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** December 15, 2023
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** DEAR FRIENDS,
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2023 has been extraordinarily productive for SHARK on a number of fronts. Frankly, every year is productive for SHARK, because every year we put everything we have into fighting for our nonhuman friends.

The 2022/2023 cockfighting season was our most ambitious so far. From November 2022 to July 2023, we crisscrossed the country over and over, from Delaware to Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida, Oklahoma, Ohio, Kentucky, Texas, Illinois and more.

Why spend this much time, money and effort? Because that’s the way to win for animals. Our opposition is determined to continue their abuse, so we have to be more determined than the animal abusers.

Empty cockfight pit

As our drones flew to, and hovered over one cockfight pit after another, we sent out many emails and asked for help from all of you, and you responded. You let local law enforcement know that you were aware of what was going on, and you encouraged them to do their job.

Some of the most crooked law enforcement, like Sheriff Jim Johnson of Lee County, Mississippi, refuse to do their job no matter what, and in those cases we need to take other actions, but more often than not, your involvement is crucial to stopping the illegal abuse of cockfighting.

The bottom line is, your effort resulted in many, many birds being saved, and we thank you for being a part of our journey.

Last season we expanded our campaign beyond cockfight pits, to also expose the breeders of these doomed birds, at facilities ranging from a few dozen birds to thousands on a single property.

We began monitoring some US Post Offices, which helps to prop up the Cockfight Mafia by illegally shipping birds throughout the US and abroad.

Clear Creek Game Farm owned by Bobby Fairchild

Melinda Fairchild outside a Post Office illegally shipping birds

The employees at these facilities are aware of what is going on. They know that cockfighting is illegal, but allow the shipments anyway. Even worse, the leadership of the US Postal Service has been impotent to bring things in line. Our task of stopping this outrage is huge, but with your help and support, we can and will be victorious.

With your help, we’ve been able to succeed to an extraordinary extent already. Many cockfights have been shut down, due to all the calls that were received at the local police stations. It has taken far too long, but it looks like the media is starting to take notice.

Inside of a Cockfight

Outside of the Delaware Cockfight
* In January, an illegal cockfight pit was busted in Union County, TN and 98 people were cited! You can read about it HERE. ([link removed])
* In March, Cruz Alejandro “Alex” Mercado-Vazquez, a would be cockfight pit owner, was sentenced to 15 months for attempting to bribe a police officer to look the other way of his illegal activites. Article about this sentencing can be found HERE. ([link removed])
* In April, a SHARK pilot flew a drone right down to eye level to document the existence of a cockfight pit ([link removed]) being stubbornly ignored by corrupt Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson.
* Also in April, Tim Sizemore, an infamous Kentucky cockfighter, was sentenced to 2 years and 2 months in a federal prison. ([link removed]) It should have been 20 years, but Sizemore is nevertheless sending a shiver down the backs of cockfighters everywhere who imagine themselves also being imprisoned.
* In May, we uncovered and exposed an active cockfight in Delaware. The Delaware State Police frankly botched the bust of that cockfight, but our drone footage and persistence still resulted in the property owners being criminally charged. We look forward to updating you on that case as it progresses ([link removed]) .
* In July, an eight-member civil jury in Lawrence County, Ohio found cockfighters James V.“Bub” Newcomb II and Shannon Clark guilty of assault and battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress against Steve Hindi and SHARK investigator Adam Fahnestock. ([link removed])
* In July, SHARK Beat New York State and Wayne County ([link removed]) , New York. Wayne County and New York State settled with SHARK for unlawful arrests.
* In November, U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom sentenced Jacklyn Johnson, Laurel County Kentucky deputy sheriff ([link removed]) , ([link removed]) in federal court in London on Tuesday, to jail and home detention.

In 2022 we focused our efforts mainly on Boone County, Illinois,where there were enough events to keep us busy. When the summer of 2023 arrived, we once again launched our drones against the disturbing world of Mexican-style private rodeos. As our supporters know, SHARK has been exposing the cruelty of American-style rodeos since 1993. We were shocked to see that these private rodeos are even worse.

During 2023 we drove the number Boone County rodeos down to just a handful, so we expanded our campaign to four more counties - Will County, McHenry County, Ogle County, and LaSalle County.

Steer with broken leg

The brutal treatment of the animals, and the blatant disregard for their injuries have made these events a hotbed for cruelty and abuse. Some counties, such as Will County, have taken strong action to do the right thing, and issued Temporary Restraining Orders, as well as making arrests. We want to express our DEEPEST GRATITUDE to Will County, and its animal-friendly state’s attorney, Jim Glasgow. Mr. Glasgow and his team went into action pursuing temporary restraining orders against some properties to curtail specific abuses, and filing charges against two rodeo contestants so far, with more charges anticipated going forward. Their commitment to justice and their willingness to act serve as an example for other counties and a beacon of hope for the voiceless animals suffering in steer tailing events.

McHenry County is taking a hard look at how to best deal with the abuse, and we have confidence that they will do the right thing.

Despite numerous calls for change and action, the suffering of these innocent animals persists, especially in Boone County. It is time to stop making excuses and address the harsh reality of what goes on behind the scenes at Mexican rodeos. It is time to demand an end to these barbaric practices and ensure the protection of these creatures who cannot speak for themselves.

In another significant step towards bringing an end to steer-tailing events,on August 24th, SHARK and the Humane Farming Association have taken legal action by filing a lawsuit against Boone County.

The lawsuit states that the county is not following their own guidelines when issuing permits to these private backyard rodeo locations as they are in clear and consistent violation of Illinois State Law. This legal action is a clear message that animal advocates and organizations are determined to hold these rodeos accountable for their actions. The lawsuit aims to expose the blatant disregard for animal welfare and ensure that the laws in place to protect animals are enforced.

On November 2nd, SHARK and the California-based Animal Protection and Rescue League filed a lawsuit against the San Diego Padres baseball team, and the C5 Rodeo company, for a planned rodeo in January.

The lawsuit, which was filed in San Diego Superior Court, alleges that a three-day event at San Diego's Petco Park will result in the abuse of animals, and claims that the rodeo company, C5 Rodeo, uses electric prods and other cruel devices on animals.

Thanks to our 30+ years of hard work, SHARK has video documentation proving that C5 Rodeos have used electric prods on animals in the past.

The lawsuit also accuses the Padres and C5 Rodeo of violating San Diego's municipal code, which specifically prohibits non-service animals from being present at Petco Park during a Padres event.

LINK TO VIDEO ABOUT THE VIDEO ([link removed])

These lawsuits are JUST THE BEGINNING. It is CRUCIAL that we continue to advocate for change and that support is received for organizations like SHARK, ([link removed]) Humane Farming Association and Animal Protection and Rescue League. Together, we can bring about the necessary reforms and put an end to the horrific practices that inflict immeasurable suffering on innocent animals.

Steer falling during a Steer Tailing Event

The summer of 2023 has been a distressing time for animals at steer-tailing events, but amidst the cruelty, there is a glimmer of hope. While many animals endured unimaginable suffering and countless injuries, one county took a stand and made significant progress in the fight against animal cruelty. Despite the ups and downs of the season, this county is leading the way in banning Steer Tailing and putting an end to these cruel practices. Will County’s and Will County’s States attorneys’ dedication to justice and compassion for animals is commendable, and we must applaud their efforts.

Injured steer at an illegal steer tailing event

Vehicles gathered outside an active cockfighting pit.

However, our work is far from over. We cannot let the progress in one county overshadow the continued suffering of animals in other areas. We must continue to advocate for change, raise awareness, and hold the cockfighters, private rodeo location operators and contestents and the counties in which they are held, accountable for their actions.

Our latest mission to expose the abuse of both deer, and the dogs who must hunt them has been a success, but it was the last trip we can afford until we receive more financial resources.

Over the last year, as in past years for decades, SHARK has gone where other groups won’t, doing a job others can’t, because they haven’t spent the time, money and effort training and preparing for frontline missions as we have.

Our drone operations look more like the tactics of an army defending its homeland, but we are defending our nonhuman animal friends. Soldiers shoot guns, while SHARK investigators shoot with cameras, but the goal is the same, to protect those we care about.

Unfortunately, our operations cost money. Travel is expensive. The money for equipment, vehicles, fuel, lodging, food, and wear and tear adds up fast, but without our travels, cockfights, pigeon shoots and other canned hunts, rodeo, facilities that raise animals for vivisection and more operate unrestrained, and animals continue to pay the price.

I wish other groups, especially the ones with millions and millions of dollars, would do what we do. They have the money and personnel. We’ve offered to train people for frontline work, but there seems to be no drive, and for that matter, no mission by the groups who have the most resources. I am perplexed as I am frustrated.

SHARK is in desperate need of funds to continue saving lives. Without donations, we cannot continue our work, and no one else will either. Please help if you can. ([link removed])

SHARK is leading the way in the use of technology to help animals.

It isn’t that other groups can’t use drone, they simply choose not to go through the trouble. We’re willing too!

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