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Kinship Circle: Act/ Cop Shoots Deaf, 19-Year-Old Family Cat

Kelly Garbato — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:59:01 +0000

Astute readers may notice that I linked to this particular Kinship Circle alert several weeks ago as part of my weekly link roundup. Even so, since this shooting occurred in Raymore, Missouri – i.e., in my neck of the woods – I formatted and posted the alert in full on the KC Freecycle blog, and figured I may as well repost it here as well.

This is just one of several animal cruelty cases highlighted by Kinship Circle in the past month; see also:

10/20/09: Two Dogs Shot At Point Blank Range In New York

10/13/09: Get Serial Cat Killer Off New York Streets

If you choose to contact officials in any of these cases, feel free to append this animal abuse reference list to your correspondence.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – info [at] kinshipcircle.org
Date: Sat, Oct 10, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Subject: Act/ Cop Shoots Deaf, 19-Year-Old Family Cat

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY / PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST
10/10/09: Cop Shoots Deaf, 19-Year-Old Family Cat

Tobey the cat who was shot and killed by Raymore, MO police. (source)

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RAYMORE & CASS COUNTY, MISSOURI OFFICIALS:

info [at] hsmo.org, rmayberry [at] raymore.com, eberlin [at] raymore.com, jfeuerborn [at] raymore.com, jalonzo [at] raymore.com, john.seimears [at] yahoo.com, kkellogg [at] raymore.com, jeffreycox1 [at] comcast.net, mmedsker [at] hotmail.com, councilmanadams [at] yahoo.com, mlewis250 [at] comcast.net, chhubach77 [at] comcast.net, pkerckhoff [at] raymore.com, thensley [at] casscounty.com, hensley [at] casscounty.com

EMAIL HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI, THE INVESTIGATIVE AGENCY IN THIS CASE:

hsmo.convio.net/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=1403&JServSessionIda012=pqwxgz88w1.app11d

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
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Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

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ASK FOR A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info [at] kinshipcircle.org

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Dear Humane Society Of Missouri, Cass County and Raymore, Missouri Officials:

I am shocked by the Labor Day 2009 shooting death of the Wesner family’s 19-year-old cat Tobey in Raymore, Missouri I understand a Raymore police officer fired two bullets into the elderly cat’s head, wrapped the body inside a plastic bag and tossed Tobey into a city dumpster.

As you know, Tobey had slipped out of his house and roamed into a nearby garage where a neighbor forced him out with hose spray. Raymore police were summoned to apprehend a “large, vicious, feral cat.” Though Kelly Wesner describes her six-pound cat as declawed, deaf, and on prescription meds — a supervisor directed an officer to “put [the cat] down” in a remote area. Unbelievably, no one involved with the cat’s slaying has been penalized.

I trust that an unbiased internal investigation is underway. If inquiries by the police department and/or Humane Society of Missouri warrant animal cruelty charges, these officers should be prosecuted under Missouri Revised Statues, Chapter 578. Punitive action is reasonable, whether Tobey’s killing stems from malicious intent or stupidity. At the very least, the unprovoked killing of a family’s companion animal denotes police misconduct.

When officers encounter any animal perceived as sick, aggressive, or feral — they should know how to neutralize the animal without resorting to lethal force. I commend Captain Roger Mayberry for arranging such training after Tobey’s death. Officers ought to be able to distinguish anxiety, fear and protective behaviors from genuinely hostile or diseased behavior. If they can’t, an experienced animal control officer needs to make that decision.

Circumstances in the case do not make sense. If police believe Tobey had rabies, why did they destroy his head and discard his remains? Certainly they know that the brain of any potentially rabid animal is preserved for analysis. Moreover, this was not their decision to make. Strays, even those deemed dangerous, are taken to shelters rather than gunned down in fields.

Armed law officers displayed an utter lack of judgment. Their response was inappropriate and demands your utmost attention. Please inform me of any progress in this disturbing case.

Thank you,

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FULL CONTACT INFORMATION

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Humane Society of Missouri
1201 Macklind Ave. / St. Louis, MO 63110
HSOM Rescues And Investigations Department: 314-647-4400
fax: 314-647-4317; email: info [at] hsmo.org
web contact form:

hsmo.convio.net/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&

SURVEY_ID=1403&JServSessionIda012=pqwxgz88w1.app11d

Captain Roger Mayberry, Acting Chief of Police
100 Municipal Circle / Raymore, Missouri 64083
ph: 816-331-0530; fax: 816-331-0564
email: rmayberry [at] raymore.com

Eric Berlin, Raymore City Manager
100 Municipal Circle / Raymore, MO 64083
ph: 816-892-3002; fax: 816-892-3056
email: eberlin [at] raymore.com

Jim Feuerborn, Assistant City Manager
ph: 816-892-3026; fax: 816-892-3056
email: jfeuerborn [at] raymore.com

Juan I. Alonzo, Mayor
109 N. Darrowby / Raymore, MO 64083
ph: 816-331-4504; email: jalonzo [at] raymore.com

Raymore City Council
100 Municipal Circle / Raymore, MO 64083
John Seimears, Ward 1 Council Member: john.seimears [at] yahoo.com
Kevin Kellogg, Ward 1 Council Member: kkellogg [at] raymore.com
Jeff Cox, Ward 2 Council Member: jeffreycox1 [at] comcast.net
Mike Medsker, Ward 2 Council Member: mmedsker [at] hotmail.com
Jeffrey Adams, Ward 3 Council Member: councilmanadams [at] yahoo.com
Monique Lewis, Ward 3 Council Member: mlewis250 [at] comcast.net
Charlene Hubach, Ward 4 Council Member: chhubach77 [at] comcast.net
Peter Kerckhoff, Ward 4 Council Member: pkerckhoff [at] raymore.com

Teresa Hensley, Cass County Prosecuting Attorney
Cass County Justice Center
2501 W. Wall Street, 2nd Floor / Harrisonville, MO 64701
ph: 816-380-8250; fax: 816-380-8252
email: thensley [at] casscounty.com, hensley [at] casscounty.com

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SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS

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Kinship Circle member Carol McCormick
EndCruelty [at] aol.com

Raymore, Mo., police shooting of cat investigated

www.stltoday.com/stltoday/lifestyle/stories.nsf/pets/story/F3FC4DE15FD1E0738625762F008251C3?OpenDocument

Raymore police mistakenly kill family cat

www.kansascity.com/115/story/1437680.html?mi_pluck_action=comment_sub

Additional information from Kinship Circle Investigative Researcher

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alert kinship circle cat feline pet nonhuman animal animal companion tobey raymore missouri mo kansas city missouri kansas kcmo kcks Tobey Wesner police brutality police misconduct animal abuse animal cruelty cruelty to animals flickr photos

The Rodeo/Horse Slaughter Connection, Bullfighting & More: Recent Action Alerts from SHARK

Kelly Garbato — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:53:40 +0000

In cleaning out my inbox, I found the following action alerts from SHARK; I’m including them all here for simplicity’s sake (and because I cannot find them to link to on SHARK’s website). These are all from the group’s most recent enewsletter, dated October 14, 2009.

Rodeos Send Their Horses to Slaughter

Love is a Slaughter Line???!!!

Rodeos claim to care about their animals, so why do many of their worn-out bucking horses suffer the horror of a slaughterhouse? SHARK’s 141st YouTube video is one of the most graphic we have released, making the connection between rodeo and horse slaughter. We didn’t do it to sicken people. We did it to let people know just how cruel rodeo is, and how much rodeo animal victims are suffering. It brings into focus even more sharply the role of corporate sponsors such as Coca-Cola.
　
I hope you will watch this video, and then call Coke (800-438-2653/800-Get-Coke) and let the company know just what you think. It is because of big money from corporate sponsors like Coke that rodeo stock contractors are breaking their horses down, as well as overbreeding, and then casting the foals who don’t make the cut into the clutches of the horrific slaughter industry.
　
Foreign companies are killing America’s horses — many of them rodeo horses — to be sent abroad for human consumption.

Call your legislators and ask them to vote Yes on HR503 and S727 – Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2009. For more information on what you can do, go to: HorseKillers.com

What Happened to Cajun Katy?

One of the Dozens of Injured Animals at CFD Rodeo

Cajun Katy was just one of the numerous horses injured during Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) Rodeo. See the heart-wrenching video here. What happened to her? CFD spokesman Bob Budd says the public doesn’t have the right to know. What are they hiding? Plenty! SHARK video documented dozens of animal injuries, and yet CFD claims they only treated seven animals.

We want to know the truth. Don’t you?

What You Can Do

Contact CFD and ask them: What happened to Cajun Katy? Ask them to release the animal injury and deaths reports from the rodeo.

Cheyenne Frontier Days
P.O. Box 2477
Cheyenne, WY 82003
Telephone: (800) 227-6336 or (307) 778-7222
Headquarters: (307) 778-7200
Fax: (307) 778-7213
Click here for the website feedback form.

Vold Henchman Jabs Cheyenne Rodeo Horse

Used Steel Rod to Make the Horse Buck

Rodeo people claim their animal victims are “born to buck.” If that’s true, then why did this rodeo thug slam a steel rod into the ribs of this horse over and over at the 2009 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo? See video here.

The Cheyenne Regional Medical Center was a chute sponsor and one of CFD’s top sponsors for this abusive rodeo. Sponsoring a dangerous event is one way of trying to generate more revenue for the hospital. They should remember the principles by which all physicians and medical personnel practice including ‘First, do no harm’. They are making the medical center and its staff appear to be hypocrites.

What You Can Do:

Contact Cheyenne Regional Medical Center and tell them what you think of their sponsorship of animal cruelty and deaths at the CFD Rodeo:

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center
214 East 23rd Street
Cheyenne, WY 82001
(307) 634-2273
email: comments [at] crmcwy.org

PRCA Rodeo Teams Up With European Bullrings

Knives Being Used to Force Horses to Buck

As we discussed earlier this year, the PRCA has teamed up with bullrings in Europe to host rodeos. Like a typical rodeo, they are cruel events without regard to the animals involved.

The following is a link to a YouTube Video uploaded by Tony Moore of FAACE (Fight Against Animal Cruelty in Europe – www.faace.co.uk) from the two shows they attended in Valencia, Spain. See their video: Rodeo Europe Tour 2009 – Valencia bullring

As you can see in the video, bulls have their tails tied up in the buck straps to make them buck.

As we were preparing this update, we received the following update on this issue:

This is just to let you know that our video on YouTube has been interfered with. Someone flagged it and now everybody has to sign in and confirm, that they are not younger than 18 years.

It is a joke, children and babies were allowed in for free! We regard this as an effort on behalf of the cowboys to reduce the number of viewings.

Unfortunately they keep changing the schedule. So many places which were originally scheduled have been dropped.

They said they would be in Germany afterwards, 12 + 13, November. However, my man in Düsseldorf tells me, there are no tickets on sale, no posters up. I doubt they will dare to come to Germany as they are getting tons of hate mails.

What You Can Do:

Write to the following addresses to complain about the rodeos and the bullfights while you are at it. Some points to note from Tony of FAACE are:

Most of the things the rodeos are doing to the animals are banned in most European countries. They won’t be allowed to use the flank strap, the spurs, electro-shockers or sharp objects. They won’t be allowed to do bullriding, team roping, tie-down-roping and steer wrestling.

Tony feels there is a chance to get a number of the proposed rodeos cancelled.

Addresses:
GP Spain Eventos: prensa [at] gpspaineventos.com, info [at] gpspaineventos.com
and ESFM Entertainment: javier [at] esfm-ent.com, janet [at] esfm-ent.com

Spain’s Burning Bulls

The Bulls of Fire Festivals

At “The Bulls of Fire Festival” in Spain, bulls have balls of flammable material attached to their horns which are then light, and they are set free in the streets at night as a festive spectacle. Some bulls try to escape hours of agony by smashing into walls.

Click here to see video.

Spanish activists are running a campaign and the goal is 10,000 signatures on a petition to be hand-delivered to four Soria officials, with a copy to the president of Spain.

What You Can Do:

To sign the petition, click here.

In the comment section of the petition, leave a comment something like:

“I will boycott your country until you cease your bullfights and FireBull Fiestas.”

To send e-mail letters (samples provided in English and Spanish to copy and paste) to the Roman Catholic Church, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI & Vatican Officials, and other Spanish officials, click here.

We need to put pressure on the Pope to speak out against all these atrocities to bulls. Most Catholics worldwide do not support these barbaric acts of torture and the Pope needs to condemn those that do.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts shark showing animals respect and kindness rodeo horses bulls spain europe animal abuse animal cruelty cruelty to animals Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association prca Cheyenne Frontier Days cfd coke horse slaughter horse meat

IDA: Dennis Zeglin Shoots and Kills “Pet” Parrot; Calls Needed!

Kelly Garbato — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:32:50 +0000

I haven’t been able to find this alert on IDA’s website in order to link to it, and seeing as the deadline for taking action is this Wednesday, September 9, I’ve copied it below in its entirety.

For more on the case, search for “Dennis Zeglin” on Google news or at www.pet-abuse.com.

In particular, I find this snippet from the Bleacher Report extremely disturbing:

Mikey the parrot was instead autopsied by a local veterinarian. His owner was then charged with several counts of animal cruelty.

Since the filing of the charges, Zeglin has gone into counseling for his drinking problem. His attorney has also applied for Morris County’s Pre-Trial Intervention Program, which offers probation for first time offenders.

Zeglin is due back in court on Sept. 9.

Until that time, the local police have advised him that the next time another family pet, like his Labrador Retriever, or a family member bothers him during a NASCAR race, he should call animal control or the police instead of reaching again for his BB gun.

After brutally slaughtering the family’s “pet” bird, the local authorities left another “pet,” a dog, in Zeglin’s care, with advice to “call animal control” the next time he’s drinking, angry, and in possession of firearms. Jeez, officers, you’re beginning to make me feel as though you don’t take animal abuse seriously. I mean, WTF!?

While it’s great that Zeglin has sought counseling for alcoholism, animal abuse should preclude him from “owning” nonhuman animals, at least in the near future. Should Zeglin relapse, who will bear the brunt of his rage the next time around?

Zeglin, by the by, is from Morris County, New Jersey; methinks the local police need to be schooled about animal abuse as well.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – idainfo [at] idausa.org
Date: Fri, Sep 4, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Subject: Man Shoots and Kills Companion Parrot – Your Calls Needed!

YOUR CALLS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED or Mikey’s cruel killer may get away with murder!

While Watching TV, New Jersey Man Shoots and Kills Companion Parrot.

Terrified Mikey who was isolated in a cage and had no way to escape, was Zeglin’s innocent target.

On June 7th 2009, 67 year old Dennis Zeglin brutally shot and killed his family’s African Grey parrot with a Daisy Powerline Model 93 C02-powered BB gun. His wife called police and animal control officers were summoned to investigate.

Dennis Zeglin admitted to animal control officers that he shot Mikey in his cage because the bird “irritated” him while he was watching the NASCAR races on TV. According to reports, Zeglin had been drinking and was intoxicated when he fired the three shots that killed Mikey. Since the animal cruelty charges were filed, Zeglin has been undergoing counseling for his alcoholism according to Zeglin’s Defense Attorney, Stephen Fletcher. Fletcher also claims that Zeglin is a first time offender and has applied for an Intervention Probationary Program. This may suggest that Mikey’s cruel assailant may get nothing more than a slap on the wrist for brutally murdering an innocent, and highly intelligent creature.

Undisputed, scientifically proven evidence supports the link between violence to humans and violence to animals and we believe that Zeglin’s violent act could have easily been directed toward a human family member or their family dog.

Every year millions of captive birds suffer from abuse and neglect like Mikey. It is estimated that the majority of captive birds suffer and die prematurely, secretly and silently behind closed doors, from horrendous abuse, malnutrition, and starvation, and live in deplorable conditions, with no hope for rescue. It is also estimated that the majority of captive birds who do survive, suffer an entire lifetime of agony and loneliness.

What You Can Do

PLEASE DEMAND JUSTICE FOR MIKEY NOW!

Let his story remind you that millions of captive birds need your help before they endure similar tragedies.

Please call Judge Thomas Manahan and politely let him know that there is no excuse for animal abuse and urge him to sentence Zeglin to the fullest extent of the law, incarcerating Zeglin for his cruelty. Also request that Zeglin be required to undergo counseling and attend humane education classes.

Your voice must be heard before Zeglin’s court hearing, which is set for September 9, 2009.

Contact Judge Thomas Manahan
RE: Dennis Zeglin
Case # 09001561
(973) 656-4050

Go to IDA’s Exotic Birds Campaign site for more information on the captive bird crisis.

About IDA

In Defense of Animals, located in San Rafael, Calif., is an international animal protection organization with more than 85,000 members and supporters dedicated to ending the abuse and exploitation of animals by protecting their rights and welfare. IDA’s efforts include educational events, cruelty investigations, boycotts, grassroots activism, and hands-on rescue through our sanctuaries in Mississippi, Mumbai, India, and Cameroon, Africa.

In Defense of Animals is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We welcome your feedback and appreciate your donations. Please join today! All donations to IDA are tax-deductible.

In Defense of Animals
3010 Kerner, San Rafael, CA 94901
Tel. (415) 448-0048 Fax (415) 454-1031
idainfo [at] idausa.org

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Photo via the Bleacher Report.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts in defense of animals ida animal abuse animal cruelty cruelty to animals pet companion animal animal companion bird pet bird parrot mikey Dennis Zeglin Morris County New Jersey NJ photo african grey parrot Thomas Manahan

Kinship Circle: Louisiana Vet Marcy Miranov “Kills Without Cause”

Kelly Garbato — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:47:39 +0000

I’m a little late in forwarding this alert from Kinship Circle, and in the interim, there’s been a development in the case. Not surprisingly, it hasn’t resulted in justice for the animals killed by veterinarian Marcy Miranov (and Dr. John Edwards, as well).

Reports The Times-Picayune:

Raw emotions and poor record-keeping triggered whirling accusations of animal cruelty at Jefferson Parish’s animal shelters, according to the results of an independent study released today.

But no laws were broken when 51 cats and dogs were euthanized on Aug. 13 at the parish’s Elmwood facility, the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals discovered. [...]

“Our report is not a glowing report about what’s going on in interoperation,” said Ana Zorrilla, chief executive officer of the state SPCA. “We certainly hope that it’s well received and we certainly hope that the public reads parts and pieces of it, that it’s really seen as an opportunity to improve those operations, not just as criticism or critique of what’s been going on there.”

The SPCA’s representatives worked in an atmosphere already emotionally charged by the abrupt resignation of the shelters’ director, Lee Ann Matherne. She quit the day before the animals were put down.

The most glaring problem appeared to be shoddy record-keeping and lackluster policy management, Zorrilla said. The shelters have four different written policies governing euthanasia. Each one says a different set of people need to approve each procedure.

As far as the SPCA could tell, none of them were being followed. But since none were being implemented, no policies were broken, Zorrilla said.

The SPCA report, however, dispelled several rumors that arose from that incident. Dr. Marci Miranov, the parish’s senior veterinarian in Marrero, had clearance to work at the Elmwood shelter, Zorrilla said. Her colleague, Dr. John Edwards, did not stop her from euthanizing the animals on Aug. 13, as some animal activists suspected. Rather, he assisted her in her work.

The cats put down that day had been sedated, Zorrilla said, contrary to reports that Miranov was lethally injecting the animals without killing the pain first.

The report also found the number of animals put down that day were average. Euthanasia sessions don’t occur daily, which accounts for larger numbers when one is conducted, officials said.

Zorrilla did say that the SPCA found that some of the animals killed that day were adoptable.

“Some were sick, some were feral, but some were strictly space conditions,” she said.

Parish President Aaron Broussard said he would be asking the Parish Council to enact several ordinances Wednesday that would go a long way to cleaning up the poor conditions at the shelters. Broussard has asked that the parish hire the American SPCA to take over the shelters for 90 days, that his administration begin searching for an outside group that could permanently run the facilities and that he enter negotiations to transfer the Marrero shelter to a new site – a former West Jefferson Medical Center clinic near the Oakwood Mall.

(Background here.)

If you choose to act on this alert, please take the SPCA’s findings and recommendations into account. In addition to turning control of the parish shelters over to an outside organization, please urge Jefferson Parish to work in concert with local animal rescue organizations in order to make NOLA a no-kill city. By “no-kill,” I mean truly no-kill – this goes for “feral” and “less adoptable” cats and dogs, too. While shelters may not have the time or resources to rehab animals with medical or behavioral problems, some rescue groups do; some even specialize in these cases.

Whether any human law was violated or not, this slaughter needn’t have happened. Judging from ARNO’s comments, little-to-no effort was made to place these animals in rescue groups prior to killing them – and this is simply unacceptable.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – info [at] kinshipcircle.org
Date: Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Subject: Louisiana Vet Kills Without Cause [Friends of Kinship Circle]

FRIENDS OF KINSHIP CIRCLE, friendsofkinshipcircle.wordpress.com

* KINSHIP CIRCLE DOES NOT WRITE OR RESEARCH THESE ALERTS.
* QUESTIONS? CONTACT ALERT WRITER. PLEASE DO NOT HIT REPLY.

8/28/09: Jefferson Parrish, Louisiana Vet Kills Without Cause

ALERT WRITER: Charlotte Bass Lilly, executive director, ARNO
table25 [at] bellsouth.net, 504-522-0222, www.animalrescueneworleans.org

BACKGROUND: [EDITED FOR LENGTH]

Charlotte Bass Lilly, ARNO, writes: [August 14] between 6am and 9am, Dr. Marcy Miranov, Westbank Jefferson Parish shelter contract veterinarian, traveled to to the Eastbank shelter and took 18 dogs out of the adoptable kennels, some of whom had been adopted and awaited pickup. In addition she took the entire population of cat ISO, 13-15 cats and kittens, and euthanized all by lethal IV injection (with NO pre-sedation).

WHY? There were 12 empty kennels in stray hold, as well as open small kennels. Many [killed] were highly adoptable small and medium dogs, i.e. jack russell, min pin, boston terrier mix, chi mix… I can figure no reason why any doctor of veterinary medicine would do such a thing.

I understand that Dr. Miranov’s contract does not authorize her to be at the Eastbank shelter, except in a medical emergency. No one okayed the killings, but the kennel manager and staff stood by quietly — perhaps afraid after the unexpected firing of Leeann Matherne, past director of Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter Division. The slaughter continued until Eastbank veterinarian, Dr. John Edwards, arrived at 9am. He was horrified…

Some Jefferson Parish adoptables…

LT: Princess, CONTACT Amy, 304-832-4112 or ahmoloney [at] earthlink.net

RT: Miri, CONTACT fjaskittens [at] yahoo.com

VIEW MORE ANIMALS: www.petfinder.com/shelters/jpas.html

PLAYING POLITICS WITH ANIMALS’ LIVES?

Dr. Miranov had recently reported to the DEA that Ms. Matherne was stealing drugs for resale. DEA found no drugs missing…Matherne was drug tested and passed. The “drug rumors” arose as retaliation after Dr. Miranov was terminated by Matherne (but somehow kept her job). This stirs questions about Jeff Parish authorities. Why was Dr. Miranov allowed to return? Whose agenda did this suit? Certainly not those with animal welfare in mind…

[ARNO's] relationship with Jefferson Parish shelters, as well as municipal shelters in a five parish area, is well-known among rescuers. ARNO has supplied wet cat food pallets to encourage volunteer TNR efforts. We’ve sent donated pallets of quality canned dog and kitten food… We’ve taken dogs, cats, and kittens considered unadoptable due to health/behavioral issues older age… Our role in helping these shelter animals is purposefully done to work together towards a no-kill community. Events like [needless slaughter] send this shelter, and Jefferson Parish, reeling into the past…

TAKE ACTION:

Charlotte Bass Lilly, ARNO, writes: I urge you to call, fax or write. The horror of this occurrence should result in Dr. Miranov —

1. Losing her license to practice veterinary medicine, as she has violated her oath;
2. Charges and prosecution for 33 cases of animal cruelty/abuse;
3. Termination of her contract to serve the parish in any capacity; and
4. Reinstatement of Leeann Matherne as Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter Division director.

Aaron F. Broussard, Jefferson Parish President
1221 Elmwood Park Blvd., Suite 1002; Jefferson, LA 70123
ph: 504-736-6400; fax: 504-736-6638
email: ABroussard [at] Jeffparish.net
SOURCE: www.jeffparish.net/index.cfm?DocID=4

www.jeffparish.net/index.cfm?DocID=1376

Jefferson Parish Council:
ChrisRoberts [at] jeffparish.net, BJLawson [at] jeffparish.net, EltonLagasse [at] jeffparish.net, BBordelon [at] jeffparish.net, ByronLee [at] jeffparish.net, PWJackson [at] jeffparish.net, JohnYoung [at] jeffparish.net, SBurke [at] jeffparish.net, RBlanchard [at] jeffparish.net, ThomasCapella [at] jeffparish.net, MThomas [at] jeffparish.net, BGrenrood [at] jeffparish.net, LouisCongemi [at] jeffparish.net, NNicolosi [at] jeffparish.net, CynthiaLeeSheng [at] jeffparish.net, RHinyub [at] jeffparish.net

FOR DISTRICT AFFILIATION + FULL CONTACT INFORMATION:

www.jeffparish.net/index.cfm?DocID=7

The Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter Department
Tiffany Peperone, Interim, Director
#1 Humane Way; Jefferson, LA 70123
ph: 504-736-6111; fax: 504-736-8729
email: JPAnimalShelter [at] jeffparish.net
SOURCE: www.jeffparish.net/index.cfm?DocID=1149

Louisiana Board of Veterinary Medicine
263 Third Street, Suite 104; Baton Rouge, LA 70801
ph: 225-342-2176; fax: 225-342-2142
email: admin [at] lsbvm.org
Complaint Form: www.lsbvm.org/complaint.pdf

www.lsbvm.org/complaints.htm

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2. A ready-to-send message opens in the email software on your computer.
3. Sign letter (personalize words if you have time) and hit send.

8/18/09: Put Petland Out Of Bunny Business And Jail Killer

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1852&seriesfirst=true

8/4/09: Target – HLS Top Customers AstraZeneca & GlaxoSmithKline

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1850&seriesfirst=true

8/1/09: Stop Live Cat Labs At St. Louis Children’s Hospital

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1849&seriesfirst=true

7/28/09: Puerto Rico – New Source For Primate Suffering?

kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1848&seriesfirst=true

7/21/09: Cruelty For Sale At San Francisco Live Animal Markets

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1847&seriesfirst=true

7/10/09: Namibia Seal Slaughter Has One Buyer Left. Stop Him.

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1846&seriesfirst=true

6/8/09: Protect ALL Downers: Cows, Pigs, Goats, Sheep…

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1836&seriesfirst=true

*************************

KINSHIP CIRCLE
ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
www.KinshipCircle.org * www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

UNSUBSCRIBE:
* Select a Kinship Circle ALERT received in your mailbox
* Hit “FORWARD” + Enter info [at] kinshipcircle.org
* Type UNSUBSCRIBE in your subject line and hit send

————————-

The photo – which has nothing to do with the actual content of the post; rather, I stumbled upon it by accident while searching for pictures of a Jefferson Parish animal shelter and found it friggin’ adorable – is via Paul Douroux on Flickr.

Title & caption: Hipbone in Jefferson Parish; Mardi Gras Day 2008.

————————-

Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts kinship circle brenda shoss animal abuse animal cruelty cruelty to animals dog canine pet companion animal animal companion cat feline nola new orleans la louisiana gulf coast arno animal rescue new orleans Dr. Marcy Miranov Westbank Jefferson Parish Eastbank Jefferson Parish Jefferson Parish politics flickr photos natural disaster

Kinship Circle: Updates, April – June 2009

Kelly Garbato — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:12:12 +0000

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – info [at] kinshipcircle.org
Date: Mon, Jun 29, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Subject: Part 1/ UPDATES: APR – JUN 2009

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY / PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST

VICTORIES * SETBACKS * PROGRESS

PART 1: APRIL – JUNE 2009 / KINSHIP CIRCLE UPDATES

1. Pig Abusers At Hormel Supplier Get 1-2 Year Probation
2. Bureaucrats Reach No Decision On Whaling
3. Lax Officials Knew Travis The Chimp Might Attack
4. Kitten Killer’s Accomplice Is Now Charged Too
5. Pet Food Poisoners Plead Guilty And Face Jail Time
6. Foie Gras Producer On Trial For Cruelty
7. Atlanta Falcons Bid Michael Vick A Permanent Farewell
8. “Change” Doesn’t Look Much Different Under Obama
9. California Spay/Neuter Law Passes Senate, Moves To Assembly
10. Groups Sue Salazar In Effort To Save Delisted Wolves
11. Way To Go SAEN! Research Industry Meltdown
12. Cheyenne Frontier Rodeo Bans Video Instead Of Abuse
13. California Bullfight Busts Continue; Humane Officer Assaulted
14. Repression Of Austrian Animal Activists Worsens

PART 2: KC UPDATES / APRIL – JUNE 2009
RESEND PART #2 TO ME: info [at] kinshipcircle.org

15. HSUS And Michael Vick Team Up To Fight Dogfighting?
16. Armed To Kill In National Parks: Guns Allowed
17. Maine Is 6th State To Ban Cruel Confinement Crates
18. NC Pro-Gas Chamber Bill Gets A “No” Vote
19. USDA Cites New Iberia Primate Lab For Violations
20. U.S. Senate Passes Resolution Against Canada Sealing
21. Canadian Sealers Lose Biggest Customer — EUROPE!
22. EU Votes To Let Most Primate Research Continue
23. Karley’s Sociopath Killer Ordered To Stand Trial
24. Horse Slaughterhouses Now Legal In Montana
25. Michigan Pound Gives R&R Research The Boot
26. Big Surprise: Swine Flu, Born On U.S. Factory Farms
27. Los Angeles DA Drops Charges Against Dog Dragger
28. Obama Accepts Breeder Dog As Gift For Daughters

========================

1. Pig Abusers At Hormel Supplier Get 1-2 Year Probation

SOURCE: 4 in Iowa sentenced to probation for abusing pigs

www.agweek.com/articles/?id=4733&article_id=14500&property_id=41

PHOTOS: www.peta.org/actioncenter/iowa_pigfarm_gallery.asp

6/26/09, SUMMARY: Four employees at a western Iowa farm (owned by MowMar Farms LLP of Fairmont, MN and a supplier to Hormel Foods) were sentenced to probation for pig abuse. The abuse — exposed by a PETA investigator working there undercover — was shown in a graphic video last year.

- Richard Ralston, 28: One count livestock abuse: Two years probation.
- Alan Rettig, 60: One count livestock abuse: Two years probation.
- Greg Hackler: One count livestock abuse: One year probation.
- Jordan Anderson, 26: One count aiding/abetting livestock abuse: Two years probation with deferred judgment (if probation completed, record is erased).
All men but Anderson banned from working with livestock during probation.
**While the penalties seem lame, they’re progress. Charges and litigation rarely even occur in farmed animal abuse cases.

KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES:

2/9/09 JAN-MAR UPDATES: Iowa Pig Abuse Case Is Delayed

www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_jan-march_2009.html#anchor21

10/26/08: Penalize Pig Torturers At Iowa Farm

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1770&seriesfirst=true

9/17/08: Hormel’s Pigs: Slammed, Cut, Spray-painted

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1759&seriesfirst=true

========================

2. Bureaucrats Reach No Decision On Whaling

SOURCE: No Solution Found at Whaling Forum

english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_europe/2009-06-26/335356219048.html

6/26/09, SUMMARY: The International Whaling Commission (IWC) annual meeting closed — with no agreement between pro or anti-whaling nations… The UK is willing to negotiate a compromise deal such as coastal whaling permits [as is the U.S. See action campaign below]… Meanwhile, conservation groups urged the three pro-whaling nations of Japan, Norway and Iceland to start helping to save whales rather than hunting for commercial use.

URGE U.S. TO PLAY STRONGER ROLE IN PROTECTING WHALES:

3/29/09: Demand Whale Conservation Over Killing

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1817&seriesfirst=true

========================

3. Lax Officials Knew Travis The Chimp Might Attack

SOURCE: Officials were warned about attack chimp

www.nhregister.com/articles/2009/06/20/news/doc4a3d11fa20f03070715027.txt

LT: Chimps like this little guy are wild animals who naturally mature with aggressive tendencies.

RT: Travis was knifed, beaten, shot and killed after attacking a visitor at the home where he lived as a “pet.” MyFOX NY

6/20/09, SUMMARY: Records obtained by The Associated Press show Connecticut officials failed to take action after being repeatedly warned about the dangers posed by a 200-pound chimpanzee named Travis who later mauled and blinded Charla Nash of Stamford, ripping off her hands, nose, lips and eyelids… The state’s inaction could affect a lawsuit seeking $50 million in damages, filed by the victim’s family against chimp owner Sandra Herold.

KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES:

2/24/09: Breaking News – House Passes Primate “Pet” Bill

www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_jan-march_2009.html#anchor15

2/23/09: Wired To Be Wild – Primates Aren’t Pets

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1802&seriesfirst=true

BLOG: Travis once worked in show biz, commercials mostly…

kinshipcircle.wordpress.com/2009/02/23/wired-to-be-wild/

========================

4. Kitten Killer’s Accomplice Is Now Charged Too

SOURCE: Teen accomplice in kitten roasting case charged with felony animal cruelty

www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/06/17/2009-06-17_teen_accomplice.html

KINSHIP CIRCLE: Your letters, faxes, emails…asked that Cheyenne Cherry’s accomplice also be charged in this sadistic killing. She now is charged.

6/17/09, SUMMARY: A 14-year-old teen mom who helped burn a live kitten named Tiger Lily — after breaking into ex-pal Valerie Hernandez’s Bronx apartment — has been busted by the ASPCA and charged with burglary and felony animal cruelty. [The accomplice, name not released] told investigators she helped Cheyenne Cherry, 17, trash the apartment last month and then toss Tiger Lily into an oven. “She admitted the oven was set to 500 degrees,” said ASPCA Assistant Director Joseph Pentangelo… The 14-year-old, who has a 4-month-old baby girl, is currently serving time for an unrelated crime in a juvenile detention center in the Bronx. She was removed from the Bronx facility, slapped with [new] charges, and returned…

ASK PROSECUTORS FOR MAXIMUM PENALTIES:

6/11/09: A Kitten’s Last Screams From An Oven

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1837&seriesfirst=true

========================

5. Pet Food Poisoners Plead Guilty And Face Jail Time

SOURCE: Business Owners Plead Guilty…Tainted Ingredient Used In Pet Food

www.usdoj.gov/usao/mow/news2009/miller.ple.htm

6/16/09, SUMMARY: Matt J. Whitworth, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that Sally Qing Miller, 43, a Chinese national, and her husband, Stephen S. Miller, 56 (both of Las Vegas, Nev.) and their company, Chemnutra, Inc., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Maughmer to distributing a tainted ingredient used in pet food. [Their action led to] a nationwide recall of pet food in 2007… FDA consumer reports suggest that approximately 1,950 cats and 2,200 dogs died.

Under federal statutes, the Millers are each subject to a sentence of up to two years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $200,000 and an order of restitution. Chemnutra is subject to a fine up to $400,000 and an order of restitution…

KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES

2/9/08 JAN-MAR UPDATES: Companies Prosecuted In Poisoned Pet Food Recall

www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_jan-mar_2008.html#anchor15

APR-JUN 2007 UPDATES: $45 Million Damage For Menu Foods

www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_april-june_2007.html#anchor7

5/8/07: Our Companions Count – FDA Must Monitor Food

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter.asp?LetterID=1646&seriesfirst=true

4/25/07: Pet Food Saga Hall Of Shame

www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_04_25_07.html

4/14/07: PET FOOD RECALL – News, Updates, Action

www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_04_14_07.html

4/2/07: TOXIC FOOD – Updates & Action Against Menu Foods

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter.asp?LetterID=1638&seriesfirst=true

========================

6. Foie Gras Producer On Trial For Cruelty

SOURCE: Cruel foie gras producer going on trial!

www.banfoiegras.org/page.php?module=home

Ducks become so ill from forced feedings, they cannot lift their heads.
Farm Sanctuary, www.farmsanctuary.org

6/16/09, SUMMARY: On 6/16/09 a trial begins in Chicago against Sonoma Foie Gras owner Guillermo Gonzalez, who claimed to media that he thought animal cruelty footage taken on his farm was “staged.” Bryan Pease, APRL Board Chair and pro bono attorney, writes: Gonzalez has admitted in his deposition that his workers force feed ducks to enlarge their livers up to 12 times their normal size. Cal. Health & Safety Code section 25980, passed after an earlier lawsuit filed against Sonoma Foie Gras by APRL and IDA, makes foie gras production and sale illegal in California, effective in three years…

KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES:

5/14/08 APR-JUN UPDATES: Chicago Overturns Foie Gras Ban

www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_apr-jun_2008.html#anchor12

========================

7. Atlanta Falcons Bid Michael Vick A Permanent Farewell

SOURCE: Falcons release Vick, wish him well elsewhere

msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9672374/Falcons-release-Vick,-wish-him-well-elsewhere

6/13/09, SUMMARY: Less than five years after the Atlanta Falcons signed Michael Vick to a $130 million contract, the suspended quarterback was released in a 98-word statement… Vick is eligible to immediately sign with a team even though he has not been reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell… Goodell has said he will sit down with Vick after the quarterback completes his 23-month sentence on July 20 for running a dogfighting ring.

KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES:

2/26/09 JAN-MAR UPDATES: Jailed Dogfighter Michael Vick Goes Home In May?

www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_jan-march_2009.html#anchor12

2008 APR-JUNE UPDATES: Vick Dogfight Referee Jailed + Leo Has His Day

www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_apr-jun_2008.html#anchor2

2008 JAN-MAR UPDATES: The Dogs That Vick Hurt

www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_jan-mar_2008.html#anchor26

1/30/08: Vick’s Dogs Speak

www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/gulfcoast/newsletters/08-01-30.html#3

2007 SEPT-DEC UPDATES: Vick’s Dogs…You Helped Save Their Lives

www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_oct-dec_2007.html

========================

8. “Change” Doesn’t Look Much Different Under Obama

SOURCE: Obama Admin Targets Environmental/Animal Rights Activists As Eco-Terrorists

www.opednews.com/articles/Obama-Administration-Targe-by-Stephen-Lendman-090605-93.html

6/5/09, SUMMARY: [This long op-ed is worth a read. Click link above.] What began under George Bush continues under Barack Obama — targeting dedicated activists with “one of today’s most serious domestic terrorism threats,” according former FBI Deputy Assistant Director of Counterterrorism John Lewis before a Senate panel in May 2005. Called “eco-terrorism,” it grew out of the 2001 USA Patriot Act that created the federal crime of “domestic terrorism” and applied it to US citizens as well as aliens. As a result, innocent people are targeted, accused, convicted and sentenced to hard time for constitutionally protected non-violent environmental activism or supporting animal rights…

WHEN WILL FEDS GO AFTER THE REAL BAD GUYS?

www.kinshipcircle.org/fact_sheets/RinglingBrosTheBigCon.pdf

www.kinshipcircle.org/fact_sheets/MoveAlQuaeda.pdf

========================

9. CA Spay/Neuter Law Passes Senate, Moves To Assembly

SOURCE: WE WON! SB 250 has PASSED the SENATE!
Judie Mancuso, President, Social Compassion In Legislation (SCIL)
www.SocialCompassionInLegislation.org * www.YESonSB250.com

6/2/09, SUMMARY: THANK YOU EVERYBODY! Your calls and faxes literally shut down Sacramento Senate offices, which reported that SUPPORT calls/faxes outnumbered opposition by a ratio of 20 to 1! This was the deciding factor for many Senators. Senator Florez has personally requested that I express to you his appreciation and gratitude for taking the time to make such a huge, positive statement in the Senate. SB 250 now moves to the Assembly. We will update you as needed. Please kiss all your dogs and cats, and tell them today is a big day for pets in California!

KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES:

6/25/09: FRIENDS OF KC – Vote For Historic Spay/Neuter Bill Is 6/30. Act Now.

friendsofkinshipcircle.wordpress.com

4/8/09: FRIENDS OF KC – California: Spay/Neuter Bill Needs Your Voice Now

friendsofkinshipcircle.wordpress.com/2009/04/08/california-spayneuter-bill-needs-your-voice-now/

6/11/07: The Woman Behind The Mandatory Spay/Neuter Bill

www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/gulfcoast/newsletters/07-06-10.html#17

6/6/07, APR-JUN UPDATES: Healthy Pets Act Passes State Assembly

www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_april-june_2007.html#anchor6

4/24/07: KC DIGEST – Make Model Mandatory Spay/Neuter Law Reality

www.kinshipcircle.org/digest/2007_04.html#anchor1

4/12/07: Support Landmark CA Law For Mandatory Spay/Neuter

www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/gulfcoast/newsletters/07-04-14.html#7

========================

10. Groups Sue Salazar In Effort To Save Delisted Wolves

SOURCE: Conservationists file suit to reinstate wolf protections

www.mtexpress.com/index2.php?ID=2005126352

6/2/09, SUMMARY: [A coalition of 13 conservation groups**] filed suit against the federal government to reverse removed Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains. The 13 groups charge that U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar failed to fully consider scientific and legal inadequacies underlying the delisting rule — released in the waning days of the Bush administration — before adopting it on 4/2/09. The groups claim the rule will let more than two-thirds of the region’s wolves be killed before U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would even consider stepping back in to restore protections.

**Earthjustice represents Defenders of Wildlife, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, Humane Society of the U.S., Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, Friends of the Clearwater, Alliance for Wild Rockies, Oregon Wild, Cascadia Wildlands, Western Watersheds Project, Wildlands Project, Hells Canyon Preservation Council.

KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES:

3/6/09 JAN-MAR UPDATES: Wolves Lose: Sec. Salazar Takes Away Protection

www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_jan-march_2009.html#anchor8

1/22/09: Obama’s Freeze May Give Gray Wolves Reprieve

kinshipcircle.wordpress.com/2009/01/23/help-abolish-lethal-wildlife-services-during-obamas-freeze/

11/25/08: Save Gray Wolves From Bush Admin’s Kill Plan
www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1779& seriesfirst=true

NOV 2008 KC DIGEST: Animals Would Like President-Elect Barack Obama To Know…

www.kinshipcircle.org/digest/2008_12.html#anchor4

========================

11. Way To Go SAEN! Research Industry Meltdown

SOURCE: News Release: Research industry next to meltdown, charges watchdog
Michael A. Budkie, SAEN: 513-575-5517; 513-703-9865, saen [at] saenonline.org

6/1/09, SUMMARY: The next industry meltdown may be in the nation’s research laboratories, an independent research watchdog said after it filed a wide-ranging complaint against 26 laboratories — including those at Harvard, MIT, John Hopkins and the University of California — for fraud.

The complaint filed with the Secretary of Agriculture urges an immediate probe of 50 U.S. researchers for filing fraudulent documents and for performing virtually identical experimentation in violation of federal regulations. SAEN, a nonprofit group based in Ohio, filed the complaint following an exhaustive study of 57 taxpayer-funded research grants valued at more than $110 million over a five year period. The study concluded these projects have a redundancy index of 5.4 out of a possible 6 when compared to each other… Copies of the complaint…are available upon request.

FIGHT WITH THE FACTS. DOWNLOAD THIS:

www.kinshipcircle.org/fact_sheets/VivisectiLessonFutilityPH.pdf

========================

12. Cheyenne Frontier Rodeo Bans Video Instead Of Abuse

SOURCE: Cheyenne Bans Video Cameras & Cell Phones at Rodeo
www.sharkonline.org/?P=0000000454 * contactshark [at] gmail.com

Examples of “entertainment” at the Cheyenne Frontier Days.

www.sharkonline.org/?P=0000000454

6/09, SUMMARY: After four years of [documented] abuse, the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo committee decided that it would be easier to ban video cameras, (including cell phones cameras) than banning animal abuse. “CFD continues to abuse animals by way of Steer Busting and Wild Horse Race events despite a website pledge that CFD, ‘does not tolerate, condone, or permit actions that abuse animals,’” says SHARK president Steve Hindi. “Instead of banning the abuse, the committee has chosen to ban the documentation of the abuse.”

RELATED STORES:

VIDEO: Cruel Cheyenne Rodeo Bans Video Cameras!

Rodeo bucks video at Frontier Days

www.denverpost.com/search/ci_12473750

KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES:

4/29/09: Coke & Rodeo – Official Soft Drink Of Cruelty?

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1824&seriesfirst=true

4/12/08 APR-JUN UPDATES: Matchbox Twenty Cancels Performance at CFD Rodeo

www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_apr-jun_2008.html#anchor24

FIGHT BACK WITH FACTS. DOWNLOAD THIS:

www.kinshipcircle.org/fact_sheets/TheMythOfTheCowboy.pdf

========================

13. CA Bullfight Busts Continue; Humane Officer Assaulted

SOURCE: Animal rights group continues investigation of Thornton bullfight

www.lodinews.com/articles/2009/06/05/news/3_bullfight_090605.txt

This image, from Ban Blood Sports website shows a bleeding bull gasping for breath near end of a bullfight. Photo: ADDA. www.banbloodsports.com

6/09, SUMMARY: A humane officer for Animal Cruelty Investigations attended bullfights in the Los Angeles community of Artesia on 5/23/09 and in Thornton on 5/29/09… In “bloodless bullfights,” participants try to attach poles tipped with Velcro to a Velcro pad secured to the bull’s back. ACI claims three-inch nails had been inserted in the tips of the poles and beneath the Velcro pad on the bull.

San Joaquin County Sheriff’s spokesman Les Garcia said there is no local investigation because ACI hasn’t provided photographs, film or bullfighting poles with nails to back its allegations. That’s because ACI humane officer, Andrew J. Stewart, will continue to attend bullfights in Calif. counties to collect evidence, ACI attorney David Castleman said. Between fights, when Stewart tried to grab bandoleras, he was put in a chokehold by Darren Nunes, 24, of Los Banos, and almost lost consciousness… Cesar Rocha, 38, of Gustine, and Nunes were arrested on misdemeanor assault…

KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES:

5/29/09: Bullfight Bust Uncovers Cruelty In Los Angeles

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1834&seriesfirst=true

========================

14. Repression Of Austrian Animal Activists Worsens

SOURCE: Peter Muller, Chair, Equal Justice Alliance
EJA [at] HumaneVoters.Org

5/26/09, SUMMARY: The Austrian Minister of Justice plans to charge 30 more animal activists beyond the 10 who were imprisoned for four months last year. Permitting this outrage in a civilized western nation is likely to encourage similar oppression elsewhere, including the United States. Kinship Circle signed on to a letter to express objections to the Austrian Minister of Justice, President, and Chancellor, adding the comments below:

“The chain of events from last year’s imprisonment of uncharged Austrian activists to the ministry’s current intent to charge them without substantiated evidence — along with 30 more animal activists “guilty” of little more than civil disobedience and seized bits of conversations reviewed out of context — threatens the very notion of constitutional rights within a free society. I am surprised these activities have continued with so little regard for individual liberties. We are troubled by the alleged and ongoing repression of our Austrian animal advocacy colleagues, and hope actions are underway to uphold freedom of speech in Austria.”

YOU CAN TAKE ACTION, HERE:

Tell Austrian Government – Release Animal Rights Activists

secure2.convio.net/ida/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1285

KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES:

6/11/08: Austria – Animal Activists Unlawfully Jailed

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1745&seriesfirst=true

========================

Help Fund Our Investigative Research & Literature

* DONATE SECURELY ONLINE: www.kinshipcircle.org/donation

* DONATE BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER:
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Subscribe Now – For Breaking News & Action:
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe [at] kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
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Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle
Date: Mon, Jun 29, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Subject: Part 2/ UPDATES: APR – JUN 2009

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY / PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST

VICTORIES * SETBACKS * PROGRESS

PART 2: APRIL – JUNE 2009 / KINSHIP CIRCLE UPDATES

PART 1: KC UPDATES / APRIL – JUNE 2009
RESEND PART #1 TO ME: info [at] kinshipcircle.org

========================

15. HSUS And Michael Vick Team Up To Fight Dogfighting?

SOURCE: 5/21/09, Humane Society Sees Vick as an Ally, Not a Pariah

www.nytimes.com/2009/05/22/sports/football/22rhoden.html?_r=1

LT to RT: Vick, sentenced to 23 months in prison, Jason Hirschfeld/Associated Press.
Purnell Peace conspired with Vick, Phillips and Tony Taylor to kill dogs, Helber/AP.
Quanis Phillips, like Vick and Peace, “thought it was funny” to place family pets in the ring with trained fighting dogs, Helber/AP.
Former Vick fighting dog Leo now acts as a therapy dog, comforting cancer patients, MSNBC.com. www.examiner.com

5/21/09, SUMMARY: Wayne Pacelle, chief executive of the Humane Society of the United States…recently broke ranks with much of the animal rights community and forged a partnership with Michael Vick…to eradicate dogfighting among youths… The Humane Society’s position has nothing to do with endorsing Vick’s return to football but rather with finding a way to use his visibility to fight the scourge of dogfighting, which Pacelle said is gaining popularity with African-American and Hispanic teenagers in urban areas (where [HSUS] has begun anti-dogfighting initiatives)…

FIGHT BACK WITH FACTS. DOWNLOAD THIS:

www.kinshipcircle.org/fact_sheets/fatalfights.pdf

========================

16. Armed To Kill In National Parks: Guns Now Allowed

SOURCE: Heading to a National Park? Now You Can Pack Heat

www.truthout.org/052209T

5/20/09, SUMMARY: Here’s a list of stuff the typical American family can legally carry into national parks this summer: sleeping bag, toothbrush, loaded guns. Thanks to a 279-147 vote in the House of Representatives, visitors to the nation’s parks and wildlife refuges will be able to carry weapons… Scot McElveen, the president of the Association of National Park Rangers, predicted that “park wildlife, including some rare or endangered species, will face increased threats by visitors with firearms who engage in impulse or opportunistic shooting.”

========================

17. Maine Is 6th State To Ban Cruel Confinement Crates

SOURCE: Another State Bans Gestation Crates and Veal Crates

action.farmsanctuary.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=10661.0&printer_friendly=1

5/15/09, SUMMARY: Maine’s governor signed into law a bill that protects farm animals by banning veal crates and gestation crates! Maine is the 6th state in the nation to prohibit certain extreme-confinement systems. Last fall, California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 2, a ballot initiative that eliminates veal crates, sow gestation crates, and battery cages for egg-laying hens. Similar anti-confinement initiatives have passed in Florida, Arizona, Oregon and Colorado. Similar legislation has been introduced in New York, Illinois, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

FACT SHEETS FOR YOU TO DOWNLOAD:

www.kinshipcircle.org/fact_sheets/FactsAboutThePorkIndust.pdf

========================

18. NC Pro-Gas Chamber Bill Gets A “No” Vote

SOURCE: NC House Judiciary Committee Votes No to Pro-Gas Chamber Bill

www.animallawcoalition.com/gas-chambers/article/692

5/13/09, SUMMARY: The Judiciary II Committee in the North Carolina House has said no to a pro-gas chamber bill. By a vote of 7-5, the committee killed the bill. It is now dead for this session. This is thanks to your faxes, emails and calls. For more on this bill, H.B. 27, read Animal Law Coalition’s report (at link above, under SOURCE).

KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES:

7/23/08, JULY 2008 DIGEST: NC Gas Chambers: Explosion With 10 Dogs Inside

www.kinshipcircle.org/digest/2008_07.html#anchor2

NOV 2007 DIGEST: Stop Gassing Of Pets In Yadkin County, NC Gas Chamber

www.kinshipcircle.org/digest/2007_11.html#anchor2

========================

19. USDA Cites New Iberia Primate Lab For Violations

SOURCE: USDA Inspects New Iberia Research Ctr – Inspectors Cite Multiple Issues: www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2009/05/newiberia.shtml

USDA REPORT on New Iberia Research Center

www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/efoia/downloads/inspection/72-r-0007.pdf

5/11/09, SUMMARY: USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service conducted an inspection at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s New Iberia Research Center [largest primate lab in U.S.] on 3/17/09, in response to a complaint filed by the Humane Society of the U.S. The inspection revealed issues with the facility’s compliance with the Animal Welfare Act. USDA will take action to ensure these issues are corrected… Inspectors cited the facility for its handling of animals as well as its environment enhancement of nonhuman primates… The inspectors also found problems with New Iberia’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)…

HAVEN’T TAKEN ACTION? DO IT NOW!

3/20/09: Get Great Apes Out Of Laboratories

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1815&seriesfirst=true

========================

20. U.S. Senate Passes Resolution Against Canada Sealing

SOURCE: Senate passes Levin-Collins resolution urging end to Canadian seal hunt

www.opencongress.org/bill/111-sr84/show

5/7/09, SUMMARY: Current 111 Session of Congress — S.Res.84 urges the Canadian government to prohibit commercial hunting of seals. Expresses support for an unconditional prohibition by European Union on trade in seal products. Passed by Unanimous Consent in Senate on 5/7/09. Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

========================

21. Canadian Sealers Lose Biggest Customer — EUROPE!

SOURCE: EU seal ban a ‘black day for Atlantic Canada’ Industry

www.canada.com/news/Parliament+votes+seal+imports/1564814/story.html

5/5/09 SUMMARY: The European Parliament votes overwhelmingly to ban seal items from import/export across the European Union’s 27 nations. It’s a positive leap for the seals who Kinship Circle — along with many other animal groups — have labored to save through action campaigns and education.

HAVEN’T TAKEN ACTION? DO IT NOW!

4/25/09: Don’t Stain 2010 Olympics With The Blood Of Seals

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1822&seriesfirst=true

3/7/09: Canada Seal Bill Dropped, No Debate. Demand End To Killing.

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1811&seriesfirst=true

SPREAD THE TRUTH. DOWNLOAD THIS FACT SHEET:

www.kinshipcircle.org/fact_sheets/BloodPrintOnIce.pdf

========================

22. EU Votes To Let Most Primate Research Continue

SOURCE: EU OKs primate research

www.the-scientist.com/blog/display/55675/

5/5/09, SUMMARY: Research with non-human primates was approved by the European Parliament (540 MEPs in favor, 66 opposed, 34 abstentions). The directive revises draft legislation introduced by the European Commission 11/08 that called for a near-blanket ban on primate testing… The EC legislation does, however, forbid testing on great apes, except to help conserve these species. The report recommends phasing out wild-caught animals in favor of laboratory-bred animals over 10 years, and calls for an overall reduction in primates in research. It also spells out categories of pain, with guidelines about when repeat testing is allowable…

KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES:

11/5/08 OCT-DEC UPDATES: EU Proposal To Ban Great Apes In Experiments

www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_oct-dec_2008.html#anchor19

9/6/07: Urge Primate Testing Ban In Europe

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter.asp?LetterID=1679&seriesfirst=true

========================

23. Karley’s Sociopath Killer Ordered To Stand Trial

SOURCE: Glynn Johnson is being “Held To Answer”

www.zimbio.com/Stop+Animal+Cruelty/articles/108/Glynn+Johnson+being+Held+Answer

5/2/09, SUMMARY: Glynn Demon Johnson, a retired L.A. County assistant fire chief charged in the beating death of his neighbor’s puppy, has been ordered to stand trial. Johnson, 54, is charged with felony animal cruelty and using a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony in connection with the beating of Karley, a 6-month-old German shepherd mix, on 11/3/08.

Johnson claims he was in his house on Armintrout Drive in the Woodcrest community, just south of Riverside, when he spotted Karley running loose through his yard on the day of the alleged attack.

She was picked up by a neighbor, Travis Staggs, who was taking the dog home when Johnson offered to return the animal himself. Staggs handed Karley over and…told sheriff’s investigators that, seemingly without provocation, Johnson turned and struck the dog “with his closed fist, 10-15 times.” Staggs said Johnson tried to pry open the animal’s jaws and then “picked up a rock and began striking Karley in the head,” the affidavit stated…

The vet told sheriff’s investigators that Karley had a shattered skull and appeared to have a broken jaw. At the Tooles’ request, the dog was euthanized. Johnson retired from the fire department soon after the allegations arose. He is free on $10,000 bail.

KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES:

12/16/08 UPDATES / OCT-DEC: L.A. Assistant Fire Chief Charged In Karley’s Killing

kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_oct-dec_2008.html#anchor6

11/14/08: Puppy Fatally Beaten By Los Angeles Firefighter

kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1776&seriesfirst=true

========================

24. Horse Slaughterhouses Now Legal In Montana

SOURCE: Horse slaughter legalized in Montana

www.poocini.com/report/archives/1687

PHOTOS: www.poocini.com/report/archives/1687 and www.poocini.com/report/archives/1695

5/1/09, SUMMARY: House Bill 418, to allow investor-owned horse slaughterhouses in Montana while limiting opportunities for legal action against them, became law. The measure sponsored by Rep. Ed Butcher, R-Winifred, aims to limit the kind of legal challenges that forced the last U.S. slaughterhouses, in Illinois and Texas, to close in 2007.

Washington, DC, The “Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act” (S. 727) will end the slaughter of American horses on a national level, as well as the export of horses for slaughter across our borders… The bill came at a time when horse slaughter no longer occurred on U.S. soil, but with enactment of Montana’s HB 418, passage of S. 727 through the U.S. Senate is critical…

TAKE ACTION – CLICK ON LINKS FOR SAMPLE LETTER/CONTACT INFO:

Stop Horse Slaughter Blitz At State/Federal Levels

kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1816&seriesfirst=true

Horse Slaughter Bill Is Back In 111th Congress

kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1801&seriesfirst=true

========================

25. Michigan Pound Gives R&R Research The Boot

SOURCE: Montcalm County citizens win; animals no longer to be sold for research! www.poocini.com/report/archives/1658

4/27/09, SUMMARY: Montcalm County Board of Commissioners’ voted 6-3 not to extend its 30-year relationship with R&R Research. Simply put, pets in Montcalm County, Michigan will no longer be handed over to Class B dealers to be sold for medical research. For everyone who fought for their community alongside citizen groups like the Concerned Citizens Coalition of Montcalm, [and all Kinship Circle members who took action!] — this is your victory.

KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES:

3/29/08 JAN-APR UPDATES: Michigan Pound Renews R & R Research, 6 Months

www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_jan-march_2009.html#anchor24

1/7/09: Misery For Profit At Michigan Pound

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1793&seriesfirst=true

========================

26. Big Surprise: Swine Flu, Born On U.S. Factory Farms

SOURCE: Swine Flu Ancestor Born on U.S. Factory Farms

www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/05/swineflufarm

5/1/09, SUMMARY: Scientists have traced the genetic lineage of the new H1N1 swine flu to a strain that emerged in 1998 in U.S. factory farms, where it spread and mutated at an alarming rate… “Industrial farms are super-incubators for viruses,” said Bob Martin, former executive director of the Pew Commission on Industrial Animal Farm Production… Diseases travel rapidly through such immunologically stressed populations, and stay with animals as they are shuttled nationwide between birth and slaughter. That provides ample opportunity for strains to mingle and recombine. An array of industry-developed vaccines confer short-term protection, but at the expense of provoking flu to evolve in unpredictable ways…

In 2003, the American Public Health Association called for a ban on contained animal feeding operations. One year later, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital virologist Richard Webby, one of the original chroniclers of H3N2′s emergence, called the U.S. swine population “an increasingly important reservoir of viruses with human pandemic potential…”

RELATED STORIES:

Ill Export: Factory Farms…disastrous public relations for Smithfield Foods

hsus.typepad.com/wayne/2009/05/smithfield.html

A Possible Connection: Swine Flu and Factory Farms

hsus.typepad.com/wayne/2009/04/swine-flu.html

Mexico outbreak traced to ‘manure lagoons’ at pig farm

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6182789.ece

Swine Flu Outbreak — Nature Biting Back at Industrial Animal Production?

www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/swine-flu-outbreak—-nat_b_191408.html

========================

27. Los Angeles DA Drops Charges Against Dog Dragger

SOURCE: Jim Willis, author, Pieces of My Hearts, tiergartenjim [at] yahoo.com
Cat and Dog Rescue Association, catdogrescue [at] gmail.com, 323-666-1357
Karma Rescue, www.KarmaRescue.org, info [at] karmarescue.org

BEFORE PHOTO: Bluebell (Prada), shown bloodied and injured after dragged from her former owner’s pickup truck in 12/08. Southeast Area Animal Control Agency brought her back to good health.

AFTER PHOTO: BlueBell recovers at SEAACA, before she moves to foster care with Karma Rescue. (Staff photo by Keith Durflinger) SEAACA, www.seaaca.org/bluebell.htm

4/28/09, SUMMARY: In Dec. 2008, Bryana Wilson of Norwalk near Los Angeles brought a one-year old dog, Prada, to the local shelter to be killed because the dog had an undiagnosed skin problem (mange). She put Prada in the back of an open pick-up and tied her with a leash. The dog’s guardian drove too fast and Prada fell out of the truck. The screaming dog was dragged for blocks because the driver didn’t notice… The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office will not press charges against the dog’s caretaker… Prada rode in the truckbed (rather than cab) because her guardian said she smelled. “This dog’s open sores, red, raw skin and hair loss took months to develop. Untreated mange this bad can shut down a dog’s organs and kill a dog. It is cheap and easy to treat with over-the-counter medicine. This crime alone is enough for a cruelty case to be filed,” says Lois Newman, President of the Cat and Dog Rescue Association in Los Angeles.

FAST FORWARD: Prada, renamed Bluebell, healed physically and emotionally. (As of mid-May, 09) she still resides in her temporary foster home in Malibu. She plays with other dogs because rescuers socialized and trained her. Karma Rescue: karmarescue.org

KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES:

12/22/08 OCT-DEC UPDATES: Dragged Pit Bull Is Healing And Soon Adoptable

www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_oct-dec_2008.html#anchor2

12/17/08: Second Chance For Dragged Pit Bull

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1787&seriesfirst=true

========================

28. Obama Accepts Breeder Dog As Gift For Daughters

SOURCE: Betrayal from our President

www.examiner.com/x-3605-DC-Animal-Welfare-Examiner~y2009m4d12-Betrayal-from-our-President

4/11/09, SUMMARY: Obamas get pup from a Texas breeder, by way of Senator Ted Kennedy as a “gift.” We’re disappointed President Obama opted for a Portuguese water dog from a breeder — especially after so many animal groups lobbied him to to adopt from a shelter. A rescue dog in the White House would have established a visually powerful precedent…

“TELL US SOMETHING WE DIDN’T KNOW” DEPARTMENT:

Requests to breeders for Portuguese Water Dogs Jump 100% in U.S., 120% in UK:

www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2009/06/20/First-dog-a-sales-boon-for-canine-breed/UPI-87521245511358/

========================

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts kinship circle brenda shoss animal abuse animal cruelty cruelty to animals dog canine pet companion animal mutt german shepherd shepherd mix karley la los angeles california firefighter riverside county Glynn Johnson flickr photos news in the news cat feline hormel pigs factory farming farmed animals International Whaling Commission iwc whales whaling whale meat wildlife conservation travis chimp chimpanzee primate Cheyenne Cherry tiger lilly pet food recall foie gras ducks michael vick hsus shark dogfighting bloodsports bullfighting barack obama green scare civil liverties aeta sb 250 spay neuter wolves SAEN vivisection animal research animal testing animal experimentation Cheyenne Frontier Rodeo rodeo Austria censorship maine farm sanctuary veal crates gestation crates cows calves north carolina shelters Iberia Primate Lab usda swine flu canada seal hunt seal skin sealing montana horses horse slaughter horse meat michigan R&R Research class b dealers pound seizure bluebell prada Bryana Wilson

WaPo: Boys Continue Stoning Geese to Death; Ask Police to Investigate

Kelly Garbato — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:50:04 +0000

Via Animal Advocacy:

Boys Continue Stoning Geese to Death; Ask Police to Investigate

The Washington Post reported that boys are stoning nesting geese to death in a park in Springfield, Virginia (Fairfax County). (source)

Please contact the Fairfax County Police and ask them to assign a detective to this case. Mention that these animal abusers are exhibiting severe psychiatric disorders and the FBI has found they often progress to crimes against humans. Make your request online here.

For ideas to include in your request, you may want to reference information found here.*

The letter is short, but heartbreaking:

Senseless Violence in Springfield

A Canada goose guards his mate’s body at a pond in Springfield.
(Courtesy Of Tom Norato; photo via The Washington Post)

There is a pond near a bike path between the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station and the Greenwood Community in Springfield. Each year, Canada geese arrive at the pond in the fall to nest and raise their families.

Recently, some young neighborhood boys have found a new hobby: They have been stoning the geese to death. Above is a photo of their latest prize and his mate, standing over the body. The goose has been standing vigil for many days now, waiting for her to join him. They mate for life, you know.

He wards off all other geese that come near, as if he were protecting her in a nest. Her final repose does give that illusion. I am beginning to worry that he may himself expire for lack of nourishment, and I had thought of removing the body in the hopes that he might move on. But then I thought I’d just be making things worse. I have a tendency to think that his reactions are instinct and just nature’s way.

But nature didn’t cause this.

Perhaps the boys who did this will see this picture and reflect on what they have done. Perhaps not.

– Tom Norato, Springfield

While this instance of animal abuse is characterized as “senseless violence,” it’s no more (less?) senseless than slaughtering billions of animals for food annually, when a pant-based diet will do. Nor are geese the only non-human animals who feel grief and sorrow, or form deep family and social ties.

Just…remember that, before you start decrying the sociopathy of today’s youths. They’ve got to learn it somewhere, right?

* Don’t forget, I’ve also got a list of additional resources that you can append to your letter.

—————

Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts animal advocacy geese ethology animal behavior animal abuse animal cruelty cruelty to animals washington post photo Springfield Virginia

Kinship Circle: Friends of Kinship Circle Alerts, March 2009

Kelly Garbato — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:04:24 +0000

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – info [at] kinshipcircle.org
Date: Mon, Mar 2, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Subject: Greyhounds, Fur, Rodeo Shock, Cats Skinned… [Friends Of Kinship Circle]

FRIENDS OF KINSHIP CIRCLE / PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST

friendsofkinshipcircle.wordpress.com/

* KINSHIP CIRCLE DOES NOT WRITE OR RESEARCH THESE ALERTS.
* WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VALIDITY OF FRIENDS OF KC ALERTS.
* CONTACT ALERT WRITERS. PLEASE DO NOT HIT REPLY. We will not respond.

1. Trouble For Greyhounds in South Africa
2. Jamaica Wants Greyhound Races Too
3. Jason Wu Puts Aside Fur, For Now
4. Tucson Rodeo Shocks Horses
5. Guandong – Cats Skinned And Boiled Alive
6. Fight Horse Slaughter State By State
7. Prosecute Bird Killers In Florida
8. Ask For End To NYC Horse Carriages
9. World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week

========================

1) Trouble For Greyhounds in South Africa

ALERT WRITER / REPLY TO:
South West Animal Protection, southwestanimalprotection [at] yahoo.co.uk

BACKGROUND:

2/20/09: SAY NO TO PROPOSED GREYHOUND RACING IN SOUTH AFRICA

www.care2.com:80/causes/animal-welfare/blog/trouble-ahead-for-greyhounds-in-south-africa/

TAKE ACTION:

The University of the Free State Faculty of Law has been appointed by the Department of Trade and Industry to conduct research on the possible
legalization of greyhound racing.

Professor Elizabeth Snyman-Van Deventer
University of the Free State Faculty of Law
fax: 051-401-2698; email: snymane.rd [at] ufs.ac.za

========================

2) Jamaica Wants Greyhound Races Too

ALERT WRITER / REPLY TO:
Animal Aid, info [at] animalaid.org.uk

www.animalaid.org.uk/h/f/ACTIVE/blog/ALL/1//?be_id=190

BACKGROUND:

Plans to bring greyhound racing to Jamaica are of great concern due to the inevitable cruelty involved. Huge numbers of greyhounds are destroyed each year after they’ve ‘retired’ from racing, and many pups are killed just because they’re deemed ‘unsuitable’ for racing. In addition, many greyhounds are subjected to abuse by owners who view them as mere commodities.

TAKE ACTION:

Politely email the Jamaican Tourist Board and the Jamaican High Commission to let them know your concerns.

Jamaican Tourist Board: mail [at] visitjamaica.uk.com
Jamaican High Commission: Jamhigh [at] jhcuk.com

========================

3) Jason Wu Puts Aside Fur, For Now

ALERT WRITER / REPLY TO:
Centcom, centcom [at] war-online.org

BACKGROUND:

2/6/09: Fashion designer Jason Wu, who designed Michelle Obama’s inaugural ball gown, was scheduled to unveil his Fall 2009 collection at Exit Art

2/13/09. The evening was set to include a significant amount of fur as Wu has signed a deal with Saga Furs. Win Animal Rights was scheduled to protest this event. Working behind the scenes, along with many other animal advocates, we are pleased that Jason Wu has decided to “back burner” his fur collection… Special thanks to celebrity blogger, Perez Hilton, who posted: perezhilton.com/2009-01-24-michelle-obamas-inauguration-dress-designers-an-animal-killer

TAKE ACTION:

Wouldn’t it be lovely if Jason Wu canceled his use of fur instead of just postponing it? Let Jason know that the whole world is watching. Ask him to make the compassionate choice and to cancel his plans with Saga Furs.

Jwu LLC
6 West 37th St., 3rd Floor; New York, NY 10018-7505
ph: 1-212-643-0598
email: jason [at] jasonwustudio.com, jason [at] thewstudio.com
(not sure of either email address, but one or both of them might work)
(Jason Wu’s sales rep) John W. Murphy: john [at] thewstudio.com
website: www.jasonwustudio.com/

If on Myspace, leave comment: www.myspace.com/jasonwustudio

If on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Jason-Wu/49229617622

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4) Tucson Rodeo Shocks Horses

ALERT WRITER / REPLY TO:
SHARK, info [at] SHARKonline.org, www.TheCruelTruth.com

PHOTOS: SHARK, www.sharkonline.org/

BACKGROUND:

VIDEO: Tucson Rodeo Shocks Horses

2008, SHARK exposed the Tucson Rodeo for shocking horses with 5,000 – 6,000 volts of painful electricity to make them perform. SHARK filed a complaint requesting a criminal investigation and charges against those responsible, with the Arizona Department of Agriculture, Animal Services Division.

SHARK received great media coverage of this issue helping to educate many in Arizona about rodeo animal abuse. In advance of the upcoming rodeo this year, SHARK has sent out two press releases to the media, the City Council and the Mayor of Tucson requesting their attention and action on this issue.

TAKE ACTION:

Request a ban on shocking the animals in the rodeo like many other rodeos in Texas, Colorado, Wyoming…

Mayor Bob Walkup
City Hall; 255 West Alameda Street; Tucson, Arizona 85701
ph: 520-791-4201; fax: 520-791-5348; email: mcweb [at] tucsonaz.gov

Vice Mayor, Karin Uhlich
Ward Three; 1510 East Grant Road; Tucson, Arizona 85719
ph: 520-791-4711; fax: 520-791-5391; email: ward3 [at] tucsonaz.gov

Mike Hein, City Manager
City Hall; 255 West Alameda Street; Tucson, Arizona 85701
ph: 520-791-4204; fax: 520-791-5198; email: mike.hein [at] tucsonaz.gov

Council Member Regina Romero
Ward One; 940 W. Alameda Street; Tucson, Arizona 85745
ph: 520-791-4040; fax: 520-791-5393; email: ward1 [at] tucsonaz.gov

Council Member Rodney Glassman
Ward Two; 7575 E. Speedway; Tucson, Arizona 85710
ph: 520-791-4687; fax: 520-791-5380; email: ward2 [at] tucsonaz.gov

Council Member Shirley Scott
Ward Four; 8123 E. Poinciana; Tucson, Arizona 85730
ph: 520-791-3199; fax: 520-791-4717; email: ward4 [at] tucsonaz.gov

Council Member Steve Leal
Ward Five; 4300 South Park Avenue; Tucson, Arizona 85714
ph: 520-791-4231; fax: 520-791-3188; email: steve.leal [at] tucsonaz.gov

========================

5) Guandong – Cats Skinned And Boiled Alive

ALERT WRITER / REPLY TO:
Maria Lopes, marialopes [at] iwab.org
Anti-Fur Society, www.antifursociety.org/ActionAlert.html

PHOTOS: Anti-Fur Society website, www.antifursociety.org/ActionAlert.html

BACKGROUND:

Cats are skinned and boiled while still alive in Guandong, a south of China province. READ FULL STORY: www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/international/int_ap_beijing_protest_decries_custom_of_eating_cats_20081218804

TAKE ACTION:

Write to the Guandong authorities (cc to the Chinese Embassy) asking them to stop this horrific practice. Your message will be more effective if you fax it or send it by snail mail in addition to emailing it. Regardless, please send them a message of disapproval. NOTE: It is very important to send
polite messages or our efforts may be in vain.

Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office
ph: (8620) 81218888; fax: (8620) 81218569; email: webmaster [at] gdfao.gov.cn

Food & Drug Administration Bureau of Guandong:
email: ywts [at] gzfda.gov.cn, xzts [at] gzfda.gov.cn

Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office of Guandong Province
ph: (8620) 81218888; fax: (8620) 81218569
email: waiban [at] gz.gov.cn, webmaster [at] gdfao.gov.cn

SAMPLE LETTER / TALKING POINTS:

www.antifursociety.org/ActionAlert.html

(Scroll past addresses, mid-page)

========================

6) Fight Horse Slaughter State By State

ALERT WRITER / REPLY TO:
International Fund For Horses, fund4horses.org/info.php?id=1114

BACKGROUND:

2/9/09: We must now fight horse slaughter state by state since many state legislators have introduced pro horse slaughter resolutions on behalf of
foreign investors anxious to defeat H.R. 503.

These resolutions and bills are a not-so-subtle ploy by the foreign investors that own horse slaughterhouses to defeat H.R. 503 which would ban the sale, transport, and possession of horses in interstate and foreign commerce for slaughter for human consumption.

There is no point in states appropriating tax dollars for studies when currently horse slaughter for human consumption is not allowed in the U.S. These resolutions will simply insure horse slaughterers can continue to take American horses to Mexico or Canada for slaughter. States taking part: Arizona, Utah, Missouri, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Kansas, Arkansas, Minnesota, Montana, and Illinois.

TAKE ACTION:

STATE BY STATE HORSE SLAUGHTER BILLS, TAKE ACTION HERE:

fund4horses.org/info.php?id=1114

FEDERAL BILL HORSE SLAUGHTER BILL, TAKE ACTION HERE:

www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1801&seriesfirst=true

========================

7) Prosecute Bird Killers In Florida

ALERT WRITER / REPLY TO:
C ALLARD, cdallard1 [at] bellsouth.net

BACKGROUND:

2/25/09: Collier County, Florida: Senseless killing of birds.

Article link: www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090225/ARTICLE/902250353/2055/NEWS

TAKE ACTION:

These individuals need to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law! Let the Collier County States Attorney know, in a polite manner.

Collier County States Attorney’s Office
Administrative Building, 6th Floor
3301 E Tamiami Trail; Naples, FL 34112
ph: 239-252-8470; Office Head, Richard Montecalvo: Rmontecalvo [at] sao.cjis20.org

========================

8) Ask For End To NYC Horse Carriages

ALERT WRITER / REPLY TO:
Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages, coalition [at] banhdc.org

www.banhdc.org/index.shtml

PHOTOS: www.blindersthemovie.com/photos

BLINDERS: Award-winning documentary exposes the truth behind the tradition of NYC horse-drawn carriage industry. www.blindersthemovie.com

BACKGROUND:

PLEASE HELP US: If you live in another city or country – WE NEED YOU! New York City is in the fight of its life to rescue its carriage horses from a life of slavery and to shut down the horse-drawn carriage trade. In three years, we have succeeded in bringing worldwide attention to this anachronistic and inhumane industry and we are close to making a ban a reality. AS POTENTIAL TOURISTS, WE NEED YOUR HELP TO SHUT IT DOWN! On January 30 the City Council Consumer Affairs Committee held a public hearing on two carriage horse bills. There was no vote.

The City Council likes to claim horses and buggies are a tourist attraction. THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN. When you visit our city, is this the first thing you do? What about museums, theater, night life, shopping and restaurants? Will NYC survive without carriage horses? We certainly think so. And we ask you to send a letter to our City Council saying the same.

TAKE ACTION:

SEND LETTER TO COUNCIL EMAIL ADDRESSES:
marroyo [at] council.nyc.gov, avella [at] council.nyc.gov, baez [at] council.nyc.gov, brewer [at] council.nyc.gov, comrie [at] council.nyc.gov, ecrowley [at] council.nyc.gov, deblasio [at] council.nyc.gov, emdilan [at] council.nyc.gov, rarbeloc [at] council.nyc.gov, mathieu.eugene [at] council.nyc.gov, felder [at] council.nyc.gov, fidler [at] council.nyc.gov, foster [at] council.nyc.gov, garodnick [at] council.nyc.gov, gennaro [at] council.nyc.gov, vgentile [at] council.nyc.gov, agerson [at] council.nyc.gov, gioia [at] council.nyc.gov, gonzalez [at] council.nyc.gov, Ignizio [at] council.nyc.gov, rjackson [at] council.nyc.gov, ljames [at] council.nyc.gov, katz [at] council.nyc.gov, koppell [at] council.nyc.gov, lappin [at] council.nyc.gov, liu [at] council.nyc.gov, viverito [at] council.nyc.gov, martinez [at] council.nyc.gov, darlene.mealy [at] council.nyc.gov, rmendez [at] council.nyc.gov, nelson [at] council.nyc.gov, palma [at] council.nyc.gov, recchia [at] council.nyc.gov, rivera [at] council.nyc.gov, sanders [at] council.nyc.gov, seabrook [at] council.nyc.gov, sears [at] council.nyc.gov, vacca [at] council.nyc.gov, vann [at] council.nyc.gov, weprin [at] council.nyc.gov, twhite [at] council.nyc.gov, yassky [at] council.nyc.gov, barron [at] council.nyc.gov, dickens [at] council.nyc.gov, oddo [at] council.nyc.gov, quinn [at] council.nyc.gov, reyna [at] council.nyc.gov, stewart [at] council.nyc.gov, vallone [at] council.nyc.gov

SEND LETTER TO MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG: www.banhdc.org/what_you_can_do.shtml
CLICK ON LINK IN FIRST PARAGRAPH

SAMPLE LETTER / TALKING POINTS:

Please indicate in the email subject line something like this: “Californians against horse-drawn carriages”; “Tourists against horse-drawn carriages”

Dear Council Member:

As a tourist to your great city, it is troubling to see that New York City still has an inhumane horse-carriage trade. These 19th century slow moving conveyances do not belong in a crowded and congested 21st century city. They impede the flow of traffic, getting in the way of ambulances, fire trucks and police cars – not to mention cars, taxis, buses, bikers and pedestrians. Horses suffer in more ways than can be imagined starting with a denial of their innate horse nature. Please support the bill to ban this industry. New York should join the ranks of cities like London, Paris, Toronto, Oxford and Beijing, which have banned the carriage trade. Tourists come to NYC for its wonderful museums, theater, night life, restaurants and shopping. The carriage trade brings shame to your city. I will not travel to New York as long as this inhumane industry continues to operate.

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9) World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week

ALERT WRITER / REPLY TO:
Michael Budkie, Executive Director, SAEN, saen [at] saenonline.org
www.saenonline.org, www.wlalw.org

BACKGROUND:

World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week April 18-26, 2009 As you read this email, untold millions of animals suffer and die in laboratories across the United States. Most of these animals including rats, mice, birds, amphibians, and all animals used in agricultural research receive no protection under current laws. Federally owned laboratories (such as those owned by the Department of Defense, the NIH, the USDA, EPA, etc.) receive no independent inspections. It has been demonstrated that the USDA does not adequately enforce the very limited requirements of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Labs often break federal laws and more animals are hurt by these infractions every day. Violations are often ignored, fines are reduced or eliminated, and penalties are ineffective.

Use of non-human primates has reached an all-time high with 69,990 experiencing the cruelty of captivity in a laboratory. In university and private settings, squirrel monkeys are confined to restraint chairs and steel screws are drilled into the skulls of rhesus monkeys. Chimpanzees suffer for decades as they slowly go insane. Dogs languish in runs as they pine for their families. Electrical coils are forced into the eyes of cats.

TAKE ACTION:

World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week 2009 is April 18 – 26. However, it is more important that you take action than that your action falls exactly within these dates. If we are to be successful in exposing the ongoing abuses of animals in laboratories, we must begin planning now.

SAEN WEBSITES WITH RESOURCES

Stop Animal Exploitation NOW! www.saenonline.org

Sections of our main website have fact sheets about product testing, primate experimentation, a general flyer about animal experimentation, as well as materials focusing on specific labs.

Our Government Grants Promoting Cruelty to Animals contains information on research protocols, grant applications, and journal articles relevant to over 120 different researchers spread throughout 47 labs in 24 states.

World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week: www.wlalw.org/

Contains a sign-up form for this year’s event, and listings of events from previous years. It is very important that we are aware of all WLALW events so that we may help in their promotion and media exposure, so please sign up with the details of your events as soon as possible. When your event is posted on our website, more activists will be able to attend.

Using information from our website, any activist can plan a news conference to discuss the use of animals at a nearby laboratory. Protests, rallies and civil disobedience can also be used to pressure a laboratory to change policies or even eliminate specific experiments. Leafleting can be an effective method of educating the public. Large numbers of activists can be helpful for protest events, but media campaigns involving other methods can be effective with a single dedicated activist.

We are the voices for millions of suffering dogs, cats, primates, rats, mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, sheep, pigs and animals of many other species. Please get involved with this vital event. We are their only hope.

========================

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts kinship circle carriage horses horses mustangs wildlife conservation horse meat animal racing dog racing dog canine pet companion animal south africa Jamaica jason wu fur Tucson rodeo shark animal abuse World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week flickr photos

Hunting “Tail” on Dollhouse

Kelly Garbato — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:42:12 +0000

Caution: Major spoiler warning below the jump!

I’ve been a Joss Whedon fan since his Firefly days, so when I heard that he was working on a new project, Dollhouse, I immediately got all giddy like a schoolgirl. That is, until I hear that Eliza Dushku would be starring. Ugh.

Even before the hunting flap, I disliked Dushku. Perhaps it’s because she came off like an entitled snot in a very early episode of Punk’d; even before she was faux “arrested” for “shoplifting” in a local retail boutique, she copped a huge ‘tude over all the free swag she was obviously owed for being a celebrity. That, and Tru Calling looked absolutely dreadful. Well, and I’m also weird like that; Dushku isn’t the only celebrity I have an irrational, knee-jerk dislike for. Take Ben Affleck, for example: clearly, he’s a funny, charming, altruistic guy, but there’s just something about him that I want to hate. He’s smarmy, but not. Did I also mention that I have a crazy aversion to feet? So maybe it’s just me, after all.

Anyway, the aforementioned hunting flap gave me a reason to dislike her – a good one, actually. In an August appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Show, Dushku discussed her love of hunting – you know, that sadistic leisure activity which involves murdering innocent animals for “fun”:

Here’s the gist of the interview (via ecorazzi), in case you don’t want to sit through the whole video:

A couple night ago on Jimmy Kimmel Live Dushku revealed that she loves to hunt elk and deer. Not only did she brag about it, but she also showed off her bow and arrow skills and boasted about killing a deer in Oklahoma last Christmas. WTF, Eliza? Why are you such a jerk?

Even the studio audience turned on Dushku forcing her to joke, “My mother called me herself and said, ‘You’re a liberal from New England, what the ‘f’ are you doing in Oklahoma shooting things.” Backpeddling later she said, “When you’re in a relationship with somebody you have to, like, experience things that they do. A lot of people eat meat… and I eat what I kill.”

Dushku’s hunting isn’t so much the point, though, as it is a set-up for the rest of this post. Despite my ambivalence, I started watching Dollhouse on my DVR last week. It’s alright, certainly no Firefly, but also not the complete stinker I was afraid it’d be. The second episode, “The Target,” is of particular interest from an animal rights standpoint.

For those who haven’t yet seen it, let’s start with a brief outline of the show (courtesy Wiki), shall we?

Eliza Dushku plays a young woman called Echo, a member of a group of people known as “Actives” or “Dolls”. The Dolls have had their personalities wiped clean so they can be imprinted with any number of new personas, including memory, muscle memory, skills, and language, for different assignments (referred to as engagements). The new persona is not an original creation, however, but an amalgam of different, existing personalities. The end result incorporates some of the flaws, not just the strengths, of the people used as templates. The Actives are then hired out for particular jobs – crimes, fantasies, and the occasional good deed. On engagements, Actives are monitored internally (and remotely) by Handlers. In between tasks, they are mind-wiped into a child-like state and live in a futuristic dormitory/laboratory, a hidden facility nicknamed “The Dollhouse”. The story follows Echo, who begins, in her mind-wiped state, to become self-aware.

In the second episode, Echo is rented out for the weekend as a “fantasy date” for an “outdoorsman”; frankly, story lines aside, “dating” seems to be the women’s primary form of “engagement” (two of three of the episodes aired so far have revolved around spy-type situations, however, “dates” are commonly alluded to). Certainly, engagements which involve sex are ethically problematic (well, the whole concept is ethically problematic, but the dolls-as-prostitutes, especially so) – without explicit and continual consent, what we’re really talking about is rape. Undoubtedly so when it appears that many of the “dolls” have been coerced into volunteering at the Dollhouse (similar to the set-up in La Femme Nikita).*

With this in mind, let’s turn to the second episode, “The Target”:

Echo’s latest imprint has her as the perfect date for Richard, an outdoorsman, who takes her on a romantic wilderness adventure. The experience takes a turn for the worse when Richard indicates he will conclude the “date” by hunting her for sport. Although Echo is imprinted with absolute trust in Boyd [her handler], he is unable to do more than deliver a weapon to her, and she must kill Richard on her own. Afterward the Dollhouse team discovers the handiwork of Alpha, a rogue doll, on the corpse of an unknown assassin. It was Alpha who had maimed Dr. Saunders and butchered the handler Boyd was hired to replace. Agent Ballard receives an anonymous package concerning Echo’s previous identity as a woman named Caroline, and continues his search.

We first glimpse Echo and Richard in the middle of their date; the two are white water rafting in a state park. After coming to calmer waters, they pull their raft to the shore. Richard then announces that it’s time for lunch. Instead of pb&j, he pulls a bow and arrow out of his backpack: they’re going to hunt their meal, he announces! Echo, unsure at first, slowly warms to the idea. She (read: her programmed personality) has never bow hunted before, so Richard offers an impromptu lesson. Echo takes the weapon into her hands, grabbing the bow with her left and drawing the arrow back with her right; Richard positions himself behind her, instructing her in proper form. As he wraps himself around her, the lesson quickly turns from educational to sexual: both Richard and Echo are clearly getting off on this. Momentarily distracted, a deer suddenly appears before them. Instantly all business, Echo draws the arrow back, as if it shoot the deer -

- and the camera cuts to a shot of a very naked and sweaty Echo, rolling off an equally naked and sweaty Richard.

So what we have here is murder as a sort of foreplay – literally. Beautiful. Gag, rinse, repeat. Fear not, dear veg*ns: here’s where it gets good. Well, not so much “good” as “interesting.”

After they’ve finished, Richard abruptly hops up and out of the sleeping bag, and starts dressing, quickly. He then gives an obviously hurt and confused (and then panicked and horrified) Echo a five minute warning – a head start. Grabbing his bow and setting his watch, Richard reiterates: he’ll wait five minutes, and then he’s coming after Echo. With the same bow the two just used to slaughter Bambi’s mother.

The rest of the show, of course, consists of a cat and mouse chase between Richard and Echo. Because she’s the show’s star, Echo triumphs, shooting and killing Richard with a gun her handler Boyd manages to bring her – before he takes an arrow to the leg, courtesy of Richard. Throughout the “hunt,” Richard derives a creepy, sadistic – and, yes, sexual – satisfaction from hunting Echo. Rather than chase Echo, he stalks her, slowly, surely, taking great pleasure in the process – and in her fear. To him, she’s just another piece of tail, not much different from the deer they slaughtered together.

Here, three forms of objectification and consumption are linked:

- Firstly, Richard “hired” Echo as a prostitute (at worst, rented and raped her like a trafficked woman). However, not any prostitute would do; instead of hiring an ordinary sex worker, Richard shelled out gobs of money so that a woman could be “made” – programmed – to his specifications. “Woman as consumer good,” indeed;

- As part of Richard’s “dream date,” the two then killed and consumed a sentient being, quite literally reveling in the murder, to the point where it led to sexual activity – in essence, rape, as Echo is incapable of giving consent in her brainwashed state;

- Finally, not satisfied with merely slaughtering non-human animals and raping women, Richard then hunted Echo as if she were “mere” wildlife, a resource to be consumed and exploited. As with the deer, Richard savored the hunt, clearly aroused by his domination of Echo. Her (seemingly immanent) destruction became further proof of his superiority.

Whedon and Dushku may both self-identify as feminists, but I don’t think either of the two are veg*ns or even animal welfarists; Dushku most certainly isn’t.** So I don’t know whether the Dollhouse crew was intentionally making a statement about the linking of violence with sex, or the relationship between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence. Nevertheless, I quite like how the episode led from one evil to another, in an almost seamless fashion: Richard begins by “buying” a woman, as if she were an object; then makes that woman complicit in the needless murder and consumption of another sentient beings; and progresses on to raping and hunting the woman herself. Echo is at once the victim and a co-conspirator of the patriarchy. And the brutal slaughter of a innocent non-human animal foretells future violence against a human woman, as well.

Plus, it’s a fine example of a hunter being portrayed in a less-than-flattering light – as a sadistic shithead, one might say.

Interestingly, I also encountered the sex-as-violence (or violence-as-sex) phenomenon while I was researching this post. For example, in searching for a transcript of Dushku’s Jimmy Kimmel Live interview, I found more than a few conservative, pro-hunting and/or misogynist websites which, unsurprisingly, applauded Dushku’s defense of hunting – while simultaneously commenting on her physical appearance, sometimes with objectifying results.

Take, for example, the following commentary***:

Eliza Dushku has one more reason for men to want to see her naked: she kills animals. Her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live had her admitting to the public that while she enjoys girlie things like shopping and exchanging lip gloss, she also has a carnal side that involves slaughtering innocent, yet beefy, animals. [...]

And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I personally would have enjoyed her also mentioning the part where she then commences gnawing and ripping through the poor thing’s flesh with her bare hands and teeth, smearing blood all over, and then following off the ritual with a lovely photo shoot, I can live with just the image of her roaming through foliage in a neon bikini.

Here’s some pics of her at the Comic Con to keep your appetite quelled.

(Emphasis mine.)

So it seems as though the writers of Dollhouse tapped into a sick, sad cultural meme with the whole “murder as foreplay” plot line.

Now for the disclaimer: at the end of the episode, it’s implied that Richard is actually a contract killer, hired to kill Echo by an unknown third party. Even if this is revealed to be true, I still don’t think it negates the above observations – primarily because, whether he was contracted to kill Echo or not, Richard obviously took great joy in hunting both the deer and her. Additionally, if this was just a “job” for him, I think it makes his rape and subsequent stalking of Echo that much more significant: he didn’t have to do either, in fact neither was actually paid work (and giving Echo a head start is risky from a business standpoint) – and yet he did so anyway, mixing “work” with “pleasure.” A sadist through and through, even while on the clock.

* Naturally, this leads to concerns that Whedon and Co. may be glamorizing rape and using it as source of entertainment. However, the owners of the Dollhouse have thus far been portrayed as greedy, morally bankrupt criminals. If the plot continues to play out as hinted, this angle will probably become even more prominent (e.g., with Echo becoming self-aware – and aware of what the Dollhouse has done to her – and working to expose it, SD-6 styley).

** Though, while discussing the whole “hunting flap,” the husband recounted a recent appearance by Dushku on the Howard Stern Show (don’t ask; co-host Robin Quivers is reportedly a vegan, so that gets him a pass); he swears that she claimed to have been a vegetarian up until the day she started hunting at a boyfriend’s behest. I cannot confirm or deny either way.

*** I refuse to link, but you can find it at derekhail-dot-com.

**** FYI: I didn’t include them here, but there are a number of video clips available at imdb, here.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare hunting intersections parallel oppressions dollhouse joss whedon Eliza Dushku the target animal abuse animal cruelty cruelty to animals interpersonal violence interview animals and women rape prostitution video video blogging

Fishermen as happy sadists: A new meme?

Kelly Garbato — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 23:04:45 +0000

Last month, I blogged about a series of ads for Hobie Kayaks, aimed at fishermen (“people,” I should say, except all the ads seem to depict men). The gist of the marketing concept is that the kayaks are so quiet that fishermen can stalk and overtake their prey with serial killer-like coldness and precision. Fittingly, shadowy fishermen in fedoras and trench coats are shown choking, knifing and shooting three very terrified fish. Fishermen as stone-cold killers, indeed.

As shocking as I initially found the ads, now I’m starting to wonder whether this is the beginning of a meme.

Take, for example, this ad series from Bass Pro Shops. The general concept actually isn’t all that objectionable; the three print ads are touting Bass Pro Shop’s camp sale with the slogan “Get the family ready. Bass Pro Shops camp sale.” (C’mon, who doesn’t love camping!?)

In the first ad, someone (Dad, presumably) has put some greenery around the toilet, in order to get the family ready to do their biz in the bushes:

The next ad, which is also rather inoffensive, shows Mom and Dad bathing in a public fountain; I assume the fountain is a stand-in for a stream, river or a public showering facility:

All fine and good so far, right? Well, this is Bass Pro Shops – a store which bills itself thusly: “Bass Pro Shops today isn’t just fishing. It is an outdoor retail leader in hunting, camping, nature gifts, outdoor cooking, and much more.” – so no ad campaign would be complete without a little gratuitous violence.

Which brings us to the last ad, in which Dad has murdered the family “pet” – a goldfish – much to Johnny, Jr.’s dismay:

Wow. Just, wow. Using animal abuse (i.e., suffocating and then carving up the family goldfish) and child abuse (i.e., psychologically abusing your son by murdering his “pet” right in front of him) to sell camping gear? That’s got to be a new low. I mean, it boggles. Since when does killing the family “pet” qualify as “humor”?

Especially when you stop to consider the connections between animal abuse and interpersonal violence: specifically, in cases of domestic and child abuse, it’s not uncommon for men to threaten, abuse or kill the family “pets” as a means of psychologically abusing their partners and children.

Sick, sick, sick.

On the bright side, at least they’re finally speaking the truth: fishermen delight in violence.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare fish fishing hunting camping bass pro shops marketing ad advertisement photos photo blogging animal abuse animal cruelty cruelty to animals pet companion animal child abuse intersections parallel oppressions domestic violence

Violence, compassion and vegetarianism on Lost.

Kelly Garbato — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:12:58 +0000

Proceed with caution: Moderate spoilers ahead. Specifically, I’ll be discussing Sayid’s flashbacks in the Season 3 episode “Enter 77″ (3×11). There may also be a few small spoilers through Season 4, but none for Season 5 – promise! (Although the external links may lead to more current spoilers.)

The husband and I became Losties rather late in the game. We picked up Season 1 on DVD on a whim during the writer’s strike last winter; within the first five minutes of the pilot episode, we were hooked.

Lately, I’ve taken to consuming pop culture with a more critical eye. I’ve always been somewhat sensitive to how women are portrayed in the media; increasingly, I’ve consciously tried to expand my “circle of compassion” vis-à-vis pop culture to other marginalized groups, including non-human animals. While animal welfare issues rarely surface on Lost, one episode in particular has stuck with me – “Enter 77″ (3×11), a Sayid-centric episode.

For those unfamiliar with Lost, most of the episodes to date (i.e., Seasons 1-4; the show’s now in its fifth season) follow a similar format: each episode focuses on one character, juxtaposing real-time action with “flashbacks” that offer the audience some insight into the characters’ current situation and state of mind.

Sayid Jarrah, played by Naveen Andrews, was once a Communications officer in the Iraqi Republican Guard. During Operation Desert Storm, he became an “interrogator” (read: torturer) under the American forces, a “skill” to which he later returned for the Republican Guard. As an Intelligence officer, he tortured rebels and military prisoners, including women. Eventually, Sayid left Iraq and found his way to Paris, where he found work as a chef and tried – unsuccessfully – to forget his past (a past which frequently haunts him). This is where “Enter 77″ finds him.

You can find a full episode summary for “Enter 77″ here; I’ve also included an “episode wrap-up” video from Daily Motion below, to place the flashbacks in context – but you can skip these if you’d rather. Only the flashbacks are relevant to this discussion.

In “Enter 77,” Sayid’s past as a torturer follows him to Paris, with heartbreaking results:

Working as an accomplished chef in Paris going by the alias of Najeev, Sayid was invited by Sami to work at his restaurant. When Sayid came to the restaurant, Sayid was introduced to Sami’s wife Amira. Sayid noticed burn marks on her arms and then Sami and his gang beat him up and kept him chained in a locked pantry (echoing Ben’s imprisonment in the Swan’s armory). Later, Sami brought him water and accused him of having tortured his wife when he was a soldier for the Republican Guard. Sayid claimed he had no idea what Sami was talking about and that he had never seen his wife before. Amira came in and watched as Sami assaulted Sayid for supposedly torturing her. Sami went to attack him with a pipe, but Amira stopped him, saying that was enough for one day. Sayid woke up to see Amira watching him with her cat. She said that she rescued the cat from children who had tortured it with firecrackers and that she forgives the cat when it bites because like her it will never feel safe again. Amira demanded that Sayid show her the respect of admitting what he did to her. Sayid decided to tell her that he remembered torturing her and tearfully apologized, saying that her face had haunted him for years. Amira said she forgave him and that she would tell Sami that she had made a terrible mistake, so that he would let Sayid go.

(Note: This summary is from Sayid’s character biography on Lostpedia; a more detailed summary is available in the “Enter 77″ entry, under “flashback.”)

The video montage of Sayid’s flashbacks throughout “Enter 77″ helps to flesh out and give life to the summary – watch it with a tissue nearby, as it’s a real tear-jerker:

Lostpedia, as always populated by the most helpful bunch of geeks ever!, has transcribed the entire episode, in case you’re unable to view the video. I’ve excerpted the final confrontation between Sayid and Amira below.

Here, Amira describes rescuing a stray cat from his abusers. As someone who was also tortured, Amira feels a sort of kinship with this poor animal, who – still damaged from his mistreatment at the hands of (O)thers – sometimes lashes out at her in terror. Amira could easily seek revenge for the pain Sayid inflicted upon her – certainly, this is what her husband Sami prefers – but Amira would rather show Sayid the compassion that he never extended to her (or the cat’s torturers, to him). Unlike Amira and the gray cat, Sayid is guilty – and still, seeing the pain that abuse visits upon both the abused and the abuser, Amira instead chooses to fill her heart with forgiveness.

[FLASHBACK]

[Amira walks into the storage room with a gray cat and sits in the chair]

AMIRA: After my husband and I first arrived in Paris, I was afraid to ever leave our apartment. So I would stare out in the window into the alley, and I would see this cat looking for scraps. One day some children came into the alley and trapped him in a box. I watched them light firecrackers and drop them in the box. I could hear him howl from three stories above. So finally, I had a reason to leave my apartment. I rescued this cat and I brought him home. He sits with me when I read, sleeps with me, and he purrs. But, every once in a while, he will bite me or scratch me. He does this because sometimes he forgets that he is safe now. So I forgive him when he bites me, because I remember what it is like to never feel safe. And that is because of you. So today, I ask only one thing of you: I ask you now to show me the respect by acknowledging what you did to me. That it was you who questioned me, tortured me and that you remember me.

SAYID: I remember you. I remember your face. Your face has haunted me ever since I left Iraq. [crying] I am sorry. I am so sorry for what I did to you. I am sorry.

AMIRA: I forgive you. When my husband return, I will tell I made a terrible mistake, that it was not you, and he will release you.

SAYID: Why? Why are you letting me go?

AMIRA: We are all capable of doing what those children did to this cat. But I will not do that. I will not be that.

Throughout Lost’s first four seasons, Sayid’s regret at torturing dissidents – his childhood love, Nadia, included – is evident. Despite his pain, Sayid is unable to fully escape his past. After torturing a fellow Lostaway (James “Sawyer” Ford) in Season 1, Sayid goes on a self-imposed exile, during which he’s caught and tortured by another one of the island’s inhabitants (Danielle Rousseau, who’s been stranded on the island for 16 years and is initially presented as “crazy”). The efficacy of torture is constantly called into question; Sayid’s torture of Sawyer (and, later, “Benry,” i.e., Henry Gale/Ben Linus) yields no information, and only serves to further poison Sayid’s psyche.

The theme of vengeance is also touched upon, most prominently in Sawyer’s flashbacks. When James Ford was a child, a con man named Sawyer seduced his mother and stole his parents’ life savings. Once his father found out, he shot his wife and then killed himself – while a young James cowered under his bed. As an adult, James adopted the original Sawyer’s name and persona, all the while vowing to track down Sawyer I and kill him in revenge for ruining his family. In the Season 3 episode “The Brig” (3×19), Sawyer finally gets his chance.

More than twenty years of hatred and revenge sought prove difficult to abandon, however. Upon killing “Mr. Sawyer,” Sawyer feels little relief: he’s unable to fully let go of “Sawyer” or forgive himself for his past misdeeds. Sawyer remains a broken man; his only hope of redemption is love and self-sacrifice.

Similarly, in Season 4, Mr. Widmore’s agents murder Ben’s “daughter,” Alex. Ben later pays a visit to Widmore, promising that he’ll track down and kill Widmore’s own daughter, Penelope, in return. It’ll be interesting to see whether Ben succeeds (I hope not!!!1!!!1!) and, if so, whether vengeance brings him any solace.

This is not to suggest that Lost downplays the use of violence. Indeed, in their early confrontations with the Others, the Lostaways employ violence, sometimes with deadly results. These conflicts, though, are often presented as instances of self-defense, such that the survivors’ actions appear just – after all, are they not the innocent victims under assault? Again, it will be interesting to see how these initial interpretations shift as the nature and purpose of the Others is revealed in the final two seasons.

But I digress. As I said, Lost rarely addresses animal issues, even inasmuch as the non-human animal inhabitants of the island are concerned. Yet, the exchange between Sayid and Amira is both insightful and compelling: a parallel is clearly drawn between Amira and the unnamed cat, such that Amira’s past abuse instills within her a special empathy for the suffering of other, “lesser” beings. This sort of “shared suffering” is sometimes cited as a reason why women are overrepresented in the animal advocacy movement. It’s a beautiful – albeit painful – exchange, one which I think many women can relate to.

Lost also gives us one vegetarian among the 70 crash survivors. Kate’s vegetarianism is referenced just once, in “Walkabout” (1×4):

[Shot of Kate slipping a knife into a sheath at her waist. Jack enters.]

JACK: So? Hunting boar, now, huh?

KATE: Who says it’s my first time boar hunting?

JACK: Uh-huh. Tell me something, how come every time there’s a hike into the heart of darkness you sign up? You know what’s in there.

KATE: Actually, I don’t. And neither do you.

JACK: What’s your feel on our new friend?

KATE: Seems to know what he’s doing.

JACK: Call me paranoid, but anyone who packs a suitcase full of knives?

KATE: If I didn’t know any better, I’d say your worried about me, Jack.

JACK: If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you have a problem staying in one place for very long, Kate. So, you want to tell me why you’re really going?

KATE: [showing the antenna to Jack] Sayid gave me this so he can triangulate the distress signal we heard—find the source.

JACK: This isn’t about boars.

KATE: I’m a vegetarian.

Kate’s a bit of a fibber, so it’s difficult to know for sure whether she actually is a vegetarian, or is just being coy/glib/evasive with Jack. I don’t believe we ever see Kate eat the corpses of dead animals, either on or off the island, and the woman does spend an inordinate amount of time gathering fruit. Yet, also during Season 1, Kate helps Sawyer track a boar who’s been “harassing” him, with the understanding that Sawyer plans on slaying the animal (in the end, he doesn’t). Possibly a victim of physical or sexual abuse, Kate is a rather sympathetic character who exhibits compassion and empathy for those who are suffering.

Likewise, Lost presents us with more than a few unlikable characters, some of which appear to be pure evil. Take, for example, John Locke’s father, Anthony Cooper. Born three months premature, Locke’s mother Emily – just 15 years old at the time – gave him up for adoption, and Locke spent his childhood in foster care. Locke never knew his biological parents, that is, until middle adulthood – when Cooper enlisted a now-mentally ill Emily Locke to help him con John out of a kidney. (Cooper’s own kidneys were failing, and he was on dialysis at the time.) After Cooper received Locke’s kidney, he brushed his son off like a pesky flea.

Later, Locke was approached by a young man named Peter Talbot; Talbot’s mother, a rich widow, was engaged to be married to Cooper. Talbot suspected that Cooper was only after his mother’s money, and contacted John for proof. In a display of undeserved loyalty, John Locke denied knowing Cooper. Yet, he later confronted Cooper, threatening to come clean with Talbot unless Cooper called off the wedding. Ever the heartless criminal, Cooper murdered Talbot and then tried to kill his own son, pushing Locke out of an eight-story window. Locke survived, but lost the use of his legs.

We later learn that Anthony Cooper is also Mr. Sawyer, the man responsible for the death of James Ford’s parents.

In the Season 1 episode “Deus Ex Machina” (1×19), it’s revealed that Cooper is a hunter. In the course of conning Locke out of his kidney, Cooper takes his long-lost son quail hunting in a faux attempt at father-son bonding. He also denigrates animal rights activists in the process:

COOPER: You have a family your own?

LOCKE: No, sir.

COOPER: Me either. I tried it a couple of times, didn’t take. Do you hunt?

LOCKE: [laughing] No, no.

COOPER: You’re not one of those animal rights nut jobs, are you?

LOCKE: No. No, sir.

Taken with Kate’s vegetarianism, Cooper’s hunting is a nice complement: Cooper, the least redeemable of all the bastards on the show, enjoys killing sentient beings during his leisure time, while Kate – an amiable and compassionate (if somewhat flawed) individual – refuses to eat the flesh of dead animals. No complaints with these character sketches, nosiree.

And, I should also note, for being stranded on a lost island, the gang spends very little time hunting (humans, at least). Which comes as a pleasant surprise for this veg*n Lostie.

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