# Artists abuse animals! SDMB outraged! But is it true? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 20, 2001, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181 "2001-07-20T14:03:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![minty\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@minty\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minty_green)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/1 "2001-07-20T14:03:22Z")
Over in the Pit, **pldennison** started [a thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=78676) about [this story](http://www.nationalpost.com/search/story.html?f=/stories/20010719/622616.html&qs=cat%20skinned), which purports to describe a controversy about a couple of artists who skinned a cat alive while videotaping it for an art exhibition. That’s about as Pit-worthy as a story can get. In Great Debates, **ladyfoxfyre** started [a discussion](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=78720) about whether skinning live cats on videotape is art. All well and fine. But is it true? I searched around on the net for more than an hour last night and could find no confirmation whatsoever that there’s anything to the story. The “artists” were supposedly charged almost two months with an outrageous, disgusting act that should have the SPCA and PETA raising holy hell. But all I can find is that single article from the National Post. Even after it appeared there yesterday, the Associated Press _still_ has not picked up on the story. My guess is they haven’t done so because it’s a hoax. Look, CNN had a story this morning about an artist in Germany who pissed off a lot of animal rights folks when he dropped a cow that was _already dead_ from a helicopter. This cat-skinning thing is far more outrageous, so it should be all over the news. It isn’t. And with that, I hand it over to the Teeming Millions. Is this story true, or is it a hoax? ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/2 "2001-07-20T14:23:32Z")
I know that PETA is busy reviewing death-row menus, but I can’t imagine that they would let something like this pass without comment. Until I see it in at least one other source (preferably one I’ve heard of) I’m filing it in the “undetermined” column. ---
**Author:** ![NutWrench](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nutwrench/32/20193_2.png) [@NutWrench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NutWrench)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/3 "2001-07-20T15:06:32Z")
Nothing on Usenet about this, either. Unless it happened within the last 24 hours, I’m guessing it’s a hoax, too. –Nut _I bet a lot of mimes choke to death because everyone thinks it is just one of those lame mime routines._ ---
**Author:** ![Peta\_Tzunami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b487fb/32.png) [@Peta\_Tzunami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peta_Tzunami)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/4 "2001-07-20T15:22:59Z")
I know a lot of people don’t consider PETA the most reliable source, but [this story](http://www.peta.org/alert/00/382.html) **has** been on their action alerts section of the website for a little while (probably since the arrests on May 30th) with a photo of the cat from the video and the third, missing perpetrator. ---
**Author:** ![minty\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@minty\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minty_green)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/5 "2001-07-20T15:36:03Z")
The National Post story claims they were charged on May 30, almost two months ago, **NutWrench**. FWIW, **Al Zheimers** in the Pit has linked to [a column](http://www.canoe.ca/Columnists/worthington.html) from today’s Toronto Sun that mentions the incident. However, columnists are not exactly known for their fact-checking, and there’s nothing there that really confirms anything, although the column claims the artists had tapes of other animals being skinned alive, including a pig, a fox, and an orangutan. Yeah, right, a couple of art-school students are first able to obtain an orangutan, then are strong enough to hold it down while skinning it alive without having the ape remove their own appendages. ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/6 "2001-07-20T15:36:13Z")
I also found [this story](http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=995580176930&call_page=TS_Entertainment&call_pageid=968867495754&call_pagepath=Entertainment/News) on the Toronto Star web site. The gallery owned by Borins and Brown (friends of Jesse Powers) has received threats and been vandalized since being associated with Powers. The story also mentions that Powers was charged and police confiscated the video. It is possible that this is a hoax, but it seems like there are legal procedings going on in connection with the incident. Anyone have a contact with the Toronto police department? ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/7 "2001-07-20T15:38:01Z")
This story was originally covered in the Toronto and Edmonton Sun newspapers on June 1, 2001, with the headline “Cops find animal house of horrors; headless, skinned cat discovered in fridge.” On June 12, 2001, a followup story ran, headlined “Third suspect sought in animal torture.” [Here](http://www.canoe.ca/SunMediaArchives/nav.html) is a link to the Sun search engines. I have no intention of paying $2.95 per article, but you can search for yourself. The stories also ran over the wire of the Canadian Press, Canada’s national news agency, on those same dates, and in the National Post on those some dates. The [Toronto Humane Society](http://www.torontohumanesociety.com/events/animal_cruelty.html) has mention of this on this website. That took me all of ten minutes to find, incidentally. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/8 "2001-07-20T15:42:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by minty green \* > Look, CNN had a story this morning about an artist in Germany who pissed off a lot of animal rights folks when he dropped a cow that was _already dead_ from a helicopter. [dieter]Your controversial bovine art has grown tiresome…now we dance.[/dieter] ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/9 "2001-07-20T15:48:28Z")
Damn, my link didn’t work. I guess you can’t link directly to search results. I went to [the Star’s](http://www.thestar.com/) site and searched for “Jesse Power”. Click on the link to get the story. Here are some snipets: > [@](#): > > A local art gallery has been the subject of vandalism and threats to its employees after an artist loosely connected with it was charged with killing a cat in the name of art… > > ``I don’t even know what we’ve done wrong,’’ said Art System co-director Daniel Borins, explaining that the gallery has been targeted because he and colleague Jubal Brown are friendly with Jesse Power, a 21-year-old art student recently charged with cruelty to animals and mischief after police confiscated a video he allegedly made, in which three men torture and kill a cat. > > A second individual, Anthony Ryan Wennekers, has also been charged, and a third man remains at large… > > The video was never shown at Art System. Nor was it ever stored there. The gallery has shown the artist’s work twice in the past, but the pieces didn’t involve cruelty. ---
**Author:** ![Myrr21](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Myrr21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myrr21)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/10 "2001-07-20T15:54:32Z")
Also, as noted in the spawning thread, my college had a similar incident occur about two years ago (though it was not videotaped), and I don’t think even the local newspaper picked that up. Because I know firsthand that it happened once, when a legitimite news source reports that it happened a second time, I’m willing to accept it. (on a somewhat amusing note, the letter circulated by the administration accidentally described it as a “sensational collage” instead of “sensationalist.”) ---
**Author:** ![minty\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@minty\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minty_green)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/11 "2001-07-20T15:59:04Z")
I found the same Toronto Humane Cociety page after looking over the PETA link **Peta** provided, **pl**. It says the Metro Toronto Police are seeking public assistance, but I couldn’t find anything on the [police web site](http://www.torontopolice.on.ca) about it. I’m trying to follow up on the other leads people have been providing, so I’ll report back if I find anything. ---
**Author:** ![Peta\_Tzunami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b487fb/32.png) [@Peta\_Tzunami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peta_Tzunami)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/12 "2001-07-20T16:29:15Z")
I spoke to Sergeant Jim Muscat in Corp Communication of the Toronto Police Service. He indicated the Police press release on the art student arrest was issued on June 11th. Sergeant Muscat promised to fax me a copy. I will let you know when I receive it. ---
**Author:** ![minty\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@minty\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minty_green)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/13 "2001-07-20T16:37:19Z")
Thank you, **Peta**. With any luck, the press release will also provide some first-hand details about what they’re accused of doing. ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/14 "2001-07-20T16:48:02Z")
My wife is always a step ahead of me–I fired off an e-mail to Corp. Comm. at the TPD just a few moments ago. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Peta\_Tzunami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b487fb/32.png) [@Peta\_Tzunami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peta_Tzunami)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/15 "2001-07-20T16:50:01Z")
When the photo scanner becomes available in our office, I will scan in the release and post it on my website. The Sergeant knew immediately which case I was referring to when I said that I was inquiring about the “art student arrested.” The release does not provide details about the nature of the crime, but does confirm these students were are arrested and are charged with cruelty to animals (a cat). It reads: > [@](#): > > Investigators from 14 Division are appealing to the Public for assistance in seeking the identity of the owner of a cat. Investigators believe this will be assistive tot he successful prosecution of a cruelty to animals case currently before the courts. > > The same case where two suspects are currently charged, another is being sought by Police and are requesting the public’s assistance in locating and and identifying this particular suspect. Suspect is described as male, white, early 20’s, slender build, approximately 5’ 10", blue eyes with light hair and goes by the name “Matt”. > > The offence took place near Kensington Market in the early part of May 2001… > > Before the courts facing one count of Cruelty to Animals is: > Anthony Ryan WENNEKER, 24 years of Toronto and > Jessie Champlain POWERS, 21 years of Toronto > Next to appear in court on June 18th, 2001 at Old City Hall > > Signed by P.C. Deb Abbott #3067 > for: Det Gord Scott ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/16 "2001-07-20T17:41:40Z")
Good job, **Peta**. You should apply for a job at snopes! > [@](#): > > Suspect is described as male, white, early 20’s, slender build, approximately 5’ 10", blue eyes with light hair and goes by the name “Matt”. Uh oh. I hope **matt\_mcl** has an alibi. (Okay, so **matt** has dark hair – don’t remember his eye color.) ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/17 "2001-07-20T17:58:27Z")
Nice job Peta Tzunami. I was also accused at the office of making up another of my “tall tales”. Please don’t forget to let us know when the document is posted at your website (of course I’ll check your website myself periodically.) ---
**Author:** ![Peta\_Tzunami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b487fb/32.png) [@Peta\_Tzunami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peta_Tzunami)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/18 "2001-07-20T18:17:55Z")
[Toronto Police Service Press Release](http://www.geocities.com/la_peta/toronto.html) ---
**Author:** ![coosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@coosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coosa)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/19 "2001-07-20T21:28:21Z")
According to Peta’s link, the two men who were arrested were due to appear in court June 18 - this was a month ago! Was this just for the bail hearing? Is the trial date still pending? I could really use some contact info for various agencies who could help to raise a stink about this and insist on the maximum possible punishment. I don’t know how the Canadian court system works - I assume they have the equivalent of a prosecuting District Attorney? Does anyone know who and how to contact this person? What about the newspapers? As I mentioned in the Pit thread, I am forwarding this information on to various lists involving cat fanciers so that we can make as much public uproar as possible. Anybody have suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2001, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181/20 "2001-07-20T21:43:37Z")
I think I’d be a little more comfortable if there were an “official” source saying they had the body of the cat. Maybe it’s just the side of me that hopes no one is actually that cruel, but it occurs to me that if these guys faked the tape and consented to the arrest and otherwise made themselves look guilty in an attempt to create an uproar, it _would_ be art, or at least public protest, aimed at exposing the hypocrasy of those who get in an uproar about this and not about the same thing occuring in, say, chicken factories. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artists-abuse-animals-sdmb-outraged-but-is-it-true/73181.md?page=2)