The following action alert is excerpted from the latest edition of Dogs Deserve Better’s (DDB) eNewsletter:

Be A Voice for Fulton County, Georgia Chained Dogs

These dogs are among an estimated 1000+ living permanently “chained-out-in-the-back-yard” in Fulton County…. isolated and neglected. Please be their voice by asking the Fulton County Commissioners to outlaw chaining. Gwinnett, Dekalb, Cobb, Cherokee and Douglas counties are the metro-Atlanta counties among the 15+ in Georgia who’ve already outlawed chaining. It’s shameful that Fulton County, the State Capital, is lagging behind. See more Fulton County Chained Dogs. Warning: photos may be disturbing to some.

The Ban on Dog Chaining in Fulton County has been introduced and NOW IS THE TIME to have your voice heard for all these dogs. There are 3 chances to be heard:

1. Wed Jan 14 2pm -
Meeting with Com. Nancy Boxhill District 6.
Her district is Grant Park, Capital view, Candler Park, Cabbagetown, Castleberry Hill, Inman Park, Midtown, Vine city, VA Highlands – If you are a resident she cares more about you.

2. Tues Jan 20 9:30am -
Meeting with Com. Rob Pitts – At Large
At large means he covers all Fulton County.

3. Wed Jan 21 10am -
Commission meeting open to Public/ Need people for 2 minute public comment. I have photos, facts, scripts ready to make it easy. Tell your story, why you want this law passed. This is your chance to be heard in front of everybody. I need LOTS OF PEOPLE to show up for this!!!! Contact Denise if you can speak.

If you can’t attend a meeting, please at least send an email to the Commissioners expressing your support of the proposed ban on long-term tethering (aka “chaining”).

Commissioners addresses are:

john.eaves [at] fultoncountyga.gov, robb.pitts [at] fultoncountyga.gov, lynne.riley [at] fultoncountyga.gov, Tom.Lowe [at] fultoncountyga.gov, Emma.Darnell [at] fultoncountyga.gov, district6 [at] fultoncountyga.gov, William.Edwards [at] fultoncountyga.gov

Contact local news stations and ask for reports on the horrors of dog chaining in Fulton County at myfoxatlanta.com or email Randy Travis (randy.travis [at] myfoxatlanta.com), Reporter for Fox 5 Atlanta News with a blog about Fulton County, community.myfoxatlanta.com/blogs/RandyTravis

If you don’t live in the area, DDB suggests that you send an email in support of the anti-tethering ordinance. For information and talking points, check out the group’s Get Laws! page. You may find the HSUS’s factsheet “The Facts About Chaining or Tethering Dogs” particularly helpful.

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Action Alerts

PETA India: Anjelica Huston to Hollywood: ‘No More Monkey Business’
“Please use the form below to demand that the Animal Welfare Board of India refuse to grant filmmakers permission to shoot or air films and commercials in India which use chimpanzees or orang-utans. Also ask the Advertising Standards Council of India to amend its guidelines to prohibit the use of chimpanzees and orang-utans in commercials.”

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM): Save Dogs from Trauma Training at the University of Michigan
“Documents obtained by PCRM under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act reveal that UM is using lost or surrendered pets—including a silver-and-black malamute named Koda—from Michigan shelters for the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course. At UM, this course involves cutting open live, anesthetized dogs and practicing emergency medical procedures. After the training session, the animals are killed. All of this happens even though UM owns a validated nonanimal teaching method as part of its state-of-the-art medical simulation center.”

Planned Parenthood: REPEAL THE GLOBAL GAG RULE
“The Reagan-era global gag rule mandated that no U.S. family planning assistance funding can be given to organizations that provide abortion services, offer counseling and referral for abortion care, or advocate legal abortion access in their own countries — even if they do so with their own funds. International reproductive health care organizations have faced a dangerous dilemma: either accept desperately needed U.S. funds but deny women life-saving services and information, or reject U.S. assistance and be forced to cut crucial prevention services. The global gag rule has meant that approximately 200 million women around the world have faced enormous barriers in seeking family planning services. Ask the Obama administration to overturn the global gag rule as soon as possible by adding your name below.”

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Action Alerts

Council for a Livable World (CLW): Join the Call for a Nuclear Weapons Free World!
“For decades, many people believed the “world free of nuclear weapons” that we, you, and others called for was not possible. They said it was impractical, too left-wing, dangerous, or even naïve. But today, we stand one week away from the Inauguration of a President who has declared: ‘This is the moment when we must renew the goal of a world without nuclear weapons.’ Join our movement now. Obama has made his declaration. Make yours, too.”

Earth Day Network: Include Green Schools in the Stimulus Package!
“Greening and repairing America’s schools would create 300,000 jobs in the construction industry, and help stimulate green technology and energy efficiency. An investment in educational services will generate significantly more jobs – over 23 jobs per $1 million invested – than spending in any other public infrastructure sector. In President-elect Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, 3.6 million jobs are predicted to be created, with 30% in manufacturing and construction. We need to make sure these jobs help repair and green America’s schools. Renewable energy also cannot be overlooked in the stimulus bill – the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries created 8.5 million jobs in 2006, nearly $970 billion in revenue, and more than $100 billion in industry profits.”

Greenpeace UK: Join the plot to stop airport expansion
“We’re now the proud owners of a small piece of land within the site of the proposed third runway at Heathrow. We’re expecting the government will announce that they’re going ahead with expansion at Heathrow this week and we now need you to join us. Sign up now to get your own piece of the plot. It’s not a financial thing, but you will be included as an owner on the legal deed of trust.”

Peace Action: CALL FOR A CEASEFIRE
While the violence in Gaza continues unabated, and may well be escalated soon, the U.S. Congress voted late last week on resolutions giving unqualified support to Israel’s actions. The Senate’s vote last Thursday was not even recorded; it was passed by a voice vote. In the House, the roll call (on a resolution that was even more one-sided than the one in the Senate) last Friday was 390 yes, 5 no and 22 “present” (usually taken to mean the Representative wanted to register opposition to the measure without voting “no”). Another piece of legislation has been proposed; one which acknowledges the plight of the women, children, and men in Gaza.”

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Help End Cruel Pig Lab in Florida
“This weekend (January 16 to 19), the American Society for Women’s Health’s East Meets West Gynecology Summit is being held at the Disney Boardwalk Resort, and it is scheduled to include a laboratory session in which live pigs will be cut up to demonstrate surgical procedures. During the animal laboratory, which will be held on January 18 at the Florida Hospital Celebration Health in Kissimmee, pigs will be forced to endure various laparoscopic surgical procedures and suturing exercises, all of which can be demonstrated by using simulation tools and human cadavers—without harming animals.”

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Update, 5/11/09:

As reported by SHARK, on April 16, Zeb Lanham pled guilty to felony domestic battery and

was sentenced to a 10-year unified prison term with the first five years fixed and the second five indeterminate. However, included in the plea agreement was the stipulation the judge retain jurisdiction of the case, allowing Lanham to complete a rehabilitation and education program. So Lanham was remanded to North Idaho Correctional Institution situated at Cottonwood for 180 days, in which he will complete the rider program, and attend the treatment classes set for him.

“What they actually do is, in part, determined by the charges they were convicted on,” Lee said of the rider treatment program.

After those 180 days, Lanham will return to the court and, based on the recommendation from the Idaho Department of Corrections on how Lanham did in his program, the judge will likely either order Lanham to serve the remainder of his sentence or waive prison time in favor of probation on the condition he cannot break any of the terms set.

So he could serve as little as 180 days for beating his partner, who was pregnant (and thus especially vulnerable) at the time. Just goes to show how little the patriarchy values women and non-human animals (remember, he also earns a living by abusing sentient creatures).

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In their current newsletter, SHARK highlights the arrest of “Bull Rider” Zeb Lanham – for felony domestic violence. Lanham was charged with beating his 22-year-old pregnant girlfriend, and subsequently pled guilty.

Man charged in violent beating episode of girlfriend
By Jessica Keller
Argus Observer
Friday, November 14, 2008 10:51 AM PST

FRUITLAND — A Sweet, Idaho, man and professional bull rider was arrested and charged with felony domestic violence following an incident that occurred Nov. 3 in Fruitland.

Zeb Lanham, 24, was arrested Nov 3 following an incident at the residence of Kimberly Butler, 22, his girlfriend and the woman with whom shares a child.

“A warrant was issued for his arrest, and he turned himself in on Nov. 4,” Payette County Prosecuting Attorney Brian Lee said Wednesday. “He is still in custody last I know. The court set a $200,000 bond in this case.”

Lee said police are still gathering evidence, so what he can say about the case is limited. According to the police report, however, law enforcement officials were called following an argument between Lanham and Butler. Lanham was reported to have caused “great bodily harm with traumatic injury on Butler’s face,” according to the police report. A Fruitland police officer interviewed Butler, who is also pregnant, at Holy Rosary Medical Center, where she was being treated. She was later transported by LifeFlight Air Ambulance to a Boise-area hospital for treatment of her injuries. Those injuries include a broken cheekbone and swelling that was apparently putting pressure on her brain, according to the police report. According to the police report, Butler entered a neighbor’s house to call 911 after she sustained her injuries. Lanham is scheduled to appear Monday in Payette County Court for his preliminary hearing.

Bullrider pleads guilty at arraignment session
By: JESSICA KELLER
ARGUS OBSERVER
Sunday, December 21, 2008 1:58 AM PST

PAYETTE—A professional bullrider charged with felony domestic violence pleaded guilty following a plea agreement during his arraignment Friday in Payette County District Court. [...]

One of the terms of the agreement is that Lanham be sentenced to a 10-year unified prison term with the first five years fixed. The plea agreement also stipulates Lanham pay restitution, although the terms of that have not been decided upon yet. The prison sentence, however, comes with the stipulation at the Feb. 19 sentencing date, the prosecutors will recommend the judge retain jurisdiction of the case, allowing Lanham to complete a rehabilitation and education program, which usually lasts between four to six months, Lee said. Following the completion of the program, depending on the results, the Idaho Department of Corrections could recommend to the judge Lanham serve probation or serve the original sentence, or the judge can go ahead and impose the original sentence anyway.

“Based on the totality of the circumstances of the case, we determined that was an appropriate plea agreement in this matter,” Lee said.

In Idaho, if a person has not been convicted of a prior felony offense, it is unlikely he or she would go to prison for the initial conviction, regardless. Under the current plea agreement, Lanham will have to demonstrate prison is not the best option before a final decision is made.

Lee said, based on his records, Lanham does not have a prior felony conviction. According to Idaho Department of Corrections records, however, Lanham is facing misdemeanor battery charges in Gem County in a case that has been scheduled for jury trial. Lee said, while that case remains unresolved, it is impossible to say whether it will have any impact in Lanham’s sentencing or affect possible probation opportunities if his treatment program is completed successfully.

Of this most recent case, SHARK notes, “Another example of what research has proven, violence to animals is a precursor of violence to humans.”

Indeed, on their website, SHARK documents a number of cases of violent crime among rodeo participants; the target of the violence is often non-human animals, but other victimized groups include women, children and people of color:

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I’m not really big on Mickey Rourke, but I damn near tear up every time this video of his Golden Globes acceptance speech pops up on MSNB:

After a rather heartfelt speech, Rourke concludes by recognizing his dogs: “I’d like to thank all my dogs…the ones who are here, and the ones who aren’t here anymore. Because, sometimes when a man’s alone, all you got is your dog and they meant the world to me.”

The St. Louis Examiner, writing about Rourke’s (unfortunately) unusual speech, includes a video of Rourke taken at the Venice Film Festival last year. Rourke’s Chihuahua/terrier mix, Loki, accompanied him onto the red carpet. Rourke explained, “My dog is very old, she is 16 and she is not going to be around for long so I want to spend every moment with her.”

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Kelly’s note: If you’d like to take further action on this issue – for example, by encouraging your Congresspeople to join the call for a ceasefire – here are some additional, human-centered action alerts to get you started:

Amnesty International: Civilians must be protected in Gaza and Israel

Citizens for Justice in the Middle East: Action Alerts

CREDO Action: We need a ceasefire now in Gaza.

J Street: Stop the violence in Gaza

MercyCorps: Help Ensure Aid Reaches Gaza’s Families

Oxfam: Urge an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Peace Action West: For peace in Gaza, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan – we need cooperative, not military solutions.

Progressive Democrats of America (PDA): Stop the Gaza Massacre–Enforce the Law

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Jan 12, 2009 6:11 PM
Subject: Animals In The Crossfire – Hamas/Israel War

VOLUNTEER FORM: Officially register in Kinship Circle’s Disaster Aid Network of volunteers, www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/volunteer/default.html

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
1/12/08: Animals In The Crossfire – Hamas/Israel War

www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

IN THIS ALERT:

1. Donations Needed For Animals Left In Gaza Streets
2. Israel To Fund Medical Care For War-Injured Animals
3. Donkeys, Mules, Horses In The Holy Land
4. Middle East Animal Welfare Groups

Whatever your opinion about the present war between Hamas and Israel, one fact remains: Animals are innocents in the crossfire. PLEASE NOTE: There is not much animal rescue news related to the Hamas/Israeli war at this time. Most photos below are from the 2005 Gaza evacuation. When we learn more ways to help animals, we’ll post updates. KINSHIP CIRCLE

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Jan 9, 2009 10:27 PM
Subject: Billy’s Last Chance [FRIENDS OF KC ALERT]

FRIENDS OF KINSHIP CIRCLE ALERT – PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST

COMING SOON: Friends Of Kinship Circle Blog

LOOK FOR THE DEBUT OF OUR NEW BLOG, FRIENDS OF KINSHIP CIRCLE…
Where your alerts will reach a huge web readership. We’ll keep you posted!

Kinship Circle does not write/research these alerts. We’re not responsible for their accuracy. Please do NOT hit reply! Contact the source directly.

FRIENDS OF KINSHIP CIRCLE ALERT
1/9/09: Last Chance To Close L.A. Elephant Display & Free Billy

SOURCES / REPLY TO:

FOR QUESTIONS, CONTACT: zoos [at] idausa.org or 323-301-5730
Bettina, brosie96 [at] yahoo.com
Los Angeles Alliance for Elephants, davidkca [at] earthlink.net

BILLY’S LAST CHANCE

City Council member Tony Cardenas has presented a motion to stop the L.A. Zoo’s $42 million elephant exhibit renovation. Despite its mammoth expense to taxpayers, it still will not provide the space elephants need, and elephants will continue to suffer and die painfully and prematurely at the Zoo. Fifteen elephants have died at L.A. Zoo. More than half never lived to age 20. Elephants have a natural lifespan of 60-70 years.

We urgently need your help to close the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit and send its lone elephant, Billy, to a sanctuary. We are so close to freeing him from his lonely existence in a miserable, barren zoo pen — please don’t let him down! This is our last chance to make a difference. There are two very important meetings next week + other actions to take:

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Action Alerts

Liberation BC: Foie Gras Campaign
“Here in Vancouver there are many restaurants that serve foie gras, ranging from high-end French restaurants to restaurants that otherwise try to serve only local and organic products. Foie gras is definitely not local, and there is no organic foie gras. [...] Please contact the following Vancouver businesses and politely tell them that you will not patronize their establishment until they drop foie gras from the menu. Use this link to send an email to all of the establishments listed below that have an email address (using the BCC field). This will only send to the restaurants and shops that have listed email addresses.”

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Tell the governor and state legislators not to use California’s environment as a bargaining chip
“State leaders are attempting to balance the budget at the expense of California’s environment with major exemptions for transportation projects and by eliminating funding for transit operations. Urge Governor Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders to oppose environmental exemptions and transit cuts in budget negotiations.”

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Ask Marquette University to End Cruel Classroom Experiments
“After receiving a complaint from a concerned student, PETA has learned that Marquette University requires students in its experimental physiology class to conduct cruel experiments on the nerves, muscles, hearts, and other organs of rats, frogs, and turtles. The instructors bash turtles in the head with hammers. Students operate on rats and then kill them and destroy frogs’ brains by sticking a pin through the animals’ skulls (a process called “pithing”). The frogs are then dissected while their hearts are still beating.”

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Vote to Ban Jallikatu on www.jallikatu.com
“[This website] provides an opportunity to vote to ban jallikatu (a “game” that involves taunting, chasing and harassing bulls) in India. The results of the poll will be sent to the Supreme Court of India. You can vote at: www.jallikatu.com” [Remember to confirm your vote via email!]

PETA Asia-Pacific: Urge Manila’s Leading Restaurants to Ditch Foie Gras
“As part of a larger initiative to reduce cruelty to animals, celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck recently announced that he will no longer serve foie gras in any of his 137 U.S. restaurants. But restaurants around the world—including many in Manila—continue to serve the gourmet cruelty. Please join PETA Asia-Pacific in urging restaurants to follow Puck’s compassionate example by no longer serving foie gras.”

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Proceed with caution: Major spoilers ahead!

A few weeks ago, I wrote about an animal rights terrorism plotline on CBS’s The Mentalist. At the time, I worried that maybe the show had jumped the shark. Well, after a brief break over the holiday season, The Mentalist returned Tuesday with an awesome episode (Season 1, Episode 11: Red John’s Friends). Although…I was a little surprised to see animal rights terra-ists make another brief appearance. That’s two episodes in a row, and in completely unrelated story lines. And this time, we Totally. Ruin. Everything. Like WTF, Bruno Heller!?

Here are the relevant bits: the titular character (Simon Baker as Patrick Jane) used to be a psychic charlatan, a fraud. A real sleazy John Edward type. While on the daytime talk show circuit, Jane started talking smack about a serial killer called Red John, whom he was “helping” the police to catch. Red John got pissed and killed Jane’s wife and daughter. Jane renounced his flim-flamin’ ways and joined the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as a legitimate consultant – with the ultimate goal of one day finding Red John and exacting revenge.

There’s the background. So. In this particular episode, a convicted murderer (Todd Stashwick as Jared) makes a deal with Jane: Jane proves the man’s innocence (he’s an asshat, but ultimately not guilty of this particular crime), and he’ll tell Jane everything he knows about Red John (a friend of friend dealio). Jane ultimately solves the case, catching the real killer – but with a little help from Red John. Red John, you see, is onto Jared, and wants him sprung from the pokey so Red John can kill him before Jared divulges his identity. Jared suspects as much because, hey! – he’s flapping his gums about outing a serial killer. CBI wants Jared to get to Red John who also wants to get Jared. It’s a game of cat and mouse, and they’re all playing one another.

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While I understand what they’re getting at, this series of print ads for Lifebuoy hand wash are unfortunate, to say the least:

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