[FEL-L] Letter to paper, re: stolen Cougar, Tiger

[Gary Breuckman]

Animals now secondary to group president's power trip
Re: Cougar caught in middle of tiff, July 9 Times:

I would like to clarify some of the inaccuracies in the story. First, the 
July 1 annual board meeting of Wildlife Survival Sanctuary was held in 
accordance with bylaws and charter of the not-for-profit corporation, as 
filed in the articles of incorporation with the state of Florida. A quorum 
of three of the five legal board members took part in said meeting, and all 
issues, including the relocations of the cougar Sheene and the tiger Misty, 
were voted on and passed by the board.

Mr. Moore's allegations that this meeting did not have a quorum because he 
was not in attendance is completely false. Mr. Moore has likely never heard 
of Robert's Rules of Order of Parliamentary Procedure, as Mr. Moore has 
repeatedly abused his power as president and has made several illegal 
changes to the board structure and membership without calling any meetings, 
informing all board members and putting all issues to a vote. Diane Roger, 
who is claiming to be the new board treasurer, was never voted in by any of 
the legal board members and was never legally made part of the board.

Additionally, some board members were not even aware that they were still on 
the board and liable for the corporation, and have subsequent to the July 1 
meeting tendered their formal resignations.

Mr. Moore has removed board members in the past for personal reasons without 
ever holding a board meeting and putting it to a vote. This complete 
disregard for following proper procedure and the abuse of power, as well as 
Mr. Moore's treatment of other board members and volunteers, has 
unfortunately negatively impacted the corporation and has caused the 
resignation of board members and several good volunteers over the years.

In the article, Mr. Moore claimed that the tranquilizing of the tiger Misty 
was done with "a second-rate tranquilizer" even though it was administered 
and recommended by a licensed veterinarian who was in attendance for the 
safe transport of the animal. When Mr. Moore did arrive on scene, he denied 
Misty urgently needed medical attention while she was dehydrating in the hot 
afternoon sun and effectively put her life in danger until he was urged by a 
Pasco County sheriff's deputy, at the advice of Fish and Wildlife, to allow 
the vet to attend to the tiger.

I think Mr. Moore was purposely denying medical attention to Misty in the 
hope that something bad would happen to the tiger so he could blame the 
other board members for it.

In conclusion, it is unfortunate that something that was started with good 
intentions and for the benefit of animals has become the personal playground 
of the board president. This corporation was started for the benefit of 
animals; they should come first in all of this.

James A. Armstrong III, Orlando