These are older stories I felt are important to keep for future reference.

GM Fish Study Raises Red Flags

size comparison of an AquaAdvantage Salmon and a non-transgenic Atlantic salmon
Size comparison of an AquAdvantage® Salmon (background) vs. a non-transgenic Atlantic salmon sibling (foreground) of the same age.

One look at a wild salmon against the background of a same-aged AquAdvantage® Salmon explains why AquaBounty is at the front of the pack in the race to put genetically modified salmon on our plates. The transgenic fish is ready to harvest in 16 to 18 months, while the wild species requires twice that time. With human population on a steady increase and fish stocks on a decline, that’s a promise raising a lot of interest. Insert a Chinook salmon gene into Atlantic salmon, and the result is this fast-growing fish. It is easy to make a business case for fish that require a lot less feed and all the other inputs that go into aquaculture. As to its safety, AquaBounty advises, “Fish grown from AquAdvantage® eggs are all female and sterile, making it impossible for them to breed amongst themselves. In addition, FDA approval requires them to be grown in physically contained systems, further reducing any potential impact on wild populations.”

In August 2010 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released its Environmental Assessment for AquAdvantage® Salmon. They declared “the likelihood of escape is extremely small” and that “the GE salmon are all-female, triploid fish that cannot reproduce among themselves or with wild or escaped domesticated, non-GE salmon.”

New research raises red flags

Canadian researchers at Memorial University of Newfoundland inserted the same salmon gene into farmed Atlantic salmon to provide an independent assessment of the potential impact on wild stocks. They have just released results that raise a red flag. They warn that although wild males outperformed their more aggressive transgenic cousins under naturalized laboratory conditions, the transgenic males were able to fertilize eggs. The study’s lead author, Derek Moreau, said that showed the genetically engineered fish “have the potential to contribute modified genes to wild populations.” Moreau cautions, “these data highlight the importance of preventing reproductively-viable GM salmon from entering natural systems.”

The GM genie is out of the bottle

Companies forging ahead with genetic engineering have far more resources than the scientists trying to track the long-term safety of their products. We are already seeing some of the unintended consequences. (See Scientists Reveal Glyphosate Poisons Crops and Soil and Roundup and Birth Defects.)

The GM genie is out of the bottle. In spite of red flags, there is little political or corporate will to lure it back in long enough to determine whether benefits will ultimately outweigh risks.

How are AquAdvantage® Salmon different from other Atlantic salmon?
AquAdvantage® Salmon include a gene from the Chinook salmon, which provides the fish with the potential to grow to market size in half the time of conventional salmon. In all other respects, AquAdvantage® Salmon are identical to other Atlantic salmon

Are the salmon grown from AquAdvantage® eggs also genetically modified?
Although salmon grown from AquAdvantage® eggs are the same biologically and nutritionally as any other Atlantic salmon, their accelerated growth comes from the addition of a growth hormone gene from the Chinook salmon. The Chinook growth hormone is the same as the Atlantic salmon growth hormone; it is simply regulated differently. Their ability to grow faster does not change the biological make-up of the fish. It is important to note that AquAdvantage® Salmon expresses a salmon protein in a salmon. How well has this been researched?
The development of AquAdvantage® Salmon is based on more than two decades of scientific research, making it the most studied line of Atlantic salmon.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/gm-fish-study-raises-red-flags.html#ixzz1SkIfW824

All cities and states should consider this to help save more shelter animals and stop things like puppy mills, Class B violators who get their animals from puppy mills to sell to labratory testing and help with the cruelty of the exotic animal fur trade.

Great news: San Francisco is Renewing Efforts to Ban Pet Sales

San Francisco's ever-active Animal Control and Welfare Commission has renewed its push for a pet sale ban in the city - only this time, it even covers goldfish. The idea is to put the squeeze on puppy and kitten mills that supply pet stores, and to discourage "impulse buys" of hamsters and other small pets that often wind up being dumped at shelters. The proposed ban, which the commission just adopted after a year of study, was expanded to cover animal breeders as well as pet stores. As you might expect, it has local merchants like Ocean Aquarium owner Justin Hau dumbfounded.

Commission President Sally Stephens, who opposed the ban because it would include small animal-breeding operations, says it's up to the Board of Supervisors to make the final call. "All this is, is a recommendation," Stephens said. Sometimes the supes act on the commission's recommendations, such as when they approved a ban on declawing cats. And sometimes they don't, such as when the animal panel suggested introducing birth control pills into birdseed to solve the city's pigeon problem. Supervisor Eric Mar, who introduced a measure Tuesday to keep big pet store chains out of the Richmond District, was noncommittal about the commission's latest proposal, saying only that the board needed to "look carefully."

Let him know what you think, I did

Contact us SHARK NEWSLETTER June 23, 2011 Join our Email list

In our last Operation Bright Light update,

Peter Streletz at a pigeon shoot in Pennsylvania

we told you that while many pigeon shooters kill other animals in addition to pigeons, there are also those amongst the pigeon shooting trash who really stand out; the kind of pond scum that forms on pre-existing pond scum. And that's why we'd like to introduce you to Peter Streletz. He's a pigeon shooter and so much worse.

Bear in mind that just participating in a shoot makes you a pretty horrendous excuse for a human being, but Peter Streletz is in a whole class by himself.

Right now you probably aren't thinking very highly about Peter Streletz. Get ready to lower your opinion even further. Streletz is also a trapper. And he kills a lot of animals.

Streletz posing with the skins of 750 animals he and his son trapped. According to what he wrote in this caption, his son did most of the "fleshing" (tearing the fur off of the bloody carcass)

We found posts Streletz made on a site called Trapperman.com where he posted pictures of his victims, along with pictures of his two children and the dead animals they had trapped - so it's a family affair.

Streletz and his son and daughter. You can find more pictures on OperationBrightLight.net

Good news out of Los Angeles

L.A. Councilman Koretz introduces motion to bar sales of pets from mills

The L.A. lawmaker wants to ease the city's pet overpopulation problem and limit large-scale breeding operations housing puppies and kittens in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions.

By Nicole Santa Cruz, Los Angeles Times

May 9, 2011

A Los Angeles city councilman has introduced a motion that could prohibit the sale and purchase of pets bred in puppy and kitten mills. Councilman Paul Koretz, who represents an area that includes West L.A., Hollywood and Encino, said he introduced the motion Friday to ease the city's pet overpopulation problem.

Some pet stores purchase animals from puppy and kitten mills or large-scale breeding operations with unsanitary and overcrowded conditions and inbreeding. Although Los Angeles is not a mecca for puppy and kitten mills, he said it is important for the city to end the practice of puppy mill sales because so many other pets are available for adoption.

The motion asks various agencies, including the Police Department and the city attorney's office, to study such issues as banning sales of commercially bred dogs, cats and rabbits and create a program in which shelters and pet stores develop a system of best practices. The motion also asks for a study regarding a ban of all puppy, kitten, chicken and rabbit mills in the city. The number of mills in the city is unknown because the pets are typically stored in warehouses, said Judie Mancuso, president of Social Compassion in Legislation, a nonprofit group dedicated to reducing the overpopulation of pets.

Jan Selder, director of Valley Operations for Los Angeles City Animal Services, said more than 56,000 dogs and cats were impounded in the city last year, one of the highest on record. So far in 2011, city shelters took in 16,000 dogs and cats, and the number could surpass last year's.
Selder said she would like to see more pet stores working with area shelters in pet adoptions.

To read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-puppy-mills-20110509,0,2592658.story

Fungus turns Amazonian ants into zombies

By Darren Osborne for ABC Science Online Posted Thu Mar 3, 2011 3:57pm AEDT

A dead zombie ant infected with a species of parasitic fungus

The fungus grows out of the head of the dead ant, releasing spores into the air (David Hughes ) Researchers combing the rainforests of Brazil have uncovered four new species of fungi that turn ants into zombies. Although it is not the first time the fungi has been seen affecting ants, the discovery of four distinct species in close proximity highlights the level of biodiversity in the Amazon. Their study appears online in the journal PLoS One.

The research, led by Assistant Professor David Hughes of the University of Pennsylvannia, identified and described the parasitic fungus Ophiocordyceps unliateralis living on four species of carpenter ant (Camponotini sp.) in the Zona da Mata region of Brazil. Ants become infected when they come into contact with spores released by the fungus. Within a week the ant enters a zombie-like state. This so-called zombie or brain-manipulating fungus alters the behaviours of the ant host, causing it to die in an exposed position, typically clinging onto and biting the adaxial surface of shrub leaves," the study authors write. The fungus then grows out of the head of the ant, releasing spores into the air, which rain down onto unsuspecting ants and the forest floor.

Amazing Gliding Ants (See clip below)
The tree-nesting tropical ant Cephalotes atratus can glide forwards and backwards in a directed flight. The ants steer themselves by changing the position of their hind legs, mid legs and gaster (the bulbous posterior segment of their bodies). Other ants who exhibit this falling behavior live in Africa, Peru, Panama, Costa Rica and the United States. The Smithsonian blog gives a fuller account not only of how the ants perform this unusual behavior and also how scientists manage even to study the tiny insects falling in the forests, using ropes, canopy walkways, construction towers, video cameras and even wind tunnels.
Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/amazing-gliding-ants.html#ixzz1RcqslIZW

Class B killers...

Pound seizure is the sale or release of dogs and/or cats from a pound or shelter to a research, testing, or educational facility.Every year, millions of animals in need of sanctuary enter animal shelters across the country. While many are lucky enough to find new homes, hundreds become victims of pound seizure, as they are purchased by class B dealers who then sell the animals at an enormous profit to research and education facilities, where they are used in invasive and oftentimes painful experimental procedures.

Such was the case with Cruella, a shepherd cross who was found in Carson City, Michigan, wearing a purple collar and chain, indicating that she was once someone’s companion animal. Considered a stray at the time, Cruella was housed in pen 20 at Montcalm County Animal Control until she was relinquished to R&R Research, a class B animal dealer, and became known simply as E6993. She remained at R&R for 6 months, likely spending most of her time alone, confined in a cage with limited human companionship.

Later, traveling well over 1,000 miles with 13 other dogs, E6993 was sold to the University of Florida, where veterinary students named her Cruella. While there, over a period of 7 months, she was sedated or anesthetized 7 times, often for hours at a time, and used in medical training procedures, including endoscopy, abdominal surgery, and ultrasound exercises, by both veterinary students and veterinarians. Cruella also underwent surgery with the intention to spay her, but it was discovered, after her abdominal cavity was opened, that she was already spayed, further pointing to the fact that she was once someone’s pet. During her last month at the University, Cruella twice experienced a lack of appetite; however, reportedly, she would eat handfuls of canned food. Whether this was the result of kennel stress after months of isolation and exploitation or the physical toll of enduring multiple sedations and veterinary procedures is unknown, but it is certainly likely.

On July 23, 2008, 195 days after her arrival at the University of Florida and over a year after she was found in Michigan, Cruella was killed via lethal injection.

To read more and or help: http://www.dyingtolearn.org/personal.html

Pictures: Millions of Puppy Mummies in Egypt Labyrinth. Ancient Puppy Mills?

As part of the first full excavation of Egypt's ancient Dog Catacombs, scientists examine 2,500-year-old animal remains—a small sample of the roughly eight million animal mummies in these tunnels. Likely supplied by ancient puppy mills, most of the mummies are dogs, and many were just hours old when taken for mummification, according to new research based on the summer 2010 excavation.

Snaking beneath the desert at the ancient royal burial ground of Saqqara (map), the Dog Catacombs were discovered more than a century ago. But only now is research shedding light on the massive number of mummies found in this complex of tunnels and chambers dedicated to Anubis (picture)—jackal-headed god of the afterlife. Poorly mummified and piled high, the carcasses long ago deteriorated into indistinct heaps, experts say.

The mummies were stacked between about the late sixth century B.C. and the late first century B.C., Nicholson said. (Related: "Dog Mummies Found in Ancient Peru Pet Cemetery.")

Published April 6, 2011 Photograph courtesy P.T. Nicholson

On May 18, 2011, I got the honor and privileged of being nominated for the 2011 Humaneitarian Awards. It was humbling to be in the company of so many equally deserving caring folks whom advocate on a daily basis to save these animals as well. Congratulations to Martha Russell and Michelle Blake our winners for their tireless efforts to save animals and educate for the cause. Thank you Roths Foods for you generous donation of the wonderfully decorated cake and cookies.

Willamette Humane’s Martha Russell Receives 2011 Humaneitarian Award. This year there were 2 winners !!!!!

Willamette Humane Society volunteer Martha Russell received the 2011 Humaneitarian Award at a special reception held Wednesday, May 18, at Pringle Creek Community Center. The Humaneitarian Award recognizes a person or group who exemplifies Willamette Humane’s mission of promoting the welfare of animals through leadership, education, and action. (View a video clip of Martha receiving her award). Martha has been volunteering at Willamette Humane since 2007. Her roles at the shelter include dog walker, team captain, photographer, videographer, blogger, and mentor to a youth volunteer. Each week, she uses her photography and video graph skills to produce captivating photos and video clips of shelter dogs and uploads those to the dogs’ profiles, enhancing their adaptability. She also created the “Adopt An Oregon Dog” blog to further promote adoptable dogs at WHS. Her blog has generated a loyal following in the community and helped many dogs find new homes.
Michelle Blake, who served on the WHS board of directors for six years and is currently the area coordinator for Fences for Fido, received the Distinguished Honor Award. Fences for Fido is an all-volunteer organization dedicating to improving the welfare of dogs living on chains. Four additional people were nominated for this year’s award and were recognized for their work on behalf of companion animals in the community.

They are: Johni Bullivant ( Your website host) , creator of animalabusersspotlight.com, a website designed to combat animal abuse;

Penny Mack, volunteer with Salem Friends of Felines ; Joy St. Peter, founder of The Joys of Living Assistance Dogs; and Debbie West, volunteer with Marion County Dog Shelter, Hopes Haven, and Salem Friends of Felines. Congradulations to all !!!

Willamette Humane Shelter: http://willamettehumane.org/animal/shelter/news/news_briefs/

I for one think if she can do this, what else is she capable of doing? What do you think, let them know ?

Woman who dumped cat in bin given 'police protection' as thousands join Facebook protest group

A middle-aged woman caught on camera dumping a cat into a wheelie bin is being offered police protection as thousands join a Facebook group protesting against her actions. The woman - a bank worker from Rugby who has been interviewed by police - is then seen grabbing the cat, called Lola, by the scruff of her neck and throwing her into the green bin before slamming the lid shut.

Scroll down to see

The woman appears to be harmless as she strokes four-year-old cat, Lola, as it walks along a wall on a street in Coventry

The middle aged woman then grabs the cat by the scruff of its neck and puts it in the bin before shutting the lid

The middle-aged stranger then grabs the cat by the scruff of its neck and puts it in the bin

The woman appears to be harmless as she strokes the four-year-old cat as it walks along a wall

After dropping the poor moggy in the container, she shuts the lid, trapping it inside

The woman then casually walks away. The cat was found by its owner 15 hours later She then calmly continues on her way. The woman is due to be interviewed by the RSCPA today. The four-year-old rescue cat was trapped in the bin for 15 hours before her owners found her the next morning.

Today, more than 5,000 people have joined a Facebook group to track down the grey-haired woman, whose identity has been revealed to the RSPCA and Coventry Police.However, a force spokesman denied the woman has been offered 'official police protection' but admitted there are police community support officers outside her home as a 'sensible precaution'. 'Coventry Policehave not arrested the woman because she has not committed a criminal offence.

Brant Bjork Homenaje's Blog

Our Plastic Ocean

If someone put a plastic ring around a baby turtle and left it to grow up like this, that person would probably face jail time on counts of animal cruelty. But this isn't one person or one plastic ring. This is happening all over and we are ALL guilty.

This is the L.A. River, and it's disgusting, but it pales in comparison with what has accumulated in our oceans. Fish eat this stuff.... We eat the fish......

If you think that throwing away your garbage is a solution, get real. If you think recycling your plastics is going to solve the problem, think again. Only about 2 - 4% of all plastics are ever reused; only types 1 & 2 plastics are even possible to recycle. The other numbers just tell you the type, but they can't be recycled.They wind up in the oceans and landfills, and they'll never go away. Perhaps it goes without saying, but plastic does not decompose. It does not biodegrade. Eventually, plastic will "photodegrade", whereby it is broken down into smaller and smaller pieces by the sun, but the smallest particles will ALWAYS be molecules of plastic. This shit gets into our food and into our water. And this shit causes cancer, and a myriad of other problems.
This is an albatross carcass. Its decomposition reveals the cause of its death. Consumption of plastic articles it mistook for food...

Global warming may be a political scam, there is no concrete proof either way. But there is proof that our oceans are being destroyed.

Some things *YOU* can do to help:
1. STOP USING PLASTIC BAGS!!! Purchase reusable canvas grocery bags. Use paper if you must, do you REALLY need a bag to carry a couple of items to your car?
2. If you smoke, use matches or a Zippo. Stop buying plastic lighters. They're never leaving this planet.
3. Shampoo generally comes in plastic bottles, but LUSH carries solid shampoos & conditioners. They actually work really well, and they can give you samples if you're curious to try them.
4. Do you REALLY need that useless plastic toy? How long before it winds up in a landfill or the stomach of a sea creature?
5. Wooden pencils are more fun than plastic pens! Yay pencils! Yay crayons!!!
6. Girls, stop buying tampons with applicators!!! Buy O.B. and get used to it!!!
7. Tom's of Maine Toothpaste comes in a recyclable aluminium tube...
8. Salt crystal deodorant; it REALLY does work, it lasts a LONG time, and it doesn't contribute to Alzheimer's. Get used to it. If you've gotta have something that smells good, LUSH makes some great solid deodorants which don't use any packaging. There's even some liquid deodorants that come in glass bottles.
9. STOP BUYING BEVERAGES IN PLASTIC BOTTLES!!!!! Milk comes in cardboard cartons. Soft drinks come in recyclable aluminium cans or glass bottles. Water can be filtered with a BRITA, it's still plastic, but it will be used a lot longer than that plastic Evian bottle.
10. At the VERY least, cut up your plastic 6-pack rings...

11. Don't wait for someone else to do something. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!!!
More information:
Plastic ocean: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Facts on Plastic (Includes some great videos)
Trashed (A Sailor's Story)
Product resources:
LUSH Cosmetics
Paper nor Plastic bags
Please REPOST!!
Thank you! :)

To read more: http://www.myspace.com/freaklevels/blog/408982774

What is the Gulf Coast Rescue Project?

Though it’s been over year since the BP oil spill irrevocably altered this country’s Gulf Coast, local families are still struggling to make ends meet. Economic recovery has proved so slow and inadequate that many have been forced to give up beloved pets. The influx of surrendered dogs and cats continues to place incredible strain on area shelters. DogTime has partnered with six of the largest shelters and rescues in the Gulf area and is highlighting their adoptable dogs and cats through their various adoption tools.

New Adopter Benefits:

Reduced adoption fee from participating Gulf shelters
Fre e pet food and supplies to start life with your new animal
Transportation assistance for out-of-state adopters
Free pet food and supplies for the participating shelters

Thanks to our Pepsi Refresh Grant , DogTime will be able to provide these services at no cost to you or the shelter.

How to Adopt:

To begin the adoption process, please contact the shelter directly. To see a list of adoptable dogs and cats from a participating shelter, click on the shelter name below.

Participating Shelters:

I for one am very glad to see Technology is catching up. I did find articles on the cat killers. And yes, they are part of the shame pages.

New Technology Nabs Animal Abusers

It just got harder to get away with cowardly acts of cruelty to animals. In New York City, abusers were recently convicted in two separate cases because DNA evidence from their victims linked them to their crimes. One case involved a cat named Scruffy who was doused in lighter fluid and set on fire, leaving the cat severely burned down to the muscles in his legs.

Angelo Monderoy (l.) and Lordtyshon Garrett were both found guilty of torturing… The other case involved a cat named Madea, who was beaten so viciously that her lungs were lacerated and she had to be euthanized.

Collecting and using animals' DNA to convict abusers is becoming more common among law-enforcement agencies. Authorities now even have a national DNA database of dogs used in fights to help them track down dogfighters. Penalties for cruelty to animals get harsher every year. To read more: http://www.peta.org/b/thepetafiles/archive/2011/03/29/attention-animal-abusers.aspx

Glucose Monitors To Treat Diabetes In Animals

Animals are most likely to be diagnosed with diabetes just like humans. In fact, the trend is increasing, which is why veterinarians are developing tools used by diabetic humans to treat our feline and canine companions.

Now vets are using human tool such as the glucose monitor to develop treatments for Fido and Mittens. This monitor is surgically implanted under the animal's skin and tracks the concentration of glucose in the blood. So, just like in humans, pets with high blood glucose levels experience extreme thirst, frequent urination and fatigue. Thus, if not treated, high blood sugar can cause blindness and kidney failure.

Since diabetes is on the rise in animals, vet Amy DeClue of the University of Missouri-Columbia wrote in the journal 'Clinics in Laboratory Medicine' that just like humans, animals have difficulty regulating their blood sugar on their own because their bodies do no produce enough insulin that can lower blood glucose.

These glucose monitors can give continuous tracking of blood glucose and the insulin level response to drugs, meals and exercise, both for animals and humans. Earlier, vets had to keep track of the insulin and glucose levels by keeping the animal at the clinic, which caused the animal stress. Stress, in turn affected the over all reading and gave in accurate tracking results. Thus, these monitors are much more useful, accurate and give the reading in a natural environment without causing trouble or stress to the animal.

I guess these glucose monitors are wonderful form of treatment and most animal lovers will find them very useful. I wish we would have these in our part of the world where medical facilities and treatment for animals are minimal.

To read more: http://bethevoiceofangels.blogspot.com/

Here's a new website I found that is jam packed with all kinds of neat things to read and learn about.

BBC Human Planet Explorer

Incredible stories from our world

Discover amazing human stories from around the world through television and radio clips from BBC programmes such as Human Planet, Amazon with Bruce Parry and Tropic of Cancer.

To read more what this wonder website has to offer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/humanplanetexplorer/

Wonderful news !!! New Law called Susie's Law has been signed

About Susie’s Law:

Outraged citizens embarked on a statewide campaign to get the sentences toughened. It was fast-tracked through the North Carolina State Senate and the House of Representatives and reclassifies the “malicious abuse, torture or killing” of an animal as a Class H felony. In addition, Susie’s Law also makes it a higher-level felony for intentional starvation of an animal.

On June 24, 2010, with Susie looking on, North Carolina’s Governor Bev Perdue signed Susie’s Law which went into effect December 1, 2010. Now with Susie’s Law, there are serious penalties ahead for animal abusers. The new law will make malicious abuse or torture of animals punishable by up to 10 years behind bars. Even for first time offenders. To read more: http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/news-updates/susie%E2%80%99s-law-tested#more-7644

This is the abuser who set susie then a puppy set on fire, left to die Greensboro, NC (US) ( see the story in 2010 page of shame) 3/1/10

Defendant/Suspect: LaShawn Demaro Whitehead/ Disposition: Convicted. A shocking case of animal cruelty was finally solved in North Carolina and a man was arrested for burning a dog and leaving it to die. That man's mother though said that he didn't mean to do it. LaShawn Whitehead, 20, confessed Monday to burning the 3-month-old shepherd pit bill mix and leaving it to die in Greenfield Park in Greensboro, N.C. in late August 2009. Now the puppy, who's been named Susie, is recovering at a foster family's house from her injuries, which include burns covering more than 60 percent of its body, missing ears, teeth, and a broken jaw. Mr. Whitehead received six to eight months in prison

This is truly sad, let's not let this happen again.. It appears the owner's charges were droped but medical Vet records don't lie.

Baby. The victim of Indifference – Petition

By Andrea, on March 1st, 2011

Take a look at this dog. Anyone care to chance a guess at what breed she is? She was taken to Brooklyn ACC (Animal Care and Control) New York on February 7, 2011. The reason was not clearly stated on her intake records. Marked as a stray and surrendered because of cruelty. This is a dog in severe mental and physical distress. Her condition is a result of years of neglect. Still not sure of the breed? A Samoyed.

This injured, dirty, depressed dog is a Samoyed. How the hell did she arrive in this state of neglect? Not loose on the streets. She was microchipped and the chip identified the owner. And no one reported a lost Sam. At least not to Brooklyn ACC.

A healthy Samoyed

Brooklyn ACC did not contact the owner. They contacted the ASPCA to have them evaluate her case for cruelty and neglect. Yeah, well, the ASPCA…The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals…declined to further investigate this case and as a result of their indifference, this Sam (referred to as “Baby”) was picked up by her owner a week later. Baby’s condition came to the attention of independent animal rescuers, and a Samoyed Rescue who was willing to pull her from Brooklyn ACC. Everything was in motion to get Baby to a rescue and proper veterinary care. But the authorities decided not to pursue cruelty charges. And since the owners were identified and the authorities were not willing to press cruelty and neglect charges, then by law, Baby had to be returned to the owners. That sucks.

Well the rescuers are not satisfied in this decision and have started a campaign to get Baby rescued from her neglectful owners and get the ASPCA to reopen their investigation. At the Justice for Baby website, you can find all the information on Baby as well as statements from a veterinarian, an Animal Control officer, and a Samoyed Rescue organization.

And the ASPCA deemed cruelty charges were not necessary. The Justice For Baby website states “This is an injustice.” No, It’s a crime! Baby did not decline this way overnight, this was years of neglect. I am sure the owners are fashioning up every single excuse in the book for this shit.

If the ASPCA can hawk Pet Insurance and a Visa card, send us these pleading requests for contributions in the mail, then we have every right to demand them to get off their duffs and reopen this investigation, seize this dog and get her in a proper rescue with veterinary care. Because who do they ask to pay their salaries? They ask us! And I say, make ‘em work for their money. So let ‘em hear about it. To contact the ASPCA: outreach@aspca.org OR press@aspca.org Or website@aspca.org

Call their cruelty line @ 212-876-7700 X 4450 Call the business line between 9&5pm @ 212-876-7700 and ask to speak to a supervisor. Call their membership line @ 800-628-0028 and tell them not one red cent of your money will be donated to them. Money talks. Pass along the Justice for Baby website: www.justiceforbaby.org Join the Justice for Baby Facebook group and show them your support. Sign the Petition! Justice for Baby Petition

To read more and check out the Vet statement: http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/news-updates/baby-the-victim-of-indifference

Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter “Kill The Kitty” Video Sparks Outrage

By Christopher Twarowski on March 14th, 2011

A screenshot of the "Kill The Kitty" video shot inside the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter in Wantagh. Its disturbing footage shows Acting Shelter Director Pat Horan (left, with mullet) smiling and making obscene gestures while other workers lasso a kitten with a noose and a woman's voice off-camera shouts "Kill the kitty! Kill the kitty!". A town spokesman says the video, circulating on YouTube, is at least 17 years old and Horan has been reassigned pending an investigation.

A disturbing video of Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter employees laughing, making obscene gestures and mocking the execution of a kitten as they ready the tiny animal for death has been making the rounds on YouTube Monday and inciting outrage among animal groups, residents and town officials. The footage (posted below), shot inside the embattled taxpayer-funded facility in Wantagh and titled “Kill The Kitty,” documents Acting Shelter Director Pat Horan cheering and smiling, sporting a mullet and flipping her middle finger at the camera as two shelter workers cart in a small, defenseless, black-and-white baby cat. Dogs bark off-camera as REM’s “Orange Crush” blasts in the background. “Debbie do you want to kill a kitten?” asks an overweight worker, opening a blue cage containing the small feline and feigning a hangman’s noose around his neck. “You wanna kill another kit?” chimes another, readying a noose attached to the tip of a pole. He then lassos the kitten and tightens the choke around its neck, lifting the creature into the air and pinning it on the ground as it struggles to break free. “Pass the needle please,” says an off-camera female voice.

This screenshot from the Town Of Hempstead “Kill The Kitty” video posted on YouTube shows a former town employee feigning being hung in a hangman’s noose moments before a kitten is choked in an actual noose. A town spokesman says the former employee hasn’t been in town service for at least 14 years and dates the video to being at least 17 years old.

The helpless tuxedo kitten twists and flails as another off-camera woman’s voice shouts “Kill the kitty! Kill the kitty!” “What you are about to witness is footage taken at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter,” reads another version of the video circulating the Internet Monday. “At the time Pat Horan was Kennel Supervisor,” it continues. “Ms. Horan has since been promoted to the position of Shelter Director.”

The original post, uploaded Sunday by a user under the alias Thedontkillthekitty, had more than 2,500 views and dozens of inflammatory comments as of midday Monday. The video has also been circulating widely on Facebook and reposted on various animal advocacy sites across the Internet.

Attempts to reach Horan were unsuccessful.

Very Rare Kangaroo in Australia Dies.

An albino kangaroo was trapped in the Murray River by rising floodwaters.

AN albino kangaroo is trapped in the Murray River by rising floodwaters. The Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) said on Wednesday afternoon it was performing a "difficult rescue" near the NSW-Victoria border with the help of members of the public. The kangaroo is described as "extremely rare" and is trapped by a strip of land. "The animal is accessible only by boat and a WIRES rescuer is presently on the way to the area between Mathoura and Barmah," WIRES said in a statement. The animal is extremely weak with hunger and rescuers are on hand with emergency food supplies. It will either be lifted into the boat or towed alongside it to safety, they said. To see and read more: http://www.qt.com.au/story/2010/12/30/albino-kangaroo-trapped-by-floods/

My friend Phil sent this followup on this magnifigant animal.

Albino kangaroo dies in Murray River floodwaters

A RARE albino kangaroo has died before rescuers could reach it in the flooded Murray River.

The Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) was attempting to rescue the animal yesterday afternoon near the NSW-Victoria border. The "extremely rare" kangaroo was trapped by a strip of land and accessible only by boat. Rescuers had planned to either lift it into a boat or tow it alongside the boat to safety. But WIRES said that when the rescuers reached the land the kangaroo had already died, most likely of hunger and exhaustion. December 30, 2010

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/albino-kangaroo-dies-in-murray-river-floodwaters/story-e6frf7l6-1225978349620

An animal caged for experiments is OK for any reason or on any level.

Kangaroos Caged to Study Their Farts? Good news the experement suggestion fell through. Yahoooo

Hundreds of kangaroos can breath easy now knowing that a proposed experiment that would have kept them in tiny cages has fallen through.

A PhD student at the University of Wollongong, New South Wales proposed a research study to measure the amount of methane gas that kangaroos expel. The study would have involved caging kangaroos in a 1m by 1.3m by 1.7m cage for up to nine months, even though a very similar study took place forty years ago. Read more about the research proposal here.

Though animal rights advocates were shocked by this abusive research study, the State Government approved funding and the university ethics committee was set to review this study within the month. This "shows that the structures and methods that the State Government's ethics committees have in place are flawed and do not meet the requirements of animal welfare that the public expects," Animal Liberation executive director Mark Pearson told The Illawarra Mercury.

Professor Steve Garlick, a specialist in kangaroo rehabilitation, told The Sydney Morning Herald that "The result is that the animal will be highly stressed in its confinement and will be subject to a range of disease and illness which will make survival unlikely and the research project totally flawed."

Thankfully, the student who proposed the research has decided to withdraw his study.

This is great news for the kangaroos and animal welfare advocates and we'd like to thank are Care2 members who took action by signing a petition against this research study.
To read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/animal-welfare/blog/caged-kangaroo-experiment-wont-happen/

Knut, the celebrity orphan polar bear dies.

The second and third picture I got in 2007 when Knut was born.

Knut, the celebrity orphan polar bear who drew thousands of visitors to Berlin zoo, died after an epileptic fit, according to neurologists quoted by Focus magazine. A CAT scan had revealed abnormalities in the brain of the bear, who may have inherited epilepsy from his father Lars, also a sufferer.Four year-old Knut, who won global fame as he grew from a cute cub but grew into a 200 kg predator, died in front of horrified visitors at the zoo last weekend. Neurologists said the fit was triggered by a brain disorder yet to be identified. The magazine said Knut's brain is now being studied at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wild Animal Research (IZW).
Visitors came to watch keeper and cub playing together. The German post office produced a stamp in Knut's honor and the bear appeared on the cover of numerous publications, including the German edition of Vanity Fair.
Knut shot to fame when he was rejected by his mother and was hand-reared instead by his keeper Thomas Doerflein.
FRANKFURT | Sat Mar 26, 2011 2:16pm EDT (Reuters)
To read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/26/us-germany-knut-idUSTRE72P1US20110326

Best New Laws for Animals in 2010

Looking back at our accomplishments in 2010, champions of animal welfare have plenty to celebrate! From the federal Crush Act to Prop B in Missouri, check out the Legislative Year in Review feature on ASPCA.org for a roundup of last year’s animal-law accomplishments nationwide.

Did your state score a Greatest Hit? Did you know that you can help it do so this year? To help the ASPCA enact laws that help animals, join our Advocacy Brigade, a free service that allows you to take action for animals right from your computer.

Nice things to do for your dog today on their birthday.

Pet Treats: Take your dog and go to a gourmet pet bakery and let him/her pick out the treats on their own. Or, make your own. You can find a ton of tasty recipes on the net. Here’s one to try. Your pup will love you for them.

Spa day: Don’t let your pet be known as “stinky”. How about a nice warm bath followed by a good rub-down with a towel. If you don’t think you’re up to the task, take him/her to a local groomer. They love being pampered.

New Blankets and Toys: Blankets and toys are one of your pup’s favorites. Especially squeaky toys! They will be entertained for a few hours. And while you’re at it, make sure you give them a new ball and head outside for a game of toss

Belly Rubs: Never mind the blankets and toys, belly rubs are your pup’s favorite treat!! Lots and lots of belly rubs will make your dog go gaga.

Vet Checkup: Maybe not the favorite thing for your pup to do on their birthday day, but it will give you peace of mind. After the visit, offer him/her another one of these activities to make it up.

I’d love nothing more than to buy a diamond collar to show off my dog. But you know, he’s not going to be real impressed about it. He would much rather get his belly rubs, walkies in the woods, chase a ball, and put his head on my lap. This will melt my heart faster than any diamond necklace. A girl’s best friend has fur and a warm wet nose.

What's up !! Again Ohio: ( see other current animal news stories below).

Personally, I quit eating Veal about 17 years ago when I learned how calf's are treated just so humans can have Veal Parmesan.

Stand Up So Ohio’s Veal Calves Can Turn Around!

A veal calf

Veal calves are often chained by the neck in small wooden crates where they are unable to walk or stretch their limbs. They are designed to prevent muscle development of calves by restricting their ability to move because of the demand for the texture and color of their tender meat.

A recent vote on the use of veal crates in Ohio goes back on a deal that was struck last June between animal welfare activists and farm organizations to keep livestock welfare standards from going to the ballot. Ohioans and animal welfare organizations had been working to increase protection for farm animals and implement stronger anti-cruelty laws in the state by collecting more than 500,000 signatures to bring animal welfare issues to the table for voters last November.

Hopefully, most people, including those who eat meat, can all agree that intensively confining a living being for most of its life in such a way that restricts their ability to move, stretch, lay down or even scratch an itch, never mind socialize, engage in normal behavior or breath fresh air, is inherently inhumane.

What many consumers don’t realize is that these calves are a direct byproduct of the dairy industry who are removed from their mothers from within hours to a day or two of being born so her milk can be sold for human consumption. Those with the pure bad luck of being born male will be shipped off to veal farms, while females will be raised to replace their mothers as milk producers. The American Veterinary Medical Association opposes chaining calves by the neck in crates and has adopted the policy that “individual housing must allow the calf to turn around comfortably and to assume normal postures."

Unfortunately, after objections from veal producers the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board voted 6-5 to allow the continued confinement of veal calves in crates so small they’ll spend their brief lives with the inability to even turn around, totally reversing the original agreement. “A phase-out of veal crates is a core element of the eight-point animal welfare agreement, and if the Livestock Board guts that provision by allowing calves to be immobilized for more than half of their lives, we will have little choice but to renew the effort for a ballot initiative that we had hoped had been averted through a balanced and forward-looking agreement,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society.

The petition signatures gathered remain valid and can still be brought to the ballot if necessary, but the decision can still be reversed and may be affected by a comment period that will be open through April.

Please take a minute to submit a comment to the Ohio Department of Agriculture asking them to reinstate the previously agreed on provision that would allow all calves to at least turn around regardless of how old they are.

Source: http://www.care2.com/causes/animal-welfare/blog/ohio-veal-vote-angers-animal-welfare-advocates/ Also see Ohioans For Humane Farms Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ohiohumane

Thank you for your tireless efforts and serving as a voice for Ohio's animals!

I gave to help, let's see what you can do..

Nico. Now Needs a Third Chance at Life.

By Andrea, on March 12th, 2011
This photo is not unknown to animal lovers and rescuers. It captured the depressed and broken spirit of a suffering shelter dog. It’s Nico, the 6-year-old Dogo Argentino. He was malnourished, covered in sores, flea bitten, missing several teeth, covered with tumors, and deaf.

UPDATE: Nico has a ChipIn fund started: http://nicosfund.chipin.com/nicos-fund-3

It was this photo, taken by Southern California animal rescuer Nikki Audet, that saved his life. It caught the attention of Kelley Gibson, a rescuer and animal transporter in San Diego, where she quickly helped get him to the Hamilton County Humane Society in Indianapolis. After three months of training and medical care, his tumors removed, Nico (now known as Nico SwanGarris) found a home in Indiana with two loving moms and settled into a pampered life of playtime, good food, snuggles on a couch, and…squeaky toys! It’s amazing that this dog – so broken – got a chance at the good life. There are many dogs in shelters that have their stories end right there – with a needle. It’s the rescue story from heaven.

But now life just dealt Nico another challenge. He has four different types of aggressive cancer. He is currently on oral chemotherapy medication until his two moms can afford highly expensive IV chemotherapy treatments at the Purdue Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Bridget and Melissa, Nico’s owners, are using holistic treatments including a special diet high in protein. They’re optimistic, but battling cancer is tough and they’re taking it one day at a time. They will do everything they can for Nico. It’s just not fair. He emerged from defeat to a safe and contented life only to be dealt another blow. Nico received a second chance at life. It’s not selfish to wish for that third chance. Not selfish at all. Nico SwanGarris Facebook

There is a ChipIn for Nico’s chemotherapy. http://nicosfund.chipin.com/nicos-fund-3

Please what you can do to help even if it only one random act of kindness. That one act can grown into many. Thanks for any help and prayers.

Animal Shelter Tips Blog

Find funds, grants and volunteers. Involve kids and families to help homeles

Ideas for Setting Up Matching Grants

Have you ever tried a challenge grant to raise money for your shelter or rescue? Many nonprofits find these grants to be a very effective way to generate funds. A challenge or matching grant typically matches funds dollar for dollar up to a certain amount for donations received. Here are some ideas for setting up a matching grant to benefit your shelter. Develop a list of donors you can approach from time to time about offering a matching grant. Analyze past donations and ask your board and friends group for ideas. Try not to overdo it with any one individual. You can work with one donor or a group of donors for a matching grant.

Click here to read this post...

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Find many fundraising ideas on our blog.

We Love Our Pets Plates In Washington

We Love Our Pets license plates can be purchased by any Washington State vehicle owner. They are available for passenger vehicles, trailers, and motorcycles, and may be transferred from vehicle to vehicle.

How to apply

Complete a Special License Plate Application.
Contact your local vehicle licensing office to determine the exact cost of your plates, including all licensing and service fees.
Submit your completed application and fees:
- In person at a vehicle licensing office.
- or
- By mail to:
  
  Vehicle Licensing
  Department of Licensing
  PO Box 9909
  Olympia, WA 98507-8500
- To get more information: http://www.dol.wa.gov/officelocations.html

It's pretty sad that we even have a report like this....

Unrelieved Pain in Laboratory Experimentation on Animals; The 20 Worst Facilities in the U.S.

By Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T.,
Executive Director, SAEN
One of the main purposes of the Animal Welfare Act is to “to insure that animals intended for use in research facilities or for exhibition purposes or for use as pets are provided humane care and treatment.” The prevention of pain through the use of adequate anesthesia is clearly a commonly accepted part of the concept of “humane treatment.” In fact, the Animal Welfare Act goes on to state that it is necessary for “animal care, treatment, and practices in experimental procedures to ensure that animal pain and distress are minimized, including adequate veterinary care with the appropriate use of anesthetic, analgesic, tranquilizing drugs, or euthanasia.” It was clearly the intent of the framers of this law that pain relief is a necessary part of the use of animals in experimentation.

(Updated 2/10/11)

20 Most Painful Animal Labs

Facility	Dog	Cat	Guinea	Hamster	Rabbit	Primate	Sheep	Other	Other	Unrelieved	Total	Unrelieved	Points	Points	Total
			Pig				/Pig	Farm		Pain #	Used	Pain %	#	%	Points

Aberdeen Proving Ground (MD)			6,547			93				6,640	7,929	83.7	19	20	39
Utah State University (UT)			28	4,572						4,600	5,874	78.3	16	19	35
Emergent Biodefense (MI)			7,187							7,187	13,192	54.5	20	13	33
Diamond Animal Health (IA)				3,198						3,198	4,686	68.2	15	16	31
Colorado Serum Company (CO)			1,238	388						1,626	2,807	57.9	9	15	24
University of Utah (UT)			1,504							1,504	2,675	56.2	8	14	22
Lee Laboratories (GA)					1,792					1,792	3,402	52.7	10	10	20
Meriel Limited (GA)		4	14	2,258						2,276	6,525	34.9	13	6	19
Parkinson's Institute (CA)						56				56	74	75.7		18	18
Novartis (IA)			73	2,715						2,788	8,195	34.0	14	4	18
Fort Dodge (IA)	98	85		6,078						6,261	28,883	21.7	18		18
U of North TX Hlth Sci (TX)				394						394	560	70.4		17	17
Pfizer (NY)	190	65	303	5,033	7	9		75	44	5,726	44,008	13.0	17		17
Intervet (DE)	5		373	585	118				25	1,106	2,294	48.2	5	9	14
Batelle Memorial Institute (OH)	4		1,369	102	295	424			74	2,268	7,514	30.2	12	2	14
U of Texas, Galveston (TX)			323	173	112					608	1,134	53.6	1	12	13
Elan Pharmaceuticals (CA)			695							695	1,312	53.0	2	11	13
Army Inst Inf Dis (MD)			621	321	200	191				1,333	3,568	37.4	6	7	13
Boehringer Ingelheim Anml Hlth (MO)				2,235						2,235	11,640	19.2	11		11
Novartis (Genomics) (CA)			384							384	990	38.8		8	8

20 lab Totals	297	154	20,659	28,052	2,524	773	0	75	143	52,677	157,262

These 20 labs average 2,633 animals per lab experiencing painful experimentation without pain relief of any kind. To read lots more: http://www.all-creatures.org/saen/articles-20110208-unrelievedpain.html#Appendix_1

RECALL – Merrick Jr Texas Taffy Treat, Possible Salmonella Contamination

By Admin - Deanna,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 28, 2011 – Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas is recalling the Jr. Texas Taffy pet treat (ITEM # 27077, UPC # 02280827077, All Lots up to and including 10364) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Merrick Pet Care has made the decision to recall all Jr. Texas Taffy pet treats in the abundance of caution. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling the treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products. Consumers should dispose of these products in a safe manner by securing them in a covered trash receptacle.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers immediately.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.The Jr. Texas Taffy was shipped to distributors and retailers throughout the US. These individuals have been notified and have activated their recall procedures. No illnesses have been reported to date. Consumers who have purchased the Jr. Texas Taffy are urged to return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-664-7387 M-F 8:00am – 5:00pm CST.

Merrick Press Release

Pit bulls score better on temperament tests than the general dog population. This was good news to hear for a breed with a bad reputation.

There are many pit bulls in shelters that need forever homes

Photo: http://almosthomefoundation.org

If you are thinking of adopting a dog or a puppy, consider a pit bull. Despite the stereotype that many prospective adopters have, pit bulls make very gentle and loyal family dogs. In fact, the pit bull is considered one of the friendliest dogs. There is no such thing as a bad breed. Pit bulls get a bad response from many people, but more often than not, they are the victims of irresponsible and abusive ownership.

Bull breeds score better on temperament tests than the general dog population.

In December 2010, the American Temperament Test Society showed the American pit bull terrier scored an overall temperament rating of 83.9%, compared to the 77% score of the general dog population. Pit bulls are actually bred to be affectionate towards people. They have been bred for hundreds of years for strength, agility, high pain tolerance and absence of aggression toward humans. Pit bulls are extremely intelligent dogs and take their cues from the humans who raise them. Only humans are capable of knowing the difference between “right and wrong,” and all dogs are bred, raised and trained to behave the way they do.

There are many pit bulls in shelters. This is partly due to over-breeding and the misconceptions and misinformation that the general public has about the breed.
Continue reading on Examiner.com: Pit bulls score better on temperament tests than the general dog population - Chicago animal welfare | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/animal-welfare-in-chicago/pit-bulls-score-better-on-temperament-tests-than-the-general-dog-population?page=4&cid=parsely#parsely#ixzz1E88un3ae

Hot Off the Press: The 2010 Humane Scorecard | Michael Markarian: Animals & Politics

Hot Off the Press: The 2010 Humane Scorecard

Posted: 02 Feb 2011 11:47 AM PST

Before Election Day, I posted a preliminary version of the 2010 Humane Scorecard, and after the end-of-year congressional “lame-duck” session, I provided a look at our year in review for animals. We made progress for animal protection on a number of fronts, and ended the 111th Congress with major policies enacted on crush videos, fur labeling, and shark finning.

I’m pleased to announce today that the Humane Society Legislative Fund has posted the final version of the 2010 Humane Scorecard, where you can track the performance of your federal lawmakers on key animal protection issues during the two-year session of the 111th Congress. We rated legislators based on their voting behavior on measures such as crush videos, primates as pets, service dogs for veterans, wild horses, and guns in parks; their co-sponsorship of priority bills on puppy mills, horse slaughter, fur labeling, chimps in research, and overuse of antibiotics in factory farms; their support for funding the enforcement of animal welfare laws; and their leadership on animal protection. The Humane Scorecard is not a perfect measuring tool, but it is an invaluable one in gaining insight into how your lawmakers perform on the major issues of the day.

I hope you will use the Humane Scorecard as a guide, and communicate with your lawmakers about their grades for 2010. If they scored high marks, please thank them for their support of animal protection. If they did poorly, please tell them you’re watching and you hope they’ll do better in 2011. If you have new legislators representing you in the 112th Congress, contact them, too, perhaps indicating that you’ve seen the Humane Scorecard for 2010 and that you want them to be supportive of animal protection and earn a good score in the Humane Scorecard for 2011. (Click here to contact your representative. Click here to contact your senators.) Let all your federal legislators know that you and other constituents care about the humane treatment of animals, and want to see common-sense policies enacted to protect these creatures from cruelty and abuse.

Check out President Obama's report card for yourself from he last 2 years.

High-heeled kitten killer apologizes (Shanghai Daily)

The high-heeled woman who shocked China's pet lovers by stomping a kitten to death in a notorious video has apologized.

Woman in sexy clothes caresses a kitten's fur along a riverbank. [sohu]

Then she puts the small kitten on the ground. [sohu]

She stomps on the head of the kitten with her high-heeled shoes and crushes it into death at last. [sohu]

The woman, a Heilongjiang Province nurse named Wang Jue, said she was despondent over a failed marriage and allowed herself to be talked into crushing the animal to death while the cameras rolled.

The video was later posted on the Internet and could be downloaded for free. It was used to attract viewers to a Website that featured videos of small animals being stomped to death by aggressive women. The Website, which sold the discs for 15 yuan each, is no longer operating. Immediately after the video was posted several weeks ago, enraged animal lovers began tracking down those involved in making the video. The actress and the video's producer were traced to Luobei County in the northern province. The woman's apology, and an earlier mea culpa from the video's producer, a cameraman at a provincial TV station, were posted this week on the county government's Website. The woman expressed remorse for her actions and their effects on others. Wang said she is divorced, depressed and having trouble figuring out what to do with her life. She said her despondence led to the cruelty against the kitten. She also said that her behavior had deeply hurt her family, especially her daughter.

Both Wang and the man who produced the video were suspended from their jobs after they were identified. It was not clear what further punishments they might face - if any - as China does not have clear-cut laws preventing cruelty to animals.

Personal note: I'm sorry but I don't care what is going on in your life, this kind of cruelty is never ok. I hope her god punishes her and I hope her family was shamed by her behavior.

I was thrilled to hear when President Baroc Obama signed the bill to ban " Crush Videos" here in the USA. As I was researching this information, I did find out all kinds of things about crush videos. China doesn't have effective regulations prohibiting cruelty to animals. I truly wish they did. There is a website that promotes the banning of this fetish. chinaSMACK http://www.chinasmack.com/

Here is the latest on where states stand as far as protecting it presious animals.

2010 State Animal Protection Laws Rankings^TM

December 15th, 2010

The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) announces the release of its new study that underscores the often-considerable differences that exist between the animal protection laws of the states and territories of the United States of America. ALDF’s fifth annual report, the longest-running and most authoritative report of its kind, ranked each jurisdiction on the relative strength and comprehensiveness of their current animal protection laws. The ranking was based on a detailed comparative analysis of the animal protection laws of each jurisdiction, researching fourteen broad categories of provisions, throughout more than 4,000 pages of statutes. Each jurisdiction received a numerical ranking based upon its combined score and was grouped into a top, middle or bottom tier. “This study identifies what each state and territory is doing individually with respect to animal protection laws,” says Stephan Otto, ALDF’s director of legislative affairs and author of the report, “and we continue to see a wide range of disparity across the country.
Please contact your elected officials and encourage them to support improvements to the laws that protect animals. For additional information, see our Model Animal Protection Laws collection and Animal Protection Laws of the USA & Canada compendium.

2010 State Animal Protection Laws Rankings
Comparing Overall Strength & Comprehensiveness

Best Five	1. Illinois, 2. Maine, 3. Michigan, 4. Oregon, 5. California
Worst Five	46. Iowa, 47. Mississippi, 48. Idaho, 49. North Dakota, 50. Kentucky

Top Tier	1. Illinois, 2. Maine, 3. Michigan, 4. Oregon, 5. California, 6. Kansas, 7. Indiana, 8. Tennessee, 9. West Virginia, 10. Vermont, 11. Minnesota, 12. Washington, 13. Massachusetts, 14. Rhode Island, 15. Colorado, 16. Virginia, 17. Nebraska, 18. Wisconsin, 19. Louisiana
Middle Tier	20. Delaware, 21. Oklahoma, 22. Florida, 23. District Of Columbia, 24. Puerto Rico, 25. New Hampshire, 26. Arkansas, 27. Virgin Islands, 28. Nevada, 29. Ohio, 30. Arizona, 31. North Carolina, 32. Missouri, 33. New York, 34. Texas, 35. Connecticut, 36. Georgia, 37. Utah, 38. South Carolina
Bottom Tier	39. Alaska, 40. Montana, 41. Pennsylvania, 42. Wyoming, 43. Maryland, 44. Alabama, 45. New Mexico, 46. Hawaii, 47. New Jersey, 48. South Dakota, 49. Iowa, 50. Mississippi, 51. Idaho, 52. Guam, 53. North Dakota, 54. Kentucky, 55. Northern Mariana Islands, 56. American Samoa

Only in Oregon And Darn Proud Of It:

Oregon Firefighters Rescue 1,500-Pound Camel From Sinkhole

Gang Dogs: End Dogfighting Campaign tackles urban dogfighting

Previous Next

Sean Moore is a one of our key anti-dogfighting advocates. Saverio Truglia
Agility training funnels the dogs' energy into positive activities. Jeff Jenkins
In Atlanta, PBTT members are forming strong bonds. Ralph Hawthorne
Dogs learn patience at the Atlanta PBTT classes. Ralph Hawthorne
Humane education classes cast pit bulls as friends, not fighters. The HSUS
The End Dogfighting™ program brings pit bulls into the family. Ralph Hawthorne

Street dogfighting is rampant in our cities, perpetuating animal cruelty, violence, and crime. It causes horrible animal suffering and desensitizes young people to cruelty. In this underground world, whoever has the toughest pit bull is the winner—and the dogs and our communities are the losers. The HSUS is on the front lines, offering a new, grassroots, preventative program for cities to tackle street dogfighting. In 2006, The HSUS launched its city-wide pilot program to stop street dogfighting, End Dogfighting in Chicago. The program uses innovative and proven community outreach methods to change attitudes and behaviors among people and their pit bulls. Because of its success, End Dogfighting™ expanded to Atlanta in 2008 and will soon launch in Philadelphia. Recently, a local Milwaukee non-profit launched End Dogfighting in Milwaukee, modeled after The HSUS' program. The success of End Dogfighting is due to several factors:

Anti-Dogfighting Advocates: The HSUS hires men with roots in the community to combat dogfighting on a grassroots level. In neighborhoods most impacted by this crime, they mediate with men and boys at risk of getting involved in dogfighting, and intervene in dogfights. Because they are respected community members, they can reach people others cannot.

Pit Bull Training Team: The HSUS holds free and accessible weekly pit bull training classes, which provide inspiring alternatives to dogfighting that showcase pit bulls as friends, not fighters.

Community Outreach: The HSUS holds events in the community to promote its anti-dogfighting message and develop trust in the community. Events include vaccination clinics, dog house giveaways, rallies, and religious leader outreach.

Law Enforcement Partnership: To eradicate street dogfighting, cops need to know what to look for. The HSUS partners with law enforcement, offering them training on catching dogfighters and providing a reward of up to $5,000 for tips leading to convictions.

Humane Education: The HSUS developed a special eight-week curriculum for middle school children. This curriculum tackles the topic of dogfighting through games and hands-on activities.

Learn more about End Dogfighting in Chicago.
Learn more about End Dogfighting in Atlanta.

For more information on getting involved with an End Dogfighting program in Chicago or Atlanta, contact Laurie Maxwell. Don't live in one of these cities? Learn how you can bring End Dogfighting to your city.

Resource: Fact Sheet: February 9, 2010

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/dogfighting/end_dogfighting.html

A Food Pantry For Dogs Stocks Up In Oregon

This is very cool !!

By: Lisa Riggs, Pepsi Refresh Grant Manager

The Refresh Project has supported individuals, non-profits and businesses alike to move the world forward. Grants have helped expand programs, such as XXI Century Kids health work in Chicago and helped organizations continue great work such as Seeker Springs‘ camps for foster youth, the planet, animals and many more things. This past week, we saw a few big ideas launch and become a reality.

In Beaverton, OR, Sue Miller’s Pantry for Paws is now open for business. Miller’s pet food pantry provides temporary pet care assistance, including food, medicine, and other supplies for families hitting hard economic times. Miller and her daughter Stephanie, pictured above, spent a Saturday at Tualatin Valley Gleaners, a local food pantry distribution to supplement the offering of groceries with some items for the four-legged members of the families. The Miller's hope that the Pantry for Paws will reduce the homeless pet population by helping to keep pets and their owners together.

By: Refresh Team of GOOD

Note: They really don't have a catagory for animals but you can put " animals" in the search bar of the site and it comes up with ideas.

Current Animal Ideas: http://www.refresheverything.com/search/?q=animals

To earn more about the Pepsi Refresh Project: http://www.refresheverything.com/how-it-works

Kroger Recalls Pet Foods Due to Possible Health Risk

CINCINNATI, Dec. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. said today it is recalling select packages of pet food sold in some of its retail stores because the products may contain aflatoxin, which poses a health risk to pets. Kroger stores in the following states are included in this recall: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

The recall also includes Dillons and Gerbes stores in Kansas and Missouri; Baker's stores in Nebraska; Food 4 Less stores in Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana (Chicago area); and Jay C, Hilander, Owen's, Pay Less and Scott's stores in Illinois and Indiana. Stores the company operates under the following names are not included in this recall: Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, Smith's, QFC, City Market, Foods Co., and Food 4 Less stores in California and Nevada.

Aflatoxin is a naturally-occurring toxic chemical by-product from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus on corn and other crops. If your pet shows any symptoms of illness, including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, yellowish tint to the eyes and/or gums, and severe or bloody diarrhea, please consult your veterinarian immediately.

The safety of our customers and their pets is important to Kroger. The company is using its Customer Recall Notification system to alert customers who may have purchased these recalled products through register receipt tape messages and automated phone calls. Customers who have purchased a recalled item should not use it and should return it to a store for a full refund or replacement.

Customers who have questions about this recall may contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 632-6900. For more information, please visit www.kroger.com/recalls.

Proposed Regulations for Horse-Drawn Carriage

By Inna Levin Thu, September 9, 2010 4:35pm

Following the troubling death of a carriage horse last summer, Mayor Sam Adams directed the Revenue Bureau Regulatory Division to develop Code language that would help protect working horses without having an undue negative impact on carriage-horse operators.

The Regulatory Division reviewed regulations from other cities nationwide, including cities commonly used by the City of Portland Auditor’s Office for comparisons to Portland: Seattle, Denver, Sacramento, Kansas City and Cincinnati. They also looked at the regulations in other jurisdictions with horse drawn carriage industries like New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Orleans, and Charleston, South Carolina, among others. Subsequent to developing proposed Code language, The Mayor’s office and the Revenue Bureau held a series of meetings with a committee consisting of carriage-horse operators and company owners, interested citizens, and representatives from Portland’s Bureau of Transportation, Multnomah County Animal Services, the Humane Society, In Defense of Animals, and the City’s Police Mounted Patrol. The committee also received written recommendations from several equine veterinary specialists. The hard work of each of the committee members has resulted in Code language that we believe helps protect the safety of the public and the carriage horses, without placing an undue burden on industry companies or drivers.

The main provisions of the Code are:

Drivers, companies and vehicles must fulfill basic requirements for training, insurance, equipment, care of horses and safe operation.
Horse-drawn carriages may not operate when the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, or when the combination (sum of) of temperature and humidity exceeds CONA standards, recommended at 150.
Annual veterinary certification of the fitness of the carriage horse is required.
Annual inspection of horse stabling facility is required.
Horse-drawn carriage companies may not operate during weekday rush hour, or along streets with MAX or streetcar tracks, except under limited circumstances.
Horse-drawn carriage companies and drivers must obtain permits to operate within the City of Portland.

Prior to submitting the proposed Code language to the Private For-Hire Transportation Board and the City Council, the Revenue Bureau is soliciting additional public comment on the proposed regulations, as revised. Your comments will be added to those we’ve already received, and will be carefully considered as we work to finalize the Code language. To add your thoughts, please get in touch with Frank Dufay, of the Private for Hire Transportation Program in the Revenue Bureau at: frank.dufay@portlandoregon.gov

This pretty disturbing to me. A lot of animal abuse that starts early can lead to adult animal abuse and could lead to adult domestic violence.

Animal Abuse By Kids: Out Of Control In Baltimore, MD.

Some of these kids are 10 years old.

BALTIMORE -- City officials said there's a disturbing increase in the number of animal abuse cases in Baltimore City.Metro officials joined forces with school workers and parents at a meeting at Poly-Tech High School on Wednesday to figure out a solution.The Anti-Animal Abuse Task Force said kids are often behind these cruelty cases, so there is a push to incorporate education about animal abuse into school and faith-based programs.The mayor's task force said violence against animals typically spikes in the summer, when kids are out of school.Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake attended the meeting to discuss how to reverse that trend this year."We have to be very careful. We have to be vigilant. That's why I'm so glad that there has been an arrest in the case of the puppy stoning that happened earlier this year," Rawlings-Blake said.

State Sen. Lisa Gladden brought her own rescue dog to the meeting. She's supporting task force efforts to educate kids about animal cruelty at school."We need legislation that would incorporate animal cruelty and humane education into schools. Kids need to have some experience with animals. They need to understand that dogs are friendly, cats are nice," Gladden said.State Trooper Bob Lukiewski was at the meeting and talked about finding a pit bull mix that was near death after being tethered to a pole."He had a lead on that was so tight he couldn't even sit down," Lukiewski said.Someone in the area told Lukiewski Nitro had been left there overnight and no one called for help. The trooper cut Nitro's lead, turned the malnourished dog over to animal control and promised to adopt him if he survived."As much as he had been through, he was still wagging his tail, happy to see us," Lukiewski said.The outcome for other abused animals is often much more grim.

On Tuesday, patrol officers found a dead dog hanging from a fence in an alley off of West Lanvale Avenue.Just hours after that incident, police arrested a 13-year-old for pelting a dog with bricks and rocks in April and in May police said kids beat a puppy to death on a southwest Baltimore golf course. "The most important thing, if you see abuse going on, just report it. (You) don't have to give a name. You can remain anonymous," Lukiewski said.
The mayor said keeping kids occupied with positive activities is the best way to keep them out of trouble.To that end, the city launched a website to match kids with free summer camps and other programs. You can visit the site by clicking here.

If you like to read more about this story: http://www.wbaltv.com/newsarchive/23928581/detail.html

Plumped Chickens: You Are Paying for Water.

Resource: Mouse print..

Edgar (aka MrConsumer)

plumped1 If a butcher puts his thumb on the scale, you wind up paying for meat you never actually receive.

Some chicken producers are now doing something similar when processing their chicken. On the left is a typical package of chicken you might find in any supermarket. It says “100% natural” breasts (with some rib meat). You expect there to be nothing but chicken in the package in all likelihood. However, look at the fine print disclosure:

plumped2

*MOUSE PRINT: “with up to 15% natural chicken broth.” What’s that? Primarily salt and water. So you are really paying $3.99 a pound for the water that comprises 15% of the package weight.

Current labeling law still allows the chicken to be labeled “all natural” because water and salt are natural ingredients, irrespective of the fact that they are being injected into the birds to make them weigh more. Makers of plumped chickens say the extra water and salt help make the chicken more moist and tender. While that may be true, they are not eager to tell you that a four-ounce serving of enhanced chicken may have eight times the chicken’s normal sodium content — equivalent to the salt in a large serving of fast food french fries.

For more information on plumped chickens, here is a recent LA Times article, a video on the plumping process from CBS News, and Foster Farms’ wonderfully clever website, “Say No to Plumping“.

If you'd like to read more: http://www.mouseprint.org/2009/06/29/plumped-chickens-you-are-paying-for-water/

Beware when applying for this credit card through Bank of America.

Coffee, Tea, or Spree: They All Help Animals

Dear Friend,

Still haven't applied for the only credit card that supports The Humane Society of the United States every time you use it? It's time to join the tens of thousands of HSUS cardholders who celebrate animals with each purchase.

Over the years the HSUS credit card, offered by Bank of America, https://wwwa.applyonlinenow.com/USCCapp/Ctl/entry?sc=UABG47* has generated significant funds for critical programs that aim to improve the lives of pets, farm animals, and wildlife. And, for each card opened and activated through this email offer, Bank of America will donate $50 to The HSUS!

Whether you charge a lot or a latté, your HSUS credit card purchases can really add up for animals. Apply today. https://wwwa.applyonlinenow.com/USCCapp/Ctl/entry?sc=UABG47

Wayne Pacelle, President & CEO

I applied for this credit card because it helps the Humane Society of the United States. It was why I applied. The online application says it would have a APR percentage rate between 12.99% and 20.99% variable based on your creditworthiness. I have an excellent credit score of above 785 the APR I got was a 20.99% APR rate. I called Bank of America and asked why 20.99% APR and after they looked at my application they could not tell me why. They also said they could not change it now nor in the future through this promotion. I asked about the 50.00 donation to Humane Society of the United States like the add below says and they knew nothing about that. I asked how my purchases helped the Humane Society of the United States like the add below said and they could not answer that either. You may want to call Bank of America before you apply for this card and ask lots of questions. 1-800-421-2110.

The Humane Society of United States does get some charity from Bank of America and lord knows they need it. You can donate to directly them by just going through their website. http://www.humanesociety.org/donate/

Gamblers' newest twisted game: Fighting Finches.

Tom Fake/Handout

Safron finches replace fighting roosters

Welcome to the newest phenomena in the world of animal abuse. It’s called finch fighting.

A report in USA Today details how these 6-inch-long songbirds have their bills sharpened to a razors edge and fight each other to the death as a gang of gamblers bets on the outcome. It’s cockfighting gone miniature. Two male saffron finches will slash and peck at each other until one of them is dead or so close to it that the distinction isn’t worth making, USA Today reports. Several men watch this increasingly bloody battle, grinning, cheering, slapping their pockets, hoping to walk away with a bundle of bills for having bet on which one would still be alive at the end. Animal welfare experts fear that two recent raids of alleged bird-fighting rings — one in Connecticut last summer, one in Massachusetts last month — foretell a growing trend. “My guess is that there’s more of this going on than people know,” ASPCA field investigator Tim Rickey told USA Today.

By Adam Sommers
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER Wednesday, March 10th 2010, 4:14 PM

The Commission on Military Justice: Punish Troops that Abuse and Abandon Pets.

soldier_dog In a report released on October 19 to Congress, The Commission on Military Justice says that criminal charges should be brought against those in service that abuse, kill or abandon their pets. They ask that specific language be placed in The Uniform Code of Military Justice that makes Animal Cruelty towards non-public animals a crime.

In their letter to the Department of Defense, the Commission states:

“Currently there is not an adequate mechanism for holding these service members criminally accountable when they abuse or abandon these non-public animals”

As of now, The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) punishes abuse of a “public animal” under Article 134, known as the general article. But there are no laws addressing treatment of pets, which are legally considered “non-public animals.”

Nowhere in the UCMJ is there any language to suggest that animal abuse is behavior unbecoming of a serviceman. Article 134 of the UCMJ is a catch-all article that is commonly used to address offenses not specifically listed in the code and charges of animal cruelty can, in theory, be brought upon a serviceman using this article. However, the charges would have to be brought by a superior officer who felt that the charges were worth his/her time.

Read the rest of this entry

http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/news-updates/the-commission-on-military-justice-punish-troops-that-abuse-and-abandon-pets#more-5845

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