A FALL FROM FREEDOM-VIDEO

Be Sure to See this Film

Whales and dolphins have captured the imagination of people all over the
world. They have come to symbolize not only an alien form of intelligence,
but a sense of ultimate freedom in their marine environment and a comradery
among their herd mates that we envy and admire.

A FALL FROM FREEDOM is the first film to expose the long and sordid history
of the captive whale and dolphin business; a history that continues to this
day. The illegal capture and transport of killer whales, the thousands of
dolphins that are killed in order to provide marine parks and aquariums with
replacement animals, and the ability of these facilities to mis-educate the
public about these animals.

These, and many other issues, are covered in graphic detail in this 80
minute film. View now for free.
In theaters starting this September.

LAW REQUIRES CROSS-REPORTING CHILD AND ANIMAL ABUSE

State agencies that deal with animal abuse are preparing to share that information with authorities that investigate abuse of spouses and children.

On Oct. 1, the law goes into effect that requires animal control officers and social workers with the state Department of Children and Families to share information on cases.

“Statistics show us that when an animal is being abused in a household, there is an 80 percent chance that a child in the same household is also being abused. This bill sends a strong message that animal cruelty will be taken seriously in Connecticut,” North Stonington State Rep. Diana Urban, who pushed for the law, said in a written statement.

An animal control officer who suspects that an animal has been harmed or treated cruelly will be required to file a petition with the Superior Court and submit a report to the agriculture commissioner and Department of Children and Families employees who suspect that an animal has been harmed must also report to the agriculture commissioner.

Article:http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Law-Requires-Cross-Reporting-Child-and-Animal-Abuse-125944939.html

Namibia warns over spying on seal killing

Namibia warns over spying on seal cull




Namibian police are on alert around the areas where seal annual harvesting is taking place.


The police have warned that anyone found in the vicinity without a valid cause will be ‘dealt with’.


This follows the confiscation of high technology cameras; clandestinely dressed as rocks endemic to the Cape Cross area where the largest seal harvest takes place annually.


The expensive equipment is suspected to have been placed in the vicinity by foreign journalists and animal welfare organisations ‘representatives, who are said to be in the country on tourists’ visas to film the seal culling process – described by many international animal rights organisations as inhumane.


What looks like ordinary pieces of rock to the untrained eye turned out to be high definition camera with optical zooming abilities; a large hard drive for mass storage of footages; a car battery for power, and a wireless router which would make it easier for the user to re-route images and footages to another device without having to be present on site.

N.C. county considers lifting its ban on pet sales at flea markets

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners is considering lifting a ban on pet sales at open-air markets, farmers markets, and flea markets. The ban has been in place since April 2009.

The issue is contentious because animal rights activists support the ban. They want to make it harder for animal lovers to buy pets, arguing that lowering barriers to pet purchase will lead to impulse buying, buyers’ remorse, and, subsequently, abandonment and euthanasia.

On the other hand, flea market supporters cast the issue as one of individual rights and too much government regulation. The co-owner of a big local flea market, Smiley’s Flea Market, made this point clear in an interview with the Citizen-Times of Asheville, N.C. “On behalf of the American people, if you will, and the people of Henderson County in particular, I think it’s right to provide people a place to do free enterprise,” Ben Campen, of Smiley’s, told the local newspaper.

So far, the Board of Commissioners has punted the issue, saying it requires more study. Topics that the Board is considering include requiring animal sellers to have a vet’s proof of shots, in addition to possible effects on the county’s animal shelter. The Board is expected to take about two months to study the issues.

Peru has banned wild animals in circuses

Last night, President Alan Garcia signed into law an end to the use of wild animals in circuses, following an investigation of circus animal suffering and a long campaign by Animal Defenders International (ADI) and local animal protection groups in the region.

With this ban, Peru is the second country in South America to take national steps to stop the suffering of animals in circuses, following the ban in Bolivia.
Other countries considering similar moves are the UK, Brazil, Ecuador and Colombia.

ADI Chief Executive Jan Creamer said:  "We are absolutely delighted and applaud this bold move by President Garcia and the Congress of Peru. With the ban in Bolivia and the current discussions in Brazil, Ecuador and Colombia, there is no doubt that South America is leading the world on this issue.

"Peru has looked at the evidence, the undercover investigations, the scientific reports and seen the suffering of the animals. The people of Peru have been adamant in their support of a ban, and both the Congress and President have listened."

Representatives Alexander Rebaza (APRA) and Jose Urquizo (Gana Peru) introduced the bill and have championed it throughout the legislative process. Congressman Urquizo invites parliamentarians from all countries to follow the example of Peru and ban wild animals in circuses, ending the suffering of animals.  Congressman Urquizo said: "that will make us a more modern and civilized society".

The ADI investigation exposed terrible suffering of animals in circuses, including lions whipped and beaten, monkeys, bears and other animals kept in deprived and appalling conditions.

Jan said: "ADI will continue to work with the Government of Peru in the preparation of regulations to implement the law."

In February 2011, ADI completed an enforcement operation with the Bolivian authorities and removed every single animal from circuses in Bolivia. 29 lions were moved from Bolivia to the United States.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Media Contact:
Phil Buckley, Media Relations Director, Animal Defenders International, 07716 018250, 0207 630 3344, prdesk@ad-international.org>
Peru becomes the second country in South America to ban the use of animals in circuses, following Bolivia.  Similar measures have been under discussion in Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador.  Other countries with similar legislation include Austria, Costa Rica, Sweden, Finland, Singapore and Denmark.www.ad-international.org>www.peruanimalista.com
www.detenercircosconanimales.com>

ADI collaborated with local groups in Peru, My Animal Awareness. Amazon Shelter, UPA, Vida Digna, LOVE and ASPPA.

Reps. Alexander Rebaza (APRA) and Jose Urquizo (Gana Peru) introduced the bill 1917 / 2382 in 2007. In 2009 Peru's Land Commission and Commission of Andean, Amazonian, Afro Peruvian, Environment and Ecology adopted the majority opinion supporting a ban. Member of Congress Jose Alejandro Rebaza Urquizo initially presented the ban on the use of animals in circuses as a separate bill. The two versions of the bill were joined and adopted by the Land Commission and Commission of the Andean, but did not end the debate in plenary for approval.  Therefore, the Land Commission decided to include the ban as a final disposition within the Forestry and Wildlife.

The first final provision states: "It is prohibited to display and use specimens of wildlife, native and exotic in traveling circuses."

The bill was signed by President Alan Garcia last night (21 July 2011).

Since June 2010 the bill has been on the agenda prioritized plenary debates of the Congress of Peru.

The ADI report on animal suffering in circuses in South America is at:http://www.ad-international.org/admin/downloads/Spanish_new_low-res.pdf

Findings of the investigation include:
Lions being pulled by the tail, whipped and beaten.

A capuchin monkey, three lionesses and a lion kept in a compartment of a truck of and an ocelot living in a wooden box. Three bears were kept in three compartments of a truck, their only exercise was walking to and from the ring for the performance.


Phil Buckley
Media Relations Director
Animal Defenders International
Millbank Tower
Millbank
London SW1P 4QP, UK.
Tel.  +44 (0)20 7630 3340
Fax.  +44 (0)20 7828 2179

Cutting Edge Not Knife Edge
http://www.navs.org.uk
New legislation on animal experiments: Please call on the Home Office to support the NAVS' 10 key steps to keep the UK at the forefront of the development of advanced scientific techniques to replace outdated and unreliable animal tests.

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