New York Against Devocalization

BACKGROUND | SOURCE NY AGAINST DEVOCALIZATION

The proposed NYS devocalization ban is in trouble. The legislation must pass both the Assembly and the Senate before the 2011-2012 session ends in June–and the veterinary lobby, with members who profit from devocalization, has mobilized to defeat it.

It’s time for animal advocates to mobilize too, while the legislation still has a chance to become an enforceable law.

Legislative aides say the veterinary lobby is vocal and tenacious in its quest to kill the proposed devocalization ban. It can do that by stalling the legislation in committee…or amending it into a sham law that allows, legitimizes and will encourage this cruelty.

Pro-devocalization lobbies failed in Massachusetts , which passed a strong devocalization ban thanks only to calls to lawmakers by kind people like you. That has to happen in NY too.

Don’t let those who promote abject cruelty–cutting vocal cords just to stifle a dog’s or cat’s voice–win in NYS or helpless animals will lose.

5 Minutes to Spare Dogs and Cats

Lifelong Anguish or Agonizing Death.

Every Call is Vital. Yours Matters.

WHOM TO CALL, WHAT TO SAY

Start by identifying yourself. If you represent a shelter, rescue or  advocacy organization, or are a vet, say so!

Sen. Agriculture Committee Chair Patty Ritchie, 518-455-3438:   “Please release Senate Bill 6167A from Agriculture quickly and favorably. I ask that it not be amended beyond the language of Assembly Bill 3431B as written, so it has a chance to become an enforceable law that protects dogs and cats.”

Assembly Codes Committee Chair Joseph Lentol, 518-455-4477
“Please release Assembly Bill 3431B from Codes quickly and favorably as written, without further amendments so it has a chance to become an enforceable law that protects dogs and cats.”

If you have a few more minutes, please call these two power-brokers of the NYS Legislature too:

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, 518-455-3791: “I’d like the Speaker’s help ensuring Assembly Bill 3431B is passed as written this session, without further amendments, so it can become an enforceable law that protects dogs and cats.”

Sen. Majority Leader Dean Skelos, 518-455-3171: “I’d like the Senator’s help ensuring Senate Bill 6167A is passed this session.  I ask that it not be amended beyond the language of Assembly Bill 3431B as written, so it can become an enforceable law that protects dogs and cats.”

If your New York State Senator is on the Agriculture Committee, call him/her too. Click here to find his/her phone number: http://www.nysenate.gov/senators. The members of the Agriculture Committee are: Chair: Sen. Patty Ritchie Tony Avella, Patrick M. Gallivan, Shirley L. Huntley, Timothy M. Kennedy, Thomas F. O’Mara, Michael H. Ranzenhofer, James L. Seward, David J. Valesky, Catharine Young.

Don’t know who your New York State Senator is (in Albany, not Washington)? Click here: http://senate.state.ny.us/mem/?sh=search

• Use the specific wording provided–including the letters at the end of each bill number–so your message is clear. Add your own thoughts if you’d like, but be brief and always polite.
• If you get voicemail, leave a short message, then call back until you can speak with an aide. Don’t give up!
• The position of our coalition, New York Against Devocalization, is simple: Devocalization is an act of cruelty that NY must prohibit for any reason except to treat a physical ailment causing the animal medical harm.
• Learn more about the issue and proposed amendments here: http://nyagainstdevocalization.weebly.com/pending-new-york-devocalization-ban.html

New York Against Devocalization

www.nyagainstdevocalization.weebly.com

do not be silent for those who cannot speak,
we are the voice of the wounded and
the weak.

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

Wikimedia Commons | Not Boozer, killed dog

SOURCE | FACEBOOK

PREVIOUS ALERT

UPDATE

A well-respected, well-established business offered the Newington Police Department **FREE** training on how to handle and read dogs two weeks before Boozer was killed. The Newington Police deemed the training unnecessary and therefore declined it. Because of the pressure we’ve been putting on them, they brought in an investigator that is not part of NPD. So there is progress.

BACKGROUND | COURANT

A police officer shot and killed a pit bull dog Monday as it was charging him and a bystander, police said Wednesday.

Sgt. John Zematis said the bystander, a tree trimmer working in the area, had taken cover behind the officer as the dog charged at them with its mouth open. The officer fired one shot when the dog was 12 to 15 feet away. The dog was hit and dropped, but then got back up and charged again, he said.

“It’s an unfortunate incident, but the officer acted to protect himself and the witness,” he said.

A resident who lives on Main Street called police at about 2:30 p.m. to complain about a roaming dog. When the officer arrived, the dog was near the back yard of the house, where a tree trimmer working nearby tried to help him catch it.

Police said the dog snapped at them, then ran to the other side of the yard before turning and charging.

Zematis said the dog had no collar or tags, but the owner was eventually identified. He said no charges have been filed against the owner, who lives about a block from the scene.

A woman who said she is the daughter of the owner, but asked not to be identified, said the family has filed a complaint with the police asking for an investigation of the shooting. She said her mother, the owner, was devastated by the death of the dog, which she described as gentle.

“I’ve never seen him be aggressive,” she said.

Police did not identify the officer or the address of the house on Main Street.


WHOM TO CONTACT

Block

rmulhall@newingtonct.gov , swoods@newingtonct.gov

Individual

Chief of Police Richard Mulhall

Telephone:

(860) 594-6201

Email:

rmulhall@newingtonct.gov

Mayor Stephen Woods

Email:

swoods@newingtonct.gov


SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Chief Mulhall and Mayor Woods,

Regarding the dog, Boozer, who lost his life on April 16 in an officer-involved shooting, it is my understanding that a well-respected, well-established business offered the Newington Police Department free training regarding how to handle and read dogs two weeks before Boozer was killed. The Newington Police deemed the training unnecessary and declined.

Because of subsequent community pressure over the death of Boozer, the police brought in an investigator unrelated to the NPD. I therefore respectfully request information as to why the training was initially declined and how an innocent dog lost his life because of such a cavalier, irresponsible decision.

It is my hope that following such a tragic, needless death that the Newington Police Department now agree to the well-justified training, and I look forward to a positive response to my deserved concerns.

Sincerely,

Name

Wikimedia Commons | Not Boozer, killed dog

SOURCE | FACEBOOK

UPDATE

A well-respected, well-established business offered the Newington Police Department **FREE** training on how to handle and read dogs two weeks before Boozer was killed. The Newington Police deemed the training unnecessary and therefore declined it. Because of the pressure we’ve been putting on them, they brought in an investigator that is not part of NPD. So there is progress.

BACKGROUND | COURANT

A police officer shot and killed a pit bull dog Monday as it was charging him and a bystander, police said Wednesday.

Sgt. John Zematis said the bystander, a tree trimmer working in the area, had taken cover behind the officer as the dog charged at them with its mouth open. The officer fired one shot when the dog was 12 to 15 feet away. The dog was hit and dropped, but then got back up and charged again, he said.

“It’s an unfortunate incident, but the officer acted to protect himself and the witness,” he said.

A resident who lives on Main Street called police at about 2:30 p.m. to complain about a roaming dog. When the officer arrived, the dog was near the back yard of the house, where a tree trimmer working nearby tried to help him catch it.

Police said the dog snapped at them, then ran to the other side of the yard before turning and charging.

Zematis said the dog had no collar or tags, but the owner was eventually identified. He said no charges have been filed against the owner, who lives about a block from the scene.

A woman who said she is the daughter of the owner, but asked not to be identified, said the family has filed a complaint with the police asking for an investigation of the shooting. She said her mother, the owner, was devastated by the death of the dog, which she described as gentle.

“I’ve never seen him be aggressive,” she said.

Police did not identify the officer or the address of the house on Main Street.


WHOM TO CONTACT

Chief of Police Richard Mulhall

Telephone:

(860) 594-6201

Email:

rmulhall@newingtonct.gov


SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Chief Mulhall,

I have learned of a disturbing case of an officer-involved shooting of a dog on Monday, April 16, in Newington, and I am respectfully requesting that an investigation be initiated.

Please allow me to elaborate.  My only focus is to protect the innocent, sentient animals that others regard as mere sacrificial, expendable beings, objectified and disposable. When animals are subjected to such brutality with no human accountability, our society inaccurately concludes that animals are not worthy of empathy, compassion, or rights. We become desensitized to the issue of animal abuse, and our children learn troubling lessons that are contrary to respect of and towards animals, which often evolves into a lack of empathy for humans. We must do everything in our power to allocate necessary resources to investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of animal cruelty cases. I understand that yours can be a challenging position, limited by vague and inadequate laws as well as insufficient funds; however, I believe we can make a difference or initiate change to better protect our animal friends. Please proceed with the intent of a full investigation and subsequent penalties if warranted.

Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent issue.

NAME

Facebook

SOURCE: FACEBOOK EVENT

BACKGROUND

Welcome back everyone, to our weekly Cyber Action E-mail Blast where we are going to shut down Wayne State Universities’ Lab of
Torture “In Memory of Queenie.”

We are now in week 4 of this event and will be targeting Wayne States Alumni once again. Wayne State University has more than 230,000 alumni living throughout the United States and around the world. Here are a couple of statistics on WSU Alumni!

•About 75 percent of WSU alumni live in Michigan, providing a diverse, highly skilled talent pool for employers.
•About 30 percent of practicing physicians in Michigan and 43 percent of practicing physicians in the tri-county area received all or part of their medical training at Wayne State.
•75 percent of the Law School’s graduates live and work in Michigan; 18 percent of the judges on the Michigan Court of Appeals and six judges on the US District Courts are WSU Law alumni.
WSU Alumni have a yearly membership fee of $30 which comes to a total of $6,900,000 according to the number of Alumni living at this time!

As you can see the WSU Alumni have around the world support and not only fund, but are supporting animal torture at WSU. Our weekly Cyber Action event is dedicated to Queenie, a companion animal (Dalmation mix) who was turned in to a shelter in Gratiot Co. MI as a stray, only to be sold shortly thereafter to a sadistic vivisector from WSU.

This is where Queenie died a miserable, torturous death that no being should have to endure! I have inserted a link with facts of this case as obtained by PCRM if you are not already familiar with this case http://pcrm.org/good-medicine/2012/winter2012/queenies-story.

WSU must be persuaded to abandon the cruel and inhumane animal experiments from which they gain millions of dollars annually.

Therefore, it is time to apply systematic and sustained pressure on them, their benefactors, their sponsors and the WSU community worldwide.….

Thank you for your participation!


WHOM TO CONTACT

m.rigby@wayne.edu, aw9863@wayne.edu, ab2746@wayne.edu, michelle.martin@wayne.edu, sarah.freeman@wayne.edu, m.cousin@wayne.edu , cscheidel@wayne.edu, klkoehler@wayne.edu, aa9929@wayne.edu, aa2191@wayne.edu, c.j.parrish@wayne.edu, LJR@chem.wayne.edu, woodyard@wayne.edu, ay1414@wayne.edu, ab1165@wayne.edu, ab0070@wayne.edu, ab1146@wayne.edu, ab2297@wayne.edu, ad5015@wayne.edu, MIKIDIWAY@wideopenwest.com, dr3340@wayne.edu, au8223@wayne.edu, aa0955@wayne.edu, w.h.volz@wayne.edu, k.feathers@wayne.edu, aa1104@wayne.edu, aa6460@wayne.edu, ag7246@wayne.edu, ivan.avrutsky@wayne.edu, jku@wayne.edu, apandya@indigo.eng.wayne.edu, jpotoff@eng.wayne.edu, aa0057@wayne.edu, wolfson@wayne.edu, ak1354@wayne.edu, vdallas@wayne.edu, aa5782@wayne.edu, aa1708@wayne.edu, ab8898@wayne.edu, bb4184@wayne.edu, aa2846@wayne.edu, mcintyre@wayne.edu, lrydstedt@med.wayne.edu, tstemmle@med.wayne.edu, ssundaram@pet.wayne.edu, rthomas@med.wayne.edu, etisdale@med.wayne.edu, ad6056@wayne.edu, jhudson@med.wayne.edu, dwildman@med.wayne.edu, jwithey@med.wayne.edu, zyang@med.wayne.edu, aa1565@wayne.edu, aa2347@wayne.edu, aw9799@wayne.edu, oupicky@wayne.edu, av6281@wayne.edu, hsandlin@wayne.edu, shawnal@wayne.edu, dt4578@wayne.edu, dw6163@wayne.edu


SAMPLE LETTER

To Whom It Concerns,

This letter is to inform you that the WSU Alumni are directly responsible for allowing horrific dog heart failure experimentation to continue in the labs at Wayne State University. These experiments include the imprisonment, torture, maiming, and murdering of innocent shelter dogs.

Since technologically-advanced alternatives are available, as a supporter of this school, you, too, are responsible for this scientific fraud.This is unacceptable.

These useless and inhumane experiments have been continuing for 20 years at WSU, while the human heart disease rates are only increasing. Unlike humans, heart failure in dogs and many other animals is irreversible.

WSU is allowing former companion dogs purchased from Michigan Animal Shelters to be forced to run dozens of treadmill experiments with catheters protruding from their bodies and incisions leaking blood and other bodily fluids, causing pain and distress–with no anesthesia or compassion whatsoever–until they die!

I am sure that you are aware of these extremely painful and unethical experiments on dogs at WSU. However, let me add a quote from a well-respected cardiologist: “Felony animal cruelty charges should be brought against Wayne State, and the use of dogs in painful heart experiments should be halted immediately,” says John J. Pippin, M.D., F.A.C.C., a cardiologist and director of academic affairs for PCRM.

I urge you now, to see the truth of this matter, to take charge and to stop these atrocities within your educational institution! Everyone who is involved by sponsoring and/or supporting WSU in any way is culpable and therefore I will no longer be patronizing your establishment.

Please make an ethical decision. Consider withdrawing your support for WSU.

Sincerely,

Week four will only be the end
If torture like this is no longer
A trend
Not another should suffer,
How queenie cried,
No other animal
Should go through
How queenie died

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

Pet Pardons News: Jeffrey Nally Jr. was sentenced on Wednesday to 10-45 years in prison for torturing and killing at least 29 dogs he collected from Craigslist and "free to a good home ads."

Source: Pet Pardons News

Convicted serial dog killer, Jeffrey Nally, of New Cumberland West Virginia was sentenced by Judge Fred Fox II on Wednesday to 10-45 years behind bars. While animal advocates would rather have seen him spend life in prison, the truth is that this sentence is substantial considering that animal abuse cases seldom carry this kind of weight.  From that standpoint, the outcome is a victory.

It is true though, that this was no run of the mill animal abuse case. This was a brutal series of intentional mutilations, torture and execution of innocent puppies. Nally was accused of mutilating and killing 29 puppies that he received through classified ads, and Craigslist “free to good home” ads.

Nally’s house was raided by a SWAT team in March of 2011 when his girlfriend’s mother called authorities. His then girlfriend, Jessica Sellers, alleged that Nally had been holding her captive in his home and terrorizing her by torturing and murdering the animals in front of her.

Police found 29 dog carcasses on Nally’s property. They also found guns, which Nally was prohibited from possessing due to a 2010 domestic battery conviction, and collected other items including blood and hair covered tools and what appeared to be a beagle’s pelt and eyes in a jar.

During an evidence suppression hearing, Nally’s court-appointed attorney, James Carey, had argued to keep the pelt and the eyes out of evidence, citing a lack of scientific proof the items are what police claimed them to be. He also stated that he believed some of the crime scene photographs were staged.

Related: Alleged Puppy Torturer Appears in Court

Also Related: Accused ‘Free to Good Home’ Pet Killer Will Move to Suppress Evidence

Nally, age 20, was facing 29 counts of felony animal cruelty, one count of domestic battery, one count of kidnapping and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. Although he had passed on a plea deal offered to him last January, he took the plea offer he was offered this week.

Hancock County Prosecutor James W. Davis said that there had been an overwhelming outpouring of concern in the form of letters and e-mails from around the world relating to this case.

Nally pled guilty to nine charges of felony animal abuse and unlawful possession of a firearm. He will receive one to five years on each count of cruelty, and one year on the firearm charge to be served concurrently.

Nally has already spent a year behind bars while his case was continued in Hancock County Court. He will have to serve a minimum of five years before he can apply for an early release. In exchange for pleading guilty to the nine charges of felony cruelty, the sexual assault, kidnapping charge and other 20 cruelty charges were dropped.

Nally has shown no remorse for his actions, but Davis said that he has changed during the past year. “I wouldn’t call it remorse, but he has accepted that what he did was wrong,” said Davis. “Of course, people like this, sociopaths, they are mostly only concerned with how circumstances are affecting them.”

Restrictions on Nally ever having a pet and other requirements will be addressed further down the road at the time of his eventual release. “Not just having any pet,” Davis said. “I don’t want him to be around any animals, ever. Definitely not under the same roof.”

Davis said that a few dogs had escaped the house of horrors and have been adopted. “They are having great lives.” He said.

Part of the plea deal is the condition that Nally submit to a polygraph test and debrief authorities on Seller’s involvement in the cruelty charges. Sellers reportedly told investigators Nally said the only way she was leaving his 1855 Orchard Road home was “in a body bag,” and that on the day of his arrest he forced her to hold a puppy as he bored into its head with an electric drill. However, she testified during a February pretrial motions hearing that she had left the house without Nally’s supervision on several occasions during her approximately three-month “captivity” there.

“Ms. Sellers was a problematic witness,” Davis said, “because there is some question as to her level of involvement. There is some evidence that she obtained the animals for him.  My dogs, they won’t hold still to have their nails clipped…these dogs he tortured…to do what he did, somebody had to hold them still. A dog is not going to hold still while a drill is bored into its skull.”

Davis was audibly distressed while discussing details of the case, and became overwhelmed and unable to continue when it was remarked that the case had greatly disturbed him.

Following Wednesday’s hearing, Davis had noted the contributions of other people and groups involved with the investigation, including West Virginia State Police Cpl. Larry Roberts, Hancock County sheriff’s Sgt. Scott Swan and county Animal Control Officer Nicole Busick. He praised the work of forensic experts Drs. Beth Wictum of UC Davis and Melinda Merck – the latter of whom helped federal prosecutors build a case against Michael Vick – and thanked the Animal Legal Defense Fund for its pledge of financial support for the prosecution of the case.

Scott Heiser, of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, said there is still work to be done. He referred to Nally as a narcissistic psychopath, and said that he believes that Nally cannot be rehabilitated. He does not think that Nally will be released in as little as five years.

“He is a clear and manifest threat to society,” Heiser said.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit that helps provide funds and support to prosecutors around the country for the best possible outcome in criminal cases of animal abuse. They provided the funds for the forensic scientists to build the case against Nally.

Heiser recommends that once Nally is transferred to the WV Division of Corrections, risk-scored, placed in one of WV’s several prisons and his projected release date set that then would be a good time to start a petition campaign urging the Parole Board to recognize Nally’s immense danger to society and ask that they deny him any concessions (e.g., no work release) and deny his release after serving the five-year minimum.

About the author: Ariel Wulff is an author, artist and animal advocate. She has worked in animal rescue for more than 24 years, authoring the book Born Without a Tail, a memoir of her experiences with rescued animals. She writes a column as the Cleveland Pets Examiner, and is the National Animal Books Examiner. She also maintains a personal blog about dogs: Up on the Woof, and uses her yelodoggie art to spread the joy of living with dogs.

this monster needs to be locked up in
a cell,
with only pictures of his victims,
as company,
his own living hell.
to never see freedom,
to be forever in a cage,
banging his head against
his own wall
of ignorance and rage:(

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

Wikimedia Commons

SOURCE: ESA

Contact Speaker Thom Tillis and Senator Pro Tem Phil Burger and tell them to get rid of puppy mills in NC.

BACKGROUND

Laila’s Story

The youngest member of the Kreem family has been working to support the NC chapter of HSUS and the North Carolina Voters for Animal Welfare to bring awareness to the upcoming bill to be presented in NC that will call for Commercial Breeders to be monitored to assure that the dogs are kept in sanitary conditions and that they are receiving appropriate veterinary care. This law will weed out the quality breeders from the mass breeders who have hundreds of dogs suffering on their property for the sole pupose of breeding the life out of them.

Laila has been traveling to events across NC, to share the rack cards created by the NC voters for Animal Welfare, telling citizens how to contact their local reps to request commercial breeder legislation. Some of you have met Laila, some have not. She’s a little firecracker that survived the most horrid conditions and hopefully will put a face with the suffering that is going on in Puppy Mills in NC. We’ve been everywhere from ladies groups, to churches, to pet friendly businesses to our first visit to spring mala at a yoga studio! If you belong to, or come across any groups that we can have about 10 minutes to share this info or be a guest and just hang out at an event to share legislation information, please let me know, we’d love to add more places to her calendar!

We’d like to unite NC rescues to stand for this cause and would love the opportunity to share this information with your supporters. There’s no competition for funding or face time, the only agenda is to urge voters to contact District Representatives and Senators. If you have an event, or know another group with an event coming up, we’d love to join you and share this information. If I can’t attend myself, I have a strong group of supporters/handlers that are always willing to step up to bring Laila and share this information.

If you have businesses in your area that are geared toward companion animals who would be willing to keep her cards in their business, we’d be glad to send to them. We’ve distributed about 4,000 so far and are more than happy to keep sharing.

Here’s Laila’s story and her mission for those who aren’t familiar with it:

Hundreds of Dogs Rescued from N.C. Puppy Mill

Dogs housed in unsanitary conditions, lacking medical care …

The Humane Society of the United States’ Animal Rescue Team was called in by Caldwell County Animal Control to assist in the rescue of approximately 300 dogs from a Hudson, North Carolina property. The dogs were being housed in unsanitary conditions and lacked proper socialization and medical care. The owner has surrendered all of the dogs to Caldwell County Animal Control.

Read more from HSUS press release


Puppy Mill Awareness isn’t one day, it’s EVERY day …

Read more and get flyers here.


Inside View of a North Carolina Puppy Mill

(Source: Article by Donna Doe on PuppyMillRescue)

As a rescuer pretending to be a breeder, going inside a large multi breed puppy mill was an emotional roller coaster from sadness to disgust and horror. Having to keep an emotionless face and not react to what I saw and learned was the hardest part.

It is difficult to get inside a puppy mill and if you should find one contact PuppymillRescue. Please do not attempt to go in to see for yourself, as it may ruin the hard efforts of those who have already gained access.

When I arrived, there was an eerie silence and a strong acid smell engulfed the entire yard. The miller talked about the dogs as we headed to one of several buildings. The dogs heard us approaching and they began to bark and whine.

As I stepped inside a building a stronger putrid smell took my breath. My eyes started watering and with the dim lighting it took a couple of minutes to see the dogs. The barking was deafening.

There were small dogs, Poms, Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, and Pugs, crowded in rows of small wooden boxes that were too high for them to see over. Their world was only wooden sides. Dogs were circling and stepping on each other as they frantically jumped up trying to see over the top, some begged for attention, and some were motionless. Some cowed in fear.

On the other side were mostly larger breeds crowded in small inside boxes that opened into small outdoor runs.

One little pregnant Chi was being trampled and the miller said the pups would be born in the next few days.

When the miller’s back was turned, I was able to give a few a kind touches. When inquiring about a particular dog, the miller’s hand would move in circles just above the dog’s heads. This created more panic as they tried to escape from the hand. The miller grabbed the dogs by the hair or which ever body part could be caught as they were handed to me for inspection. When held the dogs remained motionless in fear. There were toothless dogs and some with only a few rotten teeth.

The miller explained how she stuck her finger inside their mouth to remove loose teeth and as it was easy, there was no reason to pay a vet to do this.

We entered another building much the same as the one before. I will forever be haunted by a Boston Terrier mom with one tiny pup in a small wooden box. The mother was frantically jumping for attention, but she was stepping on the pup. The miller kept screaming at her to stop and said that the other pups were trampled to death by the mother dog. I walked a little further down the rows of dogs hoping that if I moved away the dog might stop jumping and the miller would stop screaming at her. The screaming continued and as I turned,

I saw the miller pick up a long wooden board (2×4) and it rose above the miller’s head.

The miller noticed me watching and as the board swung down the miller’s arm moved slightly to the side and the sound of a hard hit against the top of the box echoed throughout the building. Feeling horror and anger, had the dog been hit my cover would have been blown as I could not have remained indifferent. Realizing that the board was there for a purpose, I have no doubts that it had been used on this dog. The pup’s cries were pitiful and I walked over and saw this mother dog with eyes tightly closed flattened on the floor against the back of the box trembling in terror. She did not look at me or make a sound. She did not move again while we were in that building.

As we were leaving the building, I noticed a tiny female min pin in a small wire cage placed away from the other dogs. A rear leg was at a weird angle. The miller said the dog hurt her leg, but she was fine. I asked if a vet had checked her leg and the response was no. This tiny girl trembled in silence. When the miller walked away, I reached thru the wire and softy touched her. This girl tugged at my heart.

The miller showed me Shih Tzu, Yorkie, and mixed puppies, all sizes and ages. The miller would bring out arm loads of pups from an area I had not seen. They were covered with dried feces and fleas. As the miller held them, they never wiggled or moved, but remained motionless in fear.

Around the buildings were many dog pens with small and large breeds. Their enclosures were mud with several inches of standing water and feces everywhere. The larger dogs only had metal barrels for protection from the cold and rain.

Around the buildings w ere many dog pens with small and large breeds. Their enclosures were mud with several inches of standing water and feces everywhere. The larger dogs only had metal barrels for protection from the cold and rain.

The other buildings in this mill were the same or worse conditions, but housed different breeds. There were numerous dogs with eye injuries, large cherry eyes, infected eyes, and skin infections, which were obvious at a glance.

The dogs rescued from this mill have had no teeth, no lower jaws, broken jaws, broken bones and were matted with feces hardened hair. One little Pom was so badly matted on his rear end that he could not go to the bathroom. Some dogs have Heartworms, intestinal worms, and some with medical problems that required surgery. All were filthy with fleas. We now know that some lived with constant pain and without vet care. Millers do their own medical care, if any, in order to save money. This was explained by the miller.


WHOM TO CONTACT

Thom.Tillis@ncleg.net; Phil.Berger@ncleg.net


SAMPLE LETTERS

Sample Letter One

Dear Speaker Tillis and Senator Pro Tem Burger,

Please end all puppy mill operations in North Carolina. They are institutions of animal abuse.

Thank you for your consideration of this  important message.


Sample Letter Two

Dear Speaker Tillis and Senator Pro Tem Burger,

We are a puppy mill state and our current cruelty laws are not sufficient to protect the dogs in these facilities. Dogs in unscrupulous commercial dog breeding facilities (puppy mills) must suffer for an extended period of time before law enforcement can step in. Our cruelty laws also do not address consumer fraud and taxation. NC leadership needs to support a responsible bill to regulate dog breeders in NC and make them accountable to the animals and the community.

Thank you for your consideration of this  important message..


Sample Letter Three

Dear Speaker Tillis and Senator Pro Tem Burger,

Puppy mills are horrendous places of animal cruelty. More and more people are becoming aware of these despicable operations. Those who make money from the lives of dogs like this should be treated as the criminals they are. Please do the right thing and prosecute all puppy mill operations.

Thank you for your consideration of this  important message.

Be an esoldier!

puppies, milled
We live here in a puppy mill
It is winter now, and we are
So chilled
When summer comes the
Heat is very strong
Our fur gets matted,
It gets too long
We cannot breathe
We cannot see
we can only feel
our misery
please rescue us
please get us out
we are not human
so we cannot shout

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

]]> http://our-compass.org/2012/04/10/stop-puppy-mills-in-north-carolina/feed/ 5 ourcompassadmin 800px-Wildlife_trade_-_puppy_mill http://our-compass.org/2012/04/09/ban-south-korean-dog-and-cat-meat-trade/ http://our-compass.org/2012/04/09/ban-south-korean-dog-and-cat-meat-trade/#comments Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:57:28 +0000 Stacey http://our-compass.org/?p=23547 ]]>

Wikimedia Commons

SOURCE: ESA

Please send a sample letter (three samples below) urging the ban of the dog and cat meat trade, thank you.

BACKGROUND

Every year, two million South Korean dogs and cats, the majority of whom are homeless, are captured by butchers and sold in open markets. They await the most gruesome fate—dogs are slowly and agonizingly torn apart, electrocuted, strangled, or beaten to death while cats are bludgeoned and boiled alive for human consumption. The cruelty and suffering is one of unimaginable horror.

South Korean’s Animal Protection Law, which was passed in 1991, considers dogs to be “domestic pets,” but the shadowy and illicit world of the dog and cat industry flourishes because of the shameful indifference of the South Korean government.

While the majority of South Koreans are dog and cat lovers, myths and lies surrounding the alleged medicinal properties of the meat persists among a very small minority of the population.

South Koreans have only eaten dogs when poverty has been widespread, as was the case during World War II. Yet even during those punishing times, dogs were treated as companion animals.

Source: IDA website. Read more there.


Local Group Demonstrates Against South Korea’s Consumption of Dogs And Cats

The San Francisco-based animal rights organization In Defense of Animals wants South Koreans to stop eating animals–at least the adorable ones, anyway.

The group is staging a protest in front of San Francisco’s South Korean consulate this Tuesday, where it will be delivering a petition with over 15,000 signatures urging the South Korean government to do more to stop the consumption of dogs and cats inside of its borders.

This week’s event is part of the “International Day of Action for South Korean Dogs and Cats” the organization is simultaneously holding in dozens of cities all over the world.

“While it’s now technically illegal to eat dogs and cats in South Korea, the government has not been good about enforcing the laws, thus allowing the tradition to continue in parts of the country, [In Defense of Animals Campaign Manager Robin] Dorman says. So killing dogs and cats is illegal, but the processing and sale of the animals is not, she added. “The law is deliberately obscure,” Dorman says.” (SF Weekly)

Source: Huffington Post. Read more there.


From All Creatures: Animals In Print The On-Line Newsletter 26 May 2010 Issue

Today, in violation of the Korean Animals Protection Act, two million dogs are raised or trapped for human consumption. Approximately 30% of these dogs are or were family pets, sharing their lives with humans they loved and trusted.

Many people have the impression that dog consumption is a traditional Korean food, this is anything but true. Up until the last 600 years Koreans were mostly Buddhist and living under the Koryo dynasty. The people were encouraged to eat a meat free diets.

When this dynasty came to an end a new country was formed, Korea. Though taking its name from the now defunct dynasty a new belief system and lifestyle began. In the last few hundred years there was a few people that did eat dog though it is was never a cultural habit.

About 50 years ago poverty was severe in South Korea. At this time the extremely impoverished people, did begin to consume dogs. This was not a normal eating habit.

Twenty-five years ago a new trend began to take shape the dog meat industry began to flourish. How did this happen?

Certainly not because of hunger, but due to a false belief system that by consuming the meat of a TORTURED DOG a man may increase his sexual virility. This caused dog flesh to became especially popular and a status symbol among the wealthy. Believing the adrenaline in the tissues of the tortured, slain canine would somehow exert profound effects upon their manhood their demand for this meat grew.

This belief has provided great financial opportunities for dog meat dealers. With millions of dollars to be made, illegal dog farms abound. The government looks the other way while these innocent, trusting creatures are brutalized.

Dogs are usually raised on illegal, rural dog farms, but any dog is actually fair game. Stray and abandoned dogs don’t last long in Korea. The dogs are kept in squalor, they are crammed in wire cages too small for even one dog to be comfortable. The situation is unbearable for these trusting animals. They become dehydrated from lack of proper food and water. They are forced to live in their own wastes and have no protection from extreme weather.

These dogs are exceptionally vulnerable to diseases, especially distemper and are quickly sold to markets or consumers before they appear ill. Because of this, the usual age of slaughter is between eighth months and a one year.

When the dogs are of age they are transported to large open markets. The Hyundai, with its spaciousness, is a favorite vehicle of transportation, accommodating the large cages crammed with dogs. The dogs can be seen piled on top of one another as they travel toward their doom.

They usually go to one of the three largest market places, The Chilsung Market in Taegu City, the Gupo Market in Pusan City, and the Moran Market in Sungnam City. Dogs are also sold in other smaller market places throughout Korea. They can also be found behind restaurants, alive and crammed into small cages, waiting their turn to be tortured and slaughtered.

In the larger markets the dogs are transferred from the vehicles to large cages that can hold up to 800 terrified and confused animals. Most of the dogs in the market place closely resemble each other as they are descendants of generations of interbreeding. Through all of this many of the dogs, once family pets, remain docile and hopeful, wagging their tales when approached by humans.

The market place is a cramped area filled with dogs. Cars are parked in random fashion and people can be seen walking about selecting their dog.

Once a person makes his selection the dog is dragged by a noose around its neck from its cage and purposely tortured until it is allowed to die.

The dog, chosen for sale and slaughter, may be hung, beaten with pipes or hammers and strangled repeatedly. During this atrocity, the dogs my be heard yelping, screaming and howling in agony as they struggle against their captors.

When the dog is assumed dead, it is shocked with an “electric stick”. Remember, difficult as this is to read, this form of violent killing, according to the Koreans, is necessary to both tenderize the flesh and improve its aphrodisiacal properties. The more the dog suffers, the more flavorful and beneficial the meat is thought to be, the more adrenaline. The Korean consumer demands this form of slaughter less the meats affect are nil.

The dog is then taken inside a building where it is placed inside a vat of boiling water. Finally it is removed and butchered according to the buyers discretion.

There, now, is the tragic story of a dogs’ plight in Korea, but what about the cats?

The cat fares no better in South Korea. They are not considered good pets and the few people that do attempt to have a cat in their home find it difficult. There is virtually no cat food or kitty litter to be had. There are very few vets that treat cats. Cats are thought to be a filthy, dangerous to a Korean’s health, and a threat to their well being.

Cats are best served by Koreans as an elixir usually called Liquid Cat or “cat juice.”

To accommodate the customers, the dealer will place cats in a large sack and in what seems to be the tradition, beat them to death. This is done either with a blunt object or just slamming the sack upon the ground, preferably a concrete surface.

The cats, some still alive, are then placed in large pots of boiling water, dates, ginger and chestnuts are added and the final liquefied results are believed to cure rheumatism and neuralgia.

Source: Animals’ Voice, Volume 7, Number 2 Laura Moretti

Source: Jon Bearscove

Source: Kyenan Kum

Source: anonymous Korean citizens.


WHOM TO CONTACT

Send email to government officials and ambassadors by copying and pasting the below addresses into your TO:

consular_usa@mofat.go.kr; kcgboston@mofat.go.kr; chicago@mofat.go.kr; consulatehi@mofat.go.kr; Con-hu@mofat.go.kr; consul-la@mofat.go.kr; info@koreanconsulate.org; consularsf@mofat.go.kr; seattle0404@mofat.go.kr; koreaconsulate@gmail.com; kconsul@guam.net; canada@mofat.go.kr; toronto@mofat.go.kr; vancon@mofat.go.kr; mail@koreaemb.at; czech@mofat.go.kr; korembdk@mofat.go.kr; korembfi@mofat.go.kr; koremb-fr@mofat.go.kr; gremb@mofat.go.kr; korcom@t-online.hu; israel@mofat.go.kr; consul-it@mofat.go.kr; kornor@mofat.go.kr; embpt@mofat.go.kr; koremb.sweden@mofat.go.kr; swiss@mofat.go.kr; turkey@mofat.go.kr; koreanembinuk@mofat.go.kr; korea@un.int; webmaster@koreanembassy.cn; postmaster@koreanculture.jp; economic@koreanembassy.org.nz; koembth@gmail.com; embcoreamx@mofat.go.kr; ecuador@mofat.go.kr; argentina@mofat.go.kr; emb-br@mofat.go.kr; koremb-ge@mofat.go.kr; Embajadadecoreaenchile@gmail.com; peru@mofat.go.kr; koemur@gmail.com; consyd@mofat.go.kr; india_visa@mofat.go.kr; mumbai@mofat.go.kr; korem-my@mofat.go.kr; philippines@mofat.go.kr; info@koreaembassy.org.sg; taipei@mofat.go.kr; korembfj@mofat.go.kr; koremb_in@mofat.go.kr; pakistan@mofat.go.kr; EmbassySeoulPA@state.gov


SAMPLE LETTERS

Sample Letter One

Dear Government Officials and Ambassadors:

Stop this barbaric exploitation and abuse of animals! The cruelty inflicted on dogs and cats in your country is not going unnoticed throughout the world.

Thank you for taking the time to read this urgent message.


Sample Letter Two

Dear Government Officials and Ambassadors:

As an official with the power to make a difference, please use your authority to support an amendment to strengthen South Korea’s Animal Protection Law to ban the torture, killing, sale and consumption of dogs and cats.

Please enforce the South Korean Animal Protection Law to prevent animal cruelty. Provide severe penalties for violations and ensure that mistreated animals can be legally seized. Ban the torture, killing, sale and consumption of dogs and cats.

Thank you for taking the time to read this urgent message.


Sample Letter Three

Dear Government Officials and Ambassadors:

I am appalled and shocked to learn about the rampant cruelties inflicted upon animals that have been documented in South Korea’s live food markets. The dogs and cats are raised in the most hideous and cruel environments, only to be beaten and slaughtered by the millions.

There is no appropriate animal protection legislation to prevent the prevailing animal cruelty currently taking place in South Korea. As someone who believes strongly that animals should not be treated in this way, I have the following requests:

1. I urge the South Korean Government to strengthen the South Korean Animal Protection Law to prevent animal cruelty and to introduce basic animal protection regulations. It must also provide penalties for violations and ensure that mistreated animals can be legally seized from abusers and given immediate refuge.

2. I request that the South Korean Government create an enforceable law to ban the torture, killing, sale, and consumption of dogs and cats.

Thank you for taking the time to read this urgent message.

Be an esoldier!

you have your traditions
we do not understand,
we wish to spread love
throughout your land.
love for all animals,
especially those
who live to love you,
do you suppose,
you could stop killing
and eating your friends,
this is the 21 st century
it is time that this ends!!!!!

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

Wikimedia Commons

Source: Animal Alliance NYC

The Archdiocese of New York agreed to work with the NYC Feral Cat Initiative (NYCFCI) of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals to restore daily care and feeding to the colony of eight feral cats living at the historic St. James Church in lower Manhattan. During a sixty-day trial period, a suitable feeding station and shelters for the cats will be placed and a litter box will be added to the regimen of care. There will be an onsite meeting with the church pastor and caretakers this week to work out a routine acceptable to all. The NYCFCI has submitted a proposal for consideration outlining guidelines for ongoing care for the colony to be reconsidered and adopted after the sixty-day trial period.

The agreement was reached at a March 27 meeting attended by Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals President Jane Hoffman, Monsignor Kevin Nelan of the Archdiocese of New York, Father Lino Gonsalves of St. James Church, and NYCFCI Community Outreach Coordinator Mike Phillips. A dynamic and vigorous discussion of the virtues of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) was a part of the meeting, as well as the importance of continued daily feeding in order to assure continued stability of any feral colony.

Fortunately, the TNR project at St. James was already completed and discussions began from that strong position. Chinatown is known to be one of the most rodent-infested areas of New York City, as well as having large numbers of unneutered feral cats roaming the area. After explanation of the merit of keeping a neutered and vaccinated colony in place, there was agreement that removal of the cats was not in anyone’s best interest.

Kudos to TNR volunteer Elizabeth Eller for the energy she devoted to the project starting in 2009. Her completion of TNR on the eight cats lent much more weight to arguments defending the current presence of the colony. The colony has not grown in three years since two litters of kittens were trapped, tamed, and adopted at the beginning of the project. In contrast, a colony being fed without TNR cannot be defended with such effectiveness. Thank you, Elizabeth, on behalf of the colony. May they enjoy continued care and acceptance thanks to your very timely hard work!

The need for education in responsible pet ownership (the human component of feral cat management) was also discussed to prevent additional cats from being abandoned to the streets and starting new feral colonies.

The church is setting a fine example of leadership by example with this compassionate and humane consideration for these cats abandoned to the street through no fault of their own. Please express your thanks to the Archdiocese of New York for their willingness to meet and their agreement to the sixty-day trial period. Though not completely resolved, we are confident this will be a win-win for the cats and St. James Church.

Subscribe to the NYC Feral Cat Initiative mailing list and/or follow us on Facebook and Twitter for further updates on the story.

Thank the Archdiocese of New York!

Thank the Archdiocese of New York by contacting Joseph Zwilling, Communications Director, at communications@archny.org or (212) 371-1011 x2997.

in the spirit of our holiest days
goodness as worked
in these most wonderful
ways☺☻☺

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

BACKGROUND | SOURCE WOOD COUNTY DEMOCRAT

A Wood County Sheriff’s deputy responded to an animal call on County Road 2174 just outside of Quitman in the Clear Lakes area Monday. Upon arrival, Deputy J.W. Williams discovered a hole in the ground and inside the hole were the metal bands from numerous burned tires and the burned carcass of a medium sized dog.

According to a press release from the sheriff’s department, witnesses advised that on Sunday the suspect, 28-year-old Larry Lowery, of Point, had thrown a dog into a fire. Lowery was confronted about burning the dog and he (Lowery) apologized but then later threw a second dog into the fire. Witnesses said Lowery was bragging about the dogs and stated that the second dog did not die. Witnesses told police that Lowery stated that the second dog jumped out of the fire and ran off on fire.

According to the release, witnesses reported approximately four people sitting around the pit watching the debris being burned and were drinking alcoholic beverages. One of the witnesses, (unknown which one), made a comment daring Lowery to throw a stray dog into the fire. Witnesses stated that Lowery picked up the stray dog and threw the dog into the fire.

Deputy Williams made contact with Lowery who gave a voluntary statement, admitting to grabbing a stray dog that had bit him approximately two weeks earlier. Lowery advised the deputy that he was swinging the dog towards the fire but that he had stumbled over a rock or a root and “accidentally” tossed the dog into the fire.

Lowery was arrested and booked into the Wood County Jail on Monday and was charged with cruelty to a non-livestock animal, a state jail felony. His bond was set at $5,000. Lowery posted bail shortly after 9 a.m. this morning (Tuesday).

The sheriff’s department would not release any additional information however did say the case will be forwarded to the Wood County District Attorney’s office for prosecution.


PETITION

Click HERE to sign petition


WHOM TO CONTACT

Jim Wheeler
Criminal District Attorney
Wood County Courthouse
Quitman, TX 75783
wcda@mywoodcounty.com
Phone: 903-763-4515
FAX: 903-763-5105


CLICK HERE FOR FREE FAXING FROM YOUR COMPUTER  No fax machine, credit card, or registering required.


SAMPLE LETTER

Case # 12-02218
Defendant: Larry Lowery

Dear District Attorney Wheeler,

I have learned of extremely disturbing and malicious case of animal cruelty in which Mr. Larry Lowery, case # 12-02218,  deliberately caused the suffering and subsequent death of a dog by throwing her into a fire. I am writing today to encourage you to effectively sentence him to the harshest penalty of animal cruelty; his crime causing unimaginable agony, fear, and death in the dog deserves social justice, not community approval.

When I try to imagine what possible motive animal abusers entertain for subjecting their animal victims to such malicious, heinous acts of brutality, I fail, but I am thankful for a lack of cognitive understanding and rationalization. To voluntarily engage in such malicious behaviour suggests sadistic tendencies, and Mr. Lowery’s actions, causing unmitigated pain and suffering, demonstrates an incontrovertible lack of morality regarding other living beings and a gross disrespect for the law. In fact, a person who shows such a remarkable lack of compassion towards non-human animals has the ability to show such indifference towards human animals. This link between animal and human abuse has been established, and if society excuses Mr. Lowery’s criminal behaviour, or agrees to a lesser punishment, we only harm ourselves by unjustly nullifying cruelty as acceptable behaviour.

Please respect the victim by penalizing the guilty; doing so will demonstrate your commitment to justice, responsibility, and integrity, attributes unquestionably necessary in a legal setting: rejecting cruelty by maintaining an unyielding position towards it would be a model for all community members and would serve to characterize this type of behaviour as both impermissible and punishable.

I know your time is limited and I thank you for your attention to this urgent issue.

Name
Address

larry lowery a subhuman beast,
deserves to spend many years,
in jail, at least.
in solitary, no friends, no phone
just pictures of the dog he killed,
so he does not feel “alone”
any punishment, less
would be a disgrace,
you can see the lack of humanity
on that man’s hateful face

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

Andrey

BACKGROUND | SOURCE SERBIAN ANIMAL’S VOICE

Bulgaria: 30/03/12 – Mass Killing of Stray Dogs to Start Immediately. EU Money for Stray Dogs Programm Is Going Elsewhere ! – Please Send E Mails Now.

Please send your protest letters to Bulgarian government.

Bulgaria is stealing money from EU for stray dogs program and they are killing them.  The EU money is going into their pockets.


WHOM TO CONTACT

Email Block:

ceo@bfsa.bg, damyan.iliev@nvms.government.bg, jfandakova@sofia.bg, primeminister@government.bg, GIS@government.bg, slavi.binev@europarl.europa.eu, filizhakaeva.hyusmenova@europarl.europa.eu, stanimir.ilchev@europarl.europa.eu, ilianamalinova.iotova@europarl.europa.eu, iliana.ivanova@europarl.europa.eu, ivailo.kalfin@europarl.europa.eu, metin.kazak@europarl.europa.eu, evgeni.kirilov@europarl.europa.eu, andrey.kovatchev@europarl.europa.eu, svetoslavristov.malinov@europarl.europa.eu, mariya.nedelcheva@europarl.europa.eu, Nadezhda.Neynsky@europarl.europa.eu, vladkotodorov.panayotov@europarl.europa.eu, antonyia.parvanova@europarl.europa.eu, dimitar.stoyanov@europarl.europa.eu, emilstefanov.stoyanov@europarl.europa.eu, vladimir.urutchev@europarl.europa.eu, kristian.vigenin@europarl.europa.eu,

Contact Sofia municipality via webform: http://www.sofia.bg/en/display.asp?ime=contact


SAMPLE LETTER COURTESY RUTH EISENBUD

Dear Government Officials of Bulgaria,

Word of your intention to conduct a mass slaughter of dogs has spread throughout the world. If you go through with this massacre Bulgaria will be known as a nation that does not understand compassion. Many will be reluctant to visit such a nation, as they would think of the loving dogs in their families and choose instead to visit a nation which is more dog friendly.

One such nation is India…where it is illegal to kill a healthy or curable dog for any reason. In large part this is due to the compassion of the Indian religions of Jainism and Hinduism, which recognize that both animals and humans cherish their lives. ALL who live are entitled to respect and the right to live.

The ignorance of your decision is rooted in a religious tradition that grants man dominion over the animals and with it the right to slaughter them for human need and convenience. All three of these cruel religions are represented in Bulgaria: St Nedelya Church, Banya Bashi Mosque, and Sofia Synagogue. Therefore, rather that finding a way to help the homeless dogs of Bulgaria, you have instead chosen to dispose of them according to the dictates of heartless religious doctrine.

Do you want Bulgaria to be viewed as a modern, compassionate nation or one that is backward and cruel? I hope you will have the wisdom to deflect the animosity you have created. Please allow the dedicated animal activists in your country to save the precious lies you so callously dismiss.

Your Name and Nationality

Source : Huffington Post
By Hilary Tuttle

On National Puppy Day it seems all too appropriate that one Florida shelter dog is being lauded for her heroic efforts as woman’s best friend.

When a 17-year-old girl left St. Petersburg’s Friends of Strays animal shelter to walk a dog, she never imagined her volunteer work would lead her to be the one in need. But as Fox News reported, when she walked on a path behind the building with Mabeline, a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix, that’s exactly what happened.

According to local television station WTSP, registered sexual predator Michael Bacon chased the girl, grabbing her hair and pinning her to the ground. The 38-pound dog began barking, scaring the attacker off enough that the volunteer was able to flee, People reported.

The brave puppy has since been adopted by Mary Callahan, who did not know about her new pet’s valiant actions until notified by WTSP.

“I looked at my dog and I thought, ‘You are a hero,’” Callahan told the broadcaster.

Bacon has been arrested, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, and hopefully Mabeline will be rewarded with her own slice of bacon.

with dog as your copilot,
with a guardian angel.
you fly.
they will love you forever.
for you they are willing.
to die.
so treasure them always,
hold them in highest.
esteem.
their honesty beyond measure.
with them,
things are as they seem.♥♥♥

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

SOURCE: YES BISCUIT!

This is a clip of security camera footage obtained via FOIA request from the Memphis pound.  At about 9:33am on the timestamp, a worker scruffs a puppy out of his cage, failing to support his weight from beneath, and roughly places the puppy into a small wire cage on the floor.  The puppy’s leg is hanging over the side of the cage and the worker closes the door on the leg 4 times until the puppy finally frees his leg.  Another puppy is scruffed and put into the small cage and the worker then goes out of camera view.  At approximately 9:34, the worker returns, stuffs 2 more puppies into the cage and carries the cage off camera.  At about 9:42am, the worker returns with an empty wire cage, scruffs 2 more pups, putting them into the small cage and carrying them away.

If you choose to contact city leaders in Memphis, please keep your comments respectful. We can condemn what’s going on at the pound while maintaining civility and a sense of professionalism. If the city receives 2000 well written complaints and 2 filled with hate speech, it will take those 2 to the media as representative of all animal advocates. In order to have the greatest impact on helping the pets at MAS, please keep your comments courteous when writing to city officials.

WHOM TO CONTACT EMAIL BLOCK | COPY & PASTE INTO YOUR TO:

ac.wharton@memphistn.gov, janet.hooks@memphistn.gov, james.rogers@memphistn.gov, MASBoard@memphistn.gov, Berlin.Boyd@memphistn.gov, Bill.Boyd@memphistn.gov, bill.morrison@memphistn.gov, Myron.Lowery@memphistn.gov, janis.fullilove@memphistn.gov, harold.collins@memphistn.gov, wanda.halbert@memphistn.gov, Joe.Brown@memphistn.gov, shea.flinn@memphistn.gov, Kemp.Conrad@memphistn.gov, edmund.fordjr@memphistn.gov, reid.hedgepeth@memphistn.gov, Jim.Strickland@memphistn.gov, doctower@aol.com, info@utopiaanimalhospital.com


SAMPLE LETTER

To Whom It Concerns,

I have seen video footage of the inappropriate handling of puppies and I am writing in opposition of the treatment of animals by Memphis Animal Services; I am respectfully requesting that policy changes be implemented immediately.   A few of my concerns include the killing of animals when there are empty cages or who have not been given the chance to integrate with a potential forever home; failure of shelter to vaccinate all incoming animals; the killing of pets who are not medically hopeless and suffering nor have they been declared a danger to society by a qualified party; failure of the shelter to provide daily aerobic exercise for dogs for social stimulation and in order to reduce stress and make the population less susceptible to disease; failure of the shelter to remove dogs and food from cages during cleaning as per standard disease prevention protocol; failure of the shelter to utilize their Chameleon software to interface with PetHarbor so that every pet is viewable online by the public; failure of the shelter to properly train and/or enforce humane handling of pets by the staff; and the killing of pets due to disease outbreak without ever making a public plea for help with quarantine to save lives.

This type of mass abuse using such a brutal and inappropriate type of treatment in such a central and visible location would certainly adversely affect both visitation and tourism; it would be financially detrimental to continue with such a cruel and unnecessary treatment, and although I do not currently reside in Memphis, I would be unwilling to consider it, or nearby, as a potential vacation destination if this type of handling continues.

I am in favor of a no-kill policy, and I believe you will find it matches your needs and would be both ethical and compassionate for the animals, who deserve respect, compassion, and dignity. Please find information HERE.

I know your time is limited and I thank you for your considerations and attention to this urgent matter.

NAME

Prskavka

Please click on and sign: Stop the Mayo Clinic from creating genetically engineered kittens for FIV testing.

• Target: Tell the Mayo Clinic to stop creating genetically engineered kittens for FIV testing and an isolated lab life.
• Sponsored by: Joy Leftow for animal rights and activists people and groups.

Luis García

FROM ANIMAL ALLIANCE NYC

Church Groundskeeper Threatens Poisoning as Next Step

New York, NY – Monday, March 19, 2012 – The small colony of eight feral cats has not been fed for almost two weeks at historic St. James Church in lower Manhattan. Father Lino Gonsalves and Father Walter Tonelotto have locked out caretakers there in an effort to starve the cats off church property. The priests refuse to meet with the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals to discuss any plan for cat care, though caretakers are willing to address any concerns the church may have for security or hygiene. Where will the cats be welcomed if even a church is throwing them out?

BACKGROUND | FROM NY DAILY POST

Historic Manhattan church in catfight over feral colony

WHOM TO CONTACT

Those who wish to comment directly to St. James Church officials can e-mail Father Lino Gonsalves at sjc@stjosephnyc.org. (The Archdiocese of New York and the Vatican will be copied on your e-mail.)

You may also call Father Lino Gonsalves of St. James Church at  (212) 267-8376  or Joseph Zwilling, Communications Director for the Archdiocese of New York , at  (212) 371-1011 x2997.
You may use the sample letter provided below, but it would be best for you to write brief statements in your own words.


SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Father Gonsalves,

I am gravely disturbed to learn of the deliberate starving of a cat colony on the grounds of St. James Church and I am writing to respectfully request that access to that these innocent creatures, God’s own creation, be granted so they can be fed and cared for immediately. This is TNR colony and should be respected for its sentience, one, and for its success, two. It is obvious that approval has been extended to kill these animals, and as such, I am demanding immediate intervention to protect them; even The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, is widely known to adore and care for feral cats.

Allow me this moment to elaborate. Animals are sentient creatures who, as humans, experience joy, loneliness, fear, and pain. As humans, we unethically elevate ourselves to a status of superiority over all other beings, thereby rationalizing the brutality to which we subject them. We embrace this position as an elite class of six billion individuals, adopting euphemistic descriptions and apathetic banalities to justify this inequity. Speciesism, the discrimination of other beings, is a dangerous precept on which to stand, as immoral as sexism and racism; when human animals allow the exploitation and killing of 60 billion non-human animals globally and annually, we have become a group willingly complicit in such brutality, apathetic and selfish, disguising such maliciousness as excusable necessity, which is not only grossly unjust and immoral, but it is also exceedingly wrong.

Ours is not a challenge to be regarded as humans against humans but rather as a welcomed obligation, indeed privilege, to maintain an international attitude of compassion and justice to our non-human animal friends. We do not gain power or control by degrading animals but rather we desensitize ourselves to all cruelty and victims become mere numbers, statistics, or unethical financial means. Objectifying animals by condoning their abusers’ violent acts or rejecting animals as undeserving of empathy and respect only erodes our capacity for humaneness towards all living creatures.

It is impossible to contemplate supporting any church that excuses such blatant animal cruelty; as a direct consequence, I will condemn any further exploitation through a personal boycott. As such, please provide immediate relief for these innocent animals, allow access to them, and be a representation of animal compassion and strive to foster an ideal whereby animals are respected and empathized by your citizens.

I hope this letter finds you willing to scrutinize both your own involvement in the intentional exploitation of animals and your desire to therefore protect, rather than harm, them. I know your time is limited and I thank you for your attention to this urgent issue.

NAME

these cats only home
is a house of the lord.
where prayers are made
there should be no
acts untoward.
and yet on this holy
sacred ground,
you will not let
people feed these
cats who come around.
think of st francis
and what he would say
and change your
attitude,today!!!!

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

Dante Alighieri | Wikimedia Commons

Pit Sisters Rescue is asking animal advocates to sign the petition they have started on change.org. The petition appeals to Putnam County officials to change their policy of breed discrimination.

Source : Pet Pardons News

Putnam County Florida will hold a stray dog for five days to give an owner time to reclaim it. After that, animals are put up for adoption or euthanized for room; except in the case of Pit Bulls, which are automatically euthanized. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department posted a note on their Facebook page last night defending their policy of not allowing Pit Bulls to be adopted out of their shelter. However, their policy is in direct opposition to Florida statute 767.14.

The Florida statute clearly states that communities are permitted to make their own regulations regarding problem dogs, but just as clearly states that those regulations cannot be based on breed. For instance, if a dog has a history of being aggressive, the county may impose fines or restrictions such as requiring the dog to be confined. The county cannot, however, make the blanket decision to discriminate against a breed of dog. Such discrimination is termed BSL (Breed Specific Legislation), and it is prohibited by Florida law.

James Cueva, an attorney for the Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation said that Putnam County is in violation of the state statute and is operating outside of state law.

Jen Watson, with Pit Sisters Rescue in Jacksonville, discovered Putnam County’s policy when she called their animal control to pull a Pit Bull for her rescue. Watson was told that Pit Bulls at the facility are not adopted out. When Watson commented “That has to change.” She was told by a Putnam official that it would never change.

This means that any Pit Bull taken into Putnam County Animal Control is euthanized after the five day stray hold without ever being made available for public adoption or rescue. When an employee there was asked how it’s decided which dogs are bully breeds, she referred the question to the Sheriff’s Department, where the buck was passed from one official to another, until someone at the Putnam Sheriff’s Department finally provided this explanation via email:

“We deem dogs which are obviously, to any reasonable person who may see them, Pit Bull terriers.”

That method might work if the average reasonable person could actually identify a Pit Bull. However, the website pitbullsontheweb.com demonstrates just how difficult that can be. The mis-identification of breeds is one of the saddest results of breed specific legislation, and the best argument for discontinuing breed discrimination.

The Putnam County facility uses the cruel heartstick method of killing dogs and cats.

An error at the facility recently allowed one particularly docile Pit Bull to squeak through the system and be pulled by a rescue group. The rescue placed the dog in a foster home, but a few days later the Sheriff of Putnam, Jeff Hardy, demanded that the dog be returned to the county shelter.

The rescue set up a meeting with Sheriff Hardy, but when he was a no-show they refused to return the dog. The consequences were devastating. According to one advocate more than 17 bully breed dogs were euthanized on Friday in what may have been a retaliation and show of force. The Sheriff’s department would not verify that number and will only admit to killing five Pit Bulls that day, but 21 dogs that were photographed on Thursday, March 8th were missing from the shelter on Monday, March 12. An inside source said that seventeen of them had been euthanized and four were unaccounted for.

Putnam told rescues and advocates today that they would not allow any more photos to be taken of the bully breeds at the facility, and they have quarantined those dogs to an area that they have covered with a tarp. Rescuers are now restricted from seeing how many dogs are being held, and worry that the dogs under the tarp are not receiving proper ventilation under the Florida sun.

Pit Sisters Rescue is asking animal advocates to sign the petition they have started on change.org. The petition appeals to Putnam County officials to change their policy of breed discrimination.

About the author: Ariel Wulff is an author, artist and animal advocate. She has worked in animal rescue for more than 24 years, authoring the book Born Without a Tail, a memoir of her experiences with rescued animals. She writes a column as the Cleveland Pets Examiner, and is the National Animal Books Examiner. She also maintains a personal blog about dogs: Up on the Woof, and uses her yelodoggie art to spread the joy of living with dogs.

Simplicius | Wikimedia Commons

Source: Stars Give Back | Source: Stray Cat Alliance

Animal activists Ken Wahl and wife Shane Barbi, along with sister, Sia Barbi, are spokespersons for Stray Cat Alliance (SCA) – and are against the Hayden Law Repeal.

To cut the state budget, Governor Jerry Brown wants to revoke the Hayden Law for shelter pets in California, which currently gives 4-6 days to allow owners to find their lost pets, and to help injured animals receive donated medical attention, or to be available for a fostering or adoption opportunity.

1. Sign the petition, urging Gov. Jerry Brown to reconsider the Hayden Law Repeal.

2. Contact the following officials asking they do NOT repeal the Animal Adoption Mandate (Sample Letter below):

3. FAX your letter of opposition  (916) 558-3177


4. EMAIL the governor’s office at http://gov.ca.gov/m_contact.php (choose BUDGET as subject). LESS EFFECTIVE THAN A CALL OR FAX OR HANDWRITTEN LETTER


5. Click HERE  for access to free faxing from your computer.  No fax machine, registering, or credit card required.  Be sure to click the fax confirmation link in your email so your fax delivery will succeed.

PLEASE share this petition far and wide and send a CLEAR AND LOUD MESSAGE to Sacramento that Californians demand more, not fewer, protections for their shelter animals.

You may find your representative’s contact information at this link: http://www.legislature.ca.gov/legislators_and_districts/legislators/your_legislator.html


SAMPLE LETTER

VIA FAX (916) 558-3177 and U.S. MAIL: Click HERE  for access to free faxing from your computer.  No fax machine, registering, or credit card required.  Be sure to click the fax confirmation link in your email so your fax delivery will succeed.

The Honorable Governor Jerry Brown
State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: Proposed Repeal of Provisions of the Hayden Law, Governing Animal Shelters

Dear Governor Brown:

I write in strong opposition to your proposed repeal of certain provisions of California’s Hayden Law, which provide modest protections to California shelter animals. At a time when other states in the United States are enacting legislation to advance the protection of animals in shelters, California should not be stepping backwards by repealing such legislation.

While I understand that the provisions that are subject to repeal as part of your budget proposal have been suspended since 2009, there is a distinct difference between limited suspension and repeal. With repeal, the provisions will be completely removed from our laws, thereby forever denying shelter animals the chance to share in the future economic recovery of our state. With limited suspension, you achieve the same fiscal savings yet preserve the ability of shelter animals to share in the economic recovery of California that is within our grasp, as you stated most recently in your State of the State speech.

What is at risk in the proposed repeal? Permanent loss of the requirement to provide prompt and necessary veterinary care. Permanent loss of the requirement to hold animals for an extended period to increase opportunities for redemption and adoption. Permanent loss of the requirement to post lost and found lists. And, among other things, permanent loss of the requirement to provide care for animals other than cats and dogs, such as rabbits, hamsters, and other animals commonly kept as pets.

In your Budget Summary, you offer as rationale for the proposed repeal the premise that many of the activities required by these mandates have become “common practice and should not be mandated by the state.” As visitors to most animal shelters in California will tell you, nothing could be further from the truth. Moreover, even if many shelters have adopted Hayden Law principles, many have not. Just as we retain laws against murder even though few people commit murder, we need to retain the Hayden Law even if it is a minority of shelters that ignore principles of basic decency toward animals. As it is, is not possible to contend with any credibility that there has been a complete paradigm shift in animal sheltering in California. Animals continue to die in cages from untreated illness. Basic acts of kindness, such as providing donated blankets to animals in hard, concrete kennels or in extremely cold weather, are routinely and deliberately denied.

The public policy preference of California continues to be favoring life over death, and thus the adoption, rather than killing, of shelter animals. Let our laws continue to reflect this will of the People – do not repeal any provision of the Hayden Law.

Thank you for your consideration and your compassion. If possible, please provide me with a reply outlining your position on this issue.

Very truly yours,

[Name]

cc: [Names of local representatives]

please protect our strays
who did not ask for this fate
find love in your hearts
and lost the hate

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

Okaloosa County Jail

Please send sample letter or your own words requesting harshest penalty of Anthony Ryan Huenergardt, case # 2011CF000478.

BACKGROUND SOURCE | FACEBOOK

Rottie adopted from a rescue strangled to death. Bloody crime scene. Another dog killed; body not found. Other dogs have disappeared.

BACKGROUND | SOURCE NWF DAILY NEWS

A 22-year-old man was arrested Wednesday and charged with animal cruelty, according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.

Anthony Ryan Huenergardt, of Freeport, is accused of strangling a Rottweiler named Bella with his hands or other body part on May 27, according to arrest report.

Investigators said that a witness reported that Huenergardt admitted to suffocating the dog.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office arrested Huenergardt Wednesday and booked him into the Okaloosa County Jail, said Mike Morrison, a spokesperson for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.

He is charged with cruelty to animals, a third-degree felony.


WHOM TO CONTACT

The Honorable Kelvin Wells
Walton County Courthouse
571 U.S. Highway 90 East
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
Phone: 850-892-8134
Fax :850-951-1425

CLICK HERE FOR FREE FAXING FROM YOUR COMPUTER  No fax machine, credit card, or registering required.


SAMPLE LETTER

Case # 2011CF000478
Defendant: Anthony Huenergardt

Dear Honorable Wells,

I have learned of extremely disturbing and malicious case of animal cruelty in which Mr. Anthony Ryan Huenergardt, case # 2011CF000478,  deliberately caused the suffering and subsequent death of a dog by strangling her to death. I am writing today to encourage you to effectively sentence him to the harshest penalty of animal cruelty; his crime causing unimaginable agony, fear, and death in the dog deserves social justice, not community approval.

When I try to imagine what possible motive animal abusers entertain for subjecting their animal victims to such malicious, heinous acts of brutality, I fail, but I am thankful for a lack of cognitive understanding and rationalization. To voluntarily engage in such malicious behaviour suggests sadistic tendencies, and this Mr. Huenergardt’s actions, causing unmitigated pain and suffering, demonstrates an incontrovertible lack of morality regarding other living beings and a gross disrespect for the law. In fact, a person who shows such a remarkable lack of compassion towards non-human animals has the ability to show such indifference towards human animals. This link between animal and human abuse has been established, and if society excuses Mr. Huenergardt’s criminal behaviour, or agrees to a lesser punishment, we only harm ourselves by unjustly nullifying cruelty as acceptable behaviour.

Please respect the victim by penalizing the guilty; doing so will demonstrate your commitment to justice, responsibility, and integrity, attributes unquestionably necessary in a legal setting: rejecting cruelty by maintaining an unyielding position towards it would be a model for all community members and would serve to characterize this type of behaviour as both impermissible and punishable.

I know your time is limited and I thank you for your attention to this urgent issue.

Name
Address

this so called man
took a life with his hands.
people like this
should be locked
up.
we must take a stand.
in bella’s honor and
all others who have felt
this heartless hand of cruelty
from a deck of cards,
so misdealt

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

Huffington Post | SWNS

Source: Huffington Post

Call it a sixth sense, a special connection, or just plain mystery. But whatever gift cats and dogs have that allows them to detect health conditions in their owners sure has been saving a lot of lives.

Wendy Humphreys, a mother of two from Britain, found out first-hand how powerful that gift can be when her cat Fidge sniffed out a potentially fatal health condition that even doctors hadn’t detected, the Daily Mail reports.

Bewildered at first, Humphreys was compelled to visit a physician after the 10-month-old cat began jumping on her breast and continued to do so for weeks on end.

What doctors found astounded Humphreys: She had a malignant tumor in her breast about the size of a pea that could have metastasized if it hadn’t been discovered early. She is now scheduled to undergo chemotherapy and credits Fidge with saving her life, according to the paper.

Studies have shown that dogs, too, can pick up on illnesses and physical ailments by detecting acute changes in people’s smell. In a 2011 study, researchers in Japan conducted trials to see how well a dog could identify people with colorectal cancer. The dog had a 98 percent accuracy rate, NPR reported.

Sometimes, however, animals’ aptitude for detecting changes in humans defies scientific explanation. In 2006, a cat named Oscar confounded experts by “predicting” the deaths of a number of residents at a Rhode Island nursing home. Oscar would begin hanging around people days before they passed away, according to CBS News.

“Oscar is a normal cat with an extra-normal sense for death,” Dr. Joan M. Teno, professor of community health at Brown and associate medical director of Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island, told the Boston Globe. “As a scientist, I want to offer a biological explanation for this,” she said. “But I can’t.”

animals are gifts
we are blessed
each day
one of these precious
beings
comes our way♥☻

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

Empty Cages Collective

Thank you very much for your email regarding Lenox. We are happy to report that the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) authorized Animal Care & Control of NYC’s (AC&C) to release Lenox from our care recently. She has been placed with one of our New Hope partners. The group will provide the care Lenox needs until she is eventually placed into a loving and permanent home through their own adoption process.

About the New Hope Program

The New Hope program is AC&C’s proactive community initiative aimed at finding homes for New York City’s unwanted pet population. To accomplish this, AC&C establishes and cultivates mutually-beneficial and productive relationships with cat, dog and exotic animal placement organizations that assist and partner with AC&C in placing animals, many of which may require specialized medical care or behavior training. New Hope partners take ownership of AC&C animals and care for them in shelters, foster homes, boarding facilities, and/or their own private facilities prior to placing them in permanent homes through their own adoption processes. For more information about the New Hope program please go to http://nycacc.org/newhope.htm .

For more information about AC&C and the work we do, please visit our website at www.nycacc.org

Thank you again for contacting us.

Sincerely,

Richard Gentles


Please write to save Lennox; you may use the sample letter, but your own words is preferable.


BACKGROUND | SOURCE EMPTY CAGES COLLECTIVE

Lennox (A0924675 to NYCACC) is a nice cat.  He, like many nice cats, enjoys being scratched, pet and rubbing up against a human friend. Lennox does not like being treated like a disposable object, instead of the individual sentient being he is.

Lennox was surrendered to NYC Animal Care & Control after he allegedly “attacked” someone.  There is no information (or investigation) into what happened in the moments leading up to the supposed attack (was their mishandling? a stepped on tail? was the cat cornered by a stranger?)–yet Lennox is now scheduled to be killed by NYC Animal Care & Control and NYC Department of Health for no good reason.  No rescue organization or adopter is currently permitted to save Lennox due to this archaic ruling by Department of Health and NYC Animal Care & Control.

Lennox was never neutered so its no surprise that he may have acted “aggressively” in a moment of stress or mishandling.  North Shore Animal League America writes: “Neutering decreases aggressive behavior.” American Humane Association reports, “Neutering of male cats can prevent certain undesirable sexual behaviors, such as urine marking, male aggression…”  So while its common knowledge that neutering reduces aggression and would be behaviorally beneficial for Lennox… DOH and NYC ACC plan on killing him instead of neutering him.

According to NYC Animal Care & Control own records Lennox is a “beginner cat”: a cat so friendly, outgoing and sweet that NYC ACC believes he would be a good match for a new cat guardian rather than an experienced cat guardian.  Furthermore, according to NYC ACC’s own documents Lennox behavior includes: “”headbutting, sniffs, soft+relaxed, front of cage, NO AGGRESSION”.  Yet NYC ACC is not advocating for Lennox.  They are just passively accepting this unjust death sentence and willingly to act out this abuse against poor Lennox.

Lennox is scheduled to be killed any day now.  Maybe even tomorrow.

Please write and email ASAP to save Lennox.  Lennox can be killed at NYC ACC at anytime.


WHOM TO CONTACT

Email block

TFarley@health.nyc.gov , MMerlino@health.nyc.gov , ntorres3@health.nyc.gov , jbank@nycacc.or

Individual

Thomas Farley, M.D.
Commissioner, NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
125 Worth Street, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10013
Tel: (212) 788-5261,
Fax: (212) 964-0472
 TFarley@health.nyc.gov

Mario Merlino Assistant Commissioner,
Veterinary and Pest Control Services
 MMerlino@health.nyc.gov

 Norma S. Torres
Director, Veterinary Public Health Services
 ntorres3@health.nyc.gov
Julie Bank
Executive Director,Animal Care and Control, Inc.
11 Park Place, 8th floor, New York, NY 10007
jbank@nycacc.or


SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Commissioner Farley, Assistant Commissioner Merlino, Director Torres, and Executive Director Bank:

I am writing to ask that you do not kill Lennox (A0924675 to NYCACC), a cat who has an received unfair and irresponsible label of being dangerous. There is no solid evidence linking Lennox to an injury, but which could be as the result of his tail being stepped on or other understandable occurrence. Lennox also has not been neutered, but once he is, his attitude will be considerably more gentle and proven less aggressive.

Lennox, like other cats, enjoys attention and is quite a lovely adoption to even a new cat guardian. I beg that you save his life, Lennox is deserving of a fair and just response, which can only be by preserving his life rather than destroying it.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

NAME

Lennox (A092467)
is just a small cat
not a puma or tiger
so what was this
“attack”?
this not neutered
probably frightened
little guy
reacted out of fear
you want to kill him
but why???
as his behaviors have shown
he is loving, soft and sweet
yet ACC does not think
their standards he meets
for being rehomed
LEAVE THIS INNOCENT CAT
ALONE

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

Please click on and sign HERE

Source: PETA

PETA recently went undercover at Caboodle Ranch, Inc., a self-proclaimed “cat rescue sanctuary” in Madison County, Florida, that claims to give cats “everything they will ever need to live a happy healthy life.” Based on PETA’s evidence, officials are seizing Caboodle’s animals and charging its founder and operator, Craig Grant, with cruelty!

PETA’s investigation found that the “ranch” was essentially a one-person “no-kill” operation that subjected nearly 500 cats to filth, crowding, and chronic neglect. Grant denied cats effective veterinary care for rampant upper-respiratory infections and other ailments, sometimes with fatal consequences. Grant also left cats like Lilly to deteriorate and suffer month after month.

Several cats—including some with seemingly treatable conditions—died without veterinary care during the course of PETA’s investigation.

Grant allowed cats sick with fatal feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and leukemia to roam freely and come into contact with cats not known to have either. In order to “clean” sick cats’ faces, Grant roughly rubbed cats’ eyes and noses with Clorox wipes; insects swarmed around ailing cats at Caboodle; and cats were forced to endure disgusting living areas covered with vomit, trash, and waste and infested with roaches and maggots.

A dangerous bill is currently making its way through Florida’s legislature. Animal shelters would be forced to hand over animals to self-proclaimed, unregulated animal “rescues” just like Caboodle if the misleading “Animal Rescue Act” (S.B. 818 and H.B. 597) becomes law. PETA is calling on the bill’s sponsors to withdraw the legislation. Please help us make sure that happens by contacting these legislators—Rep. Joseph Abruzzo and Sen. Mike Bennett—now.

See More: Animal Wrongs

Tortured, neglected
Sorely abuse
by man unkind
Amoral and confused

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

BACKGROUND

Dear advocates for NY shelter reform,

The time is now! The vote in the AG Committee is on Wednesday so do this today! Lets flood their inboxes, bombard them with emails and phone calls! Anyone, everyone, and especially NYS residents, who care about the fate of all the animals suffering and dying in our shelters, no matter where you live, must take immediate action!

I just called the Chairman’s office, William Magee, and spoke with his secretary indicating to her why the sham Paulin Bill, 5449A must not be passed and why CAARA, 7312A should be passed instead. Talking points and additional phone numbers are below! In addition, I’m sending a personal message to the Ag Committee members,(block of email addresses below), although I have already sent the automated message which was supplied to us by Nathan Winograd. A personal message and call is always viewed as more effective. One personal call = 10 email messages! We must be united and act on this NOW! We must let the ASPCA, Assembly Member Amy Paulin, and the members of the Agriculture Committee know that this is not acceptable. The fate of tens of thousands of animals every year hang in the balance.The American Society for the Promotion of Cruelty to Animals has marshalled its forces, its lobbyists, its lawyers, we need to show them that the voice of those who speak for the animals, and not special interests, is stronger!

Zelda

Use the Sample Letter (courtesy Nathan Winograd) below, or compose your own using the following talking points; talking points can be used during telephone calls as well.


TALKING POINTS

The ASPCA/Paulin bill seeks to undermine support for true shelter reform and true shelter access, it will eliminate the holding period for shy dogs, scared animals, and all feral cats in New York State by giving shelters the power to kill animals they consider to be in psychological pain immediately (term psychological pain lacks any objective standards of determination).

Will give shelters virtually unlimited power to decide which animals are subject to rescue and which rescue groups they want to work with. Not only would this continue the current practice, giving the stamp of legislative legitimacy to killing despite a rescue alternative, it would make it more difficult for rescuers to seek real legislative reform in the future.

The bill specifically says shelters do not have to work with rescue groups outside of their county, even when those organizations have the ability, capacity, and desire to save lives. This allows shelters in rural communities to avoid working with the extensive rescue group network of New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, where homes are in greater abundance. It also allows shelters to avoid working with rescue groups and No Kill shelters in neighboring suburbs or counties.

Moreover, they do not have to work with any rescue groups. The bill specifically says that shelters may give animals to rescue groups rather than kill them, instead of shall give the animals to them.

It gives them unlimited authority to determine whether a rescue group or particular animal qualifies. If shelter staff believes the rescue group is unfairly critical of the shelter, they can deem that rescue group abusive under this law and prevent them from rescuing animals.

The bill gives shelters the authority to refuse working with rescue groups if they determine those groups are hostile toward the shelters, effectively eviscerating any whistleblower protections and conditioning rescue access on silence as to inhumane conditions which may exist in that particular shelter.

Why YES on CAARA Assembly Bill A07312

CAARA prevents needless animal suffering by mandating precise, sensible, and objective criteria for determining which animals are irremediably suffering and therefore exempt from rescue access provisions.

CAARA ensures public safety by mandating precise criteria for determining which dogs are dangerous or aggressive and therefore exempt from rescue access.

CAARA empowers non-profit animal rescue organizations to fulfill their missions, a right often denied to them by larger non-profit organizations and shelters.

CAARA provides whistleblower protection for rescue groups, creating an incentive for non-profit organizations to help end cruelty or neglect at shelters without fear of retaliation and loss of rescue access.

Under CAARA, the shelter would not be able to kill a puppy if a rescue group offered to save him unless:

• The puppy was irremediably suffering and the prognosis for rehabilitation was poor or grave.

• The rescue group had a volunteer, staff, or board member who has charges of animal neglect, cruelty, or dog fighting pending against them or a conviction for neglect, cruelty, or dog fighting.

• The rescue group failed an inspection that was conducted in a timely manner with objective criteria for failing.

WHOM TO CONTACT

Email block:

amedoreg@assembly.state.ny.us;benedettom@assembly.state.ny.us;
blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us;bronsonh@assembly.state.ny.us;
butlerm@assembly.state.ny.us;crouchc@assembly.state.ny.us;
finchg@assembly.state.ny.us;gunthera@assembly.state.ny.us;
hawleys@assembly.state.ny.us;liftonb@assembly.state.ny.us;
lopezp@assembly.state.ny.us;maisela@assembly.state.ny.us;
markeym@assembly.state.ny.us;mcenenyj@assembly.state.ny.us;
moyaf@assembly.state.ny.us;reillyr@assembly.state.ny.us;
riveraj@assembly.state.ny.us;riverap@assembly.state.ny.us;
rosenthall@assembly.state.ny.us;russella@assembly.state.ny.us;
simanowitzm@assembly.state.ny.us; mageew@assembly.state.ny.us

Telephone numbers for AG Committee members:

William Magee, Chairman Agriculture Committee 518-455-4807
George Amedore 518-455-5197
Michael Benedetto 518-455-5296
Ken Blankenbush 518-455-5797
Harry Bronson 518-455-4527
Marc Butler 518-455-5393
Clifford Crouch 518-455-5741
Gary Finch 518-455-5878
Aileen Gunther 518-455-5355
Stephen Hawley 518-455-5811
Barbara Lifton 518-455-5444
Peter Lopez 518-455-5363
Alan Maisel 518-455-5211
Margaret Markey 518-455-4755
John McEneny 518-455-4178
Francisco Moya 518-455-4567
Bob Reilly 518-455-5931
José Rivera 518-455-5414
Peter Rivera 518-455-5102
Linda Rosenthal 518-455-5802
Addie Russell 518-455-5545
Michael Simanowitz 518-455-4404


SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Assembly Members,

I am writing to urge a NO vote on A05449, the bill by Amy Paulin that would roll back the clock for shelter animals and give shelters the power to continue killing in the face of readily available lifesaving alternatives.

A05449 allows shelters to kill animals who they claim are in “psychological pain” immediately on intake, a death sentence for shy puppies, feral cats, and a whole host of other animals who need time to acclimate to the shelter environment currently provided by the holding period, but which would be eliminated under the Paulin bill.

Moreover, while suggesting rescue groups will have access to animals that shelters have scheduled to be killed, the bill gives those shelters the power to refuse to work with rescue groups under a wide range of unenforceable criteria, essentially codifying a power they already have. The bill gives shelters the power not to work with rescue groups in neighboring counties, if shelters determine rescue groups are “unfit,” or if the rescue groups have been critical of the shelter.

In New York City, for example, rescue groups that have openly lobbied for improved conditions have had their ability to save animals revoked, a violation of their First Amendment rights. Under Paulin’s bill, the shelters could label these rescue groups “abusive” and deny them the ability to save lives. In addition, any purported improvements, like scanning for microchips or posting animals online, only have to happen if the shelter determines doing so is “practicable.”

We want real reform in New York State, not Orwellian bills that promise one thing, while they do another. Read the bill and you’ll see that what the bill promises in its summary is not what it delivers in its mandates.

Please vote NO on the Paulin bill. And please bring A07312 (Kellner) to vote instead and vote yes on A07312.

NAME



SEE MORE:

Vegetarian (Vegan) Starter Kit: Mercy For Animals

new york senators
please vote yes
for the right bill
(A07312CAARA)
one saves lives,
the other one,
kills

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

Fast food giant McDonald’s has apologised after an advert that annoyed dog owners came back to bite it.

The ad said eating a Chicken McBite was less risky than petting a stray pit bull, shaving your head, naming your son Sue or giving friends your Facebook password.

It enraged pit bull owners and their supporters.





This was the response to the McDonald’s advert which so riled dog owners posted on the Facebook page Pit Bulls Against McDonald’s

The radio ad for Chicken McBites only ran for a few days in the Kansas City area before the complaints started.

The campaign against the ad circulated on social media sites, and the apology was delivered the same way. People who called a well-publicised toll-free number got a recorded apology.

Ashlee Yingling, spokesman for McDonald’s Corp, said: ‘The ad was insensitive in its mention of pit bulls.

‘We apologise. As soon as we learned of it, we tracked the source and had the local markets pull the ad immediately.

‘We’ll do a better job next time. It’s never our intent to offend anyone with how we communicate news about McDonald’s.’

Rachele Lizarraga, of Sacramento, said: ‘I found it extremely offensive and reckless. Why would you try to promote the safety of food?’

Stupid does
Mcdonalds finally
Gets the buzz

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

Source: New York Post

A down-on-his-luck soap-opera actor took his own life this week after he was forced to put his beloved dog to sleep under pressure from his Upper West Side condo and became wracked by grief, pals said.

Nick Santino euthanized his dog, Rocco, Tuesday — on Santino’s 47th birthday. That night, his guilt over the gut-wrenching decision became too much to bear.

“Today I betrayed my best friend and put down my best friend,” a despondent Santino wrote in a suicide note, said close friend Stuart Sarnoff.

“Rocco trusted me and I failed him. He didn’t deserve this.”

The Brooklyn-born Santino — a struggling actor whose TV credits include All My Children and Guiding Light — adopted Rocco from a shelter several years ago.

The man, raised in an orphanage and foster homes, soon began to write about his pet on Facebook, writing, “I did not rescue Rocco, Rocco rescued me.”

But in 2010, his building at 1 Lincoln Plaza announced strict new dog regulations, including a ban on pit bulls. The ban didn’t apply to pit bulls already in the building, but friends and neighbors said Santino began to be harassed.

“People were complaining about his dog,” said neighbor Kevan Cleary, 63, an adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School. “It was open season on him.”

Rocco couldn’t ride in the main elevators and wasn’t allowed to be left in the apartment alone for more than nine hours.

Santino was then threatened with a $250 fine for having a barking dog, neighbors said.

“The dog was not a barker, but somebody complained that the dog would bark,” Cleary said.

“He felt like he was in this battle because he was the only guy in the building with a pit-bull mix,” Cleary added.

Another neighbor, Lia Pettigrew, who runs a pet-care company, said, “Everybody knows that he had been harassed by the building management.”

The building’s management refused to comment yesterday.

After months of increasing anguish, Santino had the healthy dog put to sleep Tuesday.

Neighbors said a tearful Santino brought dog treats to the building’s doorman and said: “Give these to the other dogs. Rocco is no more.”

Dog owner James Steven Grant said Santino left two rawhide bones on his doorstep and earlier was seen tearfully giving away Rocco’s fluffy bed.

“Rocco was the sweetest dog in the world. Rocco wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Grant said.

A veterinarian told Santino that Rocco was becoming aggressive — and Santino blamed it on his own depression.

He spent Tuesday in agony over what he had done to Rocco.

“He was distraught and remorseful about putting down his best friend,” Cleary said.

The last phone call he made was to a former girlfriend at 2 a.m. Wednesday. Later that day, police found his body in his bedroom. He had overdosed on pills.

Rocco has been cremated, and friends said Santino’s remains will be, too, and they will be reunited.

“One way or another, their ashes will be together forever,” Sarnoff said.

Additional reporting by Aaron Feis, Jamie Schram and Andy Soltis | jsaul@nypost.com


Additional Information

*Animal Farm Foundation will lead a peaceful vigil to remember Nick Santino, Rocco the “pit bull” dog, and all victims of canine discrimination. We are devastated by the inhumanity and injustice that Mr. Santino and Rocco experienced prior to their deaths.

*Our goal for this vigil is to end the unnecessary, fear-based discrimination that some “pit bull” dogs and their owners face, particularly with regard to housing matters. We wish to empower community members with information and resources to replace fear with facts, and to advocate for equal treatment and opportunity for “pit bull” dogs and their owners.

*Please meet at 4:00 pm at the Josie Robertson Plaza (at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts). We will march down West 64th Street past “One Lincoln Plaza,” the building where Mr. Santino and Rocco lived.

*A press conference will follow.

Please leave your dogs at home. Thank you.

To learn more about Animal Farm Foundation, please visit: http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org

Questions? Contact: Kim Wolf at kwolf@animalfarmfoundation.org

Directions: http://new.lincolncenter.org/live/index.php/visitorinfo-directions-to-lincoln-center


Learn more about this case:

1/28/2012 New York Post: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/doggone_shame_1a9XYW8u9ZLlqwRJTa6jrN

1/29/2012 New York Post:http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/blaming_us_is_just_pit_bull_F1kBWwYhhwui6B3tecpcuK

1/28/2012 Ryan Clinton & O is for Onward: http://oisforonward.com/2012/01/rocco-a-mans-best-friend-pit-bull-discrimination/

it is very hard to write a poem
about a man and a dog
tormented in their home
and the terrible choice
a good man had to make
and when he could no
longer cope
his own life,
he takes

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

1. Close a deadly loophole, protect all chimpanzees
2. Support the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act
3. Tell Indian Oil and Others to Stop Using Bullocks
4. Urge Malaysian Authorities to Prosecute Dog Torturer
5. Urgent: Animals Languishing in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Shelter Need Your Help!
6. Help Air Canada Stop Shipping Primates to Labs

1. Background | From Center for Biological Diversity

Please speak up to protect chimpanzees who can’t defend themselves. The worldwide population of wild chimpanzees has fallen by nearly 70 percent in the past 30 years.

Wild chimpanzees have been protected under the Endangered Species Act since 1976, but a special rule exempting captive chimpanzees from protection is compromising conservation efforts. This loophole is preventing the recovery of the species in the wild by encouraging their illegal trade.

Chimpanzees are endangered everywhere due to habitat loss, poaching and illegal trafficking — wild chimpanzees are captured and sold for use as entertainment, as pets and as test subjects. The loophole in the Act creates a vicious cycle of supply and demand: Chimpanzees are exploited for entertainment, giving people the misconception that the species is common in the wild, which creates a demand for pet chimpanzees, which in turn leads to more poaching.

The exemption in the United States also undermines international chimpanzee conservation efforts. African nations see the animals being commercially exploited in America and have little incentive to protect them in their home range.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now considering whether to protect captive chimpanzees under the Endangerd Species Act. Please use the form below to submit comments in support of protecting every endangered chimpanzee.

2. Background | From PCRM

Please send an e-mail that asks your members of Congress to support the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act. This important legislation will end the use of chimpanzees in invasive experiments, permanently end federal breeding programs, and release federally owned chimpanzees to permanent sanctuaries. We have provided some text for you, but it would be helpful if you would take a minute to add your own language to the letter. Please be polite and encouraging, and personalize the e-mail by sharing why this issue is important to you.

Please note: This alert is directed at U.S. members of Congress and non U.S. residents will not be able to take this action. Non U.S. residents please consider taking other actions!

3. Background | From PETA

Hundreds of bullocks are currently used to transport kerosene from oil ports in Sewri, Wadala and Mulund to different rationing stations in the city. Most of the animals are underfed and malnourished, and many suffer from untreated illnesses or injuries. They are forced to work until they are exhausted, pulling heavy loads through all weather extremes. Motorists who encounter bullocks in the streets are at risk of being involved in dangerous traffic accidents.

On 30 September 2008, the Ministry of Food and Civil Supplies made the decision to end the use of bullocks to transport kerosene in Mumbai by 31 March 2009. However, there has been no shift to transporting kerosene by motorised vehicles or other means, and the ban still has not been enforced by Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum. Hundreds of bulls continue to suffer.

In a goodwill effort to jump-start the program, PETA founder Ingrid E Newkirk travelled to India from the US to donate an auto rickshaw to one owner of a bullock-drawn cart in exchange for his beleaguered bull. The bull was sent to a sanctuary.

As India’s largest and wealthiest oil company, Indian Oil Corporation Limited has the resources and an ethical obligation to end the suffering of bullocks who are used to transport their oil. However, currently, they use the most number of bulls to transport their oil. Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum are not far behind in their support of cruelty.

These oil companies can and should help stop the use of bullock-drawn carts, yet they refuse to take concrete steps to alleviate animal suffering.

Let’s speak up for bulls and demand a complete ban on the use of bullocks by Indian Oil and other oil companies to transport kerosene.

You Can Help:  Please ask the oil companies to stop the use of bullock-drawn carts to transport their kerosene

4. Background | From PETA

An appalling video that was posted on Facebook and YouTube shows a man—who is believed to be from Malaysia—repeatedly striking a dog, shaking him, and then throwing him across the room in an apparent attempt to teach the dog to stand on his hind legs.

PETA Asia has collected information on the case and submitted it to authorities, including the government’s Veterinary Services Department as well as the police. But despite leads in the case, no action has been taken by authorities. Under Part IV of Malaysia’s animal welfare act, the Animals Act 2006, the man seen in the video could be convicted and fined RM50,000 or sentenced to six months in prison.

Please use the form HERE to urge Malaysian authorities to take immediate action to find the abuser, remove the animals currently in his care, and prosecute him to the fullest extent.

5. Background | From PETA

Animals in the custody of CCCAS are reportedly routinely denied basic humane care, including simple provisions like fresh water, regular nutritious feedings, clean and comfortable housing, and veterinary care to alleviate suffering. PETA and local advocates have repeatedly offered assistance to help bring conditions at this facility up to minimal humane standards, but our offers have been ignored or denied. Workers’ blatant disregard for the law, which mandates that animals be humanely treated, and their callous handling of animals—including spraying them in the face with water hoses to keep them from fighting over basic sustenance—continues daily without intervention from local officials.

Demand that Clarksdale and Coahoma County officials intervene immediately to ensure the humane care of animals at the shelter. Local citizens fighting for change have formed a nonprofit group with the eventual goal of building a new facility and possibly contracting with the city/county to provide animal sheltering services. While this is promising, in reality it could take years to come to fruition. The animals in Clarksdale need help now.

Please keep all calls and correspondence polite—anything less will hurt our efforts.

6. Background | From PETA

Almost every major airline in the world refuses to transport monkeys and other primates to cruel and painful fates in laboratories. Now Air Canada, one of only two major North American airlines that still flies primates to laboratories, wants out of the gruesome primate trade too. Air Canada stated that “[i]t was a decision taken both to align our policies with those of many other major international carriers and in response to widespread public concern.”

Unfortunately, airlines in Canada must obtain approval from the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) to revise their shipping guidelines, and the CTA is requiring Air Canada to continue shipping primates to laboratories while it considers the issue.

As a government agency, it is important for the CTA to hear from the many individuals who support Air Canada’s compassionate attempt to get out of the cruel primate trade before any more monkeys are shipped to their deaths!

Please take a few moments of your time to contact Ghislain Blanchard, director general of the CTA’s Industry Regulation and Determinations Branch, and politely urge the agency to approve Air Canada’s amended tariff to allow the airline to refuse to ship primates to laboratories.

we go about
our daily lives
alone, with parents,
children, husbands
or wives
but there are those
who suffer
and those who
cause pain
so we keep on fighting
over and
over again♥

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

For years, the conditions for Brian Ladoon’s sled dogs in Churchill, Manitoba, have caused outrage among residents and tourists alike. Dozens of dogs are kept chained in extremely cold, windy conditions without any shelter. Reports that dogs are periodically mauled by polar bears and wolves have made it all the worse. Photos provided to PETA can be viewed here.

Manitoba’s Animal Care Act requires an owner to “provide … reasonable protection from injurious heat or cold.” Although the Chief Veterinary Office of the Manitoba Agriculture, Food, and Rural Initiatives reportedly inspected Ladoon’s dogs in the fall of 2010 and recommended that Ladoon provide doghouses and bedding, these animals are suffering through yet another frigid winter without these necessities.

Please politely urge the CVO to act in behalf of Ladoon’s dogs immediately.


WHOM TO CONTACT

Dr. Wayne Lees, Chief Veterinary Officer
Dr. Terry Whiting, Manager, Animal Health and Welfare
Office of the Chief Veterinarian
Manitoba Agriculture, Food, and Rural Initiatives
204-945-7663 (phone)
204-945-4327 (fax)

Click HERE for access to free faxing from your computer.  No fax machine, registering, or credit card required.  Please remember to confirm the fax via your email after submitting.

Email
animalcare@gov.mb.ca


SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Chief Veterinary Officer Lees and Manager Whiting,

I have learned of extremely disturbing cases of animal cruelty in which Brian Ladoon’s sled dogs in Churchill, Manitoba, are currently suffering in the frigid temperatures.  Incidentally, this is not an isolated occurrence and the Chief Veterinary Office of the Manitoba Agriculture, Food, and Rural Initiatives reportedly inspected Ladoon’s dogs in the fall of 2010 and recommended that Ladoon provide doghouses and bedding, which he failed to do.

Please allow me to elaborate. Our global communities share laws, moral and written, and when one person demonstrates such a gross lack of respect for both, our societies must react with concern for the innocent and potential victims.  It is our obligation to protect them from cruelty, and Mr. Ladoon’s callous disregard, so easily adopted as demonstrated by his unprovoked and negligent behaviour, needs to be regarded rather than dismissed.

Please respect the victims by demonstrating your commitment to to them and imploring upon Mr. Ladoon to furnish protection from the weather and other animals.  Rejecting cruelty by maintaining an unyielding position towards it would be a model for all community members and would serve to characterize this type of behaviour as both impermissible and punishable.

I know your time is limited, and I thank you for your attention to this urgent issue.

NAME



SEE MORE:

• Animal Wrongs
• What Can I Do?
• Cruelty-Free

how would you feel
left out in the cold
covered in ice and snow
even your heart of gold
as your humans enjoy
a warm, cozy berth
you wait outside
in this frigid
hell on earth

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

BACKGROUND

According to news sources, Québec resident Normand Girard has pled guilty to shooting puppies in the head with a nail gun. Reportedly, after his attempts to gas to death a mother Labrador retriever and her puppies proved unsuccessful, Girard began driving nails into their skulls! When he failed to kill his first two victims, Girard just dumped the whole canine family on the side of the road.

Girard now awaits sentencing, and your voice is needed! Please contact the prosecutor handling this case and thank him for taking the case seriously. Let him know that you support the maximum penalty for Girard: a $10,000 fine and 18 months in prison!

WHOM TO CONTACT

Me. Karim AinMelk
Office of the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions
77 Main St.
Office 20.1
Granby QC J2G 9B3
karim.ainmelk@dpcp.gouv.qc.ca

And please forward this alert widely!

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Me. Karim AinMelk,

I have learned of extremely disturbing and malicious cases of animal cruelty in which Québec resident Normand Girard has pled guilty to shooting puppies in the head with a nail gun. Reportedly, after his attempts to gas to death a mother Labrador retriever and her puppies proved unsuccessful, Girard began driving nails into their skulls! When he failed to kill his first two victims, Girard just dumped the whole canine family on the side of the road.  I am therefore writing to thank you for taking this case seriously and to request you sentence Mr. Girard to the maximum penalty allowable under the law: a $10,000 fine and 18 months in prison.

Please allow me to elaborate. Our global communities share laws, moral and written, and when one person demonstrates such a gross lack of respect for both, our societies must react with concern for the innocent and potential victims, who include both non-human and human animals. It is our obligation to protect them from cruelty and although past behaviours are not indicative of future actions, Mr. Girard’s callous disregard, so easily adopted as demonstrated by his unprovoked, barbaric,  and  lethal behaviour, needs to be regarded rather than dismissed.

Please respect the victims by penalizing the guilty and demonstrate your commitment to justice, responsibility, and integrity, attributes unquestionably necessary in a law enforcement  setting: rejecting cruelty by maintaining an unyielding position towards it would be a model for all community members and would serve to characterize this type of behaviour as both impermissible and punishable.

I know your time is limited, and I thank you for your attention to this urgent issue.

NAME

See More: Companion Animals

normand girard
a waste of air
and space
needs to be removed
from every
civilized place
locked in a jail cell
dark and cold
with pictures of his victims
until he gets very old

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

BACKGROUND

The Delaware County, New York, District Attorney’s Office has filed charges of cruelty to animals as well as a drug-related charge against Susan Marino, the woman responsible for the horrific suffering of hundreds of animals at Angel’s Gate, Inc., which she founded, operates, and dares to call “a hospice and rehabilitation center.”

PETA’s investigation of this hellhole exposed the daily neglect and terrible suffering of disabled, elderly, and ailing animals, many of whom had been shipped to Marino by well-meaning but severely uninformed individuals and agencies, including the New York Center for Animal Care and Control (NYCACC), which doomed Malcolm the Chihuahua and hundreds of other animals to die slowly at Angel’s Gate through its “New Hope” program.

PETA had provided the District Attorney with the evidence that our investigator gathered while volunteering at Angel’s Gate. Our investigator saw Marino allow animals to suffer, sometimes for weeks, from treatable conditions as well as terminal illnesses without providing veterinary care, medication, or pain relief. Paralyzed animals dragged themselves until they developed bloody ulcers. Animals developed urine scald after being left in soaked diapers for up to two days. Dehydrated animals were denied water, and others were forced to stay outside in freezing temperatures. The bodies of dead animals were left among those of the living for days.

While Marino has been charged, the nightmare is not over for the animals at Angel’s Gate, as they have not yet been seized. Please help us ensure their welfare and the safety of future victims by joining us in urging the New York State Attorney General to revoke Angel’s Gate’s nonprofit status and ensure that the animals are removed from Marino’s custody. Please click here to send a letter to the Attorney General, and please, when your animal companions become elderly or ill, let them live out their final days with dignity in the comfort of their own homes, surrounded by their families, not at the mercy of a conniving stranger.

PETA has turned over evidence to the New York State Attorney General’s Office. Please join us in urging Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to revoke the non-profit status of Angel’s Gate and ensure that Marino’s victims are seized and helped.

WHOM TO CONTACT

The Honorable Eric T. Schneiderman
Office of the Attorney General
The Capital
Albany, NY 12224-0341
518-474-5481
Click HERE for online webform


SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Honorable Schneiderman,

I have learned of extremely disturbing and malicious cases of animal cruelty in which Susan Marino, owner and operator of Angel’s Gate, deliberately and with malice caused the suffering and death of numerous animals as well as cheated well-meaning people out of enormous sums of money. I am respectfully requesting that you revoke her non-profit status, charge her with the harshest penalty allowed, and seize and care for animals still suffering.

The following, courtesy of PETA, are the conditions witnessed by an undercover volunteer of Angel’s Gate:

Paralyzed animals dragged themselves until they developed bleeding ulcers, even though wheelchair carts were readily available. One dachshund suffered a wound so deep that it exposed the bone.

Animals whose bladders should be expressed every few hours were kept in the same diaper for up to two days until the diapers were urine-logged, and animals suffered from urine scald.

Animals, even severely dehydrated ones, were confined without access to water.

Animals kept outside in freezing temperatures without access to proper shelter.

Animals were confined to a bathtub, which they could not climb.

Animals were confined to bathrooms.

Small dogs were confined to Marino’s bed, several feet off the ground, with no way to leave it.

Animals were suffering from treatable conditions without veterinary examination or care, including open wounds and respiratory, eye, ear, mouth, and skin infections. One dog’s infected, rotten jaw snapped in half.

Crowded conditions so stressful that fights broke out daily, leaving animals with wounds that were left untreated.

Animals suffering from pain, seizures, and hydrocephalus (water on the brain) were denied veterinarian-recommended and/or prescribed medication.

Horribly suffering animals on death’s door were deprived of the dignity and relief of euthanasia.

The bodies of dead animals were left out for days among live animals.

Animals were fed rancid, raw meat that had been left unrefrigerated.

Please respect the victims by penalizing Ms. Marino and demonstrate your commitment to justice, responsibility, and integrity, attributes unquestionably necessary in a law enforcement setting: rejecting cruelty by maintaining an unyielding position towards it would be a model for all community members and would serve to characterize this type of behaviour as both impermissible and punishable.

I know your time is limited, and I thank you for your attention to this urgent issue.







SEE MORE:

• Compassionate Eating
• Vegan Guides
• Cruelty-Free
  

Please click on and sign petition HERE

From Force Change

Target: The Humane Society

Goal: Apologize for the death of Daniel Dockery’s cat and review the procedure regarding payment for veterinary services

Lovers of animals and compassionate people will feel sorrow and even outrage at the story of Daniel Dockery and the cat that saved him from addiction and despair.  After rushing Scruffy to the Humane Society’s Campus for Compassion in Arizona for treatment of non-life threatening wounds, Dockery discovered that because of his inability to pay in a timely manner, his beloved kitten had been euthanized.  This callous lack of compassion is unacceptable in any circumstance, but especially from an organization known for their compassion for animals.  Tell the Humane Society that they need to apologize for Scruffy’s death and review Dockery’s case to make sure something like this never happens again.

Daniel Dockery raised Scruffy since she was 4 years old.  He claims that through raising and caring for her, he was able to recover from his 20 year heroin addiction.  When he brought her to Humane Society’s clinic on December 8th, he was confronted with an inexplicable lack of compassion, understanding and common sense.  When Dockery presented them with his mother’s credit card, they refused it according to their “no credit card” policy.  He then asked for 24 hours to come up with the cash and was again refused.  Instead, they insisted he sign ownership over to them.  The Humane Society would later confirm that Scruffy was euthanized a few hours after being brought in because they were only able to treat two cats at their clinic.  The 49 year old Dockery is devastated, feeling like he has failed the cat that he loved so dearly.

Dockery received a massive outpouring of financial and emotional support from the people of Arizona.  We also stand with Dockery in asking the Humane Society of Arizona to issue a formal apology and to review their policies concerning payment for services.  No animal should be killed because their owner can’t pay, especially an animal that brought such joy into the life of someone who suffered for so long.

See More: Force Change

Very sad that
In the name of
Cost,
Living creatures
End up, dead
Or lost

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

BACKGROUND

Please read the message below and please, please, please contact the officials.

My friend, Jacqueline, who lives in Kentucky (which is the worst state for NOT prosecuting animal abuses-email to follow) just lost one of her precious canine babies in a trap set out for wild life.

These traps should be outlawed.

I’m asking all the animal advocates out there to please let your voice be heard:

(1) prosecution of the person who set the trap (it’s in an area where children play and families walk/run their dogs

(2) push for KY to prosecute animal abusers

(3) get these traps outlawed.

I know we have many battles on our hands and it’s probably years down the road before we see progress on some, but we must push for change.

Billy Boy was a happy doggie in a home with a great person who loved him dearly.

My heart breaks and I am still in shock just thinking about his horrible death.

Thanks for caring about the animals.


MESSAGE

Since his death on Sunday, I find I am unable to feel much of anything.

Where once a heart as big as a city block swelled with beat after beat of passion, nothing sounds but hollow breathing. Shattered is the word that comes most often to mind.

Not until today have I been able to find the strength to face the screen before me.

Four days ago, on Sunday, December 11, 2011, my beautiful, loving boy was savagely killed by a steel trap laid for the purpose of snuffing out some poor, wild creature.

Fur from other victims, I later observed, was caught in its metal jaws.

I can’t feel much of anything. I should feel rage but no, nothing. After years and years of saving animals I find my heart has taken a beating.

Hours spent before his death were beautiful ones and like every day my lovable lug had on this embattled planet, Billy Boy was out and about following that Geiger counter nose that in the end drew him to his death.

Oh, how that boy loved life.

I could actually find myself smiling just by virtue of watching his face light up into a smile.

His very last moments were agony: From the moment he poked his head into that lethal device until he was gone maybe one minute elapsed.

As soon as I heard his cry of pain, I went running. Within seconds I was at his side. About all I can remember of the location was being in the creek, near the culvert located directly under the road. My muddy, bloody jeans still lie on the floor. I’m not sure if he was still alive.

I couldn’t first grasp what had happened. He was writhing so I thought he could still be saved. Not so. That dreaded glassy look that appears in the eyes of the dead was soon staring at me. Still I tried to free him from that steel deathtrap.

I kept screaming for help that did not come and even if someone had been there, it would have been too late.

On my hands and knees, I tried to lift him from the streambed onto the road but he was now 55 lbs of dead weight. I weigh 105.

The children I saw earlier playing next to the very same creek with their Boxer heard my cries. I suspect I frightened them.

No creature deserves to die like that let alone a member of the family.

Billy Boy was the embodiment of devoted love and loyalty.

The other four dogs with me at the time fled the scene, all except little Sassy. She alone stayed with her hysterical mother. Baby, Daisy Mae and Muchacho ran for their lives having witnessed what happened to their friend and frightened by the crumbled bodies of me and Billy Boy on the wet asphalt.

Tears that have long been a stranger to these cheeks are now streaming down my face.

I have witnessed too much cruelty in my life.

Not a day goes by that I am not reminded of my loss.

Last night, each night and for many nights to come I will miss the warmth of that burly body huddled next to mine.

He was the consummate Mama’s Boy who never, but never knew a stranger.

He was only three-years-old.

Yes, I dread going to bed.

Just the other night, I dreamt a dream of terrible sorrow. I dreamt of my lost boy. Somewhere in the darkness I could hear him crying for me but as much as I tried I could not find my darling Billy. I awoke from my nightmare and reached over to what had now become a place empty of my nightly familiar.

Billy Boy is gone.

I want his death to stand for something other than just another poor beast robbed of the life he loved.

The creek where he met his death either sits on or borders the sheriff’s property: It could have been one of his beautiful Shepherds.

Tina, up the street, has a gorgeous, white Spitz called Rooster, just yards from the place of death. It could have been her boy.

These traps do not discriminate.

Whatever luckless being ventures close to its lethal grasp is not long for this world.

That being the case, these coiled mechanisms of death have no business close to companion animals and children who play in these streams.

If it hadn’t been Billy Boy, it could have easily been Sarge, Rooster, Baby, Sassy, Summer, Daisy Mae, or Muchacho.

Billy Boy with his Labrador nose found it first and well, the rest you know.

This is my story.

Jacqueline Muth
859- 499-1920


WHOM TO CONTACT

***Please note the emails may not work, some people have had them returned.

Block

kevin.cockrell@ky.go,  nik.fegenbush@ky.gov

Individual

The Montgomery County Attorney is Kevin Cockrell:  kevin.cockrell@ky.gov
and his Assistant County Attorney is Nick Fegenbush: nik.fegenbush@ky.gov

Their phone number is 859-498-8713

The fax is 859-498-8714

Click HERE for access to free faxing from your computer.  No fax machine, registering, or credit card required.  Please remember to confirm the fax via your email after submitting.


SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Attorneys Cockrell and Fegenbush:

I am writing in response to a tragedy that occurred in which a loved family dog, named Billy Boy, died from capturing his head in a possibly illegal steel trap. Specifically I request the following:

(1) prosecution of the person who set the trap (it’s in an area where children play and families walk/run their dogs)

(2) push for KY to prosecute animal abusers

(3) outlaw traps

 According to Born Free USA following their in-depth campaign to ban traps:

Our investigation proves that despite industry claims to the contrary, leghold traps and snares cause serious injuries and extreme suffering to trapped animals. We also revealed that archaic killing methods such as suffocation, drowning and chest crushing are widely used today — methods that in fact would be considered cruelty to animals (a felony offense in some states) if inflicted intentionally upon domestic cats or dogs.

The investigation also demonstrates that despite years of research, there have been no significant advances in reducing “collateral damage.” In other words, non-target animals still are captured in traps set for other species. No animal is safe from these diabolical devices — dogs, cats, squirrels, bears, hawks and even threatened and endangered species can become victims of vanity. (Find hundreds of examples of non-targeted animals being caught in traps and read about our Trapping Victims Fund.)

Our investigator documented that what few trapping regulations do exist are regularly flouted by trappers: They openly use illegal snares to capture animals, they leave traps out after the close of the trapping season, and they capture animals out of season.

The whole operation of trapping is built on a very weak foundation of trust, as there are no authorities present when traps are set or an animal is killed, and most states don’t even require trappers to report the number of animals they kill.

Please exercise your influence to ban traps so that no animal will be tortured and maimed by such archaic and barbaric contraptions.

I know your time is limited and I thank you for the attention to this urgent issue.



SEE MORE

• Compassionate Eating
• Vegan Guides
  

to the hunters and those whose support them

how would you like to be
caught in a trap
unable to move
pain much worse
than a slap
hours pass,
alone you cry
slowly, in agony
alone, you die
any animal
is
damage
collateral

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

Please sign petition HERE

Background

Target: Chief Prosecutor David L. Toska Toledo Municipal Court Building555 N. Erie Street Toledo, OH 43604
Sponsored by: Care2

R.k. Brescol, 23, of Lemon Creek Street, Toledo, OH, ran over a neighbor’s cat, got out of his car only to look at the cat, laughs and proceeds to run the cat over again in reverse. Brescol showed no remorse and was argumentative with witnesses, telling them cats should not be outside and if they didn’t like his running over the cat, they should get him evicted. All while on a Suspended License. He also has prior convictions that he pleaded down in a Domestic Violence case down to disorderly conduct. His sentence included anger management classes. His other priors include open alcohol, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving without a license, and disorderly conduct while intoxicated. He also was found guilty of driving without a license Nov. 8.


Whom To Contact

Toledo Municipal Court Building
555 N. Erie Street
Toledo, OH 43604
phone: 419.245.1975, fax: 419.245.1083

• Click HERE for access to free faxing from your computer. No fax machine, registering, or credit card required.
• Be sure to click the fax confirmation link in your email so your fax delivery will succeed.

Sample Letter

Dear Chief Prosecutor Toska,

I have learned of an extremely disturbing and malicious case of animal cruelty in which R.K. Brescol deliberately caused the suffering and death of  cat  by running her over two times.

Please allow me to elaborate. Our global communities share laws, moral and written, and when one person demonstrates such a gross lack of respect for both, our societies must react with concern for the innocent and potential victims, who include both non-human and human animals. It is our obligation to protect them from both manufactured and intrinsic cruelty, and although the distinction is often difficult to identify, the effect is not, and our priority is the innocent, in this case  the cat. Nobody possesses such heightened intuitive ability to determine the thoughts of another, but past behaviours are indicative of future actions, and his callous disregard, so easily adopted as demonstrated by his unprovoked and  lethal behaviour, needs to be regarded rather than dismissed.

Please respect the victims by penalizing the guilty and demonstrate your commitment to justice, responsibility, and integrity, attributes unquestionably necessary in a law enforcement  setting: rejecting cruelty by maintaining an unyielding position towards it would be a model for all community members and would serve to characterize this type of behaviour as both impermissible and punishable.

I know your time is limited, and I thank you for your attention to this urgent issue.



See More:

• Animal Wrongs
• Cruelty-Free
• The Link

running over an innocent cat
not just a harmless gaffe
and then this lowlife loser
does it again and laughs?
stupid does and keeps
on doing
manunkind’s cruel
and stupid
will be his undoing

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

Terror: By the end of the attack, the dog was cowering in the corner behind his basket, shaking and looking like he had been covered in liquid

According to news sources, Camilla Corrêa Alves de Moura Araújo—a practicing nurse and resident of Formosa, Goiás, Brazil—was caught on videotape savagely abusing a Yorkshire terrier in front of her young child. The graphic video, which has garnered international outrage, depicts what seems like an endless attack, as the abuser repeatedly kicks and punches the tiny animal, throws him against a wall, then slams him to the ground where he struggles to escape—but his body is too broken. She then strikes him in the head with a bucket before covering him with it. The dog is later depicted cowering and trembling in a corner. He reportedly died two days later as a result of his injuries.

Despite facing jail time upon conviction, reports indicate that De Moura Araújo only received a fine and community service! Please politely urge the below officials to take cruelty-to-animals cases more seriously, and please share this alert widely!

The sample letter HERE has been translated into Portuguese for maximum effect, but please feel free to add your own comments. And please share this alert widely!


Text Translation

I was shocked and saddened to know that Camilla Alves de Moura Corrêa Araujo, who was filmed cruelly killing a Yorkshire terrier in front of her young son, received only a fine and community service. People who mistreat animals pose a risk to anyone. The safety of the community requires that these crimes be punished vigorously. Please treat cases of animal abuse more seriously in the future!


Footage | Warning: Graphic

See More:

Neighbour films nurse beating dog to death… and posts it online when police refuse to prosecute

this dog was killed
not once but twice
by this sick joke of
a “punishment”
not very nice
what message
you have sent
loud and clear
you have constipation
of the brain
and moral diarrhea:(

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

Image | Fox 8 News Cleveland

Demand Maximum Sentence for OH Man that Killed his Neighbors Sr Dog


From Examiner
By Bonnie Snider

Willoughby, OH: On the morning of November 22nd, Dave Davison endured a guardian’s worst nightmare. He found his almost-14-year-old black Labrador, Thai, shot 3 times and killed on the 50-acre property he was renting. Source.

Thai had been his family member and best friend her entire life. An elderly, docile and sweet girl, there was no reason for her to be gunned down. But she was, and Davison and his family are suffering untold heartbreak.

Thai had been let out onto the property by a family friend to use the bathroom the afternoon before. When she didn’t return for supper a couple of hours later, the family got concerned. They searched and called for her, but in the dark on the wooded, remote property they had to finally give up the search.

The next morning, Mr. Davison found her body on the property. As he tried to pet his beloved fallen girl, his hands came up covered in blood and he discovered 3 bullet holes in her body. There were 3 bullets from a Ruger 22-caliber found at the scene.

Brent S. Parker, a 26-year-old neighbor was arrested on November 30th in connection with the crime. He appeared in court and has pled not guilty to the charges of killing or injuring a domestic animal (a first-degree misdemeanor with penalties of up to 6 months in jail and/or $1000 fine).

He pled guilty to pointing and discharging a firearm (a fourth-degree misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of up to 30 days in jail and/or a $250 fine).  Parker was released after posting $3500 bond and is due for a pretrial hearing on December 28th.

Mr. Davison’s anger is also because in addition to the fact that beloved Thai was heartlessly killed, Parker’s discharge of a firearm a total of 5 times onto the property could have harmed his 2-year-old daughter and/or his pregnant wife, Nicole.

A petition has been started by the compassionate animal advocacy organization, Hands4Paws, directed at the Municipal Judge in Willoughby County for this case.  It asks that Parker receive the maximum penalties under the law for the murder of his beloved friend.  Davison would like to see Parker’s permit to carry a concealed weapon also revoked.  (This is a Change.org, which normally allows anyone from any country to sign.)

While Davison knows none of this will bring his precious Thai back, he needs to know that she’s gotten justice for being heartlessly gunned down for no apparent reason.  Davison and Thai even shared the same birthday on December 27th.  It will be a bittersweet day for Davison without his 14-year-old girl, Thai.

Please consider adding your voice for this cause.  Unless and until perpetrators of these crimes are shown that the legal system will not tolerate these heartless acts, they will continue undeterred.

Rest in peace Thai.  Know that your life mattered even to those who never met you.  You won’t be forgotten and you will live forever in the hearts of your family.



See More:

• Compassionate Eating

• Animal Wrongs

• Vegan Guides

thai was killed by
a trigger happy
machoed out loon
who when he meets
the big guys in
the big house
will change
his wicked tune!!!

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

Image | MRIS Blog, Stock Photo

UPDATE: Baggage worker offered job back after dog debacle

Please click on and sign:

Demand Justice for Baggage Handler Who Reported Animal Abuse!

Background | From Change

Lynn Jones, a baggage handler at Reno-Tahoe Airport for the past five years was terminated last month after she refused to load an abused, bleeding, malnourished dog into a cargo hold, fearing it would die in transport. Jones, reported the abused animal to her supervisor who supposedly told her “the dog’s condition isn’t your concern.”

When Jones reported the abuse to Washoe County Regional Animal Services and the dog was seized for examination, treatment and documentation, Lynn Jones didn’t get a thank you – she got fired.

The dog in question was kept and treated for weeks by WCRAS and the case has apparently been forwarded to the District Attorney, but Lynn Jones still has no job.

According to www.ilovedogs.com “ATS posted a message on its website, saying the company is taking this matter “extremely seriously and commends this employee’s situational awareness and her desire to raise the concern on behalf of the canine involved and relieved to hear that the canine will fully recover.” It stated the company is currently “reviewing the actions of all employees involved to determine if the appropriate action was taken.”

Airport Terminal Services has a legal and ethical obligation to report cases of animal abuse. Lynn Jones is a hero, and deserves to not only have her position back, but to be issued a public apology and be given her full wages for the time period that she was terminated for doing the RIGHT THING

ATS can be contacted by going to http://www.atsstl.com/contact.asp

DEMAND justice for local hero, Lynn Jones.






See More:

• Human Rights
• Compassionate Eating
• Vegan Guides

Cruelty is the baggage
That must be thrown
Out and unpacked
This hero deserves a medal
And her old job back

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

BACKGROUND | From Facebook Alert,Dom Osh

Long story short, Robert Edward De Shields anally raped a 9-month old Chihuahua in March of this year. He has been in jail off and on since 1992 – the longest he has NOT been in prison or on parole was 5 months. He is in a wheelchair and was turned in by a family member. The dog had severe damage to his rectum and internal organs. Surgery was performed and the dog survived, but is still frightened and traumatized. De Shields was convicted of felony animal cruelty and of one misdemeanor cruelty charge as well.

Some of us are going to attend the sentencing of this sick, perverted criminal on Friday at 9am (Sacramento, California, Courthouse, Dept 15); we hope that our presence will reinforce how serious the crime is and how strong the sentence should be. Please attend if you can!

Emails can also have an impact on the sentencing, but they must be received by NOON TOMORROW, Wednesday Dec 7.

Emails should be sent to LorigaB@saccourt.ca.gov.

I’ve included a sample email below – if you don’t have time to create one yourself feel free to cut and paste the info.


WHOM TO CONTACT

LorigaB@saccourt.ca.gov

Please note you will receive an “out of office” response but she returns December 7.


SAMPLE EMAIL

Subject – Robert De Shields, case #11F02689

This is in regards to Robert Edward De Shields, who was recently convicted of felony animal cruelty. His sentencing hearing is on Friday, December 9, 20111 at 9:00am in Department 15.

As an advocate for the humane treatment of both animals and people, I strongly urge the court to give Mr. De Shields the maximum possible sentence for his horrific crime.

The small puppy that he so cruelly molested is still suffering from the effects of the experience and will continue to do so for a long time to come. As with human children who are raped and otherwise violated, the fear and emotional scars last long after the body has healed.

I appreciate that the court takes cruelty to animals as a serious crime and for holding De Shields accountable for his actions.

Thank you for taking the time to read this important message.

NAME

SEE NEWS STORY: Man Convicted of Felony Animal Assault

this man is living evil
and will not stop here
if not severly punished
that is quite clear
his act so heinous
on a tiny being
the four walls
of a jail cell
this monster
should be
seeing!!!

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

From Huffington Post

In a heroic story beyond reason, a yellow lab named Reagan made a discovery on an Iowa roadside that saved two precious lives.

Two kittens had been sealed into a bag of Meow Mix, left on a roadside and run over by traffic on a rural Iowa highway about three months ago, WHOTV.com reports.

It was Reagan the dog who dragged the bag home and whined until his owner opened it. Reagan’s owner discovered two kittens barely hanging onto life, while the rest of the litter hadn’t survived, prompting a call to the Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary.

“There was a litter of four or five of them and you couldn’t tell if there were two or three [in the bag]…they had been run over by a vehicle. It was not a pretty sight,” Linda Blakely of the animal shelter told WHOTV.com.

The Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary is now housing the two kittens — Skipper and Tipper — who weren’t originally expected to live through the ordeal. The two were bottled-fed every two hours and are now back to their normal lively selves, the news outlet reports.

Thanks to Reagan, both kittens are now up for adoption through the Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary.






See More:

• Compassionate Eating
• Vegan Guides

from our dogs we
learn to feel
how to care
to know what is real
how not to judge
nor to be judged
by man
to live by our hearts
and do the best
we can

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

14 Weeks by Wenspics | Flickriver

Breed ban: please protest 72-hr.-kill proposal in Cumberland County Animal Control in Fayetteville, NC. Feel free to use the Sample Letter but please modify heavily as it is particularly long.

There is a breed ban on ADOPTION of said dogs, and it is set to be discussed on Monday the 5th of December for all Pit bulls, American Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, Chow Chows, and Presa Canerios.

Cumberland County’s reason for this is they do not want to be held liable for these breeds and the possible problems with them after adoption from the shelter.  A simple waiver should solve this.

We need to let them know that this is not the answer.

These dogs will be held for the mandatory 72 hrs and then will be killed, THEY WILL NOT BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO BE ADOPTED.

If the dog is an owner turn-in,  he will be killed the second he walks into the back.

Again, this is set to be DISCUSSED on December 5 and will not go into effect unless passed by all committees.


WHOM TO CONTACT

Email Block

jcouncil@co.cumberland.nc.us
cevans@co.cumberland.nc.us
jkeefe@co.cumberland.nc.us
bking@co.cumberland.nc.us
emelvin@co.cumberland.nc.us
mayor@ci.fay.nc.us
jlauby@co.cumberland.nc.us
kedge@co.cumberland.nc.us
wmfaircloth@co.cumberland.nc.us


Individual

Dr. Jeannette M. Council
PO Box 1829 Fayetteville, NC 28302
Office: 910-678-7771
Home: 910-488-0691
jcouncil@co.cumberland.nc.us
District 1 Term Expiration: December 2014

Charles Evans
PO Box 1829 Fayetteville, NC 28302
Office: 910-678-7771
Home: 910-978-6643
cevans@co.cumberland.nc.us
District: At-Large Term Expiration: December 2014

Jimmy Keefe
PO Box 1829 Fayetteville, NC 28302
Office: 910-678-7771
Work: 910-323-1791
jkeefe@co.cumberland.nc.us
District 2 Term Expiration: December 2012

Billy R. King
PO Box 1829 Fayetteville, NC 28302
Office: 910-678-7771
Work: 910-822-6676
bking@co.cumberland.nc.us
District 1 Term Expiration: December 1, 2014

Edward Melvin
PO Box 1829 Fayetteville, NC 28302
Office: 910-678-7771
Cell: 910-391-4028
emelvin@co.cumberland.nc.us
District: At-Large Term Expiration: December 2014

Mayor Anthony G. Chavonne
433 Hay Street Fayetteville, NC 28301
910-433-1992, 910-433-3401
Fax 433-1948
mayor@ci.fay.nc.us

Dr. John Lauby
Director of Animal Services
Cumberland County Animal Control
4704 Corporation Drive,
Fayetteville, NC 28306
Animal Control Phone: 910-321-6845, 910-321-6844, 910-321-6826, 910-321-6827,
910-321-6945, 910-321-6965 910-321-6852
Fax: 910-223-3357 jlauby@co.cumberland.nc.us

Kenneth S. Edge Chairman
PO Box 1829 Fayetteville, NC 28302
Office: 910-678-7771
Home: 910-425-0918
kedge@co.cumberland.nc.us
District 2 Term Expiration: December 2012

Marshall Faircloth Vice Chairman
PO Box 1829 Fayetteville, NC 28302
Office: 910-678-7771
Work: 910-323-1040
wmfaircloth@co.cumberland.nc.us
District 2 Term Expiration: December 2012


SAMPLE LETTER | PLEASE MODIFY/SHORTEN

To Whom It Concerns,

I am writing today to express my grave concern regarding your breed ban proposal by enacting a 72-hour-kill plan in Cumberland County Animal Control in Fayetteville, NC, to affect all Dobermans, Rottweilers, Chow Chows, German Shepherds, Great Danes, Pitbulls, Mastiffs (all bully breeds), Akitas, and Huskies. This “vicious dog” or “BSL” ordinance illegalizes the ownership of the particular dog breeds named, the reason for which is to prevent any liability for injuries before or after a state in the shelter even though a simple waiver would prove sufficient regarding that concern.

Although the premise of this proposal is inherently biased and potentially unconstitutional, it is important to recognize it is based on what I would define as erroneous information, inaccurate witness accounts, and according to inequitable circumstances. To target particular canine breeds according to hysterical outbursts, impetuous reactions to news accounts, and false testimony is pure conjecture and serves no purpose other than creating conflict and dividing the community. This is neither productive nor beneficial. The inclination to protect the community from any potential canine attacks is both understandable and admirable; however, while our objective is equal our strategies differ.

Please allow me to elaborate. Dog attack accounts are ubiquitous, the media seemingly pandering to the universal desire for exaggerated and biased events. For example “pit bull” seems to be a loaded phrase, no longer merely representing a canine breed but rather responsible for evoking images of horrific, bloody fights, sadistic people, and a grossly prejudiced level of fear. To allow these dogs to be defined by a select few using propaganda and exaggerated and even false claims is unjust, unprincipled, and unethical. Please acknowledge that statistics can be manipulated to support any theory; when one theorizes using data to support such, one inevitably selects biased information. It is imperative that this situation not be approached from your theory that certain breeds are innately dangerous. Indeed, if I had the inclination, I am confident I could establish that miniature pinschers and labradors are the two most aggressive, menacing canine species using distorted accounts and manufactured or embellished “facts” to substantiate my position. Concentrating on the species rather than the problem of negligent owners, dog attacks, or dog bites in general is illogical and unfairly targets particular breeds, compliant dogs, and their responsible caretakers.

I am certain you are well aware of the arguments against breed-specific legislation (BSL): any breed can be potentially dangerous depending on the circumstances; any breed of dog can be trained to act in dangerous manners; any breed of dog can be provoked to fight in defensive situations; liability should be assigned to irresponsible people who fail to leash or train their dogs in appropriate manners; people who illegally support dog-fighting or other similar pursuits will commit crimes regardless of existing breed-specific legislation. BSL is therefore not an accurate or reliable deterrent, victimizing innocent dogs and their caretakers while neglecting to address those culpable: people who intentionally neglect their dogs or those who deliberately train them in aggressive behaviors. Enacting BSL only propagates breed-specific fear and irrational approaches to valid concerns. When communities become immune to legitimate problems by unreasonably focusing on targeted breeds and their owners, the problem only escalates, allowing deviant behaviours to flourish; when people start questioning the absence of enforcement and solution, you will determine that BSL is a fallible approach to controlling or preventing dog attacks.

Although the potential unconstitutionality of BSL is beyond the scope of my knowledge, please allow me this opportunity to share with you a few statements as taken from A community approach to dog bite prevention, American Veterinary Medical Association Task Force on Canine Aggression and Human-Canine Interactions. JAVMA, Vol 218, No. 11, June 1, 2001, and although these statements may not represent the most current data, JAVMA is decidedly unbiased with respect to BSL and can be considered an impartial source :

Animal control legislation has traditionally been considered a constitutionally legitimate exercise of local government power to protect public safety and welfare. Breed-specific ordinances, however, raise constitutional questions concerning dog owners’ fourteenth amendment rights of due process and equal protection. When a specific breed of dog is selected for control, 2 constitutional questions are raised: first, because all types of dogs may inflict injury to people and property, ordinances addressing only 1 breed of dog appear to be underinclusive and, therefore, violate owners’ equal protection rights; and second, because identification of a dog’s breed with the certainty necessary to impose sanctions on the dog’s owner is impossible, such ordinances have been considered unconstitutionally vague and, therefore, to violate due process.

Breed or type bans—Concerns about ‘dangerous’ dogs have caused many local governments to consider supplementing existing animal control laws with ordinances directed toward control of specific breeds or types of dogs. Members of the Task Force believe such ordinances are inappropriate and ineffective. Statistics on fatalities and injuries caused by dogs cannot be responsibly used to document the “dangerousness” of a particular breed, relative to other breeds, for several reasons. First, a dog’s tendency to bite depends on at least 5 interacting factors: heredity, early experience, later socialization and training, health (medical and behavioral), and victim behavior. Second, there is no reliable way to identify the number of dogs of a particular breed in the canine population at any given time (eg, 10 attacks by Doberman Pinschers relative to a total population of 10 dogs implies a different risk than 10 attacks by Labrador Retrievers relative to a population of 1,000 dogs).

Third, statistics may be skewed, because often they do not consider multiple incidents caused by a single animal. Fourth, breed is often identified by individuals who are not familiar with breed characteristics and who commonly identify dogs of mixed ancestry as if they were purebreds. Fifth, the popularity of breeds changes over time, making comparison of breed-specific bite rates unreliable. Breed-specific ordinances imply that there is an objective method of determining the breed of a particular dog, when in fact, there is not at this time. Owners of mixed-breed dogs or dogs that have not been registered with a national kennel club have no way of knowing whether their dog is one of the types identified and whether they are required to comply with a breed-specific ordinance. In addition, law enforcement personnel typically have no scientific means for determining a dog’s breed that can withstand the rigors of legal challenge, nor do they have a foolproof method for deciding whether owners are in compliance or in violation of laws. Such laws assume that all dogs of a certain breed are likely to bite, instead of acknowledging that most dogs are not a problem. These laws often fail to take normal dog behavior into account and may not assign appropriate responsibilities to owners.

It is my hope that prior to initiating any legislation or actions that unfairly targets trained, obedient, and docile canine breeds and their responsible caretakers, you will consider the implications of such acts as well as any potential unfavorable ramifications. Please remember that everyone, with the exception of the truly apathetic and unlawful segment who participate in dangerous canine training and irresponsible ownership, desires safety for their families and communities. This type of proposal requires input and discussion from all participants and interested groups with legal representation as well.

I understand this has been a lengthy message, and I want to extend my appreciation for your consideration and attention.

With due respect,

NAME
ADDRESS



PREVIOUS

• Action needed now: Texas to outlaw pitbulls
• Texas 2011 Legislature to Focus on Eliminating “Pit Bulls”? Please send sample message.

manunkind again on a downhill slide
now he will wantonly commit
dog genocide
such stupidity in the name
of expedience
is beyond cruel
and makes no sense
a breed is a name
it is not a scarlet letter
manunkind,
it is time
for you to do better!!!!

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

FROM COALITION TO PROTECT AND RESCUE PETS
CONTACT: CPRPets@aol.com

This cat is lame as a result of declawing. Declawing is amputation, not a manicure.

SCROLL DOWN TO LEARN MORE.

On Monday, the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) banned declawing nationwide except for rare cases of medical necessity. Penalties are stiff: jail time of up to a year or a fine of 75,000 shekels. This humane action will spare cats untold suffering, including lifelong, chronic pain.

The legislation was backed by a wide coalition of political parties, sponsored by Knesset members Eitan Cabel, Yoel Hasson, Dov Khenin and Nitzan Horowitz.

THE TRUTH ABOUT DECLAWING

Conventional declawing is actually amputation of the last bone of each toe. It’s the same as having your fingers cut off at the last knuckle. Using laser is not more humane; it’s just more expensive.

Tenectomy (tendonectomy) severs the tendons that extend the toes so the claws can’t retract; they’re useless to the cat. The incidence of bleeding, lameness and infection is similar to that of conventional declawing. And because tenectomy leaves cats unable to maintain their claws, they’ll grow into the paw pads causing infection and extreme pain if a human doesn’t continually trim them. The irony is, trimming claws routinely makes declawing and tenectomy unnecessary in the first place!

Veterinary specialists say declawing is among the most excruciating procedures a cat can undergo. “Watching a cat wake up after declawing is horrible. Some throw themselves against the walls of their cages as if trying to escape the pain; others roll up in a ball, as anguished as if they’d been hit by a car,” says Dr. Jennifer Conrad, DVM, founder, The Paw Project. And cats can suffer the rest of their lives from chronic infection, atrophied paw pads that expose the remaining bone, and chronic muscle and joint pain.

Take Action! Tell Congress: It’s high time the United States followed suit. Find your elected officials and send them a letter.


WHOM TO CONTACT

Find your lawmakers and send them all a letter at the same time HERE


SAMPLE LETTER | COURTESY KINSHIP CIRCLE

Dear Representative and Senators,

Please consider enacting a ban on declawing of cats in your represented constituencies. Declawing is illegal or restricted in over 20 countries, including the United Kingdom and Canada. Cities such as San Francisco, West Hollywood, and Norfolk, Virginia, ban declawing — while Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Berkeley, Malibu, and Santa Monica are evaluating similar legislation. The Humane Society of the U.S. and ASPCA oppose declawing. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons rejects the operation, describing it as “mutilation.”

Overwhelming evidence shows declawing causes severe behavioral problems that often lead guardians to abandon their animals in overcrowded shelters. Undesirable behavior in 33% of declawed cats begins post-procedure, according to a 2001 study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association (JAVMA). National shelter surveys reveal that 70-80% of cats surrendered for offensive behavior are declawed.

Cats with intact claws are surrendered for reasons such as “moving” or “new baby,” whereas declawed felines enter shelters with behavioral issues like biting or not using the litter box, claims shelter director William Lombardi of Gloucester County, New Jersey. For the estimated 70% of declawed cats who are euthanized, the surgery is a death sentence.

Moreover, declawing generates suffering and permanent disability. The invasive procedure amputates not only the claw, but also the entire last “knuckle” of a cat’s toes. Veterinary experts recognize laser or scalpel declawing as among the most painful surgeries routinely performed.

Please make your communities more humane towards our companion animals and make progressive efforts to begin a  ban on declawing in the United States.

Thank you very much,

NAME



SEE MORE: COMPANION ANIMALS

the cat says:

you have your nails
i want my claws
to the great nation
of israel
a round of
a-paws♥

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

Penryn animal sanctuary defrauded its donors, former board members say

Dog’s death questioned by former animal sanctuary employee

Weather History: Sacramento, CA | June 9, 2011




Please click on and sign:

Placer County Animal Services/Mike Winters: Investigate for Bow-Tie


From Change

Why This Is Important

Regarding the recent News10 report on A Chance for Bliss Animal Sanctuary (http://auburn.news10.net/news/news/87885-critics-question-placer-animal-sanctuary-fundraising ) the news story stated that BowTie, an elderly dog belonging to this rescue organization, died in June of this year by being left in a hot vehicle. This is a very disturbing incident that requires an investigation since there are so many animals still in the care of these founders of this rescue organization.


Petition Letter

Greetings,

I just signed the following petition addressed to: Placer County Animal Services/Mike Winters:

Investigate for Bow-Tie

Regarding the recent News10 report on A Chance for Bliss Animal Sanctuary( http://auburn.news10.net/news/news/87885-critics-question-placer-animal-sanctuary-fundraising  )the news story stated that BowTie, an elderly dog belonging to this rescue organization, had died in June of this year by being left in a hot vehicle. This is a 501c3 organization, that should be held to a very high standard of care for these animals. The Bartleys have admitted this incident as an “accident” . This “accident” along with other concerns that have been raised by witness’s, is at the very least cause for an investigation. Please put the communities concerns to rest and make sure there is no evidence that no other animals lives are being jeopardized by any actions of severe negligence. Thank you.



See More:

• Compassionate Eating

• Vegan Guides

bowtie died
while in “rescue” care
if a dog is not safe
in such a place
then where????

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

1. Lane Bryant: Stop Using 5% Rabbit Fur in your Sweaters

2. Ask Skechers officials not to air dog track ad

3. Petland USA: Stop Selling Pets – Fire Puppy Mills – Petland Canada Has!

4. Help Michigan Students Stop the “License to Bully” Bill


1. Background | From Change

Angora Rabbit fur is factory farmed. Angora rabbits usually live to be about 10-13 years old, but factory rabbits are killed after 6-9 months. The rabbits live out their short lifespans in cramped cages, inside dimly lit warehouses, in cages that have wire bottoms and hurt their little rabbit feet.

There is no good reason to include 5% rabbit fur in a Lane Bryant sweater; the fur is not necessary for a good quality garment. Lane Bryant has had a long-standing history of quality clothing and has the ability to create a high-quality sweater with no rabbits in it. Additionally, we would like to be able to trust that the clothes we buy from our favorite clothing store do not have torture in them.

For the love of rabbits, the 5% should go!

2. Background | From Change

It has come to our attention that Skechers wants to use Tucson Greyhound Park as the backdrop for a new TV commercial.  Please sign this petition to ask them not to support the cruelty of dog racing.

At TGP, greyhounds are kept confined in small cages which are barely large enough for them to stand up or turn around. They are fed raw 4-D meat, the meat of downed, diseased, disabled or dead livestock. This was documented in a recent video investigation and in news reports available on our web site at: http://grey2kusa.org/action/states/az.html

While racing, greyhounds face the risk of serious injury. According to the Arizona Department of Racing, nearly 1,000 greyhound injuries occurred between January 2007 and November 2009, the last year such records were made available to the public. To read more about injuries and Arizona greyhound racing in general, please see our 128-page report at http://grey2kusa.org/pdf/AZ2011.pdf


3. Background | From Change

More than 95% of animals for sale at Petland USA stores are from commercial puppy mills. According to transport and shipping records from the Department of Agiculture involving more than 5 States,17,000 puppies delivered to Petland were sourced from puppy mills. USDA inspection records were cross-checked and source facilities were visited to confirm this fact. HSUS led this investigation.

Petland Canada has announced they will stop selling pets, why not Petland USA? Successful Petland franchisee conversions to adoption models are operating in PA with help from local shelters.

We know the Master Franchisor (Petland USA, Ohio) cannot by fiat dictate that everyone follow a new policy.  They can announce their intention and new policy, and current franchisees are free to run their businesses as they see fit.  Yet a sea-change in policy from the top would be a giant leap in saving lives and changing Petland’s reputation and market share. It would not take long for laggards to follow as we push for legislation against selling pets and picket with ‘adopt don’t shop’ signs.

Turn your ship around, Petland USA – change your policy! Stop selling pets, fire puppy mills, choose instead the benefits of community support. Your voicemail message says you care about animals. Prove it – step up, be a policy leader and save lives!


4. Background | From Change

It’s tough being a student when bullies are allowed to physically and verbally hurt you at school. Unfortunately, because of a dangerous new bill passed by the Michigan State Senate, it’s only going to get worse.

On November 2, minutes before voting to pass a new bullying bill, the Michigan State Senate added special language that provides a blueprint for bullies. According to this language, as long as the bullying is done because of “a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction,” then it’s ok.

As students, we deserve better. 

I was in 7th grade putting my books in my locker when a few guys game up behind me. They called me a faggot and a dyke and asked me why I even bothered to show my face at school because no one liked me. I ignored them because I was scared of what else they might say and who else they might tell if I stood up to them. I went to shut my locker when an 8th grader pushed me against the wall. I didn’t know what to do so I stood there, alone and afraid. One of his friends slammed my locker shut on my hand breaking my fourth finger. I held back tears while I watched them run away laughing. When I got home I lied to my parents about what happened to my finger because I didn’t want them to tell the school. I was afraid the school would do nothing accept call me out in front of everyone.

My name is Katy Butler, I am now a junior at Greenhills School in Ann Arbor Michigan and I am lesbian. For me, 7th grade was four years ago and writing about that event, even thinking about it, I still tear up. Stopping the “License to Bully” bill and passing real anti-bullying legislation is so important to me because I don’t want anyone else to have to have such strong, painful memories. Being bullied because of something I couldn’t change hurt, but it hurt even more that my school did not do anything about something that they could change.

My story is not unique. Students all across Michigan have stories just like mine. Students like my friend Carson Borbely, who is currently in eighth grade:

A few weeks ago in class, I brushed a friend’s hair away from her face. A loud voice sharply interrupted, ‘Don’t touch her. Trannies carry diseases.’ The teacher didn’t do anything. That was the fourth incident in her class that I had been harassed by the same boy. Nothing was done. The only reprimand he got was a sharp calling of his name. The teacher asked him passively to stop. He continued.

Carson and I are speaking out for all those students who suffer every day at school. We’re speaking out because we deserve a bill that will actually protect us at school, not make it more dangerous, or give bullies a free pass. People keep telling us youth “It Gets Better”. Well it can’t get better if you don’t make it better. I’m doing my part to help, please do yours.

Please stand with students across the state and sign our petition demanding that the Michigan State Legislature pass a real anti-bullying bill. One that doesn’t have special exceptions, but does list the reasons students are bullied most often, and does add reporting requirements. A bill that actually protects students.

Sincerely,

Katy Butler, Michigan high school student
Carson Borbely, Michigan junior high school student



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a click or two
can travel many miles
just take a few
moments
and create
one million smiles

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

From Petition Site, please click on and sign:

Allow Home-Based Pet Sitting in Gainesville!

Target: The Plan Board of Gainesville, FL, USA
Sponsored by: Bruce Baber

Bruce Baber has been attempting to regain the ability to sit dogs in his home at 1713 NW 7th Ave., Gainesville, FL since April 29th, 2010.  A City Code forbids the keeping of animals other than one’s own pets in a residential neighborhood within Gainesville.  The City Commission, on July 21st, 2011, voted 4-3 to approve the proposed code change, but there is still opposition, and the matter will have to be approved by the City’s Plan Board, and voted on, once again, by the City Commission.  Therefore, it is very important that the City perceives that there is continuing support for Bruce, and thus, support for the dog loving citizens of Gainesville, many of whom would like to similarly serve dogs and their owners, and provide for themselves in this time of extreme economic hardship.  Please help Bruce regain the ability to perform his valuable and much needed service and enable others to do so, too.  Go to: http://www.savebruce.org/ to get the full story.



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