To Whom It May Concern:

This letter and the enclosed DVD are in reference to an upcoming “Benefit Field Trial” for the Altha 1st Baptist Church Youth Group. We are a group of local, Northwest Florida residents fighting for a cause that we deeply believe in. Our cause is called, “Train without Torture”, and was developed by us as a way to combat the cruel and inhumane treatment wildlife is subjected to inside of fox pens. While living adjacent to an operating fox pen, we had the unfortunate opportunity to witness this abuse firsthand. We are sending this information because Altha 1st Baptist Church is currently scheduled to accept donations generated through animal abuse by a fox penning organization, Sandsifters. Unfortunately, these fox pens abuse wildlife by penning coyotes and foxes in an electrified fenced-in area and chasing them with large packs of dogs. As you can see on our website, TrainWithoutTorture.org, many times, the wildlife does not survive these attacks.

We have produced a short DVD that is enclosed that hopefully will help your group understand the abuse that takes place in these pens. The presentation offers two versions to view, “Digitized” and “Non-Digitized”. The “Digitized” version does not show the graphic torture these animals are subjected to, so, it should be acceptable for presentation to the Youth Group. The “Non-Digitized” version shows the true nature of these field trials. The animals have no chance of escape and are routinely killed during these events. As a matter of fact, Sandsifters reported in a recent inspection that 10 coyotes were killed by dogs at a weekend field trial last year. In addition, several of the escape areas for the wildlife were blocked by concrete to “extend the chase” according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission inspection report in 2008.

We ask that you please reconsider accepting donations from these types of events as it puts a bad light not only on your church, but on all religious organizations and Christianity as a whole. If you would, please allow the Youth Group to watch the presentation and let them decide for themselves on whether or not the “Benefit Field Trial” should take place. I understand that the money raised would be for a good cause, however, “the end does not justify the means.”

After viewing the DVD and researching fox pens on our website (and others), please ask yourselves, “Would God condone this type of treatment of His Creation?” The Christianity and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ that I have been taught teach otherwise. They teach respect and reverence for life and that His Father, Our God, created this Earth and this wildlife for us to enjoy and use, but we are instructed to do so under the Wisdom offered by God to be the utmost stewards of His Creation and His gift to us. I implore you to look deep, think hard and ask, “What would Jesus do?” When the Lord Thy God questions you on this behavior, what will ye answer to Him?

Thank you for your consideration and God Bless.

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Followed up with a phone call on Friday, October 16th. Treated rudely and hung up on.