| Greetings Dr. Gibbens: In light of the recent animal deaths at the Talley Road property, has an administrative hearing been set yet for the ASUS/WAO? Also, has the injuried primate at the Leslie Road facility (gash on its side approximately 5-6") been treated and as follow-up care provided? The weather here has been very cold here (30-42 degrees) and I'm concerned for the vervet's welfare. Kindest Regards, Kristina CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic transmission and any attachments constitute confidential information which is intended only for the named recipient(s) and may be legally privileged. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately. Any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action concerning the contents of this communication by anyone other than the named recipient(s) is strictly prohibited. Email addresses are confidential and should not be forwarded to anyone unless permission is granted from the sender. |
--- On Tue, 1/6/09, Robert.M.Gibbens@aphis.usda.gov <Robert.M.Gibbens@aphis.usda.gov> wrote:
From: Robert.M.Gibbens@aphis.usda.gov <Robert.M.Gibbens@aphis.usda.gov>--- On Tue, 1/6/09, Kristina Brunner wrote:
Subject: Re: ASUS/WAO Administrative Hearing Set?
To: "kbrunner@
Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2009, 7:58 AM
Ms. Brunner:
I have not been notified that a hearing date has been set, so my assumption is that it has not. Please note that we do not have control over hearing schedules.
Dr. Pannill confirmed that the attending veterinarian went to the facility to provide care to the primate within 24 hours of her inspection.
Robert M. Gibbens, DVM
Director, Western Region
USDA, APHIS, Animal Care
2150 Centre Ave., Bldg B
Ft. Collins, CO 80526
(970)494-7478
From: Kristina Brunner
Subject: Re: ASUS/WAO Administrative Hearing Set?
To: Robert.M.Gibbens@aphis.usda.gov
Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2009, 8:37 AM
That is wonderful news, Dr. Gibbens - thank you so much for having Dr. Pannill check on the vervet. So many primates have died from wounds much smaller than the one I observed in the photograph--sounds like this little monkey may actually have a chance for survival.
I understand your Office has no control with scheduling the hearing and sadly this case seems to get worse each year. I understand the delay could last for years due to case backlogs. I guess I will just have to pray this will be the year the animals will finally have a voice in court.
In the meantime, I was able to obtain additional information regarding "Bugs," the surviving primate from the Summer 2008 sedation disaster. As you may recall, two primates allegedly died the day they were sedated after being found laying in the hot sun. The third primate apparently died a slow death and expired the following morning without receiving vet care. Bugs was allegedly the survivor (record of events on file with Dr. Ehrlund's Vet Clinic).
This year, I believe in September 2008, Bugs became very ill. Apparently, he stopped eating, became dehydrated, his rear changed color from a light pink to a dark purple and appeared wrinkled. I learned he started urinating all over himself and as a result of the urnination, he developed a rash. I am still waiting confirmation of his current status.
I learned another lionness died in February 2008, cause unknown, but from what I could gather, a necropsy was performed and Dr. Erhlund had no idea how the lion died. The lion that died was approximately 5 years old and I do not have a name, but because of the age, I believe she may have been one of the lions that were raised with Amy (Growing Up Lion), for there used to be several lion cubs at the Leslie Road facility that arrived shortly after Amy was born at the ASUS/WAO. The cubs were all placed in the same enclosure located in the back part of the Leslie Road property between the cougars and the patas monkeys (see previously sent map for exact location).
Again, thank you very much for your concern for the ASUS/WAO animals, Dr. Gibbens -
Kindest Regards,
Kristina Brunner
I nearly had a heart attack when I read the article below...for the record, lies mixed with some truths are still lies.
From: USAPSPCA
To: editor@sanantoniolightning.com
Sent: 1/7/2009 5:57:56 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: PETA Errors Big Time
Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2009, 1:12 PM
From: Kristina Brunner
Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 6:35 AM
To: Z
Subject: Re: stuff
January 10, 2009
Interesting email from RG today...
January 22, 2009
Subject: Re: ASUS/WAO Administrative Hearing Set?
To: Robert.M.Gibbens@aphis.usda.gov
Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2009, 8:37 AM
That is wonderful news, Dr. Gibbens - thank you so much for having Dr. Pannill check on the vervet. So many primates have died from wounds much smaller than the one I observed in the photograph--sounds like this little monkey may actually have a chance for survival.
I understand your Office has no control with scheduling the hearing and sadly this case seems to get worse each year. I understand the delay could last for years due to case backlogs. I guess I will just have to pray this will be the year the animals will finally have a voice in court.
In the meantime, I was able to obtain additional information regarding "Bugs," the surviving primate from the Summer 2008 sedation disaster. As you may recall, two primates allegedly died the day they were sedated after being found laying in the hot sun. The third primate apparently died a slow death and expired the following morning without receiving vet care. Bugs was allegedly the survivor (record of events on file with Dr. Ehrlund's Vet Clinic).
This year, I believe in September 2008, Bugs became very ill. Apparently, he stopped eating, became dehydrated, his rear changed color from a light pink to a dark purple and appeared wrinkled. I learned he started urinating all over himself and as a result of the urnination, he developed a rash. I am still waiting confirmation of his current status.
I learned another lionness died in February 2008, cause unknown, but from what I could gather, a necropsy was performed and Dr. Erhlund had no idea how the lion died. The lion that died was approximately 5 years old and I do not have a name, but because of the age, I believe she may have been one of the lions that were raised with Amy (Growing Up Lion), for there used to be several lion cubs at the Leslie Road facility that arrived shortly after Amy was born at the ASUS/WAO. The cubs were all placed in the same enclosure located in the back part of the Leslie Road property between the cougars and the patas monkeys (see previously sent map for exact location).
Again, thank you very much for your concern for the ASUS/WAO animals, Dr. Gibbens -
Kindest Regards,
Kristina Brunner
January 7, 2009
I nearly had a heart attack when I read the article below...for the record, lies mixed with some truths are still lies.
From: USAPSPCA
To: editor@sanantoniolightning.com
Sent: 1/7/2009 5:57:56 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: PETA Errors Big Time
Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2009, 1:12 PM
Where are six primates sent from NYU to the WAO from PETA?
We at United States Animal Protection (“USAP”) recently received news that PETA sent primates to the Wild Animal Orphanage (the “WAO”), a sanctuary publicly known to abuse animals and cited for violations of the Animal Welfare Act dating back to 1999. There is also documentation proving that hundreds of animals are missing from the WAO. Dead and Missing from WAO: Read Here
This is a visible and well publicized case. The violations and missing animals attributed to the WAO are familiar allegations throughout the animal rights and rescue community. PETA knew better than to send animals to this facility. It is a common practice by the WAO to change the names from animal to animal so the animal cannot be tracked. Where are the six primates now?
For the last two and a half years USAP has worked to expose the violations at the WAO. Alleged violations include primates freezing to death, the loss of fingers and tails from freezing temperatures, inadequate vet care, improper housing and ventilation, and food unprotected against infestation and mold.
Tigers at WAO are also routinely classified as "aggressive" and then disappear without a trace.
The Texas State Attorney General is also investigating the WAO for misappropriation of funds. PETA was at Primarily Primates Inc. at the same time USAP was investigating the WAO. The sanctuaries were only miles apart.
PETA touts itself as an organization that goes undercover to expose animal cruelty. How could they miss something so evident and readily available to the public? This was not a victory for PETA nor was the so called sanctuary down the road, Primarily Primates, a case PETA initiated.
USAP offered heaters to the WAO when freezing temperatures hit San Antonio . Once again, the WAO refused to accept the heaters. Did they refuse the heaters to maintain their stance that the primates did not need a heat source and thereby avoid guilt?
The heaters, accepted by court appointed caretaker Lee Theisen-Watt, at Primarily Primates Inc., were greatly needed at the time. Primates reportedly froze to death prior to investigation by PETA at PPI. as well.
After looking at the primates’ dates of death and the temperatures at the time, it was clear that five primates perished by freezing to death at the WAO. This was reported by our whistle blower and we are aware others could have frozen to death as well at the WAO. Primates that had been shipped into the WAO were left in squeeze-back cages for months behind a shed in the freezing temperatures. These cages should only be used for shipping. Massive burial grounds were also revealed after we reported the WAO to the media and they did a fly over of the facility.
The investigation of the WAO began after an inside tip was called into USAP about a sixteen year old Chimpanzee dying at the WAO. USAP reported the violations to Dr. Pannil with the USDA and the inspection ensued several days later.
By the time the USDA gained entry to the facility, Amanda had died of what was diagnosed as peritonitis. The fact of the matter was Amanda had a mortal wound in her abdomen that most likely resulted from a bite wound. She was left untreated and died alone in her cage at the WAO. We were told by insiders her lifeless body was left in the yard outside her cage. She was discarded as if her life meant nothing and, apparently, her life meant nothing to the WAO director Carol Asvestas.
A representative from PETA called us at USAP and asked if we needed assistance with the WAO as we began our investigation. We declined. PETA was aware of the violations we had exposed. Not only had USAP made this case public but a simple internet search would have uncovered years of complaints by various employees as well as past and previous violations of the animal welfare act.
We at USAP felt the PPI.case was mishandled by PETA and chose to not accept assistance from this organization.
Locks rusted from time were finally removed from the cages by April Truitt from KY Primate Rescue, the cages were cleaned and the animals were left with better living conditions. In the end, the facility was turned back over to one of the previous partners. The State Attorney General of Texas was so appalled by the behavior of many of the PETA representatives that it most likely damaged both cases.
We still await the outcome of the investigation by the Texas State Attorney General.
After the WAO declined the offer of heaters from USAP during the coldest winter months, the USDA finally did make it mandatory that the WAO provide a heat source for the primates. The case with the USDA is still pending. Their are two locations of the WAO and the USDA is not always able to gain entrance to the facility that is not licensed under an exhibitor license.
PETA should never have approved any animal being sent to the WAO where known animal welfare violations were cited by the USDA and exposed by USAP.
PETA now states they had nothing to do with the transfer of the primates but their web page clearly advocates the transfer of animals to the WAO. (Click here for PETA website.) PETA could have stopped this transport instead of considering it a victory that animals were sent to a sanctuary as deplorable as the Wild Animal Orphanage.
We at United States Animal Protection request PETA to verify the condition, whereabouts, and living conditions of Wanda, Holly, Jada, Sophie, Samantha, and Lilly. USAP also requests an annual health and welfare check for each primate for every year of their natural life.
PETA should have offered a sanctuary with an impeccable reputation for the continued care of these six primates. They deserve more, after years of invasive brain experiments and the loneliness they have endured behind the bars of a laboratory cage.
Dawn Taylor Bechtold
President U.S. Animal Protection
President U.S. Animal Protection
USAPspca@aol.com
888-710-4184/ 404-797-4334
From: Kristina Brunner
Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 6:35 AM
To: Z
Subject: Re: stuff
Greetings Z:
Sorry to read about the dental trip...never fun is it? Anyhoo, the 2nd part of the story will be published on Friday. In the meantime, I'll send you tonight the 2006 and 2007 990 (complete docs) for publication, along with the eviction notice served to Carol at her "rental property" paid for by the animals. I'm willing to bet the board members knew nothing about this little event! I'll also include an audio of Carol with editor of the SA Lightning (about the missing pigs). If this could be placed under his pig story, that would be great!!!
I'll also be sending you some of the USDA/APHIS write-ups I have acquired thus far - with more to come, no doubt.
I'm sorry to hear about the server issue - yep time for a new one with all the heavy traffic you get per day!!! Hopefully, there are a lot of folks visiting the WAO page, need to get the truth out there before she acquires more animals.
Can you believe she charges a $3500 "donation" for monkeys and a $5,000 donation for wolf-hybrids... It is my understanding she took a a couple of dozen primates last year...that's a lot of money for primates not getting a new cage!!
I just wish this nightmare would end!! k
From: Kristina Brunner
Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 12:48 PM To: Z Subject: RE: stuff
|
Interesting email from RG today...
| From: | |
| Sent: | Thu 1/08/09 2:48 PM |
| To: richard g |
All I know is defendants reported they were burying monkeys with aids in shallow graves and the probationers were upset. It went up the chain of command and then we were told not to use the WAO for community service hours anymore. I think my friend had one of the probationers who knew all this and he is the son of the owner of the Culebra Meat Market.
From: Z
Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2009 9:05 PM To: ' REXANO@yahoogroups.com ' Subject: more WAO updates
NEW !
WAO Income Tax Statement - form 990 year 2007
WAO Income Tax Statement - form 990 year 2006
SNIP
2007
AUDIO: Carol and Ron Asvestas Explaining Missing Pigs 2007 NEW
|
January 22, 2009
Greetings Jeanette:
You can e-mail him at editor@sanantoniolightning.com.
I sure hope your added voice (I heard several other folks wrote him too) will sway him to do something either today or tomorrow... I'll keep my fingers crossed. I was able to reach him via phone and he told me not to worry, that he will do the 990 tax story...still waiting....
If you want to call him, he can also be reached at 210-733-1385. He usually picks up around the lunch time hour.
Anyhoo, good luck in contacting him - let me know if he responds!
Hugs,
Kris
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic transmission and any attachments constitute confidential information which is intended only for the named recipient(s) and may be legally privileged. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately. Any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action concerning the contents of this communication by anyone other than the named recipient(s) is strictly prohibited. Email addresses are confidential and should not be forwarded to anyone unless permission is granted from the sender. --- On Thu, 1/22/09, Jeannette Ferro <ksapigbutt@gmail.com> wrote: From: Jeannette Ferro
On Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 8:10 PM, Kristina Brunner wrote:
January 28, 2009
From: Laurie Russell
To: Animal Legal Defense Fund ; Kristina Brunner
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 6:36 PM
Subject: WAO
|
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