IDA eNews: 12/05/07

Guardian of the Month for December - Elaine Hendrix
Victory: Final Four Murphy Horses Safe At Last
Urge Congress to cosponsor the Protect America's Wildlife (PAW) Act
IDA Releases Report on Elephant Herpesvirus
IDA Prompts Fish and Wildlife Service to Investigate Illegal Sale of Elephants


IDA's Guardian of the Month for December - Elaine Hendrix
Actress, activist, and IDA celebrity spokesperson is a superstar for animals

IDA's Guardian of the Month for December 2007 is the multi-talented Elaine Hendrix ( http://www.elainehendrix.com ) -- film and television actress, singer/songwriter, author, dancer, movie producer, and animal rights activist. If you've seen films like Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romy_and_Michele's_High_School_Reunion ), The Parent Trap ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Parent_Trap_%281998_film%29 ), Superstar ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstar_(film) ), or What the Bleep Do We Know? ( http://www.whatthebleep.com/ ), then you know that Elaine is an accomplished actress with real screen presence. Her illustrious television credits include two years recurring on the critically-acclaimed CBS series Joan of Arcadia ( http://www.joanofarcadia.com/ ) and guest-star roles on such hit shows as CSI ( http://www.cbs.com/primetime/csi/ ), ER ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ER_%28TV_series%29 ), Ghost Whisperer ( http://www.cbs.com/primetime/ghost_whisperer/ ), and many others. She also enjoys belting out her own blend of "dance-infused Southern Rock" that incorporates influences as diverse as Patty Griffin and Madonna. But this movie star and musician is at least as passionate about helping animals.

Though she now spends most of her time in Hollywood, Elaine's most recent public performance was at a Fur Free Friday event she organized in her home state of Tennessee. Donning a pair of pink rabbit ears and holding a sign that read "Honk if you love animals" while hopping like a bunny, she had no trouble getting smiles from drivers cruising past the West Town Mall in Knoxville. "So many people love animals," she says, "If they knew that millions of rabbits spend their entire lives in crowded, filthy cages before being skinned to make fur trim for jackets, they wouldn't buy clothing made from fur. Instead, they would adopt rabbits from their local shelters."

A lifelong animal lover, Elaine had rabbit companions as a young girl...as well as dogs, cats, hamsters, turtles, fish, and birds. Growing up around members of other species, she appreciates that each one has a unique personality and intrinsic value as an individual. She is currently the proud guardian of two dogs (Rossmore and Tiloc) and two cats (Goodie Cornbread and Kimbo) who she says "are like my children, except that they will never grow up, and always be dependent on me. Being a guardian is a serious commitment, but definitely worth it. They enrich my life with joy, comfort, and endless fascination, and I believe my love and care enriches their lives."

Using her celebrity and talent to help animals is something that Elaine does both on and off stage. "I have rescued animals, petitioned, picketed, and fundraised to help them, and filmed and photographed for them," she says. "Just recently, I was discussing wardrobe for an event I'm hosting and I said I would prefer to pick my own clothes because I won't wear clothes made by designers who use fur. And the response was, 'Cool.' A couple of weeks ago I took a petition banning gestation crates and battery cages in California ( http://humanecalifornia.org/ ) to an audition, and several other actresses happily signed it. I do what I can when I can, but no matter what, I take some online action every single day."

As a new celebrity spokesperson for IDA, Elaine has big plans on the horizon to help animals even more with a new anti-fur campaign in 2008. She will be hosting a legendary bingo event ( http://www.legendarybingo.com ) for IDA on January 16th in West Hollywood with prizes and auction items. "I am definitely a 'get involved' type of person," she says. "If I can help show people what is being done to animals and that there are all kinds of ways that they can help, then I can help stop the violence and abuse. I believe the good always outweighs the bad and love truly does conquer all, but we live in times of turmoil. People who care about animals can make the world and their lives better each and every day by embodying compassion for every being -- human and non-human."

2008 is shaping up to be one of Elaine's strongest years yet. Watch for her in Eye of the Beholder, Hallmark's latest installment in Lea Thompson's Jane Doe movie series ( http://www.bttf.com/index.php?/weblog/more/hallmark_fast_tracks_more_jane_doe/ ). Airing later in the year on ABC Family Channel is funny friend Margaret Cho's Two Sisters, for which Cho wrote a role specifically for Elaine. In addition to her Hollywood activities, Elaine's first contribution as a published author can be found in the newly released book Voices of Breast Cancer ( http://www.powells.com/biblio/2-9781934184028-0 ), which benefits The Healing Project. To learn more about Elaine Hendrix, visit her website, elainehendrix.com ( http://www.elainehendrix.com ).


Victory: Final Four Murphy Horses Safe At Last
Long-suffering Boulder equines will go to new homes in Arizona

We are happy to report that the last four Peruvian Paso horses "owned" and bred by Mike Murphy in Colorado are finally out of his hands forever. In our June 13th eNews ( http://www.idausa.org/campaigns/arizona/alert_070613.htm ), we reported that IDA and other horse advocates and volunteers successfully saved 11 out of 15 horses who had suffered years of horrific neglect. Yet four horses remained in Murphy's possession for months, and may have still if IDA's Rita Anderson hadn't been persistent and watchful.

In May, Murphy had violated his probation by moving the four horses to another county. Unwilling to let these horses languish in his hands while authorities turned a blind eye, Rita Anderson prodded Boulder County Animal Control and the Deputy District Attorney (DDA) to take appropriate action. Murphy was finally ordered back to court on July 23.

Anderson and others repeatedly asked for a harsh sentence, including stiff fines and jail time. However, the DDA and Murphy's lawyer entered a plea bargain, so the defendant was found guilty of only one out of ten counts of probation violation and paid a minimal fine. However, as part of the agreement, he was required to sell the remaining four horses within 90 days and was not allowed to "own" or care for any horses for the duration of his probation.

Near the end of October, Rita followed up and learned that the horses were still in Murphy's name and he was still in charge of their care. After numerous phone calls and visits to local officials, she convinced them to investigate further. When word reached Murphy that authorities were investigating, he quietly signed the four horses over to a co-worker, a non-English speaking immigrant who didn't own a car and lived about 10 miles from the property where the horses were kept. When initially contacted by authorities, she was surprised to learn that she legally "owned" four horses. It appears that Murphy thought that if he had a piece of paper showing someone else as the legal "owner," he could simply have them signed back over to him when his probation was up.

Although Murphy's co-worker obviously cared for the horses, she soon realized that the expense and commitment of caring for them was far beyond her capacity. Wanting to do the best for the horses, she agreed to sign them over to Rita Anderson and Dr. Pat Haight of the Conquistador Equine Rescue and Advocacy Program.

When Murphy learned that a warrant had been issued for his arrest, and the court had set a $5,000 bond for probation violations and "attempting to defraud the court by means of a sham sale of the horses," he disappeared from the area. Even though he is now on the run from the law, the four horses who suffered so much under his lack of care are finally out of his hands for good and will enjoy a second chance at life with their new guardians.

Rita wants to warmly thank and recognize those very special individuals who helped to make this second horse rescue effort successful!

- Dr. Pat Haight of the Conquistador Equine Rescue and Advocacy Program obtained crucial grant funding from PetSmart Charities and Best Friends for the care of the previously rescued 11 horses, and is now working to get additional funds to cover veterinary, transportation, and other costs for the final four. She has already found homes for them in Arizona.

- Julie Hillyard of Hawkhill Ranch was responsible for alerting IDA to the 15 horses' plight in April. Since then, she has been integral in providing vast quantities of hay, securing the horses' safety, transporting them and fostering them at Hawkhill Ranch. They will stay there for approximately two months until they can travel to their final destination in Arizona into the waiting hands of Dr. Haight and the Conquistador Program.

- Colorado Horse Rescue housed, fed, and cared for the stallion, Capitaz, while waiting for the weather to clear up sufficiently so the four horses could go to their temporary foster home in the mountains of Colorado. It was determined by all involved that it was imperative that Capitaz, who had suffered so much, go to a sheltered facility as soon as possible.

- Jay Hearst, who willingly helped with his truck and trailer to transport Capitaz to Colorado Horse Rescue.

- Ann, Monica, and Nate, neighbors of the horse property in Larimer County, provided critical updates on the horses' conditions, and helped feed and water them. The loving bond Monica formed with these untrained horses made it possible for her to get them into a small pen so they could easily and safely be loaded on the trailer.

- Everyone who contacted the DDA and urged him to prosecute Murphy to the fullest extent of the law. Your support helped convince him to issue the Motion to Revoke Probation that sent Murphy on the lam.

- Murphy's co-worker, who cared enough about the well-being of the horses to sign them over so they could be properly cared for.

Rita is overwhelmed with joy and relief to know that all of the horses are now safe. "Often, to get things done you have to be tenacious, insistent, and persistent every step of the way," she says. "Even though the first 11 horses were rescued in May, these remaining four have weighed heavily on my mind and heart since then. But thanks to everyone who so willingly worked together, we were able to make a difference for them. I can't describe the happiness I feel knowing they will forever be cared for and loved."


Tell Congress to Ban Aerial Gunning of Wolves
Canine-slaughtering season in Alaska to open soon

As part of their "predator control program," the State of Alaska has already started issuing permits for the aerial gunning of wolves ( http://www.idausa.org/campaigns/wildlife/alaskan_wolf.html ), so this year's aerial hunting season could start any day now and hundreds of wolves could die. But we could stop the massacre from above if Congress passes H.R.3663, The Protect America's Wildlife Act (or PAW Act).

This bill, introduced by Representative George Miller (D-CA) ( http://www.house.gov/georgemiller/ ), would help end aerial gunning by requiring wildlife officials to provide scientific evidence that "legitimate biological and other emergencies" necessitate such lethal action. So far, 29 Members of Congress have signed on to cosponsor the PAW Act, but it needs more support in order to pass. You can help end Alaska's animal abuse by urging your federal Representative in Congress to support
H.R.3663.

What You Can Do:

- Call your Representative's Washington, D.C. office (get contact info - http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/leg-lookup/search.tcl ) and urge him or her to cosponsor the PAW Act. For best results, ask to be connected with the staff member who handles wildlife issues, and say something like this:

"My name is (YOUR NAME) and I am a constituent calling from (YOUR CITY) to urge Representative (NAME) to cosponsor H.R.3663, the Protect America's Wildlife Act or PAW Act. This bill would clarify the existing federal law against aerial hunting, and prevent hundreds of wolves in Alaska from being needlessly and cruelly shot to death from airplanes. Thank you."

- Then take action ( %takeaction-pawact2% ) to ask your Representative to co-sponsor the PAW Act. Also follow up with a polite phone call, email, fax, or letter. Get contact info for your elected officials ( http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/leg-lookup/search.html ).

- Watch a ten-minute video on YouTube called "The Truth About Aerial Hunting of Wolves in Alaska" ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Mu_rqmFpL8 ) to learn more.


IDA Releases Report on Elephant Herpesvirus
Deadly virus is caused by mixing Asian and African elephants in captivity

A relatively recently discovered disease, the Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV), is having a deadly impact on Asian elephants in zoos. Little is known about the disease or its transmission. However, what is known is that one form of the virus crosses species, jumping from African to Asian elephants, infecting mainly young Asians with a disease so lethal it kills nearly all of its victims.

While African elephants have also died from a form of EEHV (two reported deaths), this report focuses on Asian elephants, as this species is most gravely affected by the disease in zoos and overwhelmingly represents the greatest number of deaths.

The transmission of the virus from African to Asian elephants can be directly attributed to the unnatural conditions in which elephants are held in zoos, where the two distinct species have been held together though they never would be found together in the wild.

Despite the tragic consequences of the disease, the zoo industry has failed to take concrete action to stop its spread and protect the population of elephants living in North American zoos. Zoos recklessly continue to breed Asian elephants, even those facilities most severely impacted by the disease, and the continued transfer of Asian elephants between zoos potentially carries the deadly virus to elephants in even more zoos. The result of the zoo industry's inaction has been the suffering and unnecessary deaths of young Asian elephants and a high rate of stillbirths.

In light of the zoo industry's failure to take decisive action to protect elephants, In Defense of Animals is calling for an end to the breeding of Asian elephants and all transfers of Asian elephants between zoos.

Read IDA's report ( http://www.helpelephantsinzoos.com/eehv.html ).


IDA Prompts Fish and Wildlife Service to Investigate Illegal Sale of Elephants
Take Action to urge FWS and the USDA to send Tina and Jewel to a sanctuary

Tina and Jewel are Asian elephants in their early forties who have endured lives of hardship and abuse traveling with the Cole Brothers Circus. They were ordered off the road by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) this past March, following many months of being observed to be looking gaunt, sick, and broken. The USDA expressed concern at that time that travel would do further damage to their already precarious health and that the public health was potentially threatened by their undiagnosed condition. They were transported to an unauthorized facility in Leggett, Tex., where IDA found them in July, in the possession of the Davenport family, notorious for their long and egregious history of abuse and neglect including the horrific death of baby elephant Heather who was left overnight on an overcrowded and overheated truck in the New Mexico desert.

Appallingly, IDA learned in November that the USDA had lifted its travel restrictions on these elephants. Along with the Davenport's third elephant, Queenie, Tina and Jewel were trucked to New Orleans, La. where they were chained in the old Winn Dixie Parking lot to give elephant rides with the Kingford Circus (one of the Davenport's many circus identities).

At IDA's request, Jeff Dorson, director of the Humane Society of Louisiana, inspected them and found "three downtrodden-looking elephants, at least one of whom was notably underweight, chained under grim conditions at this rundown circus." (Read the report - http://www.helpelephantsinzoos.com/pdfs/humane_society_louisiana_report.pdf ). The current whereabouts of the elephants is unknown to IDA at this time. Our information is that the cause of Tina and Jewel's health crisis was never determined, and that, while there may have been some slight weight gain, they are still clearly suffering and in dire need of diagnosis and veterinary care.

IDA has further obtained information that Tina and Jewel, rather than being leased by the Davenports as claimed, were actually sold by Cole Circus without a permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), in flagrant violation of the Endangered Species Act, and that the USDA is aware of the illegal sale. It is inconceivable that a permit would have been granted had one been applied for, as the ESA prohibits licensing parties who have failed to demonstrate responsibility, or who have had civil penalties assessed that demonstrate a lack of responsibility. Davenport family patriarch, John, had his license to exhibit animals revoked by the USDA in 1998 and has been barred from any activity as an exhibitor by himself or through any agent, which would include family members, as the result of multiple willful Animal Welfare Act violations.

It is hard to imagine a less "responsible" person.

FWS has launched an official investigation, at IDA's request, into this illegal sale. IDA is asking that FWS immediately confiscate Tina and Jewel and allow The Elephant Sanctuary (TES) ( http://www.elephants.com/ ) to provide the permanent refuge it has offered to these suffering elephants. Meanwhile Tina and Jewel and the Davenport's third elephant, Queenie, remain in the hands of these people with a history of horrific animal abuse and neglect. They need our help!

What You Can Do:

1) Please Take Action ( %takeaction-tinajewelcongress% ) to urge your federal representative to insist that our federal government, both the USDA and FWS, take immediate action to confiscate these suffering elephants and to hold the Davenports responsible for their multiple violations of federal law.

2) Please also Take Action ( %takeaction-tinajewelusdafws% ) to demand that the USDA and FWS work together and individually to immediately confiscate these elephants and send them to TES, a USDA-approved quarantine facility for elephants in Tennessee that has a proven track record of rehabilitating elephants who have become debilitated from years of life in the circus or zoo.

Learn more about what Tina and Jewel have suffered at the hands of the circus industry ( http://helpelephantsinzoos.org/feature_070905.html ), and read a letter from The Elephant Sanctuary ( http://helpelephantsinzoos.org/pdfs/tes_letter.pdf ) stating it will accept Tina and Jewel immediately.

Help Wanted!

IDA is seeking experienced web designers to volunteer to help design web graphics and site mockups. If you are interested, please submit a list of URLs to sites you've designed to IDA Web Producer Mark Middleton at mark [at] idausa.org .

IDA's Auction for Animals Underway Now!

Support IDA by bidding on fabulous items in our eBay Auction for Animals ( http://www.ebay.com/ida ). With more than 200 tantalizing auction items worth over $30,000, including signed celebrity memorabilia, vacation hotel accommodations, spa and beauty treatments, wine tasting tours, fine dining experiences, tickets to cultural and sporting events, fun family activity packages, and much more, there's something for everyone.


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