Here is a truly horrific story published by The Vancouver Sun about 100+ sled dogs that were brutally murdered (shot and throats slit by an inept and incompetent employee that believed he was "euthanizing" the dogs) last year by an employee of Howling Dog Tours of Whistler (British Columbia, Canada), owned partly by Outdoor Adventures.
It appears that the dogs were massacred because business was poor, and the dogs were deemed unadoptable because they are bred and raised for sport and recreation (and not as pets). Such similarities to racing greyhounds' plight.
Unfortunately, I don't know whom to contact to demand an investigation into and revision of rules and policies in the sled dog industry. If you do, please leave a comment here -- it would be much appreciated.
Showing posts with label Advocacy/Rights/Welfare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Advocacy/Rights/Welfare. Show all posts
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Dairyland Greyhounds Found Beheaded in Creek?
UPDATED 2/12/2010
NO! Greyhounds were not found in the creek. Thanks to readers/commenters JCP, Pam, and Anonymous.
Actually, it was coyote carcasses that were found. (Still a drag, me thinks.) Coyote hunting is legal.
Please see Comments on this post for links to news articles updating this story.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is why Greyhound racing should be banned. They usually just lop off the ears (that are tattooed); this time, they lopped off the entire heads.
Can you tell I'm angry?
It seems to me that these may very well be dogs from a kennel at Wisconsin's Dairyland Greyhound Racetrack, which closed Dec. 31, 2009. However, any kennels that still had dogs remaining by the first weekend in February (today) would not receive a $5,000 bonus. Looks like someone cared more about that bonus than finding the dogs homes. The Greyhound Alliance has been working feverishly for months to be sure all the dogs were place; Michigan ReGAP took in a large number of them just a few weeks back.
ugh.
From WTHR.com
NO! Greyhounds were not found in the creek. Thanks to readers/commenters JCP, Pam, and Anonymous.
Actually, it was coyote carcasses that were found. (Still a drag, me thinks.) Coyote hunting is legal.
Please see Comments on this post for links to news articles updating this story.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is why Greyhound racing should be banned. They usually just lop off the ears (that are tattooed); this time, they lopped off the entire heads.
Can you tell I'm angry?
It seems to me that these may very well be dogs from a kennel at Wisconsin's Dairyland Greyhound Racetrack, which closed Dec. 31, 2009. However, any kennels that still had dogs remaining by the first weekend in February (today) would not receive a $5,000 bonus. Looks like someone cared more about that bonus than finding the dogs homes. The Greyhound Alliance has been working feverishly for months to be sure all the dogs were place; Michigan ReGAP took in a large number of them just a few weeks back.
ugh.
From WTHR.com
Beheaded dogs found in creek
Updated: Feb 05, 2010 6:08 AMDavid MacAnally/Eyewitness News
Madison County - What police and animal control saw in the Fall Creek in Madison County, you may not want to see.
Sheriff Ron Richardson says, "Possibly Greyhounds. There are eight animals in the water. It looks like none have heads. Heads have been removed. We'll know more once we get them out of the water."
They were spotted when Joe Riley was on his way home about 5 p.m. Thursday. He pulled over, got out and looked into the creek for rocks for his pond at home.
Joe Riley says, "Found something I sure wasn't looking for. I still can't believe what I saw. It's crazy."
It's unclear how long the dogs were in the water. Blood still appears to be around the carcasses. And there may be more dog carcasses downstream.
Sheriff Richardson says, "If anybody knows anything about any group or persons that may be involved doing this type of thing to animals, contact the Sheriff's Department in Madison County."
"I've got two dogs that sleep with me. I love them very much. I just can't imagine this," said Joe Riley.
Monday, August 17, 2009
2008 Pennsylvania Dog Breeding Law Closing Down Puppy Mills
A 2008 "Dog Law Restricted Account" by the State of Pennsylvania is now effecting positive change for dogs in that State; it's said that this recent law is one of the strictest dog breeding laws in the nation.
"The law increases minimum cage sizes, requires veterinary care and exercise periods, and bans wire flooring...," according to today's New York Times article 2008 Law Leading to Crackdown on Pennsylvania Puppy Mills (please read for more details and to download a PDF copy of this dog breeding law).
Perhaps this is a law we could see other states adopt and enforce. I'll look for a copy of Michigan's dog breeding law (if there is one) and will post it or a link to it in the near future.
That the Professional Dog Breeders Advisory Council has decided to sue Pennsylvania for violating the federal Constitution just highlights the fact that they care nothing about the welfare of dogs and everything about making $$$ regardless of abuses they engage in. Really sad.
This is not to say that all dog breeders are "bad," but rather that there needs to be strictly enforced regulation and accountability for those that deal in propagating animal life.
"The law increases minimum cage sizes, requires veterinary care and exercise periods, and bans wire flooring...," according to today's New York Times article 2008 Law Leading to Crackdown on Pennsylvania Puppy Mills (please read for more details and to download a PDF copy of this dog breeding law).
Perhaps this is a law we could see other states adopt and enforce. I'll look for a copy of Michigan's dog breeding law (if there is one) and will post it or a link to it in the near future.
That the Professional Dog Breeders Advisory Council has decided to sue Pennsylvania for violating the federal Constitution just highlights the fact that they care nothing about the welfare of dogs and everything about making $$$ regardless of abuses they engage in. Really sad.
This is not to say that all dog breeders are "bad," but rather that there needs to be strictly enforced regulation and accountability for those that deal in propagating animal life.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Univ of Michigan To Stop Using "Healthy" Dogs For Medical Training Course
On first read, it seems a great thing that University of Michigan "that it would end a controversial practice of using healthy dogs from animal shelters in teaching surgeons trauma lifesaving skills." (From The Detroit Free Press.) However, that the word "healthy" was included in the announcement, leaves me to suspect it ain't over; they didn't say that they would just stop using dogs -- period.
Read the article U-M to end use of healthy dogs from shelters in surgeon training course.
Still, it would be a start.
Read the article U-M to end use of healthy dogs from shelters in surgeon training course.
Still, it would be a start.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
University of Michigan Med School Continues Using Dogs for Student Training
There's an interesting opinion piece in today's Detroit Free Press that you might want to check out, titled Medicine and Morals at U-M, and subtitled U-M med school should stop traumatizing dogs. It's written by Ann Arbor physician and University of Michigan School of Medicine clinical professor Edward J. Linker, M.D. (a specialist in Holistic Primary Care).
Dr. Linker says that he is "disappointed that U-M refuses to modernize its Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course by replacing live animals with high-tech simulators that accurately replicate human anatomy.
Instead, U-M continues to use and kill dogs from Michigan animal shelters in a course designed to teach procedures to be performed on human patients."
He goes on to say, "It's crucial that all doctors, especially trauma training participants, be trained with the best tools and methods available and have a complete understanding of the human body. That's why the vast majority of ATLS courses across the country, including all other ATLS courses in Michigan, have stopped using live animals as training tools. Participants in these other courses now use cutting-edge human patient simulation technology to learn how to treat the effects of trauma in humans.
But in U-M's trauma training course, students continue to use anesthetized dogs. At the end of the course, the dogs are killed.
Well, since respected technology exists, why is University of Michigan Med School still choosing to use dogs? Especially when that technology replicates the human body?
Let's call for U-M to come around in its thinking and join the 21st century already.
Dr. Linker says that he is "disappointed that U-M refuses to modernize its Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course by replacing live animals with high-tech simulators that accurately replicate human anatomy.
Instead, U-M continues to use and kill dogs from Michigan animal shelters in a course designed to teach procedures to be performed on human patients."
He goes on to say, "It's crucial that all doctors, especially trauma training participants, be trained with the best tools and methods available and have a complete understanding of the human body. That's why the vast majority of ATLS courses across the country, including all other ATLS courses in Michigan, have stopped using live animals as training tools. Participants in these other courses now use cutting-edge human patient simulation technology to learn how to treat the effects of trauma in humans.
But in U-M's trauma training course, students continue to use anesthetized dogs. At the end of the course, the dogs are killed.
Well, since respected technology exists, why is University of Michigan Med School still choosing to use dogs? Especially when that technology replicates the human body?
Let's call for U-M to come around in its thinking and join the 21st century already.
Friday, August 15, 2008
The Dallas Zoo & Jenny the Elephant
The Dallas Zoo is seeking to relocate its 32-year old African elephant, Jenny, to the Africam Safari Park in Puebla, Mexico. (yes, Africam)
According to the NY Times story What to Do With Traumatized Elephant Stirs Up Dallas, there has been a local -- and increasingly national -- uproar over the Dallas Zoo's choice of future home for Jenny the elephant. Jenny is considered somewhat of a "special needs" elephant, as she at one time suffered from serious depression which included anger and self-mutilation.
So, what's all the fuss about?
Since the death earlier this year of the Zoo's other elephant, Jenny has lived alone. Zoo officials hope to relocate Jenny to the newly AZA-accredited Africam Safari Park, which offers a part of a 4.9-acre shared elephant site. (Currently, one acre of the proposed space is occupied by several Asian elephants.) However, Jenny has an opportunity to live out her life at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, in a setting offering her several hundred acres within their 2,700 acre sanctuary.
You would think it would be a no-brainer for The Dallas Zoo, but it is not. The Safari Park offers significantly less roaming space than the Sanctuary (a portion of a 4.9-acre elephant site compared to 300+ acres), and less experienced staff. Additionally, the American Zoo Association (AZA) standards are voluntary amongst its members; the Safari Park accounts to no one. Also, more walking space would help in preventing arthritis, which many zoo elephants are prone to because of the small size of their enclosures.
Perhaps most importantly, the move of Jenny from a zoo to a drive-through theme park both perpetuates and highlights an organizational perspective of very street-level thinking: that animals are easily disposable, that the size of an animal's enclosure is irrelevant to quality of life.
Visit concernedcitizensforjenny.net to find out more about Jenny and how you can help in her quest for a better life.
Comedienne Lily Tomlin has become active in efforts to convince Zoo officials to allow Jenny to live at the Sanctuary....or any sanctuary. Read her blog post Lily Tomlin to the Rescue of a Special Needs Elephant.
To submit an online email to the mayor of Dallas, Tom Leppert, click on this link. Or, email tom.leppert@dallascityhall.com. To reach the Mayor and City Council members, write to: Mayor/City Council, City of Dallas, 1500 Marilla Street, 5th Floor, Dallas, TX 75201-6390
According to the NY Times story What to Do With Traumatized Elephant Stirs Up Dallas, there has been a local -- and increasingly national -- uproar over the Dallas Zoo's choice of future home for Jenny the elephant. Jenny is considered somewhat of a "special needs" elephant, as she at one time suffered from serious depression which included anger and self-mutilation.
So, what's all the fuss about?
Since the death earlier this year of the Zoo's other elephant, Jenny has lived alone. Zoo officials hope to relocate Jenny to the newly AZA-accredited Africam Safari Park, which offers a part of a 4.9-acre shared elephant site. (Currently, one acre of the proposed space is occupied by several Asian elephants.) However, Jenny has an opportunity to live out her life at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, in a setting offering her several hundred acres within their 2,700 acre sanctuary.
You would think it would be a no-brainer for The Dallas Zoo, but it is not. The Safari Park offers significantly less roaming space than the Sanctuary (a portion of a 4.9-acre elephant site compared to 300+ acres), and less experienced staff. Additionally, the American Zoo Association (AZA) standards are voluntary amongst its members; the Safari Park accounts to no one. Also, more walking space would help in preventing arthritis, which many zoo elephants are prone to because of the small size of their enclosures.
Perhaps most importantly, the move of Jenny from a zoo to a drive-through theme park both perpetuates and highlights an organizational perspective of very street-level thinking: that animals are easily disposable, that the size of an animal's enclosure is irrelevant to quality of life.
Visit concernedcitizensforjenny.net to find out more about Jenny and how you can help in her quest for a better life.
Comedienne Lily Tomlin has become active in efforts to convince Zoo officials to allow Jenny to live at the Sanctuary....or any sanctuary. Read her blog post Lily Tomlin to the Rescue of a Special Needs Elephant.
To submit an online email to the mayor of Dallas, Tom Leppert, click on this link. Or, email tom.leppert@dallascityhall.com. To reach the Mayor and City Council members, write to: Mayor/City Council, City of Dallas, 1500 Marilla Street, 5th Floor, Dallas, TX 75201-6390
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Cockfighting & the Law
Today's New York Times runs a story about cockfighting in New Mexico.
Last year, New Mexico became the 49th state to outlaw cockfighting; Louisiana will become the 50th next month.
Like dogfighting, so-called "game" cocks are thrown into a ring (pit) to fight each other. Gamecocks, however, wear razors/spikes/spurs strapped to their legs; they generally fight each other to the death. (Cocks - roosters - are naturally aggressive towards each other.) Like fighting dogs, the cocks fight in a pit or enclosed area, with sometimes hundreds in attendance. Now that the sport has been outlawed, it has moved the way of dogfighting: largely to rural and clandestine locations. Like dogfighting, cockfights are a haven for illegal gambling.
NM Governor Bill Richardson's did not sign a bill outlawing cockfighting until he decided to run for the U.S. presidency. Seems rather hypocritical to me that he decided not to outlaw a heinous crime until it was clear that his personal goals would be adversely affected. So much for politicians doing what's right, and doing it for the population at large. But I digress....
Read today's New York Times story A Ban on Cockfighting, but Tradition Lives On. You can view a short video there, too.
Last year, New Mexico became the 49th state to outlaw cockfighting; Louisiana will become the 50th next month.
Like dogfighting, so-called "game" cocks are thrown into a ring (pit) to fight each other. Gamecocks, however, wear razors/spikes/spurs strapped to their legs; they generally fight each other to the death. (Cocks - roosters - are naturally aggressive towards each other.) Like fighting dogs, the cocks fight in a pit or enclosed area, with sometimes hundreds in attendance. Now that the sport has been outlawed, it has moved the way of dogfighting: largely to rural and clandestine locations. Like dogfighting, cockfights are a haven for illegal gambling.
NM Governor Bill Richardson's did not sign a bill outlawing cockfighting until he decided to run for the U.S. presidency. Seems rather hypocritical to me that he decided not to outlaw a heinous crime until it was clear that his personal goals would be adversely affected. So much for politicians doing what's right, and doing it for the population at large. But I digress....
Read today's New York Times story A Ban on Cockfighting, but Tradition Lives On. You can view a short video there, too.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Working Dogs & the Helmsley Billions
With all this brouhaha about hotel magnate Leona Helmsley's desire to leave her estate to "be used for the care and welfare of dogs," I thought it might be appropriate to list all those working dogs that do something for humans, and might make it worth our while to take care of.
So here goes.
Plus, a lot of these dogs need homes when their working days are over; they don't all just live out their lives with their handlers. There is a very real need for adoptive homes for these dogs.
Leona Helmsley wants to leave billions for the care and welfare of dogs? Fine by me. She wants to leave lemons? Make lemonade!
Make Helmsley's donation work for us, let's not work against it.
For detroit dog's editorial on this subject, as well as story links, read my July 1 post Leona Helmsley Leaves Billions to Dogs.
So here goes.
- Police K-9 dogs
- Military working dogs (check out the Military Working Dog Foundation)
- Bomb-sniffing dogs, narcotic- and evidence-sniffing dogs, and illegal contraband-sniffing dogs
- Mine-sniffing dogs (see the Thailand Mine Action Center)
- Search and rescue dogs (who was helping to find people during NYC's 9/11 emergencies?) Check out the Search Dog Foundation. (air scent, trailing, tracking, disaster, cadaver, water rescue, avalanche)
- Service dogs for the blind, deaf, and mobility-impaired persons (see the Texas Hearing and Service Dogs or Susquehanna Service Dogs site)
- Sled dogs (still used for transportation in some parts of the world. Balto delivered the diptheria antitoxin to Nome, Alaska, in 1925; there's even a memorial statue of Balto in NYC's Central Park) (carting and drafting dogs)
- Therapy dogs (see the national registrar Therapy Dogs, Inc. and the international registrar Therapy Dogs International)
- Dogs used in children's literacy programs ("Reading Assistance Education Dogs")
Plus, a lot of these dogs need homes when their working days are over; they don't all just live out their lives with their handlers. There is a very real need for adoptive homes for these dogs.
Leona Helmsley wants to leave billions for the care and welfare of dogs? Fine by me. She wants to leave lemons? Make lemonade!
Make Helmsley's donation work for us, let's not work against it.
For detroit dog's editorial on this subject, as well as story links, read my July 1 post Leona Helmsley Leaves Billions to Dogs.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Leona Helmsley Leaves Billions to Dogs!
Wow.
Hotel magnate Leona Helmsley has requested that the bulk of her estate ($5 billion on the low end) go to the dogs.
It's reported in the NY Times that Mrs. Helmsley's "mission statement" articulates her desire that the monies from her estate be used to help dogs. However, according to the Times, the statement also allows the trustees to use their discretion in distributing the monies.
So, is this crazy? Well, it's certainly unprecedented. Does it have a snowball's chance in Hell of seeing the light of day? If people can see this as less a frivolity and more as a gesture capable of realizing great strides in animal welfare, then perhaps a significant amount of the funds will find their way towards Ms. Helmsley's mission.
One would hope that Helmsley's trustees would realize that such magnanimous generosity would create an unparalleled legacy and give a precedent-setting credence to the importance of animal welfare the world over. What a great gift to the world.
Best to read the NY Times story Helmsley, Dogs' Best Friend, left them up to $8 Billion.
I think it's wonderful that the money is being left to dogs. It's an acknowledgment of the importance of animal welfare for human life. This is not just a total fruitcake gesture; it's a serious and compassionate gesture, albeit from a controversial woman who drew great comfort (and no criticisms, hypocrisies, judgments, expectations, or jealousies) from pets.
There are lots of humane organizations that can be helped by Ms. Helmsley's generosity.
Perhaps monies can be spent on stopping greyhound racing, or funding programs to stop dogfighting, or subsidize low-cost spay-neuter programs, or support service dog organizations, or assist in training search-and-rescue dogs, or assist in veterinary programs (research also helps humans), or subsidize basic shelter costs, or subsidize education and/or training programs, or help out in emergencies like hurricanes and floods, or subsidize medical expenditures making pets more easily adoptable, or giving toys to shelter dogs (always the most urgent items on wish lists), or stopping dog-to-dog rabies throughout the world (an end was put to it in the U.S. last year), or....
Perhaps the trustees will allow only a percentage of the funds for dog-related care. Let's see if even 20% makes it to that. But wouldn't it be great if the total amount went towards animal welfare?
Perhaps monies could be used for special conservation programs, zoo education programs, endangered species, research, rescue, funding of animal law programs....
The list goes on, lots of great programs, all deserving and nothing worthless.
It's about time somebody did something for animals - even if it is just dogs. It's a start. Mrs. Helmsley's philanthropic gestures are kind and thoughtful, regardless of how most of us would spend the monies; selfishness is to be found only among those that are thankful only for monies that contribute to their interests and not the donor's.
Thank you, Mrs. Helmsley. You rock.
--------------------------------------------
ADDENDUM:
I've been reading some of the comments left on the aforementioned NY Times story, and there are some of them make very good points.
She obviously didn't do as much as we think she should have, or could have. But she did something.
A couple of other thoughts: We think nothing of paying people millions of dollars to act in movies, play basketball or football or baseball, or even for artworks. So why not give some monies for dogs?
Here is one of those NY Times story comments:
This reminds me of a headstone I saw at the Hartsdale Canine Cemetery. "You were the only one who ever loved me back."
To find out what types of working dogs could be helped by these funds, read my July 4 post Working Dogs and the Helmsley Billions.
Hotel magnate Leona Helmsley has requested that the bulk of her estate ($5 billion on the low end) go to the dogs.
It's reported in the NY Times that Mrs. Helmsley's "mission statement" articulates her desire that the monies from her estate be used to help dogs. However, according to the Times, the statement also allows the trustees to use their discretion in distributing the monies.
So, is this crazy? Well, it's certainly unprecedented. Does it have a snowball's chance in Hell of seeing the light of day? If people can see this as less a frivolity and more as a gesture capable of realizing great strides in animal welfare, then perhaps a significant amount of the funds will find their way towards Ms. Helmsley's mission.
One would hope that Helmsley's trustees would realize that such magnanimous generosity would create an unparalleled legacy and give a precedent-setting credence to the importance of animal welfare the world over. What a great gift to the world.
Best to read the NY Times story Helmsley, Dogs' Best Friend, left them up to $8 Billion.
I think it's wonderful that the money is being left to dogs. It's an acknowledgment of the importance of animal welfare for human life. This is not just a total fruitcake gesture; it's a serious and compassionate gesture, albeit from a controversial woman who drew great comfort (and no criticisms, hypocrisies, judgments, expectations, or jealousies) from pets.
There are lots of humane organizations that can be helped by Ms. Helmsley's generosity.
Perhaps monies can be spent on stopping greyhound racing, or funding programs to stop dogfighting, or subsidize low-cost spay-neuter programs, or support service dog organizations, or assist in training search-and-rescue dogs, or assist in veterinary programs (research also helps humans), or subsidize basic shelter costs, or subsidize education and/or training programs, or help out in emergencies like hurricanes and floods, or subsidize medical expenditures making pets more easily adoptable, or giving toys to shelter dogs (always the most urgent items on wish lists), or stopping dog-to-dog rabies throughout the world (an end was put to it in the U.S. last year), or....
Perhaps the trustees will allow only a percentage of the funds for dog-related care. Let's see if even 20% makes it to that. But wouldn't it be great if the total amount went towards animal welfare?
Perhaps monies could be used for special conservation programs, zoo education programs, endangered species, research, rescue, funding of animal law programs....
The list goes on, lots of great programs, all deserving and nothing worthless.
It's about time somebody did something for animals - even if it is just dogs. It's a start. Mrs. Helmsley's philanthropic gestures are kind and thoughtful, regardless of how most of us would spend the monies; selfishness is to be found only among those that are thankful only for monies that contribute to their interests and not the donor's.
Thank you, Mrs. Helmsley. You rock.
--------------------------------------------
ADDENDUM:
I've been reading some of the comments left on the aforementioned NY Times story, and there are some of them make very good points.
- It's her money; she earned it.
- How is her contributing to animal welfare any different than someone else donating their hard-earned money to an animal welfare group?
- What's the point of having a will or trust if anyone can have it changed to suit their wants/needs?
- Perhaps by helping animals, we'll become better humans.
- Why not use the funds to help animals that in turn help humans? (Service dogs, search-and-rescue, etc.)
- For a lot of years, Helmsley was demeaned as having an inordinate sense of entitlement; and yet here we are feeling entitled to the money she earned.
- Ruth Lilly (think pharmaceutical foundation) gave $200 million to the Chicago nonprofit Poetry Foundation; who complained about that?
She obviously didn't do as much as we think she should have, or could have. But she did something.
A couple of other thoughts: We think nothing of paying people millions of dollars to act in movies, play basketball or football or baseball, or even for artworks. So why not give some monies for dogs?
Here is one of those NY Times story comments:
This reminds me of a headstone I saw at the Hartsdale Canine Cemetery. "You were the only one who ever loved me back."
— Naked Uke Guy, Brooklyn
To find out what types of working dogs could be helped by these funds, read my July 4 post Working Dogs and the Helmsley Billions.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Greyhound Protection at Tucson, Arizona, Dog Track
The following is from an email I received this morning from my pals at Michigan ReGAP (Rescued Greyhounds as Pets) about both the current status of dog racing in Colorado, and a ballot initiative in Tucson, Arizona, seeking to improve the lives of greyhound dogs at the track:
This appears to be one of those good news/bad news situations. The good news
is that the racing industry in Colorado is losing so much money that they
are having to close their tracks early -- some are afraid permanently (gee,
that would be horrible, wouldn't it?). The bad news is, that when this type
of thing happens, hundreds of dogs are at risk.
According to the Denver Post, the 2008 Colorado dog racing season will come
to an end this month after the Colorado Racing Commission and the Colorado
Greyhound Kennel Association could not agree on kennel contracts. Racing
will stop on June 28. It was scheduled to go until Sept. 1. The governing
bodies said they will work with area kennels and adoption agencies to
relocate the dogs. Bruce Seymore, director of operations for Mile High Dog
Track, says they will be reaching out to rescue groups to help place the
dogs. While that is commendable on his part, it certainly highlights the
fact that the industry has no plan in place for finding homes for the
hundreds of dogs that are continually displaced when they are no longer
profitable.
There is some speculation (Colorado's Channel 2 News) that this may be a
tactic by international investors to bring video gaming and satellite racing
to the Colorado tracks, something that is currently illegal in Colorado, but
has become a popular plan in other states.
This is definitely a situation that merits watching...
ALSO -
This article is too important for us to edit. Please click on the link and
read the entire piece. We all know that Arizona is one of the worst states
for greyhounds -- remember the 150 dogs that got "lost" on their way to
adoption groups, or the little girl that was put down while a rescue group
was en route to get her because the track didn't want to be bothered?
Arizona is also often the last stop on the way to Juarez Mexico tracks
where, believe it or not, conditions are even worse. The Tucson Dog
Protection group has proposed a ballot initiative that would mandate basic
protections for the dogs at the tracks. We need to write everyone we can to
help support this legislation.
Read the guest Op-Ed Greyhounds need the protection offered by South Tucson initiative by local veterinarian Janet Forrer.
Find out more about Tucson Dog Protection.
This appears to be one of those good news/bad news situations. The good news
is that the racing industry in Colorado is losing so much money that they
are having to close their tracks early -- some are afraid permanently (gee,
that would be horrible, wouldn't it?). The bad news is, that when this type
of thing happens, hundreds of dogs are at risk.
According to the Denver Post, the 2008 Colorado dog racing season will come
to an end this month after the Colorado Racing Commission and the Colorado
Greyhound Kennel Association could not agree on kennel contracts. Racing
will stop on June 28. It was scheduled to go until Sept. 1. The governing
bodies said they will work with area kennels and adoption agencies to
relocate the dogs. Bruce Seymore, director of operations for Mile High Dog
Track, says they will be reaching out to rescue groups to help place the
dogs. While that is commendable on his part, it certainly highlights the
fact that the industry has no plan in place for finding homes for the
hundreds of dogs that are continually displaced when they are no longer
profitable.
There is some speculation (Colorado's Channel 2 News) that this may be a
tactic by international investors to bring video gaming and satellite racing
to the Colorado tracks, something that is currently illegal in Colorado, but
has become a popular plan in other states.
This is definitely a situation that merits watching...
ALSO -
This article is too important for us to edit. Please click on the link and
read the entire piece. We all know that Arizona is one of the worst states
for greyhounds -- remember the 150 dogs that got "lost" on their way to
adoption groups, or the little girl that was put down while a rescue group
was en route to get her because the track didn't want to be bothered?
Arizona is also often the last stop on the way to Juarez Mexico tracks
where, believe it or not, conditions are even worse. The Tucson Dog
Protection group has proposed a ballot initiative that would mandate basic
protections for the dogs at the tracks. We need to write everyone we can to
help support this legislation.
Read the guest Op-Ed Greyhounds need the protection offered by South Tucson initiative by local veterinarian Janet Forrer.
Find out more about Tucson Dog Protection.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
River Rouge Animal 'Shelter' : Animals walk in and don't walk out
Here's an article forwarded to me by the people at ReGAP (Retired Greyhounds as Pets). It's about the fact that the so-called animal shelter in River Rouge, Michigan, destroys each and every animal that comes through its doors; there are no volunteers at this shelter, and no effort is made to adopt out the animals.
In fact, the animal control officer for the city, Ernest Bowling, seems to have taken it upon himself to make it a policy to not adopt out any animals. This after being told by the city to not sell animals to research (he had previously been selling all of them, it seems, to a specific licensed "breeder" that in turn would sell them to research).
Why the reactionary response by Mr. Bowling? Is he angry about not making a buck on the sale to one specific 'breeder'? Is he just an angry and spiteful person in general towards his employers? Does he just not care to put any effort into his work? My own feeling is that the guy should be fired and a new animal control officer hired, and at least make an effort to find homes for the animals; they should not sell to breeders or to research. If breeders are taking in stray stock, then they're obviously not concerned with genetics or characteristics or qualities, just with popping out another pup to sell.
Read the May 18 Detroit Free Press article Animal shelter is criticized. The original story, by Justine DePalma, is printed below the following update.
--------------------------------------------
UPDATE: May 21, 2008
Changes were made by the River Rouge City Council. Click on this link to watch a video at Fox News about the situation and the City Council meeting.
Read the Detroit Free Press article Animal shelter to stop using poisonous gas.
Here's an excerpt from the Freep story:
Officials also said at Tuesday night's meeting that they will consider getting a scanner to read pet identification computer chips and will talk with Dearborn's animal control about creating a volunteer system for the local pound.
The Worst Shelter in Michigan
Written by: Justine DePalma
Published May 2, 2008
One Michigan animal "shelter" does not need volunteers. Services such as petfinder to increase adoptions are useless at this shelter. City of River Rouge runs a no frills animal "shelter". The rules are simple, if a stray dog or cat enters the River Rouge shelter, he/she will die at the end of the stray time. There are no reprieves. The sweetest poodles, the most stunning purebred Afghan, the great family mutt all have the same fate when they enter that building, death by
gassing. Animals entering the River Rouge shelter have drawn the worst shelter in the state of Michigan. It is the only shelter that killed every single animal unlucky enough to enter its doors.
Why does River Rouge kills all of the animals that enter its pound?
Ernest Bowling is the animal control officer for River Rouge and he is just following orders. In 2001, Fox2 News reporter, Fanchon Stinger aired an undercover investigation of Hodgins Kennel, a USDA Class B Dealer. River Rouge sold dogs and cats to Hodgins at that
time. Because of the public uproar, the River Rouge City Council commanded that its animal shelter stop selling to research. According to Bowling "the only way I can 100% guarantee that I'm not adopting out an animal to research is to not adopt them at all". It
seems that Bowling takes things literally and he claims Fred Hodgins told him that about 1% of the animals the shelter would adopt to the public would end up in research labs, so Bowling decided the only way to comply was to not adopt any. So for all these years Bowling gassed
every single dog and cat that entered his shelter. Every single one.
Call to Arms
River Rouge's Mayor Michael Balder and its City Council have some explaining to do. However, they will not change a thing unless people stand up for the animals. Humans must be their voices. Quick action is necessary to end this hideous slaughter. This project will take a little effort. River Rouge is still in the dark ages without email or even a web page.
Please visit this link to read a City of River Rouge Animal Shelter 2007 State of Michigan Shelter Report.
Please consider attending tonight's River Rouge City Council Meeting TONIGHT.
Residents and River Rouge city officials will hear from animal activists Tuesday who claim the city's shelter euthanizes animals at an alarming rate and uses poisonous gas to put them down, versus cheaper more humane methods.
Send letters to or call by telephone:
Mayor: Michael D Bowdler
City Council: Patty Campbell, Karen Ward, Derek Perry, Malcolm Moulton, Mark
Pruneau, Anthony Laginess
City of River Rouge
10600 W. Jefferson Ave.
River Rouge, MI 48218
Telephone: (313) 842-5604
Shame on the City of River Rouge, Michigan. They can go live in The Dog House.
In fact, the animal control officer for the city, Ernest Bowling, seems to have taken it upon himself to make it a policy to not adopt out any animals. This after being told by the city to not sell animals to research (he had previously been selling all of them, it seems, to a specific licensed "breeder" that in turn would sell them to research).
Why the reactionary response by Mr. Bowling? Is he angry about not making a buck on the sale to one specific 'breeder'? Is he just an angry and spiteful person in general towards his employers? Does he just not care to put any effort into his work? My own feeling is that the guy should be fired and a new animal control officer hired, and at least make an effort to find homes for the animals; they should not sell to breeders or to research. If breeders are taking in stray stock, then they're obviously not concerned with genetics or characteristics or qualities, just with popping out another pup to sell.
Read the May 18 Detroit Free Press article Animal shelter is criticized. The original story, by Justine DePalma, is printed below the following update.
--------------------------------------------
UPDATE: May 21, 2008
Changes were made by the River Rouge City Council. Click on this link to watch a video at Fox News about the situation and the City Council meeting.
Read the Detroit Free Press article Animal shelter to stop using poisonous gas.
Here's an excerpt from the Freep story:
Officials also said at Tuesday night's meeting that they will consider getting a scanner to read pet identification computer chips and will talk with Dearborn's animal control about creating a volunteer system for the local pound.
Approximately 60 people, many of whom were pound volunteers from other cities, filled the second-floor courtroom in River Rouge City Hall to voice their concerns about the city's high euthanasia rate and the carbon dioxide used to kill strays.
Except for animals that died in their cages, escaped or were stolen, River Rouge has a 100% euthanasia rate, according to the city's file with the Michigan Department of Agriculture.
------------------------------------------The Worst Shelter in Michigan
Written by: Justine DePalma
Published May 2, 2008
One Michigan animal "shelter" does not need volunteers. Services such as petfinder to increase adoptions are useless at this shelter. City of River Rouge runs a no frills animal "shelter". The rules are simple, if a stray dog or cat enters the River Rouge shelter, he/she will die at the end of the stray time. There are no reprieves. The sweetest poodles, the most stunning purebred Afghan, the great family mutt all have the same fate when they enter that building, death by
gassing. Animals entering the River Rouge shelter have drawn the worst shelter in the state of Michigan. It is the only shelter that killed every single animal unlucky enough to enter its doors.
Why does River Rouge kills all of the animals that enter its pound?
Ernest Bowling is the animal control officer for River Rouge and he is just following orders. In 2001, Fox2 News reporter, Fanchon Stinger aired an undercover investigation of Hodgins Kennel, a USDA Class B Dealer. River Rouge sold dogs and cats to Hodgins at that
time. Because of the public uproar, the River Rouge City Council commanded that its animal shelter stop selling to research. According to Bowling "the only way I can 100% guarantee that I'm not adopting out an animal to research is to not adopt them at all". It
seems that Bowling takes things literally and he claims Fred Hodgins told him that about 1% of the animals the shelter would adopt to the public would end up in research labs, so Bowling decided the only way to comply was to not adopt any. So for all these years Bowling gassed
every single dog and cat that entered his shelter. Every single one.
Call to Arms
River Rouge's Mayor Michael Balder and its City Council have some explaining to do. However, they will not change a thing unless people stand up for the animals. Humans must be their voices. Quick action is necessary to end this hideous slaughter. This project will take a little effort. River Rouge is still in the dark ages without email or even a web page.
Please visit this link to read a City of River Rouge Animal Shelter 2007 State of Michigan Shelter Report.
Please consider attending tonight's River Rouge City Council Meeting TONIGHT.
Residents and River Rouge city officials will hear from animal activists Tuesday who claim the city's shelter euthanizes animals at an alarming rate and uses poisonous gas to put them down, versus cheaper more humane methods.
Send letters to or call by telephone:
Mayor: Michael D Bowdler
City Council: Patty Campbell, Karen Ward, Derek Perry, Malcolm Moulton, Mark
Pruneau, Anthony Laginess
City of River Rouge
10600 W. Jefferson Ave.
River Rouge, MI 48218
Telephone: (313) 842-5604
Shame on the City of River Rouge, Michigan. They can go live in The Dog House.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Chicago Embarrases Itself; Overturns Ban on Foie Gras
The Chicago City Council has chosen to embarrass itself, ironically by saying that it was an embarrassment to have a two-year city-wide ban on pate de foie gras (fatty - diseased - duck liver). Looks like I made a mistake by thinking that Chicago was a progressive-minded city and on the forefront of a fight against animal cruelty.
Want to see how the foie gras gets to your plate? Click on this link to YouTube - it's one of the easier to watch videos. (Heavy metal pipes are shoved down the throat of a goose, as it is force fed directly to the stomach. This happens several times daily the last 2 - 3 weeks of a goose's life. It's akin to rape.)
You can also purchase a copy of the ABC Night Line program, from March 2007, at their online store. Or, check out the web site No Foie Gras.
Read the Diners Jourrnal blog post Chicago Overturns Foie Gras Ban at The New York Times.
Shame on Chicago, and shame on the Chicago City Council. They're in The Dog House for preferring to condone animal cruelty rather than risk embarrassment by foie gras consumers.
Want to see how the foie gras gets to your plate? Click on this link to YouTube - it's one of the easier to watch videos. (Heavy metal pipes are shoved down the throat of a goose, as it is force fed directly to the stomach. This happens several times daily the last 2 - 3 weeks of a goose's life. It's akin to rape.)
You can also purchase a copy of the ABC Night Line program, from March 2007, at their online store. Or, check out the web site No Foie Gras.
Read the Diners Jourrnal blog post Chicago Overturns Foie Gras Ban at The New York Times.
Shame on Chicago, and shame on the Chicago City Council. They're in The Dog House for preferring to condone animal cruelty rather than risk embarrassment by foie gras consumers.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Racing Horses and Greyhounds
Another interesting blog/article in today's New York Times' The Rail, titled Injured Horses You Didn't See, by T.D. Thornton. Thornton questions whether a televised fatality will in fact impact positive change on the track, especially in light of "...15 horses at 39 North American tracks who failed to finish a race Saturday," the same day that Eight Belles was euthanized on the Kentucky Derby track. Speaking of another horse, Thornton says, "Unlike Eight Belles, whose tale will be told for decades to come, the only historical record of the gelding’s misstep will be a cryptic footnote, a dozen-year thoroughbred career distilled into a single line of agate type that reads nothing more than “trailed, pulled up ½.”
You really must read the article to better understand the frequency, severity, and sadness of the demise of many horses on the racetrack. It really draws into focus the "out of sight, out of mind" mentality of which most of us humans are prone to, and a trait which leaves many of us unaware of the same and equally distressing plight of racing greyhounds.
Read my May 3 post about Eight Belles euthanized on the track (and photos), and my May 4 post about ethics and morals of horse racing, with many links to outside stories and opinions.
You really must read the article to better understand the frequency, severity, and sadness of the demise of many horses on the racetrack. It really draws into focus the "out of sight, out of mind" mentality of which most of us humans are prone to, and a trait which leaves many of us unaware of the same and equally distressing plight of racing greyhounds.
Read my May 3 post about Eight Belles euthanized on the track (and photos), and my May 4 post about ethics and morals of horse racing, with many links to outside stories and opinions.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Derby Horse Eight Belles; Ethics/Morals of Horseracing
Read the NY Times story Race Illustrates Brutal Side of Sport by William C. Rhoden. Here are the first few paragraphs of that story:
Why do we keep giving thoroughbred horse racing a pass? Is it the tradition? The millions upon millions invested in the betting?
Another interesting article, and one that definitely looks at both sides of the sport, is a Jim Squires post on the NY Times blog The Rail: Horse Lover's View from Inside the Industry. Mr. Squires, an obvious lover of the sport, defends horse racing but also considers the many criticisms of it, and brings up some serious issues for us to think about, such as track conditions, veterinary care, owners vs. trainers, individual horse's spirit, conscientious breeding, and gambling.
Another story worth reading: Is Horse Racing Breeding Itself to Death? by Sally Jenkins at The Washington Post. Ms. Jenkins speaks to the moral crisis in racing, due in part to the current breeding of horses for spirit and physical stamina, and larger chests yet seeming increased skeletal frailty. A line from that story: Horses are being over-bred and over-raced, until their bodies cannot support their own ambitions, or those of the humans who race them. And another: According to several estimates, there are 1.5 career-ending breakdowns for every 1,000 racing starts in the United States. That's an average of two per day.
Many of these same articles have mentioned a similar - though less noticed - accident just the day before the Derby: a colt named Chelokee dislocated an ankle at Kentucky Oaks and has only a 50% chance of survival. Regardless, the injury has ended the horse's career and we just hope the poor animal doesn't wind up as dog food (though it's been suggested that he might spend his days as stud service).
On another note about equine sports, check out the excellent blog Teachings of the Horse, specifically the post Too Much, Too Fast, Too Hard. In this post, author Victoria Cummings muses on the equestrian sport of Eventing, and the tragedies - and reasons for them - in that sport of late.
For a more immediate reaction to this Derby incident, with links to NBC Sports and ESPN stories, read yesterday's post Eight Belles - Derby Horse Euthanized on Track.
Why do we keep giving thoroughbred horse racing a pass? Is it the tradition? The millions upon millions invested in the betting?
Why isn’t there more pressure to put the sport of kings under the umbrella of animal cruelty?
The sport is at least as inhumane as greyhound racing and only a couple of steps removed from animal fighting.
Is it the fact that horse racing is imbedded in the American fabric? And the Triple Crown is a nationally televised spectacle? Or is it the fact that death on the track is rarely seen by a mainstream television audience?Another interesting article, and one that definitely looks at both sides of the sport, is a Jim Squires post on the NY Times blog The Rail: Horse Lover's View from Inside the Industry. Mr. Squires, an obvious lover of the sport, defends horse racing but also considers the many criticisms of it, and brings up some serious issues for us to think about, such as track conditions, veterinary care, owners vs. trainers, individual horse's spirit, conscientious breeding, and gambling.
Another story worth reading: Is Horse Racing Breeding Itself to Death? by Sally Jenkins at The Washington Post. Ms. Jenkins speaks to the moral crisis in racing, due in part to the current breeding of horses for spirit and physical stamina, and larger chests yet seeming increased skeletal frailty. A line from that story: Horses are being over-bred and over-raced, until their bodies cannot support their own ambitions, or those of the humans who race them. And another: According to several estimates, there are 1.5 career-ending breakdowns for every 1,000 racing starts in the United States. That's an average of two per day.
Many of these same articles have mentioned a similar - though less noticed - accident just the day before the Derby: a colt named Chelokee dislocated an ankle at Kentucky Oaks and has only a 50% chance of survival. Regardless, the injury has ended the horse's career and we just hope the poor animal doesn't wind up as dog food (though it's been suggested that he might spend his days as stud service).
On another note about equine sports, check out the excellent blog Teachings of the Horse, specifically the post Too Much, Too Fast, Too Hard. In this post, author Victoria Cummings muses on the equestrian sport of Eventing, and the tragedies - and reasons for them - in that sport of late.
For a more immediate reaction to this Derby incident, with links to NBC Sports and ESPN stories, read yesterday's post Eight Belles - Derby Horse Euthanized on Track.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Eight Belles - Derby Horse Euthanized on Track
AP/Charlie Riedel @ MSNBCVery upsetting news.
Racehorse Eight Belles has just been "euthanized" on the track during the run of the Kentucky Derby, after having placed second in this most important of horse races.
The only filly to have raced the Derby in 9 years, Eight Belles crossed the finish then collapsed. The decision was made to put her down on the track after vets determined that her front ankles were broken.
These types of accidents happen on tracks; horses and dogs racing at great speeds, pushed beyond reasonable limits. Some are heart attacks, some collisions with other racers or equipment, some broken bones.
And all for money.
Well, there are lots of opinions pro and con for racing horses and greyhounds. I'll try to address those at a later date.
Jockey Gabriel Saenz was able to slide off the horse as she fell; he was uninjured.
Events like this are confusing to me. To watch any athlete perform while in his/her prime is truly like watching a work of art. For me, it makes racing rather an ethical struggle.
Read the New York Times blog The Rail for live-blogging and follow-up of the Derby, and for extensive discussion about Eight Belles, cruelty in the sport of horse racing, pro and con about horse racing, and links to important stories and opinions, as well as over 300 reader comments.
--
According to the AP story Filly Eight Belles breaks down after 2nd-place Derby finish:
"...the fracture in Eight Belles' left front ankle opened the skin, allowing contamination to set in. At least one of her sesamoid bones was broken, too.
"She didn't have a front leg to stand on to be splinted and hauled off in the ambulance, so she was immediately euthanized," he said. "In my years in racing, I have never seen this happen at the end of the race or during the race."
"Horses really tire. They are taking a lot of load on their skeleton because their muscles are fatigued. The difficult thing to explain with her is it's so far after the wire, and she was easing down like you'd like to see a horse slow down by that point. I don't have an explanation for it."Click on the photo credits above to read the stories at ESPN and/or NBC Sports.
For links to more stories at NY Times, Washington Post, and others, read my May 4 follow-up post.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Winky the Elephant Dies at Age 56
Winky the elephant has died at the age of 56.
Some of you might remember Winky and partner Wanda, Asian elephants formerly of the Detroit Zoo; they were relocated to the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) animal sanctuary in California. Both Winky and Wanda suffered from severe arthritis and were relocated to the sanctuary to live out their lives in relative peace and freedom and some measure of comfort.
The following is courtesy of the PAWS web site. Please visit the site to learn more about their sanctuaries, educational programs, ways to help, and of course the wonderful animals that reside there.
Some of you might remember Winky and partner Wanda, Asian elephants formerly of the Detroit Zoo; they were relocated to the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) animal sanctuary in California. Both Winky and Wanda suffered from severe arthritis and were relocated to the sanctuary to live out their lives in relative peace and freedom and some measure of comfort.
The following is courtesy of the PAWS web site. Please visit the site to learn more about their sanctuaries, educational programs, ways to help, and of course the wonderful animals that reside there.
PAWS Bids Loving Farewell to Beloved Elephant
April 7, 2008
(San Andreas, CA) In the early morning hours of April 7th, Winky, one of PAWS’ cherished Asian elephants, passed away peacefully. Born in 1952, Winky was one of the oldest elephants in the United States.
Arriving to her retirement at PAWS’ ARK2000 sanctuary three years ago - almost to the day - April 8, 2005 – Winky made the long trip from Detroit to California with her long-time companion, Wanda. They had resided at the Detroit Zoo for approximately 17 years, until decision was made to close their elephant exhibit. Prior to her stay in Detroit, Winky had lived at the Sacramento Zoo.
Last week, Ruby, who also has a history of colic episodes, showed signs of distress and we immediately began a course of treatment which included keeping her in the small yard to monitor her stool and food and water intake. Since Maggie occupies the small yard until she goes out into the habitat with the others, Ruby and Maggie shared the smaller habitat.
While Wanda quickly took to roaming the grassy hillside habitat of ARK2000, Winky choose to spend her days basking in the sunshine, staying closer to her barn. “Perhaps it was because of all of the attention she received, or all of the treats she was given, at any rate, she wanted to stay close to home.” Pat Derby, PAWS’ founder, fondly recalls.
Winky had long suffered from joint problems. Her veterinarian from the Detroit Zoo was out to see her this weekend. According to her night keeper, at 3am she gently slid to her hind quarters and could not get up. The keeper immediately notified all elephant keepers and PAWS’ Directors, Pat Derby and Ed Stewart.
Urgent attempts were made to lift her, but she could not stand and support her back legs. She had three veterinarians in attendance while she was euthanized. Her companion, Wanda, choose to stay with her for some time. A necropsy is scheduled at UC Davis.
“Winky was a wonderful girl. She was a sweet favorite of all of those who cared-for her. She had a happy spring day yesterday – getting lots and lots of attention, and of course, lots of her special treats. We will all miss her terribly.” Derby added.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Endangered Species Act: Yellowstone Wolves
There are almost no words that I can say to convey the utter stupidity and audacious carelessness of our current presidential administration's policy to do away with our country's wildlife and eco-systems; it's as though we're rushing head first into ecological genocide. (But, hey, business is great.)
After successfully ridding most of the western part of this country and Yellowstone National Park of all wolves nearly a century ago, the government decided in the 1990's to transplant 66 Canadian wolves in the Park. Over those short years, the number of wolves has grown to about 1,300. They were protected by the Endangered Species Act.
While scientists say that to protect and encourage healthy genetic diversity the wolves should number over 2,000 before being de-listed. The federal government thinks otherwise, and in February took the wolves off the Endangered Species list. As a result, Park employees are allowed to kill wolves they deem a "problem," and any that step out of the park onto state land are allowed to be hunted by sportsmen and ranchers alike. Several wolves have already been killed, two as "trophies."
The following is from a New York Times article titled U.S. Ends Protections For Wolves In 3 States, which I suggest you read:
State management plans allow for wolf hunting, or outright eradication in some places — including most of Wyoming — with a target population of 150 in each of the three states.
There are over 330 million people in this country, and we want to limit the numbers of wolves to 150 in each state? I say let the ranchers lose a cow or bull once a month (the average loss) in exchange for keeping a species alive, thriving, and healthy. I also say let the hunters have less elk to eat and less trophies in exchange for keeping a species alive, thriving, and healthy. For keeping our ecosystem - and human life - intact.
A New York Times editorial says the exact words that I feel about this situation; please read When Protection Vanishes, published in today's paper.
During his 7-year tenure as President, Bush has listed less than 60 animals as Endangered Species. Both Clinton and the former President Bush each listed at least 60 animals annually.
Thanks to our selfishness, we are putting ourselves in a dangerous situation where one day our wildlife will be depleted to the point of (near) extinction - leaving us without natural resources, sport, food, and jobs. Without maintaining our natural ecosystems - and the lives of those with whom we share the earth - we'll be putting an end to our own lives.
Read the Washington Post 2004 story Endangered Species Act's Protections are Trimmed.
Consider the current federal government wildlife polices in The Dog House.
(See detroit dog's March 23 post about Yellowstone Bison.)
Update 4/12/2008:
Read the New York Times story In the West, a Fierce Battle Over Wolves. It explains the current situation between those that want to hunt and/or kill wolves and those that want wolves re-listed on the Endangered Species list. (10 wolves were killed the first week they were de-listed.) The de-listing of wolves will be contested by animal welfare/rights and environmental groups in a federal court on April 28.
Check the State of Wyoming Game and Fish web site for Wolf Information (links to Weekly Wolf Update and news releases, management plans, etc.)
Let's stop trophy hunting, and re-list the wolves for greater numbers and better genetic diversity.
After successfully ridding most of the western part of this country and Yellowstone National Park of all wolves nearly a century ago, the government decided in the 1990's to transplant 66 Canadian wolves in the Park. Over those short years, the number of wolves has grown to about 1,300. They were protected by the Endangered Species Act.
While scientists say that to protect and encourage healthy genetic diversity the wolves should number over 2,000 before being de-listed. The federal government thinks otherwise, and in February took the wolves off the Endangered Species list. As a result, Park employees are allowed to kill wolves they deem a "problem," and any that step out of the park onto state land are allowed to be hunted by sportsmen and ranchers alike. Several wolves have already been killed, two as "trophies."
The following is from a New York Times article titled U.S. Ends Protections For Wolves In 3 States, which I suggest you read:
State management plans allow for wolf hunting, or outright eradication in some places — including most of Wyoming — with a target population of 150 in each of the three states.
There are over 330 million people in this country, and we want to limit the numbers of wolves to 150 in each state? I say let the ranchers lose a cow or bull once a month (the average loss) in exchange for keeping a species alive, thriving, and healthy. I also say let the hunters have less elk to eat and less trophies in exchange for keeping a species alive, thriving, and healthy. For keeping our ecosystem - and human life - intact.
A New York Times editorial says the exact words that I feel about this situation; please read When Protection Vanishes, published in today's paper.
During his 7-year tenure as President, Bush has listed less than 60 animals as Endangered Species. Both Clinton and the former President Bush each listed at least 60 animals annually.
Thanks to our selfishness, we are putting ourselves in a dangerous situation where one day our wildlife will be depleted to the point of (near) extinction - leaving us without natural resources, sport, food, and jobs. Without maintaining our natural ecosystems - and the lives of those with whom we share the earth - we'll be putting an end to our own lives.
Read the Washington Post 2004 story Endangered Species Act's Protections are Trimmed.
Consider the current federal government wildlife polices in The Dog House.
(See detroit dog's March 23 post about Yellowstone Bison.)
Update 4/12/2008:
Read the New York Times story In the West, a Fierce Battle Over Wolves. It explains the current situation between those that want to hunt and/or kill wolves and those that want wolves re-listed on the Endangered Species list. (10 wolves were killed the first week they were de-listed.) The de-listing of wolves will be contested by animal welfare/rights and environmental groups in a federal court on April 28.
Check the State of Wyoming Game and Fish web site for Wolf Information (links to Weekly Wolf Update and news releases, management plans, etc.)
Let's stop trophy hunting, and re-list the wolves for greater numbers and better genetic diversity.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Endangered Species Act: Yellowstone Bison
A short post today. Just want to post some links to a couple of stories about issues that I think are very important.
The first of these is found in today's Washington Post, and is titled Since '01, Guarding Species Is Harder and subtitled Endangered Listings Drop Under Bush. As the title infers, it's become incredibly difficult during the Bush Jr. administration to get animals listed as endangered species; policy has been set to purposefully make it difficult. Why? Well, my take on it is that it's good for business, big business. During Bush's tenure thus far, less than 60 species have been listed as endangered. In contrast, during the Clinton and elder Bush's tenures an average of 60 species were listed annually. In the meantime, Bush denied an emergency listing for a sock-eye salmon which has since become extinct, as has a pygmy rabbit that he denied habitat protection.
Today's New York Times runs the story Anger Over Culling of Yellowstone's Bison, about the hunting and slaughterhouse deaths of bison that have wandered out of Yellowstone into "the state of Montana." (Sorry, no link.) When winter snows are heavy in the mountains, the bison migrate into the valley to graze on grass in attempts to stave off starvation; it's then that they are hunted or rounded up for the slaughterhouse by Park employees. What is especially terrible about this slaughter is the increased loss of genetic diversity within the herd; often four generations of females travel together, and the culling essentially wipes out entire families.
(See detroit dog's April 5 post about the Endangered Species Act and Yellowstone Wolves.)
The first of these is found in today's Washington Post, and is titled Since '01, Guarding Species Is Harder and subtitled Endangered Listings Drop Under Bush. As the title infers, it's become incredibly difficult during the Bush Jr. administration to get animals listed as endangered species; policy has been set to purposefully make it difficult. Why? Well, my take on it is that it's good for business, big business. During Bush's tenure thus far, less than 60 species have been listed as endangered. In contrast, during the Clinton and elder Bush's tenures an average of 60 species were listed annually. In the meantime, Bush denied an emergency listing for a sock-eye salmon which has since become extinct, as has a pygmy rabbit that he denied habitat protection.
Today's New York Times runs the story Anger Over Culling of Yellowstone's Bison, about the hunting and slaughterhouse deaths of bison that have wandered out of Yellowstone into "the state of Montana." (Sorry, no link.) When winter snows are heavy in the mountains, the bison migrate into the valley to graze on grass in attempts to stave off starvation; it's then that they are hunted or rounded up for the slaughterhouse by Park employees. What is especially terrible about this slaughter is the increased loss of genetic diversity within the herd; often four generations of females travel together, and the culling essentially wipes out entire families.
(See detroit dog's April 5 post about the Endangered Species Act and Yellowstone Wolves.)
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Nellie McKay and Animal Welfare
Scott Gries / Getty Images(image lifted form NPR web site)
Tonight, detroit dog went to see the multitalented Nellie McKay perform at a local museum. She was phenomenal. She has a beautiful voice, and sings in a rather jazz-inflected style; she plays piano and ukelele. And she is hilarious, and rather irreverent. "Performance Art" really. She sang about feminists, dogs, cats, love, and her encore was Ella Fitzgerald's signature song A-Tisket A-Tasket.Animal welfare is obviously a very important topic for Ms. McKay as she talked - and sang - about animals used in lab experiments. Check out her The Dog Song. Love and life summed up. She suggested that audience members check out the following web site for more information: www.stopcolumbia.org (as in Columbia University); the link won't work, so I am suggesting that readers visit PETA's "10 Worst Laboratories List" (U.S. universities). You can read all about animal lab testing on animals, and why these 10 universities are deemed to have the worst labs. (Her first album is titled Get Away From Me and was released, oddly enough, on the Columbia Records label.)
You can also check out Nellie McKay on Wikipedia, or hear her NPR interview Nellie McKay, Live on 'Fresh Air' with Terry Gross. very cool.
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