Dancing Star history

What the Dancing Star Foundation have done on Stewart Island is to put up a pest proof fence and exterminate all pest species inside its boundary to give the native New Zealand wildlife a chance to survive. Pest species include rats, mice, possums, deer, cats, weasels, stoats. All these species were introduced by humans and have devastated the native wildlife which had evolved without such animals. This action in itself would be considered a good idea by most New Zealanders. Regarding the denying of public access to facilities on that property - I suspect what they have done is legal, but not very nice neighbourly conduct, particularly with the local traditions of sharing and openess.

I think that you will find that all their actions may have been legal, but not ethical. Taking Sue's trust money and changing the direction is morally and ethically horrible but probably quite legal. Poor Sue - she wanted people to visit and love her animals and these people have actively prevented people from visiting. Shame she couldn't find someone more trustworthy to take over the reins - this lot appear to be totally self absorbed and caught up in their own media hype - legends in their own lunchtime.

DSF. Have followed the same story here on this Island. Fenced off 420 acres of land and murdered all of the animal life within. In addition to that have cut a swathe of NATIVE bush 2.1km long by 30mtre wide. Against the principals of the foundation. Sounds a bit like Nazi Germany.

- Concerned local.

I found this transcript of a radio talk show from New Zealand in 2001, it seems Tobias' actions on Stewart Island are different from what he said here.

INSIGHT

Radio New Zealand National Programme, (Funded by New Zealand on Air) Monday 18 June 2001; 9.06pm.
Interviewer:
Other land owners are protecting their land without going through a formal process of covenanting. The American-based "Dancing Star" Foundation bought a hundred and seventy-two hectares of land on Stewart Island late last year. the Director of the Foundation, Michael Tobias, says its plan is to protect it by leaving it un-touched.

Michael Tobias (American male accent)
Essentially do nothing with it, as a value in itself, to leave it be, there's nothing we could do to it that could improve it, obviously; it's perfect as it is.

Dancing Star has purchased land here and have fenced it off from the local community. This land has been previously farmed and traditionally been part of the local community.On this land there is a recreational centre,this is now off limits to local people and New Zealand children in general. On this land brodificoum and cyanide poison are being used to kill opossum,rats and possibly whitetail deer. I am not surprised that Tobias is killing the animals at the sanctuaries in the US ,as his actions here have been detrimental to the culture of oban Stewart Island .

First off,
The reason I continue to do my best to keep Dancing Star's story alive is not only because I worked there for almost two years and consider it the experience of a lifetime but, because I too was touch by Sue's kindness when I was at Cal Poly.

I remember the pain and anguish my roommate was in when she decided she would have to give up her beloved friend. Her mare had been nerved years before and was still a little lame, Jane loved her horse very much, unfortunately she could no longer afford to keep her and due to her lameness was at a loss with what to do with her. We heard about a lady in Cayucos that owned a sanctuary and we prayed she would take her horse in.

When we arrived to talk to the lady named "Sue", I was in utter amazement of how beautiful the property was. The rolling green hills rose right up to meet the bright blue sky. There was slight breeze and you could her bees buzzing around. It was absolutely a dreamlike setting. As we drove in all around us were different animals grazing and co mingling as if it were always meant to be. I was speechless. It was the most amazing sight. Burros, Cows, Pigs, Dogs and of course Horses everywhere. We parked the truck and walked up to the old farm house to meet Sue. There was the most awesome old barn there it was so neat. The place looked like something out of an old movie.

I remember a woman with gray hair pulled back very modestly dressed. She had a very rugged look but a kindness about her. I remember she had on an off white sweater and as she walked toward us, she would pull treats out of her pockets for the animals. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I kid you not, there was a horse a cow a pig and a dog all around her eating these treats. For me, the big animal person that I am, I was in Heaven.

Sue called us to come with her, to show us her latest additions. I will never forget the glee in Sue's eyes when around the corner came the most beautiful blonde draft horses. They had just been bought at auction and she was going to go back for more. Watching her face as they trotted by still brings tears to my eyes. I just thought how lucky these animals were to have someone willing to dedicate her life to them and others like them.

I had an opportunity to ask Sue a few questions. I wanted to know how she was able to do all this. She told me she had money and that she had set up this foundation. She told me;” I HAVE THIS PLACE SET UP SO THAT THESE ANIMALS WILL BE ABLE TO LIVE HERE FOREVER". Those were her exact words! I will never forget them!

After talking to Sue for only a few minutes she agreed to bring my Jane’s horse in as one of her own. I will never forget the feeling of relief we both felt when realizing that this place would be my roommates mare's final home. I remember as we were leaving, Sue thanked us for coming and told us to come back anytime and to bring treats....That is my first memory of Sue Stiles, I will cherish it forever.

Why Jane and Michael? Why? And why leave Sue's beloved friends in the hands of people like Jerry Smith and Elaine Levine? Why? I will never understand. Never.

Roger Gillott, a foundation spokesman, is the President of Gillott Communications, “A Strategic Public Relations Firm,” in their words.

“We specialize in deflecting damage, protecting your reputation and telling your story on your terms.”

“And with years of top-tier journalism experience, we know how to work with the media to achieve your tactical and strategic objectives.”

If the Foundation’s senior management are truly following its mission statement, why waste Foundation money on a professional PR person to speak for them. Can’t they speak for themselves and save the (likely expensive) PR costs for the animals? Remember, Sue’s money is probably being used to pay for this person.

From 1968 until 1980 I lived in Cayucos, and I still spend time there. In the mid 1990’s I met Sue Stiles and we struck up a friendship talking about old animals and their lives. I eventually retired my quarter/thoroughbred mare, Hallie when she was 26, to Sue’s farm on Hwy 1. Hallie had been a field hunter/jumper and trail horse for many years and she deserved a retirement better than standing in a small corral and stall for her remaining years. I donated a considerable amount of money to the foundation to assist in her upkeep and I was thrilled to see her grazing and wandering over the hillsides with her other old buddies. I often went out to check on her and take her ‘goodies.” Each time I was warmly welcomed by Sue and she would take me all around the ranch to see the new additions and arrivals. She was especially fond of a very large pig that had such a personality, he kept us both laughing at his antics. She was so pleased with the new barn that had gone in and the plans for new ones to house the animals that kept coming. She especially loved the cows and the burros.

On a couple of occasions Sue needed transportation in the middle of the night for an animal to go to Alamo Pintado Vet Clinic in Los Alamos and I was happy to go to the Paso Robles ranch with my truck and trailer and pick up a horse to take there. I felt it was a good way for me to pay her back for her kindness not only to my mare, but to so many other animals. I know that others also donated lots of time, energy and money to her foundation, simply because they believed in her cause and they also loved the animals and saw the need she fulfilled. Not everyone can afford a ranch to retire their animal to but every horse lover/owner I know would love to do that for their horse or other domestic animal and so when Sue provided that option, they were happy to pitch in and assist in any way they could.

I don’t know when the direction of Dancing Star seemed to change but I see by the website at DSF that they no longer take in any animals and they refuse access to the public on the grounds that the animals must not be disturbed. Well, I’m willing to bet that most of the horses there have been raised and handled by people their whole lives, and many of them have relationships with people and are not ‘disturbed’ by the offer of carrots or a good grooming. I would also be very curious to see how the land itself has been managed since one of the best indications of a good land steward is the ability to plant and manage rotational pastures for the benefit of the animals and the habitat. Some sources have said the ranch has been grazed down to bare dirt.

Any horse owner knows that at some point, it is only humane to put an animal down if he is suffering. And while it is legal for an owner to put down a healthy animal, if there is to be any condemnation, it is the owner who should suffer the condemnation, not the vet. But in most cases, the sad decision of when that time has come is made in conjunction WITH a veterinarian and is based on his or her expertise. It usually is the vet who directs that decision. When that decision comes, as has been rumored, in a list form, from a foundation representative supposedly in charge of prolonging and caring for old animals, one can only wonder at the rationale behind that decision.

Lastly, we all know the economy is bad right now, and feed is costly, as is vet care. And if indeed, the economy is the reason, then how can they justify almost a million dollars in a yearly salary for only the top three administrators? What other costs is the foundation bearing? When was the last audit of the charity, when does the board of directors meet and why are there no local folks invited to their meetings?

Surely more investigation needs to be done to get to the bottom of this. In the meantime, a reputable and local person with animal knowledge and skills should be appointed to manage the animals until further investigation takes place. And a cease and desist order to stop the arbitrary killing of any more animals (unless three vets agree the animal’s condition warrants it) until that investigation is complete certainly seems in order.

Hi everyone,
After my time at Dancing Star and the recent event, have brought me here to speak out about Jerry Smith.
I know we want Dancing Star back to its original form, but in the meantime to ensure the safety of the remaining animals, Elaine and Jerry have got to be dealt with. Anyone who has been under Jerry's supervision knows what I am talking about. He is a cattle rancher type and an avid hunter. On numerous occasions we were forced, in graphic detail to listen to stories of his continuous hunting trips and his stories about his violent nature toward his workers when he had his fence company, not to mention the worker he claims and bragged very loud about that he threw through the window of his truck for smoking. He personally got in my face while at Dancing Star and would not let me leave until he was done yelling at me. He physically would not let me get in my car by the way (I was 6 months pregnant)
There is also the issue of the "Adoption" of the remaining Watusi Cattle on the Victorian side of Dancing Star. I personally heard him talk about wanting their horns. Are they still alive? Or did they end their lives at the other end of his rifle scope. We need to find out. He was also willing to shoot the horses and cattle if the vets were not going to put them down. He truly believes he is above the law. I am worried he will continue to lower the numbers of animals out there on his own. Elaine will sit and watch.
We have got to get Jane and Michael to appoint other people to run the sanctuary until we can find away to get the entire sanctuary back.

A Sanctuary Story -- in Tribute to Sue Stiles and Her Dancing Star Sanctuary

The grey mare – the white one in the picture on calcoastnews.com’s breaking story; the one lying dead on the ground with blood dripping from the injection site on her neck – was my horse. According to the recent “death list” on calcoastnews, she was killed on Feb 5. She was 20 years old, with a hitch in her get along. I’d like to tell you a little bit about her and about Sue Stiles and her Dancing Star Sanctuary.

She was not a retired broodmare from Varian Ranch, as the caption says; she was not even from the same Arabian bloodlines. I got her as a yearling in a backyard in Moorpark. A few years later, she fractured her stifle slipping in a field. After vet care, it was determined that while she was not in any pain, she would never be sound – thus ending her performance career.

In 1995, she rejected her one and only foal. I kept him alive those first critical days, and bottle fed him for the many months to come. He is still with me to this day. We boarded then at a facility in Paso Robles and circumstances being what they were, I couldn’t take care of her and raise an orphan foal. I was at my wits end as to what to do with her. I knew that to sell her would not be right – she was lame and a failed broodmare, with a difficult personality. I knew if she got in the wrong hands she would certainly be abused.

A close friend of mine was good friends with Sue Stiles, and talked to her about my horse. In the 1990s, everyone who owned horses knew about Sue Stiles. Many local trainers, horse owners, ranchers, and farmers brought horses, cattle, and other farm animals to Sue as a last resort, and she talked to each and every person to find out what the situation was and what was required. Sue also rescued cattle and donkeys from feedlots and livestock auctions, and dogs and cats came from Woods and Animal Services.

So one week after foaling, the mare was taken to Dancing Star, with the promise and understanding that she would spend the rest of her days there. We were friends as well with the ranch manager at the time and knew that her care and maintenance of the animals was topnotch. She worked closely with Sue and had complete files on every animal. The animals received whatever care they needed, not only regular maintenance care, such as hoof trimming, annual shots, and deworming, but any special needs they might have. It didn’t matter if they came in aged, infirmed, crippled, or deformed. Sue Stiles’ Dancing Star Sanctuary – her dream – was a safe haven for the unwanted animals that grace our lives. It was an incredible place.

The ranch facilities were spacious and accessible, including a beautiful big barn that housed many animals in comfort and warmth. I heard the barn has since been torn down and replaced by cold, metal structures. I remember a special paddock created for a blind horse to be safe and comfortable in. Animals that needed to come in for shelter each night were brought in. Others were allowed to wander at will, but always monitored for feed and health care. The whole operation was amazingly organized.

The entire staff was dedicated to Sue and the sanctuary. Her maintenance and ranch crew lived on site with their families, and she treated them all as part of the sanctuary family, no matter if they spoke English or Spanish. It was no wonder that everyone worked hard and were loyal to her. I was told that everyone was fired when Sue passed away and the foundation took over, bringing in new people.

I became friends with Sue after bringing my horse there and enjoyed many afternoons talking with her about animals, her philosophy of life, and her belief in the sanctuary. I volunteered about once or twice a month, bringing my grooming caddy. I’d set it down in the big central paddock area and, without halters or any restraints, I would groom whoever came up and wanted attention. Soon, the herd accepted me and when I’d arrive, there would be a line at the “beauty parlor.” I loved it when the more timid equines, especially a very shy, white donkey, would cautiously come up and then enjoy the grooming.

After Sue died, the ranch was closed to visitors and volunteers. I would get reports from people that got into the ranch, such as the farriers, that my horse was doing fine – her own crabby self, turning from dapple gray to snow white. I still felt that she and I were lucky to have met the extraordinary person that was Sue Stiles.

I am ever grateful for the care, compassion, and love that the past and present employees gave to my horse over the years. I am sorry for the horror they are going through now as they try to continue care for the many remaining animals at Dancing Star while wrestling with their conscience for being a part of these killings.

If the allegations are true, I am ashamed of the local veterinarians involved in this tragedy, for their lack of honor and commitment to the principles of veterinary medical ethics. They, along with the foundation officers, Michael Tobias, Jane Gray Morrison, and Don Cannon, and the foundation’s Board of Directors, will have to answer to the Animal Kingdom and a Higher Authority for their misconduct.

It is not enough to merely state on the foundation website that "The goal of Dancing Star Foundation is to help sensitize people throughout the world to the critical importance of biodiversity, animal protection and conservation; and to instill a respect for all life, which can be demonstrated by even the most modest gestures of kindness, compassion and love in our everyday lives." It is something that must be performed in real time, every day. These officers were chartered with the privilege of continuing the ideals and vision that Sue Stiles instituted with Dancing Star Sanctuary, and they have profoundly failed.

Sue Stiles offered and provided a quality of life for unwanted farm animals that is unparalleled. We need to honor her gift by restoring Dancing Star Sanctuary to its original mission. The current Trustees and Board Directors must be held accountable for their misuse and abuse of foundation assets, and should be replaced by individuals who will truly honor and follow the vision that Sue instituted and provided for so generously.

I am eternally grateful to Sue for her generosity that day, 14 years ago, in taking my horse under her wing. I honor her memory and all the other Dancing Stars that have passed over the Rainbow Bridge.