A Letter from the President

Keep up the good work Ned. Since the show is broadcasted at another schedule in our country, I still have to deal with ‘Stormy’ episodes. What a relief to read that this figure has been removed. What a disgrace to the profession, his collegues and the animals.

I know Ned Bruha personally and professionaly. We served in the United Stated Army Reserves together as Drill Sergeants. I know him and his character to be beyong reproach. His values and morals are second to none. He has always strived to be the best at whatever he does. His hard work and dedication in saving and protecting our states wildlife is greatly appreciated.

Scott A. Malan, MSG. USAR, Ret.

IN RESPONSE TO A LETTER FROM THE PERSEDENT
I came to know Ned approximately 5 years ago. Ned called my tree company, our expertise in the tree care industry helped mitigate some wildlife issues for a particular customer. It was obvious from our first conversation of Ned’s knowledge and dedication towards his profession (infectious actually). I quickly come to recognize Ned’s moral fortitude for himself as well as his business/profession as I helped Ned and his customers in other wildlife tree related concerns.
I was personally aware very early on of Ned’s aspirations regarding educating through TV. Actually a participant in a possible recuse of a juvenile raccoon on a power pole threatened by electrocution while a filming crew was on site.
My career change (Forester) over a year ago has taken me outside of services that I once provided at times to The Skunk Whisperer and have not had contact with Ned since then. I was not aware of any aired episodes on Animal Planet however I happened upon the last half of March 16, 2012 airing.
I visited the Skunk Whisperer web-site the following afternoon and became aware of above mentioned letter as well as comments regarding the show. I respectfully concur 1000% (yes, one thousand) with all that Betsey Bruha wrote. I am personally aware that Ned’s TV aspirations could have been archived years sooner if not for his true vision and mission. Other filming crews were sent packing do too their desires of sensationalism or shock tactics they (film crews) wanted to introduce.

Just found your show a few days ago and we have set the TiVo to save them as they appear. We very much applaud the humane and animal-friendly attitude of the team. Tonight we noticed that Stormy is no longer employed by Skunk Whisperer, and that answered a question that I had, “How could someone with such an unprofessional and lackadaisical attitude last in this business? I had assumed that he was an actor paid by the producers to add some conflict to this otherwise smooth-running team.

We will continue to watch and enjoy this program.

I would like to see a program that opens up that large truck and discusses each piece of gear that is in it.

We just discovered your show this past week and we really like it. My four-year-old loves the animals and my husband and I really like the values and attitude that Ned, Johnny & Chris have about the animals and about the work that needs to be done. Stormy was my least favorite “character” and until today I didn’t realize that he was just hired by production. That is ridiculous to me! I think your show will be better off and watched by more people without him. I did mention that we let me young son watch the show, but I would have to screen the episodes first and then fast forward through some of the Stormy parts, and that was kind of irritating. Now that he has been fired, I would love to see some more shows with the just the actual Skunk Whisperer employees and not have to worry about language and actions that are inappropriate for my son to see. I think Ned, Johnny & Chris and the work that they do with the animals would be more than enough to continue the viewership that you have, and probably add more people now that they won’t be afraid of the things Stormy might say and do. Thank you for all you do! We can’t wait to see more shows. And we’re so glad to see you’re from Oklahoma, too. If we ever have any wild animal problems, we now know who to call!

I didn’t even realize you were on Animal Planet until this past wk. I was extremely pleased & proud of having Oklahoma being represented by such a wonderful man as Ned. We definitely need his representation for the conflict humans think they have with animals. I absolutely LOVE his work.
Humans are the problem….really. I happened to catch the episode where Stormy storms through Atwoods & buys stuffed animals to mount in his baby’s room. I found it very odd for the show & didn’t like it at all. After reading your letter this am I realized what was going on. Please stand tall & carry on.
The animals need you!! Shame on the production co. for having such little insight into what the public really wants.

I saw the show for the first time the other day and watched it all the way through. They showed stormy as a father to be spoiling his wife with breakfast in bed. I didn’t see anything wrong with this episode, however, from what I have read here, there is obviously more going on with him. I also, didn’t realize some folks are hired by the production company to boost ratings. So sad…
I am a skunk enthusiest to say the least. I have always liked the smell too. Not up close and personal but that what drifts afterwards. I know, I know….but I like it what can I say.
I think education is key and it should start young. My grandchild is 6 and is an avid animal lover because she has been taught to respect and care for them. My grandson is 19 and he to was raised with that code of ethics and morals, the missing piece for some young children.
Don’t worry what people say, just keep doing what you do and in the way you do, leave the rest to God. It is said in the bible that we are to be good stewards of this planet and its critters. As far as I can tell that is exactly what you are doing… Thanks much

A Texan living in Cape Cod, MA

I just read the president’s letter that was posted. I wanted to take a moment to state that no matter how others behave on the show, you can see the core personality that Ned has as well as the way he expresses his true feelings regarding assisting and caring for wildlife. I personally love the show. I have encountered several wild animals in the past and have the desire to help, but look for the knowledge on the correct steps on how to handle the situation. By watching the show, I have been able to learn a great deal and it touches my heart to see someone with the same passion for animals as I also have. Ned, keep up the good work and hang in there!

what ned does is important to wildlife conservation. it educates a large number of people on how to solve nuisance problems. the public needs that. wildlife needs that. there are too many yeehaws on TV that work in an inappropriate manner extracting wildlife and makes all companies look like idiots. i am a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. i think these yeehaws also reflect our level of professionalism. would you air a school teacher pissing on someone’s lawn? i don’t think so. now, i love this channel, but isn’t your basis education? you don’t need the other stuff to be successful. secondchanceswildlife.org

I wanted you to know that your show is one of two that inspired me to obtain my “nuisance” wildlife control operator license. I am in perfect agreement with your philosophy regarding the humane treatment of animals which find themselves in situations of conflict with humans. Thanks for all that you do! Keep it up!

I like your show so much better than the other show (Billy the Exterminator). His is so ‘put on’. But like everyone else, I thought Stormy would be gone if he worked for me. What a jerk. and so not needed for the show’s success. I hope it continues. Good show!

As a fellow animal lover I too love Skunk Whisperer. I was a bit surprised at some of Stormy’s actions and why they were tolerated. Very disrespectful. Glad he will no longer appear. Keep up the good work

I found this show a few weeks ago and my husband and I were hooked. I didn’t realize that this “Stormy” was a paid actor until I saw it on your facebook page. I honestly didn’t know that there were people who did humanely remove animals from homes. I have a rescued squirrel and I just shudder when I hear about thinking its fun to go and shoot poor innocent animals. I do realize that we do need to eat animals to survive up to a point but willingly going out and harming such creatures just for fun is sickening. I do hope that you guys will be able to showcase your show as you want it to be. I don’t think production needs to worry about providing extra drama in an educational show about how to properly remove these animals from homes. Good luck and keep us posted.

Great Show without Stormy. I hope you continue showing many more new shows.

My family loved watching your show, with the exception of stormy. We knew he would ruin it and guess he did. Thats ashame! We would love to see more of the show.best wishes.

My little girls and I flipped over to Animal Planet one evening a few weeks ago and saw your show for the first time. We loved it! The professionalism and the down to earthedness from Ned and Chris speaks volumes.
Love the show,keep it up!!

Roseann,
Didn’t you read the letter you just made that comment about? He was paid by production. He was not on our payroll during filming. We fired him after he worked for us for about 3 months.
Bruha

I have my DVR set to record whenever the Skunk Whisperer is on. I love watching Mr Bruha, Johnny and Chris perform their awsom jobs and the dedication they show to the animals is truely inspiring. I hae a small 5 acre Animal ASanctuary and wildlife rehab center here on the costal bend of TX. The single problem with the show is I cannot tolerate the snotty attitude and lazy worthless Smart alekky snot Stormy. Why Mr Bruha keeps him on staff and not to mention represent him on TV is beyond me. I feel Badly for Stormys Wife and new daughter. He is a disgrace to the program and the dedication of Mr Bruha and Johnny and Chris. He makes nasty comments about Mr Bruha and I would think they would edit them out. I have to change channels or fast forward through the scenes with stormy in them. He turns my stomach. Falling asleep on a clients poolside sofa? Leaving Johnny to work under the house while he takes a Pee OUTSIDE in a clients YARD on antional television? If he did that on my property I would be FURIOUS. He shouldt never be allowed around precious animals and has no TV appeal at all. Aside from that distasteful jerk, I love the show and the others on it who are simply fantastic. Having Stormy disgrace Mr Bruha’s dedication to the profession is simply beyond distasteful.. To Ned, Johnny and Chris, and families, happy holidays and keep up the great work.

Sorry, the show is ok, but your employee Stormy is an insult to hard working people. If he showed up at my house I would send your company away.

Wow, I’m sorry you are dealing with these reactions. My kids and I have been watching your show all day and have fallen in love with what you do. If anyone questions your integrity and Christianity because of anything on this show, they must be pretty judgmental. My son, Isaac, and I kept remarking what a good person Ned Bruha comes across as being. Just a good soul. Take care

Please do not let the cheap “entertainment values of Animal Channel stop you or Ned from doing the show. Your ethics and true feelings toward human handling of miss placed wild life shine through all the sophmoric humor. I truly hope that Animal Planet knows that they are tarnishing a true talent with the potty humor.
I enjoy Ned’s sharing ways to be humane to our wildlife neighbors. I am truly sorry that the fawn was murdered.

When I was a little girl we had a family of raccoons come to our back door every night. We fed them grapes and cookies. The local tv station did a story on them. Within 30 minutes of the tv program, a hunter with gun and dog arrived in our backyard. We called the police.

I just started viewing you show today & loved it! I firmly believe in your standards about rescuing & relocating the wildlife critters. My son just finished a 3 week session in your line of career for a company out of Merietta, Georgia. He will be relocating to Houston, TX. We are very excited for him because this is what he is wanting to work for. Thank you for your wonderful & educating show! So graceful for Animal Planet. Stormy is like a brewed of hot coffee, you don’t want it, but on a cold winter day you gotta drink it!

We are fans here in Delaware. Love your show see nothing wrong with it.

I love this show because it shows humane treatment of our wildlife. It’s a plus in my book.
BTW I noticed you had a niece from Wi. visit on the show. I grew up in Wi. a few steps away from Bruha’s grocery in La Crosse. Wondering if you’re related.

I think it’s great that you guys are out there for the animals and educating the painfully uninformed public about better ways to handle wildlife issues. That “Stormy” character is a dolt and anyone that pays attention can tell that Ned would never tolerate such an employee in the real world. I’m sorry for your troubles but I’m glad you try to do what you can. Hang in there!

I love the show. I believe that you could do without Stormy – he is a little lazy for my liking – but as an animal lover, saver, vegetarian, etc., I have no problem with the show.

I also do not find anything on this show offensive.It is so much better to capture the animals alive and release them unharmed then to kill them.Please continue to air the show it is very enjoyable!! On the show also the tips that they show are very educational.

I have now seen all of the episodes current through December 11. I now understand all of the uproar regarding Stormy. It it a pity that the Animal Planet production company felt it necessary to add the Stormy character. The Stormy character (a paid actor) is an insult to Ned, Chris, and the real Skunk Whisperer folks.

Whereas Ned and Chris are highly professional, the Stormy character is rude, crude, and lewd. I suppose that he is supposed to add “whacky hi jinks”, but it come across as offensive and just plain tasteless.

I continue to watch and enjoy the Skunk Whisperer show despite the Stormy character and I wish that we could see more of Ned and Chris and less (none) of the fake Stormy character.

I am so happy to find out that Stormy was employed by production, and is not an actual employee. I find him repulsive, disgusting, and unfunny. I love Ned and his philosophy, and the general philosophy of the Skunk Whisperer’s mission. I find Ned to be a very classy person, and have long wondered how he came to tolerate Stormy’s antic’s. He reflects extremely poorly for the very deserving company’s reputation.

My deepest sympathy to Annette for being picked out by cruel people who would kill an innocent baby! Please continue your show as i and others just love it! And i dont know about Stormy, he actually acts like an uncle of mine…..

Just caught the show last night and enjoyed it very much. I didn’t view anything that was that offensive. However, it sounds like the decision to go on Animal Planet may have been a mistake. You and Ned probably need to reevaluate that decision and prayerfully consider whether the show’s impact on your lives is worth it’s entertainment/educational value to the general public. Best of luck and God bless.

We love your show. We are wildlife rehabbers
And enjoy your show and Ned very much. It’s great to have someone show respect and love for the animals and that really comes through. The animals really need this kind of show. No one cares about stormy or what he does. We think you guys are great. Please keep doing the show The educational value of what you are doing is priceless.

Viewed show for 1st time tonight. Enjoyed it very much. Not sure what tricks production has pulled.

Do not condone personal attacks at all. Sorry for loss of fawn!

Hi, i love the show and am not offended by any of it. Keep doing the great work u do!

I am sorry you have been the victims of editing that makes for entertainment but does not reflect your values or work practices. I enjoy watching the show and hope you continue to show humane wildlive relocation practices.

I am surprised and upset that the community in Tulsa has been so volitile. I have found noting offensive about your show. As a Christian, I am upset that your church community has been so unsupportive and judgmental.
I applaud everything that you are doing. I do not understand how rescuing animals in homes is at all a threat to hunters. (Do they expect you to shoot a cornered animal in a house??) What you are dealing with is plain and simple ignorance. Don’t let it get to you. If necessary, contact the police about further harrassment. Hold your head up and be proud of your work.