An elephant from Commerford at the 2015 Goshen Fair. U.S. zoo under fire for 'poor treatment' of kangaroo A kangaroo filmed pacing within a small cage at a US petting zoo has sparked a petition to bring the animal back to Australia. End her suffering now! Minnie, is an Asian elephant who was born in the wild in Thailand and imported to the US in 1972 when she was two months old. The Expo Center rented space to the R.W. For decades, Beulah, Karen, and Minnie have been exploited as "performers" in the Commerford Zoo's traveling circus. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. According to Mallardi, the kangaroo is allegedly owned by Commerford Zoo in Goshen. Together, we can make that happen. Judge James Bentivegna, from Torrington, Connecticut, denied a petition put forward by the Nonhuman Rights Project, a charity which aims to grant animals legal personhood, demanding the release of 3 elephants from the Commerford zoo. 2. Tim Commerford, owner of the Commerford Zoo, which owns the three elephants, said in a phone interview that he had not seen the lawsuit and had not been aware it was coming. You have JavaScript disabled. These highly intelligent, autonomous, self-aware beings deserve the opportunity to live the life that was stolen from them so long ago. Two elephants have died at the R.W. ... Minnie the elephant at the Connecticut Commerford Zoo. Commerford & Sons, Inc. and William R. Commerford, as president of R.W. 3. With more than 300,000 signatures in hand, animal advocates held a rally and petition dropoff to demand the Commerford Zoo release their three elephants: Bealuh, Karen, and Minnie. Commerford & Sons Traveling Petting Zoo has for years brought animals, both farmyard and exotic, to The Big E. 102 reviews of Commerford & Sons "ABUSE / CRUELTY My son received free passes from his Kindergarten to what was billed as a family friendly traveling zoo in MA. Commerford Zoo send Minnie to a reputable sanctuary to have a chance at a better life! GOSHEN — The petition to grant three Goshen elephants legal rights as “persons” was denied by a judge at Superior Court in Torrington on Tuesday, court records show. The lawsuit by Nonhuman Rights Project started in 2017. In rejecting the petition, ... Karen and Minnie — from the Commerford Zoo in Goshen. You Care. The R.W. Clearly, the Commerford Zoo values profits over the elephants’ well-being or human safety. Later that year, MaGuire sold her to the Commerford Zoo, which also frequently uses her in circuses and fairs. The video, captured at the Commerford Petting Zoo in Connecticut, shows the single roo … Let us know. The judge struck down the petition at the end of December. Old noisy rides and games crammed into the DCU center along with many animals that clearly weren't being treated properly. Without it, our site might not function properly. Minnie's only hope is that the Town of Goshen Board of Selectmen request an emergency inspection of the Commerford Zoo to report on her health. For decades, Beulah, Karen, and Minnie have been exploited as "performers" in the Commerford Zoo's traveling circus. In 1973, she was sold to the Commerford Zoo in Goshen, CT (see below), which frequently uses her in circuses and fairs where she is power-washed (“complete with a gaggle of onlookers crowded around with lawn chairs, boxed lunches and soda”) and forced to give rides to children and adults, among other activities. petition: Shut Down Commerford and Sons Traveling Zoo Shut Down Commerford and Sons Traveling Zoo They mistreat animals and they suffer while being dragged fair to fair. Commerford & Sons Zoo Kids Fun Fair. It’s time to bring it to an end. Commerford & Sons, Inc. The first petition, brought on behalf of Beulah, Karen, ... “The Commerford Zoo chose to deny Beulah and Karen the opportunity to heal, thrive, and regain their dignity in a sanctuary, claiming it was for the elephants’ own good while the USDA looked the other way. Founded in Goshen, CT in 1977, The Commerford Zoo owns elephants, camels, sheep, goats, llamas, donkeys, pygmy horses, ringtail lemurs, macaws, a kangaroo, a zebra, and an African Grey parrot, among other nonhuman animals. Judge James Bentivegna gave two grounds for his dismissal of the petition. They are overworked and living in unhealthy conditions. Summary: In this case the petitioner, Nonhuman Rights Project, Inc., sought a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of three elephants, Beulah, Minnie, and Karen, which are owned by the respondents, R.W. He said that there’s a couple things wrong with this petition. Averaging two bookings a week, Mignon just pays her way.” In 1976, the Hammonds sold Minnie to the Commerford Zoo, which frequently uses her in Indian weddings, film productions, photo shoots, circuses, and fairs. The Commerford Zoo has also used her in commercials and theatrical performances, including a 1981 production of the Connecticut Opera’s Aida, which was  staged at a sports arena. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. They deserve to be free and living in healthy conditions. Old noisy rides and games crammed into the DCU center along with many animals that clearly weren't being treated properly. SUPERIOR COURT Having problems signing this? Respondent R.W. Distressing video of the lonely animal inside a tiny cage at the XL Centre in Hartford, Connecticut, on March 31 was uploaded to Facebook after someone attending a Commerford Petting Zoo … Sign and share today to urge the Commerford Zoo to release Beulah, Karen, and Minnie to a sanctuary. The roo is in a small confined space and really should be with other kangaroos in its natural environment. Welcome to Commerford Zoo. Danielle Le started this petition to Everyone I came across a video of an Australian Kangaroo touring with Commerford Petting Zoo, Conneticut, USA. By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service. Sign and share our Change.org petition urging the Commerford Zoo to release Minnie to a sanctuary. Will you do the same? Violations that pertain to the elephants alone include: failure to have an employee or attendant present during periods of public contact with the elephants; failure to give adequate veterinary care to treat an excessive accumulation of necrotic skin on the elephants’ heads; failure to maintain the elephant transport trailer; inadequate drainage in the elephant enclosure; failure to dispose of a large accumulation of soiled hay, bedding, and feces behind the elephant barn; and failure to keep an elephant under the control of a handler while she was giving rides. On at least three occasions, Minnie has attacked and critically injured her handlers, including while children were riding on her. Commerford & Sons, Inc., with a residential address at 64 Crossman Road, Goshen, CT 06752. Respondent William R. Commerford is the President of R.W. After Big E, animal rights advocates still bearish on Commerford Zoo The Big E may be over, but animal rights advocates still have a bone to pick with the fair's petting zoo attractions. All rights reserved. Shortly after, Earl and Elizabeth Hammonds, in search of a baby elephant to incorporate into their traveling petting zoo, purchased her for $4,000 and transported her from Florida to their New Jersey home in a VW bus so she could become “the first elephant in the world to be raised as a member of a household,” as they write in their 1977 book Elephants in the Living Room, Bears in the Canoe. The chalk was mostly washed away by rain before the hearing let out Monday. UPDATE: Since the creation of this petition Beulah and Karen have died. Letter to Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont; Petition for certification (i.e. The issue was whether the court should grant the petition for writ of habeas … The group also created a petition requesting Commerford Zoo to voluntarily retire the elephants to a … Commerford & Sons Zoo has used a bullhook on poor Beulah and forced her to give rides to visitors. The Expo Center rented space to the R.W. Danielle Lee started the petition and said: "I came across a video of an Australian Kangaroo touring with Commerford Petting Zoo, Conneticut, USA. Please read the updates at the end of the petition to learn what has happened and what is being done to free Minnie. Beulah, is an Asian elephant who was born in the wild in Myanmar in 1967 and imported to the US sometime between 1969 and 1973. There are constantly allegations made against this company about animal mistreatment/abuse. Yelp reviews describe the elephants as “sedated,” “sick,” and “sad,” the facilities as “filthy” and a “stockyard of despair,” and the experience itself “an abomination.” In some cases, local advocates have succeeded in persuading a venue to cancel a scheduled appearance by the Commerford Zoo, but neither public outcry nor the accumulation of USDA violations has resulted in any fundamental change in the animals’ situation. ____________________________________________________________. Minnie has a history of attacking her handlers, injuring them and members of the public, including a 2006 incident in which, as PETA documented in a 2010 factsheet, “as children were being loaded onto the elephant, [Minnie] became agitated and suddenly swung her head toward the two employees, shifting her weight and pinning them against the loading ramp. The event was dirty to say the least. (13522 signatures on petition) A petition was started by Danielle Le in Australia; it calls for the release of the kangaroo to a suitable home, either in the United States or Australia. Send them to a sanctuary! TORRINGTON — Judge James Bentivegna denied a petition seeking to free three elephants from the Commerford Zoo Tuesday, rejecting the … Beulah has suffered for years from a foot disorder. A Connecticut judge has denied a petition by an animal rights group to grant legal "personhood" to three elephants being kept at a zoo. TORRINGTON — Judge James Bentivegna denied a petition seeking to free three elephants from the Commerford Zoo on Tuesday, rejecting the argument that the animals should be granted legal personhood. The petition was filed in November this year by the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) on behalf of three elephants – Beulah, Minnie, and Karen, who are in captivity at the Commerford Zoo in Goshen, Connecticut. You can unsub at any time here. Elephants have a right to liberty and should be freed from a Connecticut zoo, a court petition filed on Monday argued. The petition also contends that the Commerford Zoo is holding the elephants against their will. "The best way to predict the future is to create it!". Below is additional information on Beulah, Karen, and Minnie and the Commerford Zoo. Commerford Zoo holds Kids Fun Fairs, has a petting zoo, carnival games and rides, and private animal rentals. Add your signature to the petition below and demand this emergency inspection now. A Change.org petition asking The Big E to stop inviting the Commerford's zoo back to the fair, which has attracted over 5,000 supporters, describes their … Shut Down Commerford and Sons Traveling Zoo, Copyright © 2020 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. The Change.org petition has a pretty clear message: Keep traveling zoos out of Vermont. An eyewitness reported that one of the employees had provoked the elephant by striking her in the face.” Despite this history, the Commerford Zoo still forces her to give rides, as indicated on the travel itinerary the Commerford Zoo submitted to the USDA in March 2017. The Commerford zoo has set up an online funding campaign to subsidize the cost of Minnie's care, while also claiming to provide a "sanctuary" of their own. Outside a Connecticut court where appeals judges considered a habeas petition on behalf of three captive elephants, animal rights activists used chalk to draw supportive messages for the Commerford Zoo elephants Beulah, Karen and Minnie. Beulah, Karen, and Minnie should be immediately transferred to PAWS where they will be able to live freely for the first time in years. This petition starter stood up and took action. (509386 signatures on petition) Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world’s largest community for good. Both the Performing Animal Welfare Society’s sanctuary in California and The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, the US’s two accredited elephant sanctuaries, have offered to provide Minnie with lifetime care no cost to the Commerford Zoo. Imported to the US by Jurgen C. Schulz—who ran an import-export business for exotic animals and now owns the Kifaru Exotic Animal & Bird Auction—Karen was sold to animal trainer Richard “Army” Maguire in 1984. The USDA has cited the Commerford Zoo over 50 times for failing to adhere to the minimum standards required by the Animal Welfare Act. The Nonhuman Rights Project started this petition to The Commerford Zoo UPDATE: Since the creation of this petition Beulah and Karen have died. TORRINGTON — Judge James Bentivegna denied a petition seeking to free three elephants from the Commerford Zoo Tuesday, rejecting the argument that the animals should be … The company is called Commerford Zoo. Massachusetts residents: call your state representatives and ask … Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. TORRINGTON - Judge James Bentivegna denied a petition seeking to free three elephants from the Commerford Zoo Tuesday, rejecting the argument that the animals should be … The Agreement gave WPZS exclusive rights and responsibilities regarding many areas such as the care, sale, and purchase of the Zoo's animals. request for permission to appeal) Sign this petition to save Minnie, the last remaining elephant. We have rides, games, and a … Karen is an African elephant who was born in the wild in 1981 in an unknown location. Thank you for your support and for signing this petition. Send them to a sanctuary! To address the Zoo's growing size and complexity, Defendant Woodland Park Zoo Society (WPZS) entered into an “Operations and Management Agreement” (Agreement) with the City of Seattle. Please urge the Commerford Zoo to voluntarily retire Beulah, Karen, and Minnie to PAWS now by signing this petition and sending a short, polite email to them at commerfordzoo@yahoo.com. For the past decade, numerous area residents have tried to raise awareness of the poor conditions at the Commerford Zoo and sought to prevent it from coming to their communities, sharing their experiences online, proposing ordinances, setting up online petitions, writing letters to the editor, and participating in on-site protests. At the Commerford Zoo — a traveling circus cited by the USDA more than 50 times for violating minimum standards of the Animal Welfare Act — Beulah, Karen, and Minnie are forced to perform at circuses and fairs where they are required to give rides despite Beulah’s painful foot disorder and Minnie’s aggression from years of psychological abuse that has resulted in her attacking handers and the public. A traveling petting zoo is no place for an intelligent animal like Beulah, let alone a traveling zoo with a long list of Animal Welfare Act violations. The event was dirty to say the least. He said that there’s a couple things wrong with this petition. “To pay Mignon’s bills … Mrs. Hammond rents her for parties, sales promotions and Republican political gatherings. It has filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, which for people relates to whether someone is being unlawfully detained and should see a judge. The company is called Commerford Zoo. We Care2. Commerford owns the traveling zoo. The Change.org petition has a pretty clear message: Keep traveling zoos out of Vermont. Here, you’ll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. They mistreat animals and they suffer while being dragged fair to fair. File photo / Hearst Connecticut Media TORRINGTON — Judge James Bentivegna denied a petition seeking to free three elephants from the Commerford Zoo on Tuesday, rejecting the argument that the … They deserve to be free and living in healthy conditions. Commerford & Sons, Inc., also known as the Commerford Zoo, is a Connecticut corporation with a business address at 48 Torrington Road, Goshen, CT 06756. Complete this action alert to send an email to the Commerford Zoo, urging them to release Minnie to a sanctuary. WORCESTER - There were no elephants at the R.W. Firstly, he said the NhRP “lacked standing”. Sign this petition to demand that R.W. Please read the updates at the end of the petition to learn what has happened and what is being done to free Minnie. You are our people. A little over a year ago, on November 13, 2017, the Nonhuman Rights Project began litigating in the courts for the recognition of Beulah, Karen, and Minnie’s fundamental right to bodily liberty, their release from the Commerford Zoo, and their transfer to the Performing Animal Welfare Society, a preeminent elephant sanctuary in United States that has agreed to provide the elephants with refuge and lifelong care at no cost to the Commerford Zoo. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. Danielle Lee started the petition and said: "I came across a video of an Australian Kangaroo touring with Commerford Petting Zoo, Conneticut, USA. Our kids fun fairs, held year-round up and down the east coast, are a fun, friendly, and safe place to bring your family! I started this petition in hopes of giving Beulah a better life. Beulah, Karen, and Minnie are three wild-born elephants who have been held captive and exploited for over three decades by a traveling circus called the Commerford Zoo. 102 reviews of Commerford & Sons "ABUSE / CRUELTY My son received free passes from his Kindergarten to what was billed as a family friendly traveling zoo in MA. (13522 signatures on petition) It is time they let Beulah retire and live out the rest of her life in an elephant sanctuary. Commerford Zoo in the last year. Thank you for your support and for signing this petition. Zoo owner Tim Commerford said the elephants are ... a New York court ruled against Mr Wise when he filed a petition to have two chimpanzees held in cages by private owners released. 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