Dear Friends,

 

I hope you will join with us in celebrating another great step in our battle against rodeo animal abuse.  Below is a copy of the press release that went out to the media in Springfield, Illinois.  The repercussions of this story will be felt throughout the rodeo world.

           
Choice Hotels, one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisers in the world, has terminated its sponsorship, scheduled to run until 2009, of the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA).  The early termination follows a review of video documentation supplied by SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK).  Choice Hotels includes well-known  brands such as Clarion, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Econolodge, Rodeway, Cambria Suites, Mainstay Suites, and Suburban Extended Stay Hotel.

The following is a statement from SHARK president, Steve Hindi:

"We supplied Choice with video documentation of what happened at the 2006 National High School Finals Rodeo in Springfield, Illinois.  The company did not rush to judgement, but instead conducted a very thorough investigation.  SHARK congratulates Choice Hotels for its sense of corporate ethics, and for doing the right thing.  Violations of Illinois State Law, violations of even the rodeo association's own rules, and animal abuse have cost the National High School Rodeo Association its most prestigious sponsor. 

We hope that other sponsors, especially local sponsors such as the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau and the State Journal-Register newspaper, will follow the lead of Choice Hotels, and will carefully weigh the impact that sponsoring animal cruelty will have on their image both now and in the future."

The Sangamon County State's Attorney's Office is investigating pressing animal cruelty charges against the rodeo.

 

Please let Choice Hotels know that you support the company's responsible and compassionate decision by emailing Anne Madison, Vice President of Corporate Communications at Choice Hotels at:  Anne_Madison@choicehotels.com

This great development came primarily from the efforts SHARK staffer, Janet Enoch.  Ms. Enoch contacted Choice months ago in connection with our IllinoisCorruption.com campaign, and then followed up by sending video documentation and continuing communications. 

 

Folks, the rodeo mafia continues to come apart at the seams.  In a couple days we'll be putting out another update detailing the recent desperation, criminal acts and other assorted nonsense by rodeo thugs and their minions.  Meanwhile, our job remains the same -- to continue to document and expose the abuses and lawbreaking.  Toward that end we desperately need your support.  Running around after rodeos, whether with cameras or with the Tiger costs money.  We don't have offices and we don't have high-paid employees.  Only two people are paid part-time wages.  I am paid nothing.  You can help us to maintain the financial resources we need to stay in this fight.

 

Also, if you have time and talent to volunteer, please contact Janet Enoch at jenoch@sharkonline.org.

Kindest Regards,

Steve Hindi,