(September 8, 2009 update) - It has been 19 days since the USDA confiscated Jewel and Tina, but left Queenie (aka Boo) behind in Leggett, Texas in the hands of the incompetent Will Davenport, who has gravely endangered the health of all three elephants. With each day that passes, IDA is more concerned about Queenie's welfare as she remains at the mercy of a man who has shown repeatedly that he is incapable of providing her with proper and humane care.
http://ida.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?e...nter_friendly=1
Full Version: Act Now for Queenie (Boo)
Once again there are so many calls to Vilsack's office that a number is given for 'the panel' - 301-734-4980.
They are polite.
To elucidate: when I called Vilsack, a woman said she would transfer me to the panel which/who? is taking calls about this.
Because you are getting so many calls? Yes.
but I failed to ask WHO's office that is.
yikes: edited to correct: WHOSE office.
They are polite.
To elucidate: when I called Vilsack, a woman said she would transfer me to the panel which/who? is taking calls about this.
Because you are getting so many calls? Yes.
but I failed to ask WHO's office that is.
yikes: edited to correct: WHOSE office.
I wish there was some way to reach Will Davenport (and by "reach" I meant touch his heart) so that he would just let Queenie go to a sanctuary. If he really wants to go to vet school (let's give him the benefit of the doubt here, big time), then he won't have time to properly take care of a fish, let alone a lone aging elephant.
I'm with you Rowan - emails sent - faxes sent and now I'm calling.
I wish I could just talk with Mr. Davenport about this like you suggest.
I wish I could just talk with Mr. Davenport about this like you suggest.
| QUOTE (Rowan Morrison @ Sep 9 2009, 11:16 AM) |
| I wish there was some way to reach Will Davenport (and by "reach" I meant touch his heart) so that he would just let Queenie go to a sanctuary. |
All day I've been mulling over your provocative suggestion, Rowan, and re-shaping my own attitude about how wildly implausible it is.
Of course, you are right: that first of all, we must keep giving each and every one of us the chance to change in a positve way.
Do you think Michael Vick or the Philly Eagles could help to reach him?
What a surprising, but powerful ally Will Davenport could be if he let Queenie go to Sanctuary. He could become a Hero. That would be a great way to walk into Veterinary School somewhere, eh?
I just feel like it's Will Davenport in control now, at least for the moment. I think the USDA angle should also be pursued, but trying to reach Will Davenport - in a positive way - well, what can it hurt? And he would be a hero if he did the right thing for Queenie. Look at Carol Buckley, who exploited Tara for how many years...and she's a hero to many of us here, including me.
Does anyone know how to reach him?
I'm game to try it.
Would love his address if anyone has it.
I'm game to try it.
Would love his address if anyone has it.
Wow - is that really his website? It's as professional as any zoo's and just as misleading.
wow, thanks for this info.
I'm going to write to him about Queenie.
I'm going to write to him about Queenie.
I sent him a very respectful email a few days after Tina and Jewel were taken. I basically let him know that I understand that he loves the elephants like family and I hoped he would do what is right for Boo and that would be to send her to a sanctuary yada yada you know how it goes. Anyway, it has been weeks and I have not received a response, not that I expected to.
Maybe we can all send him $5 cash along with our letters as a show of good faith in his best intentions, money talks.
If I had the money I would just make him an offer for Queenie and then donate her to TES.
ummmmm, that's an idea for a fundraising campaign right there.
ummmmm, that's an idea for a fundraising campaign right there.
are you serious??????
What can it hurt?
I'm sure he'd sell her for the right price.
| QUOTE (clarasfriend @ Sep 10 2009, 05:57 PM) |
| are you serious?????? |
Hah ! good question, CF.
Well, some of us are certainly having some extreme collective fantasy that the Lost shall be Found, that's clear. That the 'heartless' can open their hearts and find compassion and lovingkindness within..... and do the right thing. It's a stretch, as Rowan said initially.
But hey, maybe what is best for now is that we continue this part of the discussion, but keep our energies focused on actively being part of IDA's latest thrust at the USDA on behalf of Queenie. After all this is what worked for Tina and Jewel.....
Well, that's why I made it clear in my post to say to keep contacting the USDA, though I wouldn't go so far as e&e to say that it worked for Tina & Jewel; yes, they're out of the circus, but they're still not safe.
I want to be clear that my calling our hope for WD's transformation an 'extreme collective fantasy' should not at all indicate that I am not believing that work of that heart connecting sort (plus $$) cannot be very and deeply effective.
How did those Forewomen ever begin to imagine that they could wrestle the Vote out of men's hands into theirs ...?
How did those Forewomen ever begin to imagine that they could wrestle the Vote out of men's hands into theirs ...?
"Don't dwell on reality, it will only keep you from greatness."
Well, just be prepared for the very real possibility that Queenie will go to a zoo and not a sanctuary if the USDA is persuaded to remove her. So we might want to consider thinking about what zoo would be a good fit for her, i.e. the ones with solitary female Asians, that use PC, etc. And then maybe petitioning that zoo to come to her rescue working with USDA, esp if donations were attached to deal.
I would never advocate for an elephant to go to any zoo as zoos exist today.
I would. There are many zoos which are a far sight better than any circus.
JPP - probably the majority of people feel as you do. That's probably partly why Kallie and Bette ended up in the horrible breeding-holding facility instead of a good place - "well, it's better than the Philly Zoo." My standard has never been "is it better than the circus?" but rather "is it meeting the needs of the elephants?" For zoos, the answer to my question is no. For the question "is it better than the circus?" well - my backyard would be.
I think we really let down the animals when we lower our standards to encompass zoos (which, as they exist today, provide inadequate space) as a suitable home for elephants. If we don't stick to fighting for what is best for the animals, who will?
I think we really let down the animals when we lower our standards to encompass zoos (which, as they exist today, provide inadequate space) as a suitable home for elephants. If we don't stick to fighting for what is best for the animals, who will?
Subject: It's Elephant Appreciation Day! Please make a call for Queenie today
Even if you have already called the USDA, please take a moment today to leave a
telephone message for the Secretary of Agriculture and email the Administrator
of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to urge the agency to
return to Leggett immediately for Queenie and send her to a sanctuary where her
safety and well-being can be assured. It's very important to contact both USDA
officials.
What You Can Do
Tell the USDA:
It is inconceivable that the agency would leave Queenie in the "care" of
Davenport, who has racked up countless Animal Welfare Act violations since
receiving his USDA exhibitor's license just two years ago.Elephant Queenie
chained in Loves Park, Ill.
The many outstanding legal issues regarding Will Davenport's conduct (including
his defiance of a federal order during USDA's first confiscation attempt on
August 15) provide a clear avenue for them to help Queenie.
You hold the agency directly responsible for Queenie's welfare. After all she
has been through, Queenie must be retired from public display and sent to either
the PAWS sanctuary in California or The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. Since
Queenie has no pressing health issues requiring intensive veterinary care, she
can go immediately to a sanctuary. There is no excuse for sending her to a zoo.
Note: Do not allow the USDA to tell you that they have no jurisdiction over
Queenie's care since Davenport voluntarily surrendered his USDA license - the
agency has plenty of legal avenues to pursue to bring Davenport to justice and
secure Queenie's rescue.
USDA Contact Information:
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
Phone: 202 720-3631, Fax: 202-720-2166
Acting APHIS Administrator Kevin Shea
Phone: 202-720-3861 Email: Kevin.A.Shea@usda.gov
Contact Congress Too!
As your Congressperson and Senators to contact Secretary Vilsack in support of
Queenie's rescue and transfer to a sanctuary. If they have been responsive in
the past, be sure to thank them for their previous help in securing Tina and
Jewel’s confiscation, but let them know that Queenie has been left behind in
dire circumstances.
Find your federal representatives here:
http://www.facebook.com/l/7e6e8;ida.convio...lectedOfficials
Please continue to call and email these officials until Queenie is safely housed
at the PAWS sanctuary in California or The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.
Background on Queenie
Queenie is an Asian elephant who is estimated to be 52 years of age. She has
been "owned" by the Davenport family for at least two decades and has been
trucked around the country and forced to perform in circuses and to give
elephant rides for years. In 2006, an undercover investigator for Animal
Defenders International videotaped Queenie (also known as Boo) and another
elephant named Chrissy being abused by Mike Swain, an employee of the Bailey
Brothers Circus, a Davenport family operation.
In March 2007, USDA inspectors documented the continued abuse of Queenie, who
was found in poor condition at a fairgrounds in Pueblo, Colorado. The inspection
report from that time states:
"[The elephant has] excessive dead skin over most of her body and doesn’t show
evidence of proper bathing for quite some time. She has urine staining and what
appears to be urine scalds on her back legs. The pads on this elephant had
excessive growth and there were numerous flaps of skin that had trapped debris
in them. The cuticles were also excessively long."
Queenie also had "multiple wounds draining yellowish exudates inside the left
ear" . . consistent with the improper use of an ankus in the ear."
The handler was "not properly trained or experienced." "[He] had to continuously
rely on excessive and inappropriate use of the ankus to get the elephant to
perform the behaviors he was asking for during the rides and performances...
during the rides and performances, the handler was observed repeatedly jabbing
and hitting the elephant with the ankus. Several times during the elephant ride,
the handler used the ankus to hit the elephant and she reacted by throwing her
head and changing her gait demonstrating irritation at the action of the
handler... This is inappropriate and abusive use of the ankus and such use is
likely to cause trauma, behavioral stress, physical harm or unnecessary
discomfort..." (Emphasis added).
Queenie must not be left at the Davenports’ mercy. Ask USDA to act promptly to
send her to a sanctuary!
Thank you so much for taking action for Queenie on Elephant Appreciation Day!
Sincerely,
In Defense of Elephants
--------------------
Even if you have already called the USDA, please take a moment today to leave a
telephone message for the Secretary of Agriculture and email the Administrator
of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to urge the agency to
return to Leggett immediately for Queenie and send her to a sanctuary where her
safety and well-being can be assured. It's very important to contact both USDA
officials.
What You Can Do
Tell the USDA:
It is inconceivable that the agency would leave Queenie in the "care" of
Davenport, who has racked up countless Animal Welfare Act violations since
receiving his USDA exhibitor's license just two years ago.Elephant Queenie
chained in Loves Park, Ill.
The many outstanding legal issues regarding Will Davenport's conduct (including
his defiance of a federal order during USDA's first confiscation attempt on
August 15) provide a clear avenue for them to help Queenie.
You hold the agency directly responsible for Queenie's welfare. After all she
has been through, Queenie must be retired from public display and sent to either
the PAWS sanctuary in California or The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. Since
Queenie has no pressing health issues requiring intensive veterinary care, she
can go immediately to a sanctuary. There is no excuse for sending her to a zoo.
Note: Do not allow the USDA to tell you that they have no jurisdiction over
Queenie's care since Davenport voluntarily surrendered his USDA license - the
agency has plenty of legal avenues to pursue to bring Davenport to justice and
secure Queenie's rescue.
USDA Contact Information:
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
Phone: 202 720-3631, Fax: 202-720-2166
Acting APHIS Administrator Kevin Shea
Phone: 202-720-3861 Email: Kevin.A.Shea@usda.gov
Contact Congress Too!
As your Congressperson and Senators to contact Secretary Vilsack in support of
Queenie's rescue and transfer to a sanctuary. If they have been responsive in
the past, be sure to thank them for their previous help in securing Tina and
Jewel’s confiscation, but let them know that Queenie has been left behind in
dire circumstances.
Find your federal representatives here:
http://www.facebook.com/l/7e6e8;ida.convio...lectedOfficials
Please continue to call and email these officials until Queenie is safely housed
at the PAWS sanctuary in California or The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.
Background on Queenie
Queenie is an Asian elephant who is estimated to be 52 years of age. She has
been "owned" by the Davenport family for at least two decades and has been
trucked around the country and forced to perform in circuses and to give
elephant rides for years. In 2006, an undercover investigator for Animal
Defenders International videotaped Queenie (also known as Boo) and another
elephant named Chrissy being abused by Mike Swain, an employee of the Bailey
Brothers Circus, a Davenport family operation.
In March 2007, USDA inspectors documented the continued abuse of Queenie, who
was found in poor condition at a fairgrounds in Pueblo, Colorado. The inspection
report from that time states:
"[The elephant has] excessive dead skin over most of her body and doesn’t show
evidence of proper bathing for quite some time. She has urine staining and what
appears to be urine scalds on her back legs. The pads on this elephant had
excessive growth and there were numerous flaps of skin that had trapped debris
in them. The cuticles were also excessively long."
Queenie also had "multiple wounds draining yellowish exudates inside the left
ear" . . consistent with the improper use of an ankus in the ear."
The handler was "not properly trained or experienced." "[He] had to continuously
rely on excessive and inappropriate use of the ankus to get the elephant to
perform the behaviors he was asking for during the rides and performances...
during the rides and performances, the handler was observed repeatedly jabbing
and hitting the elephant with the ankus. Several times during the elephant ride,
the handler used the ankus to hit the elephant and she reacted by throwing her
head and changing her gait demonstrating irritation at the action of the
handler... This is inappropriate and abusive use of the ankus and such use is
likely to cause trauma, behavioral stress, physical harm or unnecessary
discomfort..." (Emphasis added).
Queenie must not be left at the Davenports’ mercy. Ask USDA to act promptly to
send her to a sanctuary!
Thank you so much for taking action for Queenie on Elephant Appreciation Day!
Sincerely,
In Defense of Elephants
--------------------
I just visited the "tons of fun" web site...that guy is an idiot!
I sent an email asking them to let Queenie go to a sanctuary...I don't expect a reply from anyone so stupid, but it is worth a try.
I continue to call USDA 202-720-3631 and APHIS 202-720-3861 as well as Karen at USDA Animal Care at 970-491-7478 every week. Please keep the pressure on. Queenie suffers every day at the hands of that incompetent idiot.
I sent an email asking them to let Queenie go to a sanctuary...I don't expect a reply from anyone so stupid, but it is worth a try.
I continue to call USDA 202-720-3631 and APHIS 202-720-3861 as well as Karen at USDA Animal Care at 970-491-7478 every week. Please keep the pressure on. Queenie suffers every day at the hands of that incompetent idiot.
In order of priorities, I can't think of any elephant MORE urgent than Queenie. 
Welcome to The Elephant Commentator Deborah ... 
Just had to comment! Spiritedlulu, I just noticed your quote and I love it!
Welcome to the board deborah, you fit right in!!!!!!
Welcome to the board deborah, you fit right in!!!!!!
USDA files charges in elephant abuse case; IDA urges agency to rescue abused elephant from circus handler
Leggett, Texas (October 22, 2009) In Defense of Animals (IDA) the organization that has worked for two years to rescue three circus elephants named Tina, Jewel and Queenie, announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed formal charges against the elephants’ handler, Wilbur Davenport (dba “Maximus tons of Fun”) for multiple violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA).
The charges state that “the gravity of the violations alleged…is great” and that Davenport has “not shown good faith” in his repeated unwillingness to comply with the AWA and its regulations and standards.
http://www.idanews.org/ida-breaking-news/u...circus-handler/
Complaint filed against handler of elephants now at San Diego Zoo
The U.S. Agriculture Department has filed a complaint against the Texas elephant handler who once owned Tina and Jewel, two Asian elephants now living at the San Diego Zoo.
Wilbur Davenport of Livingston, Texas, is accused of violating the federal Animal Welfare Act by failing to provide adequate veterinary care, handling the elephants in a way that was unsafe to them and the public, providing substandard animal facilities and care and trying to block federal agents from accessing the elephants.
According to a USDA complaint signed in September, Davenport didn't give the elephants adequate heat or enough nutritious food.
In August, federal officials confiscated Tina and Jewel and sent them to the San Diego Zoo for veterinary care.
The agency left behind a third elephant, Queenie. Davenport surrendered his USDA exhibitor's license at that time but still has the third pachyderm.
Jeanette Steele: (619) 293-1030;
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/200...omplaint-filed/
The U.S. Agriculture Department has filed a complaint against the Texas elephant handler who once owned Tina and Jewel, two Asian elephants now living at the San Diego Zoo.
Wilbur Davenport of Livingston, Texas, is accused of violating the federal Animal Welfare Act by failing to provide adequate veterinary care, handling the elephants in a way that was unsafe to them and the public, providing substandard animal facilities and care and trying to block federal agents from accessing the elephants.
According to a USDA complaint signed in September, Davenport didn't give the elephants adequate heat or enough nutritious food.
In August, federal officials confiscated Tina and Jewel and sent them to the San Diego Zoo for veterinary care.
The agency left behind a third elephant, Queenie. Davenport surrendered his USDA exhibitor's license at that time but still has the third pachyderm.
Jeanette Steele: (619) 293-1030;
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/200...omplaint-filed/
The Elephant Man Of Texas Is Not An Animal, He Just (Allegedly) Abuses Them
...Davenport, who apparently hails from circus folk and is therefore an eminently trustworthy individual, has maintained all along that he has never done anything to harm the elephants, whom he loves. (We left a message at Maximus Tons of Fun, but haven't heard back yet. We imagine it'll be Tons of Time before we do)....
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/20...lephant_man.php
...Davenport, who apparently hails from circus folk and is therefore an eminently trustworthy individual, has maintained all along that he has never done anything to harm the elephants, whom he loves. (We left a message at Maximus Tons of Fun, but haven't heard back yet. We imagine it'll be Tons of Time before we do)....
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/20...lephant_man.php
Article in Charlotte Newspaper about Davenport with video and link to IDA's Help Elephants page.
http://www.examiner.com/x-1028-Pet-News-Ex...ainst-Texas-man
http://www.examiner.com/x-1028-Pet-News-Ex...ainst-Texas-man
Thanks for posting cgl ...
PAWS MAKES FORMAL OFFER FOR QUEENIE
This letter is a copy of correspondence sent to:
■United States Secretary of Agriculture - Tom Vilsack
■U.S. Department of Agriculture - Deputy Undersecretary for Regulatory Programs- Ann Wright
■Acting APHIS Administrator - Kevin Shea
■Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - Deputy Administrator Animal Care - Dr. Chester Gibson
■Congressman Sam Farr
On behalf of the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) we are writing about the future care of Queenie (Boo) -- the remaining elephant at the Davenport compound. Because of recent developments surrounding Will Davenport and his surrender of his USDA license and the pending legal action against him, PAWS is contacting you to express our offer and our intentions regarding Queenie, and to provide you with necessary background information on our organization and facilities.
http://www.pawsweb.org/news_and_alerts_queenie_11-6-09.html
This letter is a copy of correspondence sent to:
■United States Secretary of Agriculture - Tom Vilsack
■U.S. Department of Agriculture - Deputy Undersecretary for Regulatory Programs- Ann Wright
■Acting APHIS Administrator - Kevin Shea
■Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - Deputy Administrator Animal Care - Dr. Chester Gibson
■Congressman Sam Farr
On behalf of the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) we are writing about the future care of Queenie (Boo) -- the remaining elephant at the Davenport compound. Because of recent developments surrounding Will Davenport and his surrender of his USDA license and the pending legal action against him, PAWS is contacting you to express our offer and our intentions regarding Queenie, and to provide you with necessary background information on our organization and facilities.
http://www.pawsweb.org/news_and_alerts_queenie_11-6-09.html
I guess I'm a little confused... the USDA has no regulatory or legal control over the disposition/relocation of Queenie. She is privately owned by Davenport, who doesn't have a USDA license Any decision on her future rests in the hands of her owner, not the USDA. My understanding is that the USDA cut loose when they took Tina and Jewel. They cannot order Davenport to give/sell/donate/transfer her to PAWS. If they were going to confiscate her, then they could send her to PAWS. But it seems they would have already done that if they were going to. Now that Davenport doesn't have a USDA license, the USDA has no jurisdiction over Queenie.. is that right? PAWS position in all this has been quite interesting.. donating the use of their trailer to haul T/J to a zoo ( do you think Carol would have done that? just a question). Just some really strange events.
I can't see the USDA telling Davenport that they will drop the charges against him if he donates Queenie to PAWS.
Hmm... maybe I'm all wrong here, so please, anybody who can correct my musings jump in.
I can't see the USDA telling Davenport that they will drop the charges against him if he donates Queenie to PAWS.
Hmm... maybe I'm all wrong here, so please, anybody who can correct my musings jump in.
I'm as confused as you are, Irishlass.
Irishlass and Ro, it is very puzzling that they would leave a single elephant in the "care" of an elephant abuser. I wish that the USDA were a more transparent organization, so that we would know what in the world they are thinking. Obama promised us transparency in the government when he was elected. I am looking forward to it.
Queenie Still Needs Your Help!
You will remember that the elephant Queenie was left behind with abusive circus trainer Will Davenport in August when her companions Tina and Jewel were taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and sent to the San Diego Zoo for badly needed medical care. All three elephants were victims of Davenport’s negligence and inhumane care, but the agency claimed not to have grounds for taking Queenie, and left her tied to a tree on Davenport’s property.
https://secure2.convio.net/ida/site/Advocac...rAction&id=1407
You will remember that the elephant Queenie was left behind with abusive circus trainer Will Davenport in August when her companions Tina and Jewel were taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and sent to the San Diego Zoo for badly needed medical care. All three elephants were victims of Davenport’s negligence and inhumane care, but the agency claimed not to have grounds for taking Queenie, and left her tied to a tree on Davenport’s property.
https://secure2.convio.net/ida/site/Advocac...rAction&id=1407
Queenie still needs our help!