The Fight Against Animal Cruelty Starts at the Industrial Farm

If you were a farm animal, which of the following fates would you prefer:

(a) an athletic life full of attentive care by humans, and fine
veterinary care, punctuated by involvement in athletic events that
carry a small chance of violent, spectacular death … or

(b) a monotonous existence within an industrial animal-fattening
facility, pumped full of drugs, and penned in claustrophobically with
other creatures destined to become bacon strips, chicken nuggets or
dog food — brought to an end, inevitably and anonymously, by the
assembly-line killing machines of a commercial abattoir.
...
The Stampede comes once a year. But decisions about what to eat come
several times per day. If you’re serious about being kind to animals,
you can begin with your next meal.

--
full story:
http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/07/15/jonathan-kay-the-fight-against-animal-cruelty-starts-at-the-industrial-farm-not-at-the-stampede/

activists started chasing Magnotta years before

This body-parts story is a thoroughly horrible business, but it is
somewhat cheering to see how many people worked long and hard — though
unsuccessfully — to try to prevent the tragedy from happening.

As soon as a kitten-killing video was posted to YouTube, in December
of 2010, people around the world started to work together on websites,
sharing information and trying to track down the guy who killed the
cats.
...
Volunteers analyzed the digital fingerprints of the photographs and
identified the camera used to make the videos, linking it to photos of
Magnotta. They tracked down products in the background of his
pictures, tried to figure out when and where they were sold.

--
full story:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/life/Maher+Animal+rights+activists+started+chasing+Magnotta+years+before/6710225/story.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.

SHARK ALERT: News Coverage of Vile Pigeon Shooter Richard Shackleton

Dear Friends,


On April 9, SHARK made an unannounced visit to the Long Beach Township
Committee meeting, to confront town attorney Richard Shackleton about
his vile and hate filled attack against two female activists outside
the infamous Philadelphia Gun Club during the February 20, 2010 pigeon
shoot. You can watch the video of what happened HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SH3mOm0nHE


The Press of Atlantic City, the major daily newspaper covering that
area, ran a story today about Mr. Shackleton's obscene behavior.
Again Mr. Shackleton admitted to and took complete ownership of his
disgusting verbal assault.

This big, tough lawyer, who illegally shoots small defenseless animals
catapulted out of boxes, and attacks women from the safety inside of
his big SUV, seems to be suddenly quite upset that SHARK took pictures
of him while he was pigeon shooting. That means we are doing our job!
Claiming that we were "harassing" him when everything we did was legal
and peaceful shows what incredible crybabies animal abusers are.

One thing for all of us to celebrate is that after over one hundred
thirty years of slaughtering pigeons at the club, our efforts have
shut those killing parties down, in spite of all their money and
political clout. It shows what a small group of determined
individuals can do.

You can go to the newspaper site and leave a comment about what you
think about Mr. Shackleton HERE:
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/ocean/article_9150cfc0-4a4e-11df-8a69-001cc4c03286.html



Please contact the Mayor and two Commissioners of Long Beach Township
and let him know what you think about Mr. Shackleton's sickening words
and request his dismissal as township solicitor.

Mayor Joseph H. Mancini mancini@longbeachtownship.com

Commissioner Bill Knarre knarre@longbeachtownship.com

Commissioner Ralph H. Bayard rbayard@longbeachtownship.com


Please help SHARK continue to shutdown illegal pigeon shoots by
donating Here. http://www.sharkonline.org/?P=0000000502


Kindest Regards,
Steve Hindi and Your SHARK Team



The Press of Atlantic City: Richard Shackleton says members of an
animal rights group were harassing him

By DONNA WEAVER, Staff Writer Posted: Saturday, April 17, 2010


LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP - Township Solicitor Richard Shackleton said he
has nothing to apologize for after an animal-rights group videotaped
him shooting live pigeons at a Philadelphia gun club.

In the video, which was shot by Showing Animals Respect and Kindness,
or SHARK, Shackleton curses at the two women who videotaped him taking
part in the live pigeon shoot Feb. 20 outside the gun club. The video
has been posted to the Web site YouTube.

Stuart Chaifetz, an investigator in Cherry Hill, attended the Long
Beach Township meeting April 9 to confront Shackleton and the Board of
Commissioners. He said Shackleton said the most horrible thing he
could say to a woman and then he drove away.

"This was such a horrible, hateful thing he did. I wanted to confront
him in public about it. We were going to give him a chance to
apologize or at least at some level he would be held accountable for
what he did," said Chaifetz, of Cherry Hill, Camden County.

"I'm happy to say that what I said, I meant every word of
it,"Shackleton told Chaifetz.

SHARK is an animal rights group headquartered in Geneva, Ill. The
group's president, Steve Hindi, said pigeon shoots are competitions in
which thousands of live birds are shot to win prizes. A typical three-
day contest can kill and injure as many as 15,000 birds, he said.
They're illegal in most states, but are permitted in Pennsylvania.

"These are ugly, nasty events that attract ugly, nasty people,"Hindi
said.
Shackleton said he travels to Pennsylvania to participate in the
pigeon shoots because it is the most difficult form of shotgun shooting.

According to Shackleton, SHARK members have been harassing members of
the Philadelphia Gun Club all season.

"They've accused the members of criminal conduct and took photos of us
without our permission,"Shackleton said.

Hindi said several police reports were filed against Shackleton and
other members of the club with the Bensalem Police Department but that
police have not filed any charges.

Marianne Bessey, of Lansdowne, Pa., was one of the two women standing
outside the club for about eight hours Feb. 20, videotaping members as
they left.

"At the time that Mr. Shackleton drove out, I was standing on a public
access on the side of the road closest to his truck and he yelled it
right at me. I have a very good recollection of his face,"Bessey said.

"I still have trouble with it. But on the other hand, he goes inside a
gun club and shoots innocent pigeons for fun, so it must be in
character for him to say such a vile remark," she said.

After the exchange between Shackleton and Chaifetz, township Mayor
Joseph Mancini asked if the comments had anything to do with township
business. He then suggested Chaifetz discuss the issue at Shackleton's
Ship Bottom law offices.

On Thursday, Shackleton said the matter had been turned over to his
attorneys for further review. Chaifetz said SHARK believes
Shackleton's comments violate the Pennsylvania obscenity law.

A New Jersey Bar Association representative referred a request for
comment to the state's Office of Attorney Ethics, which did not return
a telephone call.

Bronx teen Cheyenne Cherry gets two years for roasting cat in oven

Kitty killer Cheyenne Cherry will serve two years in jail for roasting
her friend's pet in a 500-degree oven.

The Bronx teen agreed to the deal Wednesday for breaking into her
friend's Bronx apartment on May 6 and standing by as her 14-year
accomplice stuffed tiny Tiger Lily in an oven.

Cherry's pal was sentenced in August to 18 months in juvenile jail for
placing the cat in Valerie Hernandez's oven.

Cherry, 17, appeared calm compared to July when she pleaded guilty to
attempted burglary and animal cruelty in Bronx Supreme Court and stuck
out her tongue and yelled, "It's dead, b---h" to an animal activist in
the audience.

--
full story:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/12/03/2009-12-03_bx_teen_gets_2_years_for_roasting_cat_in_oven.html

When is a Rescue Not a Rescue?

Rescued turkeys at Farm SanctuaryCan a rescue be called a rescue if you purchase the animal? What if the animal would have been killed if you did not purchase him or her?

In general, legitimate animal rescuers and sanctuaries do not purchase animals. Purchasing animals supports breeders and supports a system that perpetuates animal breeding, use and suffering. For example, Persians and Friends Rescue "does NOT buy animals from breeders to save their life." Limbe Wildlife Center, which saves primates and other animals from the bushmeat trade in Cameroon, states, "We continually tell people that we do not buy animals, as it will only encourage further hunting." Pet Jamboree, a rescue group in Indiana says, "No, we WILL NOT purchase your litter of animals. We are not brokers. We do not purchase animals for resale."

This principle also applies to rescuing humans. Free the Slaves, an organization that rescues modern-day human slaves explains, "Buying slaves in order to free them encourages trafficking."

That's why I was so disappointed to hear about Karen Dawn, a vegan activist and author, purchasing two live turkeys before they could be slaughtered, and calling it a "rescue." She's not even going to take care of the turkeys herself. The turkeys she purchased last year went to live at Animal Acres. This year's turkeys will go to The Gentle Barn Foundation.

Then how do farmed animals end up at sanctuaries? The vast majority were not purchased by activists or the sanctuaries. They fell off of trucks on the way to slaughter, they were left for dead at stockyards, or they escaped from farms or slaughterhouses. And sometimes, hundreds or thousands of animals are suddenly in need of rescue, like when floodwaters in Iowa destroyed factory farms full of pigs.

Yes, the turkeys Dawn purchased are alive today because of her actions. But I wouldn't call it a rescue. What do you think?
Full article:
http://animalrights.about.com/b/2009/11/29/when-is-a-rescue-not-a-rescue.htm

Oreo was Executed by the ASPCA this Afternoon

Oreo Is Dead

By A. G. SULZBERGER



ASPCA Two of Oreo's legs were broken when she was tossed from a building
roof.

Oreo, a dog that was nursed back to health after surviving being thrown
off the roof of a six-story building, was killed Friday by lethal
injection.

A 2-year-old pit bull, Oreo was euthanized in the New York City
headquarters of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals, after the organization rebuffed last-minute pleas to spare her
life. The organization called the dog a danger to the public.

On Friday morning, Oreo received a last meal of "premium quality" kibble
and canned dog food. She was then given a sedative, though she appeared
"content, alert and panting," according to an organization spokesman.
Oreo was injected in the leg with an overdose of sodium pentobarbital
and was pronounced dead at 3 p.m.

The organization has euthanized 107 dogs so far this year, through October.

Oreo's case came to public attention in June when her owner, Fabian
Henderson, threw her off the roof

of his apartment building at the Red Hook Houses in Brooklyn. Mr.
Henderson was convicted of animal cruelty and was scheduled to be
sentenced in December.

Oreo broke two legs in the fall. News reports of the incident,
accompanied by photos of the brown and white dog with her front legs in
casts, triggered a flood of adoption offers and financial donations to
help pay for the medical care.

However, as Oreo recuperated from her injuries under the care of the
A.S.P.C.A., she was increasingly viewed as a danger
-- difficult to
control and "unpredictably aggressive," according to an organization
spokesman.

News of Oreo's death provoked angry reactions among supporters who had
been frantically lobbying

the A.S.P.C.A. to delay the euthanization and allow time to negotiate a
deal to transfer Oreo to an animal sanctuary in the Hudson Valley.

In one appeal, Camille Hankins, the director of Win Animal Rights, sent
an e-mail message to the A.S.P.C.A. begging for clemency and accusing
the organization of completing "what the animal abuser who threw her off
that Brooklyn roof top set out to do." Protesters also gathered briefly
at the headquarters Friday morning.

The A.S.P.C.A. was unmoved, citing the evaluation of staff members and
an outside veterinary behaviorist who said that Oreo could not be
rehabilitated. "Animal cruelty isn't pretty and doesn't always have a
happy ending," said the society's president and chief executive, Ed
Sayres, "It is ugly and sad and, ultimately, tragic."

Seven staff members were present during the euthanasia procedure. But
the dog's former owner, Mr. Henderson, was not on hand to witness his
pet's final moments.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/13/oreo-is-dead/



Please write to or phone Ed Sayres. Ask him why the ASPCA did something
so shameful and despicable, when alternative were available?

Mr. Ed Sayres
President & CEO
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
424 E. 92nd St
New York, NY 10128-6804

e-mail: esayres@aspca.org


Telephone: 1-212-876-7700 Ext. 4603 - Direct line to Ed Sayres being
re-routed at the moment.

His secretary, Christine is at: 1-212-876-7700 ext. 4600

If the above voice mailboxes are full, check out the following contact
page for the ASPCA and call any number listed and tell them that you
want to leave a message about Oreo.

http://www.aspca.org/about-us/contact-us.html


Win Animal Rights will be issuing a statement about Oreo sometime this
weekend.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions feel free to contact
us at: centcom@war-online.org

Visit the WAR Calendar for future events:
http://calendar.yahoo.com/winanimalrights

Visit the WAR MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/winanimalrights
Visit WAR on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Win-Animal-Rights/25169195791

For more info contact Win Animal Rights at: winanimalrights@optonline.net
Call: 646.267.9934 or visit the WAR website at: http://war-online.org

W.A.R. (WIN ANIMAL RIGHTS) is an independent non-profit organization not
affiliated or associated with SHAC, SHAC USA or any other group or
organization and does not conduct or incite any illegal activity. The
above information is not meant to incite or request any illegal actions
or illegal activities of any kind. If you have any questions about the
legality of any act, we encourage everyone receiving this (or the)
action alert(s) to check your local laws and ordinances before
proceeding to do anything.

Unmoved by protests, Nepal set to host animal sacrifice fair

India’s animal rights activist and politician Maneka Gandhi’s protest
and Nepal’s ‘Budhha Boy’ Ram Bahadur Bomjan’s appeal won’t be able to
prevent the sacrifice of nearly half-a-million animals at this month’s
Gadhimai Mela in this Himalayan nation.

Billed as the world’s largest animal sacrifice fair, the event — held
every five years at Bariyapur in Bara district of southern Nepal — is
expected to attract about five million Hindus from across the country
and neighbouring India.

But despite protest from several quarters, the Nepal government has
refused to intervene in the religious custom meant to appease Goddess
Gadhimai. Instead, it has decided to provide adequate facilities for
the two-day ritual beginning November 24.
...
According to estimates, nearly 500,000 animals, including buffaloes,
goats, ducks, roosters and pigeons, would be sacrificed at the fair to
appease the goddess. Some say the number has increased because of
several Indian states banning animal sacrifice for religious purposes.

--
full story:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Nepal-set-to-host-animal-sacrifice-fair/H1-Article1-474675.aspx

HELP BAN LIVE COYOTE/FOX BAIT DOG TRAINING IN INDIANA

YOUR VOICE NEEDED!


On
November 17th, the Indiana Natural Resources Commission will consider several formal
petitions to prohibit the taking, killing and harassment of coyotes and red
foxes for "penning" purposes and as live bait in the wild.
Current
loopholes in Indiana´s wildlife regulations allow the capture and killing
of coyotes and red foxes by dogs in the wild. Moreover, no rule or law exists
prohibiting the trapping and selling of coyotes and foxes in state or across
state lines to "penning" facilities where these wild canines are
then used to "train" hunting dogs in "running pens;"
this practice is allowed for five months of the year during the furbearer
trapping season. Operators of the running pens often charge a fee for
individuals to "train" their hunting dogs on the captive coyotes
and foxes. This practice - commonly referred to as
"´penning" - violates the concept of "fair
chase" and runs counter to fundamental concepts of wildlife management.
Project
Coyote and the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) strongly support a ban on these
practices. We have garnered the support of many prominent scientists, wildlife
biologists, veterinarians, and attorneys who have joined us in urging the
Commission to ban these practices (see Project
Coyote and AWI´s sign-on letter to the Commission). Moreover, the
Indiana Department of Natural Resources (INDNR) has acknowledged that there are
ecological, ethical, and disease/health related issues associated
with penning.
PLEASE
VOICE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THESE PETITIONS! You do not need to be an Indiana
resident to voice your opinion but you do need to clearly state your city,
state, and country of residence for your comment to be officially considered
(see INDNR´s rules
about commenting). Please write a letter to the Commission urging them to
support these formal petitions to move forward with the formal rulemaking
process to prohibit the taking, killing and harassment of coyotes and red foxes
for "penning" purposes and as live bait in the wild. LETTERS MUST
BE RECEIVED BY NOVEMBER 17TH!
If you
live in Indiana, please consider attending and testifying at the Commission
hearing on November 17th where they will decide whether to move forward to
preliminarily adopt these petitions and move forward with formal rulemaking
procedures. We need a good showing at this hearing! Details:
Date: November 17
Time: 10am (EST)
Place: Fort Benjamin Harrison - The Garrison (Fort Harrison State Park)
6002 North Post Road., Indianapolis, Indiana
More info: www.in.gov./nrc/2354.htm
Letters
should be addressed as follows:
Indiana
Natural Resources Commission
Indiana Government Center North
100 N. Senate Ave., Rm. N501
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2200
Sent via
email: jkane@nrc.in.gov
RE:
Support for proposed rules to prohibit the taking, killing and harassment of
coyotes and red foxes for "penning" purposes and as live bait in
the wild
Dear
Commission members:
As a
concerned citizen who values wildlife, I strongly support the proposed rules to
prohibit the taking, killing and harassment of coyotes and red foxes for
"penning" purposes and as live bait in the wild. I strongly urge
you to move forward with the formal rulemaking process to end these brutal
practices.
POINTS
TO INCLUDE IN YOUR LETTER(please personalize your letter and use your own words
as this will have a much greater impact):
* ETHICALLY INDEFENSIBLE: Capturing, transporting, marketing, and penning wild animals for dog training is inherently cruel and should be banned for this reason alone. Pitting domestic canines against their wild cousins is ethically indefensible. Legislators have had the wisdom to ban dog and cock-fighting - largely on ethical grounds - and "penning" parallels these abhorrent practices. Penned wild coyotes and foxes are often mutilated in a cruel and unconscionable way- as acknowledged by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
* ECOLOGICALLY RECKLESS:Transporti ng and marketing wild coyotes and foxes for penning purposes is ecologically reckless. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources explicitly stated these concerns acknowledging that trade and transportation of wildlife is one of the primary contributors to disease transmission and historically has led to the spread of rabies and other diseases dangerous to wildlife, domestic animals and people.
* COUNTER TO SOUND SCIENTIFIC WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT:Coyote and fox penning is not an effective method of coyote and fox control as acknowledged by numerous and prominent scientists and wildlife biologists. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that penning operations somehow help reduce coyote/fox populations on a state-wide level or mitigate negative encounters with coyotes or foxes. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has acknowledged that there are ecological, ethical, and disease and health related issues associated with penning. Moreover, the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies passed a resolution in 2008 urging the adoption of state-by-state regulations prohibiting the importation or interstate movement of foxes and coyotes for the purpose of stocking coursing pens or for release and pursuit by hounds outside of coursing pens.
For these
reasons, I urge you to support the proposed rules to prohibit the taking,
killing and harassment of coyotes and red foxes for "penning"
purposes and as live bait in the wild.
Thank you
for your consideration of my comments. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
**FIRST & LAST NAME**
**FULL ADDRESS & COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE**
************ ******
Please
also tell the Indiana tourist authority why this ecologically reckless and
ethically indefensible practice will affect your plans to visit Indiana:
www.in.gov/visitindiana/contactUs.aspx

To view
video clips and photos of this practice see the following links (WARNING:
disturbing and graphic content):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9c0KaLjKrI
coyoteinfo.typepad. com
www.trainingnottorture.org
news.mync.com/site/news/video/6057/ Fox_and_Coyote_ Hunt_Ban
www.youtube.com/user/wildlifepenning
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNVMu8jSYD8
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mom_wMCNshw
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gd94TA58Ag
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbb_nKIy_ i4&feature= rec-LGOUT- exp_fresh+ div-HM
THANK
YOU FOR WRITING AND MAKING YOUR VOICE HEARD! FEEL FREE TO FORWARD AND SHARE
THIS ACTION ALERT WITH OTHERS!
MORE
INFORMATION: www.ProjectCoyote.org
____________ _________ _

Camilla
H. Fox
Founding Director, Project Coyote
Wildlife Consultant
P.O. Box 5007
Larkspur, CA 94977
cfox@projectcoyote.org
415.945.3232 (o)

Fostering educated coexistence between humans and coyotes
A project of Earth Island Institute
visit
us online: www.ProjectCoyote.org
make
a tax-deductible donation:
https://www.earthislandprojects.org/projectCoyote/donate.html

First adult to be tried under the new "Animal Torture Law"

Anthony Spidle is scheduled for his pre trial conference for his aggravated
assault and animal cruelty charges. He will be in court November 9th at
1:30pm with Judge William Barrett at the 3rd District Court in Salt Lake
City on the 4th floor in room W48. A jury trial for the animal cruelty
charges is scheduled for November 19th and 20th. Read Deseret News story
here
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705316872/Man-charged-of-beating-court-date.html


We will continue to gather petition
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/punish-puppy-torturer
signatures and urge

the community to write Judge Barrett, Salt Lake County District Attorney
Lohra L. Miller and Deputy District Attorney Greg Ferbrache to prosecute
Spidle to the full extent of the law. No deals! Also please mark your
calendars and attend the pre trial conference and trial to show your
support. It is our hope that the punishment given to Anthony Spidle will
deter future animal abusers in sending the message that these horrific acts
will not be tolerated. There is no excuse for animal abuse!

We are still asking the public to write Judge Barrett a respectful letter
requesting the maximum penalty.
Honorable Judge William W. Barrett
3rd District Court W39
450 South State
SLC, Utah
84111

We ask that you urge Salt Lake County District Attorney Lohra L. Miller and
Deputy District Attorney Greg Ferbrache to prosecute Spidle to the full
extent of the law. No deals! Write them at districtattorney@slco.org
or 2001
S State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84190, or call 801-468-3300.

URGENT ACTON-BADGER SLAUGHTER VOTE TODAY IN WELSH ASSEMBLY TODAY

THE VOTE ON THE PROPOSED SLAUGHTER OF BADGERS WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE WELSH ASSEMBLY TODAY, 4th NOVEMBER.

TELL THE WELSH ASSEMBLY TO BACK OFF BADGERS!

PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE WIDELY AND E MAIL THESE LABOUR MEMBERS OF THE WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT THIS MORNING IF POSSIBLE. TELL THEM THAT SHOULD LABOUR AMs AND MINISTERS IN THE WAG VOTE FOR A TOTALLY UNJUSTIFIED AND SCIENTIFICALLY FLAWED CULL IT WILL DAMAGE THE STANDING OF THEIR PARTY, DAMAGE WALES AND WILL RESULT IN ECONOMIC AND TOURIST BOYCOTTS OF THE COUNTRY.

THANKS!

THESE LABOUR AMs VOTED FOR THE SLAUGHTER IN THE ORIGINAL VOTE:

rhodri.morgan@wales.gov.uk (FIRST MINISTER)

leighton.andrews@wales.gov.uk

jane.davidson@wales.gov.uk

alun.davies@wales.gov.uk

brian.gibbons@wales.gov.uk

john.griffiths@wales.gov.uk

Jane.Hutt@wales.gsi.gov.uk

carwyn.jones@wales.gov.uk

carl.sargeant@wales.gov.uk

gwenda.thomas@wales.gov.uk

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -

jeff.cuthbert@cymru.gov.uk (ABSTAINED IN LAST VOTE, PLEASE ASK HIM TO VOTE AGAINST THIS TIME)

Staff maim lab mice with ballpoints

Thousands of animals being used to test a wrinkle-erasing rival to Botox are facing cruel and agonising experiments at a Home Office-approved laboratory, an undercover investigation has found.

Secret footage of the tests on Dysport, a drug used to erase frown lines in cosmetic surgery clinics, shows laboratory staff accidentally breaking the backs of mice when trying to kill them with ballpoint pens. The pens were then used to fill out their death records.

The film, obtained using a hidden camera inside Wickham Laboratories, a long-established facility in Hampshire that tests drugs for pharmaceutical companies, also shows rabbits being incompetently injected with other drugs.

Staff are filmed botching injections and swearing at struggling rabbits, which are immobilised in “stocks” for up to eight hours in experiments that test whether drugs cause fevers.

Many of the rabbit tests, although licensed by the government, are not required under international pharmaceutical testing standards. The Home Office itself boasts about how these tests can be replaced by “a new technique using human blood cells instead of rabbits”.

The footage, shot by an investigator from the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection, has led the government to launch an inquiry. A Home Office spokesman said: “We take these allegations seriously and are taking urgent steps to look into them further. We authorise animal research only when it can be justified.

“We expect and require the highest standards, and will thoroughly examine any evidence that suggests these standards are not being met.”

The filming, compiled over a period of eight months, included a sequence in which a member of staff made a number of attempts to inject a rabbit.

She is recorded calling the animal “a little shit” and “a disgrace”. She warned the rabbit that it could end up with “ear-rings” — a reference to punctures in its ear from failed attempts at injections. Another member of staff is recorded remarking that blood is coming out of the rabbit’s ear.

William Cartmell, the official vet charged with overseeing the welfare of the animals used for testing at Wickham, is also a founder and a big shareholder in the company.

Last night he denied that this represented a potential conflict of interest and said he was “a professional”.

Lab records seen by the BUAV investigator show that Cartmell’s weekly inspections sometimes took 15 minutes, with one visit in March this year lasting only eight minutes. He argued this was adequate to check that the animals were being treated well and not suffering.

“The health status of the animals is at such a high level that the length of time involved is more than adequate,” he said. “The animals are under constant care unlike pet animals and farm animals.”

Dysport, which is made from botulinum toxin, is licensed in Britain for medical use to treat conditions such as involuntary eye muscle contractions, facial twitches and muscle spasms.

However, it is also used legitimately “off-label” as an alternative to Botox for cosmetic treatments to eliminate frown lines and wrinkles.

Each batch has to be tested by law to ensure that it is safe and of the correct potency. Lab records seen by the investigator show that 41,088 mice were used in Dysport tests at Wickham between January and June this year.

The method used — lethal dose 50 (LD50) — is classed as a “very severe” test by the government. Mice are injected with the toxin. They suffer progressive paralysis and the film shows them lurching from side to side as they become unable to walk properly. Some appear to suffer severe breathing difficulties before dying.

Government regulations require suffering animals to be put out of their misery. Wickham Laboratories’ records indicate that far more mice died during the tests than were killed humanely.

Official guidelines allow mice to have their necks broken to ensure a quick death, and pens are often used to do this. But film shot at Wickham shows that some were left writhing after their backs were mistakenly broken by staff.

Alternatives to the LD50 test have been developed and are being used at other laboratories in Britain.

The official government laboratory, the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, uses non-lethal methods to test Dysport. Ten years ago it developed a test of the toxin using a test tube. It also uses a far less severe test on mice that does not kill them.

The BUAV, which has eight months of footage from Wickham, said the treatment of many animals was “appalling”.

Sarah Kite, BUAV’s special projects director, said: “The fact that extremely sick mice end up in the hands of incompetent staff, to have their backs broken and suffer such an agonising death is totally sickening.

“Our shocking findings show that crude, archaic and extremely cruel animal tests are still allowed in the UK even when an alternative test exists and animal testing is not required by official bodies.”

The revelations about the testing at Wickham have shocked dermatologists who use Dysport. Nick Lowe, who is known as Dr Botox and has conducted research into the toxin, said he was surprised that the LD50 test was still being used.

Lowe, whose clients at his London clinic include Anne Robinson, the television presenter, said he was “appalled” to hear that animals were being allowed to suffer in tests on the drug.

“I would like to know that all the drugs I prescribe for patients are evaluated in ethical ways. With my own range of skin-care products we do absolutely no animal testing. I am not in favour of that type of testing at all. I want the highest ethical standards,” he said.

Full Article and Video:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6898099.ece

Average and Total Numbers of Animals Who Died to Feed Americans in 2008

United Poultry Concerns
22 October 2009

Average and Total Numbers of Animals
Who Died to Feed Americans in 2008
http://www.upc-online.org/slaughter/2008americans.html


Chickens
Total number died for food: 8.13 billion
(7.67 billion for meat, 458 million for eggs)
Average number killed per American meat-eater: 27.5
(26 for meat, 1.5 for eggs)
Average number consumed per American lifetime: 2,147
(2,028 for meat, 120 for eggs)

Turkeys
Total number died for food: 269 million
Average number consumed per American meat-eater: 0.91
Average number consumed per American lifetime: 71

Pigs
Total number died for food: 117.6 million
Average number consumed per American meat-eater: 0.40
Average number consumed per American lifetime: 31

Steers and Calves
Total number died for food: 40.8 million
Average number consumed per American meat-eater: 0.14
Average number consumed per American lifetime: 10.8

Rabbits
Total number died for food: 2.4 million
Average number consumed per American meat-eater: 0.009
Average number consumed per American lifetime: 0.69

Fish
Total number died for food: 6.5 billion
Average number consumed per American meat-eater: 22
Average number consumed per American lifetime: 1,700

Shellfish
Total number died for food: 64 billion
Average number consumed per American meat-eater: 218
Average number consumed per American lifetime: 17,000

ALL LAND ANIMALS
Total number died for food: 8.56 billion
Average number consumed per American meat-eater: 29
Average number consumed per American lifetime: 2,261

ALL SEA ANIMALS
Total number died for food: 71 billion
Average number consumed per American meat-eater: 240
Average number consumed per American lifetime: 19,000

ALL ANIMALS
Total number died for food: 80 billion
Average number consumed per American meat-eater: 270
Average number consumed per American lifetime: 21,000

* Note: Totals may not add up because of independent rounding.

Comparisons by Year

The average meat-eater in 2008 ate 12 fewer animals than in 2007
(including 1.4 fewer land animals and 0.7 fewer fish), and 36 fewer than in
2006 (including 1.7 fewer land animals and 2.4 fewer fish). That's 3
billion fewer animals killed to feed Americans in 2008 than in 2007, and
about 9 billion fewer than in 2006, a three percent and ten percent
decrease respectively. That includes more than 300 million fewer land
animals in 2008 than in 2007 or 2006, a four percent decrease. This
decrease was consistent across categories, though greatest for cattle and
for chickens raised for meat; only egg-laying hens saw an increase in
deaths.

Total Number Died to Feed Americans (millions of animals)

Chickens Chickens Steers All Land All Sea All
for Meat for Eggs Turkeys Pigs &Calves Animals Fish Shellfish Animals Animals

2008 7,673 458.0 269.2 117.6 40.8 8,561 6,500 64,000 71,000 80,000
2007 8,024 435.4 274.2 118.4 43.5 8,898 6,700 67,000 73,000 82,000
2006 8,031 415.0 273.0 114.9 42.4 8,879 7,100 73,000 80,000 89,000

Average Number of Animals Consumed Per American Meat Eater

Chickens Chickens Steers All Land All Sea All
for Meat for Eggs Turkeys Pigs &Calves Animals Fish Shellfish Animals Animals
2008 26 1.53 0.91 0.40 0.14 28.95 22 218 240 269
2007 27 1.47 0.94 0.40 0.15 30.37 23 228 251 281
2006 28 1.42 0.94 0.40 0.15 30.60 24 251 275 306

Calculated by Noam Mohr,[mailto:noammohr@gmail.com], Aug 2009

References

- USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, "Livestock Slaughter
2008 Summary", Mt An 1-2 -1 (09), Mar 2009,
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/LiveSlauSu/LiveSlauSu-03-06-2009.pdf]

p. 3.

- USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, "Production, Supply, and
Distribution Database", created 4/9/09,
http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdhome.aspx
(under Reports). From
USDA-FAS attache reports, official statistics, and results of office
research. 2008 data is preliminary

- USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service,
http://www.nass.usda.gov/QuickStats/PullData_US.jsp

- U.S. Census Bureau, "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for
the United States, Regions, States, and Puerto Rico: April 1, 2000 to
July 1, 2008 (NST-EST2008-01)",
http://www.census.gov/popest/states/NST-ann-est.html].

- National Center for Health Statistics, "Health, United States, 2008:
With Chartbook on Trends in the Health of Americans," Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, DHHS Publication No. 2009-1232, Mar 2009,
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus08.pdf].

- VRG survey that 2.8%±3.1% of Americans don't eat animals and
1.8%±3.1% are vegan. Source:
http://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2003issue3/vj2003issue3poll.htm]

- USDA NASS, "Meat Animals Production, Disposition, and Income: 2008
Summary", Mt An 1-1 (09), May 2009,
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/MeatAnimPr/MeatAnimPr-05-29-2009.pdf]
(pigs: p.8-11)

- USDA APHIS Veterinary Service - National Animal Health Monitoring
System, "Swine 2006 - Part I: Reference of Swine Health and Management
Practices in the United States, 2006", Oct 2007,
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs/nahms/swine/swine2006/Swine2006_Pt1.pdf]
(Preweaning deaths: of 10.5±.1 born alive per litter, 9.4±.1
(89.1%±.4%) survive to weaning)

- USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service Agricultural Statistics
Board, "Chicken and Eggs 2008 Summary", Pou 2-4(09), Feb 2009,
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/nass/ChickEgg//2000s/2009/ChickEgg-02-26-2009.pdf], p.4-5.

- USDA ERS, "Agricultural Outlook: Statistical Indicators", "Table
11--US Egg Supply and Use", data as of May 2009,
http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/agoutlook/aotables/]. Data
preliminary.

- USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service, "Hatchery Production
2008 Summary", Agricultural Statistics Board, Pou 1-1-1 (09), May
2009,
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/HatcProdSu/HatcProdSu-05-15-2009.pdf],
p.6,36,39.

- Noam Mohr, "Sea Animal Mortality for US Consumption 2008", 2009,
email mailto:noammohr@gmail.com] for a copy.
13 USDA APHIA Veterinary Service, "U.S. Rabbit Industry Profile", June
2002, pp.8,18,
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cei/bi/emergingmarketcondition_files/RabbitReport1.pdf].
Middle of range of 1.9-2.3 million was used herein (2.1 million).

- USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service Agricultural
Statistics Board, "Poultry Slaughter 2008 Annual Summary", Pou
2-1(09), Feb 2009,
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/nass/PoulSlauSu//2000s/2009/PoulSlauSu-02-25-2009.pdf], p.2. (Egg-type are "mature light")

--
United Poultry Concerns is a nonprofit organization that promotes the
compassionate and respectful treatment of domestic fowl.
Don't just switch from beef to chicken. Go Vegan.
[http://www.UPC-online.org]

The Cove, the dolphin slaughtering documentary

These are the links to the article on The Cove, the dolphin
slaughtering documentary (October 21, Tokyo, Japan)

Please watch the footage on CNN site. You can see that many
cameramen came to TIFF The Cove yesterday.
http://edition.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/showbiz/2009/10/21/lah.japan.dolphin.cove.cnn.html



Japan dolphin town defends hunt as film debuts
http://in.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idINIndia-43328920091021?rpc=60


Wed Oct 21, 2009 6:08pm IST



Blog by the Director
The Cove at TIFF, as told by the Director
http://www.thecovemovie.com/BlogRetrieve.aspx?BlogID=5047&PostID=93418




TOKYO, Japan - A town at the centre of a controversial dolphin
slaughtering documentary could sue the film makers, local
fisheries officials said Wednesday, as it premiered at a Tokyo
film festival.
http://oceanicdefense.blogspot.com/2009/10/japan-dolphin-hunting-town-threatens-to.html





--------------------------------------
GyaO! - Anime, Dramas, Movies, and Music videos [FREE]
http://pr.mail.yahoo.co.jp/gyao/

[FoA] NY Action Alert: Stop Bow-Hunting Deer in Westchester & Rockland County Parks

Action Alert: Stop Bow-Hunting Deer in Westchester & Rockland
County Parks

We at Friends of Animals need your help on behalf of the deer.
Westchester County plans to turn 850 acres in Lasden Park and Muscoot
Farm Park into deer-killing fields for bowhunters starting November 7th
A "task force" with a pro-hunting bent concluded that there was an
"overpopulation" of deer eating as deer eat in the forest. Its members
made the unprecedented decision to open up parklands where hunting was
formerly prohibited.

Hunting changes the way deer naturally evolve and can cause deer
populations to increase. Nature itself ensures that the deer population
is limited by available food, territory, and winter weather conditions,
which restrict both food and range. The reproductive rate and the
survival rate of deer will then decrease, creating a natural balance.
Deer simply need us to let them be, and that's the message that needs
to be communicated to your legislators.

Hunting is also known to increase the instances of accidents, with
people driving into scattering deer. A 2002
study by Friends of Animals indicated that hunting exacerbates
roadway deaths of deer. About half of all these accidents happen during
the three months of hunting season: October, November and December.

We ask Westchester and Rockland County residents: Please contact
the officials below and tell them that you demand an end to
the plan to turn your peaceful parklands into places where arrows fly.

Westchester County Executive Andrew J. Spano
148 Martine Avenue
White Plains, NY 10601
Phone: 914.995.2900
Fax: 914.995.2939
Email: ceo@westchestergov. com

Joseph A. Stout, Commissioner
Dept. of Parks, Recreation & Conservation
25 Moore Avenue
Mt. Kisco, New York 10549
Phone: 914.864.7000
Fax: 914.864.7053
Email: jas7@westchestergov .com

Rockland County Residents

Rockland County Legislator Gerold Beirker wants to follow Westchester' s
bloody lead, and has introduced bowhunting legislation that would allow
bowhunting of deer on county parkland.

We ask Rockland County residents to contact Legislator
Gerold M. Bierker and tell him that your parklands are not
appropriate places for bowhunters, and
that deer don't need to be managed unnaturally.

Gerold M. Bierker
Rockland County Legislature
11 New Hempstead Rd.
New City, NY 10956
Phone: 845.638.5753
Email: bierkerg@co. rockland. ny.us





Friends of
Animals 777 Post
Road Darien CT 06820 203-656-1522

Slaughter at 2010 Soccer showpiece?

Ritual animal slaughter will take place at each 2010 Fifa
World Cup stadium before the tournament – if traditional leaders get their
way.

Traditional leaders announced yesterday that they were set to propose
beast-slaughtering rituals at all the World Cup venues ahead of the
tournament next year.

Zolani Mkiva, chairman of Makhonya Royal trust, said they had not yet
communicated the proposal to the Local Organising Committee (LOC) but plans
were under way.

“We have spoken to the office of the CEO and hope to meet him (Danny
Jordaan) next week on his return from an overseas trip,” he said.

Mkiva added that they had also sent 2010 LOC chairman Irvin Khoza a letter.

“We want the rituals to be performed at all stadiums. It is necessary that
an inkomo (a cow) be slaughtered at each one of the stadiums and by doing so
we would be inviting our African ancestors to be with us throughout the
soccer event,” he said.

Mkiva added that customs and rituals had to be performed and everything had
to be done “not by the book but by tradition – we want an African festival”.

He also announced that traditional leaders would early next month launch the
African Royal Awards (ARAs) aimed at honouring the achievements and
excellence of the finest sons and daughters of Africa, which he said would
be held during the World Cup.

Fifa spokesman Delia Fischer refused to comment when contacted yesterday,
adding that Fifa was not at all familiar with the tradition.

“I will conduct research on this,” she added.

LOC spokesman Rich Mkhondo could not be reached for comment.

For now, it remains to be seen whether the 2010 LOC and the world football
governing body, Fifa, will consider a proposal from the traditional leaders
to perform rituals at all World Cup stadiums.

Speak up for badgers in Wales!

Speak up for badgers in Wales!
As you know, the situation for badgers in Wales is dire, with plans to all but exterminate them from parts of the country being steamrolled through the Welsh Assembly. Viva! continues to fight this decision, and is working with local groups within Wales. A ray of light is the fact that two Welsh Assembly Members have forced a fresh debate. In the best case scenario, this means that the decision to ‘cull’ might be overturned by the AMs when they vote. If you are Welsh, please contact your own AM with urgency. Click here

http://www.viva.org.uk/campaigns/badgers/action.htm

to find out how.

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.
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Family-Upset-that-Police-Shoot-Kill-Family-Pet/TsLp8dZtzkKY0AaT8YXgWg.cspx


*=============================================================
EMAIL BLOCKS: Sample letter follows. Full contact info at end of alert.
=============================================================
** TO SEND: COPY/PASTE EMAIL BLOCKS INTO BCC: LINE OF YOUR EMAIL
* TYPE YOUR OWN EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE TO: LINE
* COPY/PASTE SAMPLE LETTER INTO SAME EMAIL.
* Change some words, sign with your name/full address and send!

RAYMORE & CASS COUNTY, MISSOURI OFFICIALS:
info@hsmo.org, rmayberry@raymore.com, eberlin@raymore.com,
jfeuerborn@raymore.com, jalonzo@raymore.com, john.seimears@yahoo.com,
kkellogg@raymore.com, jeffreycox1@comcast.net, mmedsker@hotmail.com,
councilmanadams@yahoo.com, mlewis250@comcast.net, chhubach77@comcast.net,
pkerckhoff@raymore.com, thensley@casscounty.com, hensley@casscounty.com

EMAIL HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI, THE INVESTIGATIVE AGENCY IN THIS CASE:
http://hsmo.convio.net/site/SurveyACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUEST 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@kinshipcircle.org

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

*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,
*
=============================================================
FULL CONTACT INFORMATION
=============================================================
*
*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@hsmo.org

web contact form:
http://hsmo.convio.net/site/SurveyACTION_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@raymore.com


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


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


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


*Raymore City Council
*100 Municipal Circle / Raymore, MO 64083
John Seimears, Ward 1 Council Member: john.seimears@yahoo.com

Kevin Kellogg, Ward 1 Council Member: kkellogg@raymore.com

Jeff Cox, Ward 2 Council Member: jeffreycox1@comcast.net

Mike Medsker, Ward 2 Council Member: mmedsker@hotmail.com

Jeffrey Adams, Ward 3 Council Member: councilmanadams@yahoo.com

Monique Lewis, Ward 3 Council Member: mlewis250@comcast.net

Charlene Hubach, Ward 4 Council Member: chhubach77@comcast.net

Peter Kerckhoff, Ward 4 Council Member: pkerckhoff@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@casscounty.com, hensley@casscounty.com


*=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================
*
*Kinship Circle member Carol McCormick
*EndCruelty@aol.com
*Raymore, Mo., police shooting of cat investigated
*
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/lifestyle/stories.nsf/pets/story/F3FC4DE15FD1E0738625762F008251C3?OpenDocument
*Raymore police mistakenly kill family cat
*
http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1437680.html?mi_pluck_action=comment_sub

*Additional information from Kinship Circle Investigative Researcher
*
*
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*DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
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or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

Dog carpets as "art"-Archives

What is this project about?

Ondrej: The dog carpets are essentially about society’s hypocrisy. It questions the special status that dogs and cats have in our, western society. Although we can see that in China, despite the local culture and cuisine, the pet culture is on its rise as well. The Bolivian experience was about hypocrisy as well, but it involved on a larger and direct scale mechanisms and structures within the society.

Kristofer: It’s about the tradition of producing carpets with wild animals as a hunting fetish. But in this case we were using an inappropriate animal, a pet - and like this we wanted to question the values behind this tradition. Ondrej was speaking to me about this idea already before the Bolivia show, but when I got the opportunity to participate in that show I thought it would be interesting to realize the dog carpets there with Ondrej, mainly for three reasons: more adventure, lower production costs and the problem of street dogs in South America (in contrast to the beloved inhouse pet in North America and in most European countries).
Full interview:

http://www.brodypaetau.com/?page_id=119

Dog Dragged to Death from a Bicycle-Action Alert!

Send a letter here!
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5154/t/4713/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1281
(Carter County, Okla.) On March 17, Antonio Ray, 37, allegedly dragged a pit bull from his bicycle through the Ardmore, Oklahoma city streets. Many witnesses called police, and one took a picture of the incident using his cell phone. A witness described the horrifying scene, “[The dog’s] arms were behind it, its chest was on the ground and there were streaks of blood. And we went back afterwards and measured it, four-tenths of a mile he dragged this dog. The pads of its feet were gone and it was laying in a pool of blood." Authorities took the tortured dog to a nearby animal shelter, but he died before he could be treated.

Police arrested Ray and charged him with animal cruelty. A police press release details the incident. Court records show Ray has a history of domestic abuse, drug offenses, weapons offenses and DUI.

Take Action!
Please write a polite letter to Assistant District Attorney Brad Noland, thanking him for charging Ray with felony animal cruelty and encouraging him to seek the maximum penalty upon conviction.

Locals may support the prosecution by attending court proceedings. A hearing date is scheduled with Judge Walker for October 7, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. This is a "docket call" in which the defense will announce whether they plan to plea or go to trial, and a new date will be set for the plea or trial. Always contact the Court to confirm court dates as they are subject to change. To check the status of a court date, call:

Carter County Court House
#20 B Street SW Suite 304, Third Floor
Ardmore, Oklahoma 73401
Phone: 580-223-3803
Case #CF-09-00130