FacebookTwitterRedditYoutube

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

for Thursday, August 14, 2014

Contact:  Steve Hindi (630) 640-1889    Stuart Chaifetz  ( 856) 428- 2635 

 

Attention Daybook/Assignment Desk


Catholic Church Broke Wisconsin Animal Fighting Laws, Endangered Children's Health; International Animal. Protection Group to Provide Evidence Thursday

GREEN BAY, WI – St. Patrick Catholic Church in Stephensville broke Wisconsin state animal cruelty laws – and endangered the health of dozens of children – when it sponsored  a "Pig Rassling" event last weekend, according to SHARK, an international animal protection organization.

SHARK will present compelling video evidence documenting the illegal activity at a news conference THURSDAY/AUG. 14 at 11 a.m. at the Hawthorne Suites by Wyndham Green Bay (335 W. St. Joseph Street/Room just past the lobby behind the fireplace)

The video will show cruelty to animals, animal fighting and child neglect -  specifically, children encouraged to wallow in mud contaminated with animal feces and urine. Under state law, spectators, organizers and participants could be charged with a misdemeanor or felony.

After the briefing, SHARK will deliver the evidence in person to the Bishop of the Green Bay Diocese, located across the street from the Hawthorne Suites by Wyndham Green Bay.

IMPORTANT: SHARK will present a "very special alternative event," which will net the church much more than it currently receives from the "Pig Rassling spectacle. Full details provided at the news briefing.

Also invited to the news conference are Global Conservation, World Animal Awareness and Earth Animal Sanctuary.

-end-

 

 

LEGAL FACT SHEET Re: Pig Rassling

 

Several Wisconsin state laws were violated at the church pig rassling event – some are infractions, other misdemeanors or felonies, and they could be charged against organizers, participants and spectators.

 

951.02  Mistreating animals. No person may treat any animal, whether belonging to the person or another, in a cruel manner. 
PENALTY: This can either be a fine , or for those who "intentionally or negligently" violate the law, it would be misdemeanor. It will be a felony is it results in "mutilation, disfigurement or death of an animal."

 

951.08 Instigating fights between animals. (1)  No person may intentionally instigate, promote, aid or abet as a principal, agent or employee, or participate in the earnings from, or intentionally maintain or allow any place to be used for a cockfight, dog fight, bullfight or other fight between the same or different kinds of animals or between an animal and a person This section does not prohibit events or exhibitions commonly featured at rodeos or bloodless bullfights. (2) No person may own, possess, keep or train any animal with the intent that the animal be engaged in an exhibition of fighting. (2m) If a person has been convicted under sub. (1) or (2), the person may not own, possess, keep or train any animal for a period of 5 years after the conviction. In computing the 5-year period, time which the person spent in actual confinement serving a criminal sentence shall be excluded. The person may move the sentencing court to have this requirement waived. The court may waive the requirement except that the waiver may not authorize the person to own, possess, keep or train animals of the species involved in the offense under sub. (1) or (2). (3)  No person may intentionally be a spectator at a cockfight, dog fight, bullfight or other fight between the same or different kinds of animals or between an animal and a person.
PENALTY: For a spectator 951.08 (3), it's a misdemeanor. For those who organize, "instigate, promote...." 958.08(1) it becomes a felony

948.21 Neglecting a child. (1)  Any person who is responsible for a child's welfare who, through his or her actions or failure to take action, intentionally contributes to the neglect of the child is guilty of one of the following:

PENALTY: (a) A Class A misdemeanor. (b) A Class H felony if bodily harm is a consequence. (c) A Class F felony if great bodily harm is a consequence. (d) A Class D felony if death is a consequence.

More Videos

To see even more documentation and video exposés please visit SHARK's YouTube account to watch any of our over 1000 videos!

Click Here

Follow SHARK on Social Media