Joyce Rowley v. New Bedford, City of - Office of The City Solicitor (SPR 20250138)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records January 16, 2025 SPR25/0138 Katherine E. Schuko, Esq. Associate City Solicitor City of New Bedford 133 William Street New Bedford, MA 02740 Dear Attorney Schuko: I have received the petition of Joyce Rowley appealing the response of the City of New Bedford (City) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On December 28, 2024, Ms. Rowley requested the following records: [1] Clinical records for Asian elephants Ruth & Emily, for the period beginning on October 1, 2024, to the time of fulfillment. [2] Records of injury and/or incidents to the Asian elephants or keepers for the period October 1, 2024 to fulfillment. [3] Records of either Asian elephant “going down,” falling, or otherwise being unable to rise for the period October 1, 2024 to fulfillment. [4] Laboratory results and/or reports for bloodwork, cultures, or other tests performed on Asian elephants, for the period beginning on September 1, 2024 to the time of fulfillment. [5] Keeper/Daily logs for the period October 1, 2024 to the time of fulfillment. [6] The current Asian elephants’ weights for the period October 1, 2024 to the time of fulfillment. [7] Radiographs, if any, for Ruth and Emily performed and any reports or readings by a DACVR of same, for the period October 1, 2024 to the time of fulfillment. [8] Asian elephant consultant reports or assessments from October 1, 2024 to the time of fulfillment. [9] Quality of Life (QOL) Assessments and meeting minutes of QOL meetings for Asian elephant Ruth and Emily for the period October 1, 2024 to fulfillment. [10] Local social media has reported Asian elephant Ruth’s death. Please include (1) documents relating to necropsy preparations (2) all disposition documents for Ruth’s remains, (3) the names of all city personnel involved in the necropsy, One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us

Katherine E. Schuko, Esq. SPR25/0138 Page 2 January 16, 2025 (4) the names of all consultants who may have assisted, and (5) the results of the necropsy. [11] Please provide information on Asian elephant Emily’s whereabouts. If she has been transferred to another facility, please provide all contracts and or agreements on the transfer. [12] Zoo transactions including births, deaths, transfers, and information on the age, sex, and ID number of the specimens, as well as the name of the receiving/ donating facility for the period October 1, 2024 to the time of fulfillment. The City responded on January 14, 2025. Unsatisfied with the City’s response, Ms. Rowley petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR25/0138, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the City provided a further response to Ms. Rowley on January 16, 2025. Where this appeal was opened as a result of the City’s January 14th response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Ms. Rowley may appeal the substantive nature of the City’s January 16th response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Joyce Rowley