June 20, 2016
DEAR FRIENDS,
We are pleased to announce that a Cownose Ray killing contest planned for June 11 was cancelled because of sponsorship problems! SHARK has also forced a second contest scheduled June 26 to lose two venues where organizers had hoped to hold their disgusting weigh-in station!
It was one year ago SHARK released dramatic video taken at a Cownose Ray killing contest where pregnant rays were shot with arrows and beaten with metal bats on the river, while on land the rays and their dead babies were displayed and weighed for cash prizes. Video from last year:
It was one year ago SHARK released dramatic video taken at a Cownose Ray killing contest where pregnant rays were shot with arrows and beaten with metal bats on the river, while on land the rays and their dead babies were displayed and weighed for cash prizes. Video from last year:
An innocent ray being beaten with a bat after having been shot with an arrow
The June 26 contest, organized by “American Bowhunters,” secured space at Solomons Boat Ramp, in Solomons, MD, to have its weigh-in station, where dead rays are brought in and weighed for the contest. SHARK, concerned American Bowhunters may not have been honest with Calvert County (which leases the ramp from the state highway department) about the true purpose of the contest, asked for an investigation.
That investigation revealed that American Bowhunters had not asked permission from the state to hold their killing contest and they had violated advertising rules as well.
After losing that venue, American Bowhunters then found a local venue and advertised they would be holding their weigh station there. SHARK contacted the venue and discovered that, once again, American Bowhunters had not been honest about their true intent to the department. Because of that and the nature of the ray killing contest, SHARK was told American Bowhunters would not be allowed to hold the event at that location.
The abject cruelty of the killing contest, along with their deceptive practices, have exposed American Bowhunters for what they truly are: brutal cowards who slaughter pregnant animals for fun. I personally challenged Kurt Wall of American Bowhunters to a debate, but he hasn’t had the courage to even respond.
The contest that was supposed to have happened on June 11 was the same one we documented last year. The violence and disgusting behavior we recorded galvanized incredible public opposition to ray killing contests, so it is no wonder they had problem with sponsors. Though we are extraordinarily pleased that it did not happen this year, this same type of despicable slaughter is set to happen in just a few days. If the slaughter proceeds, SHARK will be on the Chesapeake Bay documenting the killing and exposing those who participate in it.
From the weigh-in station last year. The rays were weighed then dumped in the river
Please politely contact Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and ask him to take action to shut these cruel killing contests down:
410-974-3901
We need more people on the ground in Maryland documenting the killing and providing support - if you can help, please email us at:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Please also post polite and respectful comments on the American Bowhunters Facebook page about their cruel killing contest, and the fact that Kurt Wall is hiding from his challenge. You can let them know we will be on the river videotaping their vile killing for the world to see.
https://www.facebook.com/AmericanBowhunters/
We need more people on the ground in Maryland documenting the killing and providing support - if you can help, please email us at:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Please also post polite and respectful comments on the American Bowhunters Facebook page about their cruel killing contest, and the fact that Kurt Wall is hiding from his challenge. You can let them know we will be on the river videotaping their vile killing for the world to see.
https://www.facebook.com/AmericanBowhunters/
NBC in Portland, OR, did an excellent story on our video of the senseless slaughter of cormorants by the US Army Corps of Engineers and USDA’s Wildlife Services.
From the story, which you can view HERE:
New video released by the animal protection group SHARK shows government workers shooting double crested cormorants from boats in the Columbia River.
The video is some of the clearest to date and was captured in April and May of this year. Some of the scenes were shot from shore, others from boat.
They not only took our video onto the street and showed it to bystanders who were horrified by the killing, but they also embedded into their story another of our videos about the killing, Secrecy, Misconduct in Government Cormorant Slaughter, which showed even more footage and the unethical actions of our government.
From the story, which you can view HERE:
New video released by the animal protection group SHARK shows government workers shooting double crested cormorants from boats in the Columbia River.
The video is some of the clearest to date and was captured in April and May of this year. Some of the scenes were shot from shore, others from boat.
They not only took our video onto the street and showed it to bystanders who were horrified by the killing, but they also embedded into their story another of our videos about the killing, Secrecy, Misconduct in Government Cormorant Slaughter, which showed even more footage and the unethical actions of our government.
A shot cormorant falling into the water
Please share the video and news coverage so that the tragedy that unfolded on East Sand Island is neither forgotten nor repeated.
NBC: Video shows cormorant killing along Columbia River
Please email the following officials and politely ask them for an independent investigation into this completely avoidable tragedy. Tell them to never allow Army Corps to slaughter cormorants again.
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.
Please email the following officials and politely ask them for an independent investigation into this completely avoidable tragedy. Tell them to never allow Army Corps to slaughter cormorants again.
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.
In our last update we told you of how one pig wrestling event in Wisconsin was shut down. After that we learned that another such event is being planned in northern Wisconsin. We are working to shut this now down as well. Please help this effort by signing THIS petition.
The Caldron Falls Bar and Grill in Northern Wisconsin is scheduled to host a form of illegal animal fighting commonly known as "pig wrestling." This involves grown men tackling pigs by punching them in the face, kicking and body-slamming them for fun.
The Caldron Falls Bar and Grill in Northern Wisconsin is scheduled to host a form of illegal animal fighting commonly known as "pig wrestling." This involves grown men tackling pigs by punching them in the face, kicking and body-slamming them for fun.
Please politely call and email the subjects below urging them to cancel the event:
Marinette County District Attorney: 715-732-7490 and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Marinette County Sheriff's Department: 715-732-7607
Marinette County District Attorney: 715-732-7490 and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Marinette County Sheriff's Department: 715-732-7607
