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Alerts Animals in Entertainment Letter Sent to David Lawrence Convention Center Re: Commerford Zoo
Alerts Animals in Entertainment Letter Sent to David Lawrence Convention Center Re: Commerford Zoo
| Letter Sent to David Lawrence Convention Center Re: Commerford Zoo |
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The following letter was sent to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center regarding their hosting of the Commerford Kid's Fun Fair and Traveling Zoo, demanding that they cancel the event: November 7, 2009 To Whom It May Concern: I am writing on behalf of Voices For Animals of Western Pennsylvania and its over 800 members regarding the David L. Lawrence Convention Center’s plans to host the Commerford Kid's Fun Fair and Traveling Zoo on November 21st and 22nd. We have been contacted numerous times by outraged members of the public regarding this event. Perhaps those responsible for the booking of this event were unaware of the horrific and cruel realities of not only this zoo but all traveling animal entertainment functions. Therefore we are providing you with the following information regarding this particular establishment’s record of animal care which we advise you to carefully review. While this may be only a two day event in Pittsburgh, the animals of Commerford Zoo, many who are sick and/or genetically deformed, travel year-round, living in inhumane conditions in small enclosures, far from their natural environments, and are prevented from fulfilling their physical and psychological needs and desires. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited R.W. Commerford & Sons numerous times for failure to provide adequate veterinary care, for failure to maintain enclosures and transport trailers, for failure to have an attendant present during periods of public contact, for improper feeding, and for poor housekeeping. An elephant from R.W. Commerford & Sons has been involved in three dangerous incidents while giving rides to children and caused injuries requiring hospitalization. Here is a list of some of the violations: January 2, 2008: The USDA cited Commerford & Sons for failure to maintain facilities in good repair because a gate for a sheep, goat, llama, and donkey enclosure had support posts with jagged edges and a bent and broken horizontal bottom rail, which posed a risk of injury to the animals. August 8, 2007: The USDA cited Commerford & Sons for failure to provide a developed and documented environmental enhancement plan for primates. February 21, 2007: Bob Commerford testified before a Connecticut state legislative committee in opposition to proposed bill 6599, which sought to eliminate the mistreatment of captive elephants by banning the use of bullhooks, electric prods, and chains. August 10, 2006: The USDA cited Commerford for failure to have an employee or attendant present during periods of public contact with the animals in the petting zoo, including an elephant named Karen. March 5, 2006: An Asian elephant named Minnie injured two Commerford employees while giving rides at the Best Western Royal Plaza Trade Center in Marlborough, Massachusetts. As children were being loaded onto the elephant, she became agitated and suddenly swung her head toward the two employees, shifting her weight and pinning them against the loading ramp. An eyewitness reported that one of the employees had provoked the elephant by striking her in the face. One man sustained a chest injury and the other a broken arm. Both were taken by ambulance to the hospital. Two bystanders sustained bruises. Minnie has been involved in at least three previous dangerous incidents (see August 27, 1998, and August 28, 1989). March 4, 2006: A 4-year-old girl fell through the railing of a loading ramp while waiting to get on an elephant and camel ride at the Best Western Royal Plaza Trade Center in Marlborough, Massachusetts. The girl fell approximately 5 feet and landed on her back among the animals. She suffered head trauma and was taken by ambulance to the hospital. November 30, 2005: The USDA cited Commerford for failure to provide adequate veterinary care to three elephants who were found to have an excessive accumulation of necrotic skin on their heads; failure to provide adequate shelter to goats, sheep, and llamas; and failure to maintain structurally sound enclosures. The inspector noted that the Asian elephant Beulah was being treated for a foot disorder. According to The Elephant’s Foot, captivity-induced foot problems and arthritis are the leading reasons for euthanasia of captive elephants. August 15, 2005: The USDA cited Commerford for failure to handle animals so that there is minimal risk of harm to the animal and to the public. While giving rides, an African elephant named Karen used her trunk to reach out and touch members of the public, including a child in a stroller, while the handler was distracted talking to other employees and not observing the elephant’s behavior. February 3, 2005: Commerford was cited by the USDA for failure to maintain structurally sound enclosures, for water troughs filled with algae, and for failure to maintain the food preparation area. June 1, 2001: The USDA cited Commerford for failure to provide tuberculosis test results for the elephant and the elephant handlers and a program of veterinary care. February 8, 2001: The USDA cited Commerford for failure to maintain several enclosures with protruding nails and a broken window, for inadequate record-keeping, and for failure to provide veterinary care to an injured sheep. June 24, 1999: The USDA stated in a letter that Commerford’s giraffe travels lying down on his chest and abdomen in order to fit inside the transport trailer. According to expert guidelines, giraffe transport is very risky. The Capture and Care Manual states, “Do not transport giraffes with their necks bent for prolonged periods. … Once down, adult giraffes … regain their feet with difficulty. If the giraffe is on [his or her] side … or in a confined space, [the giraffe] may not be able to regain [his or her] feet at all. Animals on their side will die rapidly from bloat.” Restraint and Handling of Wild and Domestic Animals states, “Giraffes have died with the peracute mortality syndrome during and shortly after being moved to new locations.” April 1, 1999: The USDA cited Commerford for failure to provide adequate exercise for a giraffe stored in a 10’x20’ pen. August 27, 1998: While carrying children on her back at the New York State Fair, an elephant named Minnie panicked and knocked down her trainer, then stepped on him. A 3-year-old girl was also injured after falling off the elephant and hitting her head on the ground. Both were treated at a local hospital. Minnie had been involved in at least two previous attacks (see August 28, 1989). June 25, 1998: Commerford was cited for failure to have a program of veterinary care. August 28, 1989: An elephant handler was attacked and critically injured by an elephant named Minnie after he struck the elephant with a bullhook while two children were riding on the elephant’s back. Minnie picked up the handler with her trunk and threw him against a trailer, breaking his shoulder and jaw, at the Champlain Valley Fair in Essex Junction, Vermont. According to a witness, “Blood was gushing everywhere. The kids were left stranded.” Commerford continued using Minnie for rides at the fair despite a public outcry that the elephant was too dangerous. Years earlier, Minnie had attacked a worker and broken his arm. Please be aware that this is not a complete list but a mere sampling of the reprehensible record and deplorable conditions continuously present at Commerford Zoo. On a side note, it is almost humorous to us that the same venue that just recently hosted the G20 world leaders will now play host to a traveling animal fair that includes such animals as a “unicow”, a “zebu”, and a “giant rat”. Many cities and states have prohibited the exhibiting of exotic animals in petting zoos. It is completely unacceptable and ethically unprincipled that the Convention Center would even consider hosting such an unscrupulous and appalling business. It is because of this that we demand you cancel this event immediately. We look forward to receiving a response from you about this important issue as soon as possible. Please be aware that if an immediate response is not received we will be alerting a global network of animal advocacy organizations, the media, and the general public of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center’s plans to host a fair notorious for its animal abuse, neglectful care, and danger it poses to public safety. We can be contacted at this email or at our voicemail at 1-877-321-4VFA. Sincerely, Lindsay Joyce, Coordinator Voices For Animals of Western Pennsylvania |