Mary Cummins Wildlife Rehabilitation Animal Advocates News Los Angeles California: animal cruelty

Showing posts with label animal cruelty. Show all posts

Monday, November 7, 2016

Andrew Baldini arrested for animal cruelty for beating a skunk to death with a shovel, Indiana University

Andrew Louis Baldini, Bloomington Indiana criminal cruelty to animals skunk, killer, shovel beat to death 53C09-1611-CM-002780 mephitis striped skunk murder animal cruelty Lamdba Chi Alpha fraternity

UPDATE: 11/16/2016 The Court and District Attorney received various amici letters asking the offense to be elevated to a felony. The Court stated they have no authority to elevate the classification of offense. The DA does have the authority. We shall see what happens. Discovery has begun. 01/19/2017 there will be a pre-trial conference. Here is Andrew Baldini's attorney. They chose a female attorney who went to the same University as the defendant. She worked in the Monroe County Criminal office previously so she know the DAs, courts, judges. I'm sure she will state that Andrew feared the five pound skunk. She will beg for leniency and another diversion program. This adult has two criminal priors. He was per records below on probation. He already went through a diversion program and failed.

http://higdonlaw.com/

This attorney speaks specifically about University of Indiana incidents. I wonder if this was always in her website or did she add it recently because of this case. We reported him to the school and fraternity.

http://higdonlaw.com/bloomington-in-iu-ethics-issues.html

11/14/2016
Appearance Filed
Filed by Mary Higdon. kmp
For Party: Baldini, Andrew Louis
File Stamp: 11/04/2016
11/14/2016
Waiver of Initial Hearing Filed
File Stamp: 11/04/2016
11/14/2016
Request for Discovery Filed
File Stamp: 11/04/2016
11/14/2016
Jury Trial Demand Filed
Filed By: Baldini, Andrew Louis
File Stamp: 11/04/2016
11/14/2016
Hearing Scheduling Activity
Initial Hearing scheduled for 11/04/2016 at 1:30 PM was cancelled. Reason: Waiver of Hearing by Party.
11/14/2016
Hearing Scheduling Activity
Pretrial Conference scheduled for 01/19/2017 at 1:30 PM.
11/14/2016
Correspondence to/from Court Filed
File Stamp: 11/09/2016
11/16/2016
Administrative Event
The Court receives, reviews and forwards letter to the prosecutor and defense counsel. The Court has no authority to elevate the classification of offense filed. asb
01/19/2017
Pretrial Conference
Session: 1:30 PM, Judicial Officer: Harper, Teresa D

_________________________________

Indiana University student Andrew Baldini, Andrew Louis Baldini born January 21, 1998 was arrested for beating a skunk to death with a shovel for no reason.

"Indiana University Police arrested him after he reportedly chased a skunk and beat it to death in front of T.I.S. College Bookstore Friday night. Police arrested 18-year-old Andrew L. Baldini, of Carmel, who is an associate member of a nearby fraternity, on a charge of animal cruelty."

The closest fraternity to the bookstore is Lambda Chi Alpha at 1210 E 3rd St, Bloomington, Indiana. ~~I'm not positive this is the fraternity where he was a member. I will call and ask.~~ He is indeed a member of this fraternity. Proof is here http://donate.rileykids.org/site/TR/DanceMarathon/DanceMarathons?pg=team&fr_id=2892&team_id=6683 He was an "associate member" which I believe means he's running to join the fraternity but he's a freshman. They just built a new basketball court in 2015 which faces the street next to the bookstore.

I think Andrew's father is Michael Andrew Baldini of Polaris Property Management 46 yrs who has a pilot license, Linda Jean Baskall Bandini 45 yr is his mother and he has a brother Nicholas "Nick." These people move constantly states away. Their old home address as of his previous arrest was 2720 HEATHERMOOR PARK DR S
CARMEL, IN 46074. Here is his Facebook page which matches name, birth date, location https://www.facebook.com/andrew.baldini

His preliminary hearing was November 4, 2016. He's out on bond. We will update this page with his next hearing.

Turns out this kid was on probation for another crime. They previously put him in a diversion program. His probation isn't up until 05/2017. Before that crime he was arrested for criminal speeding. That is generally speed over 80 mph, reckless driving. Three crimes in less than two years.

He was charged with Indiana penal code Charges 35-46-3-12(b) when he should have been charged with Charges 35-46-3-12(c) which is a level six felony. He tortured, mutilated the skunk and killed it.

(b) A person who knowingly or intentionally beats a vertebrate animal commits cruelty to an animal, a Class A misdemeanor. However, the offense is a Level 6 felony if:

(1) the person has a previous, unrelated conviction under this section; or

(2) the person committed the offense with the intent to threaten, intimidate, coerce, harass, or terrorize a family or household member.

(c) A person who knowingly or intentionally tortures or mutilates a vertebrate animal commits torturing or mutilating a vertebrate animal, a Level 6 felony.

https://www.animallaw.info/statute/cruelty-consolidated-cruelty-statutes#s12

State of Indiana v. Andrew Louis Baldini
Male, White, 6' 0", 155 lbs.
Address 501 N. Sunrise Dr. Teter Rabb E515
Bloomington, IN 47406

Birth Date: 01/21/1998
Gender: Male
Height: 72
Weight: 155
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown

The state prosecutor is attorney, lawyer Justin D Roddye of Monroe, Indiana.

Roddye, Justin D. for state
Address:
Monroe County Prosecutor
301 N. College Ave.
Bloomington , IN 47404

Phone:
Work (Phone): 812-349-2670

Justin D. Roddye for defendant
#3158353
Attorney address Monroe County Prosecutor
301 N. College Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47404
Attorney phone 812-349-2670(W)

53C09-1611-CM-002780
Court Monroe Circuit Court 9
Case Type CM - Criminal Misdemeanor

Filed 11/04/2016
Status 11/04/2016, Pending
Charges 35-46-3-12(b)/MA: Cruelty to an Animal (misdemeanor)
Parties State of Indiana, Baldini
Attorneys Roddye

State of Indiana v. Andrew Louis Baldini
Case Number 53C09-1611-CM-002780
Court Monroe Circuit Court 9
Type CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Filed 11/04/2016
Status 11/04/2016 , Pending (active)

Reference
Prosecutor Case Management Number 53C0 -1611-CM-DM102203
Police Agency Number 16-2672
Parties to the Case
Show all party details
Defendant Baldini, Andrew Louis
State Plaintiff State of Indiana
Charges
Show all charge details
01 10/28/2016 35-46-3-12(b)/MA: Cruelty to an Animal
Bonds
Show all bond details
10/31/2016
Monroe Cash Bond - $500.00
10/28/2016
Monroe Corporate Surety Bond - $2,000.00
Chronological Case Summary
10/28/2016
Surety Bond Entered in Clerk's Office
11/04/2016
Case Opened as a New Filing
11/04/2016
Information Filed
Filed By: State of Indiana
File Stamp: 11/04/2016
11/04/2016
Application of Cash Bond Filed In This Cause
Filed By: State of Indiana
File Stamp: 11/04/2016
11/04/2016
Hearing Scheduling Activity
Initial Hearing scheduled for 11/04/2016 at 1:30 PM.
11/04/2016
Cash Bond Entered in Clerk's Office
11/04/2016
Initial Hearing
Session: 1:30 PM, Judicial Officer: Diekhoff, Mary Ellen

This kid has a history. This is his third criminal case and he's only 18. He is on probation for an earlier case for underage possession of alcohol. Below are the summaries of the three cases.

State of Indiana v. Andrew Louis Baldini
53C09-1611-CM-002780
Court Monroe Circuit Court 9
Case Type CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Filed 11/04/2016
Status 11/04/2016, Pending
Charges 35-46-3-12(b)/MA: Cruelty to an Animal
Parties State of Indiana, Baldini
Attorneys Roddye Filed 11/04/2016

State of Indiana v. Andrew Louis Baldini
29D05-1605-CM-003422
Court Hamilton Superior Court 5
Case Type CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Filed 05/05/2016
Status 05/20/2016, Decided
Charges 7.1-5-7-7(a)(1)/MC: Illegal Possession of an Alcoholic Beverage
Parties State of Indiana, Baldini
Attorneys Johnson Filed 05/05/2016

This is for criminal speeding. He pled no lo contendere, basically guilty without admitting guilt.
City of Carmel v. ANDREW L BALDINI
29H01-1501-OV-000182
Court Carmel City Court
Case Type OV - Local Ordinance Violation
Filed 01/20/2015
Status 02/26/2015, Decided
Charges 8-02S: SPEEDING/CRM
Parties City of Carmel, BALDINI

This is the detail of the 05/2016 criminal case. He was on probation. They put him in a diversion program. It obviously didn't work.

State of Indiana v. Andrew Louis Baldini

Case Number 29D05-1605-CM-003422
Court Hamilton Superior Court 5
Type CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Filed 05/05/2016
Status 05/20/2016 , Decided
Reference
Prosecutor Case Management Number 29-DM133700
Police Agency Number 16-000877
Parties to the Case
Show all party details
Defendant Baldini, Andrew Louis
State Plaintiff State of Indiana
Charges
Show all charge details
01 03/04/2016 7.1-5-7-7(a)(1)/MC: Illegal Possession of an Alcoholic Beverage
Chronological Case Summary
05/05/2016
Case Opened as a New Filing
05/05/2016
Information Filed
File Stamp: 05/05/2016
05/06/2016
Administrative Event
Notice for Filing of Co-Deft.'s filed.
File Stamp: 05/05/2016
05/06/2016
Appearance Filed
IH set for 5/11/2016 at 5:00 p.m. per ticket.
Attorney: Johnson, Brian Patrick
For Party: State of Indiana
File Stamp: 05/05/2016
05/06/2016
Hearing Scheduling Activity
Initial Hearing scheduled for 05/11/2016 at 5:30 PM.
05/11/2016
Initial Hearing
Session: 5:30 PM
05/12/2016
Hearing Scheduling Activity
Initial Hearing scheduled for 06/29/2016 at 5:30 PM.
05/12/2016
Order Issued
Parties appear for initial hrg. and Deft states he is seeking entry into Prosecutor's Diversion Program. Initial Hrg. reset.
Order Signed: 05/11/2016
05/18/2016
Agreement of Parties Filed
Pretrial Diversion Agreement
Filed By: State of Indiana
File Stamp: 05/18/2016
05/18/2016
Hearing Scheduling Activity
Initial Hearing scheduled for 06/29/2016 at 5:30 PM was cancelled. Reason: Other.
05/20/2016
Order Issued
Approving Pretrial Diversion Agreement. Defendant has been accepted for the Pretrial Diversion Program. All pending court dates are vacated and case set for dismissal on 5/18/17, absent further order of the Court.
Judicial Officer: Sturtevant, Wayne A
Order Signed: 05/18/2016
06/29/2016
CANCELED Initial Hearing
Reason: Other
Session: 5:30 PM, Cancelled

53C09-1611-CM-002780 Parties State of Indiana v. Andrew Louis Baldini Criminal Open 11/04/2016
29D05-1605-CM-003422 Parties State of Indiana v. Andrew Louis Baldini Criminal Closed 05/05/2016 05/20/2016

Here is the front of the fraternity.

Andrew Louis Baldini, Bloomington Indiana criminal cruelty to animals skunk, killer, shovel beat to death 53C09-1611-CM-002780 mephitis striped skunk murder animal cruelty Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity basketball court

Here is the fraternity with the basketball court in view.

Andrew Louis Baldini, Bloomington Indiana criminal cruelty to animals skunk, killer, shovel beat to death 53C09-1611-CM-002780 mephitis striped skunk murder animal cruelty

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

Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, real estate, appraiser, appraisal, instructor, teacher, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Brentwood, Bel Air, California, licensed, permitted, single family, condo, pud, hud, fannie mae, freddie mac, uspap, certified, residential, certified resident, apartment building, multi-family, commercial, industrial, expert witness, civil, criminal, orea, dre, insurance, bonded, experienced, bilingual, spanish, english, form, 1004, 2055, land, raw, acreage, vacant, insurance, cost, income approach, market analysis, comparative, theory, appraisal theory, cost approach, sales, matched pairs, plot, plat, map, diagram, photo, photographs, photography, rear, front, street, subject, comparable, sold, listed, active, pending, expired, cancelled, listing, mls, multiple listing service, claw, themls,

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

Mary Cummins

Mary Cummins of Cummins Real Estate Services has been in real estate since 1983, over 35 years. She is licensed by the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers. Mary Cummins was an agent and broker licensed with the California Department of Real Estate selling residential income, commercial buildings, raw land and homes for Merrill Lynch Realty in Beverly Hills and Westside Properties in Los Angeles before concentrating on appraisals. Mary Cummins currently provides real estate appraisals, expert witness testimony, historical research, legal real estate research for mortgage brokers, banks, lawyers, factors, insurance companies, financial consultants and private individuals. Mary Cummins was born and raised in Southern California. Cummins attended Beverly Hills Good Shepherd Catholic School and Beverly Hills High School. Besides being on the Dean's list, Mary Cummins was a top ten national swimmer and competed on the men's water polo team. Mary Cummins began college at the age of 15 attending the University of Southern California on scholarship, majoring in Psychology/Sociology. http://www.animaladvocates.us http://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdvocatesUSA

Monday, May 9, 2016

Marcy Winograd wins appeal in freedom of speech case in Santa Monica, California - Animal Advocates

Marcy Winograd wins appeal in Freedom of Speech lawsuit, Tawni Angel, Tawnis Ponies and Petting Zoo, pony rides, animal cruelty, los angeles, california, b261707, sc123378, Donald Chomiak, Jason Nestor,

UPDATE: Tawni Angel filed petition to rehear and was denied May 19, 2016. Marcy Winograd filed motion to publish the opinion.

Santa Monica animal activist Marcy Winograd just won her appeal in an animal cruelty freedom of speech case. Marcy Winograd had filed reports against Tawni Angel and her company Tawnis Ponies and Petting Zoo. Winograd stated that Tawni Angel's ponies were not receiving proper care. Winograd started a campaign asking the city to not renew Tawni Angel's lease at the Santa Monica Farmers Market. The City of Santa Monica did indeed end the lease and the pony rides.

Marcy Winograd should have easily won this case after filing an anti-SLAPP motion in Santa Monica court. Judge Lisa Hart-Cole dismissed the other defendant from the case and other causes of action yet allowed two causes to remain i.e., libel per se and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage.

In review Justice Sanjay Kumar who wrote the opinion stated that Winograd's statements were protected by legislative privilege. Winograd made these statements while petitioning the city to end the pony rides on city property. The statements were therefore not defamatory.

This case once again shows that you cannot silence freedom of speech with defamation lawsuits. People are allowed to report others to authorities. People are allowed to petition against businesses they feel are cruel to animals. Let this case be a lesson to others who are thinking of suing someone for defamation for merely exercising their freedom of speech.

Animal Advocates has written previous articles about this case and the pony rides.

Animal Advocates supports petition to end the pony rides

http://animaladvocatesmarycummins.blogspot.com/2015/01/help-stop-inhumane-carousel-pony-rides.html

More information about Tawnis Pony Rides

https://marycummins.wordpress.com/2014/11/23/tawnis-ponies-and-petting-farm-tawni-angel-jason-nester-pony-ride-petting-zoo-santa-monica/

Marcy Winograd files appeal in anti-SLAPP case

http://animaladvocatesmarycummins.blogspot.com/2015/01/marcy-winograd-files-anti-slapp-motion.html

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION FIVE

TAWNI J. ANGEL et al.,

Plaintiffs and Respondents,

MARCY WINOGRAD,

Defendant and Appellant.

B261707

(Los Angeles County

Super. Ct. No. SC123378)

APPEAL from an order of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Lisa Hart-Cole,Judge. Reversed.

Horvitz& Levy, Jeremy B. Rosen, and Felix Shafir, for Defendant and Appellant.

TalismanLaw, and Donald E. Chomiak, for Plaintiffs and Appellants.

Plaintiffs and respondents Tawni Angel, Jason Nestor, and Tawnis Ponies and Petting Farm, Inc. operated a pony ride and petty zoo at the Main Street Farmers’ Market in Santa Monica. Defendant and appellant Marcy Winograd opposed “animal attractions” and initiated a campaign to cause the City of Santa Monica to end plaintiffs’ participation at the farmers’ market. The campaign accused plaintiffs of animal cruelty in violation of the Penal Code and included protests at the farmers’ market, emails to City of Santa Monica officials, and articles posted on local media websites. The City of Santa Monica investigated defendant’s claims and found no evidence of animal cruelty. Defendant nevertheless continued her campaign. The Santa Monica City Council ultimately voted to explore activities to replace the pony ride and petting zoo at the expiration of the city’s contract with Tawnis Ponies andPetting Farm, Inc.

Claiming defendant’s statements about animal cruelty and other statements defendant made about them were false, plaintiffs brought an action against defendant asserting causes of action for libel per se, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and injunctive relief. Defendant moved to strike plaintiffs’ complaint under the anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) statute—Codeof Civil Procedure section 425.16. The trial court granted the motion as to the intentional infliction of emotional distress and injunctive relief causes of action and denied it as to the libel per se and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage causes of action. Defendant appeals. Because defendant’s statements were privileged under the legislative privilege in Civil Code section 47,subdivision (b) (section 47(b)), we reverse the order denying defendant’s motion to strike the libel per se and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage causes of action.

Link to released opinion in pdf.

http://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions/nonpub/B261707.PDF

Link to appeal summary

http://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov/search/case/disposition.cfm?dist=2&doc_id=2099378&doc_no=B261707

Below is one of the amicus briefs by Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

http://spj.org/pdf/news/winograd-amicus-brief.pdf

Animal Legal Defense Fund also wrote an amicus brief.
https://www.laprogressive.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ALDF-Brief-Filed-Dec.-21-2015.pdf

Marcy Winograd's "Free The Pony" website.

http://www.freethepony.org/

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.

Mary Cummins

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Animal Advocates protests against non-Jewish chicken killing ritual Kapparot, Kappores in Los Angeles, California

Kapparot, chicken killing ritual jewish, animal sacrifice, animal cruelty Kapporois, Kappores

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) -- Every year for six days before Yom Kippur (the Jewish Day of Atonement on October 2) some Jews perform the ritual "Kapparot." Kapparot is a custom in which the sins of a person are symbolically transferred to a fowl. The fowl is held above the person's head and swung in a circle three times while certain words are spoken. The fowl is then slaughtered so that the person may have a good, peaceful life. Sometimes the chickens are given to the poor as food but unfortunately the chickens are not always cared for or killed humanely.

In Los Angeles, California ritual animal sacrifice of any kind is illegal under Municipal Code SEC. 53.67. "No person shall engage in, participate in, assist in, or perform animal sacrifice. No person shall own, keep, possess or have custody of any animal with the purpose or intention of using such animal for animal sacrifice. No person shall knowingly sell, offer to sell, give away or transfer any animal to another person who intends to use such animal for animal sacrifice. 'Animal sacrifice' means the injuring or killing of any animal in any religious or cult ritual or as an offering to a deity, devil, demon or spirit, wherein the animal has not been injured or killed primarily for food purposes, regardless of whether all or any part of such animal is subsequently consumed."

The First Amendment "Freedom of Religion" does protect animal sacrifices except when a municipality or state has an existing animal cruelty statute that forbids it. If the religious sacrifice of an animal violates that statute, then the city or state can prosecute that act. If the animals as in this case were cared for, used or killed in a way that violates California's existing anti-cruelty statutes, then the defendants will not be able to fall back on the First Amendment as a defense. They would be guilty of animal cruelty which is punishable by a fine and/or jail time.

Kapparot is not mentioned in the Torah or in the Talmud. Several Jewish sages opposed the ritual, with some considering it a senseless heathen superstition. The Ramban (Nachmanides) and Rabbi Joseph Caro the compiler of the "Shulchan Aruch," the most authoritative code of Jewish laws called Kapparot "a foolish custom that Jews should avoid."

General Manager of LA Animal Services and ex-pastor Ed Boks stated, "Some of our nation's healthiest animal husbandry practices and laws originated in the ancient traditions of the Torah. Nowhere is the practice of Kapparot even mentioned in the Torah. It is a pagan tradition that has been muddled into the religious practices of a small Jewish sect. Kapparot should have no place in the 21st Century Los Angeles community."

Andrew Smith of Chicken Rescue asks people who customarily partake in this ritual to instead consider the humane and legal alternative. One may place money in a handkerchief and use this instead of a chicken. The money is then given to the poor. Former Chief Rabbi Israel Shlomo Goren stated, "Kapparot is not consistent with Jewish teachings and law. Repentance and charity can be better accomplished by using money instead of a slaughtered chicken."

Dr. Karen Davis President of United Poultry Concerns said, "Kapparot includes the pre-ritual cruelty to the chickens, who are forced to sit crammed together in their own excrement for days without food, water or shelter awaiting their terrible death. The mercy ascribed to God by those who seek God’s mercy for themselves is thus withheld from the chickens who have the same capacity for pain, fear and distress as human beings. That Kapparot is a medieval custom, and not a Jewish law, makes it even more reprehensible."

Dr. Richard Schwartz, a respected Jewish author & educator, stated: "The use of money rather than chickens is consistent with Judaism's powerful teachings on compassion to animals. At a season when we ask for God's compassion, we should have compassion on God's defenseless creatures."

For more information about Kapparot, please visit http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/kapparot.html

In 2006 we had an educational rally at the Temple of Pico just east of Doheny. We witnessed a man drinking the blood, see pic below. They also take the blood home in Dixie cups to smear on the forehead of their children and the elderly. The woman in the pic below told us she also smears some over her front door to ward away spirits and evil.

Kapparot, chicken killing ritual jewish, tampe, animal sacrifice, animal cruelty Kapporois, Kappores

Mary Cummins

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Help stop inhumane carousel pony rides in Santa Monica - Sign and Share!

Pony ride, carousel pony rides, Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates, Tawni Angel, Santa Monica, California, Tawnis ponies and petting zoo

Tawni's Ponies and Petting Zoo operates a carousel pony ride in Santa Monica's Farmers Market. Six ponies are tied to a metal carousel nose to butt. The ponies are forced to walk round and round on cement for hours a day. Most animal rights groups believe this is inhumane. 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. Here is what the main groups have to say about pony rides. Please, sign the petition below to end this practice.

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."

From HSUS: "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 PETA: "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 athorities fail to intervene, the outcome can be deadly."

From PETA about petting zoos: "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."

From Green Mountain Animal Defenders: "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."

From Pamploma, Spain: Spanish municipality of Pamploma approved a motion with the unanimous support of almost all councilors to prohibit the use of pony drawn carousels in 2014. President of AnimaNaturalis Aida Gascon, an animal rights organization in Spain, said “We welcome this news, because it shows that if society is informed and unites we can get a ban on activities involving animal abuse. Carousels with ponies are an outdated attraction that cause stress and suffering to the animals due to the noise and bustle of the fairs. In addition, they undergo mental and physical exhaustion caused by endless circling, and are also exposed to environmental conditions that can be extremely harsh.”

Please, sign and share this petition for the ponies.

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/shut-down-pony-rides

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.

Mary Cummins

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Banksy committed animal cruelty in pink elephant animal exhibit - Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates

Photo used fair use copyright to show use of illegal bull hook. Banksy, artist, exhibit, los angeles, california, 2006, usa, mary cummins, animal advocates, gallery, downtown, have trunk will travel, animal cruelty, animal abuse, paint, toxic, unsafe, england

I just watched the Banksy documentary "Exit through the gift shop." There is a scene in there where he painted an elephant for his exhibit. In the movie he said he painted her with "12 liters of children's face paint." That is an absolute lie. He used red poster paint meant for wood and paper only as the base paint. He then added gold metallic paint. That paint was meant to be used with a barrier product and only to be left on for three hours maximum. Banksy left the paint on the elephant for days. In fact he would not let the elephant lay down and sleep for days so she wouldn't mess up his paint job.

These are photos I personally took at the exhibit in Los Angeles, California September 2006. Paint used on elephant. These are the brushes he used to paint the elephant. This is his box of supplies. Below are closer photos of the paint he used.

Banksy, artist, exhibit, los angeles, california, 2006, usa, mary cummins, animal advocates, gallery, downtown, have trunk will travel, animal cruelty, animal abuse, paint, toxic, unsafe, england

September 15, 2006 Banksy had an art show in Los Angeles. He rented an elephant from "Have trunk will travel" for his exhibit. He painted this elephant bright red with gold stenciled markings. He painted her eye lids, ears, trunk, tail, belly and private parts. I received many complaints when animal lovers saw the elephant on the news for the VIP grand opening. I'm sure this animal cruelty was intentional guerilla marketing for his show. He did the same to farm animals, click here for story.

Banksy, artist, exhibit, los angeles, california, 2006, usa, mary cummins, animal advocates, gallery, downtown, have trunk will travel, animal cruelty, animal abuse, paint, toxic, unsafe, england

Elephant in 105 deg trailer

The next day I went down there to see for myself. I went through the Humane Academy and Police Academy to become a Humane Officer. The elephant's owner let me look at the elephant and the box of paints. I photographed the labels of the paints. It was red poster and wood only paint and Cinema Secrets gold metallic paint. The owner told me they weren't allowing the elephant to lay down so she wouldn't mess up her paint job. Every day they would still touch up her paint.

From a skin painting website. “Non-Toxic” does not mean “safe for skin.” Acrylic craft paints are not meant to be used on the skin – nor are watercolor markers or pencils. Just because the package says "non-toxic" does not mean that it is safe to put on skin. Many people are allergic to the non-FDA approved chemicals and colorants used in craft paints (such as nickel), and will break out in a rash from these paints. Watercolor markers (or "washable markers") do not remove from skin easily – it can take days to get the stain removed. The "washable" part of the name refers to fabric, not skin."

They go on to say not to use glitter paint on skin. That is why the gold paint was for professional use only by a makeup artist. It was to be applied over a barrier cream and not kept on longer than three hours, on humans, not animals. People have become very ill and even died from using regular paint on their skin. They die from nickel and silver poisoning from the paint besides allergic reactions and over heating. Photo of elephant with cracked toenail.

Banksy, artist, exhibit, los angeles, california, 2006, usa, mary cummins, animal advocates, gallery, downtown, have trunk will travel, animal cruelty, animal abuse, paint, toxic, unsafe, england

I went home and wrote a report about the paint. I gave it to the GM of Animal Services. He verified the report then called the owner and told her she must remove the paint. It took two days but they finally removed the paint. The elephant was still in the exhibit but without her paint. A report was filed against the elephant owner to the USDA for allowing her to be painted with wood and paper paint. People contacted Banksy's management about his act of animal cruelty. He left the country and didn't respond.

After washing paint off

Banksy, artist, exhibit, los angeles, california, 2006, usa, mary cummins, animal advocates, gallery, downtown, have trunk will travel, animal cruelty, animal abuse, paint, toxic, unsafe, england

Report filed by Bill Dyer of In Defense of Animals with the USDA.

Contact the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Science at http://www.oscars.org and let them know that you don't think a film that includes animal cruelty should be up for an Academy Award. This documentary is nominated for an Academy award. People are saying they believe he will win. Here are some email addresses for you to send in a complaint.

publicity@oscars.org,
tcurtis@ oscars.org,
pressphoto@oscars.org,
tmelidonian@oscars.org,
rmiller@oscars.org,
amaltz@oscars.org,
bdavis@oscars.org,
institutionalgrants@oscars.org,
zfriedlander@oscars.org,
mcompton@oscars.org,
sganis@oscars.org,
lwertin@oscars.org,
bhall@oscars.org,
lmerh@oscars.org,
mayala@oscars.org,
nkojen@oscars.org,
tthompson@oscars.org,
nicholl@oscar.org,
lunger@oscars.org,
ampas@oscars.org,
rhaberkamp@oscars.org

A few years ago "Have trunk will travel" had a problem with one of their other elephants.

"June 10, 2001: Spooked Circus Elephant Charges, Knocks Over Child at the Denver Zoo - Hope, an 18-year-old, 6,700-pound Asian elephant, was frightened by a falling water drum as she and a smaller elephant named Amigo were being washed. Startled, Hope slammed her trainer, Jim Williams, into a wall and knocked over Amigo. She then stepped over a 3-foot barrier and took off on a run. The child was knocked from her stroller as Hope came running down a path. The child's mother, who has not been identified, said she believes her daughter was hit by the elephant's trunk but is unsure if Hope also hit the stroller. The girl was treated at Children's Hospital for minor injuries and released, said Fire Department spokesman Randy Atkinson. Williams received cuts and bruises, a man sprained his ankle, and a woman suffered an asthma attack while running away from the elephant, Atkinson said. It took almost three hours to get Hope back into a pen. Amigo and Hope were brought to the Denver Zoo by Have Trunk Will Travel, owned by Gary and Kari Johnson of Southern California."

Here is "Have Trunk Will Travel," http://www.havetrunkwilltravel.com/

Back in 2003 Banksy painted some live farm animals in an exhibit called "Turf Wars." They became ill and had to leave the exhibit.http://gothamist.com/2003/07/21/banksys_turf_war.php Banksy stated he wanted to continue to show the exhibit. He's also painted rats and roaches in the past.

Below is Bill Dyer of In Defense of Animals legal complaint about the abuse of the elephant in the exhibit.

"I attended all three days of the Banksy art exhibit on Hunter Street, downtown L.A. (September 15, 16, 17). There was a preview on Thursday, September 14th which I did not attend. I don’t know if the painted elephant, Tai, was there that day or not.

On Friday when I arrived at noon there was a small crowd waiting in line. The elephant was in an alley way next to a large warehouse. Animal control officers were there as well as the exhibit’s own security which would not allow pictures to be taken of the elephant which was getting a touch-up paint job. The elephant, as I understood, had been painted on Thursday by the artist, Banksy, himself. The elephant had been rented from the company, “Have Trunk Will Travel” run by Mr. and Mrs. Gary Johnson, who were in attendance with their bull hooks. At 2 PM the elephant was walked up on a ramp to the inside of the warehouse and into a living room setting. His paint motif matched the living room’s wallpaper. The elephant was behind a three-foot high picket fence, perhaps six feet from the audience. A child could have easily knocked the fence over. The elephant would stand in this setting for the next six hours. It was hot in the warehouse and I saw no water inside the exhibit.

On Saturday, when I arrived before noon, Ed Boks, General Manager of the Department of Animal Services, was there in consultation with others in an attempt to find some means to prevent the elephant from being shown. The public safety issue came up but it would take five days to evoke the permit and, by then, the exhibit would be closed. Because of the Los Angeles Times’ front page photo of the elephant and the large story on the front page of the California section of the Times, a large crowd gathered. At 2 PM the elephant was put into the living room setting for the next six hours. Large crowds surrounded the exhibit with many camera flash bulbs popping. The media turned out and the story was featured on television news reports that evening.

On Sunday, the crowd was very large. It had been determined by animal control that the paint used on the elephant was harmful to skin and “Have Trunk” was ordered to wash all of the paint off of Tai. Should she be painted again they would have to use child face paint instead. The elephant arrived, washed, with a pink hue, and was put on exhibit again without the paint. It was very hot inside the warehouse.

It is my understanding that the Department of Animal Services will be revising the permit guidelines so that this will not be allowed to happen again. (The permit was issued before Ed Boks became General Manager.) Most of the public couldn’t understand why the artist – so concerned about the conditions in this world - would use a live elephant instead of one of his own design. Some people were in tears.

The elephant issue up-staged the artists’ graffiti art but proved profitable for Banksy, which may have been the intent anyway. All of his works sold. One large piece went for $82,000. (Brad Pitt and his wife bought three pieces.)

Bill Dyer, In Defense of Animals"

http://www.facebook.com/animaladvocatesusa

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

Mary Cummins

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Marcy Winograd files anti-SLAPP motion against Tawnis Pony Rides and Petting Zoo

Click to see current status of the case

http://www.lacourt.org/casesummary/ui/casesummary.aspx?sc123378

"On Thursday, December 11, 2014, I filed my anti-SLAPP motion to dismiss a meritless lawsuit challenging my right to express my OPINION that tethering ponies, butt to nose, to a metal carousel, forcing them to walk in circles on concrete for 3.5 hours is abusive.

Santa Monica Main Street farmers market animal vendors Tawni Angel and Jason Nester are suing me, while they lobby the Santa Monica City Council to reverse its decision of September 9th. The Council voted to give preference to non-animal children’s activity vendors when the contract expires in May, 2015.

Nester and Angel repeatedly argue that because market managers and animal control officers insisted there was no animal abuse, I should have remained silent in what I and 1,450 other people viewed as cruel and abusive treatment that relegates animals to mere subjects over which humans have complete dominion. If the Plaintiffs’ denial of First Amendment rights was applied to historical events and our citizenry not allowed to challenge the word of a person with a title or uniform, we would never have outlawed or ended human slavery, denial of voting rights to women and people of color, sweatshops, and child labor. Instead, we would be a nation of good soldiers taking orders, ignoring or abandoning our moral compass.

To ponies, to alpacas, to animals everywhere who are tightly tethered or penned, unable to turn around or seek water on their own, their freedom severely restricted, I am fighting back — and not just for them or for me but for protesters everywhere who under the First Amendment have the right to speak out, to assemble, and to petition their government for redress of grievances.

California law protects against what are called Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. SLAPPs are lawsuits filed to silence protesters by burdening them with the costs and stress of a lawsuit. To learn more, visit theCalifornia Anti-SLAPP Project.

Many thanks to my wonderful lawyer Jim Frieden who never stops, to my loving husband Buddy Gottlieb for his endless support, to my co-defendant Danielle Charney, to the ever-supportive Suzanne Robertson and husband Barry, to Santa Monica City Council Members Ted Winterer and Gleam Davis for their leadership on this issue, to those who submitted declarations and showed up, to those who signed my Move On petition calling for an end to institutional exploitation, and to those who quietly support me/us every step of the way as they roll up their sleeves and do the hard case work in the middle of the night.

Our Anti-SLAPP hearing is scheduled in Superior Court in Santa Monica on January 9th.

Click HERE to read my Declaration submitted to the court.

CLICK HERE to read Plaintiff Tawni Angel’s Declaration.

CLICK HERE to read Marcy Winograd’s brief reply to the Plaintiff‘s opposition to Winograd’s Anti-SLAPP motion calling for dismissal of the case on First Amendment grounds.

CLICK HERE to read Marcy Winograd’s Reply Declaration to Tawni Angel.

You can sign my petition here to end animal cruelty at the Main Street Farmers Market in Santa Monica.

Marcy Winograd

http://www.laprogressive.com/pony-rides-dispute/

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.

Mary Cummins

Mary Cummins Animal Advocates Los Angeles California Wildlife Rehabilitation Real Estate

Monday, November 7, 2016

Monday, May 9, 2016

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Photo used fair use copyright to show use of illegal bull hook. Banksy, artist, exhibit, los angeles, california, 2006, usa, mary cummins, animal advocates, gallery, downtown, have trunk will travel, animal cruelty, animal abuse, paint, toxic, unsafe, england

Thursday, January 8, 2015