Decades of abuse have come to a permanent end for Nosey the elephant today after a 14-year-long battle by animal activists across the nation to free her from the cruel hands of owners Hugo and Francizka Liebel. For years leading up to the court-ordered seizure of Nosey on November 8, she suffered unimaginable, inhumane treatment as she was hauled all over America to entertain humans for profit. Now, a judge has ruled that she will not be returned to her former owners.
Hugo Liebel has a long track record of animal-welfare violations – to the tune of nearly 200. Included in this laundry list is a history of Nosey being deprived of veterinary care and being chained so tightly she could barely move.
The seizure occurred after Nosey was discovered in a trailer so small that she couldn’t take a step or turn around, standing in her own feces. Upon Lawrence County District Court Judge Angela Terry’s issuing of the writ of seizure, Nosey was transported to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee while the case played out in court.
Staff at the sanctuary eagerly awaited Nosey’s arrival with gifts and monitored her closely. By the next day, Nosey was already showing signs of enjoying her new environment. However, she has a host of health issues as a direct result of the abuse and neglect she endured for so much of her life. Nosey has a chronic bacterial infection that took a toll on her skin, and which will take months or years to improve. Additionally, she suffers from permanent osteoarthritis.
Judge Terry declared this week that Nosey will not be returned to her former owners and that she’ll remain at The Elephant Sanctuary, where she’ll continue to receive top-quality treatment. This decision marks a major victory in the collective fight for animal rights.
This is such wonderful news and may life be filled with many happy times ahead for Nosey.
I’m over-the-moon happy to hear that there is no possibility of Nosey being returned to those evil Liebels!!! Thank you, Judge Terry, for ending years of pain and sadness for Nosey, and making what so many of us have been fighting for, for so many years, come true! At last, Nosey is in the care of the Elephant Sanctuary, where she will be treated for her ailments, roam free, make elephant friends, and live the rest of her life in dignity! Once in a while, something goes right with the world!!!
I also blame the stupid people,who went to see and ride nosey,wtf is wrong with them
Thank you to all the kind people who fought for justice for Sweet Nosey. ?
“DO UNTO OTHERS” “AS THEY WOULD/SHOULD UNTO YOU”——- “BUT DO IT FIRST”
“GIVE FREEDOM/PROTECTION”….TO THE CREATURES OF NATURE….”AS EDICTED BY THE “CREATOR”
HAPPY!!!!
We need a “National Park” somewhere in the warm SW U.S. that would harbor some of Africa’s large mammals such as elephants, giraffes, rhinos, etc.. Countries in Africa are actually promoting their destruction to make room for waves of huge uncontrolled population growth. The U.S may be the last refuge for these magnificent animals. A large refuge would be quite a draw for people who would otherwise waste their money going on a photo safari of some medically and physically unsafe dictatorship in Africa.
This is a wonderful idea! I agree that this could be the last hope for all the amazing African safari animals on the verge of extinction.
What wonderful news! So many people have been working for this for so long! The Elephant Sanctuary will be perfect for Nosey – first class care and the freedom to do what she wants.
That’s wonderful news and the start to living a happier and healthier life for Nosey. Why hasn’t this couple gone to jail. With such a long list of documented charges they should both go to jail. ?
i am glad that at least one of these lovely animals has a happy ending to her story-I pray that there will be a turnaround with control over barbaric people treating animals so badly
THANK YOU FOR THE
I have been fighting for Nosey’s freedom for years and I am elated that she is finally free from her abusers. Thank God and all the animal activists who made this happen for sweet Nosey!
thank you Terry for takeing Nosey out of this bad situation thank you somuch…….
thank God Nosey was taken from these horriable heartless people who tortured her, i sincerly hope that she gets the best care at her new sancuary. no animal deserves the treatment she went through with these scum bags owners who abused her to no end,
Fantastic news! Thank you Judge Terry. Thanks to everyone who made this happen.
EXCELLENT NEWS!! I tried to share the news in Facebook, but it gives a “page not found’ message.
Same thing happened to me. WTF?
Happy dance. Poor Nosey has endured so much cruelty and neglect for so many years. She richly deserves a rest, good food, attentive doctors, and a peaceful life – AT LAST.
This is fabulous! Thank you so much for never stopping until you saved her.
Good for Nosey! I hope she gets healthy and enjoys years of peace! US “protections” for endangered elephants are a joke. The USDA and FWS are both negligent their enforcement of the AWA and ESA. If you look into it, you will see how utterly ineffective they are. Typical animal cruelty laws exempt circus animals (which is shocking). To make matters worse, a current proposed bill (HR 2603) seeks to no longer classify endangered species in the US as endangered. The bill is heavily lobbied by the NRA, which makes me suspect the purpose is to be able to have legal canned hunts of endangered animals here in the US. I wish more people were aware of (and vocal about) the clear injustice of the current system. There is a well documented culture of abuse and neglect of circus animals and the current system overwhelmingly fails them. I am hopeful the successful local enforcement for Nosey will set a new standard for fulfilling the intent of the laws, since it is not happening on a federal level.
Very well stated, BL. Unfortunately, I believe you are right. They better not try to introduce canned hunting in this country although I think there is a place in Texas that already does this.
This is wonderful news. I have been following poor Nosey’s story for a long time and signed and shared every petition to help her. Leibel should be put out of business permanately! All the animals under his care need to be retired to sanctuaries.
I would like to know exactly why they were never prosecuted and banned for life from being in charge of any animals, who was responsible for keeping animals in the condition, and ultimately responsible for their welfare? May all those souls who died at
their hands rest in peace at last.
Hooray for Nosey!! May you live out the rest of your free life without pain and enjoy the company of your new friends, humans and other pacyhs alike!
Enjoy life nosey we love you
Oh nosey I hope and pray that your happy now! You deserve it more than you will ever know.?????❤
Ah Nosey you beautiful, beautiful Ellie. ????You have so many people who care,???? it’s a pity that the horrible, cruel people who kept you prisoner didn’t !!!! ????
I am so glad that Nosey will never be returned to those bastards again. I’m so happy that she will live out the remainder of her life at the elephant sanctuary in Tennessee. She deserves it after all she has been through.??
Blessings and countless thanks to every single person who helped Nosey find freedom & peace.
Yay for Nosey, have a beautiful rest of your life!!!!