WAO: USDA/APHIS FOIA -- Part II

Below are the remaining documents sent to me, on a separate date, pertaining to my USDA/APHIS Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. 

The USDA  sent only information pertaining to the "formal" investigative action the agency decided to take in October 2010.  You will notice that all my emails, my pleading to save the animals, are missing from my FOIA request.  In fact, you'll notice there are no internal e-mails or external emails to the WAO included in this document package.  This is very disturbing because it gives the reader the impression that the USDA/APHIS immediately reacted to the WAO animals' plight in 2010, when in reality this case has been going on since 2006!  

For years, my letters to the USDA described the seriousness of the animals health condition--lack of vet care, lack of care givers, lack of quality food, etc.  It wasn't until 2010 that FINALLY the USDA acknowledged they had a problem on their hands.

I am disgusted that the USDA/APHIS refused to act on my original complaints--complaints that are now acknowledged six years later!  Shameful.  Very shameful.

But I'll let you decide for yourself--here are the "official documents" that was sent to me. After reading all the material, ask yourself why did the USDA refuse to prosecute the WAO Board of Directors from 2006 - 2009.  Why did so many animals have to die before the USDA finally decided to take action against the WAO?  Why? Why? Why?

1 - USDA Case Against the WAO -- Additional Evidence

I've made the decision not to post Exhibits 1-25 only because they have to deal with "administrative" documents that I have posted or discussed elsewhere in my blogs.  Instead, I chose to focus on USDA/APHIS "investigative" documents.

So, let's take a look at Exhibits 26-37 which is simply an overview of the USDA's allegations/findings against the WAO:

2 - USDA Exhibits 26 - 37

Exhibits 38-46 is a continuation of the inspections conducted within the last operational year of the WAO:

3 - USDA Exhibits 38 - 46

...and more write-ups.  What is absolutely amazing is that the Talley and Leslie Road properties, for the most part, have ALWAYS had these problems.  Why didn't Dr. Pannill take these problems seriously from 2006-2009?  Why were all the problems okay when Carol Asvestas was in charge?  

4 - USDA Exhibits 47 - 53

WAO chimps never had health care exams!  For years the WAO fed the monkeys dog food and it was okay with the USDA until 2010!  Monkeys escaped their enclosures for YEARS!  Bears lived in filthy small deplorable enclosures for YEARS!  Vitamin and minerals were denied to the animals for YEARS!  Many of the enclosures were rusted for YEARS!  The bear and chimps enclosures/house were filthy for YEARS!  Incompatible animals were housed together for YEARS!  You know, I could go on and on, but I won't because this line of thought is extremely upsetting.  All of the issues addressed in these reports were reported, by me, years ago, and yet the USDA chose to ignore all the problems until 2010.  Dr. Pannill and others went  so far as to insult me by telling me on the phone or by email that they found "nothing wrong" at the WAO!  Again, why, USDA?  Why?

Now let's examine the Affidavit of either Michelle or Mary Reininger taken in 2010:

5 - Michelle or Mary Reininger's Affidavit- 092810

For years, the Reiningers turned their backs on the WAO animals, all for a regular paycheck.  Remember the bear that was taken to Wild Animals Sanctuary, who suffered a broken back while in the tender care of the Reiningers? Broken teeth, broken bodies, what did these two "animal caretakers" care as long as they received a paycheck, huh?

Why didn't the sisters ever speak up for the animals?  Why, Mary and Michelle, did you two "animal caretakers" remain silent while the animals suffered for years, and years, and years?  Feel free to comment below and let us all know why failed the animals!  I know I'd love to get a straight answer from both of you!

Next is Dr. Finklestein's Affidavit.  You may recall Nicole hired  her in January 2010 because the WAO animals desperately needed medical help.  From January - April 2010, the animals, for the first time in a very long time, received medical attention.  Of course, once the Cryers took over, all that changed, and the animals became even sicker.  

6 - Dr. Finklestein's Affidavit - 092810

Now, here's Cryer's Affidavit.  What can I say about Cryer that hasn't been said already?  Inept?  Incompetent?  Uneducated?  You decide for yourself.

7 - Michelle Cryer's Affidavit - 100110

How about this letter the WAO sent to the USDA?  Really, does the WAO board of directors and animal care staff deserve the OAG's goodwill after all the animals that died under their care?  All the money stolen with the blessings of the WAO Board of Directors?  Really?  

Action SHOULD be taken against them personally.  They are thieves and murders!  But that's just my humble opinion...  

8 - WAO Relying on OAG Goodwill Not to Prosecute Ltr - 090510

You know, I've always wondered what was discussed at Cryer's board meetings once she  "illegally" took over the WAO.  What concerned her most?  Animal care?  Finances?  Fundraising?  What? 

9 - WAO Board Meeting Minutes

Wowser!!  From May to June 2010, all Cryer cared about was who filled what position on the board and of course, the WAO's name change to "Texas Wild Animal Sanctuary."  What a joke.  Did you notice that all the important topics were always "tabled" for the "next" meeting?  Just goes to show Cryer was NOT qualified to serve on the WAO's Board of Directors in ANY capacity!

I especially got a hoot out of the board member attending the meetings via "email!"  A quorum?  Seriously???  Or how about conducting board meetings with just two people in attendance?!  Cryer's BOD either were lied to  by Cryer herself and did not know the seriousness of the WAO situation, or they are just as inept as Cryer.

It wasn't until the end of June 2010 that the OAG and USDA decided enough was enough--time to have a real "come to Jesus" meeting to discuss the WAO situation.  I've written about this meeting in my other blog postings, so I won't rehash--just comment that the government dealt with a small group of people that were absolutely "clueless!"

Well, that's pretty much the documents I received from the USDA.  Clearly, one does not get the "entire" picture as to what transpired at the USDA/APHIS for years from just these few hundred documents sent to me.  So I guess I will have to "fill in the blanks" with all my emails/pleadings to the USDA posted to this blog. 

I tried.  I tried very hard to get the USDA/APHIS to do their job.  I did everything by the book, but at the end of the day, no one cared until the animals were starving during the summer of 2010.  All of the animals' suffering and deaths could have been avoided years ago if the USDA/APHIS actually performed their assigned duties from the "get-go."  

Alas, if you expect government to do the right thing, you when it comes to animal protection, then will be sorely disappointed.  I know I was.

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WAO: USDA/APHIS FOIA Documents Part I

This blog contains records obtain under FOAI or Public Information Act.  The first documents presented are from the USDA/APHIS. I will first list the synopsis and then the interviews in such a manner that hopefully the information will make sense to you. The exhibits are out of order only because I thought you should read what I filed with the USDA first, and then the interviews from the WAO staff and others involved in this case.

So, without further fan fare, let's begin the review process:

0 - USDA-AHIS TX06281-AC Synopsis and Exhibits

Even though the names were redacted from the affidavits , you can still figure out who was interviewed based on the document (page 8 ) obtained from the Texas Office of the Attorney General under the Public Information Act.  All you have to do is compare the exhibit number on the redacted document with page 8 and viola!  You can now see who was actually interviewed.

What many folks may not know is that the WAO owned two parcels of land:  Leslie Road (touring facility) and Talley Road (supposedly closed to the public).  At one time, both parcels of land were under the USDA/APHIS exhibiting permit.  Years ago, when the land was acquired, the plan was to move all the animals from Leslie Road to Talley Road and open up Talley Road to the public.  Over time, the Asvestas' decided to move both Leslie and Talley Road to a new piece of property due to the encroachment of all the residential neighborhoods.  Until that time, the Talley Road, in my opinion, became a dumping ground for feral cats, dead animals, and animals that the Asvestas' did not want the public to see.

Here is the request to severe the two properties from the exhibiting license.  This essentially meant the Talley Road facility was no longer "required" to be annually inspected by the USDA (or for that matter ANY governmental/law enforcement body). 

0a - USDA-APHIS - ASUS-WAO Discontinues USDA Permitting at Talley Road

At this point, the WAO animals living at Talley Road were at the mercy of the WAO board of directors and staff.  No one would ever know if an animal lived or died at Talley simply because there was no obligation to maintain animal records at this facility.  This is when the Talley Road nightmare began.

Now, let's take a look at my original complaint again (in case you haven't read the BB Blog):

Letter to USDA - 032406 

And here is my write-up pertaining to Talley Road.  Please keep in mind, this is just a few communications provided to the USDA/APHIS over the years.

2 - USDA - APHIS - Certification of Kristina Brunner - Animals Transferred Between Talley and Leslie Road F...

Plus...

2a - USDA-APHIS - Certification of Kristina Brunner - Tours at Talley Road

My "official" official complaint letter to the USDA:

Letter to USDA - 032406 

And now for my affidavit:

0b - USDA-APHIS - Affadavit From Kristina Brunner

Here is some additional information you may want to read before reading the WAO Staff's affidavits:

Meeting With Dept of AAPHIS Investigator Morris Smith From 10am

What exactly was my role at the WAO?  Take a look for yourself (multiple pages)!

Proof - Animal Care Tech

So what do you think?  Did you catch the WAO employees were not allowed to speak with investigators unless the WAO attorney, who just happens to report directly to Carol Asvestas, was in the room?  I was told Carol Asvestas even received copies of the employee affidavits after they were signed for her files!  And you can be sure, they were not "redacted!"  What a joke--there was no way the employees would ever tell the truth as to what was going on at the WAO with Carol's "mouth piece" in the room! 

I didn't have my lawyer present at the time of the USDA/APHIS interview.  I had nothing to hide.  I was upfront and completely honest with the USDA.  Too bad the following affidavits does not reflect the same.  You'll notice the employees' affidavits histories conflict with one another.  The employees couldn't even get their stories straight.  Sad.  Very sad.

Now you are ready to read Carol Asvesetas sworn affidavit to the USDA?

3 - USDA - APHIS - Affidavit of Carol Asvestas

Wow!  Talk about a complete work of fiction!  But you know, I should have expected nothing less from this person.  She lied so often throughout the course of the investigation, and sadly, the USDA/APHIS believed just about everything she said. If they had only investigated everything she said to investigators, then perhaps this case could have ended years ago.

Anyhoo, let's take a look at the two senior animal caretakers, Mary and Michelle Reininger's affidavits:

4- USDA- APHIS - Affidavits From Mary Reininger
5- USDA-APHIS - Affidavits From Michelle Reininger

Unbelieveable.  My so-called "friends" lied to the USDA/APHIS too. 

Oh, but let's not forget Cindy Bielo's false statement as well!

USDA-APHIS - Affidavit From Cynthia Biela

And the statement from the former WAO Office Manager, Norma Lagutchik--again, packed full of lies.  How do these people even sleep at night, after what they have done?

7 - USDA - APHIS - Affidavit From Norma Lagutchik

Did you notice that Brandon Prill and Terry Minchew did not provide a statement?  I wonder why not?

Now let's move on to the WAO "vets."  First up is Dr. Henry, Michelle Cryer's employer:

Dr Henry Statement

And then there's Dr. Ehrlund's statement (AKA "Dr. Animal  Kevorkian" in my opinion)

Dr Ehrlund Statement

Wrapping up my FOIA Part I documents was this document:

USDA APHIS Complaint Filed Against WAO - 103111

Hmmm...looks like this document just about mirrors my allegations made in May 2006, doesn't it?  Funny how it took the USDA/APHIS over five years to come to the same conclusions.  So many animals died during this period.  Unbelievable.  Great to see our government so "pro-active" and all--filing this AFTER the WAO closes.