We all want to be treated kindly and compassionately. Don't we realize that the animal world wants the same thing? Anyone who lacks compassion for the animal world, I truly believe, will not treat the human world well either.

::::::::

You might have met Nosey on Facebook, but I met her on Care2. Here Piper Hoffman shared the story of this 30-year-old abused elephant.  Though sick and suffering, she nevertheless is made to perform by her uncaring owner.   

An attempt was made to inform UniverSoul's CEO, Cedric Walker,  about her sad state of health, but he ignored the 28,500 petitions signed by caring people in just two days. Unmoved by this act of compassion, he decided to do business with Hugo "Tommy" Liebel who someone so well described as so heartless that he may just be impersonating a human being. 

And since then, Nosey also just finished performing at the Arenac County Fair in Standish, Michigan--Another company that obviously paid no attention to the pleas of petition signers. 

However, there were some other groups though who responded compassionately to Nosey's plight.  When Peta and individual animal lovers informed The Blue Water Fest of Nosey's suffering, this caring company told Liebel to take a hike!  Beautiful. 

Also concerned about Nosey, the Western Michigan Fair in Ludington refused to hire Nosey to give rides. I hope compassionate groups like this will also follow the example of some EU countries who no longer allow animals in their circuses because of the abuse so many have to endure.  

In Nosey's case, activists are making a difference and Liebel is trying to escape the public eye.  He even has renamed Nosey as Tiny, Dumbo, or Peanut to fool the public.  But he has failed in this regard to hide his cruelty, and word has gotten out. Now Nosey even has her own Facebook page with information about upcoming performances. The site also tells how to protest the companies that pay Liebel to exploit her. People of compassion will not pay to see Nosey suffer.

And where is the USDA in all of this?  Hoffman reported that they scheduled a hearing on Liebel's long-running violations of the Animal Welfare Act.  Even though these violations were based on multiple government inspections of Nosey's pitiful condition and 109,000 readers signed a petition calling for the USDA to rescue Nosey from Liebel, it never happened. 

Eight days before the hearing, the agency reached a settlement with Liebel, fining him a pathetic $7,500.  They let Nosey down big time.  

How magnanimous of the USDA to keep Liebel in business as usual while Nosey continues to be exploited.  And the concern of well over 100,000 petition signers went for naught. Nosey should have been taken from this cruel man and placed in a sanctuary.  Why are these officials so heartless? Why are they so indifferent to the will of so many people who showed their concern for Nosey? 

In Defense of Animals is launching a new campaign to persuade the USDA to get serious and retire Nosey to a sanctuary where Liebel  can't ever touch her again. 

Haughty Liebel was reported being heard saying that he had no intention of changing his ways to comply with the Animal Welfare Act and the USDA's order.

In the meantime, Nosey spends hours locked in a trailer in over 90 degree heat. The only time she is allowed to walk is when a customer is riding her. Other times she is chained unable to even turn around.    

I signed another petiton for her at this site urging the USDA to impose meaningful punishment for Liebel and to confiscate his  animals.  He also has two monkeys and we worry that they are probably exploited as well.  

I hope the USDA comes to the realization that Liebel will not change his ways.  As he defiantly said--he was not going to follow the Animal Welfare Act. That should be reason enough to move on him and rescue Nosey and the two spider monkeys. Isn't  thumbing down your nose on a Congressional Act a serious matter?  Shouldn't it have consequences?  

In Defense of Animals has always fought hard to rescue elephants who are being abused or are living in terrible conditions in zoos.  We all hope that they will be successful in freeing Nosey from a hellish life and that one day she will find herself in a "shangrila" sanctuary with other elephants.  She so richly deserves retirement. 

Hoffman lists some of Liebel's violations in the care of Nosey:

1.  In one inspection, the government found that in Nosey's cage  a portion of the metal wall was detached, exposing a sharp metal edge that could injure Nosey.

2.  Nosey has a visibly poor and painful skin condition that Liebel persistently ignores -- illegally denying her necessary veterinary care.

3.  In 2009, an inspector caught Liebel keeping Nosey tethered in such a manner that she could only move a few feet from side to side --this in willful violation of the law.  The chains that tethered her were so taut that Nosey was unable to lie down on her side.

4.  In October 2009 the government inspectors found that Liebel failed to store supplies of food in facilities that adequately protected such supplies against deterioration, molding, or contamination by vermin.  Poor Nosey doesn't even get food that is decent, nourishing, and edible.  

It truly amazes me that the USDA has not confiscated poor Nosey. I pray that In Defense of Animals will succeed in their court case, and that an understanding and compassionate judge will do what the USDA has failed to do --and that is to free Nosey from the hellish existence she has had during most of her 30 years of  slavery under Liebel. 

Authors Bio:
I have been concerned about animal suffering ever since

I received my first puppy Peaches in 1975. She made me take a good look at the animal kingdom and I was shocked to see how badly we treat so many animals. At 77, I've been a vegan for the past 30 years and I thank God every day that I am. I am most disturbed at how little the Catholic Church and Christian churches generally give to concern re animal suffering in their ministry. I wrote to 350 bishops in 2001 and only 10-13 responded. I feel that the very least they can do is to instruct that the priests give one sermon a year on compassion to animals. I am still waiting for that sermon. I also belong to Catholic Concern for Animals - founded in England in 1929. (They are on the internet) I recently sent a sample copy of their bi-monthly publication called the ARK to the 8 Catholic bishops of Ohio. Only ONE kindly responded. Somehow we have to reach the Christian teaching magisterium. There is next to nothing re animal concerns and compassion for them. They basically believe that animals are the lesser of God's creation and that gives us the right to do anything we want to them. Way wrong. We need to change their mindsets. The animals are God's first and He expects us to treat them compassionately.