Tennessee Town Plans Mass Animal Murder

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - June 23, 2014 - PRLog -- The Global Conservation Group (GCG) and Nashville Animal Advocacy (NAA) are teaming up to campaign against an event taking place in Smithville, Tennessee on June 27, 2014. The event called, “Giggin' for Grads” is hosted by the DeKalb County Young Farmers and Ranchers. Participants stab frogs with “gigs” or spears. Each person can kill up to 20 frogs. The event is a fundraiser to raise money for scholarships.

GCG and NAA are urging city officials and event coordinators to explore alternative fundraising options, so as not to harm animals. Our organizations have offered to cover the expenses of any other reasonable, humane fundraiser if they cancel this one.

Unlike mammals; frogs and other coldblooded animals have slow metabolisms which significantly slows down death when injured, causing the animals to suffer for longer periods of time. Furthermore, this event also poses serious human safety concerns. Minors and adults run around at night with sharp objects spearing animals, endangering themselves and others, as well as encouraging violent behavior among youth.

Our Senior Biologist Susana Paco says “A method such as stabbing is extremely painful for the frog, who dies of massive hemorrhaging and usually asphyxiates on its own blood.”

This week, GCG filed complaints against the event with the Tennessee Department of Children's Services, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee Department of Justice, Smithville Police Department, DeKalb County Sheriff's Department, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Interior, and the U.S. Department of Justice.

We have launched a website where individuals can learn more and take action by contacting event coordinators and city officials urging them to cancel the event. www.stopfrogabuse.com We have also launched an online petition: https://www.change.org/petitions/stop-tennessee-group- from-stabbing-frogs This is the second time the event is scheduled to take place. Last year, the event took place on July 12, 2013. Despite our best efforts to stop it, the event went on as planned. However, we flew four of our staff members down to Tennessee to peacefully protest it in person. Some local residents also joined us.