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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNB04-Mayor's Office .... I....... - 1..1' S '1' (~111'N(~I~ io I' II Unlled in Direct Action for Animal Rights! September 28. 1985 MAYOR EVLYN WILCOX City of San Bernardino City Hall 300 North "0" Street San Bernardino. CA. 92401 Re: ReOlu.est for Priv-ate Appoin.tmen.t an.d ReOlu.est for AlZ"en.da Placemen.t on. Mon.dav. October 7_ Dear Mayor Wilcox: As you are aware. we have made several attempts and requests to meet with you and discuss the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter. Not only do we wish to discuss the policy of selling animals for research purposes. but we wish to obtain answers to our questions already put forth. in addition to several additional allegations and questions. regarding the daily administration. law violations. terrible conditions. and blatant neglect and abuse of animals. I wish to remind you that! AM A TAX PAYING RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO and have been for several years! I have voted in every election and will continue to do so! I would like to know why I am not afforded the opportunity to be heard within my own city legislature. This is my right not only as a citizen but a constituant as well! I worked very hard. personally. during your campaign. and made several contributions. I was. and still am. very pleased that "we" won. LAST CHANCE FOR ANIMALS is a Los Angeles based organization ... WITH SEVERAL MEMBERS WHO ARE SAN BERNARDINO CITY RESIDENTS. Many of these residents have attempted to improve conditions at the City Shelter for several years. now. to no avail. It was only a matter of time until the larger Los Angeles based organiza- tions turned their attention to San Bernardino. Mayor Wilcox. if you appear to find it "unnecessary" and "choose not to meet with them". then we are left with no other choice but to take our allegations. complaints. photographs and official charges to the public for their reaction. We had hoped to obtain some explanations ... and present very qualified information to you on replacing the funds that would be discontinued by halting the sale of research animals. You are obviously NOT INTERESTED in this issue. whatsoever. This disappoints us 18653 Ventura Blvd.. Suite 356 Tarzana. CA. 91356 (818) 343-4882 (714) 886-0124 .... L__.. Mayor Evlyn Wilcox September 28. 1985 "-""" -...I ,ge 2 terribly. and me personally. We have brand new photographs of the abuses. violations. and conditions of the city shelter ... taken on Thursday and Friday. Sept. 26 and 27. and authenticated. We are now left with no other choice but to begin an immediate public advertising/ publicity campaign within the city of San Bernardino. The residents must know of these violations. must know that you have refused to meet with us or even extend time to us at a City Council Meeting. and must know that apparently. their elected Mayor and District Councilmen DO NOT CARE at all about the abuses! Just one of the MANY documented violations that have been photographed and witnessed. will be among the first published. The photograph very plainly shows the "Puppy Pen" at the City Shelter; and it also shows the following... IN COLOR: 1. A dead puppy lying with it's head half buried in vomit coated wood shavings; 2. The blood-filled vomitus of the same puppy. and the residue of same that was to have been hosed away; 3. Other starvinq puppies EATING THE BLOODY VOMITUS; while... 4. ... A large bowl of ADULT. DRY. DOG-KIBBLE. I" ROUND. AND MUCH TOO HARD AND BIG FOR A PUPPY TO EAT... lays untouched. Our investigator questioned a kennelworker and was told that they have been. "meaning to get Puppy Chow all week". and would do so that day! That was on Thursday. August 26. AT 4: 55 P. M. Even though our investigator made a reguest t of a Shelter Employee. Mr. Sam Sarantino. an Animal Control Officer. to tend to the puppies. the investigator was told that. "I have nothing to do with the puppies. I haven't had time. You'll have to talk to someone else." The investigator returned the following day. Friday. September 27. at 2:35 p.m. to photograph THE REMAINING VOMIT that had not been completely hosed away. or eaten by the puppies. and the dead puppy! THERE WAS. STILL. NO FOOD FOR THE PUPPIES! As observed the prior day. many of the puppies were obviously quite ill. one was so very bloated with worms and coxcidia that it could barely move. and other's showed signs of respIratory problems. lethargy. conjunctivitis. etc. THE BLOOD FILLED VOMIT INDICATES THE SERIOUS DISEASE OF PARVO. which is quite common in puppies. That vomitus should have been scrubbed down. and disinfected ... certainly not the quick. cursory hosing it received. thereby leaving half of it on the floor! We intend to run the photographs... IN FULL COLOR ... in The Sun. Along with them will be photographs of the Whelping Mother Cats with her kittens ... in particular. one photograph of a kitten choking on a large piece of dry cat food that was much too large for it! This kitten appeared to be not more than 10-12 days. Our investigator tried to remove the food from the kitten's throat by sticking his fingers through the cage. but the kitten fell backwards. and our investigator was forced to watch while the kitten almost choked to death ... on film! We will publish the photographs of the mother cat nursing her new litter. while in the very next cage a mature cat who had been coughing very severely. vomited. All Whelping Animals are to be separated and quarantined! This is a State Law Requirement! I _ , It",-."" Mayor Evlyn Wilcox September 28. 1985 '-' Page ~ We will also publish: 1. The dead dog that laid on the floor FOR 4 DAYS BEFORE IT WAS PUT INTO A BARREL! Because AHT Belinda Bauer was too lazy to pick it up at 5:00 p.m. on a Friday! 2. The kennel that contains six rather large dogs. including a very large Siberian Husky... also in the run WITH THE 6 LARGE DOGS was a very small. Terrier-Poodle Mix weiqhinq approx. 15 pounds! This was in Kennel #3 ... and THE SIBERIAN HUSKY PICKED-UP THE TERRIER BY THE NECK AND SHOOK HIM SO HARD THAT HE PUNCTURED HIS JUGULAR VEIN ... and there was blood all over the kennel! The investigator watched while an employee removed the half-dead little terrier to be destroyed. STATE LAW REQUIRES THE CAGING OF ANIMALS SIMILAR IN SIZE AND WEIGHT... FOR JUST THIS REASON! And. yes. Mrs. Mayor. if necessary. we will also run dated and timed photographs we have of Mr. Paul Turner. Director of Animal Control. on each weekday that he has chosen to play golf and socialize. rather than tend to his duties at the Animal Shelter! We now have documented proof that Mr. Turner is only physically present at the Animal Shelter on the average of one and one half days a week! You will always find him in on Council-days and paydays ... but that seems to be the extent of the seriousness with which Mr. Turner chooses to administer the City Pound! It will be up to the public to reach their own conclusions when they see each photograph dated and timed right on the negative with a corresponding descrip"tJon of what .cu.rren~ pr.~l?lem(vialation is taking ,place. a~ the shelter tl'lat should require his attention. These conditions and violations have continued for far too long. now! T!1e~ephotos. along with the specific San Bernardino pets that have gone to research facilities and their sad demise in useless experimentation. will hopefully. make our city residents aware of the seriousness and severity of the lack of Animal Rights ... most espec- ially in San Bernardino ... with an uncaring Mayor and City Council! It is very sad ... and very unfortunate! In the small hope that you still might wish to discuss any of this with us. please feel free to contact either myself. or Mr. Chris DeRose. We are. of course. at your disposal. Thank you very much. Sincerely. LAST CHANCE FOR ANIMALS Margo Tannenbaum BOARD OF DIRECTORS MT: ksr SECOND CHANCE for TELI~HONEI 11111 343-4112 11.53 VENTURA ILVD.. 5T1. 356 TADANA. CA. 91356 22 August 1985 MAYOR EVLYN WILCOX City of San Bernardino City Hall 300 North "0" Street San Bernardino. CA. 92401 Dear Mayor Wilcox: We wish to thank you very sincerely for your telephone time last Saturday. and your assistance in seeing that water was provided to those who took part in our demonstration at the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter. to protest the city's policy of selling formers pets for research purposes. We know that the situation presented difficult problems for your police department. and we regret the need for such inconvenience. However. we feel very strongly about the issue of Pound Seizure. and the demon- stration and ensuing Civil Disobedience was our chosen manner with which to make a public statement. Had it been possible to speak with you personally. I can assure you that our most recent information. provided by very distinguished members of the medical and scientific community. would have been communicated to you in a very calm. intelligent. and professional fashion. Enclosed is a copy of our Demand Sheet that would have been handed to you on Saturday. It is at this point that I respectfully request a private meeting with you to discuss the city policy of selling former pets for research purposes. at your earliest convenience. It is imperative that the practice be discontinued as soon as possible. not only from a humane point of view. but the very wide spread. negative reputation of your city shelter has increased considerably. It has now captured the attention of. literally. each and every organization. and full reports. with supporting photographs and documentation will shortly be filed with the state. We are quite certain that as the new Mayor of the city. you are not familiar with all aspects of this practice. In our experience. what we find very common. is that only "pro". "medical advancement" information has been available. since so many funds are spent by the medical community. the AMA. the pharmaceutical industry. and major big businesses to keep the opposing discoveries well covered. At this point in time. the subject has grown much too large and become a maior issue. because of all of the doctors and "ex-researchers" who have recently come out in opposition to using pound animals. They. like the general public. not only ... I......... _ '.' 22 August 1985 MAYOR EVLYN WILCOX ~.~.../ "'~.'/ Page 2 are concerned about medical "advancement". but they DEMAND reliable results. No viable results have ever come from the use of former pets. and disasterous misinterpretations occur repeatedly. But pets are cheap. especially as compared to purpose bred animals. and since their research is funded by Federal Tax dollars. the laboratories must meet the criteria of continually experimenting on animals. even though results have long been known. in order to continue to receive the public tax dollars. Pets do not make qood research subjects. and do not brinq reliable results! This is now a given fact. well documented by the AMA. and the scientific community. We will be more than happy to provide you with every bit of information available. so that you are aware of the very latest developments with this controversial issue. In the meantime. what we would hope is that our meeting with you would prove fruitful in obtaining your assistance in approaching the city council. We. of course. will request a public hearing regarding the issue. and if need be. will use every resource at hand. of which there is a plethora. to bring about this change. Believe me. we do not want to keep organizing demonstrations at your city shelter. and much prefer the very quick action of the council. But. if the issue must go before the public. with all of its' horrifying details. then it most certainly will. Are you aware that"first time ever" photographs were taken at your city shelter. during a three week period prior to the demonstration. showing the loading procedure of the pets into the research vans and trucks? These photographs are now evidence. and the negatives have been secured. They very plainly show the extremely harsh. cruel manner with which these animals are handled. contained in the vehicles. and their transport conditions ... for hours in weather extremes. without water or food. If even the drivers handle these animals in this way. and the facilities choose to transport them in this manner ... how do you think they're handled once they get to the laboratories? This will be very maior. neqative publicity for not only the research community. but for your city shelter as well. and will shortly be published and broadcast nationally. It will be a MAJOR embarrasment. and will prove their lack of !=oncern for these animals. The photographs very plainly show all of the law violations as well. The small cages that come to just beneath the permanently sealed windows. the lack of ventilation. etc. The vehicles license plates are clearly discernable. and were traced to their facilities. Interestingly enough. not all of the vehicles were from a "facility". but were loaded witJl animals. Just for your information. I am enclosing just one of the photo sheets. It is self explanatory. Please note the very tight. short. lead being used on the animal. and the touching way he is drug across the ground. The photos that follow in sequence are very unpleasant. And this van. at least. provided the largest cages. This vehicle is from the San Diego V A Hospital. and loaded seven dogs that day. You are just barely able to see the head of another large dog waiting in the cage with the open door. and the driver is keeping his eye on him as he proceeds to LIFT THE GERMAN SHEPPARD UP BY THE NECK! There are many more photos that show the unbelievably small cages into,whlch several large dogs are loaded. One plainly shows a german sheppard who's shoulders and head are pressed so tightly against the top of the cage that he can't even begin to sit up. They show one driver picking up a german sheppard by the base ... I....... - . 22 August 1985 MAYOR EVLYN WILCOX '.; "'" --.;' Page 3 of his tail and pinching his anus. which has the effect of forcing the animal to stiffen his legs. making him easier to push... and is very painful. THE PHOTOS ALSO SHOW YOUR SHELTER KENNELMAN AND MANAGER ASSISTING IN THE LOADING PROCEDURE. Three. big. muscular men. rough-handling ONE very frightened. labrador retriever. while they force him into a small cage with other scared animals who are attempting to escape. No. Mayor Wilcox. they are not pleasant! I. personally. took these photographs. and could hardly contain myself. This is just the start of the horror and torture that await these animals ... and for what? To impede medical advancement. and nothing else. Laboratories have claimed for years that they handle the animals humanely and they never feel pain. These photos prove otherwise. They have been well documented. dated. and notarized. It is unfortunate that they will undoubtedly reflect quite negatively upon your city shelter as being the supplier of these poor animals. and that your city personnel are more than willing to be a party to this terrible abuse. These photographs will contribute greatly to the already terrible reputation that the San Bernardino City Animal "Shelter" !llready has. And. of course. we can't help but wonder if the former owners of these animals will recognize their former pets and respond. The animals are german sheppards. labrador retrievers. black and gold. and medium to large breed mixes. with even some cocker spaniels and poodles. and look quite common. Thousands of people own animals that look just like them. and will undoubtedly be outraged at this kind of treatment. They should only see the inside of a research laboratory! Incidently. during our demonstration. one of the demonstrators decided to adopt a Springer Spaniel that she had seen during the prior week. As she viewed the dog in the adoption kennel. he looked quite ill to her. and was lying down and breathing with great labor. She adopted him as quickly as she could. and needed help in carring him to her van. as he was so weak and limp. Her intent was to rush him to the Animal Emergency Clinic a few blocks away. Luckily. another demonstrator was accompanying her and taking photographs. The dog died as soon as he was laid in the van. It is quite obvious that the shelter personnel are either t9tally unqualified to evaluate these animals. or untrained. and that the kennel attendants. who are young students. can't even begin to fulfill their responsibilities. These are LIVING beings for which the "shelter" has accepted responsibility. Just the above instance is a law violation. ALL injured or ill animals are to be seen by a veterinarian. Who was on the premises to determine that the animal needed care? By law. an Animal Health Technician is not permitted to make a diagnosis. Have you seen Paul Turner's procedural memorandums instructing his Animal Health Technicians to "diagnosis the animal". or "determine if the animal requires veterinary attention"? His very instructions are an infraction of the law. Who is there. NOW. to determine from what this animal died? Was it Parvo. a very infectious disease? Was it distemper. another very infectious disease? What about the seven other animals that were penned with it? Are they now ill? Have they been adopted and taken home to contaminate other pets? Has that kennel been washed down with the required 15% chlorine bleach solution that only. can.destr,oy the Parvo virus. instead of the 3% solution your city now uses? Was the' ke'nnel even washed down. as required by law. when an ill animal is removed? .1:]1 1c I. 22 August 1985 MAYOR EVLYN WILCOX Page U .....,-_.# "", ,,/ Why are animals housed in the old quarantine section. which should be condemned. it's cement floor and steel cages are filthy. there Is NO heat in in the room. and the flies are thick around the fecal droppings. and swarming over very old. stale. dry food that remains in the feeding dishes OF EMPTY CAGES! Those empty cages. which may have once housed ill animals. never have the food changed. and any other animals put in afterwards have no choice but to eat the fly infested food that'smade available to lots of others before it. The "whelping" pens. housing new mother dogs and her litters. contained two litters of very tiny puppies when we investigated the area on Wednesday. August 14. These puppies were being made to eat large. round pieces of kibble. They couldn't even get their mouths around it! I stood and watched one puppy, who was obviously very hungry. trying to eat kibble with no teeth. There was no mother dog from which this puppy could nurse. and the filthy water provided for it had fecal matter in it! I was advised that there is canned food. Where? I will not trouble you with the many other violations and atrocities we observed. They will all be made very public very shortly. All of this is very unfortunate ... and more importantly. very unnecessary! We would be more than happy to discuss the issue with you. and provide those experts who can reassure you of the many other viable alternatives to the repll!cel1'lent of the funds earned from the sale of former pets to research. There are many ways in which this can be done. Certified Public Accountants have been retained to conduct this study. and their information will gladly be made available to you. Our experts will. indeed. prove to you that San Bernardino's severe animal control problem stems from the shelter's terrible reputation and selling former pets for research. People would rather abandon their animals in the false hope of a quick. painless death from an auto. than have them brought into this shelter to even be put to sleep, and charged a large amount of money for same. The city. and county. animal control problems will never begin to lessen unless Pound Seizure is d,scontinued. We very sincerely hope that a meeting may be arranged at your very earliest convenience. as we are not willing to idly stand by while any of this continues. I thank you most sincerely for your cooperation. and look forward to meeting you in the very near future. ~t~ Mr. Chris DeRose. Founder SECOND CHANCE FOR ANIMALS CDR: Imt Enclosures P.JC:1-: !.. .' iLl:: ;" "'~ ..~.,-.,'- . ., t i." ".0'1 "ester" -I ("J {7"'~ . Union-mal gram ~ [5 ~ ........ N4ILGRAM SERVICE CENTER .DDLETO~N, VA. 22.45 11 AM 4-0002571254002 0'/11/'5 ICI IPMRNez CIP LIAI I 2IJI5!'b.b MGM TORN LOI ANGELI' 0'-1& IISSA liT ~ NEW RETRO '5 JOHN E~HELMAN 18.5J VENTURA BLVD IUITE S5. TARZANA CA 91S5. TMIS II A CON~IRMATION COpy O~ THI FOLLOWING MIIIA81; 21S1559.b. TORN LOI ANGELIS 11' ot.it IISSA liT PHS BOARD O~ DIRICTORI DLR CIDAR SINAI, DLR 8700 BEVERLY BLVD. LOS ANGILES CA DEAR MAYOR WILCOX ANO COUNCIL HIHIIRI, SINCI OUR DEMONSTRATION AT THI UN IIRNARDINO CITY ANIMA'" '"lLnlt, DN SATURDAY AUGUST 17. WE HAVI MADE IEVIAA~ ATTIHPT' TO HIE'. WITH YOW TOI DISCUSS TME DISCONTINUATION OF THE IALI OF ANIMALI 'ROH YOUA CITY SMELTER FOR RESEARCH. YOU HAVE NOT ANSWERED OUR LITTIR NOR HAVI YOU RITURNED OUR TELIPHONE, CALLS. AS YOU KNOW DOUBT KNOW . WE HAVE TAKIN A ITAND AT CEDAR 'INAI HOSPITAL IN BEVERLY HILLS AND HAVE OCCUPIED THI ROOF OF THIIA. RESEARCH TRUCK. ~E WILL REMAIN HERI UNTIL YOU. OR YOUR AIPRE'INTATIVI, COME! TO LOI ANGELES TO DISCUSS WITH US THI SAN IIRNARDINO CITY ANIMAb' IHELflR MALTING THE SALE O~ ALL ANIMALS FOR RIIIARCHI~' AT THAT TIME. WE WILL REQUEIT A MElTING ROOM FADM CIDAR IINAI IN WHICH ALL INTIRESTED PARTIES WILL DIICUII TMI IIIUI AND WI WI.LI THIN VACATE THE CEDAR SINAI PREMIIEI. YOUR CONCERN AND COOPERATION ARI MOlT IINCERIL'l' Ar;unnD IN THII: VERY URGENT SITUATION. IINCERELY. Mil CHRIS DEROSE SECOND CHANCE ~OR ANIMALI ODin EST MGMCOMP N co ... ... !5. :; N '" ,'!' .\_.'>!.....,.,..~,.,..J;, TO REP~Y BY MAI~GRAM MESSAGE, SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR WESTERN UNION'S TO~L. FREE PHONE NUMBERS