Aug05
Update: Petland Store Where Rabbits Allegedly Drowned Closes
Posted at 04:48 PM | Permalink
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Comments (163)
PETA Files readers were outraged by yesterday's story about an Akron, Ohio, Petland employee who allegedly drowned two rabbits in the store's back room. Our readers are not alone, and thanks to the overwhelming public outcry, the store where Elizabeth Carlisle was photographed holding two sopping-wet, dead rabbits by the scruff of the neck has been permanently closed.
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In other good news, Elizabeth Carlisle has been charged with cruelty to animals and is scheduled to appear in court later this month. We have written to the authorities and are urging them to throw the book at her—hard.
While it's great that this particular hellhole has been shut down, Petland still has a lot of cleaning up to do. PETA receives many complaints alleging abuse and neglect of animals in Petland's stores. Here are just a few examples:
One person claiming to be a former Petland employee writes, "[I] used to work at a Petland … and [I] can totally relate to this picture … The stores … have puppies dying all the time, due to not having water and food. [T]he kennel techs are untrained and underpaid and they get back at the company by not taking care of the animals! … [A]ll Petlands should be shut down or the animals should all be taken away. [A]ll they care about is money, money, money!"
Another writes, "I used to work for Petland … I ended up being let go, because I refused to … [p]ut dying hamsters, parakeets, … kittens, [and] small puppies in plastic bags and put them in the freezer, and let [animals] breed rampantly. I also got in trouble for … wasting company money by cleaning animal cages that were out of customer sight …"
And yet another writes, "I opened the freezer once and there were frozen snakes in there. I asked what they were … They said they weren't paying the vet to treat [the animals], so they put them to sleep in there. Rats and mice, hamsters and gerbils, and other small critters were always committing cannibalism, because of lack of food, and not having enough space."
Petland is unable to monitor all its employees all the time, which means that other animals are bound to suffer as a result. We would like Petland to stop selling animals in all its stores, but if the company isn't willing to make that leap immediately, what it can do right now is stop selling rabbits in order to ensure that these small, vulnerable animals are spared death at the hands of people like Carlisle.
Posted by Alisa Mullins
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Comments
congratulations Peta!!! I'm so proud of you, another amazing work has been done from you! I'm glad that store has been closed, hope that girl will be charge heavily at least.
Posted by: Artur Estanqueiro | August 5, 2009 05:08 PM
AWESOME NEWS! Thank you PETA and thank you to all of the people who took action - you've just saved lives by getting this hell hole closed and that psycho charged. WAY TO GO!
Posted by: Shelly | August 5, 2009 05:11 PM
this is disgusting & she deserves everything she gets.
Posted by: LindsayCaitlyn | August 5, 2009 05:26 PM
Every single puppy that Petland sells comes from PUPPY MILLS.
http://www.petstorecruelty.org/boycottpetland.htm
They have been selling sick dogs for years, and cheating people too.
Please don't buy anything from Petland.
Posted by: Sue | August 5, 2009 05:36 PM
Thanks PETA, for shedding light on this story.
Posted by: Megan | August 5, 2009 05:39 PM
WAY TO GO PETA! Now only if the courts will treat this as seriously and give that stupidly cruel girl EVERYTHING she has coming to her.
Posted by: Tara Fischl | August 5, 2009 05:52 PM
That girl is a psychopath, and unfortunately, there's no cure for that.
Petland management should also be held accountable.
Posted by: Mini | August 5, 2009 05:54 PM
I am so happy to hear that this action is not going unpunished. I hope that other pet stores learn from this.
Posted by: Crissy Lakomski | August 5, 2009 05:59 PM
What is extremely worrying to me is that if they do this and post it publicly, what are they doing to the innocent sentients behind the scenes? Pet Land does not need to be in any kind of business dealing with live sentients.
Posted by: jtwaldie | August 5, 2009 06:00 PM
Good job Peta! i hope they really crack down on her, and i am now considering working at petland just to ensure that nothing like this is going down in my city!
Posted by: Kaitlyn | August 5, 2009 06:02 PM
YAYYYYYYYYY!
This is freaking AWESOME news!!! Another step closer to having ALL pet-selling stores shut down!
Posted by: Jennifer | August 5, 2009 06:04 PM
Thanks Peta because of you Animals can have a voice and they can be heard. How people can be so cruel and inhumane. This girl shoul be go jail to teach her a lesson and so many cruel people that her.
Posted by: Mirtha COurtney | August 5, 2009 06:06 PM
Good glad to hear that the system is working. im sure alot of people are not gonna shop at any petland i know i will not be.
Posted by: bobbi phipps | August 5, 2009 06:07 PM
THANK GOD!!!!!!!! This story was SO disturbing to me as I am a house rabbit mother. It seriously ruined my evening when I read it and I thought about it all day today. When I just read PETA's victory post I screamed out in joy!!! Justice is about to be served and I am so very grateful I am not the only one who believes she should pay, as well as Petland.
Posted by: Jennifer | August 5, 2009 06:08 PM
Congratulations PETA. I love reading news like this one. I'm so glad that the store has been closed.
Posted by: Katie Cunningham | August 5, 2009 06:08 PM
Great! I'm so glad they did that. And that girl looks like a f*ckin freak!
Posted by: giex | August 5, 2009 06:10 PM
I had to do a double-take, was that a McDonalds commercial on Peta's website, there is something fundamentaly wrong about that.
Posted by: patrick | August 5, 2009 06:10 PM
Great news that the sadistic and hellish Petland and their rabbit killing employee are heading toward perdition. Chrissie Hynde would be outrage by their rabbit, hampster, puppy, kitten and cat cruelty in her native Akron.
Petland=Hell For Animals!
Posted by: Brien Comerford | August 5, 2009 06:11 PM
I am so happy they were closed permanently and charges were filed!
One small change at a time :)
Posted by: Khristie Lonquist | August 5, 2009 06:12 PM
Great job PETA and everyone out there who expressed their horror and outrage over this disgusting act. I hope this hateful girl is given the maximum sentence in the upcoming trial. Let's all keep striving to end Petland's sales of animals. Clearly, they are treated as nothing more than disposable stock.
Posted by: Nancy | August 5, 2009 06:15 PM
I wonder what happens to the animals when the store is closed. Do they get sent to other stores for more of the same?
Posted by: Suasoria | August 5, 2009 06:23 PM
Great Job PETA!!! and all the people who took action!! People like you all its what we need to make the world a better place. WAY TO go....BUT we still have a lot of work to do..!!!
Posted by: marsha | August 5, 2009 06:25 PM
Congrats PETA, this woman and Petland deserves EVERYTHING and MORE of what the judge will throw at them.
Posted by: Vanessa Hurst | August 5, 2009 06:28 PM
A guy I go to school with works at Petland(Courtenay, Canada) and he says they take in Rescued dogs and stuff..but I kind of find that hard to believe. Also our Petland puts pets who just been neutered or spayed that are STILL drugged up, on display. Some shake uncontrolablly because of all the noise and they are still scared and just been stitched up.. it's so sad to watch. I wish all Petland's closed too..
Posted by: Tara M. | August 5, 2009 06:30 PM
Thank you PETA for all that you do..
I think the person that photographed the picture should be charges as well..
They could of stopped it but they didn't, they are just as guilty.
Posted by: Rebecca | August 5, 2009 06:34 PM
Thank u Peta.It was an absolute disgrace.Yer hard work really paid off.If only we had a company like yours over here in Ireland.x
Posted by: Roisin O'Gorman | August 5, 2009 06:34 PM
Thank you for all you do!
Posted by: karen | August 5, 2009 06:37 PM
THANKS GOD FOR PETA!!!!
Posted by: Ana | August 5, 2009 06:38 PM
I hope that Elizabeth Carlisle feels the same way those rabbits that she murdered feels someday. She will get her day. I hate her.
Posted by: Mortricia Roman Melter | August 5, 2009 06:39 PM
it's great that the store is closing and that the woman is being punished but what is happening to the animals from the store?
Posted by: Laura Glynn | August 5, 2009 06:42 PM
YEAH! I'm glad this has gone to the news, people need to know about what Petland's doing!
Great job PETA!
Posted by: MaarikaV | August 5, 2009 06:42 PM
such as SHAME! SICKO should be the name of that person...that kind of behavior and what I have just read ought to put up red flags to those Fat Cats who are making money by allowing abuse to continue. This is just plain sick! To partake in any joy of hurting an animal makes me sick....
Posted by: Margaret Lovick | August 5, 2009 06:45 PM
Very well done Peta!!! Thank goodness for organisations like you that speak up for animals. I am so glad that this woman(sick creature) now faces animal cruelty charges and that the store has been closed down,that's fantastic news! Her stupidity in advertising these disgusting practices has now trapped her! If only they all could stop selling animals...no animal seems safe there, it's deeply shocking.The manager should also be facing charges...is this happening?
Posted by: claudia | August 5, 2009 06:45 PM
A glimpse of hope for those poor little animals. Thank you Peta.
Posted by: Danielle Australia | August 5, 2009 07:00 PM
Good work guys! I emailed and called! This sicko deserves some jail time and intensive pschotherapy.
Posted by: Michelle | August 5, 2009 07:11 PM
Does Petland have a website where we can get a list of store locations? I would LOVE to picket them!
Posted by: Joyce | August 5, 2009 07:14 PM
Send emails to Akron police and mayor!!
police@ci.akron.oh.us
mayor@ci.akron.oh.us
Maybe they'll go harder on her if they realize the national outrage this has caused!!
Posted by: Cass | August 5, 2009 07:20 PM
petland needs to be shut down, and this worthless woman and her boss need to be in jail. they are sick and cannot be out in society to do more harm.
Posted by: dominique | August 5, 2009 07:21 PM
I cannot believe people can be so cruel to animals - there is no excuse for this!!! I hope she is punished to the full extent of the law (and then some). And Petland should be ashamed of themselves.
Posted by: KristenWilliams | August 5, 2009 07:24 PM
Congratulations, Elizabeth. Your parents must be so proud. I am fairly sure your family is hearing from the neighbors right now about the wonderful, compassionate daughter they raised. I am sure your co-workers are so grateful to you for losing their jobs in this wonderful economy. I am sure that by now you know the entire nation now knows who you are and is judging you by the content of your character. I am also sure you now understand what you did is not remotely funny.
I will be praying for the healing of your spirit, Elizabeth. At some point in your life it must have been terribly wounded or you would not have done what you did.
Posted by: Rev. Meg Schramm | August 5, 2009 07:29 PM
This picture is just incredibly disturbing to me. She has the smile of a psychopath. Thank you PETA for getting this place shut down! Hopefully this chick will get punished to the fullest extent.
Posted by: JenniferS | August 5, 2009 07:36 PM
Thanks to all the people who raised their voices about this atrocity. Let's hope our voices continue to be heard.
Posted by: Sandy Skrinjaric | August 5, 2009 07:36 PM
I wonder which facebook page is hers? Suppose it's still up? Hmmm...
Posted by: Deborah | August 5, 2009 07:41 PM
I emailed the police and mayors office. Ive never heard of Akron before this outrageous act of cruelty and murder. What horrible publicity for this community. I hope they set a strong example of this woman to let all the other sickos know, THIS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! Besides whatever criminal convictions, I think having her reputation as stands, she may have trouble leaving her home let alone find employment. You reap what you sow lady!
Posted by: Mel | August 5, 2009 07:50 PM
Right on, PETA!
Posted by: Sara Clevenger | August 5, 2009 07:53 PM
RIP Bunnies and all other PETLAND VICTIMS of neglect and cruel treatment.
PETLAND will NEVER get my business. I will make sure everyone i know never steps foot into their stores! If I happen to pass a store I will protest their pet treatment standards.
Posted by: Mel | August 5, 2009 07:58 PM
why is the ad before the video about Mcdonalds? mccruelty campaign??
Posted by: Jamie | August 5, 2009 08:00 PM
AWESOME WORK PETA!! I AM PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF THIS ORGANIZATION!
Posted by: Nielle Pacilli | August 5, 2009 08:13 PM
Great news! Congratulations to justice and action and PETA. Hope that abhorrent excuse for a human and now ex-employee gets it hardcore and is made an example of. She is a human abomination.
Let's all keep fighting for these innocent animals!
Cheers. x
Posted by: Silvana | August 5, 2009 08:15 PM
All Pet stores should only sell pet food and pet products - NOT PETS! Watch out animal abusers you're going down - thanks to PETA!
Posted by: Kathy Gafkowski | August 5, 2009 08:17 PM
OMG. These people are friggin sick. I am glad this woman will be prosecuted. This sickens me!!! Great job PETA... Keep up the good work. :)
Posted by: Lynee | August 5, 2009 08:19 PM
This is very good news. She better end up in jail, where she belongs.
Posted by: Aneliese | August 5, 2009 08:24 PM
Thank God! I hope she pays for this, HARD. Whoever took the picture, too.
Posted by: Domino | August 5, 2009 08:28 PM
I'm seriously SO grateful for PETA. They actually take a stand and demand change. They're not afraid anyone and consistently bring huge issues to the public eye.
Posted by: Michelle | August 5, 2009 08:37 PM
I had nightmares after reading that horrible story yesterday. i am so relieved that something has been done and i hope that that girl, her manager and anyone else involved are all put in jail. an example needs to be set that this kind of behaviour is intolerable, and that these bunnies dying were not entirely in vain. if these people are jailed it may save some other lives. i got home last night and held my rescued rabbit and cried warm tears (which he gently licked off my face) thinking about how lucky he is and how unfortunate so many others are. keep up the amazing work PETA and everyne else involved.
Posted by: Montague | August 5, 2009 08:42 PM
Thank GOD for PETA. These innocents need to be protected.
Posted by: Shelley | August 5, 2009 08:43 PM
YAY PETA!!
Posted by: Melissa Devlin | August 5, 2009 08:47 PM
Thanks PETA for posting all the info so we could contact Petland and the Akron police. It worked. Let's keep up the pressure. Let's let Petland know that hosting and sponsoring adoption events for local shelters and rescues instead of selling animals has increased business at rival chains such as PetCo, and they should do the same.
Posted by: Mary Ann Martorana | August 5, 2009 08:48 PM
GREAT. So glad you didn't let them get away with this. Not the store, nor the manager, nor the employee. Keep up the good work PETA.
Posted by: Barbee | August 5, 2009 09:07 PM
WONDERFUL!!! CONGRATS PETA!!
Posted by: Gabriela | August 5, 2009 09:16 PM
Wonderful news thus far. Keep us posted and let us know what more we can do. We'll gladly fight for just cause. Thank you PETA team! You are awesome and that's why we stand behind you and your work.
Posted by: Rose Lugo | August 5, 2009 09:46 PM
I have to admitt how great the PETA organization really is. At first it shocked me when i saw the ad of naked women coverd in blood. Being a vegetarian and also a survivor of domestic abuse i found it very offending. Now I can understand the impact that needs to be made to help protect and save the defensless animals from the most dangerous preditor on earth; Humans
Great Job PETA!
Posted by: Mel | August 5, 2009 09:46 PM
I am always amazed by the stupidity of humans. Some people can find these things funny. It is just sick and I say a prayer for the animals in their care. I hope the animals were all rescued and will find good homes.
Posted by: pegsu | August 5, 2009 09:48 PM
Hi:
I hope this miserable excuse for a human being get life on an animal farm ok, and the the animals be incharge.
Thanks Cindy Haas
Posted by: cindy haas | August 5, 2009 09:59 PM
YES!!! GO PETA!!! Those poor animals and people who had to see that. I couldn't even look at the picture. But thank you for putting that in jail and for closing that bad place!
Posted by: Amanda | August 5, 2009 10:06 PM
just looking at that perverted child-like smirk/smile on her face gives me the creeps. Good job PETA.
Posted by: vegancoin | August 5, 2009 10:16 PM
i almost vomited when i saw this. i am glad that she was charged and i hope she suffers like those poor rabbits did.
Posted by: ashley | August 5, 2009 10:17 PM
now that the store is closed, what have they done with the animals? just curious
Posted by: sarah | August 5, 2009 10:30 PM
This is great news. Petland needs to stop selling all animals in its stores. Treating animals as commodities to be bought and sold encourages mistreatment unless there is sufficient oversight to ensure the health and safety of the animals.
It's time to boycott all pet stores that sell animals. Instead, go to pet stores that work with local shelters and rescue agencies to promote adoption of animals. These agencies have better track records of caring for animals than do pet stores.
Posted by: Branain | August 5, 2009 10:41 PM
Thank you PETA for everything that you do and keep up the good work. ; )
Posted by: vickie | August 5, 2009 10:57 PM
I saw this thanks to a friend of mine posting it on Facebook and I was so sad. I have 7 bunnies and I would never be able to stand for such a thing. I know that many stores don't have the best care, but to think that they are going about this so callously makes me ill. Thank you PETA for posting this.
Posted by: AmyK | August 5, 2009 11:12 PM
This employee is an evil person.... we all need to be aware that anyone who takes pleasure in taking any kind of life should be psychologically examined and definitely convicted of this crime.... if I'm not correct Jeffrey Dahmer did the same acts as a child and looked what happened there....
Nisa Rayburn
Active Peta Member & Friend to Animals
Posted by: Nisa Rayburn | August 5, 2009 11:14 PM
What is the best way to help get Petland's to stop selling rabbits?? How can the normal every day citizen help? I'd love to help!
Posted by: Katie | August 5, 2009 11:32 PM
Great to hear that !
I pity so much for the poor bunnies that was killed by her. That girl deserves all the charges for abusing animals.
Posted by: Joyce | August 6, 2009 12:05 AM
As I look into the eyes of my bunny Oliver, I hope she gets what she deserves...there is no reason for her actions! Good work PETA!
Posted by: Dianne | August 6, 2009 12:44 AM
Elizabeth Carlisle has been charged with animal cruelty and will appear in Akron Municipal Court on August 17th.
Posted by: adge | August 6, 2009 12:45 AM
Thank you PETA and all who worked towards creating awareness on this.
Posted by: Cristina | August 6, 2009 01:00 AM
Thanks to you PETA for what you have done here!! I will also thank-you on behalf of ALL animals that you are on their side!! I was deeply disturbed by what had happened to those poor bunnies but even more so by the smile on that young lady's face.....very sad!!
Posted by: Terri Mandel | August 6, 2009 01:00 AM
I literally could not sleep last night, after I heard about this, I kept seeing the picture in my head. Thank God for your hard work!
Posted by: Lara Guzman | August 6, 2009 01:13 AM
I (and clearly many others) sent a letter to Petland officials yesterday, but did not expect anything would happen so quickly. Thank heaven the store was shut down. Do you know where the remaining animals have been sent? Hopefully, not to a different Petland location. At any rate, I hope that employee and her manager are given the stiffest sentences possible -- they deserve it! Thank you, PETA, for your fantastic work!
Posted by: Lisa A. | August 6, 2009 02:30 AM
FANTASTIC! Lets hope this gets the ball rolling!!
Posted by: Ponymum | August 6, 2009 04:30 AM
Thank you Peta for showing that animals lives are of value. This woman has karma coming to her....
Posted by: Steff | August 6, 2009 07:18 AM
Please delete my previous post. It should say Pet stores should NOT sell pets period. While editing I accidently deleted the very improtant NOT!!
Great work everyone involved! Let's hope Petland wakes up and stops selling rabbits. Pet stores should NOT sell pets period. They Pet stores should sell pet products ONLY! Hopefully the day will come soon where no one can ask," How much is that doggy in the window?"
Posted by: Diane van Weelie | August 6, 2009 07:21 AM
She'll get off. They always do. Man this stuff makes me sick.
Posted by: Gonzo | August 6, 2009 07:57 AM
I am so happy that the bunny murderer is being brought to justice! This news really made my day! Thank you PETA!!!
Posted by: Meredith | August 6, 2009 08:37 AM
I was gobsmacked when i saw this couldnt believe what i was actually seeing, a photo of this woman smiling just after she had killed these poor defenseless animals and thats after the abuse and tortue they had endured in their short lives. Im soo soo gad that everyones outrage on this was taken note off and swift action was taken into place hopefully we have helped to save more animals whom probably would of had the same fate, just makes me think though if that photo hadn't been posted on the internet would we ever of been aware of what was happening? and how many more animals have died behind closed doors?
Posted by: lisa | August 6, 2009 08:53 AM
This is very good news, but it is only a start. Petland needs to be constantly monitored. ANY abuse needs to be documented (cell phone cameras, etc.) and the pressure not taken off them until they comply with humanity or close!
Posted by: Jeanie Kilgour | August 6, 2009 08:58 AM
This is very good news, but it is only a start. Petland needs to be constantly monitored. ANY abuse needs to be documented (cell phone cameras, etc.) and the pressure not taken off them until they comply with humanity or close!
Posted by: Jeanie Kilgour | August 6, 2009 08:58 AM
Oh I'm soooo happy that finally the law is making justice little by little. we will see what happens next to the psycho I hope at least 2 yrs in prison... maybe is too little to ask. I so want to go to Akron and kick her f)8ck?ng ass...
I also think we should do a protest against that store, from now on I don't trust even the big names... I'm willing to go out to the streets and protest for what is right for animals =D ..... just keep us updated PETA.... Thank you.
Posted by: Annie G | August 6, 2009 09:56 AM
Yay! Justice is done!!
Posted by: Lennart Arends | August 6, 2009 10:08 AM
ive only got 1 word for this disgusting girl...FREAK.
Posted by: emma | August 6, 2009 10:19 AM
I was really upset when I saw those pictures on the peta2 blog on Myspace.I was very happy to hear this morning on a local radio station that the woman was being prosecuted on two counts of animal cruelty and that the store at Chapel Hill Mall in Akron was being closed down.Usually I enjoy going to the mall to shop,but I hated having to pass the Petland store and seeing the puppies and kittens behind glass.Thank you for keeping up with the story.
Posted by: Courtney C | August 6, 2009 10:57 AM
Stop selling RABBITS? They need to stop selling all animals and get out of the pet business. That is sick. If they will kill a rabbit, they will kill a innocent Hamster. Shame, shame, Elizabeth.
Posted by: Dan | August 6, 2009 11:14 AM
I can already see an option for her defense strategy: Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome.
Although the picture is grainy, I think I see some mild alopecia, prominent nose and cheek bones, and thick eyebrows. Perhaps "she" is a genetic male suffering from this rare disorder, causing deeply rooted psychological pathology and need to control and dominate a weaker form of life, as "she" has felt dominated and not at all in control all of her life as well.
Anyone buying it? For the record, I really just think she is a sick f**k.
Posted by: Derek, MD | August 6, 2009 11:28 AM
that bit.. must suffer, with her sick face of enjoyment, psycho killer, hope you get the same some day soon, how could you enjoy that? sicko
Posted by: nancy laganiere | August 6, 2009 12:25 PM
big baby steps....thanks PETA
Posted by: suzanne | August 6, 2009 12:29 PM
Great effort, PETA. Please know that no matter what critics may say about you, your courage, boldness and refusal to ever back down when an animal is in trouble or has been horribly murdered or abused is turning the tide.
I just hope and pray the manager of this store (the person who proudly took the photo!!) is also brought up on charges. No mention is made about including the manager in criminal charges.
Also, I post this for everyone who has commented about a good experience you've had with PETLAND. Understand something--regardless of how well other Petland stores may treat their animals, their whole mission is to make a profit. They will put that first. They don't spend alot of time screening their prospective employees. They don't pay enough to attract people that would take their work seriously. Sure, there are young people who work there because they love animals, but if we ever hope to end the shameful pet overpopulation problem, SELLING live animals at pet stores must end.
Adopt and save a life. Do your homework if you simply MUST have a purebred puppy and buy ONLY from a breeder who has a thorough knowledge of the particular breed and encourages spaying and neutering of their offspring or, better yet, offers only altered animals for sale and unaltered "breeding prospects" only to carefully screened people who take animal husbandry seriously.
Their eyes, the looks, the heart-tugging faces of pet store animals are mirrored also in the precious babies desperately hoping to be picked at your local shelters and pounds.
PLEASE DON'T BREED OR BUY WHILE HOMELESS ANIMALS DIE!!
PLEASE!!!!
Posted by: Susan T | August 6, 2009 12:46 PM
I was reading some of these comments and i worked at this petland..im not glad the store got shut down.people dont realize how much a lot of the workers care about those animals and actually treat them well, like myself and others. This girl was just one sick person who has now ruined what everyone thinks of people who work at petland.when i worked there it was the owners who were terrible not the employee's minus Liz of course. And to people wanting all pet stores to ban selling animals, just because pet stores dont care them doesnt mean they will get treated right and wont get abused, dont be dumb about it.
Posted by: Ashley | August 6, 2009 01:21 PM
great job PETA! you saved all the innoscent bunnies all over the world from that horrible horrible woman. thank you for saving the lives of the rest of the bunnies in ohio and the rest of the world. she better be put in jail for a really long time. the rest of her life would be good.
Posted by: Cassidy | August 6, 2009 01:44 PM
I'm so glad it's closed down. What a shame so many others haven't been and the awful trade in animals' lives is at the whim and for the profit of the petstores and the mills that breed them.
I hope they throw the book at Elizabeth Carlisle - but not only her, the people who encouraged her to do this, too. They are every bit as guilty as she is.
Posted by: Ros Lamb | August 6, 2009 02:00 PM
Great work everyone and PETA for bringing this to our attention!
People need to learn that killing is wrong, it doesn't matter that it's "just a rabbit" to some people, but it's a life. When people think killing a life is fun, what comes next might be their neighbor or a friend.
We have to ask, what's in her mind for doing something like that and thinking is funny?
Posted by: Tedd | August 6, 2009 02:00 PM
Pet shops are certainly outdated. I live in Sweden, and yes, we do have pet shops. But they "only" sell birds, mice, hamsters and other small pets. Dogs, cats and other bigger animals are sold by breeders or individuals who have either had the good fortune (or bad luck which ever way you see it) to have pets who have spawned.
But I find pet shops a very old fashioned conception. Like a sweet shop where you bring your children and let them chose their victim of choice. Horrible.
Posted by: Lou | August 6, 2009 02:03 PM
Happy to hear PETA and the system worked together. I want her to get the book thrown at her, but she needs to be evaluated. I dont know what to say about selling animals, seems like you should have a license and governmental surprise checks with big fines- everyone would win
Posted by: Laura | August 6, 2009 02:06 PM
One more victory for the animals thanks to PETA! Let's work on closing down all Petlands and pet stores and make it mandatory to go humane. This is why I have been a supporter of PETA since I was 9! GO PETA!!
Posted by: Christina | August 6, 2009 02:35 PM
While it's great to see them brought to justice, while watching that video all I could think was... no one would care if those were rats instead of rabbits. I really hope some day rats, mice and other small rodents get the protection they deserve.
Posted by: Heather | August 6, 2009 03:55 PM
I've calmed down in the time I heard about this in the news and just want to say thank you PETA for all that you do. You are one of numerous orginizations out there that truely cares for animals. As for the two pathetic excuse for human beings, I only hope that the court will bring some sort of justice and let it be known that this type of behavior towards animals WILL NOT be tolerated! Stay the course, PETA!!
Posted by: christopher mcfadden | August 6, 2009 04:01 PM
Hurray! Great news!
I wish I could be there when she steps into that court room. I am originally from Ohio and am ashamed that this story originates there.
I love Facebook! These idiots hand themselves right over red handed never dreaming there are consequences to their actions. Whatever she does get, won't be enough. But Karma has its own justice...trust me...she has a lifetime of bad joojoo coming.
Posted by: Laurie | August 6, 2009 04:11 PM
Thank you for everything you do. Please stay on top of this horrific Petland situation and help bring all those responsible for these inhumane actions to appropriate, hard justice.
Posted by: Robert | August 6, 2009 04:53 PM
awesome news!!
Posted by: A. Courtis | August 6, 2009 05:31 PM
Good job peta,now we have to stay on top of this case and make sure that this girl and the store get the largest punishment possible.
Posted by: Don Mastro | August 6, 2009 05:44 PM
glad this sad girl will be punished but why is manager not being prosecuted?
Posted by: Paul Duncan | August 6, 2009 05:52 PM
I don't think crucifying one employee for this act is the right way to go. Yes she did kill those two rabbits, but that's how petland works. They do things like this to save money even if it is wrong. I used to work there. I know. Rather than ruining one scared girl's life who wanted to be good at her job, how about we go after the big problem and go after petland. She was told to do what she did and a lot of you people would have done the same if it were you're job and you wanted to get ahead. The manager took the picture! They were well aware of what was going on in the back.
Posted by: Mike | August 6, 2009 06:07 PM
Here is a copy of an email I sent to the Petland Headquarters.
Petland states that "Our pet counselors are dedicated to matching the right pet with the right customer and meeting the needs of both. To our customers who already have pets, we are dedicated to enhancing their knowledge and enjoyment of the human-animal bond." Tell me how many customers have the desire to purchase rabbits that have been drowned by Petland employees? Tell me what business is Petland engaged in exactly? Selling pets that have been well cared for before being sold cannot possibly be why Petland is in business. Petland strikes me as being an institution that trains terrorists and socially maladjusted individuals to wreak havoc on helpless, innocent animals.
The Akron, Ohio store is not the only store that has had allegations of mistreatment. The internet is full of eyewitness accounts of abuse and death related incidents involving a variety of animals. What really shocks me is how Petland has managed to stay in business for so long. This miserable excuse for a pet store should have been closed down a long time ago, and all of its employees who participated in abusing or neglecting animals should be facing felony charges of cruelty to animals.
Petland is obviously a corporation comprised of individuals who have no humanity, no compassion, and no soul.
"In their behavior toward creatures, all men are Nazis. Human beings see oppression vividly when they're the victims. Otherwise, they victimize blindly and without a thought" (Isaac Singer, Nobel Prize winner).
Posted by: Sandra Britton | August 6, 2009 06:12 PM
These women need to be institutionalized and kept away from society; they are beyond simply being mentally ill. Mental illness is so sad, but, we do have an obligation to protect the innocent from them.
Posted by: Kim Clark | August 6, 2009 06:12 PM
WONDERFUL NEWS! This girl is a disgrace - and so is anyone in "management" of that store, even though it's closed, who took that picture.
Posted by: SharonMS | August 6, 2009 06:17 PM
Thank you PETA for bringing this awareness to the forefront. I will definitely be putting in my two cents via email to the Mayor and police chief in Akron in hopes of stiffening the penalties imposed on this sicko!
Posted by: Bridget | August 6, 2009 06:26 PM
How can we save ALL the animals that are living at the Pet Land stores? Can they get a warrant to go in to all Pet Land stores and rescue all the animals and take them to the vet and find them all good homes? It's not those poor animals faults that they were born into a life from a puppy/animal mill, This makes me SICK!!!!!! I think the owner/owner of these stores needs to pay also!!!
Posted by: Rachel | August 6, 2009 06:40 PM
I wish we could somehow have these comments posted on this blog heard during her court trial - or even just a list of PETA and animal rights supporters in this case presented. I bet there could be hundreds...maybe it would make an impression on the court how important this is. A lot of the problem is getting our courts and legislature to take animal abuse seriously.
Posted by: Barbara | August 6, 2009 06:44 PM
I want to know how a person who was PHOTOGRAPHED BY THEIR MANAGER "acted on her own" (according to your woio link). How on earth do they intend to prove that she just randomly decide to up and off two rabbits and that it was not, in fact, store policy?
I call bullshit.
There's a reason why you see puppies and kittens in these stores and never dogs & cats.
Posted by: J. Teeple | August 6, 2009 06:53 PM
I am the Mom to two wonderful free roam house rabbits. They are like our children, we love them with all our hearts.
This really hurt us, reading what ex employees have said makes it worse. We have signed a petition and contact the store.
From Massachusetts!
Posted by: Elizabeth | August 6, 2009 06:55 PM
This girl don't need to go to jail she needs to be locked in an asylum for the criminally insane...she was proud of what she did and bragging about it...what a psycho...
Posted by: donna | August 6, 2009 06:56 PM
that woman should be charged with murder and deemed psychotic
and very dangerous
"petland" is a real life nightmare
it is no different than torture that went on during the Holocaust
what a sick company.
down with all stores that sell pets (not shelters or sanctuaries or rescues)
Posted by: simara | August 6, 2009 06:58 PM
I agree, the employee is psychopathic. No remorse, enjoys killing, like some politicians. But Petland as a whole needs to be put out of business. No one should be allowed to profit on pain and suffering. Also, agree with other person who asked, what happened to the animals at the shuttered store? In the freezer? Go Peta! Also, IMO- Michael Vick should not be back in the NFL.
Posted by: Rebekah | August 6, 2009 07:18 PM
AND WHAT ABOUT THE MANAGER????????????????????????
Posted by: ALBA MORILLO | August 6, 2009 07:30 PM
The ramifications of posting information on the internet will be felt by many folks for a long time...
The innocent friends who live there with her (as the media harrasses them...), the 20 employees who lost their jobs, the owner who lost his franchise... These College kids need to think!
Posted by: Wall | August 6, 2009 09:07 PM
Maybe Elizabeth Carlisle should drown herself...
God help her get the worst punishment possible and stay away from society.
Posted by: Karen D | August 6, 2009 09:09 PM
Thank you PETA, you are an amazing organization. It would be great if all the Petland stores closed!
Posted by: Megan | August 6, 2009 09:21 PM
I'm super happy!! that is great news I hope that girl gets what she deserves... Thanks PETA!!
Posted by: Adrianan | August 6, 2009 09:24 PM
That is great news, one less hellhole for animals. I hope Petland cleans up the other stores because this could be happening anywhere.
Posted by: Cory Moshman | August 6, 2009 09:29 PM
PETA you did a GREAT JOB! Thank you so very much as this was such a horrific story ... but one in which I know is normal day to day behavior of Petland. ALL Petland Stores MUST be shut down permanently. This has to stop. It sickens me to death. As a member I have fought so many cases regarding Petland and I will continue to do so until we see ALL their stores closed. Again, thank you for a wonderful job PETA!
Posted by: Deborah Paul | August 6, 2009 09:49 PM
Petland can kiss all of its businesses good-bye...it's so easy to spread the word, "DO NOT shop at Petland". Thank the Internet for showing the facts about Petland.
Posted by: Anna | August 6, 2009 09:52 PM
I have four doga, and will never spend another dime in a PETLAND CONCENTRATION CAMP again.
Posted by: michael borzomati | August 6, 2009 10:30 PM
PETA I LOVE YOU. You are the best in the world.
Posted by: mah har | August 6, 2009 10:38 PM
Thank you so much PETA for everything you are doing. As a proud bunny mom and dog mom i am glad to see something is done to this woman. so many people think animal cruelty is such a minor crime and don't take it serious but they really need to. These poor babies can not defend themselves, someone needs to speak for them. But i do have one question, what is happening to the supervisor that took the picture? Elizabeth did not act on this alone. that supervisor needs to be punished as well. and with all of the aligations of abuse that is going on in these stores, why are they still selling animals? Why are they still open period?
Posted by: Neva Gladstone | August 6, 2009 11:32 PM
Great to hear! Please keep uo the work with Petland issues, lets not let them hurt animals!
Posted by: Jess Clark | August 6, 2009 11:39 PM
Good for this PETLAND... but this is only the beginning.... this sadistic employee needs to be sent to prison for LIFE and no PAROLE.... thank you PETA.
Posted by: Sue McRae | August 7, 2009 01:30 AM
Thank you PETA for your strength and determination, with out you there is no future for our animals!!! I iwll continue to support your cause for the rest of my life!!!!!!
Posted by: Jade | August 7, 2009 03:43 AM
Puppies and kittens in FREEZERS TO DIE?
What sort of sociopaths are these people?
I hope people never shop at this place ever again.
Posted by: Justin | August 7, 2009 03:50 AM
First of all I'd like to compliment the blog writer Alisa Mullins for I havn't come across an embedded video in a page that's been so easy to use and fast... you just click it... high quality, etc, I know that sounds redic... but however you did it keep it up.
best way to kick petland in the mud is to not buy any animals from any pet retailers.
but, very good posting, hope that girl gets hard time,
Posted by: David | August 7, 2009 04:32 AM
I felt absolutely sick at the sight of the pic with that sick twisted evil b***h smiling I would gladly do time If I could only get my hands on her I don't know the name of the store where it happened as I am in the uk but from what I've seen they shoul all be prosocuted and shut down WHEN IS THIS ABUSE GOING TO END who the hell do these people think they are animals are not here for us to hurt and abuse but to be loved and respected I saw on the news a couple of weeks ago before church an interview that Sarah Palin was doing with this sick thing behind slowly murdering a turkey in this funnel type contraption big smile on his face smiling for the camera It's givin me nightmares. Please america make these people pay PETA god bless for all you do .
Posted by: teresa nicholls | August 7, 2009 04:51 AM
good job i am soo happy that something is being done she deserves everything she gets i hope they give it to her hard, i wonder if she's smiling now, the manager should also be prosecuted.
Posted by: Elizabeth Miranda | August 7, 2009 06:32 AM
If not for this story and that photo, I would have been a little skeptical upon hearing all the ex-employee nightmare stories. But now there's no doubt whatsoever. PETA, you should be grateful for this little gem of a human being. If she wasn't such a complete and total moron, or had even one shred of common decency we would've never known about this. (I mean really, even serial killers know not to post photos of their handiwork online). She's exposed ritual animal abuse to nations of people and you didn't have to lift a finger.
Her father say's “She is a good, good person who is innocent totally as a human being of any and all wrongdoing,” and “She is being unfairly maligned.” Hmmm
A: He didn't see that picture
(who wouldn't be mortified?)
B: He's got as much compassion as she does for living creatures and doesn't see anything wrong with it.
If that were my child I'd be so ashamed, but even if I wasn't, I'd at least have the good sense to pretend I was!
Posted by: Stephlet | August 7, 2009 06:43 AM
GREAT JOB PETA !!!!! now lets hope there is justice for the bunnies and protection for her children. because if you harm animals for the thrills of it, you are more incline to repeat on humans. children and our animals, when does the madness stop!! again great job.
Posted by: lml | August 7, 2009 08:35 AM
thank god! ONE SMALL STEP RIGHT? IF JUST ONE ANIMAL WAS SAVED THEN THE VOICE WAS HEARD BUT MORE THAN ONE WAS SAVED BY SHUTTING DOWN THIS ANIMAL MILL. PETA, YOU ARE LIFE SAVERS AND THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME MORE AWARE!
Posted by: mel | August 7, 2009 09:12 AM
I live about 30 miles from the closed store in Canton, Ohio. What was done was horrific, but unfortunately common for Petland. Never, ever buy any animal from a petshop, because if you do, you are supporting animal cruelty.
Join me in a campaign to ban dog auctions in Ohio by contacting www.banohiodogauctions.com. The dog auctions, which are already illegal in Pennsylvania, supply dogs to the puppy mills. Petland gets all of their dogs, 100% from the puppy mills!
Posted by: Veronica Dickey | August 7, 2009 09:28 AM
Thank YOU PETA!!!!! You saved the day and Petland is closed for business and no more animals have to suffer in their care!
I hope Elizabeth Carlisle and her manager go to jail & are treated as in humainly as they treated those rabbits!!!
Posted by: michelle lane | August 7, 2009 09:31 AM
I don't understand this kind of cruelty but it sounds like the store made all the conditions available to have it happen. One step towards justice for the small and helpless.
Posted by: Sasha | August 7, 2009 10:02 AM
Wow! I am consistently amazed at how heartless some humans can be. Thanks PETA, for making sure this didn't go unnoticed!
Posted by: Tish Douzart | August 7, 2009 10:17 AM
This is disgusting, cruel and inhumane and I am so glad that this store is being closed. The owner and the employee should be charged with Animal Cruelty and never ever be allowed to work with or own a pet of their own!
Posted by: Laura | August 7, 2009 10:34 AM
What an EVIL B***H!! I hope she gets a mega serious imprisonment!! Hopefully a case will come in about Petland alltogether!!
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| August 7, 2009 10:34 AM
That is so good to hear! I was appalled when this chick had enough nerve to be smiling from ear to ear while holding dead rabbits. Who even does that? She is in the same category as Michael Vick, who should have had a brain scan before being accepted back into the NFL. These people are borderline sociopaths, and definately should be watched.
Posted by: MELISSA | August 7, 2009 11:21 AM
Great news that the store has closed!! Didn't expect that. I'm still waiting to hear how this woman will be punished. Ohio does a pretty good job in punishing the criminals in high profile animal abuse cases like this one. But there are still too many abusers in the state, and probably in some of Ohio's Petland's, that are overlooked or given just a slap on the wrist.
Posted by: Debbie Pope | August 7, 2009 11:40 AM
Thank you PETA for the great job. We as a society and animal lovers and advocates need to really get to working together to crack down on breeding of all animals. There are so many right now in shelters and homes who are left, abused and abandoned. We need to push the adoption of all pets and animals!!!!
Posted by: NJ Girl | August 7, 2009 12:04 PM
Thank you PETA so much. Did you know another Petstore, Scamps, has just closed for the second time here in Salem Oregon, after 3 animals were removed after horrible mistreatment, the previous time they went under they left all the less valuable animals inside to die of starvation, and now one did anything about it,most had no way to knoww, I hope these people are punished too! As for the the woman in this case I hope she is checked by family services if she has any children, I can hardly imagine they would get much better treatment. Even rabbits are are extremely intelligent, trainable, and loving animals and pets, what she did is unforgivable, and she must be given the worst possible punishement avaialable, and a freezer full of bodies proves management knew at least that animals were not being cared for properly so they should be prosecuted as well, and everyone involved should be forbidden to work in the pet or animal industries for life. There are no words to convey my horror and disgust. In the Scamps store I mentioned above, just before it closed, and me having no clue what was about to happen did not buy a darling guinea pig who pleaded with me to do so, I know he must have perished, and I cant get him out of my mind for these several years, but I had a policy of not buying pets in pet stores and my apt didnt allow pets so I woud have had to get a medical excuse/permit for a companion animal to tke him, so I didn't, and now I cant forgive myself. Please I beg you if you ever see anything untoward in a pet store get the manager and follow up to make sure the pet is cared for, not just stuffed in a freezer, and report abuses. I belong to a guinea pig group online called the GPDD (just Google) and many of our members take it upon them selves to go on piggy patrol at their neighborhood pet stores and report abuse, and write letters to the editor. All of us should go on patrol regularly until all this abuse is stamped out and pet stores are trained to handle their little charges properly. PETA, make us a standarized form, we can copy you, and together we the people can make a difference. And if any one sees a recently shuttered pet store call the ASPCA and make sure its been checked out. PETA, Thank you again (yes, I am a member, its very inexpensive so you all should consider it)
Posted by: Sandra Oliver-Poore | August 7, 2009 12:38 PM
Thank you PETA for following up on this terrible cruelty. It has exposed Petland, their employees and management for what they are: insensitive and cruel human primates. Let's hope the justice system will do its job and punish all involved and close down ALL Petland stores if they also behave in this despicable manner.
Posted by: Sherrill Callender | August 7, 2009 12:49 PM
I think this is just AMAZING news.
I volunteer for my local Humane Society and I see first hand the number of wonderful,amazing and very loving amimals that get out down because there is simply not enough room. :(
Which makes me very very sad.
Please NEVER buy an animal from a pet store, ALWAYS adopt and save a life.
Posted by: Ashley | August 7, 2009 02:30 PM
Thank the heavens and PETA that horrible place is closed. The woman in the picture looks demonic....what a b*****
Posted by: Cherry Marrone | August 7, 2009 03:16 PM
PETA...God bless you! Cruel humans who have incarnated on this planet to hurt angelic animals will have a life review when they go to the other side. They will feel the pain that they caused precious creatures...God's creatures! Their missions are horrific and so will be their pain.
Thank you for protecting the innocents!
Suzanne
Posted by: Suzanne | August 7, 2009 03:24 PM
i just can belive it how people can cruel to be! disgusting!
Posted by: kanita | August 7, 2009 03:42 PM
This is yet another perfect reflection of where we are in our evolution. Sadly it looks like we have a long way to go----where I don't know, but I hope for better that this. We all want to be right and can create a very convincing argument to prove our point. End the end--------it is a lack of seeing that personally makes me ashamed to be a witness of the atrocities that we humans do. “ THE EVIL ARE THE PEOPLE OF THE LIE, BETRAYING OTHERS AS THEY BUILD LAYER UPON LAYER OF SELF DECEPTION”. ------Thank you PETA for your diligence and commitment.
Posted by: Anthony Johnson | August 7, 2009 04:00 PM
I bet she's not smiling anymore. I hope this has a domino effect and gets to all those who have it coming.
Posted by: Hector | August 7, 2009 04:37 PM
I was completely sickened when i heard the news, especially considering i went into THAT very store quite often to buy toys for my dog. =[
Knowing the way the police are here, she won't get a break in court.
Posted by: Jess | August 7, 2009 05:04 PM
I'm very happy that justice has been served for those poor rabbits. However, I still hope that justice will also come to the other animals that died there.
Everyday, I worry about animals suffering somewhere in the world... it really stresses me out, closing down stores that does cruelty to animals like petland will certainly relieve me of stress.
Posted by: Monika Ortega | August 7, 2009 05:40 PM