PeoriaStory

Questionable arrests in Woodford County

EUREKA, IL -- Two animal rights activists remain in Woodford County jail after their arrest a few weeks ago on what seems like very questionable charges.

The two are charged with possession of burglary tools, even though no burglary took place.  They were reportedly arrested during a routine traffic stop while driving through Roanoke, a small town near Eureka, the county seat.

Did the officer run the license tag, find out who the two are, and target them? 

The Peoria Journal Star published this story on Sept. 10, which then received criticism from a website supporting the two men.

Their lawyer,Woodford County public defender Don Pioletti, has not returned phone calls asking for more details on this case.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Civic Center rodeos -- shocking?

PEORIA --  Here is an exchange of letters concerning animal abuse at the recent rodeo at the Peoria Civic Center.  It appears the powers-that-be would entertain an ordinance to prevent shocking animals, but we'll see.

 

From Lauren Malmgren, directors of PAWS:

Thanks for your e-mail and concern for the animals.   I'm wondering if the best course might be to present an ordinance amendment prohibiting the use of electric prods at public events to the County Board their consideration. 

If there is support for that type of ordinance, it could prevent this issue at future events.  Obviously, it doesn't address this weekend's rodeo, however, if a citizen witnesses the use of electrical prods and makes a complaint to the State's Attorney's office, I believe the complaint would be considered for possible charges. 

I know that Department of Agriculture inspectors were on site at previous rodeo events at the Civic Center and did not see violations of the Humane Care for Animals Act to pursue with the SAO.   I do not know if state inspectors plan to be on site this year. 

I'd be happy to talk with you or other representatives of your organization about options to address your concerns.  Please call me if you'd like to discuss this. 

Lauren

 

Lauren Malmberg, MBA, CAWA Director

Peoria County Animal Protection Services/PAWS

2600 NE Perry Avenue

Peoria, IL  61603

309-672-2440

309-686-3705 (fax)

 _____

From animal activist Doris Muller:

Dear Lauren,

Prohibiting the use of electric prods at rodeos would be a very welcome relief.  However, since the use of the prod is always used with the utmost of secrecy, who would be entrusted to enforce the ordinance? 

On January 17, 2008, in an interview with HOI- 19 News,  Marc Burnett, Director of Marketing and Sales of the Civic Center  condones the use of the prods by comparing them to underground electric containment fencing for dogs.  He also stated that veterinarians were on hand to monitor the animals.  It seems to me, since the veterinarians work for the rodeo, they  could best be compared to the fox tending the chickens.

If you think it would be valuable for some of us to meet with you to discuss the issue, we would welcome the opportunity, at your convenience.

Thank you for your  willingness to support compassion for animals in entertainment.

Doris Muller

 _____

 An earlier letter from Muller:

Dear Lauren,

After the Dodge Bulls and Broncs rodeo appeared at the Peoria Civic Center January 2007, I attempted to do a little research about animals used in entertainment and the policies specific to the Peoria Civic Center.

In an e-mail exchange with staff members of the Civic Center, I wanted to know  (1)  if any rodeo events using animals were prohibited, (2) If any devices were prohibited from being used on the animals, (3)  was the rodeo required to have a veterinarian on site, (4)  was there a policy regulating injury or death of an animal, sustained during the event.

Both Melissa Aga, Public Relations Coordinator and Marc Burnett, Director of Marketing and Sales of the Civic Center provided the same answer which, by-the-way, was obtained from the "rodeo promoter.": 

 

    "Humane rules are in effect and strictly enforced.  The rules were adopted by the PRCA.

    The PRCA has been in the fore front of animal welfare issues, they first adopted humane

    rules in 1947 and work closely with large animal vet associations.  The animals are well

    cared for by people knowledgeable in the care and feeding of large animals.  These

     animals are athletes and live longer than non rodeo animals of the same species."

I was referred to "[email protected] " for more information.  Steve Gander is the owner of the rodeo tour.

In January 2008, the rodeo returned to the Civic Center, and ,at that time, it was exposed by an Illinois-based animal rights group for shocking the horses.  Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) main focus is exposing rodeo cruelty:

January 15, 2008 - Group says rodeo animals were shocked

The rodeo did not return to Peoria in 2009 or 2010, but as you might be aware, they are back for a performance this weekend: 

World's Toughest Bulls And Broncs Tickets at Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, IL - Zvents

After seeing many undercover videos produced by SHARK showing extreme animal cruelty and death, I have to conclude that the profit-driven rodeo industry cannot be trusted to uphold its own "humane rules."

I am left wondering who truly watches out for the safety of the animals when the rodeo comes to Peoria?

Sincerely,

 

Doris Muller, member

Peoria Area Voices For Animals

Rodeos -- cruel and stupid but here's one in Peoria

PEORIA -- The Peoria Civic Center is hosting a rodeo on Jan 7-8, after a 2 year absence. 

Rodeos and cruel and stupid, because they rely on abusing horses, calves and bulls for amusement.  Will our local officials enforce the law on humane treatment?  Or ignore what happens?

For information on a protest, see below.

For Malmberg's response, see below.

Here's a letter from animal activist Doris Muller:

To: Lauren Malmberg, Director

Peoria County Animal Protection Services

Peoria, IL 61603

http://www.peoriacounty.org/pcaps

 

Dear Lauren,

 

After the Dodge Bulls and Broncs rodeo appeared at the Peoria Civic Center January 2007, I attempted to do a little research about animals used in entertainment and the policies specific to the Peoria Civic Center.

 

In an e-mail exchange with staff members of the Civic Center, I wanted to know  (1)  if any rodeo events using animals were prohibited, (2) If any devices were prohibited from being used on the animals, (3)  was the rodeo required to have a veterinarian on site, (4)  was there a policy regulating injury or death of an animal, sustained during the event.

 

Both Melissa Aga, Public Relations Coordinator and Marc Burnett, Director of Marketing and Sales of the Civic Center provided the same answer which, by-the-way, was obtained from the "rodeo promoter.": 

 

    "Humane rules are in effect and strictly enforced.  The rules were adopted by the PRCA.

    The PRCA has been in the fore front of animal welfare issues, they first adopted humane

    rules in 1947 and work closely with large animal vet associations.  The animals are well

    cared for by people knowledgeable in the care and feeding of large animals.  These

     animals are athletes and live longer than non rodeo animals of the same species."

  

I was referred to "[email protected] " for more information.  Steve Gander is the owner of the rodeo tour.

 

In January 2008, the rodeo returned to the Civic Center, and ,at that time, it was exposed by an Illinois-based animal rights group for shocking the horses.  Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) main focus is exposing rodeo cruelty:

January 15, 2008 - Group says rodeo animals were shocked

 

The rodeo did not return to Peoria in 2009 or 2010, but as you might be aware, they are back for a performance this weekend: 

World's Toughest Bulls And Broncs Tickets at Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, IL - Zvents

 

After seeing many undercover videos produced by SHARK showing extreme animal cruelty and death, I have to conclude that the profit-driven rodeo industry cannot be trusted to uphold its own "humane rules."

 

I am left wondering who truly watches out for the safety of the animals when the rodeo comes to Peoria?

 

I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Sincerely,

 

Doris Muller, member

Peoria Area Voices For Animals

2114 W. Dakota St.

West Peoria, IL 61604

309 637-5205

 

 

 

Peoria Area Voices for Animals
www.AnimalRightsPeoria.org
*********************************************************************************************************
A staggering 55% of dogs and 77% of cats entering shelters never find a home. 
It is estimated that over 8 million animals in shelters are killed each year; that is over 1,000 each hour, in America alone. 
Today, 63% of homes own pets, yet only 18% of owned dogs and 10% of owned cats were adopted from shelters.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." Martin Luther King

"We can't do great things, we can only do small things with great love." Mother Theresa

"We can't change the heart, so we must stop the heartless." Martin Luther King


Peoria Area Voices for Animals

Rodeo Protest - Saturday, Jan. 8th, 6:45-7:45 pm
Please join us and stand up for the animals abused and exploited by the "World's Toughest Bulls and Broncs" rodeo at the Peoria Civic Center this Saturday.   

PAVA will hold a protest in front of the Civic Center (across from the parking decks) Saturday, Jan. 8th, from 6:45-7:45 pm.  Signs will be provided but feel free to bring your own sign.  Please join us to remind the misinformed individuals attending the event that ANIMALS ARE NOT SPORTS EQUIPMENT! 

http://www.peoriaciviccenter.com/event/worlds-toughest-bulls-and-broncs-outlaws-rodeo-tour

To lean more about the abuse inherent in rodeos and to see the animal abuse from the last rodeo at the Civic Center, visit: http://www.sharkonline.org/?P=0000000757 and
http://www.sharkonline.org/

Hope to see you on Saturday!

Ms. Muller:

Thanks for your e-mail and concern for the animals.   I'm wondering if the best course might be to present an ordinance amendment prohibiting the use of electric prods at public events to the County Board their consideration.  If there is support for that type of ordinance, it could prevent this issue at future events.  Obviously, it doesn't address this weekend's rodeo, however, if a citizen witnesses the use of electrical prods and makes a complaint to the State's Attorney's office, I believe the complaint would be considered for possible charges. 

I know that Department of Agriculture inspectors were on site at previous rodeo events at the Civic Center and did not see violations of the Humane Care for Animals Act to pursue with the SAO.   I do not know if state inspectors plan to be on site this year. 

I'd be happy to talk with you or other representatives of your organization about options to address your concerns.  Please call me if you'd like to discuss this. 

Lauren

 

Lauren Malmberg, MBA, CAWA Director

Peoria County Animal Protection Services/PAWS

2600 NE Perry Avenue

Peoria, IL  61603

309-672-2440

309-686-3705 (fax)

 

When animal advocates bite: puppy mill sale stopped

PEORIA -- That puppy mill sale set for March 27-28 at Exposition Gardens has been stopped, apparently because some of the breeders lacked the proper paperwork, according to  animal advocates.

Here's Doris Muller's email:

"This morning I received a call from Cari  Meyers of Chicago who last year founded The Puppy Mill Project. 

She was directed to me through the notice of the demo being shared--I LOVE THIS TECHNOLOGY!   

She has 100 plus  "warriors" who jumped on the band wagon:  made calls to Expo and sent e-mails.  She contacted Terri Bibo--the Journal Star called me this morning; She talked with Malmberg;  One of her warriors who lives in Dunlap phoned me this afternoon also--she was going to join us for the protest. (See post below on the protest.)

You can see by her message here what, so to speak, one person can do.  

We can all be grateful to Cari and her band of warriors for their fabulous work.

Let this be a lesson to all, including myself, that a phone call and/or e-mail can work wonders.

Thank you to all who are on this e-mail list because of your caring hearts and your willingness to do what you can.   Together we make a difference."  

 --Doris Muller, Peoria Area Voices For Animals

---

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent: 3/24/2010 2:55:04 P.M. Central Daylight Time
Subj: Peoria Expo

 

We did it!!!!!!!!! The expo has been canceled! To every one of you that called and emailed and showed them the power that we as animal advocates have in this country, thank you.

To the State's Attorney and Lauren Malmberg at the Peoria Animal Welfare Shelter a big thank you! We could not have done such a quick job without you.

We have so much more to do but for today let's celebrate our second victory. We stopped Villa Park and now a much larger expo in Peoria.

We are going to work hard on getting legislation passed to stop these millers from doing this. It is happening all over the country because it is an easy way to make a lot of money in a short time with no questions asked.

Again, to all of The Puppy Mill Project warriors and the people that you asked for help, a huge thank you for making a difference in the world today.

Most Sincerely,

Cari

"People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it."

The Puppy Mill Project

Peoria animal shelter handover delayed, puppy mill pups on sale

PEORIA -- The animal shelter handover from the city of Peoria to Peoria County has been delayed until the end of April.  That was only one of several news items for Peoria County's Management Service Committee, which met on March 23. Other tidbits:

• A shelter director likely will be hired by the end of March.
  

• Three area communities, Peoria Heights, Bartonville and West Peoria have informally opted for the county's 'full service' model in their communities, at $2 per capita. Communities can also pay 90 cents for lesser services from the shelter.

• The county is writing additional ordinances for enforcement of shelter services.

• John Davidson of the Illinois Valley Kennel Club reported that  'mixed dogs' can now compete in some AKC events. Pamphlets on this program and on dog care will be placed at the shelter for the public.

Meanwhile, in other animal news,  Doris Muller of Peoria Area Voices for Animals in an email reported that puppy mill puppies will be sold in at a Puppy Expo in Peoria this weekend. 

This kind of event works against shelter adoption, as breeders seek to make money off dog breeding, often in unsanitary, factory-like conditions. The website shows a 573 area code for the breeders, which is in Missouri.

The animal rights group is planning a protest demonstration from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. All are welcome.

The Peoria shelter director, Lauren Malmberg, is said to be investigating. She is also a candidate for the shelter director position as the shelter comes under County rule. She attended the committee meeting but did not speak.

The puppy mill event is at Exposition Gardens, a quasi-public venue that has allowed other exploitive animal acts at the Heart of Illinois Fair.

  -- Elaine Hopkins

Animal rights demonstrators defeat Peoria police

PEORIA -- When Peoria police tried to shut down a recent anti-meat - "Meatout" demonstration on a public sidewalk in front of One World Cafe, they got a lesson in free speech and freedom of assembly. 

And the restaurant got a lesson in customer relations. It had better apologize.

Here's the story from Monica Ball of Peoria Area Voices for Animals:

"I was extremely disappointed by the actions of One World Cafe's manager who was very rude, told me she wanted me to leave and not hand out fliers to their customers.

 Since I was on a public sidewalk and leafleting to the public, she of course, had no legal authority to make such demands and I was happy to ignore them. She then followed through on her threat to call the police.

I was also happy to make the police officer visibly angry with me when I refused to be intimidated by him.

I was told that I need to keep moving (remember the police orders to "circulate" from past fur demos, anyone?), and when I responded that I don't need to move, I was asked "where's your permit?" to which I responded "I don't need a permit.We've been through this a million times." 

At which point, he knew his bluff had been called, there was nothing he could do to make me leave or "circulate" so he spoke with the restaurant manager and left.

Since we always carry a copy of Peoria's ordinance on picketing, we know our rights and won't be intimidated into meekly giving them away.

Anyone has the right to hold a sign or leaflet on any public sidewalk in the city and there is no need to obtain a permit to do so.  

As of now, I am disinclined to patronize One World and will be letting them know that making enemies of the local animal rights/vegan community is a pretty bad business decision, especially since they make a decent effort of catering to this same group by offering a variety of vegan menu items."

-- Monica Ball

UPDATE 3/9/10:  One World has apologized.  Here's the letter that one of those picketing, Doris Muller, sent to One World, and the restaurant's response:

"As a vegan, One World Cafe was among the very few eating establishments I patronized.  It is deeply appreciated and very heart-warming when businesses recognize the diversity of our "one world" by catering to different customer food regiments for their diverse reasons.

 

On Saturday, March 6, I was part of the leafleting team on the public sidewalks on three corners at Main and University.  Our educational materials and messages support efforts towards a kinder world, and they support the efforts of One World's compassionate food choices for its customers.  Our efforts can only serve to promote respect and greater patronage for the establishment.

 

For those reasons, I am very disappointed, and shocked at the reactions and the decision of One World management to be rude and hostile--calling the police--to dissuade our efforts.

 

One world is not just about people.  We share this earth with many other species.  What man has done to the environment, to other species, to the land, to human and animal health is unconscionable.  Someone once said, " we need to be the change we want to see in others."  I've taken it to heart.  Whenever I think that someone should address certain problems, I've concluded that I am someone.   The only quote I have posted in my home is by Albert Einstein:  "Insanity:...doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." 

 

Animal rights are not directly about the animal victims; they are about humans who have victimized.   We can't hope to have a kinder world while we ourselves remain selfish, and while we fail to recognize the beneficial efforts of others.

It's a sad day to think that I will now sever my patronage with One World eatery, and it's a small blow to my faith in man."

 -- Doris Muller

And the response: 

"After sending an e-mail today to One World's Public Relations person, Monica, I received a call from her this afternoon.

 

She apologized for the incident on Saturday, and she stated that she knows that we have the right to leaflet on the public sidewalk.  She stated that she is there for us and implied that One World does not want to create an atmosphere of hostility towards us.

 

She claimed a call was made to the police department only to inquire about city laws governing protests.  She also claims the police insisted on addressing the complaint even after they were told not to come.  With my, albeit, limited experience with the police, I do not believe that was the truth.  With budget cuts, I can't imagine the police have time on their hands for nonsense--even if they do like to attempt to intimidate us.  I'm sure One World staff made good on their threat to our Monica to involve police because we refused to stop leafleting.  But, OK, I'll give her this one.

 

One World's  Monica indicated One World was put on the defensive after our Monica attempted to educate them about the March of Dimes continued barbaric use of animals in research, in light of the fact One World would be hosting a fund raiser for the March of Dimes.

 

I am appreciative of the call from One World and their commitment to be there for us. "

 -- Doris Muller

 

Animal abuse at charities, zoo

PEORIA -- Here's a commentary from Monica Ball of Peoria Area Voices for Animals. She makes an interesting point, that the Peoria Zoo, which cages animals, is a perfect site for a March of Dimes fundraiser, since that charity uses animals for experiments, aka torture.  Many people believe it's no longer necessary to use animals for medical experiments, as other methods provide better results.  Read it and weep:

"I find it interesting and perfectly consistent that the March of Dimes will be holding a fund raising event at the Peoria Zoo this spring.  After all, what better place to raise funds for a charity that aggressively harms and kills animals than a place that cares so little for animals that they lock them up for their entire lives and deprive them of all that is natural to them just so humans can get a couple hours of amusement from looking at the captives from time to time?

There are many charities that use effective, humane, non-animal testing methods to provide relevant knowledge about preventing human birth defects.  http://www.humaneseal.org/search.cfm lists many such charities.

The March of Dimes, however, holds onto the antiquated notion that torturing and killing animals somehow helps humans to be healthier.  They therefore continue to waste money on barbaric, useless, and misleading animal studies where they sew the eyes of newborn kittens shut and inject pregnant animals with nicotine.  (We've known for decades that nicotine is harmful to developing human fetuses, and the torture of all those kittens never helped a single human baby because human vision development is different than vision development in felines.)  They waste time, energy, and money pursuing drugs and therapies that work in some species but invariably fail in humans.  And we'll never know how many life-saving drugs and treatments that would have worked in humans were discarded because they failed in animal tests.

More information about the March of Dimes is available at http://www.pcrm.org/resch/charities/mod/index.html.  Not that anyone at the Peoria Zoo would care though.  Animal exploiters and animal abusers need to stick together after all."

Monica Ball
Peoria Area Voices for Animals
www.AnimalRightsPeoria.org

Hunting course at ICC: Disgusting

PEORIA -- Illinois Central College is offering a new non-credit community course on hunting this spring.

Its on-line catalog states: Professional hunter and guide Dan Vinovich will get you started on the sport of hunting. Learn about weapons, licenses, seasons for hunting and more. Dan will pay special attention to goose hunting. Also learn how to process and cook your wild game.

Vinovich is a professional hunter and angler, and makes it his profession. This could be a ploy to get more customers, with ICC's apparent approval. Very sad. He's also teaching a fishing course.

It's hard to understand why anyone would hunt for fun with a gun, when they could do it with a camera and leave wildlife alone. It's hardly a sport. It's just slaughter.

As for eating wild game, that's even dangerous to health. Mad cow, anyone?  it's in elk and possibly deer. And who knows what's in a goose shot in the Illinois River basin, which is polluted with a variety of bad stuff -- mercury, PCBs, etc.  I wouldn't eat it.

It's even harder to understand why ICC would allow a course on hunting, including weapons use.  That's all we need -- more people with guns who might also have grievances, or hate in their hearts. (Why else hunt helpless animals?)

ICC makes it easy to learn by offering this course.  And Vinovich collects more customers for his business. Yuk! 

Shame on ICC. Would ICC allow a course on prostitution, taught by a prostitute?  After all, it's legal in Nevada. Or  pornography, taught by a pornographer?  Also legal.  Or gambling taught by professional gamblers who hang out at the gambling boat?  Just the skills our nation needs more of, right? (Not.)

This course is offered along with list of other more appealing courses: Jay Gatsby and the American Dream, Greening your Lifestyle, Beginning Bridge -- and many more, all worthwhile pursuits, worthy of ICC. And then hunting. Ugh.

Thanks to Char Curry, who called my attention to this class. She e-mailed: "I do oppose this."

  -- Elaine Hopkins

More progress in animal shelter plans

UPDATE -- 2/11/10:  See the Journal Star for news that the city of Peoria won't pay its fair share to the county.  Be sure to read the comments.

PEORIA -- A Peoria animal shelter that only rarely kills animals moved forward after a Feb. 10 special meeting of the Peoria County Management Services Committee.

The committee heard three scenarios for when the county assumes management of the shelter -- a bare bones model, the status quo, and an enhanced model with more emphasis on low cost spay/neuter programs and perhaps some higher license fees for non-neutered pets.

Board members expressed a preference for the  enhanced model. Committee chairman Mike Phelan said funds from a public safety sales tax, which has been used to pay bonds on the jail, soon will be available as the bonds are paid off in a couple of years.

He and others proposed charging the city of Peoria and other towns in the county fees for the shelter until those funds become available. Then those fees could end.

Every citizen has an interest in a well run shelter, and should pay a share of its cost, committee member Andrew Rand said. Then he added, "let's get this into a no-kill perspective. This will mean a lot to community acceptance of the county's endeavor. We should have something to brag about."

"This is going to take tax dollar support, and I'm for it," said board member Bob Baietto. 

Documents handed to committee members included facts on the animal shelter. There are 37,527 animals registered, with 8,257 impounded annually.  Fines collected total  $1.1 million. Employees handle about 12,000 service calls annually. 

About 700 animals are returned to owners, 1,571 adopted out. The rest are euthanized.

Peoria Area Voices for Animals distributed information about a Springfield low cost spay/neuter program, APL, Animal Protective League.  Information on Operation SAFE, Saving Animals from Euthansia, based in Dunlap, Il. also was distributed. It also operates a low cost spay/neuter program.

Phelan said more discussion on funding should take place at the committee's full meeting on Feb. 23.

The committee informally approved job descriptions for the staff of six full time employees.  Twenty-five people have applied for the position of director of the shelter.

Phelan hopes a completed plan will go to the County Board meeting on March 11. 

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Peoria animal shelter pans continue

PEORIA -- Of 2,700 dogs arriving at the Peoria City/County Animal Shelter last year, 1,100 were pit bulls. "Some are not adoptable. Do you keep it for life in a cage? What about the quality of life?"

Peoria County Humane Society president Lise Mundwiller spoke to a Peoria County Board committee on Jan. 20 discussing animal shelter problems, and did not appear to support a 'no-kill' shelter.  The shelter now kills about 5,000 animals each year, out of 7,000 it accepts.

She suggested a free spay-neuter program for "farm cats" and pit bulls, and said the shelter can only handle 55 adult dogs, 30 puppies and 100 cats and kittens.

The committee informally discussed various ideas, including how to charge for the 10 percent of animals brought there from other counties, whether to require all animals be micro-chiped, even whether to adopt special legislation for the pit bull problem, to reduce their numbers.

But county attorney Bill Atkins nixed that idea. "How do you prove it's a pit bull?" he asked.  He once got involved in a court case over whether an animal was actually a dog, he said. "Specific breed laws are very difficult to enforce."

Instead, officials could focus on whether a dog is dangerous, he said. Some pit bulls are loving, others said.

The committee meets again at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 26.

It's making plans to take over the shelter from the city, which ditched it to save money. Board members have expressed interest in increasing adoptions and decreasing the kill rate. It can enact a variety of ordinances depending on the policies it accepts.

 -- Elaine Hopkins