USDA bans viral Arizona llamas from appearing in public (Feds prevent photos)

New York Daily News ^ | March 28, 2015 | Nicole Hensley

[CedarDave]

The trail-blazing escape artists known as Kahkneeta and Laney are prohibited from making public appearances after their owners were contacted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture with bad news.

USDA officials revealed Bub Bullis and Karen Freund lacked the proper permits to show the animals off at public events, like the senior home show-and-tell they escaped on Feb. 26 in Sun City, Ariz.

"They just totally destroyed everything I had planned for my retirement," Freund told the Associated Press. "We've taken them to schools before. Now they're telling me I can't do anything, even like a photo shoot."

[CedarDave]

Gotta be more to this story. Why would the USDA ban showing them in public and prohibit photographs?? What about livestock shows, county fairs, 4-H for kids? What insanity and it shows how bureaucracy grows and becomes a monster.

[MeshugeMikey]

perhaps they posted an anti Muslim video on Youtube?

I dont know!

“The married couple are both retired cops from Phoenix.”

well theyre probably not using the Llamas to attract children to victimize !!?

this story needs FOLLOW UP!

[BigEdLB]

The USDA is considering to have their won marching song.

Song of the USDA - Llamas to Concentration Camps

[CedarDave]

I wonder if the USDA considers them “zoo animals” and requires permits to make sure they are not abused (think lions, tigers, bears in roadside exhibits in the past). However, out here in NM many folks have llamas and raise them like they would horses or goats. I understand if they are together with sheep, they will protect the flock from coyotes or wild dogs.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Considering how many people raise llamas and alpacas they might be in for a major fight.

[tet68]

Why would the USDA ban showing them in public and prohibit photographs??

I’ve seen photographs and appearances of the Dali Lama
many times, he’s a funny guy and a great teacher too.

Oh, never mind.

[Born to Conserve]

Llamas are “exotics”.

[MeshugeMikey]

Ive seen several llams here in Northern California in farmland.

that they cant be photographed...seems awfully odd

[ptsal]

What's wrong with a llama?

My life has been better since I watched the llamas on TV....

[Dagnabitt]

The USDA Llama SWAT team (separate from the Raw-Milk team) will begin raids soon. Soon as the MRAP is back from the shop.

[CedarDave]

I did a bit of research. It turns out that they fall under the animal welfare act as an "exhibitor." The term is used very broadly to include even educational exhibits which do not charge admission (as usual the feds expanded the law which says:

(h) The term “exhibitor” means any person (public or private) exhibiting any animals, which were purchased in commerce or the intended distribution of which affects commerce, or will affect commerce, to the public for compensation, as determined by the Secretary, and such term includes carnivals, circuses, and zoos exhibiting such animals whether operated for profit or not; ... )
Notice the term "as determined by the Secretary" that roped in educational exhibiting such as schools or nursing homes.

Animal Exhibitors [Factsheet]

[MeshugeMikey]

“as determined by the Secretary”

How did we ever survive before the Government intrusion into EVERYTHING??

[DUMBGRUNT]

May be something to do with 0bama pushing the Dali Lama out the back door of the White House?

They say he’s a big hitter out on the links! 0- not so much.

[CedarDave]

Actually the USDA considers them "farm animals:"

Farm animal means any domestic species of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, llamas, or horses, ...

Where Freund got caught up with the Feds was with the USDA interpretation of "exhibitor."

[CedarDave]

“as determined by the Secretary” How did we ever survive before the Government intrusion into EVERYTHING??

Everything is affected by the word "commerce." Also "compensation" is not only monetary, but publicity.

[M Kehoe]

Why can't Fernando Llamas be photographed? I've seen pictures of him before. Did his contract expire?

5.56mm

[dfwgator]

[hlmencken3]

I've seen pictures of him before

And he looked mah-vah-luss!

[Daffynition]

They could open a deli llama

[MeshugeMikey]

GMTA....