Friday, November 30, 2007
Obviously, for an elephant to follow the commands of a mere human, a level of coercion must be applied. Have you ever seen a human and an elephant engaged in a great persuasive debate? Who has? What better way to make an elephant faithfully follow an order than through the medium of pain, the circus people so believe. That's where the bullhook comes into play.
You have to ask the question, why not use a stick with blunt ends? Well, it doesn't work. Here's where circuses, like the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus, should level with the public. They shouldn't argue that the bullhooks do not hurt the elephants. They should come out clean and declare that application of pain is part of the handling and training of elephants. The application of this painful weapon allows the much smaller human being to impose his will over his gargantuan co-worker. I think this is all very obvious to us who do not have to earn a living this way. Those who do will deny it.
Let's read the testimony of biologist Dr. Joyce Poole, given to state legislators in Massachusetts, January 2007. Dr. Poole spent 27 years living among savanna elephants in Kenya's Amboseli National Park. She studied their behavior and methods of communication. Dr. Poole learned that the elephants use more than 70 kinds of vocal sounds and 160 different visual and tactile signals, expressions, and gestures in their day-to-day interactions. Her testimony is very enlightening. Here it is:
In my opinion the use of the use of the bullhook physically harms elephants. The bullhook is traditionally used on sensitive areas of the body. For example, a bullhook may be used behind the ears where the skin is paper thin, around the eyes where the skin is also very thin, and on the feet, trunk and around the mouth which are highly enervated. These areas are all extremely sensitive to the touch.
In my opinion the use of the use of the bullhook psychologically and emotionally harms elephants. People who use bullhooks often claim that these instruments are only a "guide". In the wild dominance between elephants is based on age-dependent body size thus older, larger animals rank above smaller younger animals. The only way a human being (approx. 1/60 the weight of an elephant) can rank above an adult elephant is either through fear, learned helplessness, or in rare cases through respect based on companionship and trust. By maintaining a fear of the consequences, bullhooks and other "guides" ensure that an elephant will engage in activities it would rather not engage in (such as stand still in a line; defecate on command; stand on two legs, etc). Instruments such as bullhooks are successful in "correcting" or "guiding" an elephant only because the animals have learned to be fearful of the consequences of not following instructions. The fearfulness is based on the experience of pain being inflicted. The fear of being jabbed, however lightly, ensures that an elephant obeys commands or follows a guide, if you will. In this process, however, the independent will, choice, autonomy and purpose so important to the life of an elephant are destroyed.
In my opinion the use of bullhooks constitutes harassment of elephants. In the wild elephants may occasionally be tusked, poked or jabbed by another elephant, but these interactions are relatively infrequent and are carried out in contexts very different from those observed in circuses. In my many years of experience, elephants do not harass or continually pick on another elephant in the manner that can be observed in circuses. In addition, if an elephant is tusked or poked by another elephant she or he receives support from close associates. Elephants in the wild receive physical and vocal solidarity, thus softening any physical and psychological blows received from other elephants. In the circus elephants are not only repetitively prodded and jabbed but have no recourse, no means of escape and no ability to receive support from companions.
In my opinion, the use of bullhooks, whips or other instruments on elephants can constitute handling in a manner that could cause emotional stress and trauma. Many circus elephants exhibit stereotypical behavior - the frequent, almost mechanical, repetition of the same posture or behavior as in the rhythmical rocking, swaying or bouncing of captive elephants. This unnatural behavior of elephants, seen regularly in zoos and circuses, is never observed in the wild and is pathological. Animals subjected to prolonged experimentally induced neurosis, or those who have experienced trauma, such as beatings or continual prodding, may show extreme signs of stress and their behavior may become pathologically abnormal including great anxiety and stereotyped behavior.
In my opinion the use of a bullhook on one individual has negative consequences for other elephants. Elephants are keen social learners. In other words, much of elephant behavior is not instinctive but learned from watching or listening to others. Such learning is seen in many aspects of an elephant’s daily life and is a vital component of learning. Elephants, too, are capable of empathizing with others and have even been observed to wince when a companion reaches its trunk out toward an electric wire. Consequently, when an elephant is jabbed or poked with a bullhook this action has negative psychological consequences not only for the individual elephant receiving the prod, but also for those around it. In other words, the routine use of the bullhook causes psychological harm to the elephants whether they are being hit or not.
In my opinion the use of bullhooks on elephants is inhumane. Elephants are capable of strong and complex emotions including joy, grief, compassion and empathy. Elephants are also capable of suffering from physical and emotional pain. Therefore, to treat elephants in a manner which inflicts both physical suffering and psychological suffering is inhumane.
Watch this video: http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/Prefs.asp?video=carson_barnes_long
Thursday, November 29, 2007
The concerned dog owner asked what causes a tear stain and if it was true that changing dog food brands causes it. First of all, anyone involved in dog ownership, or in the appreciation of this wonderful branch of the animal kingdom, is not new to the sight of a tearful dog. Sure, but they are not tears of sorrow but an overflow of this liquid whose function is to clean the eyeballs. There are ducts that allow this liquid to drain into the nasal area where it is eliminated. When these ducts are clogged or closed, for whatever reason, the liquid overflows unto the cheek area and causes the stain that we are so familiar with. Many small dogs, like Chihuahuas, have protruding eyeballs. Tear staining is very common among them as well as in any toy class. In this case, the protrusion of the eyeballs stretches the ducts and prohibits the liquid from draining into the nasal cavity. Humans are no different. Ever wonder why our noses clog up when we cry? Excessive tearing, thus crying, causes an overload in the nasal cavity even if tears are overflowing unto our cheeks. That's when we reach for the tissue. For goodness sake, when you see these tears, please do not assume that the dog is emotionally distressed neither is it overjoyed.
As for changing dog food brands as the possible culprit, it seems to me that someone was trying a different angle on this issue, one with commercial interest.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Phone: +44 1869 243241 Fax: +44 1869 246759
More stripes here than the American flag...
A wild boar...
If you would like to see photos of Kenya and the orphanage, Click HERE for Buzz's online gallery.
Monday, November 26, 2007
In their section for Advocacy 2007, I saw that the ASPCA is still working on the Downed Animal and Food Safety Act. This is at the federal level. This act will require the immediate humane euthanasia of any critically ill and injured cows, pigs, sheep, goats, mules, and horses too sick to stand and walk on their own. Right now, animals in this state of health are dragged or pushed to slaughter and then their meat is allowed to enter the food chain. Can you believe that we even have to tell people, make laws, not to do this?
Then, there is the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, still in the works. Believe it or not, last year, over 100,000 American horses were killed and their meat shipped to Japan and Europe for human consumption. As you can imagine, the road to the slaughterhouse is very painful for the horses, long trips on double decker vehicles, overcrowding and inhumane methods of slaughtering. The bill will stop the interstate and international transport, delivery and receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling or marketing of any horse to be consumed for human consumption.
To help, you can go to http://www.aspca.org/lobby
At the state level, there was a setback in Ohio where the state supreme court " denied a motion for reconsideration and decided to uphold Ohio and Toledo laws classifying Pit Bulls as vicious, and regulating Pit Bull ownership on this basis." Ed Sayres, President and CEO of the ASPCA, was quoted as saying, " We have seen time and time again that responsible pet ownership is the key to successfully resolving the dangerous dog issue, and this decision does not take that into consideration."
In Illinois, dogfighting is a felony due to House Bill 3614, but now felony charges can be extended to those who participate in cockfighting or any animal figthing. Great News!
In California, Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 353, " allowing judges to include companion animals when issuing protective orders in domestic violence cases. Studies have shown that abusers often threaten, injure or kill pets as a way of controlling others in the family. Connecticut enacted a similar bill, Senate Bill 284, extending the same protection to companion animals in that state...and cheers to Tennessee for their version of this bill called House Bill 1161 / SenateBill 196.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
1) First of all, do not buy dogs from pet stores. " That puppy who charmed you through the pet shop window has most likely come from a large-scale, substandard commercial breeding facility, commonly known as a puppy mill. "
2) Your first option is to Adopt. " Not only will you be saving a life, but you will ensure that your money is not going to support a puppy mill. There are many dogs waiting for homes in shelters all across the country―and an estimated one in four is a purebred! Your second option is breed rescue. If your heart is set on a specific breed you haven’t been able to find in a shelter, you can do an Internet search for a breed-specific rescue organization. "
3) Only deal with Responsible Breeders. "...remember that responsible breeders have their dogs’ interests in mind. They are not simply interested in making a sale, but in placing their pups in good homes. A responsible breeder should screen you as thoroughly as you screen them! "
4) Ask to see where the dog was born and bred. " One sign that you are speaking to an unscrupulous breeder is that they will not let you see the facility in which your puppy was born. Always ask to see the breeding premises and to meet both parents (or at least the mother) of the puppy you want to take home."
5) Don't buy through the Internet. " If you buy a puppy based on a picture and a phone call, you have no way of seeing the puppy’s breeding premises or meeting his parents. And those who sell animals on the Internet are not held to the Animal Welfare Act regulations―and so are not inspected by the USDA. "
6) Tell the ASPCA about your puppy mill story. " If you have—or think you have—purchased a puppy-mill puppy, please tell them your story. Every bit of evidence gives us more power to get legislation passed that will ban puppy mills. "
7) Say Something! " Inform your state and federal legislators that you are disturbed by the inhumane treatment of dogs in puppy mills, and would like to see legislation passed that ensures that all animals bred to be pets are raised in healthy conditions."
8) Inform your Friends and Other People. " If someone you know is planning on buying a puppy, please direct them to ASPCA.org where they can find puppy mill information. Let them know that there are perfectly healthy dogs in shelters waiting to be adopted. "
9) Spread the News Globally. " Have a webpage, a MySpace page or a blog? Use these powerful tools to inform people about puppy mill cruelty by adding a link to... ASPCA.org. "
10) Take Action Locally. " When people are looking to buy or adopt a pet, they will often ask the advice of their veterinarian, groomer or pet supply store. Download and print flyers from ASPCA.org and ask to leave them in the offices of your local practitioners. "
Willie Nelson, a man with a good level of social consciousness...God bless you.
Thank you, Willie!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Here's Midnight below, still scarred but much happier and safer. This photo should make Midnight the poster child against dog-fighting:
Midnight has facial scars too...
Buddy gets his feet washed carefully, one at a time...
As you can see, once these dogs are taken out of the fighting environment, they revert to being good and non-biting dogs with some exceptions. Pitbulls get a bad reputation not from their true nature but from human ignorance. Animal abuse degrades the society you live in. Do not accept it as a fait accompli, but reject it and take action.
PAWS is always looking for volunteers in the Philippines. If you are overseas, you can still help in the fight against animal cruelty by donating to the organization. There's a lot of work to be done in the Philippines, but the number of animal rights activists ( and just plain good-hearted citizens) is growing. Be one of them and make a difference. Click on the link I provided above for PAWS' website.
Monday, November 19, 2007
(1) Hanging is an acceptable method of killing downed and disabled sows, despite the fact that the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, and the National Pork Board don't list hanging as a humane method of "euthanasia" in their guidelines.
(2) Wiles Hog Farm's practice of dragging, kicking, and dropping sows off a 4-foot ledge was an acceptable means of transporting sows to their deaths.
(3) Killing methods that cause animals to take up to 10 minutes to die are acceptable.
(4) Dr. Armbrecht had observed at least one similar strangulation elsewhere in recent months but failed to report it.
Viewing the video of a pig hanging is your option.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Take a good look. Doesn't he seem like the vicious pitbull we have been warned about? Temperamental and treacherous? He'll attack family members, even children. Well, actually, he was far from it. I said that in the past tense because Chief is no longer with us on this Earth. Two human beings are alive today because Chief gave his life for them. How many people do you know who are willing to make that last full measure of devotion? He saved an 87-year-old Liberata la Victoria and her granddaughter Maria Victoria Fronteras from a cobra that slithered through an opening in the family’s kitchen. The confrontation left two dead, but let two others live out their lives. This was in Cagayan de Oro City (Philippines) in February, 2007. Chief's story is one that hardcore anti-pitbull people would have trouble understanding and accepting. But, here it is whether they like it or not. Those who are plain ignorant about the breed might free themselves from this prison by giving Chief the credit that he so rightfully deserves. Pitbulls are neither traitors nor salivating, blood-thirsty killers of humans. Chief's courageous story is beautifully recounted here by Herbie Gomez at the Cagayan de Oro Journal:
Friday, February 16, 2007 Dog saves family from cobra, is killed... CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Feb 16) – A pit bull terrier proved beyond doubt that a dog can become a man’s best friend when it saved and gave its life for its master’s wife and her grandmother in Barangay Lapasan here. The dog named “Chief,” saved 87-year-old Liberata la Victoria and her granddaughter Maria Victoria Fronteras from a cobra that snaked through an opening in the family’s kitchen shortly around 8 a.m. Monday. On two occasions, the snake was about to attack the women when the dog dashed from a corner and used itself as a shield. Marlone Fronteras, an employee of Nestle Philippines who owned the terrier, said Chief seized the venomous snake in the neck with its teeth and repeatedly slammed it on the floor until it died. The dog was bitten too by the cobra; it died a few minutes later after giving its master a farewell gaze, according to the dog owner’s friends Mare Sabelita and Derf Ian dela Rama.
An organization of pit bull terrier owners here, Royale Pit Bull Club-Ancient Fraternal Order of the Pit Bulls Inc., honored Chief and gave it the moniker “grandfather” of all pit bulls in the community. Marlone told the Cagayan de Oro journal, that he, his family and members of the pit bull owners’ group gave the dog a “hero’s burial” the same day. “We just waited for the children to arrive from school because they loved Chief so much,” said Marlone. Sabelita said Fronteras’s wife Maria Victoria was teary eyed when she narrated the dog’s “heroism” to friends. “The snake was in front of us., maneuvering a deadly attack,” Sabelita quoted Maria Victoria as saying. “I screamed out loud to ask for help.” Hearing this, the four-year old pit bull terrier dashed from its sleeping area to fight off the deadly snake, said Sabelita quoting Maria Victoria. The cobra fought back and bit Chief at the lower left portion of the jaw. The dog then repeatedly slammed the cobra after it succeeded in immobilizing the snake with its sharp teeth, she said. Dela Rama said la Victoria was watching television when she panicked and alerted her granddaughter. The old lady said the cobra was about to attack her and the dog came to her rescue. Maria Victoria said she saw the cobra expand its neck as soon as she turned the lights on. She said the cobra looked like it was spitting as its inched closer, about a meter away, toward her. De la Rama said the terrier, “out of nowhere,” jumped on the cobra , bit it the neck, and then shook it till it died. Moments later, the dog slouched flat and fainted, spreading its arms and feet on the floor, after killing the killer snake. De la Rama said the dog went wobbly and lost control of its organs some 30 minutes after being bitten by the cobra; it started to urinate and defecate uncontrollably as it grasped for air and panted heavily.
The Fronterases sought the help of veterinarian but they were reportedly told that it was too late because the snake bite was near the dog’s brain and the venom had already spread. Sabilita said Marlone rushed home when his wife called him up to tell him of what had happened and the dog’s master was stunned. The Fronteras children, who treated Chief like a member of the family and who called the dog “Kuya Chief,” were deeply affected, according to Sabelita.
The last thing Chief did was waggle its tail and gaze at Marlone who had just come from work, said Sabelita. “Chief gave his two deep breaths and died. (It) was fighting and saving (its) last ounces of breath to see a glimpse of (its) master for the last two seconds of (its) life,” added dela Rama. Sabelita said he hoped people would change how they look at pit bull terriers, a breed strongly discouraged in many countries and banned because of their “cruel looks.” We never get the change to know them more,” said Sabelita.
A hero's death: Good night, sweet prince...
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Updated AP NEWS ARTICLE
Pet massacre in Puerto Rico
By MICHAEL MELIA Associated Press Writer
Article Last Updated: 10/13/2007 06:03:39 PM MDT
BARCELONETA, Puerto Rico? Elvia Tirado Polanco says she reluctantly handed over her black- and white-spotted mutt to animal control workers after they threatened that she would be evicted from her housing project for keeping a pet there.
The workers promised to take the small dog named "Lucero"?or "Star"?to a shelter. Days later, however, Tirado was horrified to learn that dozens of pets seized this week in Barceloneta on Puerto Rico's north coast were instead thrown to their deaths from a bridge.
"It was barbaric," said Tirado, 56, who wept Saturday as she described caring for the seven-year-old dog. "This has been a really hard blow for all of us."
Several pet owners inside the Antonio Davila Freytes housing project, one of three raided by animal control workers Monday and Wednesday, said they had provided vaccinations and lavished care on the cats and dogs taken from their homes and killed with strays.
The government circulated a letter inside housing projects this month warning that violators of a no-pet policy would be evicted. Mayor Sol Luis Fontanez said the town ordered the removal of the pets, but he blamed the massacre on a contractor hired to take the animals to a shelter.
Fontanez said he would cancel the city's contract with Puerto Rico-based Animal Control Solutions and that city lawyers were considering a lawsuit.
Company owner Julio Diaz said he went to the bridge when he heard of the allegations, but denied that the dead animals were the ones his company collected. He said he would present his records as proof to city authorities on Monday. "I have the dead dogs in my facility," he said Saturday. "I am a certified animal control officer. I have been doing this for nine years."
Puerto Rico's housing department has opened an investigation into who is responsible for the deaths, said Doris Gaetan, of the department's office of community relations. She said regulations in the U.S. Caribbean territory allow pets in government-funded housing projects if they are small and do not pose a risk to others.
"We do not support the way in which this was done," Gaetan said during a visit to hear the accounts of pet owners at one of the complexes.
A local resident, Jose Manuel Rivera, used a backhoe to bury about 50 animals Saturday in a mass grave near the bridge where they were dumped. He discovered the animals around dawn Tuesday after hearing barking and whimpers from animals who survived the 50-foot fall. He recovered six injured dogs, who were reunited with their owners after they saw their pets on a television news broadcast. "One had a broken spine, and about all of them had broken legs," Rivera said.
Many of the pets inside the housing project were strays that were adopted by residents after wandering into the low-income neighborhood. Owners said they feel they are now paying the price for the neglect of others on an island with no pet registration law and little spaying or neutering.
"It is not our fault that they come here," said Carmen Valle, 56, who said workers seized two of her dogs. "We are humble people, but we have good hearts. Animals should be treated with decency."
The scandal has led to problems for Hughesville, Md.-based Animal Control Solutions, a company which is not related to the Puerto Rican firm with the same name. Owner James White told The Associated Press he has received hundreds of threatening e-mail or phone messages since Friday from people upset about the Puerto Rico incident.
Tirado said she had cared for Lucero for seven years as if the dog were her child, feeding her from the plastic table in her cramped living room and letting her sleep beside her at night.
During the raids, she said workers surrounded the housing complex and prevented anyone from leaving with pets. But she said she wishes she had never let Lucero go.
"I have been crying so much I can barely sleep," she said.Permission to post above by AP news .
Here is the company that is responsible:
Name used : Animal Control Solution
Owner : Julio Diaz
Address: 560 J. Jimemez Street, San Juan,Puerto Rico 00918
Year Established : 2002
Web Site or Email: None Available
Pet Massacres Carried Out in Puerto Rico
By YAISHA VARGAS and ANDREW O. SELSKY
TRUJILLO ALTO, Puerto Rico (AP) — Back roads, gorges and garbage dumps on this tropical island are littered with the decaying carcasses of dogs and cats. An Associated Press investigation reveals why: possibly thousands of unwanted animals have been tossed off bridges, buried alive and otherwise inhumanely disposed of by taxpayer-financed animal control programs.
News that live animals had been thrown to their deaths from a bridge reached the public last month when Animal Control Solutions, a government contractor, was accused of inhumanely killing some 80 dogs and cats seized from three housing projects in the town of Barceloneta. A half dozen survived the fall of at least 50 feet.
The AP could find no sign that any of the municipalities checked to make sure the companies dealt with the strays humanely.
Not all the dogs died, however. A dog that was not a stray, but a sickly pet whose owner wanted it euthanized, managed to limp home. The angry owner telephoned the company and demanded it retrieve the dog and do the job right, the former employee recalled.
Asked if the number of dogs and cats killed by Animal Control Solutions was in the hundreds, the former employee shook his head.
“It is in the thousands,” he said. “On a good month, we would pick up 900.”
Associated Press writers Danica Coto and Kaila Diaz contributed to this story. Photo from AP.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Here is Fidelma, getting cozy by our backdoor. She's a beautiful girl once again, and people can't avoid stopping us on the street to admire her. We are very close and do a lot of wet nose kisses.
Here she is again, always walking ahead of me, at our local park which is no more than a mile from my house. Fidelma loves this place, and she would walk there all day if I let her. We're happy together.