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UPDATE: They shoot horses, don’t they? Maybe not

February 20, 2009
Killing of animals at Dancing Star have been curtailed, at least temporarily, according to reports.

Killing of animals at Dancing Star have been curtailed, at least temporarily, according to reports.

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN

A temporary halt in the random killing of animals at Cayucos’ Dancing Star Sanctuary has been declared by officials of the Los Angeles-based foundation that administers the facility.

None of the ten horses and cattle slated to meet the vet’s needle next week will be euthanized, employees of the sanctuary said they have been informed. The cessation follows an investigative report Tuesday by CalCoastNews revealing a recent surge in the number of animals being killed for “economic” reasons by veterinarians at the sanctuary, which hosts about 200 aged, infirm farm animals. The foundation’s assets exceed $42 million, and its top three officers collect nearly three-quarters of a million dollars in salary, according to the foundation’s IRS 990 form.

Additionally, departing employees are being now required to sign a stringent agreement prohibiting them from talking publicly about the sanctuary before receiving a severance check equivalent to about a week’s pay. CalCoastNews obtained a copy of the agreement.

Officials of Dancing Star Sanctuary, which also maintains a facility in Paso Robles, did not return reporters’ calls for comment Friday.

The four-page “severance and general release agreement” was first distributed to cashiered employees last week, Friday the 13th, by Don Cannon, the foundation’s vice president for finance. The agreement seeks to prohibit former employees from “making disparaging statements or remarks about the foundation, any of its officers, directors, employees or any of its activities.” It also attempts to limit contact with the media: “Employees will not publish, blog, or in any way publicly speak or write about the foundation or its officers or directors.”

Also contained in provisions of the agreement is a prohibition against former employees “assisting or engaging in any litigation against the foundation relating to anything occurring prior to the effective date of this agreement, except as compelled by order of a court or as necessary to participate in an investigation or proceeding conducted by [governmental agencies].”

Cannon promises in the agreement that the foundation will not contest a former employee’s efforts to secure unemployment insurance if conditions of the agreement are met.

(Click on the following link to watch a video, shot by a current sanctuary employee, of a day of killing at Dancing Star animal sanctuary.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omgF2NqgXsw


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2nd. Farm Sanctuary Memo, received today;


2/26/2009


To: All staff and any inquiring individuals


Farm Sanctuary is pleased to report that we have received a written

agreement from Dancing Star Foundation to enact a moratorium on the

killings of any animals under their care, and that they will continue

to evaluate their euthanasia policy. The following statement has been

sent to Farm Sanctuary from Dancing Star Foundation's senior

management:


"We constantly review our practices to ensure that our policies are

enforced, and such a review is currently under way. Hence, while it

is our obligation to our animals to regularly assess their quality of

life, there are no plans to put any to rest at this time."


—————-end of quote


Our first priority from the start has been to protect the animals.

We are now monitoring the situation to ensure that Dancing Star

abides by the agreement.


Learn about our shelter residents and take action on their behalf —

sign up for our alerts and online newsletter today!


http://www.farmsanctuary.org/member/

Farm Sanctuary

Rescue, Education, Advocacy

http://www.farmsanctuary.org


A compassionate world begins with you.


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By: Princess1 on 2/25/09

Check out this weenie who is acting as the official spokesperson (paid prostitute) for dancing star.He represents big oil companies when they spill millions of gallons of oil.Tobias and his motley crew have some strange bedfellows.Birds of a feather flock together.


http://www.gillottcommunications.com/

By: coasty on 2/25/09

First I'd like to say that I consider myself an animal lover, environmentalist and a REALIST! I also have worked at Dancing Star in the past.

Starting off:

1. Tobias and his crew=absolutely horrible that they were making in excess of 1 million dollars a year (tribune article quotes them as saying they have taken "voluntary pay cuts" (to get down to 720,000) and are trying to dupe the public and the veterinarians into thinking that the foundation was out of money and that for the sake of the majority of the animals they must sacrifice the significantly geriatric/orthopedically challenged animals.

2. I would also like to emphasize that while everyone appears to be crucifying the veterinarians did they ever stop to consider that they were probably trying to do the best for the animals that are still able to have a quality of life? Have they ever been close enough to a euthanasia to see the tears in the veterinarians eyes?

3. I have known and used Gary Evans as a veterinarian for a number of decades and have found him to be one of the most compassionate and caring people that I have ever met. He doesn't take the decision to euthanize animals lightly. I would assume that he made the judgment that these were the animals that could least cope with tough times and were not able to move freely, maintain weight or some other reason (hard to be a backseat quarterback without having been there isn't it?)

Addressing the "Harry the donkey" comment from another cal coast comments section…Having driven by where he lived numerous times and having seen countless adoring fans of Harry…KILLING HIM WITH KINDNESS I'm sorry but I would bet that he foundered due to people feeding him treats day in and day out rather then something that Dr. Evans did. And how is the veterinarian guilty of the owner neglecting Harry??? I failed to see the logic of the commenter other than trying to come up with a way to smear a truly good man.

3. Regarding Dr. Weltner. I have never met her, however I have heard nothing but good things about her and her treatment of other's loved ones. I don't have any experience with the Creston Farms/trebek issue, however after doing some record searching I have found a few things: From the few articles that I found it appears that she stated that she had not been to Creston Farms the day that the horse was "euthanize". Therefore I'd like to know how she is implicated in this crime…Oh and by the way couldn't find any documentation that either Dr. Weltner or Dr. Evans have been charged, convicted, suspended or otherwise in conjunction with either of the "crimes" that were brought up. We live in the U.S. where "guilty" comes AFTER a jury trial, right?

Come on people this strikes me as deliberate slander to sensationalize an issue.

Where was everyone when there were over 500 animals at dancing star and the ground looked like a feedlot? Environmental disaster? Great environment for already compromised animals?

I would bet that the heroes of this story (Jason, Sheldon and Jenny) would agree with me about the character of the veterinarians. What say you the masses. In my humble opinion.

By: Newsome on 2/24/09

Is an animal sanctuary a permitted use of ag zoned lands? It doesn't seem to deal directly with the production of food and fiber, which makes me leery.


If the definition of ag production is expanded to include sanctuaries, then shouldn't we include De Vaul's project, and Roanoake, and the list might go on and on.

By: Princess1 on 2/24/09

oceandiablo….Your entiteled to your opinion.Do you have one ? Do you even have a heart to be "tugged".Get off your knees and wipe your face.

By: oceandiablo on 2/24/09

This is so sad. Anytime that an animal is put down it puts a strain on the hearts of all involved. But what is really sad is how people can use such a sad event to propagate the emptiness in their own lives. To see the hatred and vitriol that is being dispenced on this blog tugs at my heart even more than did the video. I pray that some day all of your hatreds will be tempered.


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By: Princess1 on 2/25/09

Check out this weenie who is acting as the official spokesperson (paid prostitute) for dancing star.He represents big oil companies when they spill millions of gallons of oil.Tobias and his motley crew have some strange bedfellows.Birds of a feather flock together.


http://www.gillottcommunications.com/

By: coasty on 2/25/09

First I'd like to say that I consider myself an animal lover, environmentalist and a REALIST! I also have worked at Dancing Star in the past.

Starting off:

1. Tobias and his crew=absolutely horrible that they were making in excess of 1 million dollars a year (tribune article quotes them as saying they have taken "voluntary pay cuts" (to get down to 720,000) and are trying to dupe the public and the veterinarians into thinking that the foundation was out of money and that for the sake of the majority of the animals they must sacrifice the significantly geriatric/orthopedically challenged animals.

2. I would also like to emphasize that while everyone appears to be crucifying the veterinarians did they ever stop to consider that they were probably trying to do the best for the animals that are still able to have a quality of life? Have they ever been close enough to a euthanasia to see the tears in the veterinarians eyes?

3. I have known and used Gary Evans as a veterinarian for a number of decades and have found him to be one of the most compassionate and caring people that I have ever met. He doesn't take the decision to euthanize animals lightly. I would assume that he made the judgment that these were the animals that could least cope with tough times and were not able to move freely, maintain weight or some other reason (hard to be a backseat quarterback without having been there isn't it?)

Addressing the "Harry the donkey" comment from another cal coast comments section…Having driven by where he lived numerous times and having seen countless adoring fans of Harry…KILLING HIM WITH KINDNESS I'm sorry but I would bet that he foundered due to people feeding him treats day in and day out rather then something that Dr. Evans did. And how is the veterinarian guilty of the owner neglecting Harry??? I failed to see the logic of the commenter other than trying to come up with a way to smear a truly good man.

3. Regarding Dr. Weltner. I have never met her, however I have heard nothing but good things about her and her treatment of other's loved ones. I don't have any experience with the Creston Farms/trebek issue, however after doing some record searching I have found a few things: From the few articles that I found it appears that she stated that she had not been to Creston Farms the day that the horse was "euthanize". Therefore I'd like to know how she is implicated in this crime…Oh and by the way couldn't find any documentation that either Dr. Weltner or Dr. Evans have been charged, convicted, suspended or otherwise in conjunction with either of the "crimes" that were brought up. We live in the U.S. where "guilty" comes AFTER a jury trial, right?

Come on people this strikes me as deliberate slander to sensationalize an issue.

Where was everyone when there were over 500 animals at dancing star and the ground looked like a feedlot? Environmental disaster? Great environment for already compromised animals?

I would bet that the heroes of this story (Jason, Sheldon and Jenny) would agree with me about the character of the veterinarians. What say you the masses. In my humble opinion.

By: Newsome on 2/24/09

Is an animal sanctuary a permitted use of ag zoned lands? It doesn't seem to deal directly with the production of food and fiber, which makes me leery.


If the definition of ag production is expanded to include sanctuaries, then shouldn't we include De Vaul's project, and Roanoake, and the list might go on and on.

By: Princess1 on 2/24/09

oceandiablo….Your entiteled to your opinion.Do you have one ? Do you even have a heart to be "tugged".Get off your knees and wipe your face.

By: oceandiablo on 2/24/09

This is so sad. Anytime that an animal is put down it puts a strain on the hearts of all involved. But what is really sad is how people can use such a sad event to propagate the emptiness in their own lives. To see the hatred and vitriol that is being dispenced on this blog tugs at my heart even more than did the video. I pray that some day all of your hatreds will be tempered.


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By: KARMA on 2/24/09

The veterinarian performing the euthanasias/unethical killings in the posted video is Dr. Tristen Weltner. She is in the white jacket and light colored jeans with brown short hair. I am not aware of Dr. Evans in this video clip. My guess is Dr. Weltner may be looking at a suspension of her license to "practice" veterinary medicine. The RED STRIKES are really piling up against her. I posted earlier of her 2005 underhanded dealing with the Alex Trebek-formerly owned Creston Farms incident. By the way, this is "NOT" finger pointing. These are JUST THE FACTS. Keep up the valiant efforts everybody, ALL FOR THE ANIMALS !!!

By: TLP on 2/24/09

Thank you, fightforourfriends, for helping me to understand. I can't imagine the horror you and the others are going thru, something that will be with you forever. I am glad you were there for the animals, to give them comfort, especially as they knew and trusted you. I will support the efforts to bring this suffering to an end.

By: john65 on 2/24/09

I just read these articles. I think these people sound like they are becoming mentally ill. Their behavior is too abnormal and schizophrenic. Just like Blagoavich(sp?). The best thing to do is try and get the animals out of there. It will never be a safe haven for animals again. These people will self destruct but the animals shouldn't have to suffer……..

By: fightforourfriends on 2/24/09

The reason the employees were there was for moral support. We're a family out there and when we put down one of the animals we are putting down a family member… we can't just walk away from that… we're there to give our horses the last glimpse of love before they go, and to give each other support and a shoulder to cry on. Bottom line is that the remaining employees there just want to see that our babies are taken care of, we don't want to put them in the hands of strangers who have no emotional or personal connection to them. And we are going to see this through until the end and until we know our beloved friends are going to be taken care of and out of harm's way.

By: TLP on 2/24/09

The video is horrible. It's a massacre. The horses are walking fine and do not even look aged, sick, or injured. What justification could that vet possibly give for killing those animals? And I really don't understand the employees participating in it, although I am grateful to those who have come forward. That does take courage. But I'm sorry, I just don't understand why they didn't refuse and walk away from it? It's not like they were in the military and following combat orders? On the other hand, then we wouldn't have this video to witness what is going on there, and thankfully that person had the nerve to do it. Thank you, whoever you are.

By: mulegirl on 2/23/09

Sierrablu – will you please post here tomorrow afterwards to let us outside of California folks know how things went? And maybe a link to the CBS story site?


Re: the Farm Sanctuary information, I would like a copy, but not sure how to get you my e-mail?

By: saveourfriendsplease on 2/23/09

mulegirl the problem is how to file legal charges

By: cowgirl on 2/23/09

Here's something to chew on. The employees of dancing star were told that the reasons for the killings, were financially. When I heard of what was going on I went to the dancing star website and low and behold they had added a DONATE box to their home page. Interesting, I wondered how they could have possibly have spent 43 million. Then about two days after KSBY aired their story I was doing some research that lead back to Dancing star homepage. And guess what I didn't see hmmmmmmmmmm The DONATE box.

feministcat all the cats that stuck around are doing well/fat on baby squirrel/and fancy feast


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By: Joe on 2/23/09

What really bothers me is, we are about to move to a place where I can have livestock. I'd be happy with any old sway back mule, donkey, pony, burro, mustang that I could teach my kids to care for and still be under the advantage of the Williamson act.

By: mulegirl on 2/23/09

Since some of the people posting on here last week seem like they are intimately involved, I wanted to let them know that I contacted the Animal Legal Defense Fund. They cannot assist with any investigations, but said if legal charges are filed by anyone, their "criminal justice system will happily offer our free legal assistance toward prosecution." Hooray.


Legendscowgirl – I know how you feel. I am so livid and yet feel so helpless. All we can do is get the word out, and try to contact people that CAN help, like the California Attorney General's office. But I'm also concerned with the hypocrisy of Tobias and Morrison, who are renowned as environmental and animal rights activists. Oh, guess they forgot to mention, only if you're the RIGHT SPECIES of animal!!


And JorgeEstrada — I just finished a class in Animal Law and, sadly, courts often uphold massive changes to wills and trusts set up for the care of animals. It's appalling. The laws need to change to recognize animals as not mere property equivalent to a desk.

By: paperboy on 2/23/09

I hope these cowards are rooted out and punished for killing the animals and any other nefarious things they might be doing.

Sue Stiles was a grand lady and if she weren't already gone this would just kill her.


By: starvingmexican on 2/23/09

Your just ALL jealous.If you gave a damn you'd be caring for your own animals.Not sending them for someone else to care for.Pathetic.

By: legendscowgirl on 2/23/09

This is a very bad thing that has happend and we need to stop it. Ihave been speading the word as much s i can, but I cant help but feel like its not making a difference. Does anyone have any ideas on what we can do?? I just hate to sleep at night thinking about these innocent helpless animals.

By: JorgeEstrada on 2/23/09

This story says allot more than the sad state of affairs for the animals but just how abussive people can be with your estate, non-profit or not. Many of us in this great country choose to leave our surplus to a great cause and that is a good thing because in many cases that is the only way a good thing gets done. For those who undermine this trust, generosity and the heartful will of others, this is an important story to remember.

By: Cindy on 2/23/09

The following was posted on the petition by Jim Taylor from CA. I think it's worthy of posting here also:

Dancing Stars Board Members are engaging in a multitude of unrelated business activities under the guise of a non-profit. Board Members Michael Tobias President $285,500, Don Cannon V.P.of Finance $240,000, Jane Morrison Vice President $244,000 are excessively benefiting and diverting funds from the Dancing Star Foundation for their own private inurnment. Dancing Star Foundation was formed to provides aged, disabled, infirm, or unwanted domestic animals with food, shelter, veterinary care, and affection. Tobias, Cannon, Morrison, Pat Fitzgerald, Geoffrey Holland, Robert Radin, Elaine Levine, Maral Ohanian, Karine Hackett and Jason Hamaker are operating Dancing Star outside its exempt purpose in which the IRS has strict penalties. The IRS has enacted intermediate sanctions for board members of organizations engaged in such illegal practices. Report Dancing Stars Corrupt Board Members to the IRS at htttpwww://irs.gov or 1-800-829-1040. Dancing Star Foundation E.I.N.# 77-0343380 Veterinarian practitioners for Dancing Star, Dr. Tristen Weltner and Dr. Gary Evans have failed to adhere to state laws and regulations involving animal restraint and euthanasia as well as to standards of conduct established by the veterinary profession. To file a complaint to protect future injustices to animals contact the Department of Consumer Affairs Veterinarian Medical Board at 1-916-263-2610.


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By: bluemule on 2/23/09

The veterinarians involved in this sad story are no more to blame than the employees who gathered and penned the animals pending arrival of the vet for euthanasia, all of whom now know better and I'm sure would take it back if they could. Everyone was doing their job as directed by management, who are the real culprits here. However, I suspect that this whole tragic turn of events isn't based so much in greed as it is in financial desperation; the result of reckless, risky and incompetent management of the endowment which I think in time we'll learn has substantially evaporated in recent months. The real tell is going to be the numbers in the next 501(c)3 filing – if the officers are still paying themselves obscenely high salaries while putting down these innocent animals, it'll be time for tar and feathers.


On the bright side, Cal Coast News has done an excellent job of breaking this story, and now that there's plenty of light being shed on the dirty little secrets of the officers and directors of Dancing Star, it seems highly unlikely that the baseless killings will continue. Let's keep the pressure on.

By: jebsfriend on 2/22/09

Oh and by the way many people have paid hansomly to send their horses to Dancing Star for retirement. And yes, some of them have been recently euthanized. Interesting…

By: jebsfriend on 2/22/09

I have talked with a REAL horse sanctuary, of which we offer free farrier services to, and they have told us that the best thing we can do right now is to e-mail as many people as we can with the video link and petition. This sanctuary I talk of is already persuing action on Dancing Star, so regardless of what we say, "things" will be changing in regards to Dancing Stars operations. Unfortunatly adoptions or alternate sanctuary is not an option at this point, but if it becomes one, I will attempt to recieve some if these animals, and I hope others can too. And in regards to TLP, I am not trying to protect my vet, but at the same time, I feel it is fair to give him some consideration, nobody knows who actually euthanized the animals, and what excuse was given to them. From personal experience, he has been the most compassionate and involved vet I have ever used. He does care. And Like I said, there is no money in killing animals.

By: warhorse on 2/22/09

let me tell you about a cute little shaggy haired burro named petunia. she loved attention and food and would follow you around, sometimes trying to bite some of our butts. her hair had grown down past her eyes. she was one of the cutest little creatures out here. she was full of life and loved by all. she had a severe eye wound in one of her eyes but she was healing and getting better every day. then one day a few weeks ago she came upon dancing stars chopping block "the death order" it was a typically beautiful day, the rain had let up and there was a gentle breeze. since her shaggy hair was put in ponytails so she could see, and to help her other eye heal, she saw us coming with a halter, she came right to us, because she thought that friends were near. the vet's verbal diagnosis was as such, and i quote "why are we putting this burro down, she is clearly on the mend." and because no one ever questioned the supervisors judgement,, no one said anything. all we could do was caress her and hold her and tell her everything would be okay. this took place in a pen with four other burros who were friends we found a nice patch of sand and led her to it. first the sedative was administered and then the euthanasia serum, all the while the vet was questioning this decision. i could see the doubt in the vets eyes and knew the vet felt for this animal. slowly petunia went down on her front and then her hind and then she drifted to sleep i lifted my head up and saw the other burros looking at us and heard them braying. i looked in their eyes and saw the fear. they knew what we had done. i believe her to be one of the most beautiful creatures i have ever cared for. this animal was snuffed out by the greed of the people who were chosen to protect her. that is one of many stories about the beautiful animals whose lives were ended by the heartless corporate entity known as dancing star foundation, lives that we can never get back. rip all our beloved friends i am writing this hoping that the vet involved will search her heart and come forward.


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By: TLP on 2/22/09

jebsfriend, Please be respectful of other people's opinions, even when they don't mesh with your own agenda. You tell me then, what you think might motivate a veterinarian to euthanize so many animals in such a systematic manner? I do understand your devotion to your vet and hope he discusses this situation with you to your satisfaction. Since you don't know anything about me, what I know or don't know, or what I can offer, your personal attack is unnecessary. I do commend you for offer to take in animals, as many have done. I hope that the Sanctuary will open up their gates and let this happen.

By: jebsfriend on 2/22/09

TLP, what gives you the thought that the vets are raking in the money when they euthanize the animals. Just to let you know, Evans has been my vet for years and has euthanized one of my horses and trust me, he was compassionate, and charged a trivial amount (and yes the mare needed to be put down, she was 39 and had terminal cancer). Again I hardly think the vets motivation is money related. And once more, you have no idea what the vets were told by the caretakers or anyone else for that matter. Either way you can have fun talking sh*t about who ever you want, but do you have a horse trailer and a place to put a few of these animals? I do…

By: Princess1 on 2/22/09

Way to go joe.I especially like the last sentence.And Warhorse,you rock like led zepplin.I could give kudos for hours to each and every one of you who are helping with this.But that would take hours.So I will just say thank you to each and every one of you for what you are doing.Would someone please buy the starvingmexican a happy meal please ?

By: Joe on 2/22/09

Sign this and we'll give you a week? I've said no to better "severance" packages.

I guess I'm in between here, how did the animals end up at dying star? owners give them up or were they taken away? I can see why they had to go, but who is making dog food out of them? or is it a total waste? Regardless, putting down any animal under the claim that you can't afford to care for it….and going to the bank with your 6-figure salary?? The wrong asses are being killed.

By: TLP on 2/22/09

I respectfully disagree. I think finger pointing absolutely needs to be done with everyone involved in this tragedy, and especially with these vets that show a pattern and history of questionable behavior. They probably had to sign some kind of confidentiality agreement too, but the money looked more attractive to them than their conscious. I think they should be boycotted.

Here are some excerpts from the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics of the AVMA:

–Veterinarians should first consider the needs of the patient: to relieve disease, suffering, or disability while minimizing pain or fear.

–Veterinarians should be honest and fair in their relations with others, and they should not engage in fraud, misrepresentation, or deceit.

–Veterinarians should report illegal practices and activities to the proper authorities.

By: animalhelper on 2/22/09

I agree with jebsfriend. Let's not finger point or get other issues involved. Didn't Jane Morrison state in the Tribune article Feb. 19 that they were trying to adopt some animals out? Maybe someone should contact her and if that is an incorrect statement, she needs to make a retraction. I heard that the ranch is not allowing animals to be adopted. How can she say one thing and do another? Which is correct?

Has someone shown up at the ranch to try to adopt? How about a qualified individual who can truly give an animal a good home bringing a member of the media with them if they go to the ranch to talk about adoption with the ranch manager?

By: jebsfriend on 2/22/09

I don't condone the euthanasia that is going on but how do you connect Harrys death with fault to the vet? I am pretty sure it is the owners fault that he was neglected, lets post his name on the internet and burn him for it. If he never called the vet for care, then its not the vets fault. Im pretty sure your doctor doesnt call you to make sure you are healthy, but just the opposite, you have to call him. I just think in this matter, lets not get carried away with finger pointing, and deal with the real problem. And that is making sure no other animals get wrongly killed right? So now what is the next step…


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By: jebsfriend on 2/22/09

The euthanasia may have been stopped for now, but how can we make sure it doesn't happen again? I understand the euthanasia of very sick animals, but not healthy ones. I want to help somehow. I have property and raise and train horses myself. I know I could help some of these animals. Whether it be a place for them to stay while permanent homes were found or otherwise. If anyone knows how how we can actually help the animals now, let me know.

By: KARMA on 2/22/09

Dr. Evans and Dr. Weltner's CHECKERED PAST … Many remember our beloved and SLO County famous "Harry" the donkey who lived just off hwy 101 between Avila and SLO. Dr. Evans was Harry's primary care vet. Harry died in the summer of 2005 due to neglect – hmmmm. And Dr. Weltner! January-February, 2005 Dr. Tristen Weltner was in the mix at Alex Trebek's (of Jeopardy) Creston Farm fiasco – a $100,000 Thoroughbred race horse broodmare named BeBe Trando owned by Marion Warner was at Creston Farm to be bred. Instead Warner was told her horse got sick and was euthanized at the farm. Warner filed suit claiming her horse was stolen by Trebek and company, and that another horse not even fitting her horse's description was euthanized. Dr. Weltner was the vet doing the euthanization – hmmmm. If Tobias, Morrison and Cannon are sucking in such lucrative salaries, I wonder how much they are paying Dr. Evans and Dr. Weltner to perform these euthanasias/killings? Enough to clear their consciences? Perhaps they have no conscience to begin with! Please remember everyone – there is "ONLY" a "TEMPORARY" hold on the euthanasias. Work has only just begun to stop these unfounded mass killings of these innocent helpless animals. The petition is a great idea but "REAL ACTION" needs to continue. KEEP PRESSURING THE VETERINARIANS til legal action can halt this all together!

By: warhorse on 2/21/09

msnbc.com has posted a statement by dancing stars representative just remember, that the reason sue stiles took in these animals was because they were infirm as far as michael tobias and jane gray morrisson loving their animals, is a joke. i guarantee that if anyone showed them random pictures of animals, they would not know a) if they were part of dancing star or b) what their names are. let's not forget the mission statement…. and look at grace in that video… she is certainly not in dire pain they lie and unfortunately have the money to spread their lies

please help fight the fight do not let all these beautiful animals die in vain

By: TLP on 2/21/09

Today I put flowers at the gate of Dancing Star in tribute to the Dancing Stars that have crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.

By: Cindy on 2/21/09

Cannon promises in the agreement that the foundation will not contest a former employee’s efforts to secure unemployment insurance if conditions of the agreement are met.

Cannon actually put that in writing! He needs a course in Human Resources. He can not contest their rights to unemployment based on whether an Employee speaks out or not. He is making illegal threats and its right there in writing. The EDD is going to ignore them if they try to contest anything. These people are not qualified to be acting as employers or fiduciaries.

By: MartinW on 2/21/09

I'm impressed. The animal advocates have done a fantastic job of whipping these greedy self absorbed fiduciaries. Keep the pressure up because it sounds like they might of had plans to possibly sell some of the land. These people seem to have some grandiose concepts about what they should be doing with the funds that were entrusted to them. I'd like to see the original mission statement and bi laws, so would the IRS.

By: Laura on 2/21/09

Remember to sign the petition. People all over the country are signing but it's off to a slow start. We can do better than this. I sent this link to 15 friends. Please all get involved.


http://tinyurl.com/barwcg


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By: Cindy on 2/21/09

WOW, I just checked out the CBS5 link that Bluemule posted. CBS did a fantastic job of getting this story out. While Tobias continues to claim that they are euthanizing only animals that are sick it's clear that they are really euthanizing to reduce the #'s. Kudo's to the employee's that turned down the "hush money".

I do want to encourage everyone to sign the petition and send it off to as many people as you can. It's gaining momentum but it's off to a slow start. There is no reason why we can't do better, it only takes a couple of minutes.

By: bluemule on 2/21/09

CBS5 out of the Bay Area did a really good piece on this travesty. Check it out via the link below, and be sure to watch the video version.


http://cbs5.com/local/animals.horses.Euthanized.2…


if that link doesn't work, try this one:


http://tinyurl.com/boyj6v

By: Cindy on 2/21/09

This reminds me of when the animal shelter tried to silence the volunteers under the watchful eye of Anderson and Sheriff Hedges. Take your severance pay and throw the agreement out the window. What a joke. If the truth is disparaging to them then so be it. There is nothing wrong with the truth.

By: starvingmexican on 2/21/09

I still say we should feed the needy with these creatures.

By: hotdog on 2/21/09

Wow, that exit agreement sounds like a clear violation of our 1st Amendment rights. I would sign it for the money and then throw it out the window. I find it hard to believe any decent organization needing to employ such draconian tactics to hide their activities. Smells like a rat to me.

And according to the paltry wages they pay, a week's worth isn't much-those of us 'out here' could make that up in donations to encourage the employees to chat all they will about what they know.

By: feministcat on 2/21/09

Everyone please sign the petition! If we let this rest, it will start all over!


Here is a petition against Dancing Star Foundation for the un-necessary killing of sanctuary animals;


http://tinyurl.com/barwcg


Please pass it around!

By: Vagabond on 2/20/09

“making disparaging statements or remarks about the foundation, any of its officers, directors, employees or any of its activities."


And just WHO decides what constitutes what "disparging" means here?


North Korea welcome to SLO!


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