PRESS RELEASE

Today (June 29,2007) at around 8:30 AM, a swarm of approximately a dozen agents composed of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, State Conservation Department and the Federal Government raided the location of The Emergency Animal Rescue Service. Armed with a search warrant, officers searched the premises for "wild animals" and seized several animals that were being rehabilitated.

The animals seized were four Canada geese, nine possums, and a robin. The geese, although found to be housed within a protective fence, were not prevented from flying away. The possums, some of which have special needs (at least one is blind), have been under the care of the rescue service for several years and cannot survive in the wild on their own.

Terra Cotromano, director of TEARS, presented officers with a valid permit for the possession of possums which was issued to her by the Department of Conservation. However, the permit was not honored because it inadvertently had not been signed by Ms. Cotromano and did not reflect the new address for TEARS. Ms. Cotromano has asked for an updated permit in hopes that the possums can be returned to TEARS as soon as possible.

The robin that was seized was brought to TEARS after sustaining injuries that resulted in the loss of one wing and the use of the other wing. Rather than destroy the robin it was hoped that it could survive by being provided a safe, outside environment free of predators. Upon leaving, the state conservation officer issued Ms. Cotromano a citation for violation of "possession of wildlife captivity – possum". Ms. Cotromano considers the possums as family members and was providing them the best of care in a habitant environment, free of cages and is hopeful that the Department of Conservation will issue her a new permit with a corrected address so that the matter may be promptly resolved.