Mary Cummins Animal Advocates Los Angeles California Wildlife Rehabilitation Real Estate

Mary Cummins Animal Advocates Los Angeles California Wildlife Rehabilitation Real Estate
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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Animal Advocates year end report for 2014 - Mary Cummins, Los Angeles, California

Animal Advocates, Mary Cummins, Los Angeles, California
Here are a few things we've accomplished in 2014 thanks to you and all your help.

Wild animals we rescued for release

    ▪    211 Tree Squirrels
    ▪    134 Opossums
    ▪    42 Raccoons
    ▪    39 California Ground Squirrels
    ▪    14 Gophers
    ▪    36 Striped Skunks
    ▪    92 Pigeons
    ▪    28 Wild bunnies
    ▪    5 Coyotes
    ▪    3 Bobcats
    ▪    7 Foxes
    ▪    39 Rats
    ▪    46 Mice
    ▪    21 Pip bats
    ▪    22 Hoary bats
    ▪    25 California myotis bats
    ▪    98 Mexican free-tail bats

862 wild animals, 94% release rate (2% euthanized, 4% died)

Domestic animals we rescued
  • 11 House Bunnies
  • 23 Cats
  • 42 Red eared slider turtles
  • 2 Iguanas
  • 34 Koi fish
  • 25 Domestic rats
  • 11 Domestic mice
  • 36 Hamsters
184 rescued, all rehomed

Exotic pets transported out of state

We have permission to bail exotic pocket pets for transport out of the state. We bailed and arranged for transport of 21 exotic pets. 

1,067 total animals rescued.  We're finally back over 1,000 again.

Other activities
  • Paid to spayneuter 42 animals owned by others
  • Added two new large outdoor enclosures
  • Gave wildlife presentations at five public events
  • Uploaded 16 new animal rescue videos to YouTube
  • Now have over 4,800 YouTube subscribers
  • Now have over 7,800,000 video views on YouTube
  • Now have over 58,000 Facebook fans
  • Now have over 1,300 Twitter followers
  • 5 humane coyote exclusions
  • 14 year perfect inspection reports from USDA
  • Consulted with two cities about educating the public about coyotes
  • Taught a class for small mammal rehabilitators
  • Responded to over 1,000 emails asking for animal advice/help from all over the world
  • Responded to over 1,100 phone calls asking for animal advice/help
  • Over 500,000 hits on our website Animal Advocates http://www.AnimalAdvocates.us 
  • Over 2,000,000  hits on our website Squirrel Rescue http://www.mary.cc/squirrels 
  • We were approved for our new native species exhibiting permit by Fish & Wildlife
  • Were named top non-profit by LA Business Journal
  • We are an approved rescue by Adopt-a-pet.com
  • We became a 100% "green" organization
Every year we have to say a few sad farewells. Goodbye to Mindy the blind squirrel. She was much loved here at Animal Advocates. She never recovered from seizures caused by loud noises on July 4th. Goodbye to David Middlesworth of V-Dog a wonderful person who donated food to us. Goodbye to Molly Anderson of vegan Madeleine's Bistro. She was a loving and wonderful caring person. With every year there are of course many thanks. 

Thanks to Dr. Jennifer Conrad for the Paw Project documentary. 
Thanks to Frank for all the formula. 
Thanks to Paul Koretz for banning bull hooks in Los Angeles
Thanks to Eldad Hagar for helping animals. 
Thanks to PETA for stopping the cruel "Possum Drop." 
Thanks for the hay and amazon.comdonations. 
Thanks to everyone in the food recycling program. 
Thanks to Brenda Barnette for allowing us to pickup wildlife from the shelters. 
Thanks to new Mayor Eric Garcetti for all his help with animals. 
Thanks to Governor Brown for allowing us to rehab mountain lions. 
Thanks to Fish & Game Commission for outlawing animal hunt contests.
Thanks to people who helped transport animals. 
Thanks to all the volunteers. Thanks everyone for all the love and support. And a special thanks to anyone I accidentally left off the list and our anonymous donors.

2015 Marks our 13th year as a non-profit organization. We have a lot of new things planned!

    ▪    We're looking for a new property with more land that backs up to city or state park land.
    ▪    We'll be rewriting our wildlife rehabilitation manuals and finishing a book.
    ▪    We'll be redoing the websites.
    ▪    We'll be hopefully getting some incubators.
    ▪    We'll be starting a membership with a newsletter, special offers and live wildlife programs.
    ▪    We'll be applying for grants to expand our program.
    ▪    We expect to get our wildlife rescue numbers back up. We should be over 1,300. The economy has really taken a toll on our finances.

If you're doing some year end tax planning, keep in mind that Animal Advocates is a 501 3c non-profit corporation recognized by the IRS and Attorney General. We are also recognized by the state of California as a legal non-profit corporation. All donations are tax deductible. Our PayPal button is on our website http://www.AnimalAdvocates.us

or you can always send a check to

Animal Advocates
645 W. 9th St. #110-140
Los Angeles, CA 90015-1640

That's a P.O. box so don't deliver animals there. Here are more ways you can help Animal Advocates.

We also have a GoFundMe campaign but would prefer direct donations as GoFundMe takes 10%

We have an Amazon Smile account

We have an eBay account you can friend, fan or donate to.

We have an iGive account

Thanks from everyone at Animal Advocates for caring about animals. We wish you a happy and wonderful New Year!

Mary Cummins, MaryEllen Schoeman and everyone else at Animal Advocates

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


Google+ Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, wildlife, wild, animal, rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife rehabilitator, fish, game, los angeles, california, united states, squirrel, raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum, coyote, bobcat, manual, instructor, speaker, humane, nuisance, control, pest, trap, exclude, deter, green, non-profit, nonprofit, non, profit, ill, injured, orphaned, exhibit, exhibitor, usda, united states department of agriculture, hsus, humane society, peta, ndart, humane academy, humane officer, animal legal defense fund, animal cruelty, investigation, peace officer, animal, cruelty, abuse, neglect #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit

Animal Advocates rescues ill, injured and orphaned coyotes in Los Angeles, California

Coyote pup rescued by Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates
Animal Advocates has been rescuing ill, injured and orphaned coyotes in the Los Angeles area of California. We also provide humane coyote control and speak to groups about dealing with coyote issues. We recently received our permit to permanently rehabilitate coyotes at our own facility.

Coyotes in Los Angeles, California weighs 20-35 pounds and stand 23 to 26 inches at the shoulder. The coyote looks similar to a smaller tan colored shepherd-type dog with long pointed muzzle, large ears, long legs and a bushy tail.



Coyotes, whose natural habitat is the Los Angeles basin, have adjusted to their shrinking habitat by living closer to humans, sometimes in residential areas, parks and on the landscaped areas of the freeway system.

Because coyotes are now habituating closer to humans, they suffer the effects of our existence. They are hit by cars or are poisoned from eating poisoned ground squirrels and rats. They also succumb to sarcoptic mange from mites.

If you find ill, injured or orphaned wildlife, contact us or visit our website so we can help you or refer you to someone who can.

Animal Advocates is a non-profit corporation recognized by the IRS. We operate on donations from the public. We are licensed by the California Department of Fish & Wildlife to rescue ill, injured and orphaned wildlife for release back to the wild. We rescue coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, foxes, opossums, skunks, squirrels, moles, voles, gophers, bats and more.

Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates authorized to rescue and rehabilitate ill, injured and orphaned coyotes in Los Angeles, California
Mary Cummins
Animal Advocates
http://www.AnimalAdvocates.us 
Mary [at] AnimalAdvocates.us
http://www.FaceBook.com/AnimalAdvocatesUSA
http://www.AnimalAdvocates.us

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


Google+ Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, wildlife, wild, animal, rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife rehabilitator, fish, game, los angeles, california, united states, squirrel, raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum, coyote, bobcat, manual, instructor, speaker, humane, nuisance, control, pest, trap, exclude, deter, green, non-profit, nonprofit, non, profit, ill, injured, orphaned, exhibit, exhibitor, usda, united states department of agriculture, hsus, humane society, peta, ndart, humane academy, humane officer, animal legal defense fund, animal cruelty, investigation, peace officer, animal, cruelty, abuse, neglect #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Virtual tour of Animal Advocates' wildlife rehabilitation facility in Los Angeles, California

Animal Advocates wildlife rehabilitation facilities, enclosures, Los Angeles, California

Due to Fish & Wildlife regulations we are not allowed to let members of the public see wildlife which is being rehabilitated for release back to the wild. We can only legally show our educational animals to the public in person. The only exception of course is if someone is a legal volunteer. Because we can't give physical tours I thought I'd make this virtual tour of our facility because everyone keeps asking.

As you all know everything we do is as "green" as possible. We build our enclosures with used, repurposed materials.  Some materials we get free on Craigslist, freecycle or from the movie industry. Some enclosures we bought used on Craigslist. We had to pay to get the exercise wheels made but they are made from repurposed hoolahoops and rabbit hutch wire. We used a grant last year to buy used material and enclosures off Craigslist to build more outdoor enclosures. Our cages cost 1/5 the cost of new enclosures for this reason. We need to stretch our dollars as much as possible to save as many animals as we can.

We have a separate building as our ICU and nursery which has heat, AC, bathroom, sink, shower. Along two walls we have 18" deep storage shelving with incubators on the lower shelves and caging for juveniles on the top. The photo only shows one wall. There are also separate pet crates for injured adults. There are heating pads under all the incubators, crates and cages which we turn on if needed. They're attached to electric strip outlets which are on the back of the shelves. Along another wall of this room is stacked dog crates for larger orphans and injured adults such as coyotes, bobcats, foxes, raccoons, opossums. I generally have towels over the cages and front doors so they won't be stressed but took them off for this pic.

When the animals are old or well enough we put them into large outdoor enclosures. These large enclosures help them acclimate to outdoor weather, sights and sounds of nature. This is also where they get needed excercise and learn to climb, jump, make a nest and forage for hidden food in their enclosure. We have custom made exercise wheels in the enclosures. Once the orphans can feed themselves, we no longer handle them. This is how they become wild again. It's their natural instinct.

We have predator animals on one side and prey animals on the other divided by cage walls and materials so they can't see each other. The cages face out for this reason. They all have roofs, flooring, next boxes, things to climb, tree branches, logs, lofts, hidey holes, food bowls, ponds, swings, enrichment items... Below are a few of our enclosures. All of these enclosures are more than the minimum requirements in terms of size, strength... They are all at least six to eight feet tall walk-in aviary enclosures. There are two bird aviaries on another part of the property. With all these enclosures we are able to save over 1,000 wild animals per year by having the animals in there in shifts. We do one litter size of animals at a time, e.g. six juvie skunks, racoons, squirrels, bobcats, coyotes....in an outdoor enclosure. When we release those we put in another litter size of animals to condition for release.

If you look in the background you can see our compost container. We also have water collection containers and we grow some of our own vegetables to feed to the wildlife. Nothing gets wasted here. Most of our food is donated. Thanks so much!

Animal Advocates wildlife rehabilitation facilities, enclosures, Los Angeles, California, Mary Cummins

Animal Advocates wildlife rehabilitation facilities, enclosures, Los Angeles, California, Mary Cummins

Animal Advocates wildlife rehabilitation facilities, enclosures, Los Angeles, California, Mary Cummins

Animal Advocates wildlife rehabilitation facilities, enclosures, Los Angeles, California, Mary Cummins

Animal Advocates wildlife rehabilitation facilities, enclosures, Los Angeles, California, Mary Cummins

Animal Advocates wildlife rehabilitation facilities, enclosures, Los Angeles, California, Mary Cummins

Animal Advocates wildlife rehabilitation facilities, enclosures, Los Angeles, California, Mary Cummins

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


Google+ Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, wildlife, wild, animal, rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife rehabilitator, fish, game, los angeles, california, united states, squirrel, raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum, coyote, bobcat, manual, instructor, speaker, humane, nuisance, control, pest, trap, exclude, deter, green, non-profit, nonprofit, non, profit, ill, injured, orphaned, exhibit, exhibitor, usda, united states department of agriculture, hsus, humane society, peta, ndart, humane academy, humane officer, animal legal defense fund, animal cruelty, investigation, peace officer, animal, cruelty, abuse, neglect #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit

Friday, December 5, 2014

Judge blocks law that created loophole for opossum drop - Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates

PETA, possum drop, opossum, Mary Cummins, California

"Superior Court Judge Bryan Collins granted a preliminary injunction against a law the General Assembly passed in June that created a regulatory loophole for the Clay County business that holds the Possum Drop."

http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/video/14248918/

Law makers passed a law stating no laws apply to opossums, possums during the last week of the year, i.e. HB 1131 "Clay County opossum wildlife exclusion law."  The law would have made it legal to rape, kill, light on fire, draw and quarter, torture an opossum in North Carolina for the last week of the year. That new law is of course unconstitutional.

Previously the opossum drop was being done illegally. PETA shut them down a couple of years ago because they didn't have proper permits. The next year the possum drop person got the necessary permit. PETA then filed suit saying the department which gave them the permit did so erroneously. Then they state passed the opossums right to work act, i.e. bill 60. Again PETA stated it was unconstitutional.

More about the opossum drop

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Possum_Drop

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


Google+ Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, wildlife, wild, animal, rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife rehabilitator, fish, game, los angeles, california, united states, squirrel, raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum, coyote, bobcat, manual, instructor, speaker, humane, nuisance, control, pest, trap, exclude, deter, green, non-profit, nonprofit, non, profit, ill, injured, orphaned, exhibit, exhibitor, usda, united states department of agriculture, hsus, humane society, peta, ndart, humane academy, humane officer, animal legal defense fund, animal cruelty, investigation, peace officer, animal, cruelty, abuse, neglect #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Please, help Animal Advocats on #GivingTuesday


We're raising money to get ready for our huge up coming baby season. As we are the only licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility in Los Angeles City which covers over 500 square miles and 4.3 million people we get inundated with babies besides ill and injured wildlife. Any day now baby tree squirrels will start pouring in by the shoe box full. After that we get baby opossums, ground squirrels, flying squirrels, raccoons, skunks, foxes, bobcats and coyotes. Next summer we'll get baby bats and yet another round of tree squirrels, opossums and late raccoon, skunk, fox babies. 

Please, help us raise funds for incubators, food and veterinary costs. With the help of a grant we expanded our outdoor enclosures so we can take in more animals. While we're very grateful to be able to expand this has caused our regular budget for food, veterinary and supplies to sky rocket. 

You can donate via PayPal to donate@animaladvocates.us or click this link. 


You can also send us a check to Animal Advocates, 645 W 9th St #110-140, Los Angeles, CA 90015-1640. If you can't donate, you can always share this link. Thanks so much!

Mary Cummins
President
Animal Advocates
Licensed by the California Department of Fish & Wildlife and USDA
Legal 501 3c non-profit organization recognized by the IRS since 2002 EIN # 48-1287089
Legal California non-profit corporation since 2002

#givingtuesday

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


Google+ Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, wildlife, wild, animal, rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife rehabilitator, fish, game, los angeles, california, united states, squirrel, raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum, coyote, bobcat, manual, instructor, speaker, humane, nuisance, control, pest, trap, exclude, deter, green, non-profit, nonprofit, non, profit, ill, injured, orphaned, exhibit, exhibitor, usda, united states department of agriculture, hsus, humane society, peta, ndart, humane academy, humane officer, animal legal defense fund, animal cruelty, investigation, peace officer, animal, cruelty, abuse, neglect #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Nathan Winograd spends 100% of his time and donations NOT helping animals but himself

Nathan Winograd claims his non-profit No Kill Law and Advocacy Center's mission is "The No Kill Advocacy Center Is working to end the systematic killing of animals in shelters through direct assistance, education, litigation, legislation, advocacy, conferences, seminars, publications, studies, and more." His main programs are his annual conference which costs him $111K and brings in $82K. Another one of his "programs" is a "feature length film about himself." $21K in expenses, no revenue in 2013. He says he DIRECTLY helps shelters, rescue groups which costs him $79K with no revenue. He admits he's a lobbyist. How is he helping them directly when he  has no animal related expenses, costs? Telling a dog that PETA kills animals does not help dogs.

Nathan works 40 hours a week and makes $60,000/yr paid by donations to his non-profit. He lives off of his non-profit.


Nathan Winograd, income, salary, $60,000, year, No Kill Law and Advocacy Center

He pays $55K/yr for "professional programmatic services." WTH is that? Is this just a way to secretly funnel more money to himself? He claims he is an SPCA, humane society. No, he is not. He did not file as an SPCA. That is a completely different type of corporation. He's a lawyer and knows he's not a 10400 corporation i.e., "§ 10400. Formation; number and qualifications of organizers; articles of incorporation. Corporations for the prevention of cruelty to animals may be formed under the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law (Part 2 (commencing with Section 5110)) by 20 or more persons, who shall be citizens and residents of this state. If the corporation is formed on or after January 1, 2011, its articles of incorporation shall specifically state that the corporation is being formed pursuant to this section."

He claims he provides direct assistance to animals, animal shelters and animal rescue groups. I don't see $1 spent on animal food, animal supplies, veterinary bills....nothing. He spends less to help animals than PETA, HSUS, ASPCA, Best Friends... Who the hell is he to state they barely spend anything to help animals when he spends nothing, zero, zip?

Nathan Winograd has received $1,234,145 from the public from 2009 to 2013 yet he has not spent one penny on animals. Nathan tells people to follow the money and that is what I'm doing.


Below is first page of Nathan Winograd's 990 tax return for 2013 for his non-profit personal piggy bank No Kill Law and Advocacy Center. Obviously having a non-profit is more profitable to him than having a for-profit No Kill Solutions which he had to shut down because he was not making enough money. Notice Nathan is the accountant and did the books.
Nathan Winograd, 2013, 990, tax return, No Kill Law and Advocacy Center.

2013 990
http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2013/201/648/2013-201648359-0a47c658-9.pdf

I went back two more years. Nathan has not spent anything on animals. How does he think yelling at PETA, HSUS, ASPCA helps animals? It doesn't. For people in the know he looks like an idiot. All the well respected organizations have no respect for Nathan Winograd who just rabble rouses. Cities, Counties definitely don't want to have anything to do with him after he's stabbed them in the back. There's a reason he was fired from SFSPCA besides mere breach of contract.

2012 990
http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/201/648/2012-201648359-0900b1c2-9.pdf

2011 990. He spent $147K making a film about himself, $90K to host a conference to honor himself, $54K to help shelters, rescue groups by talking at them. No direct assistance with animals. He spent $291K and not one penny went to animals. He gave himself another $60K in salary. Every penny went to Nathan or to honor him. He made $165K in membership dues. People pay to join his group just to read his articles? He got $50K from people who registered for his conference where he praises himself. He had $55K in office expenses. He doesn't even have an office. He spent $90K for himself to go to other conferences and meetings. I think this was his book tour. He had $96K in professional services. Like what? I bet he shoveled more money to himself in this category.
http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2011/201/648/2011-201648359-08254e04-9.pdf

Here is the history of Nathan Winograd when he was No Kill Solutions a for-profit consulting company that went under. I wrote these articles years ago and just reposted them here.

http://animaladvocatesmarycummins.blogspot.com/2014/11/nathan-winograd-no-kill-solutions.html

My personal history and interactions with Nathan Winograd dating back to 2005

http://animaladvocatesmarycummins.blogspot.com/2013/10/nathan-winograd-no-kill-solutions-no.html

Nathan Winograd the misinformation machine. His attacks against PETA, HSUS, ASPCA, Best Friends are generally false.

http://animaladvocatesmarycummins.blogspot.com/2014/11/nathan-winograd-misinformation-machine.html

Here's a Nathan Winograd timeline I made when I tried to verify his claims.

http://animaladvocatesmarycummins.blogspot.com/2014/05/nathan-winograd-no-kill-solutions.html

Honest article about one of Nathan Winograd's presentations. I was there and can vouch for the crazy things he said. They are also directly quoted in his book. He really said that "cats are more likely to get rabies from humans than we are to get rabies from cats."

https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/04/14/18644737.php

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


Google+ Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, wildlife, wild, animal, rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife rehabilitator, fish, game, los angeles, california, united states, squirrel, raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum, coyote, bobcat, manual, instructor, speaker, humane, nuisance, control, pest, trap, exclude, deter, green, non-profit, nonprofit, non, profit, ill, injured, orphaned, exhibit, exhibitor, usda, united states department of agriculture, hsus, humane society, peta, ndart, humane academy, humane officer, animal legal defense fund, animal cruelty, investigation, peace officer, animal, cruelty, abuse, neglect #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Typhoon restaurant we protested for selling whale meat sushi plead guilty today. Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates

Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates, Hump, whale meat, The Cove, guilty
"The parent company and owner of a Santa Monica restaurant pleaded guilty Monday to federal charges stemming from serving meat from the endangered Sei whale to undercover investigators in 2009 and 2010.

Typhoon Restaurant Inc. and owner Brian Vidor each pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful sale of a marine mammal at the now-closed restaurant The Hump at the Santa Monica Municipal Airport.

Protesters march with signs in 2010 during lunchtime at The Hump after reports that the Santa Monica sushi restaurant was serving endangered whale meat. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
As part of the plea, Vidor admitted that he was aware his sushi chefs, who have previously pleaded guilty, were serving whale at the restaurant and allowed it.

Typhoon and Vidor will jointly pay a $27,500 fine and will be placed on 18-month and 12-month terms of probation, respectively, if the terms of the plea agreements are accepted by Judge Dale S. Fischer." more below.

http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-ln-whale-meat-owner-guilty-plea-20141117-story.html

Thanks to Ady Gil, Bryan Monell, IDA, LCA, producers of "The Cove" and everyone else who helped with this.

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


Google+ Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, wildlife, wild, animal, rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife rehabilitator, fish, game, los angeles, california, united states, squirrel, raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum, coyote, bobcat, manual, instructor, speaker, humane, nuisance, control, pest, trap, exclude, deter, green, non-profit, nonprofit, non, profit, ill, injured, orphaned, exhibit, exhibitor, usda, united states department of agriculture, hsus, humane society, peta, ndart, humane academy, humane officer, animal legal defense fund, animal cruelty, investigation, peace officer, animal, cruelty, abuse, neglect #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit

Monday, November 17, 2014

UPDATE: Tawni loses part of suit - Tawni's Ponies sues animal activist for defamation for expressing her opinion of Tawni's Ponies

UPDATE: February 18, 2015: Tawnis Ponies has filthy, old, rusted, dangerous barn and corral. Her animal inventory records are also lacking. Her trailer was on the premises and filthy yet there were no ponies October 2014. Her corral was so covered in feces there was not one clean place for animals to stand. I believe this is animal neglect and abuse.  http://www.animaladvocates.us/tawnisponiesusdaoctober2014.pdf

UPDATE: Judge Lisa Hart-Cole ruled on the anti-SLAPP motion January 22, 2015. I just got a copy. Judge Lisa Hart-Cole of Santa Monica Courthouse Dept WEO granted part and denied part of the motions by two defendants. Judge also ruled that Tawni Angel, her husband Jason Nester, Tawni's Ponies owes the legal fees of both Defendants. Based on the many lengthy filings I see huge legal fees maybe $25-$50K. I don't see any equity in Tawni's house, ranch, business. I doubt they have litigation insurance especially when they were Plaintiffs. They owe money all over the place for cars, credit cards, back taxes.... They may have to soon file for bankruptcy and shut down their business. Talk about shooting themselves in the foot.

One Defendant Marcy won her SLAPP motion on two causes i.e. emotional distress, injunction, lost on two, i.e. defamation, interference with business. Marcy is appealing the two causes in the SLAPP motion to the Second District Court of Appeals in Los Angeles. She will easily win. The City clearly stated repeatedly they weren't terminating Tawni's contract because of what Marcy said. The Plaintiffs never proved that the pony's hooves in the photo were not cracked. They look chipped and cracked to me. Plus that statement and those photos were part of the complaint made to the city. It is therefore privileged. Judge mixes up litigation privilege with fair report privilege. The Judge's order has many mistakes in it, is not in proper format and wanders all over the place. 

The other Defendant won every part of her anti-SLAPP motion. There was no defamation, no emotional distress, no interference with business and no injunction. Tawni owes all of her legal fees because Judge ruled the anti-SLAPP motions were not frivolous evidence by the fact some claims were won. 
________________________________

Tawni's Ponies and Petting Farm, Santa Monica, Marcy Winograd, defamation, animal abuse, animal cruelty
UPDATE: Here are more Animal Welfare Act violations by Tawnis Ponies and Petting Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu3harm.

USDA, Tawnis Ponies and Petting Farm, violations

USDA violations, Tawni's Ponies and Petting Farm

USDA, Tawni's Ponies and Petting Farm, violations
UPDATE: This is another reason why you would never want to sue someone for expressing their opinion about your animal business. Because people will start investigating you.

Tawni Jeannine Angel born December 1, 1980 has a criminal record. This is just misdemeanors and infractions from Ventura County. She was driving her trailer full of animals and speeding, talking on her cell phone, more speeding tickets with trailer full of animals, more speeding...

2013544773Angel, Tawni JeannineA13012405/08/2013Dismissed$0.00

12500(d) VC, (d) A person may not drive a motor vehicle or combination of
vehicles that is not of a type for which the person is licensed. Perhaps she only has a car license and was driving a motorcycle or trailer truck.

2013510243Angel, Tawni J01294QC12/24/2012Dismissed$0.00

5201(f) VC. License plate was not affixed properly?

2012549395Angel, Tawni Jeannine69324MV04/27/2012Bail Forfeiture$0.00

22349(a) VC Infraction N Bail Forfeited
Exceeding Maximum Speed Limit of 65 MPH

2011621937Angel, Tawni Jeannine63212MV11/27/2011TVS - Conviction$0.00

22406(a) VC Infraction N TVS - Conviction
Maximum Speed for Designated Vehicles - In Excess of Speed Limit by 10 MPH or more. 22406.  No person may drive any of the following vehicles on a
highway at a speed in excess of 55 miles per hour:
   (a) A motortruck or truck tractor having three or more axles or
any motortruck or truck tractor drawing any other vehicle.

2010568922Angel, Tawni Jeannine43610KP06/12/2010Bail Forfeiture$0.00

22406(a) VC Infraction N Bail Forfeited
Maximum Speed for Designated Vehicles - In Excess of Speed Limit by 10 MPH or more

2009557516Angel, Tawni JeannieA1465504/23/2009Bail Forfeiture$0.00

23123(a) VC Infraction N Bail Forfeited
Hand-Held Wireless Telephone: Prohibited use

2001562459Angel, Tawni Jeannine35771PS07/03/2001Bail Forfeiture$0.00

22450(a) VC Infraction N Bail Forfeited
Failure to Stop at Stop Sign

She was sued for collections from Chase Bank. It looks like it was dismissed because she evaded service.

56-2010-00373112-CU-CL-VTA
Case Title: Chase Bank USA NA vs. Tawni J Angel
Case Category: Civil - Unlimited Filing Date: 5/3/2010

Jason Nester
Judgment for Capital One Bank USA N.A. against Nester, Jason in the amount of: 21074.47 principal, 0.00 punitive damages, 435.00 costs, 1234.36 pre-judgment interest, and 0.00 attorney fees entered on 05/23/2011.

Guess who also has a criminal record? Jason Frederick Nester born oddly enough December 1, 1980. He has same birthday as his wife.

2013531373Nester, Jason FredrickA13053303/26/2013Bail Forfeiture$0.00

21461(a) VC Infraction N Bail Forfeited
Driver Failure to Obey Signs/Signals
4000(a)(1) VC Infraction N Bail Forfeited
Registration Required or Weight Fees Due.4000.  (a) (1) A person shall not drive, move, or leave standing
upon a highway, or in an offstreet public parking facility, any motor
vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole or pipe dolly, or logging dolly,
unless it is registered and the appropriate fees have been paid
under this code or registered under the permanent trailer
identification program, except that an off-highway motor vehicle
which displays an identification plate or device issued by the
department pursuant to Section 38010 may be driven, moved, or left
standing in an offstreet public parking facility without being
registered or paying registration fees.

2011567110Nester, Jason725157C06/28/2011Bail Forfeiture$0.00

23123.5(a) VC Infraction N Bail Forfeited
Text Communication Prohibited While Driving

2009530609Nester, Jason Frederick43235DC03/05/2009Dismissed$0.00

345063 VC Infraction N Dismissed - Proof of Correction
Inspection of Vehicles, Failure to Comply. No driving log or safety, maintenance. Is he a truck driver?

2008622237Nester, Jason FredrickA4960011/05/2008Bail Forfeiture$0.00

23123(a) VC Infraction N Bail Forfeited
Hand-Held Wireless Telephone: Prohibited use

2008579926Nester, Jason Fredrick39845CT07/14/2008Dismissed$0.00

12500(d) VC Infraction Y Dismissed - Proof of Correction
Licensed Driver Out of Classification. His wife also got one of these. Either no motorcycle or truck license.

2008539972Nester, Jason491569C04/09/2008Bail Forfeiture$0.00

23114(e)(4) VC Infraction N Bail Forfeited
Spilling of Load - Vehicle Transporting Aggregate Material Shall Not Require a Cover, If Load Remains 6 Inches From Upper Edge of Container.

2007574812Nester, Jason F.22829BA06/14/2007Dismissed$0.00

27465(b) VC Infraction Y Dismissed - Proof of Correction
Inadequate Tire Tread - Use on Highway Prohibited
26453 VC Infraction Y Dismissed - Proof of Correction
Condition of Brakes to be Maintained

2007523368Nester, Jason F.59753AW02/14/2007Dismissed$0.00

24002(b) VC Infraction N Dismissed - Proof of Correction
Unlawful to Operate Vehicle Not Equipped as Provided

2006581545Nester, Jason Fredrick41585AW06/15/2006Bail Forfeiture$0.00

27315(d)(1) VC Infraction Y Bail Forfeited
Mandatory Use of Safety Belts Required - Driver

2005609023Nester, Jason Fredrick25509AU10/07/2005Bail Forfeiture$0.00

22450(a) VC Infraction N Bail Forfeited
Failure to Stop at Stop Sign

2001571608Nester, Jason Fredrick64662308/09/2001Bail Forfeiture$0.00

27315(d)(1) VC Infraction Y Bail Forfeited
Mandatory Use of Safety Belts Required - Driver

Based on the above horribly unsafe driving records I don't think they should be driving their kids or animals. I have no tickets on my driving record. The above citations were just the last few years as the database doesn't go back any further. Vehicle not in safe condition, running stop signs, speeding, driving without proper license, no seat belt, using a cell phone, texting on a cell phone, driving a load of aggregate without a cover, driving a large animal trailer and speeding... Maybe someone should call child protective services. Do they drive like this with their kids on board? They are both very bad drivers who don't seem to care about the law.

And now for family law cases only in Ventura. While it says "family law harassment" this is civil harassment. Tawni tried to get a restraining order on Colin Walkden for leafleting but was DENIED. She lied and said there was physical violence. She also filed it in the wrong court. She should have filed in civil, not domestic. Colin was never her boyfriend or husband. Here is copy of printout. She filed the TRO application and was denied instantly. She's not very bright and definitely not ethical.

Tawni Angel, Tawni Angel-Nester, tro, restraining order, denied, tawni's ponies, petting zoo

ANGEL-NESTER,  TAWNI PLAINTIFF TAWNI ANGEL-NESTER VS COLIN WALKDEN FAMILY LAW HARASSMENT WITH VIOLENCE D309090 2/9/2005

This pulled up for "Jason Nester" in California but I'm not positive it's his lien.

Debtor: NESTOR,J
Debtor Address: 14955 SATICOY ST APT 115
VAN NUYS  CA  91405-1131
Secured Party: IRS
Filing Date: 09-12-1996
Amount: $10,624.00
Court: LA COUNTY / RECORDER OF DEEDS
Court County: LOS ANGELES
Court State: CA
Case Number: 961504301

They owe back taxes

Debtor: TAWNIS PONIES AND PETTING FARM I
Debtor Address: 8800 GRIMES CANYON RD
MOORPARK  CA  93021-9768
Secured Party: STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Filing Date: 02-09-2007
Amount: $1,152.00
Court: VENTURA COUNTY COURT (RD)
Court County: VENTURA
Court State: CA
Case Number: 20070208000274030


Debtor: TAWNIS POINES AND PETTING FARM I
Debtor Address: 8800 GRIMES CANYON RD
MOORPARK  CA  93021-9768
Secured Party: STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Filing Date: 02-08-2007
Amount: $1,152.00
Court: VENTURA COUNTY COURT (RD)
Court County: VENTURA
Court State: CA
Case Number: 2007090500172659

They owe what looks like back taxes, don't pay their credit card bills, had their car loan cancelled.

Tawni's Ponies had USDA violations and lost their USDA permit. They did not have a responsible adult available for the inspection. Did they leave their little kids home alone or maybe with spanish speaking maid? After operating illegally without a permit for almost a year they finally decided to reapply March 2014. I may do an info act request to get the rest of their records.

Tawni's ponies, petting zoo, lawsuit, usda permit cancelled
Here is their animal list. They are not zoned for a domestic pig. I think they have too many farm animals per lot size. Her attorney just said she has 90 animals. That is way too many for that lot. I know alpacas, llamas are legal in LA County because I was the one who spent two years getting the amendment to zoning. I don't know if it's legal in Ventura County. I have the same USDA inspector.



UPDATE: Tawnis Ponies and Petting Farm was operating without the needed USDA exhibit permit from November 19, 2013 to April 22, 2014. They failed their inspection June 5, 2013 before they were cancelled.



CASE SUMMARY
Case Number:  SC123378
TAWNI J. ANGEL ET. AL. VS. MARCY WINOGRAD ET. AL.
Filing Date:  11/10/2014
Case Type:  Defamation (Slander/Libel) (General Jurisdiction)
Status:  Pending

Future Hearings

02/23/2015 at 08:30 am in department O at 1725 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Conference-Case Management

Documents Filed | Proceeding Information

Parties
ANGEL TAWNI J. - Plaintiff
CHARNEY DANIELLE - Defendant
CHOMIAK DONALD E. - Attorney for Plaintiff
NESTER JASON F. - Plaintiff
TAWNIS PONIES AND PETTING FARM INC. - Plaintiff
WINOGRAD MARCY - Defendant
Case Information | Party Information | Proceeding Information

Documents Filed (Filing dates listed in descending order)
11/10/2014 Complaint Filed
11/10/2014 Summons Filed
Filed by Attorney for Plaintiff

Attorney Donald Eugene Chomiak Jr 1/10/65 rents a one bedroom apartment in Santa Monica. He also leases part of an efficiency legal suite in an office in Santa Monica. He seems to be a one lawyer office. His main practice is real estate law. I see no previous defamation cases in New York or California. He's been in practice since 2001 in NY and 2003 here in CA. Divorced, into sports.

The suit is for libel per se, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, intentional infliction of emotional distress and injunctive relief. This means in discovery Plaintiffs will have to turn over all of their medical and psychological records for all time, all of their personal and business bank statements for years, all of their personal and business tax returns, all of their veterinary records for last decade, all of their animal inventory reports (which animals died, which were sold, bred, killed), names of all employees and volunteers. The various websites, facebook, Google, YouTube will also be subpoena'd. We can see who posted the nasty, revolting things against Marcy et al and the threats. I'm now being attacked and I have never even met Marcy.

As far as I've read online Marcy has not defamed anyone. Everyone has said for years that carousel pony rides and petting zoos are in and of themselves "animal abuse," "cause pain, suffering and death," and are "inhumane" "animal cruelty." Marcy never said that Tawni was "charged and convicted of animal abuse by police." She said "I believe this is animal abuse," which it is.

Marcy and others had every right to protest, send emails, go to City Council. Reports to government agencies are fair and privileged. They can never be defamation. Tawni received fair and legal notice of the meeting. As per the Brown Act they only need to give them 72 hours notice. They got five days. Marcy's people stayed to 1:00 a.m. Tawni didn't have anyone willing to stay to 1:00 a.m. These meetings frequently go to 2:00 a.m. I spoke at WeHo against fur at 1:30 am. Tawni's ponies will lose the contract because the city of Santa Monica has been moving away from cruel animal events. They voted to make cat declaw illegal with us. The City even said "it's not because of the reports or anything to do with Marcy, it has to do with the city evolving and changing."

Interesting. Tawni and Jason bought their home in mid 2005 for $1M. At almost the absolute peak they refinanced for $1M. Their monthly mortgage is about $5,300. Your mortgage can't be more than 28% of your net income or 33% of your gross income. That means they told the bank they gross $16K/month. They state they make $75K off pony rides which is 80% of their income. That means they say they make $94K/yr. They told the bank they make $192K/yr in order to get their current mortgage. I don't know their exact interest rate because I don't feel like looking it up. Maybe they got an adjustable. If they did this, it would be mortgage fraud. It appears to me they have been upside down on their house since they refinanced. I think they owe more than what they have. They both didn't pay big credit card bills. Seems they live above their means. If they know the Santa Monica contract will most likely be over with May 2015, they should start looking for other work now.

_________________

Their property is zoned A-E as single family residence only with agricultural exclusive use only. They cannot run a business from the lot. Minimum acres is 40. Here is definition of the zone:

Sec. 8104-1.2 - Agricultural Exclusive (AE) Zone
The purpose of this zone is to preserve and protect commercial agricultural lands as
a limited and irreplaceable resource, to preserve and maintain agriculture as a major
industry in Ventura County and to protect these areas from the encroachment of
nonrelated uses which, by their nature, would have detrimental effects upon the
agriculture industry."

Here is definition of "agricultural" zone, "Agriculture - Farming, including animal husbandry and the production and management of crops (including aquatic crops) for food, fiber, fuel and ornament. (AM. ORD. 3730 -5/7/85)"

It does not include filming, animal rental, pony rides, petting zoos.

Here is the zoning for Ventura County.

http://www.ventura.org/rma/planning/pdf/zoning/VCNCZO_current.pdf

202 E Guiberson Rd, Fillmore, CA. Husband bought this for about $1M then refinanced it for over $1M. It has an illegal unit on the property. It can ONLY be used as a residence. It's illegal for them to conduct a business on the property which they are doing. I doubt they have a conditional use permit. They will have to move or get a CUP. They will not be able to get a CUP on this property. Just searched and they don't have one. They are in violation of Ventura County Planning and Zoning for use, animals, illegal structure...I also doubt they got film permits for every location shoot. I will call and find out. Tawni's lawyer stated they have 90 animals on the property. They are way over the limit. The lawyer says the animals roam in a five acre pasture. They do not. If they did, coyotes would eat them all. They are locked in stalls in a barn.

I'm curious why they keep breeding their animals. Real farm sanctuaries never allow their animals to breed. They always have tons of babies which are popular with petting zoos. They must be selling the animals. I'd hate to think what else they might be doing with them. They did buy these animals. They are special dwarf goat, cow breeds, llamas, alpacas, a mini-pig, fancy chickens...

PETA, HSUS, ASPCA...all say that pony rides are in and of themselves animal abuse. Below are their actual statements. They have been fighting to shut them down.

PETA states pony rides are animal abuse. "Pony Rides: Tethered tightly to turnstiles and forced to plod in endless circles, ponies can suffer from hoof ailments and are often left sore and chafed from ill-fitting equipment. Equines are specifically excluded from protection under the federal Animal Welfare Act, and if local or state authorities fail to intervene, the outcome can be deadly."

PETA about petting zoos. We already know that they are bad drivers. I'm sure their bad driving endangers their animals. "The animals used in petting zoos are hauled around in tractor-trailers, confined to small pens and cages, and forced to interact with large crowds of people. The animals are rarely allowed to rest when on display, and they often develop health problems from this forced interaction."

PETA states "ride bikes, not animals."

I just saw my first pic of these pony rides in Santa Monica. This is animal abuse. They are tied to a small carousel to go round and round on cement with no shade. Quite a few cities and states have banned carousel pony rides such as Pamploma, Spain, Miami Shores, Florida, Hollywood, Florida... The World Equine Organization has called for a complete ban of carousel pony rides. North Carolina is thinking of outlawing them for health reasons after many were made ill and one person died from e-coli.


Green Mountain Animal Defenders says this "Green Mountain Animal Defenders opposes the use of animals in any form of sport in which animals have no choice but to participate. Ponies used in pony rides are tethered to a carousel or cart and forced to carry passengers for hours. This leads to hoof problems and other ailments. The ponies are generally sent for slaughter or otherwise discarded when no longer profitable."

HSUS says this "The Humane Society considers the sale, the handling of the ponies during the sale, the pony rides and the transport to the sold ponies' new homes stressful and cruel to the animals."

From the ASPCA "The ASPCA is opposed to the cruelty that is inherent in using either wild animals or livestock in unaccredited zoos, roadside menageries, petting zoos, game farms and the like, and in attractions such as elephant rides, camel rides, and llama and pony rides that either stand alone or are attached to such venues."

Guess who is supporting Tawni's Ponies? Organizations that use horses to make money such as carriage horses, horse racing... Carriage horses and horse racing are animal cruelty. The horse isn't doing these things because they want to. They are forced. Imagine if someone grabbed you and forced you to pull people around or carry people. You won't not like it. Horses are supposed to be free in the wild not carrying people. We forced them to do that.

Information from the Center for Disease Control about petting zoos. Hand washing stations are better than sanitizer. You must make sure kids don't kiss the animals or touch the animals and touch their mouth, face, eyes. Pretty tough with the under seven crowd. Here is Tawni doing what you are not supposed to do.



http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/spotlight_an_exhbts.htm

http://www.webmd.com/baby/features/kids-petting-zoos

Here is a link to the Santa Monica City Council item where they decided to not renew the pony ride contract. They decided not to renew it because the City does not like animal entertainment. I know because I've worked with them many times. The area is small. They'd like to have children activities and maybe more dining area. What I don't get is how they allowed it in the first place. You can't have food sale, dining right next to animals. I know because animal adoption events generally can't be in Farmer's Markets.

http://www.smgov.net/departments/council/agendas/2014/20140923/s2014092303-A.htm

Here are the minutes.

13-I:    Request of Councilmembers Davis and Winterer that, in anticipation of the expiration of the current contract at this site, the City Manager issue an RFP for children's-oriented activities at the ingress/egress of the Main Street Farmers Market that gives preference to partners in our Buy Local initiative and non-animal activities, such as painting, arts and crafts, gardening, cooking, food preparation and decoration. If the bids do not meet with Council's approval, Council may reserve the entrance to the Main Street market for open space or dining, was presented.

Councilmember Davis nominated Councilmember Winterer to serve as Acting Chair in Mayor Pro Tem’s absence. The motion was accepted by acclamation.

Members of the public Ira Gottlieb, Marcy Winograd (donated time by Liz Ford), Nazila Mahgerefteh, Lucy Mueller, Colin Wadkin, Danielle Charney, Janet McKeithen, Nicole Phillis, Mike Salazar, Zoe Muntaner, Robin Doyno, Jackie Hirtz, Lisa Chess, Judith Powell, Ruth Olafsdottir, Robert Goldman, Maria Loya, Catherine Eldridge, and Ed Hunsaker (20 people)
spoke generally in favor of the recommended action.

Members of the public Stacy Dalgleish, Linde Williston, Chuck Nester, James Angel,Tawni Angel (donated time by Jason Nester), Ana Maria Daisy Demars, and a person identifying himself as “People of California” (8 people) spoke generally in opposition to the recommended action.

20 people to 8 people. The people have spoken.

Considerable discussion ensued on topics including health, pony treatment, Request For Proposal, and operational issues.

Motion by Councilmember Davis, seconded by Councilmember Winterer, to approve the requested action with the modification to permit staff to reconsider the placement of activities in the farmer’s market.

Motion to amend by Councilmember Davis to direct staff to either put out a Request For Proposal or create a pilot educational program. The amendment was friendly to the seconder.

Motion to amend by Councilmember Davis to additionally direct staff to look for alternative locations for live animal activities. The amendment was friendly to the seconder.

The motion was approved by the following vote unanimously:

AYES:        Councilmembers McKeown, Winterer, Davis, Vazquez
NOES:        None
ABSENT:   Councilmember Holbrook, Mayor Pro Tem O’Day,
                    Mayor O’Connor

Video of the speakers starting at 5:19. This link will take you to the exact item 13 i. Great speakers opposing the contract. The people for the contract all were for animal exploitation and abuse. They are oblivious that this is abuse. They want to teach people that we should take wool from sheep, eggs from chickens, goats for milk and cheese. I'm amazed she didn't talk about burgers and fried chicken. The kids would have been very upset. I was the first time I found out burgers were cows. Kids are very likely to get sick from petting zoos. Many kids cry on the ponies.

Councilmembers made some great statements especially McKeown. He said we've come to a point that maybe we don't want pony rides any more. He talked about being a vegetarian and how we need to be for the environment. Other councilmember said many people have complained about the pony rides. It's a controversial situation. The city doesn't want controversy. Kevin talked about how Santa Monica is changing. He mentioned the mural titled "Unbridled" where the Santa Monica carousel horses come alive then leave the carousel to go run free on the beach.

Santa Monica horse carousel mural "Unbridled" horses run free on the beach
http://santamonica.granicus.com/mediaplayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=3329

Note a sign that says no animals allowed right next to the petting zoo.
Tawni's Ponies and Petting Farm, animal abuse, no animals allowed
More information here. http://www.freethepony.org/



Great article Marcy Winograd wrote about this situation.

http://www.smmirror.com/articles/Opinion/Santa-Monica-Animal-Cruelty-Disguised-As-Entertainment/40476

Facebook page about this issue
https://www.facebook.com/freethepony

Tawni's Ponies and Petting Farm, crying kids, animal abuse
Entity Name:TAWNIS PONIES AND PETTING FARM, INC.
Entity Number:C2638476
Date Filed:05/04/2004
Status:ACTIVE
Jurisdiction:CALIFORNIA
Entity Address:202 EAST GUIBERSON RD
Entity City, State, Zip:FILLMORE CA 93015
Agent for Service of Process:TAWNI ANGEL
Agent Address:202 EAST GUIBERSON RD
Agent City, State, Zip:FILLMORE CA 93015

Tawni does not always tell the truth. "In 2003, one of her biggest goals was realized when she and her husband purchased a pony ride company and founded “Tawni's Ponies and Petting Farm” By 2008, they were serving all of Southern California, supplying animals to 250 events a year, had purchased another local company, Animal World Petting Zoo, and joyfully celebrated the birth of their first child." The other women also ran a horse carriage business. She says she was a teacher. Then why are there so many spelling, grammatical errors in what she wrote March 2005?

"Hi, my name is Tawni Angel, I am the owner of "Tawni's Ponies & Petting Farm".  I have spent my entire life studying and learning about horses and ponies, I am a Certified American Riding Instructor, Recreational Riding Level 2.  I have competed on the hunter/jumper circuit extensively with my 17 hand Thoroughbred "Rhylee".

Before starting "Tawni's ponies" I taught horseback riding lessons on the weekends and worked full-time as a teacher for a local preschool.  Needless to say my love for children and animals has brought me here.  I truly feel blessed, I have found my calling.

Our ponies and petting farm are here to serve all of your special event needs. We pride ourselves on spending an abundant amount of time working with our animals, teaching them to be kind and gentle with children. Meanwhile we get the chance to teach children about the care and work involved with ponies, goats, sheep,ducks, chickens, rabbits, pigs, mini's,donkey's,horse,cows ............and so on.

Our company has been attending Birthday parties, Farmers markets, and Carnivals for 10 years.  We look forward to serving your family with our wonderful ponies and loveable critters.

We are excited to inform all of you:
Tawni's Ponies& Petting Farm has recently purchased; Animal World Petting Zoo.  We look forward to meeting"
_____________

They had a car loan which was terminated.

iling Number: 087165033508
Filing Date: 07-10-2008
Filing Jurisdiction: CALIFORNIA
Filing History:
FILING TYPE FILING DATE
UCC3 TERMINATION 06-06-2011
TERMINATION 06-06-2011
Secured Party: CITIZENS AUTOMOBLE FIN.
Secured Party Address: PO BOX 255587
SACRAMENTO  CA   95865- 5587
Debtor: MR JASON F NESTER
Debtor Address: 202 E GUIBERSON RD
FILLMORE  CA   93015- 9749
Debtor: MS TAWNI J ANGEL
Debtor Address: 202 E GUIBERSON RD
FILLMORE  CA   93015- 9749

The lawyer who took this case for Tawni's Ponies obviously just wants to get a lot of money out of them. He has no case. Thank god in California we have anti-SLAPP legislation. Texas just recently enacted a similar statute. If only they'd enacted it before I was falsely sued for defamation for stating the same thing. In my case USDA agreed with me in writing. At least I'll soon win my appeal.

The activist stated that Tawni's Ponies was committing "animal abuse." The activist feels having pony rides, petting zoos in this matter is tantamount to "animal abuse." That's fine. The activist did not state that Tawni was "charged and convicted of animal abuse by the police." There was no defamation. This will be an easy win for the defendants. They will end up with $50-$75K from the Plaintiffs. The negative press will most likely cause Tawni's ponies to go bankrupt.

Video of a happy pony having fun running around free and jumping. Compare the video of the carousel ponies with this. Look at the body language, expression of the ponies. Night and day. Carousel ponies are shackled to the carousel so they can't raise their head or buck off the rider.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om-A-KB59Qo

Tawni's Ponies and Petting Zoo have been reported to the City of Santa Monica, Santa Monica City Attorney, and USDA for violations.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxE8KfVPjYF4MmE4OFF0YUs2OXc/view?usp=sharing

I was sued twice for defamation, represented myself and won. The cases are similar though unfortunately I was sued in PA and NY which did not have anti-SLAPP at that time. My first case was 2001. I won in 2002. Every word I said was the truth. They went bankrupt.

http://marycumminsrealestatemarycummins.blogspot.com/2011/03/philadelphia-judge-throws-out-ashton.html

Second was in 2003 and I won in 2004. This woman went out of business. She was a company paid stock promoter who lured in gullible elderly investors with her lies who then lost their life savings.

http://marycumminsrealestatemarycummins.blogspot.com/2011/03/kathy-knight-mcconnel-vs-mary-cummins.html

Tawnie's ponies will lose the anti-SLAPP motion to strike complaint. I may go to court to watch the proceedings. The below was forwarded to me from an animal rights group. Marcy forgets that the lawsuit is also retaliation for her shutting down the petting zoo in Santa Monica. Marcy stated in a report to a government agency that they committed animal abuse. Anything in a report to a government agency is privileged and protected. It can never be defamation no matter what. If one repeats what one said in a government report, that is still protected.

Dear Animal Champion:

  SLAPPED. FIRST AMENDMENT FIGHT!

   The operators of the tethered pony ride and cramped petting zoo at Santa Monica’s Main Street Farmers Market have filed a million-dollar lawsuit against me, another pony friend, and 20 as yet unnamed defendants, in what I believe is a SLAP SUIT (strategic lawsuit against public participation) to bully us and silence our opposition to animals tethered to a metal pole and forced to plod in tiny circles for hours on hard ground, unable to turn around or seek water on their own during a hot summer day. To see photos, videos, petition links and more, click below. http://www.laprogressive.com/pony-ride-protester/


  I intend to fight for our First Amendment rights by filing an ANTI-SLAPP motion to protect my freedom of speech rights – and those of others who might otherwise be deterred by coercive litigation from exercising their rights -- and to defend the rights of suffering animals, sentient beings with emotional lives worthy of dignity and compassion.

  Please support our First Amendment fight by visiting these media sites and posting your comments.
Animal Rights Activist Rebuts Pony Operator Charges
http://www.laprogressive.com/pony-ride-protester/
  
Pony Operator Sues Protestors/SM Daily Press
http://smdp.com/pony-ride-operator-sues-protesters/143793

Tawni’s Ponies Strike Back/SM Mirror
http://www.smmirror.com/articles/News/Tawnis-Ponies-Strike-Back-At-Santa-Monica-Protestors-With-Lawsuit/41739
Issues to address:
  
**If a lawsuit like this is allowed to go forward, it will chill ongoing political debate on a range of subjects, from animal exploitation to overdevelopment to workers rights and union-busting to drone warfare and fracking.
** This lawsuit is a publicity stunt to circumvent the city council's action, which was a legislative decision that cannot be directly challenged because, with few exceptions, the council's decisions are immune from litigation.
**Under defamation law, the pony operator does not have grounds to go forward because she is a public figure, whose animal treatment was the target of a year-long public protest in 2005, Hence this subject -- the tethering and trapping of animals -- is a matter of public interest and debate.

**Ultimately what is at stake here is the right of ordinary citizens to protest and petition their government for redress of grievances, as well as the right of animal lovers everywhere to advocate for humane treatment of non-human companions.
  Thank you for your support.
  To Free Speech,
  Marcy Winograd
http://www.animalworldpettingzoo.com/

"SANTA MONICA, California -- A small business owner who operates pony rides and a petting zoo is fighting back against the animal rights activists who convinced the city council to cancel her annual contract next May.

Tawni Angel, the owner of Tawni's Ponies, and her husband filed a lawsuit Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Marcy Winograd and Danielle Charney, plus twenty other defendants, claiming defamation, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The lawsuit alleges that Winograd and fellow animal rights' activists claimed falsely that Tawni's Ponies was committing "animal abuse," and that they continued to make that false claim even after being informed that the Santa Monica Police Department’s Animal Control Unit had investigated and found no evidence to support it.

A separate police report from Sgt. Mike Graham, cited by the plaintiffs in their complaint, stated:
I examined the ride set-up. The horses appeared in to be in good condition – their body weight appeared normal, their fur was clean and brushed, their manes and tails were brushed and healthy, the ground around them was clean and evenly flat, they walked on sawdust shavings, and there was no visible urine or feces. The equipment – saddles, bridles, and (thick) pads were in good condition. The horses were “quiet” and well behaved. I saw nothing to make me believe the horses were ill-treated, unhealthy, malnourished, injured, or in discomfort. The horses did not appear hot, were not sweating, and were on a timed (30 minute alarm,) water-break schedule.

I saw that as the horses walked in circles, their speed and disposition was constant and calm. Their path took them in and out of shade from the sun.

"Despite receiving written notice that there was no evidence of animal abuse, Winograd and the other defendants continued to wrongly accuse Angel and Nester of abusing their animals," the plaintiff's complaint states, citing several examples, including accusations repeated on YouTube in August, long after the police investigations:

On occasion, the complaint alleges, the animal rights activists even cited the California Penal Code, accusing Tawni of committing a crime--a claim that, if false, is libelous on its face.
The complaint also alleges that Winograd took personal photographs of Angel and her husband from his Facebook page drinking alcohol on vacation, and sent the photographs to city officials in her effort to convince them to terminate the Tawni's Ponies contract.

Those emails had an apparent effect, according to documents obtained by Angel under California's public records law. City council member Ted Winterer, for example, allegedly responded to Winograd via email and agreed with her about "the character of the owners." In addition, the complaint notes, Facebook posts by Charney called Angel and her husband "“racist – bigoted – anti- women RW [right-wing] alcoholic gun toters.”

As a result, the plaintiffs allege, the Santa Monica City Council decided not to renew its contract with Tawni's Ponies to provide pony rides and a petting zoo to the Sunday farmers' market on Main Street. The contract had been renewed since 2003. The decision was made at 1:30 a.m. in a council meeting in September from which several members were absent or had gone home. Unless the decision is reconsidered, the contract will expire in May 2015.

Angel's attorney, Donald E. Chomiak, told Breitbart News on Tuesday: "I'm very confident in our position in this lawsuit. The record speaks for itself."

He cited the police report from May 2014 that exonerated Angel--and that referred to the animal rights activists as "very rude" and "argumentative" in describing their protest at the market.

Winograd knew Angel had been cleared, Chomiak said, yet "the entire time this woman kept spewing."
Reached by telephone on Tuesday, Winograd struck back.

"I think it's a coercive lawsuit designed to bully and intimidate people who exercise their constitutionally-protected free speech rights. I think it's meant to silence me and the over 1,400 others who signed a petition calling for the closure of the animal exhibits at the Main Street Farmers Market," Winograd told Breitbart News.

Winograd said she will file a motion under California's anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) laws, which protect First Amendment rights against legal intimidation.

Update: Chomiak responded to Breitbart News regarding Winograd's intent to file an anti-SLAPP motion:
Animal abuse is not a matter of opinion.  It is a crime under California's Penal Code and has specific elements that must be met.  The police told Winograd on multiple occasions there was no evidence of animal abuse (i.e., that these elements had not been met). Thus, I think my clients are very likely to defeat an anti-SLAPP motion.

He noted that damages could potentially exceed several hundreds of thousands of dollars, given the annual value of the contract to Tawni's Ponies."

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


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