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| Liebel Circus Cited Repeatedly for Abuse |
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Here is a letter to the editor of the Dominion Post about the Liebel Family Circus that was recently in the area of North Central West Virginia written by Mary Ann McDonald, a FOHO WV Board Member. Please be aware of this circus if it is booked into your area. As Mary Ann mentions in her closing remarks, she is speaking for these animals who have not chosen this life.
As a board member of the Federation of Humane Organizations of West Virginia, I was shocked to learn that the Liebel Family Circus was booked locally. This circus uses wild animals for entertainment, including Nosey, an African elephant.
The Liebel Family Circus has been cited repeatedly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from 1993 - December of 2011 for failure to meet minimal federal standards as established in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). These citations include not providing veterinary care or proper diet, not providing adequate shelter or space and failure to maintain structurally sound enclosures. The USDA also cited Libel for mishandling of animals and withholding food for training purposes.
David Sacks of the USDA forwarded me the allegations and told me that they hope “to revoke or suspend Liebel’s license.” These violations include “repeated noncompliance with the Regulations and Standards governing veterinary care, handling, housing and husbandry.”
Residing on hard ground and cement surfaces contributes substantially to painful foot and leg ailments. Foot disease is a common cause of death in captive elephants. After a life of hardship, Nosey and all the animals in this circus deserve to live in a natural environment and to have the opportunity to form social bonds.
People have a choice to perform in circuses, while wild animals do not. These animals spend their lives transported and confined in small enclosures and being forced to perform. We as consumers have a choice as to how we spend our income, and it is my hope that after reading these facts that your readers will make choices that will not contribute to animals being abused.
Thank you for allowing me to speak for these animals who have not chosen this life. I know that they would thank you, also.
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Newsflash
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The 2013 WV Legislative Session is over. Three animal bills passed this session. Please check our affiliate legislative action website for current and past legislative activity pertinent to Animal Welfare. www.fohowvla.org. |
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New WV Animal Law Books have been revised (2011 code). The cost is $10.00. You may view that revised law book on this site in pdf format. Get additional copies to give out to those in your community who work with animal law. You can also order online by using the donate button on this site and indicate that you want a law book. Or send check to the following address. Order now!
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Our next FOHO WV meeting will be listed here after the WV State Legislature adjourns. Our meetings are generally held:
Clarksburg Public Library
404 W Pike St Clarksburg, WV 26301-2794 (304) 627-2236 From US 50 around Clarksburg, get downtown onto West Pike Street go into the library complex and into the main building. We meet in the building adjacent to the library at times so check back here as we get closer to the meeting date for those details. Hope to see everyone there! Always check here to see if our meeting venue has changed or we have had to cancel due to inclement weather.
We have discussed moving our meetings around the state. If your group would like to host a FOHO WV meeting in your area, just let us know. |
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