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Death and Lies on Day One of the 2012 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo

Exclusive SHARK Videotape

SHARK has arrived in Cheyenne, Wyoming, for the 2012 Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) Rodeo. We will be here for the next two weeks documenting the horror, violence, and death that is part and parcel of this brutal rodeo.

On the first day of the rodeo, yesterday, Wednesday, July 18, two calves and three steers were so badly injured that they had to be carted away from the arena. There were more injuries as well.

This steer was the fifth victim of the day to be carted away. This animal had his right rear leg broken, and the break was clearly audible across the arena. Riders responded, but were kept away by the timed event judge, who chooses to allow the victim to suffer long enough for the contestant to get a score.

City Attorney Warns Rodeo Stock Contractor in Response to SHARK's Advocacy Efforts

SHARK videotaped bulls being repeatedly shocked

Last August, SHARK Investigator Michael Kobliska attended the Olmsted County Fair Rodeo in Rochester, MN and video-documented a stock contractor, Talton Toney, repeatedly shocking stanchioned bulls with a variety of electric devices. See SHARK's video footage below. SHARK took the video-footage and filed a complaint of animal cruelty with the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office. The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office declined to file charges. But that was not the end of the matter. SHARK continued to pursue animal cruelty charges against Mr. Toney by reaching out directly to the Rochester City Attorney's Office. Over the course of the following months, SHARK's attorney provided additional information to the Rochester City Attorney's Office and worked to encourage the office to press animal cruelty charges against Mr. Toney and his company, T&C Rodeo Company.

Last month, the Rochester City Attorney's Office concluded its investigation of this matter and although the office declined to press charges, it did send Mr. Toney a clear message that his conduct at the Olmsted County Fair Rodeo was unacceptable, and that it would not tolerate such behavior in the future. In fact, the Rochester City Attorney's Office sent Mr. Toney the following letter, telling him to "review your practices and assure that this type of animal handling does not occur again" and warning him that "[i]f there is evidence of similar animal handling that occurs in this jurisdiction in the future, my office will likely bring criminal charges against anyone involved in such conduct. Click here to read the complete letter.

While we certainly would have preferred criminal charges in this matter, we are pleased that the Rochester City Attorney's Office responded to SHARK's animal cruelty complaint with the seriousness it deserves," states SHARK's attorney Lisa White. SHARK fully intends to be at this year's Olmsted County Fair Rodeo and if we see Mr. Toney or any other animal handler shocking stanchioned bulls or engaging in any other type of cruel behavior, we will not hesitate to again pursue animal cruelty charges with the Rochester City Attorney's Office.

Call Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and Ask Him to Veto the Legislation to Repeal Prop B (Puppy Mills) - Even if you Aren't from Missouri

In November 2010, 997,870 voters voted "Yes" on Proposition B to provide these basic provisions to the victims of the puppy mills.

· Access to water and sufficient food

· Prohibit the stacking of cages and use of wire flooring

· Sets exposure limits to Missouri's extreme temperatures

· Provides annual veterinary check-ups - many dogs never see a vet their entire miserable life

· Provides for exercise - most dogs are never allowed to leave their tiny cage unless being taken out to be killed because their reproduction rate has dropped

· Limits the frequency of breeding instead of the industry standard of continuous breeding cycle after cycle

· Increases the penalties from Class A misdemeanor to Class C misdemeanor and even that isn't as severe as it should be

Outrageously, the puppy millers have persuaded the Senate of Missouri to pass Senate Bill 113, which would completely gut the protections of Prop B for the suffering dogs of puppy mills. A similar attempt is underway in the House and will be sent to Governor Nixon's desk within days.

FactsOnB.mov

Take Action!

Please call Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and politely and respectfully ask him to veto the legislation to repeal Prop B, even if you are not from Missouri. You can also go to the Governor's website and send him the message there!

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon's Office
Phone: (573) 751-3222
EMAIL

MAJOR UNDERCOVER OPERATION by SHARK EXPOSES HORRIFIC CRUELTY at BERKS COUNTY LIVE PIGEON SHOOT

Pigeon Shoot Death Pile (Wing Pointe luxury resort)

For the past year, SHARK has been fighting against live pigeon shoots in PA. And while our focus has been on shoots held by private gun clubs such as the ones held at the Philadelphia Gun Club, Erdman Sportsman's Association and Pike Township Sportsmen's Association, there was one place the shooters thought themselves safe: the Wing Pointe commercial hunting grounds in Hamburg, PA.

Self-described as being "Resort Luxury for the Sport Shooting Enthusiast," this last bastion of pigeon shooting cruelty thought themselves immune to the public scrutiny that has engulfed the other shoots. But that all ended this past Sunday as SHARK's "Octocopter" - a remote controlled flying machine, with it's high-tech video camera, recorded their terrible cruelty for the world to see.

As barbaric as the shoot itself was, what SHARK discovered the next day was truly monstrous: Wing Pointe dumped the pigeons they had shot into a large pile, but not all of the pigeons were dead; three wounded but still living birds were found amongst the corpse pile.

What we found was a complete nightmare. Hundreds of dead birds, dumped like garbage, yet within this mound of death and cruelty were three sparks of life. Two did not survive, but one did and is receiving medical care. What Wing Pointe did was not just vile and immoral, but we believe illegal, and we are going to ask District Attorney John Adams to hold them accountable under the law for that.

D.A. Adams, who has received campaign donations from pigeon shooters, has previously directly interfered with and killed any attempt to have cruelty citations filed against pigeon shoots. If he uses his power to kill this complaint, we will expose this injustice and hold him to public condemnation.

Take Action!

Watch the video of SHARK's rescue of a pigeon from the death pile and then call and write Governor Ed Rendell and Governor-Elect Tom Corbett. Demand that they take action!

And let Corbett know that SHARK is going to continue to expose pigeon shoots and that these filthy acts will haunt his administration.

Both Rendell and Corbett will most likely answer that they can't do anything. False. They are the most powerful men in the state who hold extraordinary power, especially Corbett who is Pennsylvania's top lawman.

Tell them that it's long past time for them to stop bowing to the NRA and do their job!

Governor Edward G. Rendell's Office
Phone: (717) 787-2500
Fax: (717) 772-8284
EMAIL

Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett
Phone:717-787-3391
Fax:717-787-8242
EMAIL

The Heat is on Troy Gentry for Killing a Tame Bear!

The scandalous video SHARK released of country musician Troy Gentry killing a tame bear has literally exploded across the internet; in less than one week it's been viewed more than 50,000 times on our YouTube channel. It's also been carried on numerous other websites and been picked up in newspapers and on TV across the country. Here are just some of the stories:

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune

ABC News

CBS (Minnesota)

NBC (Kentucky)*VIDEO*

Google News

E! Online

AOL News

countrymusictattletale.com

TROY GENTRY TAME BEAR KILLING VIDEO RELEASED!

Country musician's disgrace now on YouTube for the world to see

Click HERE to read the entire press release

Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) waged and won a three-year battle (including a victorious federal lawsuit) against the US Fish and Wildlife Service that forced the federal government to turn over the videotape of Gentry’s canned hunt killing. October 25, 2010, SHARK released that video on YouTube so that Gentry’s killing of an innocent bear can be seen by everyone.

Cubby the Tame Bear

When Troy Gentry, of the country music duo Montgomery Gentry, pled guilty to a crime resulting from the horrendous slaughter of a tame bear inside a one-acre electrified enclosure, he probably thought that everyone would soon forget about his cowardly and dishonorable act. He was wrong.

“Once you watch this video, you will see proof of how loathsome and revolting a human being can be,” states Steve Hindi, President of SHARK. “Troy Gentry’s actions are vile; he is a coward and a liar and he mercilessly slaughtered a beautiful animal who’s only fault was that he was worth more dead to his owner than alive.”

Troy Gentry Kills Tame Bear and Lies About It, Part 1

Troy Gentry's Cruel Bear Kill Exposed, Prosecuted, Part 2

Olmsted County Fair Rodeo Exposed

August 2, 2010 at the Olmsted County Fair Rodeo in Rochester, MN. The person doing most of the shocking is Talton Toney of the T&C Pro Rodeo Company out of Lamoni, Iowa.

What he is doing violates not only the Cowboy's Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA ) rules, but Minnesota State Law as well.

Most major rodeos have banned shocking. Rodeos like the Greeley Stampede, Omaha Round-up, San Antonio Rodeo, the National Finals Rodeo, and even the notoriously cruel Cheyenne Frontier Days.

MN State law: MN Statute 343.20 defines cruelty as: every act, omission, or neglect which causes or permits unnecessary or unjustifiable pain, suffering, or death.

Applying electricity to animals strictly for entertainment purposes most certainly is causing unjustifiable and unnecessary pain.

2010 CFD Concludes - Countless Animals Injured

It comes as no surprise that the 2010 CFD rodeo injured and possibly killed untold numbers of animals - all for the amusement of the spectators and to line the pockets of unethical corporations like American Airlines and the Bank of the West. Everyone knows animals will die, but that doesn't stop the rodeo thugs and the greedy corporations from continuing with this spectacle of cruelty.

Below are just some of the abuses that SHARK's cameras documented:

College Rodeo Exposed!

Cruel College National Rodeo Finals Exposed for Secretly Shocking Horses

An animal rights group posted a video on YouTube on Thursday showing three scenes of a man covertly shocking what appears to be two different horses to force them to buck during Thursday's performance of the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper.

"They claim [horses] are born to buck," said Steve Hindi, president of Showing Animals Respect and Kindness, or SHARK. "They are not," Hindi said.

You can read the entire article here

Cruelty Charges Filed Against Gun Club!

A court-appointed Humane Society officer from Dauphin County filed an animal cruelty citation Thursday against Philadelphia Gun Club in Bensalem.

Johnna Seeton of the Pennsylvania Legislative Animal Network said she believes pigeon shoots at the Philadelphia Gun Club violate state animal cruelty laws. Yet pigeon shoots are legal in Pennsylvania.
You can read the entire article here

Clear Channel Kills Anti-Pigeon Shoot Billboard the Day it is to Go Up!

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Reason Given? To Protect PA Attorney General Tom Corbett

Click here to read the entire update.

SHARK Shuts Down Slaughter for 2 Hours!

Wednesday, February 4th, 2010

"Next time we'll shut them down all day"

Dear Friends,

Television icon and animal activist Bob Barker's recent one million dollar donation to SHARK took vivid form for the cowardly pigeon killers of the Philadelphia Gun Club last Saturday. Shortly after they began their slaughter, a boat pulled up just off their shoreline. That boat was SHARK's latest move to stop the illegal killing.

Click here to read the entire update.

Victory in Oklahoma!!!

Cruel Prison Rodeo Shut Down

For 69 years, McAlester has hosted the annual Oklahoma State Penitentiary Prison Rodeo, held in an arena behind prison walls at Oklahoma State Penitentiary.

Now, the decision to cancel this year’s rodeo has left many of those involved saying they are disappointed and frustrated.

Despite what the rodeo apologists say, we believe SHARK's video of unspeakable cruelty at the Oklahoma Prison rodeo is what sparked the cancellation.

You can read the entire article Here

Bob Barker donates $1 million to save PA pigeons!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

A TV icon is taking a stand for the pigeons of Pennsylvania.

Bob Barker, the former game show host and one of the nation's most generous animal philanthropists, has donated $1 million to stop pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania and says he will be joining protesters outside a Bensalem gun club where shoots are being held regularly.

Barker said the donation will go to SHARK, an Illinois-based animal activist organization dedicated to putting a stop to these shoots.

Click here to read the entire article.

Pigeon Shooters Practice their "Three Cs" - Cruelty, Crime, Cowardice

First assailant - Robert Butchkavitz

It has long been known that those who abuse animals are likely to abuse humans as well. That has been well-proven over the past few weeks at Pennsylvania pigeon shoots.

On October 18th Steve Hindi was documenting a pigeon shoot at the misnamed Pike Township "Sportsman's" Club when he was assaulted. The cowardly killer's attack was completely unprovoked. Apparently, because Pennsylvania allows these twisted excuses for human beings to commit the wholesale slaughter of birds, they think they can do it to people, too.

Click here to see pictures of the pigeon killers including actual videotape of SHARK Investigators being assaulted!

PRCA Announcer Throckmorton Lies to Fans

Rodeo Announcer Claims Alliance with Humane Group at Steer Roping Finals

On November 13th and 14th, 2009 at the PRCA’s National Finals Steer Roping in Guthrie, OK while injured animals were being removed from the arena, rodeo announcer Charlie Throckmorton falsely claimed the following:

"We work in complete harmony with the American Humane Association."
Mr. Throckmorton’s claim is an outright lie.

After learning of the claim, the American Humane Association issued the following statement:

"The rodeo announcer completely misspoke. The American Humane Association has no formal relationship or working arrangement at all with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, nor have we ever given permission for or approval of such an announcement. We do not monitor the activities at rodeos and we do not have any oversight of rodeo events."

Read the entire update HERE

Rodeo not wanted back in New Mexico

National High School Finals Rodeo told to go someplace else

The Tres Rios High School Rodeo Association on Tuesday voted to not invite the National High School Finals Rodeo to return in 2014, citing the national association's lack of concern for the losses communities incurred hosting the event.

You can read the entire article Here

DeNicola/White Buffalo accused of cruel methods

Great article in the November 15th, 2009 Toledo Blade exposing DeNicola and his deer killing company.

White Buffalo was at the center of controversy when SHARK filmed the 2004 undercover video footage near Akron, just as it has been in several other states where it has culled deer, such as California, New Jersey, Missouri, Texas, Virginia, Minnesota, and Maine.

You can read the entire article Here

PRCA Inducted into EFF Hall of Shame!

For filing false copyright claims against SHARK videos

(Click below to enlarge)

You can read the entire list at the Electronic Frontier Foundation's website: Here

Listen to Steve Hindi on the Radio

Bullfighting, Steer Tailing, and Rodeo Cruelty Discussed

Great Article from Change.org

Are American Rodeos More Acceptable Than Spanish Bullfighting?

Check out this great posting about rodeo cruelty from Stephanie Ernst that came across Change.org.

"Helloooo, American arrogance and blindness. The very premise is that rodeos are somehow a more humane alternative to bullfighting, that those silly Spanish need wise Americans to show them how to exploit and injure animals humanely. Um, no."

"American rodeos are taking advantage and trying to convince other nations that our forms of cruelty and killing are superior."

Read the article for yourself here.

Update - Anthony DeNicola Settles

Pays SHARK $17,500!

It has taken over five years and an approaching trial, but Anthony DeNicola and his White Buffalo group of animal serial killers have finally seen the light, and offered SHARK a settlement $17,500 for purposely and illegally deleting SHARK's video recorders at a government deer slaughter in the Metro Parks. With a trial date approaching, Mr. DeNicola apparently realized that he was going to be very publicly excoriated before the world.

Read the entire update HERE

NRA Supports Puppy Mills

How supporting cruel puppy mills relates to hunting is a mystery

First the National Rifle Association is caught supporting the last backwater in the Union to still allow pigeon shoots. They are lobbying hard to keep this ridiculous excuse for a sport alive in Pennsylvania. Why would the NRA support inhumane pigeon shooting when every thinking person sees it for the cruel exercise in killing for the sake of killing that it is? There is no sport involved. The Lebanon Daily News says that Pigeon Shoots are "diametrically opposed to the philosophy of hunting". See for yourself - you can check out an NRA-ILA "Action Alert" on the issue here.

And now the NRA is are supporting puppy mills. What could puppy mills have to do with the Second Amendment? Are hunters that desperate to find dogs that they need the worst of the worst breeders to remain in business? What hunter could support the type of breeder that this bill would outlaw? Most of the hunters I know claim to have respect for life and laws - it seems they should be the first to want these inhumane hell holes closed up for good.

You can read some of the NRA's Puppy Mill "Alerts" for yourself right here. And here.

Want to Lose a Small Fortune?

Host a Rodeo!

First the National High School Rodeo Association Finals was exposed for its cruelty. Now the local towns that were supposedly going to benefit economically from the Finals are reporting a LOSS of $225,000. In typical rodeo propaganda fashion, rodeo supporters are attempting to paint this major loss as a positive, claiming that they are happy they didn't lose more! Leave it to rodeo people to portray this big expensive cow pie as a tasty treat. They even claim to still be open to hosting the event again, even after losing all that taxpayer cash.
Here is an excerpt from The Farmington Daily Times:
AZTEC - The Tres Rios High School Rodeo Association during a meeting Monday estimated that hosting the National High School Finals Rodeo in July put local governments approximately $225,000 in the red.
To read the complete story, click here.

High School Rodeo under investigation for animal abuse!
Videos from SHARK's 2009 investigation are up on YouTube and you can read the newspaper article HERE.

Horse Killed at 2009 Lake County, IL Rodeo
"A horse participating in the Lake County Fair's rodeo was injured and had to be euthanized Saturday night, fair officials said.

For more information please visit the Daily Herald

Horse Killed, Other Animal Casualties at 2009 Cheyenne Rodeo
For more information, pictures, and videotape please visit ShameOnCheyenne.com

4th animal, 3rd Horse, Dies at Stampede

"A veterinarian determined that the horse, from the Ray Mitsuing chuckwagon team, died of a heart attack.

It's the fourth animal to die this year at the Stampede, and the third chuckwagon horse."

You can read the full story here: 4th animal dies at Stampede
3rd Death - Calgary Stampede euthanizes steer after rodeo injury

Yet more killing in Calgary in the name of "entertainment". And of course the immediate clownish 30-second faux "investigation" finds no fault with anyone.

"The Calgary Stampede had to euthanize a steer after it suffered a spinal injury while being wrestled to the ground during rodeo competition Thursday."

"...the death has been ruled an accident by the Stampede and no further investigation will be undertaken."

You can read the full story here: Calgary Stampede euthanizes steer after rodeo injury
Calgary Stampede race results in 2nd horse death

Proving yet again that rodeo animals are considered nothing but props to be used and thrown away by the rodeo, the Calgary rodeo killed yet another horse last night in their deadly and idiotic "chuckwagon race".
"During the third heat of the GMC Rangeland Derby on Tuesday night, a seven-year-old horse owned by Barry Hodgson broke its front left leg and collapsed. A Stampede veterinarian then euthanized the horse, named Art, on the track in front of thousands of spectators."

You can read the disgusting story here:
Calgary Stampede race results in 2nd horse death

Humane Rodeos Do Not Exist

Ever wonder what a Veterinarian who isn't on the payroll of the rodeo thinks about the way animals are treated at rodeos? Now is your chance to find out in this great opinion piece by Dr. Eugene Aversa that appeared in the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper.
Thank you for speaking out Dr Aversa!

Humane Rodeos Do Not Exist

Think Rodeo Doesn't Need Corporate Welfare? Guess Again.

Rodeos like to portray themselves as being rugged and self-sufficient. They claim to be true pioneers that can survive without any handouts. But back in the real world, nothing could be further from the truth.

Check out this newspaper article describing the rodeo panhandling that is taking place in Marshall, MN. The rodeo even set out cardboard cowboys to beg for money around town to collect their welfare. "Coins for Cowboys" they call it.
In addition, there was a very telling quote in the article. SHARK has said for years that rodeo only exists because of the corporate handouts they receive and here is further proof. Check out this quote: "tickets sales make up about "one-third of our revenue."
That sounds about right to us, rodeos would close up tomorrow if corporate America quit subsidizing this animal abuse. This is why it is so very important to let your opinion be known to the Coca-Colas and Wranglers of this world.
Click here to read the full article and see a picture of the begging cowboys

The response to CFD’s ban on video cameras at the Cheyenne Frontier Days' rodeo as been fast and overwhelmingly negative for the rodeo. The AP has now picked up on the story and it's appearing in newspaper after newspaper, far too many to list here. Here are some of the original stories:

CFD's Policy on Video Cams Won't Work
Wyoming Tribune Eagle Editorial

Rodeo bucks video at Frontier Days
Activists allege Frontier Days' ban is intended to prevent images of hurt animals.

Going to a rodeo? Ixnay on the video
Yes, that includes your cell phone. CFD has banned video cameras at all rodeos, including slack. Animal rights group SHARK says the ban is an attempt to conceal animal abuse.

Is Cheyenne Frontier Days' video ban meant to prevent brutal footage like this?
Denver Blogger

Cheyenne Frontier Days Bans Video Cameras
Animal Rights Group Says Ban Will Block Internet Videos of Animal Abuse

What is CFD so afraid of? Watch one of SHARK's video exposés of the cruelty at Cheyenne HERE.

If you are in Rodeo and would like to Stand Up, Speak Out, and Be Counted…Now is your chance.

Are you someone who loves rodeo but have witnessed animal mistreatment at rodeos first hand? Do you care about the treatment of rodeo animals? Are you tired of some of the abuse that people commit in your name?

As a rodeo supporter, do you find PRCA steer roping to be offensive? Are you tired of seeing calves jerked down and animals shocked and other abuse?
Are you tired of seeing entertainers withdraw from rodeos venues because of cruelty concerns?

Do you have a desire to clean up rodeo and expose the bad elements?
Now is your chance to tell the world what you have witnessed. Your identity can be kept completely secret.

You know how corruption works. People aren’t going to go away voluntarily, you are going to have to cut them out. You are going to have to expose them.

If you, or someone you know in the rodeo industry, have witnessed animal abuse and corruption, and would like to speak about what you have seen, please contact SHARK ASAP at rodeowhistleblower@yahoo.com

SHARK Victory!

PRCA to Pay SHARK $25,000 for Wrongful YouTube Takedown Requests!

A rodeo association has agreed to pay $25,000 to an animal welfare group to settle a lawsuit over the improper removal of videos from YouTube that showed roped calves being dragged off to die and tasers being used on tame horses to get them to buck. Read all about it here.