharp blow” to a sick or weak animal is necessary in order to avoid risk of “injury and death” and is standard practice in the dairy industry as an “entirely appropriate” means to get non-ambulatory animals to move.
Today, Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, issued the following statement in response to the clearing of Gary Conklin of criminal charges:
“The involvement of experts in excusing cruelty to animals on the grounds that it is ‘standard practice’ in the industry is unconscionable. With the eyes of the world watching, this case represented an important opportunity to send a strong message of compassion. It is unfortunate that the four veterinarians called to testify in the Conklin Dairy case sided with commercial interests, instead of denouncing a clear example of abuse. The sordid notion of ‘standard practice’ is commonly used to justify cruelty in an industry where bad has become normal.
“There are humane ways to address this issue, but when animals are viewed as unfeeling commodities, the time and effort required to handle a downed cow in an appropriate manner is often set aside in favor of expediency at the expense of the animal’s welfare.
“I’m reminded of a quote by Ruth Harrison, author of Animal Machines: ‘If one person is unkind to an animal it is considered cruelty, but where a lot of people are unkind to a lot of animals, especially in the name of commerce, the cruelty is defended. And once large sums of money are involved it will be defended to the last by otherwise intelligent people.’
Farm Sanctuary Offered to Accept Victims of Conklin Dairy
Soon after the video came to light, Farm Sanctuary reached out to the Union County Humane Society, one of the agencies handling the investigation, with an offer to accept and provide shelter for any animals confiscated during the investigation. Unfortunately, the investigation did not result in the seizure of any animals. Baur added, “It is heartbreaking that to date not a single mistreated cow has been given a second chance at a life free from fear and pain.”
If you would like to speak with Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, please contact Meredith Turner at 646-369-6212 or mturner@farmsanctuary.org.
About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.
Follow Farm Sanctuary on Twitter: twitter.com/FarmSanctuary
With the obvious abuse caught on camera for the world to see, this judge turned a blind eye to the abuse and cleared the owner of criminal charges. Obviously the judge believes that kicking a beating a defenseless animal into submission is standard practice. And whatever the industry claims is "standard practice", it is allowed to do. What a crock! I would love to make up my own rules too. I have many words to describe this travesty, but I like to keep my blog PG.
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – July 8, 2010 – On Monday, an Ohio grand jury decided to clear Gary Conklin, owner of Conklin Dairy Cattle Sales LLC, of criminal charges in connection with the abuse of cows on his farm. In a disturbing video distributed worldwide in May, Mr. Conklin is shown kicking a “downed” cow too weak to stand by herself. According to a statement given to the media by the prosecutor in the case, four large animal veterinarians told law enforcement officials that “delivering a sharp blow” to a sick or weak animal is necessary in order to avoid risk of “injury and death” and is standard practice in the dairy industry as an “entirely appropriate” means to get non-ambulatory animals to move.
Today, Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, issued the following statement in response to the clearing of Gary Conklin of criminal charges:
“The involvement of experts in excusing cruelty to animals on the grounds that it is ‘standard practice’ in the industry is unconscionable. With the eyes of the world watching, this case represented an important opportunity to send a strong message of compassion. It is unfortunate that the four veterinarians called to testify in the Conklin Dairy case sided with commercial interests, instead of denouncing a clear example of abuse. The sordid notion of ‘standard practice’ is commonly used to justify cruelty in an industry where bad has become normal.
“There are humane ways to address this issue, but when animals are viewed as unfeeling commodities, the time and effort required to handle a downed cow in an appropriate manner is often set aside in favor of expediency at the expense of the animal’s welfare.
“I’m reminded of a quote by Ruth Harrison, author of Animal Machines: ‘If one person is unkind to an animal it is considered cruelty, but where a lot of people are unkind to a lot of animals, especially in the name of commerce, the cruelty is defended. And once large sums of money are involved it will be defended to the last by otherwise intelligent people.’
Farm Sanctuary Offered to Accept Victims of Conklin Dairy
Soon after the video came to light, Farm Sanctuary reached out to the Union County Humane Society, one of the agencies handling the investigation, with an offer to accept and provide shelter for any animals confiscated during the investigation. Unfortunately, the investigation did not result in the seizure of any animals. Baur added, “It is heartbreaking that to date not a single mistreated cow has been given a second chance at a life free from fear and pain.”
If you would like to speak with Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, please contact Meredith Turner at 646-369-6212 or mturner@farmsanctuary.org.
About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.
Follow Farm Sanctuary on Twitter: twitter.com/FarmSanctuary
With the obvious abuse caught on camera for the world to see, this judge turned a blind eye to the abuse and cleared the owner of criminal charges. Obviously the judge believes that kicking a beating a defenseless animal into submission is standard practice. And whatever the industry claims is "standard practice", it is allowed to do. What a crock! I would love to make up my own rules too. I have many words to describe this travesty, but I like to keep my blog PG.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Farm Sanctuary Issues Statement on Landmark Animal Welfare Agreement
Watkins Glen, N.Y. – June 30, 2010 –— Today Ohioans for Humane Farms reached an agreement with agriculture interests brokered by the Governor’s office to adopt several measures to protect farm animals. Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, has been on the ground in Ohio with the Humane Society of the United States, other humane groups and tireless volunteers working to gather signatures for a ballot initiative to stop cruel factory farming practices in the state.
This agreement includes several reforms that outlaw and phase out cruel practices in Ohio, a state known to have some of the weakest anti-cruelty laws in the nation and no meaningful protections for farm animals. The agreement includes the following measures for farm animals:
A ban on veal crates, to be phased out within six years.
A ban on new gestation crates in the state after December 31, 2010. Existing facilities are grandfathered, but must cease use of these crates within 15 years.
A permanent moratorium on permits for new battery cage facilities in place immediately.
A ban on the transport of downed cows and calves for slaughter.
A ban on strangulation and other forms of on farm killing that are not included in euthanasia standards as outlined by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Enactment of legislation establishing felony-level penalties for cock fighters.
“These reforms represent important progress for farm animals and other animals in Ohio, and we're grateful to all our volunteers in the state who worked so hard to make this happen,” stated Farm Sanctuary President and Co-Founder Gene Baur. “With each step forward, the momentum grows. And as progress is made, the days of factory farming are numbered.”
This agreement was reached on the same day Ohioans for Humane Farms would have delivered more than 500,000 signatures to the Secretary of State. The group gathered enough signatures to put an anti-factory farming measure before Ohio voters in November.
Ohioans for Humane Farms has been supported by several organizations including the Humane Society of the United States, Farm Sanctuary, Ohio SPCA, Toledo Area Humane Society, Geauga Humane Society, Ohio League of Humane Voters, ASPCA, Mercy for Animals, Center for Food Safety, United Farm Workers, Consumer Federation of America, Center for Science in the Public Interest, and many others.
About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.
This agreement includes several reforms that outlaw and phase out cruel practices in Ohio, a state known to have some of the weakest anti-cruelty laws in the nation and no meaningful protections for farm animals. The agreement includes the following measures for farm animals:
A ban on veal crates, to be phased out within six years.
A ban on new gestation crates in the state after December 31, 2010. Existing facilities are grandfathered, but must cease use of these crates within 15 years.
A permanent moratorium on permits for new battery cage facilities in place immediately.
A ban on the transport of downed cows and calves for slaughter.
A ban on strangulation and other forms of on farm killing that are not included in euthanasia standards as outlined by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Enactment of legislation establishing felony-level penalties for cock fighters.
“These reforms represent important progress for farm animals and other animals in Ohio, and we're grateful to all our volunteers in the state who worked so hard to make this happen,” stated Farm Sanctuary President and Co-Founder Gene Baur. “With each step forward, the momentum grows. And as progress is made, the days of factory farming are numbered.”
This agreement was reached on the same day Ohioans for Humane Farms would have delivered more than 500,000 signatures to the Secretary of State. The group gathered enough signatures to put an anti-factory farming measure before Ohio voters in November.
Ohioans for Humane Farms has been supported by several organizations including the Humane Society of the United States, Farm Sanctuary, Ohio SPCA, Toledo Area Humane Society, Geauga Humane Society, Ohio League of Humane Voters, ASPCA, Mercy for Animals, Center for Food Safety, United Farm Workers, Consumer Federation of America, Center for Science in the Public Interest, and many others.
About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.
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