Bear sent to sanctuary after years as ice cream shop draw

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

HALLAM, Pa. (AP) — A female bear is on the way to a Colorado wildlife sanctuary after nearly two decades as a caged attraction at a Pennsylvania ice cream shop.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund announced Little Ricki's release Monday, ending a legal and animal rights battle that drew worldwide attention.

The organization and four residents sued for the bear's release in December.

They argued Ricki's concrete enclosure at Jim Mack's Ice Cream shop near York was inadequate, causing a decline in her mental and physical health.

FULL story at link.



Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/bb8674131f0e47eeaf076b51cd783642/bear-sent-sanctuary-after-years-ice-cream-shop-draw

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Thank you to ALL that signed the E petition last month: Free Bear Caged at Ice Cream Parlor in York, PA for 18 Years E action! (link fixed!): http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026041606



http://www.thepetitionsite.com/285/609/007/free-bear-caged-at-ice-cream-parlor-for-18-years/





Ricky, an 18-year-old black bear, has spent her entire life caged in a concrete enclosure outside Jim Mack's Ice Cream parlor in York, Pa. The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) observed and took footage of Ricky with matted hair, eating dog food with only green-looking water available.

The bear lives alone on hard concrete 100% of the time, and is forced to endure cold Pennsylvania winters. She eats an unnatural, boring diet of dog food and corn.

Pennsylvania state regulations require wild animals to receive humane care and treatment, which Ricky does not. Please sign the petition to urge the York County Common Pleas Court to free Ricky so she can live the rest of her life on a sanctuary with other bears and space to roam free.

Petition: overview

Ricky, an 18-year-old black bear, has spent her entire life caged in a concrete enclosure outside Jim Mack's Ice Cream parlor in York, Pa. The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) observed and took footage of Ricky with matted hair, eating dog food with only green-looking water available.

The bear lives alone on hard concrete 100% of the time, and is forced to endure cold Pennsylvania winters. She eats an unnatural, boring diet of dog food and corn.

Pennsylvania state regulations require wild animals to receive humane care and treatment, which Ricky does not. Please sign the petition to urge the York County Common Pleas Court to free Ricky so she can live the rest of her life on a sanctuary with other bears and space to roam free.

[shenmue]

1. Whew!

The poor thing.

[frylock]

2. that poor girl

[randys1]

3. Imagine this bear getting humane treatment like this if all our politicians and judges were teaparty

There are asshole capitalists reading this story all of this country mad as hell that the law could take this property away from someone.

[pipoman]

5. I doubt that....repubs are a lot of things. ...

Most really don't torture puppies or hate animals.

[randys1]

6. Maybe not, but this is a property right in the eyes of most capitalists.

I know there are animal lovers in the rightwing, so maybe I should just say capitalists.

[hue]

4. The Ice Cream parlor should be fined--enough for bankruptcy--& forced to close!

How could anyone enjoy an ice cream knowing about that poor Bear?!

[7962]

7. I cant believe it took this long. Thought this crap ended long ago

Arent most zoos now of the type where the people are in the cages looking at the animals wandering in open areas?
I know this wasnt a zoo, but especially this type of stuff should've been outlawed long ago

[ejbr]

13. +1 n/t

[Sunlei]

8. I'm happy for the bear the ALDF sued and won again for the voiceless.

[rhett o rick]

9. Yea! Thanks for posting Steve. nm

[bvar22]

10. Score 1 for the good guys.

That bear will need some in depth rehabilitation before he can be released,
if ever.

[iandhr]

11. Now is okay to tell Colbert about this.

[montanacowboy]

12. Thank goodness for her release

these bastards making money off the misery and torture of innocent animals

fucking world we live in

[Hoyt]

14. Great. Hope she can survive there, but it's got to be better than that cage.

[tecelote]

15. Maybe.

It's terrible the conditions she lived in and should not have been allowed. However, this bear spent twenty years in her home. It might not be great but it was her home for twenty years.

Now she's being sent somewhere else. A place she has never experienced. No more owner. No more people. No more routine.

15 acres of boredom.

Maybe. Maybe not.

I hope she loves it.

[Omaha Steve]

20. Watch Two Himalayan Black Bears Being Freed From Tennessee Tourist Trap

Lets see how this worked out: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017231547

[midnight]

16. Thank you for posting a positive out come to this story. When I read about this situation from

your post a few weeks back it was too much to see why this poor bear was not given more hospital living arrangements.

[malthaussen]

17. What a tasteless "attraction."

Eighteen years? That's pathetic.

-- Mal

[LiberalLovinLug]

18. Good news

too bad it took this long for its freedom. but better late than never!

[tavernier]

19. Due to declining ice cream sales

Jim Mack's family decided to fill the empty bear cage with old Jim himself. One customer was heard to say, "He's not as cute as the original occupant, but he has a pretty mean growl when the temperature drops into the teens." Not to worry, Jim. There is plenty of dog chow and green water to carry you through the next 18 years.


THAT'S the rest of the story that I was hoping to read!

[android fan]

21. Excellent place where Ricky's going...

He's going to have a time of his life there.. Wild Animal Sanctuary really takes care of their animals and give them peace and long life.

I must visit there someday, It's just an hour's drive northeast of here.