Good God.

BRB, driving to Ohio to smack that woman.

this is so sad. but i have to say, i work at petsmart in the animal care department. and we have incredibly strict rules and guidelines about keeping the animals in our care healthy and happy. sooooo lets not be so quick to jump to judgment…. petland is HORRIBLE and notorious for mistreatment, but please don’t bunch all pet stores in that category….

I cannot say what I’d like to say but I think you get my point… that disgusts me…but I also agree that it’s not all pet stores.

thanks mrmac.

this woman, whoever she is, should be prosecuted. is peta planning a lawsuit against her? or at least reporting it to the authorities? does anyone know?

Thanks LPT. Its been in my mind to stop buying from pet stores that sell animals, but im done thinking about it now. Ill order online for whatever I need, we dont have a non pet selling store around here.

Oh my God that is horrible!  I cannot believe someone would do such a thing and to take a picture too?!  I won’t jump to conclusion to cuss out Petland because it isn’t the company that did this, it was the workers.  But I will say I hope they both go someplace down south that’s very hot!  Makes me sad just thinking of what they went through

I was also wondering if anything was going to happen to her or the manager? I dont see how nothing could be done?!

I would say this woman in mentally ill, but that would only give her the screwball defense in court.
She knew exactly what she was doing. To have a picture taken like that… they both need to be locked up. >.<

This is not a safe world for bunnies, or any other living thing, with freaks like this running around loose.

That is the saddest thing I’ve ever seen… =( Something better be done about these people! The most appalling part is that the manager allowed it and then took the picture! The smile on that girl’s face makes me want to…

This is what you should do when you see this. Look at the location (akron, OH), then use google and type in Akron Ohio SPCA and see what comes up. Then, either call or send them an email with the link to the article. Here’s the email I sent to the two SPCA’s in the area:

Hello there,

I am not sure if you had been alerted to this yet or not but I wanted to put my voice into the mix. I just received this link that shows a worker at the Akron Petland holding up two rabbits she had just drowned in the back of the shop, with the manager taking the picture. I would appreciate any information on any actions taken against these people and this establishment.

http://blog.peta.org/archives/2009/08/bunnies_drowned.php?c=pfs

Thank you.

Mark ________

###-####

The Petland site has a news article posted about it, sayign an investigation is underway, and local law enforcement has gotten involved. Poor little buns.. binky free guys!

I feel sick. I donate monthly to the RSPCA after a door to door collector visited me. Although I have always been an animal lover, I am generally of the opinion that many people give to ‘cute fluffy animals’ when there are an awful lot of starving and neglected children (and adults) that need our help more. However, this guy pointed out that one of the things the RSPCA is doing is campaigning for stricter punishments for animal abusers – if this woman can do this to defenceless rabbits and obviously get a kick out of it, what would she eventually be capable of doing to another human being? She should be locked up. Heaven forbid she should ever have children.

What is even more disturbing is that she actually posed for a photo with them and I also find it odd that she is wearing scrubs which makes her look like a vet tech or someone who is an authority on animals.

I’m glad law enforcement has gotten involved too.

The response I got from one of the SPCA’s was to call the Cleveland Animal Protective League at 216-771-4616. I did and left a message on their hotline at 216-377-1630 just ‘putting my voice to the cause’ as I told them.

I do agree with Newmum that there is something wrong with our society when animals receive more funding and care than human beings but unlike human beings, animals don’t have a choice or voice. There was a case out here where a mother of two was killed by a mountain lion, which was then shot dead. Both of them had two children and both had a trust fund set up for them. The cubs received 30% more donations than the kids did. That, IMO, is slightly screwed up although the kids did have a father (the parents were divorced) whereas the cubs had no one.

Apparently she has a court date on the 17th.  Updated article and local news video here:

http://www.woio.com/Global/story.asp?S=10848039

Posted By Newmum on 08/05/2009 02:45 AM 
if this woman can do this to defenceless rabbits and obviously get a kick out of it, what would she eventually be capable of doing to another human being?

Thats when the serial killer link pops into my head. I knew people in my highschool who worked for petland and it was a rule that if you worked in the back, behind all the sad little puppies and kittens, you were required to wear scrubs, stupid rule.

Wow. I’m speechless. This is terrible. Poor little bunnies

“this woman will transform into a rabbit in her next generation and be drowned to death after a injury ” —-according to chinese traditional faith.

Posted By LittlePuffyTail on 08/05/2009 05:05 PM

Thank you for getting involved MarkBun.

KatieHedger: I agree not all pet stores mistreat animals but I am anti-petstore because anyone can walk in and buy a pet on impulse and most pet stores contribute to the overpopulation of animals.

I think one of the worst parts of this is the sadistic look on the girls face. I tried to find this girl on Facebook but I assume she got a lot of negative messages and hid herself.

Quoted from the article link posted by Markbun: “Carlisle has been slapped with charges and will appear in Akron Municipal Court on August 17th.”  SHE HAD BETTER GET MUCH MORE THAN A SLAP!!!!

I hope we can find out what happens to her.

I did read that her facebook was no longer up.

I’m glad she’s going to court and hope she gets more than a slap on the wrist….but what about the manager?!  I think they are just as guilty as the girl in the picture because the let this happen and even took a picture.    I’m guessing this happened during the day because the manager told her to keep it down while she was cursing at them to die.  So if they were both back there (I’m assuming) I wonder if there were other workers at the time?  And did they have any clue what was going on in the back?  Or even investigate other workers from there that have worked with both her and the manager…I’m sure there were signs…you just don’t wake up in the morning and say “Hey I think I’ll kill an animal or two today”.  I sure hope they lock her up because if that doesn’t scream future serial killer, what does?!

i gotcha LPT.

I’m envious that there are rules and regulation to help out animals in your respective countries, but I don’t think we have one as strong here. I’m currently in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, where they sell pets in the sunday market.

The rabbits are overpopulated, obviously, sold underaged and cheap (Rm25 = US$7). The conditions are bad for some, and they don’t seem to handle them well (holding the mini buns by their tail). Kids as young as 5 years old go there, pick up one or more buns, then bring home. i’m not sure whether they can even take care of themselves, moreover the rabbits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch

My dad’s a contractor here. He once went to a house for some renovation works and found a small closed up hutch at the far corner of the backyard (houses here are all fenced up). To his surprise, there are 4 neglected rabbits left by the previous house owner. Imagine, they must have moved out for a while, leaving the buns to fend for themselves. So he and his friend decided to each bring 2 buns home, and my dad gave them to someone.

I’m embarrased to say I got my bun from the petstore, which later I realised, am not doing justice to the pets welfare too. So I’ll definitely not purchase anymore rabbits from the store in the future.

i think i am going to throw up, I dont read news about pet cruelty because it makes me sick to my stomach

That’s sick. I hope they charge the manager to, she also played a big part. Those poor buns. Binky Free little guys

I just found the following article on Facebook.  It looks like PETA has stepped in, thank goodness!!!

The article does mention additional acts of cruelty so if your like me and can’t handle reading about more abuse I will highlight were those passages start.  (I did read them this morning and it ruined a little of my relief from the opening of the article.

My concern is the trivial charges, really. If she can torture two helpless animals and stand to wake up in the morning, I vote automatic felony. Honestly, if she had killed two innocent infants, the outcry would be greater. In my opinion, animals are just as innocent as children.

“These are M Class charges which make this an enhancable crime which means if she is ever charged with animal cruelty again it will turn into a felony.”

The thought that the charges would be so insignificant that she would have the opportunity to harm another animal is just mortifying.

Also people who kill animals, it is suggested are one step away from being able to move on to humans, not that that makes the act worse, but it says alot about the sort of person they are x

The good news is that the photo and her name is posted on the internet now and this incident will follow her for the rest of her life.  By posting this herself on Facebook and who knows how many people saw the photo and info- she will NEVER be able to remove all references from the internet.  It is getting more and more common that employers, colleges, etc are using the internet/google for references.  And this is a big RED FLAG that screams do not hire, do not rent to, do not do business with, etc….

I am still in shock over this. This store is close to me, not more than an hour away. But I am sure this kind of thing (drowning, freezing) happens all over the country in many/most petstores. It has to. What do we think happens to the sick or injured animals? The stores are not calling the vet to prescribe anitbiotics to the wheezing rat. The stores are in this business for a profit, they are no different than Wal-mart, Staples, Best Buy. They have a product that they are trying to sell. If it does not sell, it goes on clearance. I’m sure we have all at one time or another seen a “reduced price” bunny or cat or puppy. And then what happens if it still doesn’t sell? SOMETHING has to happen b/c then they are no longer there. They buy these bunnies for $2 or $5 at most, and sell them for $30, $40 or $50.

This girl is an idiot for doing this, and then posting these pics. But I know this had to have been sanctioned from someone. Maybe the manager, maybe “corporate”. I highly doubt this idiot girl came up with this all by herself. I think everyone needs to be investigated, all employees, all managers, the individual franchise owners.

Honestly, it’s one of those things that I’d prefer not to think about. I would love to believe that if a bun gets sick at the store, they take care of it, they nurse it back to health, they make sure it’s healthy before it goes to a loving, forever home. But I know that’s not the reality. Imagine how many rabbits a store would have to sell to cover the vet bill from one wheezing puppy? They’re in it for the profits and that’s it. The few times I have purcahsed pets from a petstore (mice, hamsters, guinea pigs) I have always p*ssed off the sale people b/c they try to sell me food or a cage or other supplies and I tell them, “Oh I already have that stuff at home.” They don’t care about the animal, they want you to buy the $20 guinea pig so they can sell you the $50 cage and the other assorted $50 worth of stuff.

I used to go into a pet land every week in Michigan and they were legit. I tried getting a job but i didn’t have enough knowledge and experience handle pets I didn’t own. Seriously the girls that worked there I used to think were beotches but i guess it was just them not wanting to give up an animal to a teenager and rather see it in a secure home.

That’s so effing disturbing.

I agree that is is very disturbing & I know that a lot of pet stores do this, but keep in mind there our a few good ones out there. There’s one here in Livingston thats wonderful. You can tell the lady that ownes it really cares about the animals. She dosn’t leave the animals in there cages all day- she has a playroom set up in the back.
She won’t let anybody impussively (sp?) buy a animal either. She gives you a packet of information & asks you to think it over for a couple of days. And I know she takes sick animals to the vet becouse I’ve seen her there & I’ll ask her about it. Also if it dosn’t work out she will take the animal back & I belive you get a refund.
Beka27- I agree. I doubt the girl did everything to those buns. Didn’t it say in the article that they forced them to fight together? Who was making them do that? And where is them manager in all of this, she’s the one that took the picture! Why isn’t anything happening to her?

at my store, we put our sick animals in another room with cages and food and all the stuff they need, including toys. we check on them 6 times a day- 4 times by a manager, 2 times by an associate. if the animals are in there longer than a week, it is mandatory to take them to the vet, which my manager does. we take them sooner if need be. we absolutely do not euthanize by putting them in a freezer- we rarely euthanize, bc as a store, we’re against it. when we do, its because the animal is suffering. if an animal is unable to be rehabilitated, it is put up for adoption to our associates. we become very close with them because we mother them when they’re sick, so someone always adopts.

the reason associates ask about cage, food, etc is so we know that the pet is going to a good home. we have the right to refuse sale to anyone who we think is unfit to take care of the pet.

i can’t speak for all pet stores but i can absolutely speak for mine. and most of what is being said here is absolutely untrue- at least about my store.

Thinking about a slightly related subject, I would have to say that if the Vick dog fighting case has been settled as quickly as it was and now the footballer is back to playing for another team already, that perhaps this case may not end with quite as strict a sentence as we would feel is necessary for someone with the motives of this woman, due to the current political, social and legal climate. It is sad, but not at all unlikely. I’d be prepared to see a slap on the hand type of judgment here, which will be all the worse for anyone else who thinks they can get away with this kind of cruelty.
The only hope I hold out for the manager of this store was that she took these pictures in an effort to point out the sicko…(perhaps she was afraid to properly ‘tattle’ on her) but I know that’s kind of naive…and rather doubtful. >.<
I think it’s great that there are pet stores out there that take proper care of their charges, and I applaud all of you who know of, or work for, such a place. I have to wonder, now that my local state fair is over, how many unwanted (usually 4H) bunnies may wind up as adoptees at either our shelter or even our local pet stores and how they will be treated, because I know that people up here are more likely to think of rabbits as livestock than personal companion animals. This, I think, heightens the likelihood of abuse and neglect.
Not to mention that if you pull up the craigslist for my area, about half of the bunnies up for adoption or sale are from homes with young children (2 0r 4 year olds) , or people that threaten to send them off for snake food if you don’t contact them. It just makes me sick.

I do know that some corporate pet stores such as Petco have a policy that sick animals MUST be treated by a vet.  The clinic I worked at was there vet for awhile before our exotic vet (sees reptiles ) left the practice.  They would bring in hamsters, reptiles, etc- and we just sent the bill to their corporate office.  I think PETA and other organizations were on their case so badly in the past that they consider it a necessary expense and would pay $60 to treat a hamster.  (They honestly did!)

The vet that became their vet next was a HORRID vet with many complaints, fines and restitutions against his vet license- I emailed Petco corporate and within 1-2 weeks they had another vet listed as “their store vet” (displayed on a sign in the store).  They obviously investigated and wanted NOTHING to do with a controversial vet taking care of their pets.

So not all pet stores are bad- but some certainly are!!

About the abuse case- the girl possibly could not have been killing animals against managers orders- so the manager is guilty too- otherwise the manager would have had to fire her for “destruction of company property” or some other reason- rather than taking a pic.  The manager obviously did not stop this from happening or show enough disapproval to have it not even be considered and option!

I won’t spend money at places that sell puppies- and I think Petland is generally a puppy store too.

I worked at petco for a month- in the grooming dept- and had to leave because of their treatment of the dogs. now i’m at petsmart (also different dept) so I think Katnip, you’re right that it really does vary by store.

i’m sorry if i sound obnoxious, i just love my job and my store and I dont want people to think that we dont love and take care of our pets :/

Any word on the hearing? Wasn’t it on the 17th…
I agree, manager is just as guilty…they should have stopped her in the first place and took proper action and taken the rabbits to the vet.

blog.peta.org/archives/2009/08/protest_at_petl.php

She appeared in court, and had a protest outside. Not sure yet went on in the courtroom itself.

Thanks Monkey!  I saw the video from one of the links in the article and her lawer is saying that she’s an avid animal lover…please   Who in their right mind would believe that crap.  Says the max penalty would be a year… I don’t think that’s enough for a psycopath.  

Well Michael Vick got 23 months, part of which was served at home, and part of his crimes were killing dogs that were “underperforming” and not even sick. So given that I won’t be surprised if she gets a year or less.
– Annette

She’s pleading ‘not guilty’ saying that people misunderstood what happened. If you follow the link at the bottom of the article, apparently a humane officer has determined that she acted alone – that apparently the manager wasn’t involved. You can also see the facebook conversation that was made before it was taken down.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2009/08/peta-protests-pet-store-worker-paints-on-filipino-singer.html

I just can’t wait to hear the line of bs she spins since she’s been caught.

This is on an HRS list I am on:

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY / PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST

8/18/09: Put Petland Out Of The Bunny Business & Jail Killer
**There are 2 separate sample letters in this alert**

Before its removal from Facebook, the caption under this photo read, “A
normal day at Petland.” Former Akron, Ohio employee Elizabeth Carlisle is
charged with two counts of animal cruelty for drowning two wounded rabbits.

8/18/09 UPDATE: Carlisle pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor animal
cruelty charges in Akron Municipal Court. Her pretrial hearing before Judge
Stephen Fallis is 9/3/09. http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/53494117.html

=============================================================
#1. SAMPLE LETTER: TO PETLAND USA
GET A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle.org
Easily modify letter. Copy/paste it into an email or print letter to fax or mail. ??
=============================================================

Petland USA
Ed Kunzelman, Founder and Chair
Frank Difatta, President
250 Riverside St.; Chillicothe, OH 45601
ph: 740-775-2464, 800-221-5935; fax: 740-775-2575
email: elizabeth.kunzelman@petland.com, lacey.clever@petland.com

Dear Mr. Kunzelman and Mr. Diffata,

I understand Petland closed its Akron, Ohio outlet after employee Elizabeth
Carlisle bragged about drowning two rabbits on her Facebook page. I implore
you to take one more step: Please end rabbit sales at all Petland stores.

As you are aware, Carlisle not only drowned rabbits, but also dangled their
dead bodies on either side of her grinning face for an Internet photo. In
Facebook comments, Carlisle says she posed for her manager’s camera
“swearing at [the rabbits] to just hurry up and die…”

Do workers like Carlisle represent Petland’s euthanasia policy and overall
mission “to make a difference” in the communities it serves? Carlisle claims
the rabbits had been “attacking and eating each other.” On Facebook she
describes wounds such as a missing eye, broken jaw and lower-body paralysis.
Where were other employees as these injuries occurred over a span of time?

If the rabbits had been responsibly tended to in the first place, this
merciless killing might not have happened.

Animal health and safety seem problematic for Petland, despite statements
about “the best health care practices [for] the pets in our care.” Petland
ought to focus exclusively on pet supplies and counseling, while promoting
the adoption of homeless animals in cooperation with local rescue groups.

As a minimum effort — considering the negligence and cruelty in these
killings — Petland should terminate rabbit sales at all stores. Thank you
for your valuable time and consideration.

Sincerely,

=============================================================
#2. SAMPLE LETTER: TO AKRON PROSECUTOR ???
GET A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle.org
Easily modify letter. Copy/paste it into an email or print letter to fax or mail. ??
=============================================================

City of Akron Prosecutor’s Office
The Honorable Douglas J. Powley, Chief City Prosecutor
Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center
217 South High Street, Suite 203; Akron, Ohio, 44308
ph: 330-375-2730; fax: 330-375-2281
email: powledo@ci.akron.oh.us

Max Rothal, Director of Law
166 South High Street; Akron, OH ?44308
ph: 330-375-2030; email: rothama@ci.akron.oh.us
Law Department: Law@ci.akron.oh.us

The Honorable Douglas J. Powley and Max Rothal, Director of Law:

I understand former Petland employee Elizabeth Carlisle faces two counts of
animal cruelty after she bragged about drowning two rabbits on Facebook.

I respectfully ask for your thorough prosecution in this case, and hope that
you’ll advocate jail time if Carlisle is convicted. Please also seek to
prohibit Carlisle from owning or working with animals. Any animals still in
her custody ought to be confiscated now.

Carlisle not only drowned rabbits, but also dangled their dead bodies on
either side of her grinning face for an Internet photo. This bizarre
behavior warrants mandatory psychological counseling as well. In Facebook
comments, Carlisle says she posed for her manager’s camera “swearing at [the
rabbits] to just hurry up and die…”

Criminologists view the intensity of vicious behavior — regardless of the
victim’s identity — as a precursor to future violence. Offenders often
“practice” on animals before evolving to crimes against humans.

Indeed, documentation of animal abuse via photographs or web comments
suggests the perpetrator derives pleasure from violent acts — “a serious
indicator that violence will be repeated and/or escalated,” says Dr. Randall
Lockwood of ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Initiatives and a frequent consultant for
cruelty investigators, law enforcers and mental health professionals.

The pet industry typically disregards cruelty in stores. Though complaints
are filed about the brutal mistreatment and disposal of sick or “surplus”
animals — legal action rarely occurs. Animal care costs are cited as reason
to fatally drown, freeze, smash or starve animals.

Please let the pet trade know that animal abuse is not tolerated wherever it
takes place. Thank you for your utmost deliberation in this case.

Sincerely,

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================

Accused rabbit abuser faces protesters, pleads not guilty
http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/53494117.html
Liz Carlisle will be arraigned Monday on cruelty charges in rabbit drowning case
http://www.cleveland.com/crime/index.ssf/2009/08/post_20.html
Petland Employee Who Drowned Rabbits Should Serve Time if Convicted, Says PETA
http://www.peta.org/mc/NewsItem.asp?id=13424
Ask Petland to End Rabbit Sales After Employee Rabbit Killings
https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2385
Akron Petland closes and employee faces cruelty charges…
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/08/akron_petland_closes_employee_1.html

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
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*DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

This is the problem Mark…even if she puts on the song and dance and says she’s sorry, it was because she’s sorry she got caught…not because she has any true remorse for this depravity.
People like this…good grief why do I even classify then as people?? And why do I keep hoping our system of justice will actually mete any out?

Please God, let the judge of this case be a good man or woman who loves animals. Please.

Oh, dear!  It appears we’ve all misunderstood the poor thing!  “Her lawyer, however, says it’s all a misunderstanding and that the young woman is actually an animal lover with an odd sense of humor.“

Um, yeah, a “misunderstanding”.  (my eyes hurt–I need to stop rolling them so much)  The “odd sense of humor” part?  That’s one hella sense of humor she’s got going there.  Does she like to pinch small children or trip elderly people, too, as a “joke”?   And please, whatever Powers that Be, protect me and mine from any more such “animal lovers”.   I’m glad most of the news articles are showing the maniacal picture of her with the poor bunnies cropped out.  Every time I see them, I think of my little black bun and cry.

i bet it doesnt bother her. She is prolly hunts and $*&! so animals like cows pigs chikn rabbits & deer dont bother her to kill. I am still so sicken about this.

When I was younger I used to go to petland ‘ooh puppies and kitties’ attitude. I am an avid animal person but we just went on vacation and went with my husbands family to a petland and it sickened me to go in there. I will never set foot in one again. There must have been at least 20 little baby bunnies in this little like 4×4 cage, plus about 5 or so guinea pigs. I couldn’t even look at the puppies or cats. They had like 6 large birds stuffed in one little cage. It made me so angry and ruined my night. I still get so upset when I think about this! I can still picture her stupid conniving face. Ugh……

Sarita, what HRS list is this?