Your support means convictions for animal abusers. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
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[[link removed]] John,

Twenty years have passed since we took on the case of a then six-year-old
elephant named Rose-Tu, and the details still haunt me. But there is cruelty
that persists in this world, and it is up to you and me to stop the abuse of innocent animals
[[link removed]] . We must continue fighting for them.

In April 2000, an Oregon Zoo staff member, in full view of witnesses, used a bullhook — a long
wooden or metal rod with a pointed metal hook on the end to force elephants into
compliance — to beat and sodomize Rose-Tu. We helped prosecutors secure a conviction against Rose-Tu’s abuser. Then we
drafted Oregon's "Rose-Tu" bill, which became law in 2001. In a major victory
for Oregon’s animals, the law:

* Statutorily recognized connections between domestic violence and animal
cruelty
* Removed the requirement that prosecutors prove an animal victim experienced
pain in order to charge animal cruelty
* Ensured prosecutors in Oregon no longer needed to prove that the over 176
cuts on Rose-Tu’s body caused her pain; the legal question was simply whether
the defendant injured the elephant.


HOLD ABUSERS ACCOUNTABLE
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Laws, like Rose-Tu’s bill, that acknowledge violence to animals seldom stops
there, are becoming more common. Someone who hurts animals often also hurts
people. Studies have shown relationships between animal cruelty and domestic
violence, child abuse, and elder abuse. This is yet another reason why cruelty
toward animals must be taken seriously by law enforcement and by society. This
is for the sake of the animals themselves, and for people who are also at risk.

No matter how hard the battle, how disturbing the cruelty, we cannot stop
fighting. As we reflect on our victories for animals the last 40 years, we know our work
is far from over. We must continue to win justice for animals today just as we
have together in the past four decades. Please step up your commitment to animals with your first gift today to help us
bring animal abusers to justice and secure critical legal protections for
animals.
[[link removed]]

For the animals,

Stephen Wells
Executive Director



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