COMPLAINT TO BE FILED WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL - READ THE STORY ON CAL COAST NEWS  AG asked to probe Dancing Star animal slaughter

THIS SITE IS INTENDED TO KEEP THE PUBLIC AWARE OF THE RECENT EVENTS OCCURING AT DANCING STAR FOUNDATION

Recently articles regarding the activities of the non-profit Dancing Star Foundation in Cayucos, California have come to light. Unfortunately a sanctuary originally dedicated to the rescue and retirement of domestic farm animals has recently become a killing field.

The directors, a husband and wife team who respectively take a salary yearly of $285,500 and $245,000 per the IRS 2007 statement, and the vice president of finance, who takes a salary of $240,000 a year, have expressed concern that the current economic conditions do not allow them to care of the animals. In addition, they have stated in recent published articles that the animals they have put down have been ill, old or deformed.

Recent employees and eyewitnesses dispute this. The ranch was founded in 1993 by Sue Stiles, an heir to the Mc Clatchy newspaper family, and many of the local people in the small rural community of Cayucos and nearby areas have donated considerable time, money and energy to the sanctuary over the years. For years the ranch has cared for pigs, goats, cows, horses and donkeys with love and affection. Many have been old but were able to be maintained until local veterinarians said they were beginning to suffer and they were then humanely destroyed on an individual basis. Many have trusted the sanctuary with their animals and are beyond dismayed to see the direction the directors are taking the rescue. Currently, animals are being destroyed according to lists and in various numbers.

It appears the current directors are and have been heavily invested in other areas of interest including biodiversity and endangered species. The director, Michael Tobias, is apparently well known and respected for his expertise in such areas. It has also been suggested that the reason for the current reduction in domestic animals, and the building of new barns at Dancing Star is for the purpose of turning the facility into a refuge for animals that are listed as endangered species.  While this is an admirable endeavor, it is NOT what many heard Sue Stile say she wanted for the facility. It is certainly not consistent with what the area, the current facility and the volunteers were expecting. Many believe that there are other, better suited places and agencies for such an effort.

There is a very strong movement of people who are attempting to stop the immediate killing of any more animals until some efforts can be made to more closely examine the entire picture and see if some reasonable compromise can be made . Many people wish to see Sue Stiles dreams of a safe and comfortable home for old and injured farm animals continue on as she intended, especially now in this tight economy where so many animals are needing homes.  

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