Hold the USDA Accountable for Queenie the Elephant
- by: Animal Advocates
- recipient: Senate Agriculture Committee
Queenie was sent to the San Antonio Zoo in April 2010, where she joined another elephant in a tiny display not fit even for one elephant. The move was orchestrated by the USDA, in settlement of charges against Queenie's former circus trainer, Will Davenport, for multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
We urge the Senate Agriculture Committee to investigate the USDA's actions and answer the question of how an abusive circus trainer who was found in repeated violation of federal laws meant to protect animals like Queenie can end up a richer man for it. Not only did the USDA slash the fines levied against Davenport for these egregious violations, he came out of the deal $20,000 richer, despite having flouted federal law.
Ensure the USDA is held accountable for its actions in sending Queenie to the San Antonio Zoo. Elephants do not belong in zoos, nor do any other animals. Within the bureaucracy of all zoos there are always scientists or officials to sing the praises of a zoo's spacious, comfortable enclosures or their veterinary staff or conservation work. But a zoo is not a sanctuary, zoos exist to display animals for humans. They are first and foremost an entertainment business.
Committe on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
Senator Blanche Lincoln, Chair
Senate Committe on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
325 Senate Dirkson Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
FAX: (202)228-1371
http://lincoln.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm
Senator Saxby Chambliss, Ranking Member
Senate Committe on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
416 Senate Russell Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
FAX: (202)224-0103
http://chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Email
saxby_chambliss@chambliss.senate.gov
Collin Peterson, (MN), Chair
202-225-2165/Fax: 225-1593
http://collinpeterson.house.gov/zipauth.htm (use this zip: 56258)
collin_peterson@peterson.house.gov
Frank Lucas, Ranking (OK)
202-225-5565/ Fax: 225-8698 FAX
https://forms.house.gov/lucas/contact-form.shtml (use zip 4 74705-5245)
frank_lucas@house.gov
SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE HEADS ON ANIMAL WELFARE
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Chairwoman (NY)
202- 224-4451/Fax: 228-0282
www.gillibrand.senate.gov/contact (has Animal Rights)
kirsten_gillibrand@gillibrand.senate.gov
Sen. Mike Johanns, Ranking (NE)
202- 224-4224/Fax: 228-0436
http://johanns.senate.gov/public/?p=EmailSenatorJohanns
mike_johanns@johanns.senate.gov
HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE HEADS ON ANIMAL WELFARE
David Scott, GA, Chair (GA)
202-225-2939/Fax: 225-4628
www.davidscott.house.gov/Contact (use this zip 4: 30236-3567)
david_scott@scott.house.gov
Randy Neugebauer, Ranking (TX)
Toll free!! 888-763-1611
Phone: 202-225-4005/Fax: 202-225-9615
http://randy.house.gov/?sectionid=65%C2%A7iontree%3D8%2C65 (use zip 4 79720-4417)
randy_neugebauer@neugebauer.house.gov
http://www.facebook.com/rep.randy.neugebauer
DIRECT SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE
Phone: 202 224-2035
Fax: 202 228-2125
(this is the office that helps all senators on the livestock/welfare committee)
Queenie was sent to the San Antonio Zoo in April 2010, where she joined another elephant in a tiny display not fit even for one elephant. The move was orchestrated by the USDA, in settlement of charges against Queenie's former circus trainer, Will Davenport, for multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
We urge the Senate Agriculture Committee to investigate the USDA's actions and answer the question of how an abusive circus trainer who was found in repeated violation of federal laws meant to protect animals like Queenie can end up a richer man for it. Not only did the USDA slash the fines levied against Davenport for these egregious violations, he came out of the deal $20,000 richer, despite having flouted federal law.
Ensure the USDA is held accountable for its actions in sending Queenie to the San Antonio Zoo. Elephants do not belong in zoos, nor do any other animals. Within the bureaucracy of all zoos there are always scientists or officials to sing the praises of a zoo's spacious, comfortable enclosures or their veterinary staff or conservation work. But a zoo is not a sanctuary, zoos exist to display animals for humans. They are first and foremost an entertainment business.
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