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From: Last Chance for Animals - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Dec 10, 2007 1:52 PM
Subject: Michael Vick Sentenced Today, Mon 12/10

Michael Vick: Sentenced to 23 Months
A Victory for Animals!

Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison and three years probation this morning for his role in the “Bad Newz Kennels” dogfighting operation and his participation in the brutal killing of several dogs that did not “perform well”.

During his sentencing the suspended football star apologized to the court and his family. However, Judge Henry Hudson told him, “You need to apologize to the millions of young people who looked up to you”.

In August, Michael Vick entered a plea agreement stating that he took part in an illegal, interstate dogfighting enterprise. In documents filed, Vick said he knew dogs that did not perform well were killed. He said the fights involved gambling although he did not personally place bets. To read the full text of the plea submitted by Michael Vick click here.

Judge Hudson called Vick’s actions “cruel and inhumane” and said that Vick was a full partner in “Bad Newz Kennels” and was therefore equally culpable in all crimes committed. Two of Vick’s codefendants were sentenced last week; Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips, received 18 and 21 months respectively. The final defendant in this case, Tony Taylor, will be sentenced this Friday.

Prior to the sentencing today Assistant U.S. Attorney General Michael Gill asked Judge Hudson to sentence Michael Vick to jail time at the high end of the guideline range of 18-24 months.
Write to the Honorable Judge Henry Hudson and Assistant U.S. Attorney General Michael Gill and thank them for taking a strong stance against dogfighting.

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From: Last Chance for Animals campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Nov 20, 2007 4:43 PM
Subject: Early Holiday Shopping at the LCA Fundraiser - Sun Dec 2nd

Kim Sill and Last Chance for Animals cordially invites you to our Holiday Fundraiser Extravaganza

Get some holiday shopping done early at Last Chance for Animals’ 3rd Annual Holiday Fundraiser Extravaganza.

We will have one of a kind jewelry, handbags, orchids, gift baskets, animal treats, artwork and many more unique items for sale!

The festivities include a silent auction, gift bags to the first 100 people, door prizes, assorted hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, and, of course, lots of holiday cheer.

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From: Last Chance for Animals - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Nov 12, 2007 10:01 PM
Subject: Elephant Dies at San Antonio Zoo-Urge Closure of Elephant Exhibit! 11/12

As Maggie explores her new life in Sanctuary, Alport dies after a lifetime in Captivity!

Animal activists across the country are celebrating the relocation of Maggie from the Alaska Zoo to PAWS Elephant Sanctuary in California. Unfortunately, while life for Maggie has dramatically improved, hundreds of elephants across the country are still suffering in captivity.

Alport, a lifelong captive of the San Antonio Zoo, died early this month. She lived at the zoo since she was donated only four years after her birth in Kenya in 1958. Although the cause of Alport’s death is not immediately known, a veterinarian last week diagnosed her with a painful orthopedic tear.

Alport was noticeably uncomfortable last Wednesday, Oct 31st, and was struggling to walk and stand on Thursday morning, she finally collapsed and was unable to get up on her own on Friday, Nov 1st, at 5:30 A.M.

Alport’s death leaves just one elephant at the San Antonio Zoo, a 47 year old elephant named Lucky.

Since 2000, 56 elephants have died at A.Z.A. accredited institutions, half of them dying before the age of 40. Elephants in the wild live up to 70 years of age. Elephants are suffering in captivity - the proof is before our eyes - we must speak and act on their behalf.

Please take a minute and write to the San Antonio Zoo, encourage them to send Lucky to sanctuary and (most importantly) to close their elephant exhibit permanently. Sample text is below, contact information is at box to left.

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UPDATE, 11/15/07:

Updated to include Daniel McGowan’s unit # on his mailing address:

Daniel McGowan
#63794-053, Unit I
FCI Sandstone
P.O. Box 1000
Sandstone, MN 55072

Thanks to Jenny for the correction!

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In honor of International Human Rights Day (December 10th), Amnesty International is holding a “Global Write-a-thon” through December 7-10, 2007.

The details:

On or around International Human Rights Day (December 10) activists from around the world write letters on behalf of individuals at risk of human rights abuses. The Global Write-a-thon was initiated by Amnesty International Poland in 2002 and was a huge success. It became a global, annual event that involves tens of thousands of participants from more than thirty countries. The goal is that this intense and concentrated pressure will elicit positive change in the lives of human rights defenders, prisoners of conscience, and other victims of human rights abuses.

Everyone can participate. It’s easy! Follow the 5 simple steps below:

1. Register for the write-a-thon as an individual or as a group. Watch as your pledges help light up the Amnesty candle.

2. Spread the word! Encourage your friends and family to get involved.

3. Check out the write-a-thon resources online starting the week of November 12th. You’ll find everything you need to participate on this site including case sheets, sample letters, a checklist for how to plan an event, and promotional materials. For hard copies, please email us at writeathon [at] aiusa.org

4. Write and mail lots of letters on Dec. 7-10.

5. Report back: Let us know how many letters were sent.

While Amnesty International focuses its efforts on prisoners of conscience who have been jailed for their human rights activities (for example, some of this year’s cases include “a prisoner of conscience from Myanmar, a disappeared student from Chechnya, and a survivor of rape from the Democratic Republic of Congo”), why not organize an event to generate letters of support for jailed animal rights and eco-activists instead of in addition to AI’s suggested targets? Better yet, register your event with Amnesty International and report your letters to the org - tell them that animal rights activists, tree huggers, and other “terra-ists” are important to you, too!

Interestingly, the same day that Amnesty International emailed their announcement of the Global Write-a-thon, Last Chance for Animals (LCA) sent out an action alert urging supporters to “Reach Out to an Animal Activist in Prison!” You can find that email - along with additional resources for AR prisoner support - after the flip.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Last Chance for Animals - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Oct 29, 2007 7:46 PM
Subject: 10/29 Elephant Update! Alaska Zoo Ele to Sanctuary-L.A. Zoo Faces Lawsuit!

Maggie, Alaska Zoo Elephant, to Sanctuary! Zoo to Close Elephant Exhibit!

Judge Refuses to Dismiss L.A. Zoo Elephant Abuse Case!

Great News! Maggie, the lone elephant in the Alaska Zoo, will move to PAWS Elephant Sanctuary in Northern California!

EVEN GREATER NEWS! THE ALASKA ZOO IS PERMANENTLY CLOSING THEIR ELEPHANT EXHIBIT!

On November 1st, Maggie will be flying from Alaska to California, via an Air Force cargo craft. Last month, the Alaska Zoo Board of Directors decided that it was in the best interest to her health and well-being to be with other elephants in a milder climate. This announcement came after years of controversy over Maggie’s health, culminating this May after Maggie had to be hoisted to her feet twice, following an illness.

Thanks to all your phone calls, emails and faxes, Maggie is free from captivity, but most importantly, thank you for helping to permanently close down the Alaska Zoo elephant exhibit. Countless other elephants will be saved from the horrors of captivity. The Alaska Zoo is now the 12th Zoo in recent years to permanently close down or phase out their elephant exhibit.

Maggie is also the third elephant moved to sanctuary this year. Dulary from the Philadelphia Zoo and Ruby from the Los Angeles Zoo were also moved to sanctuary this year. The Philadelphia Zoo made the decision to permanently close down their elephant exhibit, while the Los Angeles Zoo is still moving forward, unfortuntately, with a new $39 million dollar exhibit.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Last Chance for Animals - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Oct 24, 2007 7:11 PM
Subject: Act Now! Help Protect Pets in the Farm Bill! 10/24

Protect Pets in the Farm Bill!

You can help keep lost and stolen pets out of research laboratories! Call your Senators today!

Last Chance for Animals has been fighting to keep stolen and lost pets out of research laboratories for over 10 years. This year we have a chance to pass federal legislation to do just that — The Pet Safety and Protection Act (PSPA). Recently, the PSPA, along with several other animal welfare provisions, was attached to the 2007 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill has already passed the House of Representatives and we need your help to continue this momentum!

Currently, the 2007 Farm Bill is sitting in the Senate Agricultural Committee and the committee is expected to take up its version of the Farm Bill any day now.

Please contact your senators and urge them to support the Animal Welfare Act provisions, especially the Pet Safety Protection Act (PSPA), in the Farm Bill.

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From: Last Chance for Animals - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Sep 5, 2007 9:14 PM
Subject: 9/15 Puppy Mill Awareness Day! Join us!

Puppy Mill Awareness Day: September 15th, 2007

Join Last Chance for Animals, Best Friends Animal Society and Adopt-A-Pet for Puppy Mill Awareness Day (PMAD)!

PMAD is held every September in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, “The Puppy Mill Capital of the East Coast.” Lancaster has more puppy mills per capita than any other county in the United States.

What: Puppy Mill Awareness Day 2007

When: Saturday, September 15, 2007
10am-4pm

Where: Intercourse Community Park
Leacock Township in Lancaster County
3730 Old Philadelphia Pike
Ronks, PA 17534

Who: Special guests include - LCA president and founder Chris DeRose, Poison drummer Rikki Rockett, Dogs Deserve Better founder Tammy Sneath Grimes, animal law expert Claudine Wilkins and more. For more information on the event visit the Puppy Mill Awareness Day website.

Puppy Mill Awareness Day in your town!

If you would like to organize a Puppy Mill Awareness Day in your area please contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteer [at] lcanimal.org or call 310-271-6096 x25.

Puppy mills are filthy, overcrowded, breeding facilities that mass produce puppies for sale. There are thousands of puppy mills across the country, producing over 500,000 puppies per year. These facilities, most of which are inspected and licensed by the USDA are notorious for their filthy, overcrowded conditions and the unhealthy dogs they produce. Visit www.BanPuppyMills.com for more information.

For the Animals,

Campaigns Department
Last Chance for Animals

Last Chance for Animals | 8033 Sunset Blvd. #835 | Los Angeles | CA | 90046

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts last chance for animals lca puppy mills events holidays observances Puppy Mill Awareness Day pmad Best Friends Animal Society Best Friends Adopt-A-Pet Chris DeRose Poison Rikki Rockett Dogs Deserve Better DDB Tammy Sneath Grimes Claudine Wilkins pet companion animal dog canine cat feline

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From: Last Chance for Animals - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Aug 27, 2007 4:32 PM
Subject: 8/27 Michael Vick Update!

Michael Vick Pleads Guilty & Suspended Indefinitely!

Michael Vick entered a guilty plea this morning to conspiracy charges in Federal Court in Richmond, Virginia after being suspended indefinitely from the NFL on Friday. Federal prosecutors recommended a 12-18 months sentence.

The plea agreement stated that he took part in an illegal, interstate dog-fighting enterprise. In documents filed Vick said he knew dogs that did not perform well were killed. He said the fights involved gambling although he did not personally place bets. To read the full text of the plea submitted by Michael Vick on Friday click here.

Judge Hudson scheduled the sentencing hearing for Michael Vick for December 10 and stated he will take the prosecutors recommendations under consideration.

Michael Vick last week was also suspended indefinitely from the NFL. In a statement from the NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said that Vick’s admitted conduct was “not only illegal but also cruel and reprehensible”.

Please contact the commissioners of the major professional sports leagues and urge them to update their personal conduct guidelines by including animal abuse in their prohibited conduct policy! Sample text see below.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Last Chance for Animals - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Aug 8, 2007 1:31 PM
Subject: LCA’s SIU Aids in Closing Largest Cockfighting Pit in Virginia

LCA’s Special Investigations Unit Aids Authorities in Closing Down Largest Cockfighting Facility in Virginia!

ANOTHER COCKPIT CLOSED THANKS TO LCA’S INVESTIGATIVE TEAM

July 2007, LCA contacted the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department with information supplied from our SIU team regarding the Copperhead Ridge cockfighting facility in Virginia. Copperhead Ridge is the largest of two cockfighting pits in Virginia, with attendance at over 250 people.

The LCA undercover investigator supplied valuable information that lead to the closure of the facility and the arrest of its owner. According to the Sheriff’s Department, they are keeping a close eye on the facility to make sure no further illegal activity is conducted on the premises.

LCA would like to thank the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department for their hard work.

COCKFIGHTING AROUND THE COUNTRY IS PHASING OUT

According to inside sources, cockfighters across the country are getting rid of their fighting birds because of the shortage of safe places to fight. The LCA cockfighting bust in Arkansas, that resulted in the largest number of federal arrests in the nation’s history, and this most recent bust in Virginia, is creating tangible changes within in the cockfighting world.

STRONGER PENALTIES NEEDED

Virginia is one of the few states that it is still legal to be in the possession of cocks for fighting! Fighting the birds is only a misdemeanor. We must insist on stronger animal fighting laws. Contact your legislature and let them know you support strong animal fighting laws in your state! They need to hear from you!

Last Chance for Animals | 8033 Sunset Blvd. #835 | Los Angeles | CA | 90046

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts lca last chance for animals animal fighting cockfighting blood sports Carroll County Virginia undercover investigation animal abuse cruelty to animals animal cruelty gambling roosters hens chickens poultry fowl

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Last Chance for Animals - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Aug 6, 2007 8:41 PM
Subject: How did your representative vote?

“Buck’s Bill” Passed the House; HOW DID YOUR REPRESENTATIVE VOTE?

As you know, “Buck’s Bill” (a.k.a. The Pet Safety and Protection Act), passed the House of Representatives by way of an amendment to the 2007 Farm Bill!

You emailed, faxed and called your Representatives. Thank you! You made the difference. But how well were you represented? Click here to find out how your House Representative voted.

Unfortunately, our own Representative, Henry Waxman, here in Los Angeles, voted No on the Farm Bill. Waxman consistently votes against any reforms that would negatively impact the biomedical community.

“Buck’s Bill”, according to our opponents, is a controversial amendment to the 2007 Farm Bill. The biomedical community lobbies that important medical research will be impeaded if “Buck’s Bill” passes. Unfortunately, our opponents are well financed and have influenced many people. The truth is that, when passed, “Buck’s Bill” will make it illegal for Class B Animal Dealers (infamous for stealing and abusing companion animals) to sell to research facilities. “Buck’s Bill” is not about medical research, it is about the safety of our companion animals.

THE NEXT STEP

The Farm Bill is now on its way to the Senate. We will need strong support from the Senate to make “Buck’s Bill” a reality. We will email you again soon with up to the minute information as the Farm Bill and the “Buck’s Bill” amendment moves closer to the Senate vote. Thank you for taking action for the animals.

Last Chance for Animals | 8033 Sunset Blvd. #835 | Los Angeles | CA | 90046

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