PETA

Dear Myra,

As a caring supporter, you know that no animal should ever suffer for anyone's entertainment. For more than three decades, PETA has often been the only voice speaking out for chimpanzees, elephants, orcas, and other animals condemned to hellish roadside tourist traps, cruel circuses, and other places where they are forced to endure constant confinement and threats of abuse. I'd like to share with you three recent stories that are terrific examples of how we're gaining new ground in our efforts to stop the abuse and exploitation of animals in the name of entertainment.

For years, PETA has been working to shut down James "Mike" Casey, a notorious chimpanzee exhibitor and abuser with a long history of poor animal care who makes his living from exploiting three young chimpanzees named Kenzy, Hannah, and Bentley. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) records have documented his numerous violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), including failing to provide juvenile chimpanzees with proper care and failing to have safe and sanitary enclosures. A USDA inspector even determined that Casey had punched Kenzy for "misbehaving" and threw a cup of hot water at one of the chimpanzees for the same reason.

It appears now that Casey's cruel history is finally catching up with him. In June, a second Nevada county barred him from keeping chimpanzees after PETA provided local officials with information about his history of abuse. Earlier this month, this same county moved to deny permits to an associate of Casey's to keep two chimpanzees. In late August, officials in Florida arrested Casey after catching him unlawfully trying to unload three chimpanzees at a roadside zoo and charged him with possessing chimpanzees without a permit, not carrying the required insurance, and unlawful and improper transport of wildlife. We're now urging the USDA to investigate Casey's attempt to sell chimpanzees in Florida without the requisite AWA license, and we're working to have the three long-suffering chimpanzees retired to a reputable sanctuary.

Last week, the City Council of West Hollywood, California, unanimously passed an ordinance banning circuses and other entertainment acts involving wild and exotic animals from appearing in the city. This is a significant victory for elephants and other exotic animals who are frequently beaten or physically intimidated into performing in circuses and other traveling animal acts. As you can tell by its name, West Hollywood—which has also enacted a ban on the sale of fur—is in the heart of America's film and television industry, and this new ban sends a clear message that cruelty to animals is never entertaining.

You may remember that in 2011, PETA filed a lawsuit against SeaWorld on behalf of five wild-caught orcas seeking a declaration that they are slaves and subjected to involuntary servitude in violation of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This landmark case also sought the release of all five orcas into a more appropriate environment, such as a coastal sanctuary. Although the court didn't apply the 13th Amendment to the orcas in this case, the importance of the suit's filing can't be denied. In fact, at the time, Harvard University law professor and constitutional scholar Laurence H. Tribe said, "People may well look back on this lawsuit and see in it a perceptive glimpse into a future of greater compassion for species other than our own." I encourage you to read the new article from the legal team behind this groundbreaking lawsuit. It examines the basis for the suit, the court's opinion, and how this suit may represent a significant step in the fight for freedom for orcas and other animals abused for entertainment.

It seems like almost every week there is a new victory in PETA's fight to stop the cruel exploitation of animals for "entertainment." Through your compassion and continued support, I'm sure there will be many more to come in the months and years ahead. Thank you!

Kind regards,
Ingrid Newkirk

Ingrid E. Newkirk
President

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