Mary Cummins Wildlife Rehabilitation Animal Advocates News Los Angeles California: law

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Sunday, November 3, 2024

Wildlife in the News: Nibi the beaver, Peanut the squirrel, by Mary Cummins Animal Advocates

I'm sure most by now have heard about the stories of Nibi the beaver and Peanut the squirrel. Both were found orphaned and raised by individuals with the intent to release them back to nature. For differing reasons neither were released. Instead the local Fish & Wildlife/Game Departments got involved. After some legal wrangling, petitions, press, social media campaign, Nibi is now an educational beaver. Sadly the authorities just instantly took Peanut and killed him. Here's a little explanation of what issues were involved.

Peanut the squirrel was found orphaned by a kind couple who raised him in Pine City, New York. The finder Mark Longo and his wife tried to release him but he was too acclimated to humans so they kept him. They made a social media page about him wearing hats, acting like a pet which garnered lots of fans and attention. They started P'Nut's Freedom Farm an animal sanctuary. Peanut got the attention of the local Fish & Game Department. New York State Department of Environmental Conversation (DEC) got a warrant then went and took him October 30, 2024 and killed him. They did not cite Longo or give him notice to appear for formal charges. They killed Peanut and a raccoon stating he bit someone and could have rabies. Just fyi any mammal can get and carry rabies. It's extremely rare for squirrels to have rabies. Most would die pretty quickly with obvious signs.

Legally one must have a permit to possess wildlife in New York. One could have possibly gotten an exhibit, sanctuary or wildlife rehabilitation permit to possess a squirrel. One could have also given the squirrel to someone who is already licensed to have squirrels. I doubt anyone would have been bitten at that point. I personally feel the authorities should have given the squirrel to a licensed individual. They could have worked something out in the future so the finders could visit or become licensed. The bad press is never worth it. Sadly that didn't happen. In a perfect world they should have given the baby squirrel to a wildlife rehabilitator so he could have been raised with others then released to the wild. It's possible the finder didn't know the law at the time. He did know the law later and should have taken steps to safeguard Peanut.

Nibi the beaver was also found orphaned. He was given to licensed wildlife rehabilitator Jane Newhouse of Newhouse Wildlife Rescue in Massachusetts. You must raise beavers with others so they don't get acclimated to human caregivers. Squirrels are the same way. The rehabber tried but couldn't find another beaver Nibi would accept. Nibi wasn't able to be released for this reason. The rehabber applied for an educational permit but was denied. They were ordered to release Nibi instantly. A habituated beaver would most likely die if released.

Instead they used their social media fans to start a petition, contacted the media and contacted lawyers and local politicians. With the help of media and politicians including I believe the Governor they were able to secure the proper permits.

I personally feel they should have been granted the educational permit originally. I feel perhaps the local Fish & Wildlife department just didn't want to encourage rehabbers to keep wildlife or showcase them in a pet like manner. While we got a wildlife rehabilitation and educational exhibit permit our local Fish & Wildlife department is also extremely against giving permits. They believe wildlife should be "utilized" as in hunted, eaten, used for fur, research or released to the wild even if they just die. They don't believe any wildlife should be kept for education, exhibition, sanctuary or foster. Because there are a lot of "working" wild animals in California they still give out some permits to some people.

The purpose of this article is to educate people about possessing wildlife and the necessary permits. If you find ill, injured, orphaned wildlife, give it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator instantly. Don't keep it because you will bond with it and it will bond with you. Then it won't be able to be released back to nature and could end up dead. A life in nature is best for wildlife.

If you want to care for wildlife, volunteer with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. We are not accepting new volunteers but other facilities may. Thanks for caring about wildlife.

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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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

Saturday, October 24, 2015

It's a crime to state your animal is "Service Animal" when it's not - Mary Cummins California

California, service animal, penal code, 365.7, fraudulent representation, ada, americans with disabilities act, fine, jail, crime,

I saw this sign in a Ralphs supermarket. They had problems with people passing off regular animals as legal certified "service animals." The problem is service animals are highly trained to be calm and assist their disabled handler. Some people just want to be able to bring their dog in the store. They lie and claim the animal is a "service animal" or "therapy animal" so they can bring them in the store. In the past some of these dogs attacked others in the store. The stores of course don't want to be liable for irresponsible owners and their dogs.

GUIDE DOG—FRAUDULENT REPRESENTATION AS MISDEMEANOR

CA PENAL CODE SECTION 365.7

"[a] Any person who, knowingly and fraudulently represents himself or herself, through verbal or written notice, to be the owner or trainer of any canine licensed as, to be qualified as, or identified as, a guide, signal, or service dog, as defined in subdivisions (d), (e), and (f) of Section 365.5 and paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 54.1 of the Civil Code, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by both that fine and imprisonment.

[b] As used in this section, "owner" means any person who owns a guide, signal, or service dog, or who is authorized by the owner to use the guide, signal, or service dog. Leg.H 1994 ch.1257."

This great article by Merritt Clifton goes into the difference between "service dog" and "therapy dog." It also mentions infamous fake "service dog" Mimi the pitbull who attacked many people including a pregnant woman and her baby. Mimi the fake "service dog" pitbull owned by Steven Woods then even faker "disable military veteran" was represented by no other than infamous "animal rights" attorney Randy Turner of Fort Worth, Texas.

http://www.animals24-7.org/2014/05/16/service-pit-bull-who-attacked-three-people-dog-is-re-impounded/

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, 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.

Mary Cummins

Mary Cummins Animal Advocates Los Angeles California Wildlife Rehabilitation Real Estate

Sunday, November 3, 2024

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Wednesday, November 19, 2014