In the Lack of Media Savvy Department, Terri Petter misses a chance to win the sympathetic ear of a local reporter and appeal to fur-loving South Dakotans with her story of oppression at the hands of local animal-rights activists and meddling government officials:
After only 10 weeks in business, the property housing the beleaguered Fur-Ever-Wild attraction on this tourist town’s south side is up for sale and all signs indicate the action will soon close.
Contacted Tuesday morning, Fur-Ever Wild owner Terri Petter declined comment about her plans, but then claimed that previous media reports about her wildlife attraction had “been twisted and a pack of lies.”
“You’re not a conservationist, you’re not a hunter and you’re not about animal welfare,” Petter said, before declining further comment and hanging up on a Journal reporter [Tom Griffith, “Wildlife Attraction to Close; Property for Sale,” Rapid City Journal, 2015.08.12].
Good grief, Terri! When did Tom Griffith ever kick your dog—er, wolf? Griffith’s previous reports on Petter’s now-failed pelting-wolf exhibit seem reasonably truthful and balanced. Why would Petter give up a chance to tell her story and correct the blatant lies she says everyone else is telling about her business?
Lashing out at the local press the way she lashed out at the Deadwood City Council and South Dakota state government suggests Petter is feeling desperate. That’s understandable, given that her local township board back in Minnesota is suing to shut down her illegal fur farm and that she couldn’t draw the customers, not to mention the local political support, to make a tourist attraction in the prime tourism country of the Black Hills profitable. Losing options must make Petter feel caged, and when mammals feel caged, they tend to lash out. But Petter’s continual lashing out also suggests that Petter is not the kind of friendly, community-minded business owner who improves the overall business community. Deadwood, you’re better off without Petter’s business and rock-throwing.
I was present at a Deadwood City Commission meeting when she called Commissioner Ruth a liar and accused him of targeting her business with the new ordinance. She lacks class, tact, and has no self-control. Her true character is shining through.
“Losing options must make Petter feel caged, and when mammals feel caged, they tend to lash out.”
Very clever and well done Cory. Kudos.
Finally.
This place is a fur farm. “Since approximately 2001,” reads an affidavit signed by Petter in December 2015, “I have been using the [property where Fur-Ever Wild is located] as a fur farm… engaged in breeding, raising, producing, and marketing fur-bearing animals or the products of fur-bearing animals.”
Breed for spring, exhibit over summer and fall, pelt come winter, repeat.
Which animals are raised for fur? a lawyer asked in 2012.
“They all are,” she said. “Except for the pigs…. And the goats. Those are raised for meat…. And the horses are raised for meat, but we — this is going to sound horrible. We also sell the horses to taxidermists.”
http://www.citypages.com/news/wildlife-petting-zoo-turns-furrier-slaughterhouse-when-nobodys-watching-8265904