THE LIEBEL PONIES (AND ALL OTHER ANIMALS) SHOULD NOW BE REMOVED TO A SAFE HAVEN

As you are no doubt aware, during the seizure of Nosey the elephant in Moulton, Alabama on November 9, 2017 four ponies, (Midnight, Stardust, Hotshot and Rascal) owned by one Hugo Liebel, were also seized and placed in an undisclosed rescue for their own safety and care.

The final custodial court case for Nosey was held on December 15, 2017 and during that time it came to light that the State of Alabama held no further requirement for the Liebel ponies to continue to be seized and therefore awarded them back to the Liebels.

Those of us who have advocated for Nosey's removal from the Liebels and have her sent to a sanctuary, have also advocated for those ponies owned by Hugo Liebel and any other animals under his charge to be removed.

Hugo Liebel has had countless USDA citations, not just for Nosey, but for other animals (including spider monkeys) in his ownership.

His care of such animals has been brought into question many times, including the quality and storage of feed, cleanliness and safety of abode which included detriment to animals living there, rusty and sharp edged fencing, clutter and discarded building materials left where the animals reside.

Those citations were just for where they reside when in Florida. Whilst they are travelling the poor ponies travel in the front compartment of Nosey's trailer.

Disgustingly, the compartment has been found littered with rubbish, damp and no doubt urine soaked hay. Those same ponies stand in same hay and are then harnessed for rides at whichever venue or pit stop the Liebels deem to stop. Heavens knows whether the hay is actually removed or Nosey feeds of such in her need for sustenance when travelling. It beggars belief any of these animals are not riddled with disease due to the disgusting way in which they have been kept.

In the video link hereto

free the ponies

you will see the ponies, where they are trying to release themselves from their harnesses in Kewanna. The crying of the pony who obviously doesn't want to be attached is heart-breaking. This is not just a couple of days in their life, this IS their life, with the Liebels. Tired and stressed, trying to find release from their harnesses and being strapped to a contraption walking them, with children riding in endless circles. Heads down and despondent they walk round and round. It matters not what the weather holds, recently seen in Cory, Indiana, in temperatures exceeding 90 degrees, standing, without visible water, obviously dehydrated. Hugo Liebel appears "off itinerary" anywhere he feels he can make money, and Nosey along with the four ponies have to comply. Photos seen also here of the ponies attached to their metal contraption in the front parking lot of the Rent A Center in Cullman, Alabama in September.

Alabama State on seizing the ponies had them moved to an undisclosed rescue. There they were seen enjoying, what should be their life of freedom going forward. https://youtu.be/8q08VHgSWqk.

Instead they were awarded back to the hellish life they've endured previously, with the Liebels.

On Friday, December 15, 2017 after the custodial court case (still pending resolution) Hugo and Francizka Liebel were served with warrants. On Saturday, December 16, 2017 at midday they turned themselves into the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office and were arrested and charged with animal cruelty. Their case for such is STILL pending.  They both made $1500 bail and were released by 12.30pm. They retrieved their ponies (as unbelievably they were NOT a condition of the arrest and charge) and were allowed to leave with ponies.

We ask, without reservation, the ponies and any other animals used and ab-used within the Great American Family Circus and/or at any time by the Liebel family in their travels, with or without the circus, are removed and placed in a safe haven.