FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Angleton, TX
February 8, 2017
Renee King-Sonnen, founder of Rowdy Girl Sanctuary in Angleton, Texas and wife of a former cattle rancher is urging Hamilton Meat Company in Weatherford, Texas to free a steer who made his bid for freedom by escaping the butcher on Friday, Feb. 3rd. The steer, who King-Sonnen has named “Runaway”, led his pursuers on a two-hour chase through the busy streets of Weatherford, TX where he was finally captured by cowboys that roped and tied him to the pavement. Rowdy Girl Sanctuary has since been inundated with phone calls begging King-Sonnen to rescue Runaway and let him live out his days in safety and the comfort of sanctuary.
Hamilton Meat Company has up to this point stated that Runaway was in an anonymous pasture in DeLeon recuperating, and even with all the pressure of Animal Rights Activists, PETA, Jane Velez Mitchell, and concerned citizens they have yet to tell us exactly where he is; nor have they been willing to release him to sanctuary to date. They have been very cordial but adamant that at this time the family has made the decision not to pardon him. WE are still hopeful. They did offer to sell the steer to Rowdy Girl Sanctuary for $1.25 per pound. It is Rowdy Girl Sanctuary’s policy not to purchase animals who will become residents of their farm animal sanctuary because this propagates the idea that farm animals are commodities to be bought and sold like slaves.
The Weatherford Police Department posted a video on their website on February 3 that shows the steer’s escape and had been viewed more than 6.5 million times at the time of this release. http://www.thedrive.com/news/7407/watch-cowboys-and-cops-chase-down-a-runaway-steer-in-texas
The story is now viral and “Runaway” is a symbol for all sentient beings that would love to escape the brutal death of slaughter. The public’s interest in Runaway’s story illustrates a rapidly expanding movement in Texas to advocate on behalf of animals raised for food and for a move towards vegan diets.
Rowdy Girl supporters has offered to pay for transportation of Runaway to Rowdy Girl Sanctuary if Hamilton Meat Company will agree to free him to sanctuary. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has also offered Hamilton Meat Company $1,000 worth of a vegan meat product if they will free Runaway and we found out yesterday that PETA will also pay for his transport to any sanctuary in the country.
“This animal desperately wants to live and deserves a break after what he has endured. We just want him to live out his days in a sanctuary. We implore Hamilton Meat Company to pardon and free Runaway so he can have the second chance he fought so hard for,” says King-Sonnen.
Rowdy Girl Sanctuary is a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization that provides sanctuary to rescued farmed animals and advocates a vegan lifestyle.
For more information, contact: Renee King-Sonnen at (281)684-9101
email: renee@rowdygirlsanctuary.org Website: www.rowdygirlsanctuary.org
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Please let this poor Animal have his freedom. Thank you to the Sanctuary and PETA. Thank you to all the people who speak up for the aninals.
Principles are a great thing, but saving the steer’s life should take precedence over principles. I’d pay the $1.25 a pound to save Runaways’ life. I’d be the first in line to donate.
Everyone is certainly free to use their money as they wish. Our nonprofit cannot buy animals in this type of situation – we would be buying them everyday – if the slaughterhouses, butchers and ranchers wish to be educated on veganism and change their lifestyle then of course we would gladly make exceptions – that is what happened to us – I went vegan – I bought my husbands cows with a fundraiser–and let me tell you–I paid a big price for doing that – some vegans did not and still do not understand that I had to do that! As a non profit I cannot put our sanctuary in the position of having to “buy” animals from businesses that will just keep slaughtering and selling the innocent bodies of animals every second of every day – But if they want to change – then yes – we would help them and be part of a fundraiser to help them get there.
Bravery treated with disdain!
Absolutely shared this ~ Thank you all for trying to rescue Runaways from slaughter ~ We are hopeful ~ mgf
Please evaluate your policy of not paying for the little guy, it has been proven that negotiating with terrorist will not increase more kidnapping – so now Americans are allowed to negotiate to save thier love ones , including paying the ransom – so why don’t we pay the release of Runaway, (i will gladly donate to save his life) just look around Texas- fastfood is not going away for a long time. I believe a better policy – is that the idea of saving Runaway will send a message that many people will save an animal no matter the costs because we believe that animal lives are as important as humans.
Everyone is certainly free to use their money as they wish. Our nonprofit cannot buy animals in this type of situation – we would be buying them everyday – if the slaughterhouses, butchers and ranchers wish to be educated on veganism and change their lifestyle then of course we would gladly make exceptions – that is what happened to us – I went vegan – I bought my husbands cows with a fundraiser–and let me tell you–I paid a big price for doing that – some vegans did not and still do not understand that I had to do that! As a non profit I cannot put our sanctuary in the position of having to “buy” animals from businesses that will just keep slaughtering and selling the innocent bodies of animals every second of every day – But if they want to change – then yes – we would help them and be part of a fundraiser to help them get there.
I would donate too! Thank you with all my heart Renee and Rowdy Girl team!!
I think they will kill him in a heartbeat and that the principle – which I too typically hold dearly – of purchasing him should be waived on this occasion. Better to capitulate to the cruel commodification of animal bodies than have this boy dead. I will donate and his life will become a living testament to exposing the relentless heartlessness of the animal body industry!
Everyone is certainly free to use their money as they wish. Our nonprofit cannot buy animals in this type of situation – we would be buying them everyday – if the slaughterhouses, butchers and ranchers wish to be educated on veganism and change their lifestyle then of course we would gladly make exceptions – that is what happened to us – I went vegan – I bought my husbands cows with a fundraiser–and let me tell you–I paid a big price for doing that – some vegans did not and still do not understand that I had to do that! As a non profit I cannot put our sanctuary in the position of having to “buy” animals from businesses that will just keep slaughtering and selling the innocent bodies of animals every second of every day – But if they want to change – then yes – we would help them and be part of a fundraiser to help them get there ~ that is my greatest mission on this planet!