As reported in our last newsletter, we are in the middle of one of the largest rescues we have ever attempted. We have been sending out periodic email updates to all of our supporters whose email addresses we have. The following account of these events are taken directly from those updates. If you would like to be included in those peri odic mailings, please send your email address to: fwendland@wolfsanctuary.net.

The Trauma Is Severe
(email update sent - 28 Jun 06)

It has been almost a month since the rescued animals arrived at Wide Awake. A few of the animals are starting to calm down considerably -- two most notably being Atlantis and Lucan. They seem comfortable and will approach humans if given a little time. However, a much greater number are still more stressed than we would have thought they would be at this stage in their recovery. They continue to exhibit extreme signs of trauma. None of the other rescues we have ever been involved with have left animals this terrorized of humans. We have been rescuing wolves and wolf-dogs for over 12 years and this is the worst case we have ever experienced. Their treatment was obviously NOT HUMANE!

Our experiences with these animals, along with more information that we are receiving about their lives and their capture, (story & photo from: Burnett County Sentinel) have led us to only one conclusion -- their lives (at the breeders) and their capture (by Gary Tank) were horribly gruesome and NOT HUMANE!

The photo above (from that news report - internet link: click here) demonstrates what measures were taken to capture Mucqua, who is blind, 13 years old and weighed all of 38 lbs. at the time. These “manly” men, fearing for their lives from this “vicious” wolf, that was already on a chain, sure demonstrated their total LACK OF UNDERSTANDING AND CONCERN for this animal. Catch poles were never intended to be used to carry an animal. This treatment was unnecessary and was NOT HUMANE!

Our experiences with Mucqua have shown us a very sweet, cautious, scared and ready-to-submit little boy. Even when capturing him for medical treatments, he readily submitted to us, once cornered, and NEVER TRIED TO BITE ANYONE. We did NOT have to use a catch pole or any other tools, beside a blanket.

If this example is what Gary Tank used on the “BIG BAD WOLF -- MUCQUA”, we can only imagine what he must have done to the animals who might have attempted a fear bite. It sickens us to our very core. This explanation however, would totally make sense, when analyzing how traumatized most of these animals are now -- Gary Tank’s treatment of these animals was NOT HUMANE!

Although our goals and energies are focused on healing these animals from the atrocities they have experienced, we feel compelled to make this information public. We also feel a responsibility to get these kinds of activities STOPPED! If indeed the citizens within the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin believe this behavior is unacceptable, they need to do something about it. It is quite obvious by the remarks of Keith Streff (from the referenced news report) that the Golden Valley Animal Humane Society may need to eliminate the word “Humane” from their name. In our opinion they are nothing more than an animal disposal operation.

Streff said Tank is his exotic contractor for any animal which is untraditional to a humane society. “Anything I feel uncomfortable handling, I recruit Gary,” he said. “He’s an awesome resource to have.”

It would also appear that Sheriff Dean Roland (Wisconsin) might also need to adjust his thinking about what the word “Humane” means. He was quoted in the referenced news article as well:

“From our standpoint, this is a humane rescue,” Roland said. “This is one of the nicest, most humane documented things I’ve ever seen,” he said of Thursday’s rescue. “I’m glad I’m here to see it.”

From the sounds of these comments, I would tend to believe that all three of these gentlemen are anything but. Either that or the beliefs and laws they purport to uphold are severely outdated and in need of significant change.

Due to this trauma and stress, we are having to postpone a number of medical procedures, which are necessary to return these individuals to physical health. Until we can help them feel more comfortable with their human caretakers, we cannot chance intrusive procedures. The procedures along with the stress could be lethal.

Help Stop INHUMANE Actions!

If you believe these behaviors need to change, please send a letter to the:

Golden Valley Animal Humane Society
845 Meadow Lane North
Golden Valley, MN 55422

Without your input this type of blatant disregard for “Humane” treatment of animals will continue.

If you would like to read more about Gary Tank and his beliefs on Humane treatment of animals, please follow the internet links below. Thank you for your help to stop these atrocities.

Story from: Minnesota Public Radio
(MPR Photo: Tim Post)

“The Department of Agriculture says Tank's plan is illegal and inhumane.”

http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2003/08/13_postt_cwdelk/

Story from: Outdoor Weekly

“DNR staff believed that Tank still needed a DNR game farm permit and issued Tank a criminal citation.”

http://www.outdoorsweekly.com/news_archive/03_0704_news.html#0704elk

Information from Gary Tank’s web site

"Gary Tank is a third generation deer rancher that has spent his entire life around big game animals, of all types...  Today Gary Tank owns the largest state-of-the-art collection facility in North America. He has one of the largest deer heards in captivity..."

http://www.stonybrook-outfitters.com/AboutUs/tabid/53/Default.aspx

“Tanks Fatal Attractor”

http://tanksfatalattractor.com/

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