Horrific Ray Killing Contest Exposed

DEAR FRIENDS,

This past Saturday, June 13, 2015, SHARK, at the request of Maryland-based Fish Feel, documented an extraordinarily cruel cownose ray killing contest on the Patuxent River.

We have created a video for use by the media, which you can view HERE

This was a bow fishing tournament, and contestants shot arrows into the rays, many of whom were pregnant, then beat them mercilessly with metal bats.

SHARK cameras caught the ray slaughter on the water, while other investigators went undercover at the tournament staging area and filmed the bloody bodies of the rays as they were presented and weighed.

One of the many victims of this despicable contest at the weigh station.

We will have much more on this issue in the near future. Right now, please contact Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and ask him to stop all future ray killing tournaments:

Phone: 410-974-3901
Email: http://governor.maryland.gov/mail/default.asp

After the contest was over, we filmed contestants dumping blood and dead bodies into the river. A disgraceful end to a truly dishonorable day.

We would also like to thank Last Chance for Animals for their financial support that allowed us to send our team to this important event.

Major Media Coverage and Investigations on the Cruel Tierra Caliente Rodeo

On May 17, 2015, SHARK sent an investigator to the Tierra Caliente Rodeo, which was held at the Dream Park in Gloucester County New Jersey. He recorded vicious acts of animal cruelty including one bull who was repeatedly whipped and electro-shocked, another bull who collapsed on the arena floor, and a rodeo worker who was drinking beer while operating the electric prod.

Watch the video HERE

This bull was viciously whipped and hit with an electric prod.

Thanks to this effort, and as you will read in the following news articles, Gloucester County has acknowledged that there was "cattle prod abuse" and that the "county has suspended any future events with Rancho San Isidro until the matter is resolved."

We also spoke directly with Gloucester County Undersheriff Andre Bay who said the county will, "do a thorough investigation."

While the Gloucester County Freeholders have initiated an investigation of their own, we have filed complaints with the NJ Department of Agriculture for animal cruelty and the NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control for the rampant misuse of alcohol.

We will be following through on these investigations to make sure the responsible parties are held accountable.

There has been major news coverage on this issue and great outrage over how cruelly the bulls were treated:

Glouco probes alleged animal abuse at DREAM Park event

Rodeo animals tortured at county-owned park in N.J., animal rights group says

Rights group calls for investigation of rodeo animals allegedly tortured at N.J. county-owned facility

What you're saying about rodeo animal abuse allegations at N.J. county-owned park

Bulls whipped, shocked on video during rodeo at county-owned park

SHARK activists expose animal cruelty at Mexican rodeo

SEE IT: Rodeo workers torture bulls, deny them water at New Jersey event, animal rights group says

NBC 10: Animal Cruelty Allegations Aimed at NJ Rodeo

The Dream Park is owned and operated by the Gloucester County Improvement Authority and the Gloucester County Board of Freeholders. Please call and email the Gloucester County Board of Freeholders and politely remind them about how cruel this rodeo was and that it must never be allowed back.

Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger
(856) 853-3395

Freeholder Deputy Director Giuseppe (Joe) Chila
(856) 853-3382

Freeholder Lyman Barnes
(856) 853-3380

Freeholder Dan Christy
(856) 853-3383

Freeholder Frank J. DiMarco
(856) 853-3386 - OFFICE

Freeholder Jim Jefferson
(856) 853-3384

Freeholder Heather Simmons
(856) 853-3378

Cruel Christian School Rodeo Fundraiser; Hypocrisy and Cowardice

On May 16th, 2015, SHARK filmed a rodeo fundraiser held by the Sussex Christian School, a private religious school in Sussex, NJ.

Watch the video HERE.

The story was covered in this article: Animal activists: N.J. Christian school's rodeo was un-Christian

In the article, school board member John Amels said he hadn't heard from SHARK:

"I would say we take any complaint seriously," he said. "If there's any fear, any concern about the well-being of these animals, we can look back at this event and certainly take their concerns into account. We'd be glad to have that discussion."

On June 9th, SHARK called the Sussex Christian School, spoke to the school's secretary, and asked that Mr. Amels call us back to talk about the rodeo.

Guess what? He didn't return our call. On top of hypocrisy, Sussex Christian School is showing that they don't have the courage to defend their cruel fundraiser or even to follow through on the statement they made in the press.

Please politely contact the Sussex Christian School and ask them to never hold a rodeo again as a fundraiser. The money they collected is stained with animal cruelty, and it violates their very reason for existence.

Trish King, Administrator

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(973) 875-5595

On the Sussex Christian School website it states: "The school realizes that the beginning of knowledge is the fear of the Lord."

The only fear present at the rodeo, however, was that inflicted upon innocent animals.