HighestWelfare.Humane.Assured.GoodPractices.Vegetarian. Regenerative.Flexitarian.Lies...
What is the difference between No Welfare, High Welfare, and Highest Welfare when they all require animals to die? Only human comfort, NONE protect the actual animals. The most humane, ethical, and honest Webster-defined "welfare" is NOT exploiting animals - not using, not wearing, not eating, not killing - animals. The only meaningful position is vegan, everything else is just how humans euphemize animals' required suffering and violent deaths: no human exploits animals because they honestly believe that NOT exploiting animals is UNethical or INhumane.
A man walks into a restaurant… A short story.
From Huffington Post
By Ari Solomon
This is a test.
A man walks into a restaurant.
Well, actually a man and his dog, a cute-as-hell black Labrador pup… one of those dogs you can’t help but stop to pet on the street or in a park. A young hostess approaches and tells the man that dogs are not allowed in the restaurant, not even on the patio. Then the dog licks her hand. “He’s soooo adorable,” she quickly melts, and tells the man that just this once he can keep the dog with him, as long as the puppy stays in his lap. The man smiles and she shows him to his table.
After a minute, a waiter approaches. He also notices the puppy, but tells the man the owner won’t mind; the restaurant is brand new and different. “We’re a cutting-edge eco-friendly establishment,” the waiter says proudly, explaining that the only food they serve is sustainable and humanely raised. The man says that’s why he’s dining there; as an environmentalist, he loves the concept.
The waiter gives his customer a few minutes and then returns: “Have you decided?” The man, who has never even looked at the menu, smiles, “Yes, I’d like you to cook him,” he says, indicating his little dog.
The waiter laughs nervously: “We don’t serve dog in this restaurant. In fact, I’m pretty sure that’s illegal.” No, the customer happily corrects him, it’s quite legal here, as it is in several other states. Besides, dog, particularly black dog, is considered especially delicious in some cultures. “And,” the man adds, “it’s the most eco-friendly meat around.”
The waiter winces, confused, as the customer continues: “You’re all about sustainable food, right?” The waiter nods. The man explains that five million dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters every year, their meat just tossed away. A shelter is where he got this dog. “If you’re gonna go local and sustainable, eating shelter animals beats the hell out of raising animals on farms, killing them, and trucking their meat around. Just kill the dog humanely — you know, like how you say the other animals served here are killed.”
“It’s a dog,” the waiter stares at the man, “eating them is totally different and disgusting. Dogs are like family members, they’re smart, they’re affectionate, they’re like us.” The man quickly counters, “But pigs are smarter than dogs. In fact, they’re as aware and intelligent as a four-year-old child. Chickens display striking personality traits from being curious to shy to proud, and they form extremely complicated social structures. Cows also have individual personalities. They actually lick you, just like dogs do, to show affection. And I’m sure we can agree that with regards to things like fear and suffering, that dogs, pigs, chickens, and cows are certainly equals.”
“So considering all that,” the man asks, “what’s really the difference if I want to eat this dog?”
Your assignment: Answer the man’s question.
RELATED
Please speak out! Philly Newspaper issues front cover to Michael Vick calling him “Top Dog”
From Passion for Animal Causes on Facebook
Advocates, I am wholly outraged at the cover of the Philadelphia Daily News today declaring Michael Vick the “Top Dog” of anything. What Michael Vick did is not something to joke about and declaring him Top Dog is insulting to the dogs first and foremost while trivializing the entire situation. I was sadly disappointed that a man could perpetrate such violence against the wonderful breed, the pit bull, but to then be able to resume and be given a life of privilege and luxury just because he can play a sport is wholly immoral. Since when did the NFL become the National Felons League? Please take a moment of your time to politely tell this paper how insensitive and inappropriate its headline is in light of the acts of pure violence and evil this man perpetrated on many wonderful dogs.
Go to the following link to leave your feedback on what you think about the Philadelphia Daily New’s TOP DOG, Michael Vick:
Here is a sample of what you can submit, but please use only as guidance – it is too long for the electronic comment field, so please use your own words; you will also need to verify your human status by entering the quoted text as well, thank you.
Dear Newspaper Conglomerate:
I am writing regarding the front cover of the Philadelphia Daily News (coincidentally named “the people’s paper”) September 22, 2010, edition portraying the humongous and obnoxious print “TOP DOG” in reference to Michael Vick. It is irresponsible for you to trivialize Michael Vick’s brutal history with dogs, and referring to him as “top dog” is insulting to all who do not consider dogs as products, weapons, or disposable objects.
Do you understand what Michael Vick did to these animals? The American Pit Bull terrier is one of the most loyal breeds of dogs and will do almost anything to please their human companions. Michael Vick asked these dogs to kill each other. He used weaker and less-fit dogs as bait to encourage strength in the “fighting” dogs. He coaxed and forced them to fight each other relentlessly and maliciously; he then disposed of them in various torturous ways, including electrocution, when he determined he could no longer “use” them.
Were you aware that he had all the teeth pulled from a female so that she could not attack other dogs? She was strapped to a rape machine so other dogs would forcibly mate with her – all for a continuous cycle of puppies to brutally train to fight or to be used as bait. How would you care to be imprisoned, forced into depraved and brutal conditions, only to be murdered when your use had expired?
The level of insensitivity you have demonstrated is baffling, and we ask that you RETRACT this headline and issue a formal apology, not buried on page nine in the corner, but on the front page of this paper. Whoever authorized Michael Vick as “TOP DOG” should be ashamed: to diminish the hideous nature of dog fighting and the suffering of “man’s best friend” to sensationalize a common thug and criminal whose only accomplishment is that he can play a game is unethical and shameful. Please don’t endorse degenerate monsters but rather establish your commitment to integrity and honesty by remembering that the tortured and murdered dogs are the victims, and that their captor, tormentor, and murderer, Michael Vick, is undeserving of glory and awe, but merits contempt and exposure.
Sincerely,
RELATED:
Off The Chain
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Off the Chain is an unprecedented look into the underground world of dog fighting. Beginning with a history of the American Pit Bull Terrier, the film explores the evolution of the breed. Classic film and television footage show the popularity of what was once considered a noble and trustworthy family pet. Examine how this breed went from America’s dog to public enemy number one. Travel to the back alleys and dark corners of the inner city to expose the truth behind the breed’s new status in pop culture; an urban symbol for violence, aggression and gang-life. The first documentary of it’s kind; director Bobby J. Brown spent three years infiltrating the underground subculture of pit-bull fighting. Gaining the trust of well established dog men, they allowed him to film behind their dangerous veil of secrecy.
Underground Dog Fighting
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Neglected Dogs in Swedish Kennel: please write, sample letter provided
By Fight For Animal Rights (FFAR) on Facebook, letter and information courtesy of FFAR.
A kennel in Växjö, Sweden, neglects the dogs in their “care”.
Recently, 15 puppies were rescued by the County Board after an inspection – they lacked water and were walking around in their own excrement, with feces and urine smeared over their coat. The rescued puppies required immediate veterinary care. Despite the intervention, the conditions were not improved by the owner. In August, a further inspection revealed that the owners were keeping 33 dogs more than what they were allowed. The dogs had no water and their cages were heavily contaminated with feces and urine. The inspectors said the dogs seemed stressed and showed typical “kennel symptoms”. One of the dogs seemed to have never been outside. Most of the animals had ear infections. The owner showed clear dismissal of the dogs’ situation.
In another inspection of the kennel last spring, they had found 30 emaciated dogs that had dried urine and feces in their fur. The puppies were, according to the report, dirty and skinny.
The County Administration has now warned the kennel owners and is considering banning them from raising dogs if they do not make any changes. The 15 dogs that were recovered will not be returned to the owner.
Original article (in Swedish) from Aftonbladet can be found at the following:
Räddade 15 hundar från Växjökenneln
Please demand that they ban the owners from raising dogs NOW !
WHERE TO SEND YOUR SAMPLE LETTER VIA WEBFORM:
Page as translated into English (please note, you need only submit your name, email, and comment fields):
- Från sidan, Kontakta oss: From The Page, Contact Us
- Från sidan: Kontakta oss: My Name
- Jag vill bli kontaktad via*: I wish to be contacted by
- Min e-postadress: My email address
- Mitt telefonnummer: My telephone number
- Min adress: My address
- Postnummer: Zipcode
- Postort: City
- Jag vill inte bli kontaktad i detta ärende: I do not wish to be contacted in this case (Do not check if you want response.)
- Meddelande*: Message
- * markerade fält är obligatoriska uppgifter : Marked fields are required
- SKICKA / RENSA / STANG : SEND / CLEAR / CLOSE
SAMPLE LETTER:
To Whom It Concerns,
I was alarmed to read this article in Aftonbladet, regarding the kennel in Växjö where the owners have clearly been neglecting their dogs.
http://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/article7825210.ab
From what I understand, this is not the first time that the owners have been investigated with report findings indicating neglect; the owners have proven to be indifferent to these report warnings, and should therefore be banned from breeding and keeping animals.
I am deeply concerned regarding this situation. More animals should not be subjected to neglect, cruelty, and suffering. Please demonstrate that you find animal abuse intolerable by global standards by voiding their license and banning this kennel from keeping or raising animals!
Thank you.
Sincerely,
RELATED
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Worker In Cow Abuse Video Gets Jail Time After Guilty Pleas
From NBC 4i
By Donna Willis
A man pleads guilty to animal abuse charges and is sentenced in a Marysville courtroom Friday.
Billy Joe Gregg Jr., 25, pleaded guilty to six counts of cruelty to animals and was sentenced to eight months in jail for abusing cows at a local dairy farm.
Gregg’s sentence also included a $1,000 fine and court-appointed mental-health screening. Gregg also must stay away from animals of all sorts as a part of his sentencing.
Gregg’s sentence was part of a plea deal. He originally was charged with 12 counts of cruelty to animals. He pleaded guilty to six charges, and six additional charges were dropped.
He was given the maximum sentence on the charges to which he pleaded guilty.
Each of the 12 abuse counts were second-degree misdemeanors. Each count is punishable by as many as 90 days in jail.
He apologized to his family and the community in Marysville Municipal Court Friday. He said he understands what did was wrong.
Gregg first entered not-guilty pleas on the 12 counts of cruelty to animals.
Warning: Graphic footage
Vodpod videos no longer available.
The cruelty charges against Gregg were filed after an animal welfare group released graphic video Tuesday, May 25, 2010.
The video was recorded in an undercover investigation at the farm, said Mercy For Animals, a not-for-profit group that publicizes what it calls cruel practices in the dairy, meat and egg industries and promotes a vegan diet.
Gregg was arrested Tuesday, May 25, on the abuse charges.
Gregg arranged for someone to take his vehicle home while he was in custody.
Law enforcement agencies and courts worldwide are recognizing that people who commit acts of serious animal abuse frequently have previous histories of, or future tendencies toward, violent crimes against humans …
Facts About THE LINK Between Violence to People and Violence to Animals
Facts About THE LINK Between Violence to People and Violence to Animals
During the transfer of the vehicle, law enforcement officials said they found a loaded handgun in the vehicle’s console.
He was indicted on the firearms charge in early June.
He pleaded not guilty to one count of improperly handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony.
Gregg has not been sentenced on the firearms charge and a court date has not been set on that charge.
If convicted on the firearms charge, Gregg faces as many as 18 months in prison.
A grand jury decided in July the owner of Conklin Dairy Farm, Gary Conklin, as well as other employees would not be charged.
“It wasn’t my decision. It wasn’t law enforcement’s decision. It was the grand jury that decided there was not sufficient evidence to bring charges,” Prosecuting Attorney David Phillips told NBC 4 at the time of the decision.
Though Conklin did appear to abuse a cow in the video, Phillips said Conklin said those actions were necessary to get the cow up to avoid muscle atrophy.
“Mr. Conklin explained to law enforcement why he was doing this. The veterinarians examined the video and all of it, the whole segment of video, and determined his actions were appropriate, not at all abusive,” Phillips said.
Woman protesting against animal abuse at rodeo is lassoed and dragged
As translated from EMOL Chile
A woman who protested against animal abuse in the crescent of the National Stadium was lassoed by weekend riders participating in the rodeo and dragged outside the fence.
The images were captured by Paulina Alarcón, one of those attending the activity, held on 19 September and released today by Chilevisión.
The incident occurred after a group of people disrupted the activity.
The 17 year old girl, named Constance, told the television station that the experience was one of the most traumatic of her life, and that following a peaceful protest ended up being “brutally assaulted.”
“It was pretty cramped, my whole back ached because I was stuck with some leather, my feet were hurting, I have a sprained arm, and where I was tied is very swollen,” she said.
Meanwhile, Alfonso Rivas, director of the entity responsible for organizing the event, the Chilean Rodeo Federation, regretted what happened, but at the same time justified the attitude of the riders.
“Meeting is to some extent because of the reaction. It is unfortunate for both parties,” he said.
Rodeo Federation has launched an investigation.
Footage
Vodpod videos no longer available.
SHARK: Animal cruelty in sports, hunting, food
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Support needed. If not you, who? Close down Green Hill!
By Loredana Versaci
(Can only be viewed via Facebook account.)
Dear friends, our fight against Green Hill needs your support. Once again I ask you to spare few minutes and write. I’d like to ask you a further effort. As you know we are going to march on September 25 in Rome to ask our government and ministers to take action against vivisection; today in London and Washington are planned protests in front of Italian Embassies. If you can’t join, please write to the Italian Embassy in your Country and support our struggle. Thank you in advance, Lo
WHERE TO SEND YOUR MESSAGES:
Please copy/paste as a whole into your email program TO: and select one carriage return/enter. This procedure works for me on both Yahoo and Comcast programs but may not be supported by other email hosts; typically web-based email hosts are more difficult to use for mass mailings, but I was able to send to this group as a whole in my Yahoo program.
segreteria.martini@sanita.it, martini_f@camera.it, sanita.animale@sanita.it,tutela.animale@sanita.it, f.martini@sanita.it, urpminsalute@sanita.it,segreteria.roccella@sanita.it, segr.secin@sanita.it,css.segreteria@sanita.it, segr.capogabinetto@sanita.it,a.grimaldi@sanita.it, segreteriafazio@sanita.it,segr.tecnicaministro@sanita.it, r.tamiozzo@sanita.it,e.romanazzi@sanita.it, segr.dgrueri@sanita.it, l.catalani@sanita.it,f.basile@sanita.it, f.cicogna@sanita.it, p.malara@sanita.it,s.ricci@sanita.it, s.acquaviva@sanita.it, p.rossi@sanita.it,m.ianniello@sanita.it, pg.facelli@sanita.it, f.salerno@sanita.it,v.curella@sanita.it, u.santucci@sanita.it,s.bonati@sanita.it, c.cicero@sanita.it, c.campagnoli@sanita.it,r.valentini@sanita.it, g.divito@sanita.it, l.presutti@sanita.it,r.frontoso@sanita.it, g.digirolamo@sanita.it,l.contu@sanita.it
Italian Embassies worldwide: http://www.learn4good.com/travel/italy_embassies.htm
SUBJECT:
Please enter your own words for greater viewing possibility.
SAMPLE MESSAGE:
To the Ministry of Health,
As a European citizen I am shocked to hear that dogs are being bred for anima ltesting. The Green Hill breeding farm is imprisoning more than 2500 dogs who are to be shipped to laboratories across Europe. They are commonly mutilated and killed for redundant toxicity studies and drug testing.
I am asking you to close this farm. Dogs are sentient and living beings who suffer, fear, experience pain and terror like we do; they are not research tools.
I support the anti-vivisection protest that has occurred on the 23th of September in Rome, Italy.
Sincerely,
NAME
ADDRESS
Additional information, addresses, and actions can be found at Animal Rights Media
NAVS
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Lucky break in rhino poaching case
One of two dead rhinos lies on the ground after approximately 9 gun men armed with automatic rifles poached the two white rhino yesterday and cut off their horns on the Potgieter game farm close to Vaalwater, Limpopo Province. 240810 - Picture: Jennifer Bruce
From IOL News
On a farm close to Musina, forensic investigators are examining and looking for the carcasses of white rhinos.
Authorities are trying to find how many dead white rhinos are on the 4 000-hectare farm named Pragtig, owned by Dawie Groenewald.
They say each carcass is important in strengthening the case against the 11 accused who appeared in court yes-terday.
The rhinos were apparently bought and taken to the farm.
The case is the culmination of many hours of hard work.
It follows forensic investigators’ lucky break when one of the suspects pitched up in court to give his support to the 10 accused.
Marthinus Pronk was in the public galley of the Musina Magistrate’s Court yesterday, with relatives of the accused, when detectives spotted him and arrested him.
When proceedings began two hours later, Pronk had joined his alleged co-conspirators in the docket as accused number 11.
The other accused are Groenewald and his wife Sariette; Karel Toet, his wife Mariza and their business partner Manie du Plessis; Dewald Gouws; Nardus Rossouw; professional hunter Tielman Erasmus; Leon van der Merwe; and farmworker Paul Matomela.
(Starting from the closest to camera) Karel Toet , Mariza Toet , Mannie Du Plessis , Nordus Rossouw , Tielman Erasmas , Leon Van Der Merwe , Dewald Gouws and Matinus Pronk all are appearing at the Musina Magistrate Court on charges of rhino poaching. Photo: Neil Baynes
Colonel Vishnu Naidoo, spokesman for the Hawks, said a multidepartmental team was working hard to arrest the remaining members of the alleged syndicate.
Yesterday, magistrate Errol Luiters granted the accused bail.
The supposed mastermind of the syndicate, Dawie Groenewald, was given R1 million bail, while his wife’s bail was put at R100 000.
Next in line was Modimolle vet Karel Toet, with bail of R50 000.
Seven others were given bail of R20 000. Matomela’s bail was set at R5 000.
Most of the accused appeared relaxed, smiling at family members in the gallery.
Their next appearance in court is scheduled for April 11.
In the meantime, the accused have to hand in their identity documents and passports. They are also not allowed to interfere with or trade in the 32 rhinos that are on Groenewald’s farm.
Help Animals Suffering in University of Utah and Arizona State Laboratories
1. For University of Utah, please sign and send HERE
2. For Arizona State, please sign and send HERE
From PETA
1. BACKGROUND
An eight-month PETA undercover investigation at the University of Utah documented the daily suffering of dogs, cats, monkeys, rats, mice, rabbits, and other animals in the school’s laboratories.
Homeless dogs and cats — who were bought for $15 to $25 from local animal shelters through a Utah state “pound-seizure” law, which required government-run shelters to turn animals over to laboratories that requested them — were used in cruel, invasive experiments. In one study, a litter of kittens born to a cat bought from an animal shelter died after a chemical that causes fluid to build up was injected into their brains.
In other experiments, mice whose back legs were paralyzed, rats who suffered epileptic seizures, and mice with huge, ulcerated tumors covering their bodies were left to suffer without adequate veterinary care. Many animals died and were left for days before anyone noticed.
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After breaking the news of our shocking investigation, we received confirmation from the University of Utah that Robert — the cat in the video — would be removed from the laboratory and adopted into a new home. Also, in early 2010, two more important developments in this case occurred: Utah legislators amended state law so that government-run animal shelters will no longer be forced to sell dogs and cats to laboratories upon request for use in cruel and deadly experiments, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cited the University of Utah for nine violations of federal animal protection laws.
While this is great news for animals who live in animal shelters like Robert did, the University of Utah continues to perform cruel tests on animals inside its laboratories.
Please be a voice for the animals who are suffering in labs at the University of Utah. Take a minute of your time to urge the university HERE to stop experimenting on animals from shelters and to release to the public complete records on all taxpayer-funded animal experiments at the University of Utah.
Putting your subject line and letter into your own words will help draw attention to your e-mail.
Recipients
- Thomas N. Parks, Ph.D.
MESSAGE TEXT
I was shocked to learn about the painful experiments conducted on homeless dogs and cats as well as monkeys, rats, mice, rabbits, and other animals inside University of Utah laboratories.
I was especially upset to learn that the university exploits the victims of the animal homelessness crisis by buying cats and dogs who are awaiting a second chance at life from animal shelters and using them in cruel and deadly experiments. I urge you to sever your unsavory ties with these animal shelters immediately and permanently end the practice of using these animals for any purpose in the university’s laboratories.
I know that many others were appalled to learn about what goes on at the university, and as a taxpayer, I further request that you implement steps to ensure greater transparency when it comes to all the university’s publicly funded animal experiments by publishing experimental protocols, veterinary records, and minutes of the university’s laboratory oversight committee meetings on its Web site.
Justice For Toby: Toby’s Law
Immediate, please sign:
Justice For Toby: Toby’s Law
Background:
From KSAT 12
Guadalupe County authorities arrested a group of teens who they said tortured a dog to death in an abandonded home on Tuesday.
Police said the three boys ages 12, 14, and 16 walked into Stephanie Tavere’s yard and stole her beloved dog Toby.
Officers said the teens took the dog to an abandoned house and repeatedly threw the dog out of a second story window.
After its legs were broken, the boys hung the dog in a tree and proceeded to beat it like a pinata, authorities said.
Police said the teens ended up decapitating the dog.
A neighbor across the street saw the suspicious activity and called police.
The teens are being held on charges of animal cruelty resulting in death.
If convicted, they could be put in jail until they turn 19.
Nan Udell, an assistant co-attorney, said local law enforcement are very disturbed by the animal cruelty case.
She declined to show photos to KSAT 12 News that she said are too gruesome to fathom.
Udell said what is also disturbing is that the boys have shown no remorse for what they did.
“We’re very concerned about that,” Udell said. “They have been asked to have psychological testing so we can see if this is a pattern or a fluke. We don’t know right now.”
PETITION TEXT
Three years ago in Texas, three young boys kidnapped a nieghbor’s 5-month-old Pomeranian puppy, named Toby, and took him to an abandoned house. There, they climbed to the top of the building and repeatedly threw this poor pup off the edge, breaking all of his legs. They then strung him upside down BY HIS BROKEN LEGS and proceeded to hit him repeatedly with a wooden board embedded with nails, basically treating this tortured puppy like a pinata. These young monsters then lit his genitals on fire. One of them grabbed a pocketknife and started to cut Toby’s throat. It was at this point that this poor, victimized pup died of his wounds.
I know that you deal in numerous matters on a daily basis and that you have many representatives that assist you. However, I truly hope that, being an animal lover much like myself and millions of others, you will take the time to give this petition some of your time, and deep consideration. We, the animal lovers, need an individual like you to evoke change and make our dreams of animal rights a reality. For even though animal cruelty is technically illegal, it does not carry with it the consequences that it should. Indeed, consequences have been worse for driving a vehicle with no license than killing an animal. I trust you will agree.
This is our plea to you, Congressman Rahall – so as we have dedicated much of our lives to making positive change for the animals of the world, we beg of you to lead us there, to light the way in this darkness and to show us that we had good reason to never give up hope.
In conclusion, I give you my deepest appreciation and thanks for taking the time to read this. It means the world to many of us.
- Case File From PET-ABUSE.COM
Animals Rescued From North Carolina Lab: New Video of Dogs
From PETA
Written by Lindsay Pollard-Post
Just a week after PETA’s undercover investigation of Professional Laboratory and Research Services, Inc. (PLRS) forced the laboratory to shut down, the 200-plus animals who were rescued from this hellhole are safe and are beginning to heal physically and emotionally. PETA’s friends at the Virginia Beach SPCA (VBSPCA) assisted with the rescue of the animals on Friday, and they have been caring for some of the animals at their shelter. Check out the video that the VBSPCA made of the pups getting some love and attention at the shelter, playing with other dogs, and smiling as they are loaded into the vans that took them away from PLRS. Warning: You might want to have a box of tissues handy!
These dogs’ futures are bright, but other animals continue to suffer in cruel experiments that are used to test everything from toothpaste to chemical weapons. Let’s help them by never buying products that are tested on animals.
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URGENT: Two Quick Actions to Oppose Roundup of Wild Horses
Please take a couple moments to complete and submit the following two actions if you have not yet done so, the deadline for comments is September 23, thank you:
1. Please click HERE to Oppose Wild Horse Roundup in Nevada’s Clan Alpine, Pilot Mountain, and Pine Nut Mountain Herd Management Areas.
2. Please click HERE to Oppose Wild Horse Roundup in Nevada’s Lahontan Herd Management Area.
1. BACKGROUND
Your Voice Is Needed: Oppose Another Unnecessary Roundup of Our Wild Horses
Nevada’s Clan Alpine, Pilot Mountain, and Pine Nut Mountain Herd Management Areas:
224 Wild Horses Targeted for Removal
Public Comments Due By Thursday, September 23, 2010
Please take quick action today to oppose the latest herd targeted: the wild horses of the Clan Alpine, Pilot Mountain, and Pine Nut Mountain Herd Management Areas (HMAs) in Nevada. In November and February, the BLM plans to round up – via helicopter stampede – a total of 1,111 wild horses and permanently remove at least 224 of them, including any weanlings and yearlings, living in and around the HMAs. This is another drastic and unnecessary roundup of wild horses done in the name of protecting the range while still allowing grazing allotments for private livestock operators, which use the same lands for cheap grazing.
The Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) claims that this vast, nearly 670,000-acre range can support only 987 to 1,573 horses. Meanwhile the agency continues to allocate resources within this public land area to privately owned livestock rather than to our federally-protected wild horses. The Environmental Assessment for this proposed roundup is available here.
We must make our voices heard. The BLM must understand that Americans feel strongly about protecting our wild horses.
Please personalize the letter HERE and be sure to share this action alert with friends and family. Every voice counts. The deadline to submit comments is Thursday, September 23, 2010. Please be sure to include a mailing address so that BLM does not have an excuse to dismiss your comments.
Submit the form HERE to send your comments to:
- President Obama, White House
- Congress
- Department of Interior
- BLM Carson City District Office
Letters can be sent via U.S. postal mail or by facsimile:
Stillwater Field Office Manager Teresa Knutson
Sierra Front Field Manager Linda Kelly
5665 Morgan Mill Rd.
Carson City, NV 89701
Facsimile: 775-885-6147
Telephone: 775-885-6005 (For additional information ask for Steve Kramer, Planning & Environmental Coordinator)
1. MESSAGE TEXT
Clan Alpine, Pilot Mountain, and Pine Nut Mountain HMA EA (DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2010-0019-EA)
Dear [Decision Maker],
I oppose the proposed wild horse roundup that wastes tax dollars to unnecessarily roundup 1,111 wild horses permanently removing 224 horses, with the majority slated for long-term holding from the Clan Alpine, Pilot Mountain, and Pine Nut Mountain Herd Management Areas (HMAs). Based on the low reproduction data outlined in the Environmental Assessment (EA) there is no scientific support to continue a fertility control program at this time. The lack of reproduction for these herds has not been studied and is unknown; further implementation of fertility control could have further detrimental impact on the herds. The removal and fertility control proposed is not based on science, but rather BLM faulty and continued lack of science or understanding of on-the-range management.
The EA completely omits consideration of alternatives available to mitigate the need for the roundup – namely the BLM’s discretionary authority to:
* Re-evaluate and increase wild horse Appropriate Management Levels (AMLs) by reassessing and amending the Herd Management Area Plans (HMAP) and Carson City Consolidated Resource Management Plan (CRMP) under BLM’s Adaptive Management Policy (established by Interior Secretary Order N0. 3270, March 9, 2007);
* Decrease or eliminate livestock grazing in affected HMAs pursuant to 43 C.F.R. 4710.5(a); and
* Designate such areas to be managed principally for wild horse herds under 43 C.F.R. 4710.3-2.
I urge Carson City District Office and Stillwater Field Office to postpone the proposed roundup and modify the AMLs to accommodate the wild horses currently in the HMAs. Management on the range should be utilized to address the horses outside an HMA. The Proposed Action should be postponed while such a process is undertaken.
The methodology for developing this removal plan is flawed because of the following deficiencies:
– Unscientific determination of horse “overpopulation” or “excess”: Based on “Appropriate Management Levels” (AMLs) set 15 to 19 years ago, this proposal wrongly claims that the HMAs’ 650,000 acres (or 1,043 square miles) can only sustain 1,573 horses (approximately two-thirds of a square mile of land for each horse). The BLM has been found repeatedly, most recently in 2008 by the Government Accountability Office, to arbitrarily set AMLs for wild horses. The AMLs are not based on science and must be re-evaluated.
– Incomplete information on HMA horse reproduction: The data presented in the EA raises more questions than it answers and outlines the lack of data and scientific information needed in order to administer fertility control. The Clan Alpine HMA’s 2010 census indicated an increase of only five (5) horses since 2007. There is no data to support implementing further fertility control on this herd given the low reproduction rate. Before administering any additional PZP, research and study is needed to confirm the reasons for the low birth rate. Has disease affected the herd? Has predation increased? Is the PZP affecting the mares too strongly? The latter question is critical to research because the vaccine may have adversely affected the Clan Alpine mares if it was (1) administered to fillies younger than two years old, (2) given for more than five consecutive years, or (3) the mares receiving it were in excellent health and condition at the time. In such cases too young, too long, too healthy PZP tends to work too strongly, resulting in long delays in restoring fertility or outright sterilization, according to the vaccine’s developer, Dr. Jay Kirkpatrick. Thus it is of paramount importance to determine why the population growth rate is essentially zero and not just blame it on an undercount.
– Lack of current census: The Pilot Mountain and Pine Nut Mountain HMAs have no recent census data; only a partial count of horses reportedly living outside Pilot Mountain was done. Moreover, although AMLs are not supposed to include foals, BLM plans to reduce the herd based on including an estimate of them in the count.
– Inappropriate allocation of more resources to livestock than wild horses: Removal of 224 federally-protected wild horses from their designated HMAs while awarding nearly twice as many resources to privately-owned livestock is evidence that the BLM is not preserving and protecting the wild horses as the law intends.
– Harmful effects omitted in EA: The harmful effects of social disruption and destruction of family bands that the proposed roundup would cause is not addressed in the EA. Further, the EA downplays the deaths of wild horses that can be expected to result, first during the helicopter roundup and the stress of the roundup on heavily pregnant mares due in the Spring, older animals and those with disabilities.
– Fails to reconsider alternatives: Alternatives to the helicopter roundup should be considered and reviewed in the EA to mitigate the helicopter stampede. BLM routinely uses helicopter roundups over rugged terrain running horses for up to ten miles, often resulting in trauma, injury and death. No roundup is necessary at this time and fertility control should not be administered until the proper research and study outlined above are conducted.
The fact that BLM plans to remove at least 224 federally-protected wild horses from their designated herd management area while allocating resources to privately-owned livestock is evidence that this agency is not preserving and protecting the wild horses as the law intends. Despite rhetoric about change, the BLM continues business as usual, and the Clan Alpine, Pilot Mountain, Pine Nut EA and capture plan is further evidence of this fact. I join with the more than 54 members of Congress who have requested that the BLM halt all wild horse roundups. The roundup proposed for the Clan Alpine, Pilot Mountain, Pine Nut HMAs should not proceed on the basis of such a faulty scientific basis and an inadequate environmental review.
Researcher Laughs at Monkeys He Kills
Please see below for updated protest information, including Sample Letter and Addresses; these are courtesy of Fight For Animal Rights via Facebook. Thank you!
From Care2
By Mac McDaniel
Talk about adding insult to injury!
A presentation by an animal researcher at Wake Forest University features photographs showing distressed or frightened monkeys who are dressed up (or see below) and the photos have mocking captions. Some vivisectors evidently find torturing and killing animals amusing.
The presentation in question is a powerpoint document used by a researcher named Thomas Clarkson at a conference held by the National Institute on Aging. The NIA then hosted the presentation on its website, until questions about the tasteless nature of the photographs were raised.
The monkeys in question were subjected to psychological stress by unnamed methods, put to sleep, and dissected.
All this was done in the process of research on menopause. These monkeys were killed so that we could better understand menopause.
The monkeys depicted in the presentation include one on the first page, who is wearing what appears to be a dress, and is looking terrified at the camera. There is a speech bubble added that says, “I just don’t know what to think”, as though the monkey is confused about the scientific question ahead instead of terrified for her life.
At the end of the presentation there is another monkey shown wearing large glasses in a “silly” attempt to make her appear erudite. In the photograph, however, you can see a chain wrapped around her neck, which detracts from the photographer’s attempt to make her look humorous.
Incidents like this combine facts that we already know about vivisection. First, some of the most horrendous research isn’t being done to treat life-threatening illnesses, it’s done in the interest of for-profit pharmaceutical companies (Pfizer was a sponsor of the conference where this presentation was given).
Secondly, no matter how many times we hear from researchers that they value the dignity and lives of their test subjects, situations like this will always prove them wrong. How callous does a person have to be to not only kill animals, but to dress them up and humiliate them publicly?
Even if we set aside the pointlessness of the research, even if we set aside the always-improbability of learning about human conditions from animal tests, even if we neglect the trail of money from these experiments that leads back to big pharmaceutical companies, even if we set aside that the potential applications of this research might bring back treatments once linked to cancer, we are still left with the horrifying nature of the experiments themselves.
We are left with the fact that animals were not only killed, but also the fact that those animals bear such resemblance to our own appearance was used to mock them for the amusement of callous vivisectors.
Boycott companies that test on animals. Do not support industries and companies that profit from torturing animals. And do not believe researchers who claim to have animals’ best interests at heart.
Pictures from Google Docs
Gateway to Hell, Please Protest Airports That Support Vivisection
Please send TWO sample letters (one in English, one in French) to the listed addresses.
Thank you to Loredana for this information, and thank you to Wendy and Christine for the sample letter. Thank you to Isabella as well for the French letter. Please see the initial alert HERE (can only be viewed via Facebook account).
For additional information and actions, please visit:
National Anti-Vivisection Alliance (NAVA)
As you probably know, in Italy we are fighting a battle against a laager. Green Hill is a puppy mill that sell Beagles to labs all over Europe, especially to HLS. Our email campaign against the airport of Brescia was a success: we didn’t save animals, but we made things quite difficult for them. And much more expensive. Next Saturday we are going to march in Rome to say NO to vivisection, and to protest against the new Directive on Vivisection voted by our shameful MEP’s last Sept 8th.
Facebook event:
CORTEO NAZIONALE CONTRO LA VIVISEZIONE
Naturally I’m not asking you to attend. I ask your support, or better I want it. Shac-UK in London and Paris are with us, this is going to be the biggest demo against vivisection in Europe. Naturally I’ll be there, even though I must travel for 19 hours by bus.
Another request: please write. They must stop flying animals, we must protest in the only way we (legally) can. Sample letter included below. Please forgive me for the photos, I know that is a sufferance for you, but it is the only way to capture people’s attention on the worst of legal crimes.
Than you very much, Lo x
WHERE TO SEND YOUR MESSAGE
As a group:
Copy and paste as a group, input into your TO: and select/hit one carriage return or enter; this method works for me on both my Comcast and Yahoo accounts. Please note that in the original alert two emails run together, but even when I separated them, they still invalidated the submission of the message in whole: charlotte.dechavagnac@adp.frathieu.monnet@adp.fr, so I removed them entirely.
bcninfofi@aena.es, jbarreiro@aena.es, abello@aena.es, jbferrandiz@aena.es, mpardo@aena.es, afabregas@aena.es, operations-acm@cote-azur.cci.fr, ccinice.en@cote-azur.cci.fr, DRH-recrutement@cote-azur.cci.fr, Christian.prouddiaz@cote-azur.cci.fr, michele.dabbene@cote-azur.cci.fr, webmestre@cote-azur.cci.fr, olivier.dufour@cote-azur.cci.fr, valery.sawoski@cote-azur.cci.fr, umberto.vallino@cote-azur.cci.fr, valery.sawosik@cote-azur.cci.fr, sophie.salmasso@cote-azur.cci.fr, philippe.platek@adp.fr, infopresse@adp.fr, pierre.graff@adp.fr, francois.rubichon@adp.fr, bernard.cathelain@adp.fr, laurent.galzy@adp.fr, rene.brun@adp.fr, patrice.hardel@adp.fr, pascal.bourge@adp.fr, gonzalve.decordoue@adp.fr, francois.cangardel@adp.fr, jerome.landras@adp.fr, corinne.bokobza@adp.fr, mathieu.monnet@adp.fr, melanie.coviaux@adp.fr, sebastien.farris@adp.fr, claire.gozlan@adp.fr, alice.teixeira@adp.fr, laurence.saragosti@adp.fr, catherine.leroy@adp.fr, phillipe.platek@adp.fr
Individually:
bcninfofi@aena.es, jbarreiro@aena.es, abello@aena.es, jbferrandiz@aena.es, mpardo@aena.es, afabregas@aena.es, operations-acm@cote-azur.cci.fr, ccinice.en@cote-azur.cci.fr, DRH-recrutement@cote-azur.cci.fr, Christian.prouddiaz@cote-azur.cci.fr, michele.dabbene@cote-azur.cci.fr, webmestre@cote-azur.cci.fr, olivier.dufour@cote-azur.cci.fr, valery.sawoski@cote-azur.cci.fr, umberto.vallino@cote-azur.cci.fr, valery.sawosik@cote-azur.cci.fr, sophie.salmasso@cote-azur.cci.fr, philippe.platek@adp.fr, infopresse@adp.fr, pierre.graff@adp.fr, francois.rubichon@adp.fr, bernard.cathelain@adp.fr, laurent.galzy@adp.fr, rene.brun@adp.fr
patrice.hardel@adp.fr, pascal.bourge@adp.fr, gonzalve.decordoue@adp.fr, francois.cangardel@adp.fr, jerome.landras@adp.fr, corinne.bokobza@adp.fr, mathieu.monnet@adp.fr, melanie.coviaux@adp.fr, sebastien.farris@adp.fr, claire.gozlan@adp.fr, alice.teixeira@adp.fr, laurence.saragosti@adp.fr, catherine.leroy@adp.fr, phillipe.platek@adp.fr
SAMPLE MESSAGE TO SEND:
To Whom It Concerns,
I was sickened to hear that your airport has been allowing the transport of animals for laboratories through your premises.
These animals are currently dying in cruel and pointless experiments, such as being forced to inhale noxious gasses or being force-fed weedkillers. Primates are being used in barbaric tests where they are deprived of food and water to make them perform procedures and tasks. Electrodes will be implanted into their brains to monitor activity, despite the fact that there are means to conduct such experiments without causing the suffering and pain of laboratory animals.
I ask that you stop playing a vital role in this trade and refuse laboratory animals to be transported through your airport; it is important to note that numerous other airlines have made the decision to refuse participation in the brutal animal testing industry, and I hope you make the same decision.
Yours Sincerely,
SAMPLE MESSAGE TO SEND IN FRENCH:
Madame, Monsieur
Je suis scandalisée d’apprendre que vos compagnies continuent à transporter des animaux vers les laboratoires Green Hill.
Pour y être torturés et mourir dans des conditions atroces.
Les expériences effectuées sur ces animaux sans défence, prostrés, effrayés sont d’une cruauté intense et ignoble.
De plus expérimenter sur les animaux ne représentent que des massacres qui n’apportent rien aux recherches effectuées puisque nos corps et nos réactions sont différentes de celle de ces pauvres animaux.
Pendant c ombien de temps cette cruelle complicité va -t elle continuer ?
Comment pouvez vous être complice de tels actes ignobles ?
Je vous joins cette video ( vous en trouverez d’autres sur le même site ): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDjEQg1lzz0
Je suppose que vous savez ce que vous faites et où vous les envoyer et ce qu’ils vont subir.
Veuillez taper sur google Green Hill and experimentation ou on animals or vivisectiong and Green Hill
Merci, de suivre l’exemple des compagnies et des aéroports qui se refusent à cautionner de telles horreurs .
Et, d’adopter une attitude responsable et digne .
Pour évoluer vers une société moderne qui adopte les expérimentations sans animaux et une société compassionnelle et intelligente.
Merci d’en prendre réflexion.
Salutations,
7 Things to Know About the Underage US Sex Trade
IMMEDIATE, PLEASE TAKE ACTION:
Urge Congress to pass legislation combating human trafficking within the United States.
From Care2
By Evie Pless
1. It exists. Americans tend to associate sex trafficking of minors with distant countries and often don’t realize the same problem is serious and growing within the United States. Nicholas Kristof, whose masterful and heartbreaking reports illuminated human trafficking in Cambodia, recently shone the spotlight on the tragedy’s American twin, and two bills pending in Congress will hopefully give the US a chance to better understand and address domestic trafficking.
2. The number of children forced into prostitution is high, and the average initial age is low. Within the US, more than 100,000 children are victimized through commercial sex and prostitution each year. The average age at which girls first become victims of prostitution is 12-14 and the average age for boys and transgender youth is 11-13. That’s a pretty harsh reality check for people who advocate on behalf of some form of “voluntary” prostitution.
3. American street-kids are one of the most vulnerable groups. According to Kristof, “There’s a misperception in America that “sex trafficking” is mostly about foreigners smuggled into the U.S. That exists. But I’ve concluded that the biggest problem and worst abuses involve not foreign women but home-grown runaway kids.”
Sex trafficking is much closer to home than many Americans realize — each year, at least 100,000 children are victimized through commercial sex and prostitution within the United States.
4. There have been cases of human trafficking in all 50 states and D.C, and your favorite city could easily be a center for sex trafficking. It’s worth being informed, and there are probably local shelters where you can volunteer or lend your support.
Petite woman who bagged monster alligator defends trophy hunt
Editor’s Note: Ah, more speciesist brutality and disingenuous rhetoric meant to appeal to “common sense” and “understanding”. But of COURSE it is logical to conserve by killing! Uh-huh … Only a hunter can utter such vapid and self-serving banalities to validate murder. Sadly, the freakishness of blood-seeking sadists adheres to human law, but we all know the higher calling of compassionate obligation is missed by the majority of those who would kill their brothers if legal.
And quite frankly, it’s not her size that amazes me, it’s that she has managed to survive being so utterly stupid, greedy, ugly, and perversely shameless.
From GrindTV, Yahoo
By Pete Thomas
Maryellen Mara-Christian last week caught and killed what some might perceive to be a genuine monster: an American alligator measuring more than 13 feet and weighing more than 1,000 pounds.
Now, it seems, the hunter has become the hunted.
Her story, which played out over two chaotic hours on Lake Moultrie in South Carolina, made national headlines and morning and evening news shows. They found it remarkable that a woman who stands just 5 feet 5 and weighs only 120 pounds could wrangle such a mammoth beast.
Afterward, however, some people became outraged by the methods used to dispatch the great reptile: baited fishing lines, followed by harpoons, a muzzle snare, shots from a .22-caliber weapon and, ultimately, a knife jab to the spinal cord.
“This woman should be in jail, not on TV,” was among the tamer comments posted beneath a story on Carolinalive.com.
“They tortured that alligator for hours. That’s just plain sick,” a Bostonherald.com reader chimed in.
The hunter, who is from Massachusetts and received help from her husband and a guide, defended her actions and correctly stated that hunting of gators is legal in South Carolina and a limited seasonal hunt is how the state’s wildlife agency keeps their numbers in check.
“I enjoy nature and animals a great deal and I understand why there is a reason for hunting,” Mara-Christian told the Boston Herald. “I hunt because I want these creatures to be here forever.”
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Our Compass 