People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals (PETA)
December 2013
Just earlier this year, Liebel was ordered to pay a $7,500 penalty and to cease and desist from violating the law following nearly three dozen charges of violations of the AWA. Most of the charges related to Liebel's mistreatment of Nosey, including repeatedly chaining her so tightly that she could barely move and denying her necessary veterinary care. Enough is enough. Liebel has not demonstrated compliance with the AWA, and the USDA must not rubber-stamp his license again.
Please join PETA today in politely urging the USDA not to renew Liebel's exhibitor's license.
Sign an online petition
And/or better yet, make direct contact:
Tom Vilsack
Secretary of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue S.W.
Washington, DC 20250
phone (202) 720-3631
fax (202) 720-2166
[email protected]
The federal license allowing the infamous Hugo "Tommy" Liebel to exhibit
the neglected elephant Nosey is set to expire on January 30, and Nosey needs
your help now. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited Liebel
with hundreds of Animal Welfare Act (AWA) violations, yet it renews Liebel's
license year after year. Liebel's decades-long abuse and neglect of Nosey
must end, and the USDA must refuse to renew his license once and for all.
The USDA has cited Liebel again and again for mistreating Nosey by shackling
her with short chains, denying her veterinary care, and failing to safely
handle her. According to the affidavit of a former employee, a Liebel
trainer once "used the [bullhook] handle, turned off the lights in the
performance ring and beat the elephant" while she was "staked down by all
four legs." He also attested that Nosey was routinely shocked with electric
prods. Other animals have also suffered in Liebel's neglectful hands—the
USDA has cited Liebel for keeping spider monkeys in "extremely dirty and
soiled" enclosures, leaving a spider monkey tethered dangerously to a pony,
and allowing the escape of a spider monkey who was not recaptured for six
weeks.
Thank you for everything you do for animals!
Return to Action Alerts
Find
area codes
Find zip
codes