PeoriaStory

Peoria animal shelter transition complicated

PEORIA -- The Peoria County Board's Management Services Committee is taking on the many complex issues involving the Peoria City/County Animal Shelter.  The city of Peoria has dumped the animal shelter into the county's lap,  and at any time could issue the 90-day notice for the county to take over the shelter. 

The committee met on Jan. 6 to discuss the issues.

New management could mean good news for the animals. Committee chairman Mike Phelan said a goal of the shelter could be a "no kill (shelter) for every adoptable animal."

The shelter now kills more than 5,000 animals each year. "Why are 5,000 animals euthanized?" board member Andrew Rand asked.

Rand proposed a new name: PCAPS, Peoria County Animal Protection Services. The new name would signal "a shift from control, and add compassion," he said. The committee agreed to send that name to the full board for its approval, as a "core function" of county government.

Phelan said he envisions a "new stand-alone agency reporting to the county administrator."

Rand laid out the work to be done, including a complete inventory of the services the shelter now provides.  Operation of the shelter would include public safety, nuisance abatement services and care, shelter and adoption efforts, which could include spay/neuter services, he said.  

In addition the various ordinances must be reconciled. The city and county have different ordinances, and the city has contracts with municipalities. The city, county and Peoria Humane Society own the building jointly, and nearly a dozen vehicles are also used at the shelter. 

Who will get title to these assets? a board member asked.

The number of employees at the shelter would depend on the services the shelter provides, board members said. They are now city employees. 

Also needed:  a look at financial resources for new functions at the shelter, from grants and donations to fees paid by animal owners, Rand said.

John Davidson of Dunlap, a fox terrier breeder, American Kennel Club judge and author of "The Toy Fox Terrier: Wired for Action," offered his support, and said he wanted to be involved. Afterward he said he supports the no-kill goal.

He said experience in other communities shows that public support increases for a no-kill shelter. Pure bred dogs now can easily be placed in new homes through advocacy groups that find homes for them, he said.

I couldn't resist commenting to the committee that Peoria County has always been a progressive government, and a no-kill shelter would follow in that tradition.

The committee tentatively set its next meeting for 4 p.m. Jan. 20 in the Peoria County Courthouse conference room on the 4th floor.

  -- Elaine Hopkins

Animal issues: can a no-kill shelter be developed in Peoria?

PEORIA -- With the Peoria City Council dumping management of the Peoria City/County Animal Shelter into the lap of the Peoria County Board, an opportunity has occurred to improve animal care and management.

The shelter reportedly now kills more than 5,000 unwanted animals a year, a huge number.  A group of animal advocates connected with Peoria Area Voices for Animals met on Dec. 28 to discuss how to improve this situation.

The ultimate goal is a no-kill shelter.  For that to occur, a transition needs to take place involving the recruitment of many people to provide foster care for unwanted cats and dogs until they can be placed in permanent homes.  At at the same time the unchecked breeding must end with an aggressive spay/neuter program, these advocates said.

Other places in the US have accomplished these goals, they said, and Peoria can with the right leadership.

Ways to limit unchecked breeding also include licensing backyard breeding businesses and requiring them to vaccinate and computer-chip their animals, namely dogs.  Fines could be imposed for non-compliance.  The goal is to make this type of breeding unprofitable.

Low cost spay/neuter clinics, some of which already are taking place, could help other people, especially cat owners.

The group said opponents are likely to include some veterinarians, who would see their business drop, and kennel club members who object to government regulation.  But this would help limit the oversupply of dogs, at least in Peoria County, the advocates believe.  

A business tax on breeders would also provide funding to help run the shelter.

Additional funding for a no-kill shelter might be available from Maddie's Fund, a California-based organization that gives out millions in grants.

The first step is to contact County Board members to see what they are planning.  Luckily this is an election year. Stay tuned.

  -- Elaine Hopkins

UPDATE 1/3/10: The Peoria County committee involved with the animal shelter meets at 4 p.m. on Wed. Jan. 6 at the Peoria County Courthouse, in the County Board room on the 4th floor.

Animal shelter meeting Dec. 28

UPDATE 12/27/09:  Note change of meeting place!

PEORIA -- Want input on what should happen at the Peoria Animal Shelter? Animal advocates will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 28 at the Peoria Barnes & Noble Bookstore, now Panache, at Sheridan Village.

The city of Peoria recently dumped the animal shelter costs into the ditch for Peoria County government to pick up.  The county says it's willing to take the responsibility, but state law does not require much of counties. 

So -- here's chance for the county to show the city how the shelter should be run, by turning it into a no-kill shelter and getting grants from Maddie's Fund to do that.  This should be the first item on the meeting agenda.

   -- Elaine Hopkins

HOI Fair includes exploited animals

PEORIA -- Here's a post from Monica Ball, an animal advocate:

Thankfully, this year’s HOI Fair (July 10-18 at Expo Gardens) will NOT include the elephant and tiger exhibit that we protested against last year!

However, Woody’s Menagerie will be at the fair this year. From their website http://www.woodysmenagerie.com/index.php?pg=welcome , it’s obvious they are just profiting off of the animals, most likely breeding them, since they have lion and liger cubs in most photos.

Ligers are a cross between a lion and tiger which doesn’t happen in the wild and serves no educational or conservation purpose but is done because people will pay to see ligers.

They certainly are not acting in the animals’ best interests.

I won’t be scheduling a protest, but I encourage anyone interested to write a letter to the editor ([email protected]) and the HOI Fair board ([email protected]) urging them not to include any wild animal acts in future years because they are simply a form of animal mistreatment for profit.

For more information on why these types of traveling exhibits are bad for animals, visit www.wildlifepimps.com.

Fur free Friday

PEORIA -- If the thought of killing animals not for food but for vanity sickens you, there's a way to protest: Fur Free Friday.

The Peoria Area Voices for Animals will hold its annual anti-fur protest from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28, at Broms Furs and Fashions, 4620 N. University.

Signs will be provided or demonstrators can create their own.

Participants are asked not to park in Metro Center, though I can't imagine why. Afterwards those in the picket line might turn into customers of a store there, for gifts or a warm drink. Or maybe not!

This is part of a national event.

Fur coats sicken me. Makes me want to spray paint them, thought that's a violent act I would never perform. Fur-wearing is like dog fighting and bull fighting, all mega-disgusting exploitation of innocent animals killed for human amusement or vanity.

So sad that this continues in the 21st century.

-- Elaine Hopkins

Animal advocates harassed at HOI fair

PEORIA -- A trio of advocates for animals was harassed then kicked out of the Heart of Illinois Fair on Saturday, July 12 for videotaping and photographing tigers and elephants confined in small cages.

Two elephants "were confined under an awning secured by a small mobile home," and five "large big cats" were "in a mobile holding cage," advocate Dorris Muller wrote.

They were scheduled to perform at certain times, and a sign states elephant rides were available.

In the photo below, a tiger is visible in the small cage while a couple and a child listen to someone's pitch about the show.

In her account of the incident, Muller wrote that the exhibitors harassed one of their group taping the animals and called security. "Security called the (Peoria) police who ushered us off the fair grounds. One of the police officers "was appropriate in his actions and duty," but the other "threatened (one of the group) with arrest because she was videotaping."

When the animal advocates "told the officer he did not have the right to intimidate her with such a threat" he backed down. No names were taken and nobody was arrested.

Photosof the exhibit show how the animals are being exploited for money.  The elephant below did not voluntarily stand on that platform. In fact, it could be called animal torture.

 
An advocate reported seeing an elephant "eat a plastic bag and also try desperately to eat a plastic flower. Very sad.  The elephant on the platform did a lot of swaying when it went under a small awning for shade."

What on earth is the Heart of Illinois Fair Board thinking to allow such a sorry exhibit?

It sends terrible messages to the public, namely that exploitation, even torture of animals is OK.

And why would these animal advocates be evicted from the fair for videotaping and photographing this exhibit? Are other people who are not animal advocates being evicted for videotaping and photographing?

And what of the elephant rides?  Elephants elsewhere have been known to go nuts when performing. Peoria does not allow public contact with dangerous animals, but are elephants not in that category?

This stinks, and I don't mean the animals and their advocates!

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Final chapter in Muller's animal adventure

PEORIA -- Here is what Doris Muller writes about her arrest then the county's decision not to prosecute. Judge for yourself whether the criminal justice system in Peoria is working:

Click on "defending animals" under 'categories' (to the right) then scroll down to the following dates for more on Doris' ordeal: Aug. 28, Oct. 4, both 2007 and Jan. 31, 2008, and Sept. 1, 2007 under the category 'law, legal issues.'

Doris writes:

This is the final chapter of "My trip to see the big cats in Peoria," August 31, 2007.

My gratitude to all who supported me during this unpleasant incident.

I do acknowledge, in the overall scheme of world problems, what happened to me is admittedly trivial. Nonetheless, it is not to be trivialized because it involved unlawful police behavior. I also acknowledge that justice may or may not have been served: It was not served because I am not willing to pay the monetary price for justice. Nonetheless, justice may have been served by my being diligent in having whatever voice I could.

I was in contact with a lawyer who I asked to discover two types of information: "This is what I am seeking help with: In the letter from the internal review it states 'a thorough and impartial examination of all of the available information has been completed.' I would like to know what was included in 'all of the available information.' I would also like to know the complaint record of Officer A. Dotson."

Pasted below is the response from the attorney. I have omitted his name.

*********************************************

Dear Doris: During the past ten days I (1), reviewed your case file at the Peoria County Court House, (2) discussed the case with city prosecutor Sonny Williams, (3) discussed the case with Grand Prairie Mall manager D. Shipman, and (4) looked into the Peoria Police Department's internal procedures regarding complaints against police officers.

Your legal case, involving an alleged Peoria City Ordinance violation, was initially set for hearing on October 18, 2007. The city requested a bench trial and the case was continued to January 31, 2008. On January 31, 2008, your case was dismissed without prejudice by Judge Gorman. This order was entered pursuant to a motion by city attorney Sonny Williams. I was advised by Attorney Williams that she has prosecutional discretion in these types of cases and that the nature of the charges did not justify bringing complaining witnesses in from Texas.

A dismissal without prejudice means that the city can reopen the case within five years from date of incident, however attorney Williams advised me that this is rarely done and she has no intention of reopening your case.

D. Shipman of Grand Prairie Mall stated that she was familiar with the incident of 8-31-07 which she felt was mainly a dispute between you, the cat handlers, and a lady police officer. The mall has no dispute with you at this time and certainly does not prohibit or ban your use of the mall at any time.

I tried several times to contact Sgt. Hlavacek , but to date have been unsuccessful. Other reliable sources advise me that the current Police Chief is very protective of his officers and that complaints against his officers are rarely sustained. However, complaints against officers are made part of their record which should mitigate against chronic bad conduct. Officer Dotson has been an officer for two years, and according to my source, had a clean record until your complaint was filed. The officers' records are protected by privacy laws and are not subject to freedom of information requests. Such records would be obtainable by a subpoena in a civil or criminal action.

In theory, you could file a civil action against the police alleging damages as a result of police misconduct. In my legal opinion, the facts in this case do not support such an action-- not to mention the high legal costs and expenses to pursue such a lawsuit.

With regard to your city ordinance case, I suggest you take no action since calling attention to it may result in a reopening by the city attorney.

My advice is to put this unpleasant incident behind you and enjoy your life (including Grand Prairie Mall).

Sincerely, F. S.

Charges against Muller dismissed

PEORIA -- Peoria Area Voices for Animals activist Doris Muller carried a notebook filled with evidence to prove her innocence at a Jan. 31 bench trial in Peoria County Circuit Court. She didn't need it.

The case against her, for disorderly conduct, was dismissed when police officers were not in court to testify.

Duane Bartels, reporter for the Peoria Times Observer who was in the courtroom when Muller arrived, said police were present earlier but left.

Muller, 64, was arrested on Aug. 31 after she photographed animals in a traveling "big cat" zoo appearing at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie. The owner of the show told police Muller was an "animal terrorist," she said, and people took the word of this out-of-tower while never giving her a chance to tell her side of the story.

The grandmotherly animal lover was arrested and roughly handcuffed by Peoria's finest.

The animal show owner apparently was miffed over over bad publicity from earlier photographers.

Muller said she was relieved that the case was dismissed. "The police report was full of lies," she said, adding she was treated roughly by police during the arrest.

She filed a complaint about police conduct but has not received a response.

For her, the case meant "a lot of stress thinking about it and wondering if I could trust the legal system to be just and fair, especially (when) police officers would testify," she said.

Asked whether she regretted her actions, she responded, "next time I will not go alone. There's safety in numbers. Take your witnesses with you."

For a complete account of the arrest and to see a photograph of the animals posted before Muller's arrest, click here and scroll down to Oct. 4 and earlier.

-- Elaine Hopkins

Rodeo shocked horses and bulls, group says

UPDATE 1/17/08: Here's the video produced by SHARK. It will be interesting to see whether Peoria officials do anything about this outrage!

PEORIA -- Animal advocates say they filmed rodeo producer David Morehead shocking horses and bulls with a cattle prod at the so-called "Worlds Toughest Bulls and Broncs" rodeo held Jan. 11-12 at the Peoria Civic Center.

The shocking is illegal.

It violates the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act, stated SHARK activist Steve Hindi in a news release. The prod delivered 5,000 volts of pain, Hindi stated.

SHARK, Showing Animals Respect and Kindness, plans to turn over the video on Jan. 15 to the Peoria Police Department and will request a criminal investigation against the shocker, David Morehead, owner of Three Hills Rodeo Company of Iowa. Morehead has been filmed before, going back to 2000, Hindi said.

Morehead was convicted of cruelty to horses in Pennsylvania in 2006.

It also will contact the Peoria Animal Welfare Shelter (PAWS) hoping this group will aid the prosecution effort.

The animals are shocked when they refuse to buck.

SHARK has succeeded in having other rodeo producers convicted for animal abuse in Illinois after filming the abuse.

Peoria animal advocates demonstrated at the rodeo and asked customers to check out SHARK's website with graphic videos of rodeo violence against animals. (See story below.)

Activist Monica Ball has suggested meeting with Civic Center officials to keep rodeos out of this public facility and banning the use of electctric prods at rodeos in Peoria.

It's indeed shocking that the Civic Center allowed or turned its back on this illegal activity at the rodeo. Like progressive circuses, rodeos should immediately get rid of abuse against animals, and entertain crowds with other western events.

Commercial sponsors of rodeos such as Dodge should be boycotted by the animal-loving public.

-- Elaine Hopkins

Rodeo draws protesters

PEORIA -- Animal advocates demonstrated along the sidewalk at the Peoria Civic Center to protest the cruel exploitation of animals at a rodeo that opened there Jan. 11 for a 2-day run. They plan to demonstrate on Jan. 12 as well.

The rodeo has been touted uncritically by the Journal Star, but a leader of the group, Doris Muller of Peoria Area Voices for Animals believes people should take a closer look at what really occurs in events such a bronc and bull riding and roping where the animals are treated very roughly.

She handed out cards advising people attending the rodeo to look at a website showing rodeo cruelty.

"Without cruelty to the animals, rodeos would not exist....Cruelty should not be considered entertainment," Muller's card stated.

She plans to donate funds raised at a garage sale and well as personal funds to SHARK, the Geneva-based group that opposes rodeos and sponsors the rodeo cruelty website. SHARK activists are planning to observe the rodeo, she said.

SHARK urges people to boycott the commercial sponsors of rodeos.

-- Elaine Hopkins