Peta In Court

[Roland]

OKLAHOMA CITY – Criminal gambling charges have been filed against three members of the American Pigeon Racing Union in Oklahoma City.

 

Karen Mae Clifton, Richard Wayne Mardis and James Orr Steele were charged Monday in Oklahoma County District Court with one count each of commercial gambling, betting or letting premises for betting on races, conspiracy to violate the Oklahoma Anti-Gambling Act and possession of a gambling device.

 

The charges were filed following a 15-month investigation by the national animal rights group, PETA, or People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

 

PETA hired undercover investigators who turned over video taken back in Nov. 2010 at the American Pigeon Racing Union’s convention, held a hotel in downtown Oklahoma City.

 

PETA officials said it shows people illegally placing wagers on the birds.

 

“Over $250,000 in illegal bets were placed on this race,†Jared Goodman said, counsel for PETA.

 

Information filed with the charges in district court identifies a room at the hotel used specifically for “para-mutual wagering.â€

 

A police investigator interviewed those charged about a “pooling sheet†and several different kinds of bets referred to as a “Belgian pool,†“board pool,†and “winner take all.â€

 

One of those charged said the “AU Organization, would keep 15 percent of all money wagered.â€

 

“The investigation revealed that these pigeon racing clubs are nothing but unlawful gambling enterprises that offer widespread gambling on these races,†Goodman said.

 

Mardis is quoted in court documents as telling the investigator, “Most of us (participants) do it (race) for fun and then we go to the conventions and we do it (bet) for entertainment; just like going to the casinos over there in southwest Louisiana.â€

 

But the investigator concludes his report by saying “… there is an established “house†running the gambling organization, thus removing any argument of a “friendly†or “individual†bet or wager.â€

 

The American Racing Pigeon Union (AU) has this statement on their website:

 

“The AU is reviewing PETA’s allegations closely and is developing an appropriate response. It should be noted that pigeon racing has been a much beloved activity, across many cultures, for thousands of years. Today, pigeon hobbyists devote substantial resources to the care of their birds, as well as to community outreach efforts to engage kids in this animal-oriented activity. The American Racing Pigeon Union and its membership have been in the forefront of promoting ethical standards and practices to assure the well-being of the birds, compliance with all federal and state laws, and the advancement of this family-friendly hobby.â€

 

Clifton’s attorney, Robert G. McCampbell, sent us this statement:

 

“Karen Clifton’s involvement in this case arises solely because she is Executive Director of the American Racing Pigeon Union. Her duties were to set up the ARPU Convention in 2010 including coordinating with the Mayor’s Office, arranging for hotel and convention space, obtaining pizza, arranging for table decorations and doing those types of tasks to put on a convention. It just makes no sense to file charges against her.â€

 

Added on 3/30/2013 4:07:32 AM

 

 

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Midnight Blue, one of our own, replies! Since the beginning of history .. even back to the book of Genesis…Man had a wonderful affinity with animals. The Creator certainly had in mind for man and animal to cohabitate. God saw that it was good, and even gave man domain over all the animals. (Genesis 1:21 and 1:28) Are there people who choose to abuse this privilege (yes there are) …but there are far more how love and care for animals, and deserve to have them in and part of their everyday lives. Did you know that homing pigeons saved American lives in World War I as well as world War II. Those lives saved could have been your father, brother sister, or nephew. Thank God PETA wasn’t around then to disrupt the use of homing pigeons. Thank God PETA wasn’t around when horses and oxen were used to till the soil of this great land. Thank God PETA wasn’t around to stop the pony express from delivering the mail and news of the time. Thank God PETA wasn’t around to stop the covered wagons from exploring and giving people a chance to discover new lands and opportunities. Thank God PETA hasn’t been able to stop dogs and cats from comforting cancer patients, and the elderly. I could go on and on and on. How DARE PETA put themselves in a position to judge what God Almighty deemed good and wonderful. Pigeon fanciers are the most giving people I have ever known. The benefit causes and races out there to benefit and help others in need are endless among this fine fraternity of sportsmen. Pigeons are used to help ST. Jude’s Children’s Hospital kids. To help the victims of 911, to help the elderly, to give to those that have less. When ever someone is in any kind of trouble pigeon fanciers world wide step up and donate very expensive pigeons at auctions to help out. Sometime amounting to thousands of dollars that could go into their own pockets, but for go that for the sake of others. The world needs now to stand up against the likes of a PETA organization and urge them to see the greater good that animals,can and do bring to actual human beings. They’re sneaky and will beguile you with their unethical methods. They hide in the shadows, because they know they are wrong in what they do. There is much darkness in the world today…for God’s sake let’s not let some self righteous organization infringe upon our God-Given rights. Those of us who love and appreciate animals need to take a stand for what is right and what is good.

Time Left 14d 23h 12m 43s

Started 3/24/2013 5:59:00 PM

Ends 4/30/2013 5:59:00 PM

All Times are Central Time

[Guest chad3646]

its about time the full team was up in court no just peta, had to put that we bit in

 

lol,lol, lol