Speak Out for 100 Fish Suffocating, Dying at Park in Utah
BACKGROUND
Upset residents in Brigham City, Utah, report that Pioneer Park Pond is being drained for dredging purposes and that hundreds of fish who call the pond their home have been left to die in agony. The water level is dangerously low, and the pond is freezing over. So the animals are slowly suffocating and freezing to death! This is entirely unnecessary.
Experts know that the nervous system of fish is strikingly similar to that of mammals and that fish are capable of great suffering. They are complex beings who have personalities, communicate with each other, form bonds, and even grieve when family members and companions die.
Please urge Brigham City officials to help these fish.
WHOM TO CONTACT
Email block
dfife@brighamcity.utah.gov,
bleonard@brighamcity.utah.gov,
dwrcomment@utah.gov
Individual
The Honorable Dennis J. Fife
Mayor of Brigham City
dfife@brighamcity.utah.gov
Brigham City Council
bleonard@brighamcity.utah.gov
Northern Regional Supervisor
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
801-476-2740
dwrcomment@utah.gov
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Honorable Fife, City Council Members, and National Regional Supervisor:
It has come to my attention that Pioneer Park Pond is being drained for dredging purposes and that hundreds of fish who call the pond their home have been left to die in agony due to low levels that are freezing over. I am therefore respectfully urging you to help these fish and liberate them from agony.
Please allow me to elaborate. Fish are complex animals who experience suffering and joy, communicate with each other, and who also have the capacity to nurture complex relationships and display grief upon separation. Furthermore, despite an almost-universal apathy towards their sensitivity, fish indeed experience pain and react negatively towards stressful situations including disturbed environments.
Please take this opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to protect rather than harm animals, and be a model for other cities.
I know your time is limited and I thank you for your attention to this urgent issue.
NAME
it is obvious what you think of fish
that they are something meant
for your dish
we wholeheartedly disagree
fish have feelings, have lives
have families
by dredging that pond
a society you kill
would you like to die
that way, choking
and chilled?
Karen Lyons Kalmenson
Our Compass 
DISGRACEFUL TO LET THIS HAPPEN , I HOPE SOMEONE SEES SENCE SOON !
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it is obvious what you think of fish
that they are something meant
for your dish
we wholeheartedly disagree
fish have feelings, have lives
have families
by dredging that pond
a society you kill
would you like to die
that way, choking
and chilled?
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WHY ? WHATS WRONG WITH PEOPLE, THEY KNOW WHEN AN ANIMAL IS SUFFERING AND CHOOSE TO LET IT CONTINUE ! DON’T UNDERSTAND AT ALL !
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😦
Action sadly taken. And shared
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THIS IS THE REPLY I RECEIVED BACK……..
Thank you for your interest in the Pioneer Park Pond Renovation project and the small population of fish remaining in the bottom of the pond. The fish in the pond are owned and controlled by the Department of Natural Resources so management of them is their discretion. The City has worked very closely with the Department during the project and we contacted them last evening about your concerns. Representatives from that department will respond to the site this morning to address the situation
The work being by city crews does not affect the area the fish are in because we are only
reshaping the side slopes and not the very bottom of the pond. We anticipate the work will be completed in the next three weeks and the pond will be filled at that time. Aerators are going to be installed on the pond for better circulation and habitat. The DNR will restock the pond this spring as their schedule permits. This will be a tremendous improvement to this urban fishery for all citizens to enjoy.
Please forward this email to all concerned so they may have a better understanding of the project.
Mayor Fife
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Thank you so much, Debera, I received that as well.
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I received this reply:
“Too bad too sad – you are late in your response. The fish would have been dead by now. They have been taken care of and are doing fine.
Mayor Fife”
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OMG, what a rude response! I received a response right away a few days ago from Mayor Fife, and he was very respectful. Maybe he just got tired of all the responses. Sorry for that, but thank you so much for participating in any case!
Stacey
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