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adventure to the
north pole !!!
Dogs and Cats
who need a home
Some of
our
successful
rehoming !!!
**************************************************
OIPA - International news letter - December 2007
OIPA
International Organization for Animal Protection
INTERNATIONAL NEWS LETTER
December 2007TAKE ACTION AGAINST RABBIT FUR Around the world most systems of animal factory farming - such as battery hen cages, foie gras production, mink fur farming - have been the subject of detailed scientific studies, campaigns by animal rights groups and even government bans. Meanwhile, the factory farming of rabbits for their fur and flesh has received little attention .... until now. The Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade (CAFT) have infiltrated and exposed this hideous trade. A trade where millions of rabbits are confined to bare wire cages, kept as breeding machines, their throats slit and their furs turned into boots, hats, gloves and trim for jackets. The killing of rabbits for their fur is the fastest growing part of the global fur trade, yet little is known about it. For more info, please visit and support http://rabbitfur.org and http://www.RabbitWise.org/
http://www.oipa.org/fur/alerts/rabbits.htmlPETITION BAN FUR FARMING IN ITALY
Eighty-five percent of the fur industry's skins come from animals living captive on fur factory farms. These farms can hold thousands of animals, and the practices used to farm them is remarkably uniform around the globe. As with other intensive-confinement animal farms, the methods used on fur factory farms are designed to maximize profits, always at the expense of the animals. Please sign OIPA Petition: http://www.oipa.org/public/fur/petition.phpNEW YORK MEDICAL COLLEGE ENDS LIVE ANIMAL LAB Success!
New York Medical College announced November 26 that it will replace its live animal lab for its first-year physiology course with non-animal alternatives. Students will now undergo echocardiograms while instructors demonstrate physiology principles. NYMC was the last school in New York state to use live animals in student education. You can learn more about the school's decision by watching by watching coverage by News 12 or reading this story in the Journal News. Twenty years ago, live animals were commonly used in physiology, pharmacology, and surgery classes at medical schools. A standard lab involved anesthetizing the animal, followed by injecting pharmaceuticals or practicing surgical techniques. After the class, the animal was killed.
http://www.oipa.org/vivisection/news/college.htmlSealing: EFSA adopts a scientific opinion on the animal welfare aspects of different methods of killing and skinning of seals EFSA's Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) Panel has adopted a scientific opinion on the killing and skinning seals. EFSA's independent scientific experts have looked objectively at the best available evidence to assess whether seals can be killed rapidly and effectively without causing avoidable pain, distress, fear and other forms of suffering, and if so which methods are most likely to achieve that. The Panel noted that there are only a limited number of quantitative studies published in peer-reviewed journals to be used as the basis for the evaluation of the efficacy of various killing methods with an adequately high degree of certainty. Additional studies are available, notably from industry-linked groups and from NGOs.
ALLIANCE FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS - OIPA, SERBIA "We the undersigned wish to issue and register a formal complaint to the European Union Commission regarding animal welfare atrocities perpetrated by the Serbian Authorities. They (the Serbian authorities) stand accused of acts in contravention of their own current Serbian Legislation Article 269".
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/serbia-suffering Please visit the web site of our Member League and support this wonderful association http://www.epar.org.yu/index-e.htmlHELP DOGS OF SICILY OIPA has been for many years, fighting to defend the rights of the animals in Sicily. In Marsala there is now a shelter, an example of love and respect for the animals. OIPA is giving great space, dedication and attention to the problems of stray animals in Sicily. the first of July of this year saw the opening in the City of Marsala (province of Trapani) the Communal Shelter and OIPA stipulated a protocol of understanding with the City in order, the best way to carry out a voluntary service of the guardian structure and for the well-being of the dogs in the shelter.
http://www.oipa.org/abandonment/news/marsala.html
If you want help our dogs http://www.oipa.org/oipa/oipa_whatcan.htmOIPA Videos:
Dedicated to OIPA Italia by International Relations Office
http://youtube.com/watch?vÁ99YJxqiEs Animals have the right to live - Serbia
http://youtube.com/watch?vª_MN5weJu4
OIPA for Romania (2001-2006) http://youtube.com/watch?vjJ2UK9lWzA
MARIA DAINES
A voice for animals
http://www.oipa.org/news/maj06_maria.htm Please visit her web site to read her wonderful job for all the animals
http://www.maria-daines.com
Support OIPA campaigns www.oipa.org/campaigns.htmlSign OIPA action alerts www.oipa.org/alerts.html
Link OIPA www.oipa.org/download.html
If you want support OIPA, Please make a donation
http://www.oipa.org/oipa/oipa_whatcan.htmIf you would like to unsubscribe from this list, please send an email to international@oipa.org and in the subject line place "remove" .
We will remove this address from our list.OIPA International Organization for Animal ProtectionNGO - Non Governmental Organization affiliated to the UN
Department of Public Information
international@oipa.org
www.oipa.org*************************************************
Animal Voice - December 2007
Campaign newsletter of the
Irish Council Against Blood Sports
______________________________________
Irish Council Against Blood Sports (ICABS)
PO Box 88, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Ireland
Website: www.banbloodsports.com
WAPsite: www.banbloodsports.com/wap
ICABS TV: www.youtube.com/icabs
ICABS on Bebo: www.bebo.com/banbloodsports
ICABS on MySpace: www.myspace.com/banbloodsports
*** Animal Voice can also be viewed at www.banbloodsports.com in rich
text format ***
In This Issue:
01. Christmas Message
02. Restricted licence for Ward Union deer hunt
03. Hunt is illegal, say eminent legal experts
04. ICABS Christmas Cards - Download now!
05. ICABS Christmas appeal to landowners
06. Ward Union licence decision hits the headlines in Qatar
07. No bird bounty, Minister assures ICABS
08. Call for Garda investigation into alleged foxhunt incident
09. Predictable outcome as foxhunters investigate themselves
10. Tony Gregory questions Ministers about foxhunt cruelty
11. Calling all Carlow/Kilkenny supporters
12. MS Ireland defends acceptance of hunt donations
13. Anti-hunt campaign is "well organised" says hunt group
14. The truth about foxes: new ICABS slideshow
15. Galway SPCA criticises pro-hunt TD
16. Beverley Flynn TD urges Minister to refuse deerhunt licence
17. ICABS responds to misinformation from deerhunt supporters
18. Farm group wants Ward Union banned
19. Eagle Star urged to exclude coursing from 2008 calendar
20. Pro-hunt email doesn't reflect company opinions: Sherry Fitzgerald
21. Creatures of the Same God: new book from Revd Linzey
22. Vicki Moore biography published
23. Letters to the Editors
24. Petitions
25. Campaign Quotes
______________________________________
01. Christmas Message
______________________________________
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports wishes all its friends and supporters a happy and peaceful Christmas. We thank every one of you for your campaigning efforts and support throughout 2007. Together, we will continue making a difference for Irish animals in 2008.
_________________________________
02. Restricted licence for Ward Union deer hunt
_________________________________
The Ward Union deer hunt has been issued a restricted licence by Environment Minister, John Gormley. While the Irish Council Against Blood Sports was hoping for a complete licence refusal by Minister Gormley, we welcome the fact that the licence issued is quite restricted and that the deer will not actually be hunted by the dogs.
However, we are very concerned about Condition No. 12 of the licence, i.e. that the deer shall be driven by mounted riders "to an end point" (to create a scent for the dogs to follow), which no doubt will terrify and stress the deer, and it should be borne in mind that it is an offence under the 1911 Protection of Animals Act to "over-drive" or "terrify" an animal.
We are also very concerned that given the manner of re-capture, i.e. wrestling the deer to the ground, with at least one deer being choked to death during same, that this abuse may continue.
In a statement issued on Wednesday (19 December 2007), Minister Gormley emphasised that "the licence is strictly conditioned so that the actual pursuit of a stag by hounds is not permitted."
"The licence with the conditions I have granted to the Ward Union Hunt will allow for the hunting of stags in a manner which will provide for the protection of the stag and the general public," the Minister stated. "In effect it permits the Ward Union to release a deer to lay a scent trail along the course of the hunt, but I am insisting that the deer must be recaptured before the hounds are released and the full hunt gets underway. I believe that the conditions attached to the licence address my concerns from a wider public policy perspective about the public safety issues surrounding the hunting of a large animal by a large group on horseback and a pack of hounds through an increasingly urbanised countryside."
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports has reiterated its contention that hunting these deer is illegal, and now more so than ever, given the recent legal opinion by Professors Clive Symmons and William Binchy, published in the current edition of the Irish Law Times. On the question of the licensing of the Ward Union under the 1976 Wildlife Act, they state that because the deer are captive deer and part of a domesticated herd, the Ward Union deer "are protected under the Irish animal welfare legislation - the Protection of Animals Acts."
_________________________________
03. Hunt is illegal, say eminent legal experts
_________________________________
Legal experts have outlined that the Ward Union deer hunt is illegal under current animal protection legislation. ICABS brought their compelling Irish Law Times report to the attention of Environment Minister, John Gormley as he considered the licensing of the hunt.
Legal opinion by Professors Clive Symmons and William Binchy of Trinity School of Law (published in the latest edition of the Irish Law Times) concludes that the Ward Union hunt is "illegal" under the 1911 Protection of Animals Act, and that it shouldn't be licensed under the 1976 Wildlife Act, as the deer are not wild animals.
ICABS has been campaigning against the Ward Union hunt for almost twenty years and we have been appealing to successive Environment Ministers to stop giving it a licence.
We earnestly appealed to Minister Gormley to stand firm against the Ward Union bullies, and their backers in the Fianna Fail cabinet, and bring an end to the suffering of these vulnerable animals. With top legal experts confirming that this hunt is illegal, the time has never been better to act, we told the Minister.
_________________________________
04. ICABS Christmas Cards - Download now!
_________________________________
Show you care about animals this holiday season - choose from our selection of 9 exclusive Christmas cards. Click on Latest News at www.banbloodsports.com and scroll down to "ICABS Christmas Cards" (06 December 2007) to make your selection. Simply print, fold and give to your friends, family and loved ones.
_________________________________
05. ICABS Christmas appeal to landowners
_________________________________
This Christmas, the Irish Council Against Blood Sports is making a special appeal to Irish farmers to make their land a cruelty-free zone. Highlighting the barbarity of hunting and the pain suffered by animals, we are asking all landowners to say no to their local hunt.
We appeal to them to imagine the fear experienced by a fox as the baying hounds and hollering hunters inch closer; the distress it feels as its heart pounds in its chest and its internal organs start failing from the sheer exertion of the chase; the absolute agony it suffers when a terrier takes a bite out of its belly or hounds rip it to shreds. This is the kind of cruelty that will take place on St Stephens Day and week after week into 2008 unless landowners do the decent and compassionate thing and have the courage to say no to their local hunt.
No animal deserves the horrendous fate of the foxes, mink and hares chased and violently killed by packs of hounds.
Video: The cruelty of foxhunting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7PK3E982Bw (Duration: 06:27 minutes)
ACTION ALERT 1
If you are a landowner, immediately make your land off limits to all hunts. If you have friends who are landowners, please tell them that they can make a difference by making their land a haven for wildlife. Please click on "Farmers" at www.banbloodsports.com to read our Troubled by the Hunt Leaflet and download "No Hunting" signs to display around the boundaries of your property.
ACTION ALERT 2
Urge the Minister for Agriculture to amend the Protection of Animals Act so that foxes, hares, mink and all wild creatures are protected from unnecessary cruelty.
Minister Mary Coughlan
Department of Agriculture
Agriculture House,
Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Tel: 01-607 2000 or LoCall 1890-200510.
Fax: 01-661 1013.
Email: mary.coughlan@oireachtas.irlgov.ie
Dear Minister Coughlan,
I am writing to implore you to act to ban foxhunting and all blood sports in Ireland.
Minister, foxhunting is cruel from beginning to end. The foxes suffer great stress and damage to internal organs during the gruelling cross-county chases. When they try to escape underground, terriers are sent after them to viciously attack them and drag them out into the open. The squealing, injured and terrified foxes are then mercilessly killed by a hunt terriermen. Other foxes will die a despicable death as they try to evade capture - they are violently knocked off their feet by the pack of hounds and eviscerated.
Minister, I appeal to your sense of compassion to urgently intervene to save the fox from this barbarism. No living creature deserves the fate of foxes in foxhunting. The fox is one of Ireland's favourite wild creatures and is beneficial to farming interests by keeping down the numbers of mice, rats and rabbits which form part of its natural diet.
I implore you to amend the Protection of Animals Act so that foxes, hares, mink and all wild creatures are protected from unnecessary cruelty.
Thank you. I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
[Name/Location]
_________________________________
06. Ward Union licence decision hits the headlines in Qatar
_________________________________
Minister John Gormley's decision to issue a restricted licence to the Ward Union has hit the headlines in the Arab emirate state of Qatar.
Qatar's leading English newspaper, The Peninsula, reported that "an Irish tradition dating back more than 150 years was ended yesterday, when the country's only stag hunt was told it could no longer chase live deer due to security and animal welfare concerns."
Quoted in the report, Minister Gormley stated: "The licence with the conditions I have granted to the Ward Union Hunt will allow for the hunting of stags in a manner which will provide for the protection of the stag and the general public...In effect it permits the Ward Union to release a deer to lay a scent trail along the course of the hunt, but I am insisting that the deer must be recaptured before the hounds are released and the full hunt gets underway."
The newspaper went on to highlight how "greater urban sprawl and a strong anti-bloodsports lobby are putting increasing pressure on all hunts".
_________________________________
07. No bird bounty, Minister assures ICABS
_________________________________
The Minister for Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, Eamon O Cuiv, has assured ICABS that there will be no bounties offered for the killing of crows and magpies. ICABS had expressed concerns to the Minister after learning that an MEP had called for a national cull of the birds.
Describing the birds as "pests" and accusing them of causing "environmental havoc", Fine Gael MEP, Jim Higgins, claimed that "a major national cull is needed to control their numbers" and that a bounty should be considered.
However, in a letter to the Minister, ICABS outlined how a National Parks and Wildlife Service representative confirmed to us that these birds are not considered major pests.
"We urge you to refrain from introducing any such bounty or encouraging the mass slaughter of crows and magpies," we stated. "We are not aware of any scientific data which supports the claims that the population of these birds has 'exploded' or that they cause 'environmental havoc'."
ICABS is pleased to report that the Minister has dismissed the calls for a bounty on the birds.
"There is no question of me introducing or calling for the introduction of any such bounty," he assured ICABS.
ICABS has also made MEP Higgins aware of our concerns. In the past, Mr Higgins has expressed his opposition to foxhunting, saying that "foxhunting is appealing to the lowest possible instincts in so-called civilised men - it is manifest barbaric cruelty."
_________________________________
08. Call for Garda investigation into alleged foxhunt incident
_________________________________
In November, the Irish Council Against Blood Sports called for a Garda investigation into allegations that the Westmeath Foxhounds club threw a live fox, which had been dug out of the earth, to a pack of hounds to be killed. According to an article in the Irish Independent, the appalling incident allegedly took place last week at Walderstown, County Westmeath.
The foxhunters' so-called Code of Conduct, agreed with the Department of Agriculture in the late 90s, is a total sham and nothing short of a 'Code of Cruelty'. This voluntary code allows for the digging out of foxes and the use of hunt terriers to viciously attack the fox underground. Before this flimsy document was drawn up, the Irish Council Against Blood Sports called for, at the very least, the practice of digging out of foxes to be banned. However, the Department of Agriculture, with the then Minister Joe Walsh at the helm, gave it the seal of approval.
It is our belief that the digging out of foxes, using terriers, and throwing them live to hounds is routine in foxhunting and carried out with impunity. These sickening events usually take place in the depths of the countryside, away from public view, and not even the general hunt followers would normally be exposed to such horrors. Indeed, the code of conduct conveniently stresses that "reasonable efforts shall be made to ensure that digging out will not become a public spectacle".
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports is calling on Mary Coughlan, Minister for Agriculture, to draw up legislation outlawing the barbaric practice of foxhunting with hounds in line with our neighbours in the U.K. which has outlawed the hunting of wild animals with dogs.
ACTION ALERT
Please contact Agriculture Minister, Mary Coughlan, and demand that she urgently introduces a national ban on foxhunting due to the despicable
cruelty involved.
Sample Letter
(If you have time, please compose your own personal letter. Otherwise, send the short sample letter below. Be assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.)
Minister Mary Coughlan
Department of Agriculture
Agriculture House,
Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Email: mary.coughlan@oireachtas.irlgov.ie
Tel: 01-607 2000 or LoCall 1890-200510.
Fax: 01-661 1013.
Dear Minister Coughlan,
I was appalled to read in the Irish Independent about allegations that a hunt in Westmeath tied a rope to fox, pulled him out of the ground and fed him alive to the pack of hounds.
Minister, foxhunting is cruel from beginning to end. The foxes suffer great stress and damage to internal organs during the gruelling cross-county chases. When they try to escape underground, terriers are sent after them to viciously attack them and drag them out into the open. If the squealing and injured fox is not killed after being mercilessly dug out of the ground by terriermen, it will die on the run after being knocked off its feet by the pack and eviscerated.
Minister, I appeal to your sense of compassion to urgently act to save the fox from this barbarism. The fox is one of Ireland's favourite wild creatures. No living creature deserves the fate of foxes in foxhunting.
Please ban foxhunting now.
Thank you, Minister. I look forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely,
[Name/Location]
_________________________________
09. Predictable outcome as foxhunters investigate themselves
_________________________________
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports has described as "predictable" the outcome of an "investigation" into allegations that a fox dug out of the ground during a hunt in Westmeath was tied up and fed alive to hounds. ICABS has expressed its deep scepticism after hunt body, IMFHA, dismissed the cruelty claims.
According to a report in the Westmeath Topic newspaper, the Irish Masters of Foxhounds Association maintained that "there was no evidence whatsoever that a rope or anything similar was used" and rejected claims that the fox was thrown to the hounds. They did not deny that the dig-out - one of the most cruel aspects of foxhunting - took place.
"The IMFHA said that they unreservedly accept the account of what happened as stated in an interview conducted with the whipper-in who
supervised the dig," the newspaper reported.
In response, ICABS spokesperson, Aideen Yourell, described the outcome as predictable.
"The Irish Council Against Blood Sports is entirely sceptical of the Irish Masters of Foxhounds and their so-called 'investigation' into the
allegations that a fox was tied and fed live to a pack of hounds," she said. "The outcome, clearing Westmeath Hunt of cruelty, was predictable given that, in effect, the hunters were investigating themselves."
"The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said recently that self regulation does not work and nothing could be more true in relation to foxhunters and
other blood sports groups," she continued. "This incident highlights the cruelty of foxhunting, involving the digging out of foxes during hunts, which the Westmeath Hunt has not denied and which is routine in foxhunting. Those who follow this hunt and give it their support can not but be aware of this barbarism - no longer can they turn a blind eye and pretend such things do not happen. By their participation they are endorsing and contributing to the cruelty."
ICABS has called on the Gardai to investigate the allegations.
_________________________________
10. Tony Gregory questions Ministers about foxhunt cruelty
_________________________________
ICABS Vice-president, Tony Gregory, TD has questioned the Agriculture and Justice Ministers about "allegations of extreme cruelty to animals" during a foxhunt in County Westmeath.
Please see below for the two Dail Questions along with the replies.
Question 520 - Answered on 4th December, 2007
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will request a report from the Garda authorities on the
allegations of extreme cruelty to animals (featured in the Irish Independent on 23rd November 2007 involving the Westmeath Foxhounds
Club); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written reply.
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Lenihan): I am informed that a complaint regarding the incident referred to was received by the Garda authorities and is under active investigation. As this is an ongoing Garda investigation it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.
Question 416 - Answered on 4th December, 2007
Tony Gregory: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will request a report from her Department officials on allegations (serious breaches of the agreed code of conduct by Westmeath Foxhounds Club featured in the Irish Independent on 23rd November 2007); the action she is taking; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written reply. Ref No: 31992/07 Proof: 489
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: (Mary Coughlan) By way of background, I should point out that the Hunting Association of Ireland (HAI), which encompasses bodies that represent organised fox hunting in Ireland has in place rules and procedures which apply in particular to the practices of digging out, bolting and earthstopping. This initiative was taken after my Department had conveyed to the bodies its concern about such practices. The bodies concerned have also given specific written assurances that they are committed to ensuring compliance with and enforcement of these measures and to imposing sanctions on anyone found not to have complied with them.
As regards the matter referred to in the Question, I have received preliminary information about the incident and I have asked my officials to meet with the HAI to discuss the matter further.
In this regard, the Deputy will be aware that while my statutory powers currently extend only to farm animals, matters such as those involved here are governed by the Wildlife Acts and the Protection of Animals Acts. I am fully committed to promoting good practices that respect the welfare of all animals and my Department is currently progressing a number of animal welfare-related commitments from the Programme for Government including consolidation of responsibility for the welfare of all animals (including non-farm animals) within my Department and the introduction of a comprehensive Animal Welfare Bill to update existing animal welfare legislation.
Please click on Politicians at www.banbloodsports.com to view more Dail Q & A
______________________________________
11. Calling all Carlow/Kilkenny supporters
______________________________________
If you are in County Carlow or Kilkenny and would be interested in teaming up with like-minded individuals in the area to raise awareness about blood sports, please get in touch with us now. Simply email your name and contact details (phone number, email address) to info@banbloodsports.com and we will pass them on to others who respond. Proposed peaceful activities include collecting petition signatures, distributing leaflets and political lobbying. Thank you.
______________________________________
12. MS Ireland defends acceptance of hunt donations
______________________________________
Multiple Sclerosis Ireland has rejected an appeal from ICABS to refuse donations from groups involved in animal cruelty.
After learning that a fox hunt had announced a fundraiser ride, we contacted MS Ireland's head office and asked them to show solidarity for our campaign by refusing any money raised.
We asked MS Ireland to watch our online video which shows the hunt digging a fox out of the ground with a terrier biting into its head - http://www.banbloodsports.com/v-fox.htm. The squealing fox with bleeding head is prised from the jaws of the dog, thrown into a sack and eventually released before a pack of hounds which rip its body apart.
"We hope that you can agree that the animal cruelty in the video and in foxhunting in general is truly appalling," we stated in our correspondence to the charity. "Please refuse the donation and deny the hunt the opportunity to gain positive publicity by fundraising on your
behalf."
Sadly, our plea was turned down by the charity.
"As a charity we have to raise over 9 million Euro per annum to ensure the delivery of our essential services," said Fundraising Manager, Paul Collins. "Whilst we can sympathise with your concerns we are dependent upon the general public undertaking fundraising [and] I hope you can appreciate these reasons for accepting donations from hunts."
ICABS is disappointed at this response. If you would like to appeal to MS Ireland to refuse future donations from blood sports groups, please write to:
Anne Winslow, Chief Executive
MS Ireland, 80 Northumberland Road, Dublin 4
Email: info@ms-society.ie
Tel: 01 678 1600. Fax: 01 678 1601
_________________________________
13. Anti-hunt campaign is "well organised" says hunt group
_________________________________
The chairman of the Hunting Association of Ireland has described those campaigning against hunting as "passionate" and said that the anti-hunt
campaign in Ireland is "well organised". Gavin Duffy also revealed that the HAI was "broke".
According to The Irish Horse section of the Irish Farmers Journal, Mr Duffy made the comments at a pro-hunt meeting in Navan.
"HAI chairman Gavin Duffy told the recent Navan protest meeting that hunting was seriously under threat and that the association was broke,"
the report outlined. "He said that the anti-hunt faction were passionate about their objectives [and] were well organised."
ACTION ALERT
Please become active in the campaign against blood sports and encourage your friends to join you. With your help, we can continue working to
bring blood sport cruelty to an end in Ireland.
* If you have not already subscribed, please sign up now for our monthly "Animal Voice" ezine which contains all the latest news and action
alerts. Simply send an email to info@banbloodsports.com with "Animal Voice - Subscribe" in the subject line.
* Print out and sign the ICABS Petitions.
* Contact or organise a meeting with your Local TD/s to inform them about the facts about blood sports.
* Set up an information stand at your school/library/youth group/adult group, etc. Contact us for leaflets, posters, etc.
* Organise a fund-raiser to help fund the ICABS campaign
* If you have skills which you think would help further the campaign and you are willing to volunteer some of your free time, please contact us.
* Simply keeping your ear to the ground. Email ICABS about any blood-sport related incidents in your area
Please also consider making a small donation to ICABS. For more details, please click on the Paypal button at www.banbloodsports.com. Thank you.
_________________________________
14. The truth about foxes: new ICABS slideshow
_________________________________
Visit the "Videos" section at www.banbloodsports.com to check out our new slideshow which presents the truth about foxes on Irish farms.
Featuring quotes from ecologists and wildlife experts, viewers will learn that foxes are beneficial to farming interests and are not the
pests foxhunters claim them to be.
Please pass on a link to the slideshow -
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=5TAJUtLAxRw - to your farming friends and ask them to make all of their land off limits to foxhunters. Thank you.
_________________________________
15. Galway SPCA criticises pro-hunt TD
_________________________________
The Galway Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has criticised Galway East TD, Noel Treacy (Fianna Fail) after the Sunday
Times revealed that he is one of the Dail Deputies who have defended the Ward Union deer hunt.
"The Galway Society for Prevention of cruelty to animals are saddened by Deputy Noel Treacy's support of the Ward Union hunt," the Galway SPCA
said in a statement. "We ask the voters of Galway East to lodge a complaint to Deputy Treacy's office - noel.treacy@oireachtas.ie"
_________________________________
16. Beverley Flynn TD urges Minister to refuse deerhunt licence
_________________________________
Mayo TD, Beverley Flynn, is one of the latest member of Dail Eireann to call for an end to carted deer hunting in Ireland. Deputy Flynn
contacted Environment Minister, John Gormley, in November to highlight the "considerable public opposition" to the Ward Union hunt among
constituents.
According to a report in the Sunday Times (November 18th, 2007), the Independent TD wrote to Minister Gormley to put forward the case for
refusing a licence to the widely condemned hunt. "I have been approached by a number of constituents who have expressed concern over the
possibility of your issuing a [hunting] licence," she stated in her correspondence.
ICABS has written to Deputy Flynn to thank her for her stance on this issue.
The Sunday Times went on to reveal some of the TDs who have defended the Ward Union. These were named in the paper as Darragh O'Brien (Fianna
Fail, Dublin North), Christy O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail, Cork South-West) and Noel Treacy (Fianna Fail, Galway East).
_________________________________
17. ICABS responds to misinformation from deerhunt supporters
_________________________________
ICABS has issued a response to misinformation circulated by supporters of the Ward Union hunt. Our statement, forwarded to politicians in Dail
Eireann, addressed claims that a hunt ban would lead to job losses and the deaths of dogs. Extracts from our submission appear below.
Claims that a ban on carted deer hunting would lead to job losses is a cynical and misleading attempt to gain a modicum of sympathy for this
cruel and indefensible blood sport. The Irish Council Against Blood Sports wishes to stress that there is absolutely no reason why a
transition from carted deer hunting to the humane alternative of drag hunting need lead to any negative impact on local employment. Apart from
the absence of the terrorised deer, drag hunting is identical to carted deer hunting vis-a-vis the horses and hounds involved, the workload for
farriers and the level of animal feed required. Local veterinary surgeons would still have the business of tending to hounds and horses
(we can't imagine any vet who would argue for a continuation of the hunt as causing suffering to animals is contrary to the Veterinary Council of
Ireland's Code of Professional Conduct).
As for claims that any blood sports ban would hurt the horse sales industry, please see the following extract from the Farming Independent
of 30th October 2007: "Although the introduction of the UK hunting ban was at the time heralded by many as the end to the Irish hunter trade
its 'bad' effect went virtually unnoticed...We never had a better trade than when they brought in the ban," says Jim [an Irish horse dealer].
This shows that despite a ban in the UK, demand for Irish horses has not fallen. Hunters have suggested in the past that hunting gives an
advantage to horses - any such advantage can, of course, be matched by drag hunts. The latter has the added benefit of bringing horses on
challenging runs but keeping them away from hazards that could cause serious injuries.
In drag hunting, a member of the hunt simply drags a scented rag along the route the "hunt" is to take. He is given a sufficient head start and
will remain unseen by members of the hunt and by the hounds. The pre-planned route he takes is kept secret so that the "hunt" remains
unpredictable to the followers. Please see our short video presentations to see how successfully drag hunting works:
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q25MHNZUn8 and
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=gGKwAa91j9Q
Drag hunting can also guarantee that horses and hounds stay well away from schools. Earlier this year, the Ward Union's pack of hounds chased
a bloodied and screeching stag into the grounds of a primary school and left frightened young children in tears and running for safety (See:
Bedlam as Ward Union invades school playground ). The principal of the school was prompted to initiate the school's "Critical incident Plan"
for the first time ever - this included instructing teachers to keep children inside the school.
"The school staff and parents immediately swung into action to ensure the safety of the children," she later recounted to listeners of
Liveline, detailing how the pack of hounds chased the deer around the school grounds a few times. "It was a terrifying experience for me as an
adult and I can just imagine that for children it would be very terrifying," she said.
The hunt was also condemned by infuriated parents. "It was a dangerous situation," commented one mother who said that with horses blocking the
road, she was unable to get across to the school to see where her child was. Another observed that if anything had gone wrong, an ambulance
would not have been able to get down the road which was clogged with hunt vehicles and horses. "It was the luck of God that no child was
injured," she remarked. Meanwhile, the driver of a local school bus described it as "an utter disgrace" and told of how hunt followers "held
up the whole road" and gave the children "the finger" when they shouted out the window that hunting was cruel.
Other apologists for the Ward Union have claimed that a ban will lead to the slaughter of dogs and horses. This mean-spirited argument is without
foundation - there is nothing to suggest that a changeover to drag hunting would result in a situation where less horses and hounds are required.
Yet another claim is that a ban on the Ward Union would represent an erosion of rural traditions. As demonstrated by the results of a Meath Post opinion poll which found that a two thirds majority of Meath people don't want the Ward Union, carted deer hunting is clearly a tradition that has outlived its welcome. Not only does it involve unacceptable animal cruelty but it has also been the subject of complaints from farmers and other landowners as well as from the parents of local school children and motorists in Meath and North County Dublin. Cockfighting, dog fighting and badger baiting were once seen as rural traditions - all cruel blood sports that have been outlawed. The countryside will undoubtedly be even better off without carted deer hunting.
For the animals that suffer, for the Meath majority who want the hunt stopped, for the image of Ireland as a decent and compassionate nation,
carted deer hunting must be ended.
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18. Farm group wants Ward Union banned
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Rural campaign group, Farmers Against Foxhunting and Trespass, have joined the calls for a ban on the Ward Union deer hunt. In a statement
issued at the end of November, chairman, Philip Lynch said: "A hunting ban would be music to our ears."
"We, the farmers of this country, are eagerly awaiting an announcement by Minister John Gormley banning the activities of the Ward Union Stag
hunt," he stated, adding that they are also pressing for a foxhunt ban.
"Foxhunters should be confined to hunting on their own lands, or on rented land. and by drag hunting only," the Kilkenny-based former IFA
county chairman went on. "This would confine them to areas where they have written permission to hunt, and would ensure that they follow a
pre-ordained route, unlike hunting a live quarry, which routinely leads them anywhere and everywhere, resulting in trespass and damage to
lands."
"The government would have the gratitude and votes of farmers and other people around the country who are again this year, flooding the local
newspapers with 'no hunting' advertisements and erecting 'private lands' signs on their property," Mr Lynch stressed. "A hunting ban would be
music to our ears. We could relax and enjoy our Christmas, free from the activities of these countryside vandals."
Video: Landowners and hunts - A general video showing the problems caused to Irish farmers and landowners by hunting groups. To view our
video, please click on VIDEOS at www.banbloodsports.com
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19. Eagle Star urged to exclude coursing from 2008 calendar
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ICABS has appealed to insurance company, Eagle Star, to keep coursing out of any 2008 calendars it may be sponsoring.
As highlighted by ICABS back in April, an Irish Examiner Sports calendar sponsored by Eagle Star gave the names and dates of two coursing
meetings.
In a letter to the company this month, we expressed our hope that if Eagle Star is sponsoring the next edition of the calendar that they will
insist that coursing is excluded. "We would expect that, given the information about the animal cruelty provided in previous
correspondence, Eagle Star will do everything possible to ensure that coursing is not featured this time round," we stated.
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20. Pro-hunt email doesn't reflect company opinions: Sherry Fitzgerald
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The Managing Director of estate agents, Sherry Fitzgerald, has assured ICABS that a pro-hunt email sent from one of its Meath franchise offices
does not reflect the company's opinions. The author of the message signed herself as an employee of the branch and claimed that there were
"thousands of reasons why [the Ward Union] should be supported".
The message, emailed to Dail Eireann, asked TDs to urge Minister John Gormley to issue a licence to the controversial hunt which a majority of
Meath residents want banned.
"I kindly ask you [to] do anything in your power to push him to make a move on this issue," the message stated. "There are thousands of reasons
why this hunt should be supported...any help you can give us in pushing minister Gormley would be hugely appreciated."
In correspondence to Sherry Fitzgerald's Head Office, ICABS highlighted the cruelty of carted deer hunting.
Also brought to the company's attention was the results of the recent Meath Post opinion poll which found that nearly two thirds of Meath
residents want the Ward Union deerhunt banned. 64 per cent of those polled by the newspaper said that they want Minister Gormley to refuse a
licence to the hunt.
"It would seem therefore that your employee is in the minority of those wanting to retain this cruel hunt," Campaign Director, Aideen Yourell
stated. "We have no doubt that the vast majority of your clientele nationally would not support her view."
In response, Sherry FitzGerald Countrywide Managing Director, Ian McCarthy MIAVI, assured ICABS that the email reflected the views of one
person and not that of the branch or the company as a whole.
"The email was written in an absolutely personal capacity reflecting the author's personal and individual opinions and in no way was it intended
to reflect either the opinions generally of that particular Sherry FitzGerald franchise office, the company or its employees generally," he
stated.
ICABS has conveyed this clarification to the TDs who originally received the email. We have outlined to them that views expressed in the message
are representative of just one person.
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21. Creatures of the Same God: new book from Revd Linzey
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The latest book by "the greatest living writer on theology and animals" has just been published. Creatures of the Same God: Explorations in
Animal Theology by Revd Dr Andrew Linzey builds on his previous influential works from the last 30 years.
"Dr Linzey began writing on theology and animals long before it was thought fashionable," explains Professor Elizabeth Stuart, Titles Editor
at publishers Winchester University Press. "He has truly been a trail blazer, asking questions that few other theologians have dared to ask
and encouraging new generations of scholars. Creatures of the Same God is a great book. It makes the rational, ethical and theological case for
animals at a time when there is a dearth of rational discussion about how we should treat animals."
"Christianity has a poor record on animals," explains Dr Linzey. "Christians have variously thought that animals were just things,
machines, tools or resources made for us. Churches should be leaders in the movement for the protection of animals, but animals are not even in
the procession. This book is part of the much needed re-appraisal of the status of animals from a theological perspective."
Dr Linzey is a member of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Oxford and was most recently appointed Honorary Professor of the
University of Winchester. He is Director of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics and was previously a Senior Research Fellow in Theology and
Animal Welfare at Mansfield College. Dr Linzey is currently an Honorary Professor in Theology at the University of Birmingham and Special
Professor at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, Illinois.
Book details: Hardcover, 209 pages, Publisher: Winchester University Press, ISBN-10: 1906113009, ISBN-13: 978-1906113001. You may order the
book at your local book shop or contact Stephen.Dowell@winchester.ac.uk for ordering details.
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22. Vicki Moore biography published
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The Fight Against Animal Cruelty in Europe has announced the release of a book about the life of the late Vicki Moore. Life on the Line - The
heroic story of Vicki Moore by Matilda Mench (ISBN: 1 904438 57) is published by The Bluecoat Press and can be ordered from
www.lifeontheline.info or from any book shop. Price £7.99.
Vicki was a friend of the Irish Council Against Blood Sports and in 1999, in response to a request from ICABS, she highlighted the cruelty
of bullfighting and bullrunning on RTE's Rodney Rice programme. Vicki revealed that the whole bullrunning industry is driven by greed in that
the breeders can fetch up to £4,000 for an animal used in an event. Such bulls may have been rejected for bull-fighting, and would only fetch a
couple of hundred pounds from the slaughterhouse. When Rodney Rice asked Vicki why she continued to do what she did, particularly after her
horrific experience at the Coria bullrun, she replied that she had been "handed a sort of cross".
"I was asked to do it by Spanish people who feel strongly about this - and there are millions of people in Spain who feel strongly against this
sort of thing, but who don't have a public voice. They begged me to try and publicise it and bring support from outside of Spain - from Europe -
from anybody who would listen and help. My cross was handed to me. I thought long and hard about taking it up, but I did and it's been a long
road, a sad road and a bitter road, but I just pray to God that eventually sanity will prevail and there will be some justice for the
animals." (Vicki Moore - 1955-2000)
Publisher's book synopsis:
The concept of heroism is not always valued in today's cynical world, but it exists nonetheless and never more so than in the animal rights
campaigner, Vicki Moore. In her tragically short life, Vicki, in partnership with her equally committed husband, Tony Moore, single-mindedly set about eliminating animal cruelty wherever she found it. Whether filming in the midst of an angry crowd in one of Spain's notorious blood fiestas, or protesting against hare coursers in the UK, she would always put her own safety last and the animals' welfare first. This courageous attitude frequently exposed her to grave danger, either from the perpetrators and spectators, angry at her interference, or from the animals themselves, who, enraged by the agonies to which they were being subjected, were unable to distinguish friend from foe.
And so it was that on 25 June 1995, Vicki was gored repeatedly by a full-grown bull called Argentino. The frenzied attack, in which she was
tossed about like a rag doll, left her broken, bleeding and near to death. Vicki Moore was a heroine, by any definition, and this book
stands as a lasting testament to her life and work.
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23. Letters to the Editors
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Deer dying is no reason to sneer
Irish Independent, November 24 2007
By Aideen Yourell, ICABS
Your columnist Kevin Myers recently wrote in support of the Ward Union carted deer hunt and sneeringly questioned if frightening them was "bad
for their lickle-ickle hearts".
The answer to that is yes -- the stress of the chase can affect their hearts and, over the last few years, there have been two deer fatalities
as a result of aneurysms.
Mr Myers may be interested to know about the fate of other unfortunate deer used for recreational purposes by the Ward Union hunt and their
followers, as revealed to ICABS, under the Freedom of Information Act; a deer drowned in a quarry; a deer hanging by its front leg on barbed wire
during a hunt; a deer choked while being re-captured by the hunt; and a deer which died as a result of fractured ribs.
Mr Myers then raises the legal possibility that the Ward Union might not need a licence because they don't "hunt", only "chase" their own deer.
Perhaps he is not aware that we have a law in this country prohibiting causing unnecessary suffering to animals -- the 1911 Protection of
Animals Act.
The Ward Union, who hunt farmed deer, have been flouting this Act since its inception, while successive governments and law enforcers turned a
blind eye.
No thrill in the chase of stag hunting
Irish Independent, 21st November, 2007
by John Fitzgerald, Campaign For The Abolition Of Cruel Sports
Kevin Myers seems to think that carted stag hunting is not cruel to deer because the intention is to chase but not kill the deer (November 16).
I would argue that this makes the sport even more cruel and unacceptable than activities in which animals are killed for reasons of food or pest
control.
The stags are invariably used as playthings by the hunters.
They are hounded and terrorised for fun, for no other reason than to give a cheap thrill to a bunch of tin-pot aristocrats and social
climbers decked out in fancy dress.
The widely acclaimed Bateson report in the United Kingdom led to a stag hunting ban on National Trust land.
That was even before the blanket abolition of baiting with hounds proved beyond any shadow of a doubt that hunted deer undergo an unacceptable
level of stress and suffering when chased by packs of hounds.
This is a fact that common sense has dictated to be the case for many centuries.
So Kevin's contention that the stags take it all in their stride is utter nonsense.
Equally unfounded is his notion that supporting the Ward Union hunt would be a great vote-getter for the Government.
A recent opinion poll by a Co Meath newspaper showed that a two-thirds majority in the county favoured a ban on stag hunting.
And, not surprisingly, apart from objections on animal welfare grounds many farmers have banned the stag hunters from their property to
safeguard crops and livestock.
Kevin describes the stag hunt as a green "organisation" that is in tune with nature.
I would suggest that an activity that causes immense suffering to an animal has no conservation or pest control value.
Also it is inimical to the well-being of the farming community.
It is no more an environmentally friendly practice than the burning of toxic waste in the open or the wilful pollution of our waterways.
Carted stag hunting is not even a light shade of green and Ireland's countryside will be a better place without it.
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24. Petitions
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Ban Blood Sports in Ireland in 2007
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/784506550
Whales Revenge International Petition
http://www.whalesrevenge.com
Stop Dog Abuse
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-dog-abuse.html
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25. Campaign Quotes
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"Perhaps Mr. Myers could be the terrified, hunted beast that is chased down throughout the countryside by fun-loving men on horseback for a few
hours, until he is left, heart near-bursting, quivering with fear in the corner of a field in Meath? Or maybe he too would take it all in his
stride." (A post by Karl on the Irish Independent website, 21st November 2007, in response to a pro-hunt article by Kevin Myers)
"The Irish Council Against Bloodsports, which is based in Mullingar, has criticised this [foxhunt] code of conduct, describing it as "a total
sham, and nothing short of a code of cruelty". "Before this flimsy document was drawn up, the Irish Council Against Blood Sports, which
wanted and continues to want a total ban on the hunting of foxes with dogs called for, at the very least, the practice of digging out foxes to
be banned. However, the Department of Agriculture, with Minister Joe Walsh at the helm, gave it the seal of approval," the Council Against
Bloodsports stated. (Westmeath Independent, 1st December 2007)
"There is no evidence of this happening, there is no photograph." A Westmeath Hunt employee insisting that there is no evidence to prove
that a fox was dug out of its den, tied up and fed alive to hounds during a hunt. (Irish Independent, December 20th, 2007)
"The Gardai are investigating the incident at Drumraney in which a fox was allegedly killed cruelly during a Westmeath Hunt outing, the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan has revealed...Aideen Yourell, spokesperson for the Mullingar-based Irish
Council Against Blood Sports has revealed this week that it was ICABS that lodged the complaint with the Gardai." (Westmeath Examiner, 22nd
December 2007)
"As with many huntsman who cannot account for [i.e. kill] their fox, [the huntsman's] unhappiness was clear as he collected his hounds."
(From an Irish Field report on the Co. Limerick Foxhounds, 1st December 2007)
"This fox ran in a circle and managed to run through not one bunch of cows but two before making good his escape to the 'big covert'..." (From
an Irish Field report on the Co. Limerick Foxhounds, 1st December 2007)
"Yes, there are plenty of deer around, and whats more I can also state that I have found one shot with a small calibre round that obviously
took a long time to die / I hold a deer hunting license and various Coillte permits for the first time this year, and each time I go out
stalking I find myself more interested in watching these animals than in pulling the trigger." (From two separate posts on irishboards.ie on the
subject of shooting deer 31st October, 2007)
"In the latest news on the Ward Union Hunt's attempts to have its licence renewed, the Irish Racecourse Trainers Association has come out
in support of the hunt and called on the Minister for the Environment to issue the licence." (Irish Field, 1st December 2007)
"The Irish Council Against Blood Sports has welcomed the restrictions applied to the Ward Union Hunt Club licence issued in Co Meath for the
hunting of deer. One of the 28 conditions is that the deer will not actually be hunted by dogs...However, the council was hoping for a
complete refusal by Mr Gormley. And the council is concerned about the fact that the deer shall be driven by mounted riders "to an end point"
(to create a scent for the dogs to follow), as they believe this will terrify and stress the deer." (Group gives guarded welcome to restricted
hunt licence, BreakingNews.ie, 19th December, 2007)
"Packs of hounds have been banned from chasing stags in hunt meetings, Environment Minister John Gormley has announced. Granting a licence to
the Ward Union Hunt Club, the minister imposed 28 strict conditions in relation to the welfare, conservation and protection of the animal and
public." (Hounds banned from chasing stags, Press Association, 19th December 2007)
"The Irish Council Against Blood Sports said it was hoping for a complete refusal of the licence by Minister Gormley. But it said it welcomed the fact that the licence issued is quite restricted and that the deer will not actually be hunted by the dogs. However, the group is concerned about Condition 12 of the licence, which states that the deer will be driven by mounted riders 'to an end point' to create a scent for the dogs to follow. The Council believes this will terrify and stress the deer and it pointed out that it is an offence under the 1911 Protection of Animals Act to 'over-drive' or 'terrify' an animal." (RTE website, 19th December 2007)
"The permit issued by Mr Gormley allows the hunt to release a deer to lay a scent trail along the course of the hunt, but the deer must be
recaptured before the hounds are released and the full hunt gets under way. The Hunting Association of Ireland gave the move a "reserved
welcome" but is seeking clarifications over how the restrictions will be enforced. The Irish Council Against Blood Sports said it was hoping for
a complete refusal of the licence by Mr Gormley. But it welcomed the fact the licence issued is quite restricted and the deer will not be
hunted by the dogs." (Irish Examiner, 20th December 2007)
"The Agriculture Minister also said that her Department is currently progressing a number of animal welfare-related commitments from the
Programme for Government. The Council Against Blood Sports says it welcomes this long overdue move, initiated by the Green Party in
government, and the fact that for the first time, non-farm animals will get protection from cruelty. The Council says it hopes this will see an
end to what it calls appalling treatment of foxes and other wild animals." (Midlands Radio 103 website, December 2007)
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Tune in to the ICABS Channel
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Footage of blood sport cruelty and the humane alternatives can be viewed on the ICABS Channel on Youtube - www.youtube.com/icabs or by clicking
on "Videos" at www.banbloodsports.com
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Restricted licence for Ward Union deer hunt
The GSPCA agree with the Irish Council Against Blood sports in the issuing of the restricted Licence to the Ward Union and also agree with their concerns. We would urge you to contact Minister Gormley details below.
Restricted licence for Ward Union deer hunt
19 December 2007The Ward Union deer hunt has been issued a restricted licence by Environment Minister, John Gormley. While the Irish Council Against Blood Sports was hoping for a complete licence refusal by Minister Gormley, we welcome the fact that the licence issued is quite restricted and that the deer will not actually be hunted by the dogs.
However, we are very concerned about Condition No. 12 of the licence, i.e. that the deer shall be driven by mounted riders "to an end point" (to create a scent for the dogs to follow), which no doubt will terrify and stress the deer, and it should be borne in mind that it is an offence under the 1911 Protection of Animals Act to "over-drive" or "terrify" an animal.
We are also very concerned that given the manner of recapture, i.e. wrestling the deer to the ground, with at least one deer being choked to death during same, that this abuse is to continue.
In a statement issued today, Minister Gormley emphasised that "the licence is strictly conditioned so that the actual pursuit of a stag by hounds is not permitted."
"The licence with the conditions I have granted to the Ward Union Hunt will allow for the hunting of stags in a manner which will provide for the protection of the stag and the general public," the Minister stated. "In effect it permits the Ward Union to release a deer to lay a scent trail along the course of the hunt, but I am insisting that the deer must be recaptured before the hounds are released and the full hunt gets underway. I believe that the conditions attached to the licence address my concerns from a wider public policy perspective about the public safety issues surrounding the hunting of a large animal by a large group on horseback and a pack of hounds through an increasingly urbanised countryside."
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports has reiterated its contention that hunting these deer is illegal, and now more so than ever, given the recent legal opinion by Professors Clive Symmons and William Binchy, published in the current edition of the Irish Law Times. On the question of the licensing of the Ward Union under the 1976 Wildlife Act, they state that because the deer are captive deer and part of a domesticated herd, the Ward Union deer "are protected under the Irish animal welfare legislation - the Protection of Animals Acts."
The licence issued to the Ward Union
The full text of the licence and its 28 conditions appear below.
Licence No. 1/2007
National Parks and Wildlife
Wildlife Act, 1976 (as amended) - Section 26 (1) (ii)
Deer Hunting (Stag Hounds) LicenceThe Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, by this licence authorises Oliver Russell, Palmerstown, Oldtown, Co. Dublin, Master/Person in charge of the Ward Union Hunt Club to hunt deer with that pack subject to the conditions specified hereunder. The authority given by this licence extends to all members of the said Ward Union Hunt Club.
CONDITIONS:
GENERAL
1. Deer may be hunted with the above-mentioned pack during the period beginning on the day of December 2007 and ending on the 31st day of March 2008.
2. The Ward Union Hunt Club shall inform the Minister of the number and sex of all deer released and not recaptured together with an indication of where such deer were last sighted. This information shall be supplied as soon as possible after 31st day of March 2008.
3. All hunts undertaken under the terms of this licence shall be carried out in accordance with the Implementation Document adopted by the hunt committee and attached to this licence.
4. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government may appoint a person or persons to undertake the monitoring of the Ward Union Hunt Club in a manner to be determined by the Minister and the licensee will co-operate with such person or persons. In this regard the Ward Union Hunt will, if requested, facilitate a person appointed by the Minister to travel in one of the Hunt vehicles to monitor the activities of the Hunt.
5. The Ward Union Hunt Club shall facilitate inspection of a hunted deer by a veterinary surgeon or other suitably qualified person appointed by the Minister.
ANIMAL WELFARE ISSUES
6. The deer in the parkland to be maintained to best husbandry methods in conformity with veterinary advice and proven deer management practices.
7. All deer in the park over two year old to be tagged and recorded in the Herd Register and records be kept of all deer released for hunting.
8. Only sound, fit and mature deer, over four years of age to be selected for hunting and these to be separated from the main herd before the hunting season.
9. The selected deer should be familiarised with the loading procedure prior to and throughout the hunting season.
10. The acting Field Master is responsible for conducting the hunt and for implementing the procedures set out in Conditions nos. 11 to 18.
11. The deer to be transported in an approved specially designed cart and the welfare of the deer during transport, to conform with Articles 4, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16 and Chapter 1 of the First Schedule, Disease of Animals (Protection of Animals During Transport) Order 1995. Once the hounds pick up the scent of the first deer, arrangements should be made for the cart containing the reserve deer to be returned to the deer park.
12. The deer shall be driven by experienced mounted Ward Union Hunt personnel to the end point of the Hunt , having due regard for the condition of the animal.
13. The hounds shall not be released until the deer has been recaptured. At that time, the hounds may be released and the hunt may proceed.
14. The Huntsman and Whips are responsible for the control of the hounds.
15. A panel of followers, competent in the capture and handling of deer, will be drawn up each season and the Field Master or his nominee will, during the hunt, call on some of these to capture a deer and lead the deer to the cart. Only these competent persons shall be allowed capture the deer. They shall be clearly identifiable in the field. Hunt members and mounted followers, other than the above-mentioned panel, shall not attempt to capture a deer. Hunt staff shall not permit pedestrian followers and spectators, other than persons on the above-mentioned panel to be with, or attempt to capture the deer.
16. Deer to be recaptured only if this can be accomplished without danger to the deer.
17. Opportunities for recapturing outliers should be continuously and actively reviewed by the Field Masters and Hunt staff and acted upon whenever practical.
18. Captured deer, on return to the deer park, should be inspected at unloading, released back into the hunting group, monitored subsequently and, where appropriate, veterinary advice sought, and followed.
19. Deer captured by whatever means should not be hunted again for at least 30 days.
CONTROL OF THE HUNT
20. The Ward Union Hunt Club shall have due regard to the wishes of the owners and occupiers of land.
21. The Field Masters and Hunt Staff shall stop the Hunt and recall the hounds if the hunt cannot or cannot reasonably be expected to be conducted safely.
22. The Ward Union Hunt Club shall ensure that "road followers" and those participating in the hunt are fully informed of their responsibilities pursuant to the Licence and will respect at all times the requests and directions of road marshals appointed by the Club.
23. The day, time and location of each meet of the club shall be arranged to take into account the volume of traffic on public roads, peak traffic times and school collection times.
24. The Hunt/club will arrange for experienced 'Road Marshals' and 'Road Whips', to control hounds and assist the hunt staff, Field Masters, Mounted Followers where crossing public roads to minimise disruption to road-users.
25. The Hunt will notify landowners in the immediate vicinity of each meet.
26. The Hunt will make best endeavours to replace/re-instate any boundaries interfered with by the Hunt on the day of Hunting and if necessary return on further days to complete such.
27. The hunt shall conduct its activities so as not to interfere with or inconvenience the general public, this includes the parking of vehicles, horseboxes and riding on the roads.
28. Any substantial breach of this licence could lead to its revocation or non-renewal by the Minister having regard to the relevant circumstances.
Dated this XXX day of XXX 2007.
An officer authorised in that behalf by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.Note: This licence does not authorise any person to enter on any land without the permission of the owner or the occupier.
LICENCE NO. 1/2007 - IMPLEMENTATION
Note: This is a practical working document of how the conditions of the licence are to be implemented. It will be subject to ongoing review as circumstances require.
1. In regard to Condition No. 21of the licence, the Hunt shall use two-way radios to communicate between Road Marshals, Road Whips, the Huntsman and the Field Masters to ensure that the hunt does not proceed towards unsuitable or hazardous locations such as schools, towns and main roads. Upon the appropriate command of any of the persons equipped with the radios the hunt will be stopped immediately. The Huntsman and his Whips will stop and recall the hounds and move them away form the specified location. The Field Masters will halt the mounted followers and the Road Marshals and Road Whips will proceed to the specified location as an added precaution. The Hunt will not proceed until all parties are satisfied that any potential danger has abated.
2. In regard to Condition No. 23 of the licence for the forthcoming season, the Hunt intend to meet at 12:00 noon (rather than the customary 1pm) and shall discontinue Hunts around 3pm should the Field Masters become concerned that Hunt may interfere with local school collection time. Furthermore the hunt shall consider/examine the feasibility of hunting on different days to the customary Tuesday and Friday. The Hunt shall arrange off road parking for Horses Boxes at meets locations that would interfere with traffic (condition no. 27 refers). In addition the Hunt shall try to move where possible to the enlargement field by a route which does not interfere with traffic.
3. In regard to Condition No. 24 the 'Road Marshals' and 'Road Whips' will be equipped with the two way radios so they can be in contact with each other and the hunt itself constantly and instantly. They shall also have hi-vis jackets and use flashing lights on vehicles where necessary. These 'Road Marshals' will be senior members of, or persons associated with the Hunt who are familiar with the areas in which the hunt goes and how the hunt should progress. They will be in constant contact with the Huntsman and Field Masters so progress can be monitored at all times. They shall be accompanied by a 'Whips' ('Road Whips') who are not mounted, in a separate vehicle, and who will also be in constant communication by way of the two way radio with the Road Marshals, Huntsman and Field Masters and be available to intercept the hounds to prevent them hunting the deer to that location. The Road Whips will also assist the Road Marshals where hounds are crossing a road or if they are entering a public area.
4. In regard to Condition No. 25 the Hunt Club will continue to review and upgrade a database of farmers and landowners and will endeavour to ensure that they are notified of forthcoming meets by way of the traditional hunt card.
5. The Hunt shall, as per Condition No.26, employ fencer(s) who shall re-instate fences and boundaries during the hunt particularly those boundaries adjacent to public roadways. Hunt personnel will return on subsequent days if necessary for further re-instatement of boundaries etc.
6. In relation to Condition Nos. 20 and 27 the Hunt, prior to the commencement of the forthcoming season, shall appoint four 'Road Marshals' who in addition to assisting the hunt with regard to traffic on public roads will also endeavour to direct the 'road followers' so as to minimise interruption of the public traffic. The 'road followers' have given a commitment to organise themselves and respect the requests and directions of the Road Marshals. The Honorary Secretary has conversed with the Inspector of the Traffic Corps in An Garda Siochána for the Louth/Meath/North Dublin Area. There is agreement that the Inspector will attend at a meeting of the 'road followers' to identify problems and make suggestions and advise of the implications of the failure of the road followers to act in a manner expected of drivers. The Inspector has also agreed to appoint a liaison from his unit to communicate with the Honorary Secretary or the appropriate officer of the hunt. The Committee and indeed the general membership will co-operate with the Garda in any way possible. The Field Masters shall if they are informed by the Road Marshals or they form the opinion the 'road followers' are not acting in a co-operative way or in a manner expected of ordinary road users shall abandon that hunt. The hounds and mounted followers will be recalled and return home.
7. The Management Committee shall, on at least an annual basis, conduct a review of this 'Implementation Document' to ensure that it is functional with regard to the conditions of the licence. In this regard and as has been the practice the Hunt shall take into consideration the views of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (National Parks and Wildlife Service) officials and implement any recommendations where possible.
ACTION ALERT
Please contact Environment Minister, John Gormley, and appeal to him to take the deer entirely out of carted deer hunting. Explain to him that instead of chasing the scent of an actual deer, the hunt should be told to use an artificially laid draghunt scent.
Sample Letter
(If you have time, please compose your own personal letter. Otherwise, send the short sample letter below. Be assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.)Minister John Gormley
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Custom House, Dublin 1.Email: minister@environ.ie
Tel: 01 888 2403.
Fax: 01 878 8640.Dear Minister Gormley,
While I welcome the restrictions placed on the Ward Union and the fact that the deer will no longer be cruelly chased by a pack of hounds, I am concerned to learn that the deer will still be chased across the countryside by hunt members and will still be put into a situation where they are recaptured by hunters. There is great potential in both these situations for the deer to suffer, sustain injuries and even die. There is at least one documented case, for example, of a deer being choked to death while being recaptured.
I understand that the licence you have issued is for a one year period. I ask you to please make this the last year that the Ward Union deer are chased and to insist that the hunters practise drag hunting instead.
Thank you, Minister.
Yours sincerely,
[Name/Location]
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2007 update, Irish Seal Sanctuary
It has been a busy year on many fronts for the Irish Seal Sanctuary. Right now we have reached our 52nd seal and considering that a few years ago that was considered the maximum we would get, it seems odd to think we now consider this a relatively quiet year so far! Last year we reached the 81 mark, year on year we are getting more and more animals. With the mild winter we have had up to date we are a little surprised at the amount of seals we have in considering the bad storms really didn't hit this year compared to previous years. It's hard to say why we are getting more animals in for care, but certainly this year we have had quite a few 'difficult' cases. Severe mouth infections, cellulitis, propellor wounds and serious bites were added to the usual batch of emaciation, respiratory disorders, and stomach problem. We lost very few animals, once we got them to the sanctuary they did well, but as always a few just don't make it. We look forward to the day we are in situ in the Marine Conservation Centre and have the resources to investigate the patterns revealed by these victims of climate change, misadventure and bad luck!
We are still working hard to try and bring the Marine Conservation and Education Centre to Balbriggan and Trevor Sargent TD is certainly very supportive and has assisted in every way he can. Right now we are hoping that contracts will be signed and the project will finally be started. Fingal County Council have already invested a huge amount of money in the project in terms of developing the plans, clearing the way with planning permission etc. so there is a lot to loose in many ways should this falter. Ireland having a state of the art Marine Conservation Centre is way over due.
Our offer to write an oil spill response plan for wildlife in Ireland is still out there but has not been taken up by any local authority despite it being a requirement by the coast-guard. Sea Alarm in Brussels are standing by to assist us with their expertise and experience. They wrote the Belgium plan and are presently working with a number of European countries on plans for wildlife. Europe is moving swiftly ahead in terms of planning and we had hoped to be one of the leading countries but it looks like this delay will put us behind again. However the important thing is to get a plan written before a disaster strikes. We in Ireland have been very lucky not to have experienced a major spill, I would hate us to learn our lesson too late.
The International volunteers at the sanctuary will be going their own ways over the next few weeks. Laurence from France will be joining up with her partner and doing some traveling in Ireland before returning to France. Lynn from the US will go back to Seattle and take up a position in a veterinary clinic. Jayleen will return to the sunshine of Miami and Geoff with his unique talent for crowd control heads back to earn a living in the UK. We are very grateful to all of them for their hard work and dedication over the past few months. We plan to maintain the operation with our trusted day volunteers for the next few months, until the end of the season in March/april. What the future brings who knows, what we do know is Garristown is too small and seriously stretched on many fronts to continue to run the rescue operation, the centre needs to be built.
Right now we have 13 animals in for care, animals rescued from all corners of the country. Alfie from Malin Head to Paddy from the Dingle peninsula. It never ceases to amaze me how each seal is such an individual with a definite personality. From time to time we get one that seems to stand out and this year it had to be Shannon, the first whitecoat of the season. It has been my experience that the blond seals are generally female and they are usually show off's, Shannon lived up to that picture. She entertained anyone who took the time to watch her and really seemed to like having an audience. She made everyone who say her smile. Shannon was released from Ballybunion some time ago and hopefully is now enjoying the home she belongs in, the Atlantic ocean. The 'Dude' an adult harbour seal came to us during the summer from Bull island, and is now back again this time called Ollie and he was found in Wicklow....he is going to be released in Arklow (this saturday 22nd dec, 10am Arklow Cove) and will be called Patches for the day.....don't ask! We have no idea why he is so placid, like Mr's morgan of last year he is very nice to the pups and seems to play big brother to them. Much as we like him, we would rather he didn't have to come in again!
So to all of you, Happy Christmas have a Christmas full of friends, food and fun. Thank you all for your support, help and good wishes over the past year. I hope all good things fall to you in 2008 but more than anything, I hope I will soon be sending you an update to say the first seal has arrived at the National Marine Conservation and Education Centre in Balbriggan, Co Fingal.
Pauline Beades
Director
Irish Seal Sanctuary.*************************************************
GSPCA Thanks Minister Coughlan
The GSPCA would like to sincerely thank the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Ms Mary Coughlan TD for the generous grant of €25,000 to assist the GSPCA in its day to day runnings.The GSPCA will continue to need the support of the general public to maintain operations at an effective level and would appeal to the public to continue to give their support in any way they can. While some may think €25,000 is a lot of money it just about covers a month of our expences. Again we are very grateful to Minister Coughlan.
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We received these pictures from a member of the public, who was aghast at the treatment of this dead fox by the workers operating the road line truck. Is this a case of laziness personified. We have to agree with the person who has made the complaint to us that the fox should have been removed and even though it is dead it deserves better treatment than this.
Margaret O Sullivan (PRO)
Galway SPCA*************************************************
PRADA Catwalk Takeover - Must See Footage!
Dear Friends,
In January of this year PETA met with PRADA to discuss the designer's use of fur. In February of this year I was with PETA and traveled to Milan to do some work on their anti-fur campaign including Burberry's use of fur.
One of the best projects for me was PRADA were due to showcase their new autumn and winter collection 2008. Thankfully I was the lucky one who
managed to get a front row seat with some of the world's top designers and fashion editors - Just before the show finished I disrupted the runway by
unfurling a banner reading 'PRADA FUR SCUM'. Luckily it was caught on TV and
I am so happy to send you the link;- http://www.catwalkqueen.tv/2007/12/petas_protest_a.html
Be sure to click and watch the short clip, but once it's done you can get to see a second clearer more colorful link with voice included if you look at
the moving scroll of different footage. Catwalk queen described the catwalk take over with the following 'This activist managed to get a front row
seat at PRADA, one of the toughest tickets in Milan'. The good news is that shortly after the show, PRADA herself declared she is 'bored' with fur and
to date there has being no fur on her collections as of yet so fingers crossed!
Please do enjoy the footage of the catwalk takeover, I certainly did!
John Carmody :-)
Animal Rights Action Network
www.ARAN.ie
Ps, be sure to check out our newly updated website with so much more coming up!*************************************************
Deputy Noel Treacy supports Ward Union Hunt
The Galway Society for Prevention of cruelty to animals are saddened by Deputy Noel Treacy's support of the Ward Union hunt.The Sunday Times Nov.18th issue list Deputy Treacy as one of the F/F supporters of the union hunt.
How can Deputy Treacy say these pictures are not cruel shame on you Deputy Treacy. We ask the voters of the Galway East to lodge a complaint to Deputy Treacy office, as well as all citizens of Galway who are sickened by these images.
You can contact Deputy Treacy by email noel.treacy@oireachtas.ie
A copy of this letter has been sent to Deputy Treacy
A deer, drenched in sweat, stands weakly in the Ward Union's livestock trailer at the end of a gruelling cross-country chase. Please ask your local TDs and Senators to save deer from this cruel blood sport Ward Union "deer handlers" wrestle the deer head-first into the ground at the end of a hunt. Animals are at great risk during this merciless move and at least one has been choked to death. At the end of a hunt, one of the Ward Union hunt's "deer handlers" prevents an exhausted and injured deer from escaping by grabbing hold of its mouth and ear. Another handler attempts to hide the head injury by holding his hand over it.
The Ward Union's "deer handlers" surround an exhausted and injured deer at the end of a hunt and grab hold of its body to prevent it from escaping. Ward Union hunt members push and pull the injured deer back towards the deer cart at the end of a hunt. Galway SPCA
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A Special Message from John Carmody
Re: Earthlings - An Urgent Call for Everyone to Watch This Film and Get Active!
Dear ARAN Members, Volunteers and Supporters,
Almost everyone involved with animal protection would have came across cruelty to animals in one area or another and obviously you have turned towards helping animals because of what you seeing and you decided you wanted to do something to stop the cruelty. At ARAN our single biggest
priority is to expose people to the hidden cruelty's on Fur farms, Slaughterhouses, Circuses, Laboratories, Hunting, Greyhound racing and much
more. We then work with activists and our members and do everything we can to get all these kind people out onto the streets helping animals and if
you cant get onto the streets help from home or even the office. As we near the end of 2007, Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) <http://www.aran.ie/> is sending out an urgent call to everyone who is today reading this email. Can we please ask that you take some time out and sit back to watch the award winning film called 'Earthlings' it's narrated by Hollywood actor Joaquin Phoenix. This film shows animals for what they really are and it shows just how needless cruelty to animals is, because for every type of cruelty there always is an alternative that does not involve any killing or exploitation.
For Animal Rights Action Network <http://www.aran.ie/> our urgent call to you today is, as we enter into a new year, we are urging each and every
one of you to double up on whatever it is you do to help animals or help ARAN. If you care about animals and want to stop the suffering and the cruelty
then please get behind our work to stop it. We have a huge diary packed out with all sorts of exciting attention grabbing events and campaigns and
lots of educational programs across the country and we have teams of local supporters in most cities' helping ARAN out and we can put you in touch
with these people today! So before we end 2007 and mark it as another great year for positive victories for animals we ask that you take time out now and watch the film 'Earthlings' just click here<http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-12827965336610...48967> .
Thank you for all you have done in 2007 and we sincerely do hope that in 2008 you'll double up your efforts to stamp out cruelty to animals and beat
cruelty's worst nightmare, silence! If you would like to donate to Animal Rights Action Network please make checks and postal orders payable to
Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) and mail to the address below, remember we have a reputation for stretching donations and making them work for the animals as we are all volunteers and no one gets payed at ARAN. We don't ever ask for donations but after a year of whopping action and effective dialogue we need your support now more than ever to go into 2008 stronger than ever before so please send a donation to Animal Rights Action Network and be proud you are supporting our work for animals here in Ireland and beyond!
Thank you,
John
John Carmody | Campaigns Coordinator | Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN)
120 Vale Avenue | Carew Park | Limerick | Ireland
Tel: 087-6275579 | Intl' +353-87-6275579 | Email: arancampaigns@eircom.net
Website: www.ARAN.ie
"Fighting Animal Abuse Across Ireland"*************************************************
Join's ARAN's Brown Thomas' Fur Free Celebration!!!
Dear ARAN Members,
We're having a party for the animals! Animal Rights Action Network is inviting you to celebrate with us a truly remarkable victory in our 'Fur Free Ireland' campaign. Brown Thomas issued a statement declaring the company is to go fur free from February 2008 and Animal Rights Action Network has confirmed that as of today, based on that statement our nationwide campaign also ends as of today.
Animal Rights Action Network had campaigned for many years to urge the department store to go fur free. With creative demonstrations, media campaigns, store takeovers and compassionate action from hundreds of our members, you have all played a huge part in their decision and we want you to help us celebrate this huge success!
Please join us as we uncork a bottle of champagne and present Brown Thomas with flowers & vegan chocolates as a thank you for making a positive effort on behalf of fur bearing animals everywhere, be there;-
When: Friday December 14th, 2007
Where: Brown Thomas, Main Entrance, Grafton Street, Dublin.
Time: 12noon Sharp - 1pm
Brown Thomas now joins the ranks of other leading department stores including Cleary's, Debenhams, Roches Stores, Marks & Spencer, Dunnes Stores, Next, Top Shop, Karen Millen and many more. Please also take this opportunity to say thank you to Brown Thomas for doing the right thing. Please email women's wear buying director Stephen Sealey - ssealey@brownthomas.ie
Animal Rights Action Network would also like to say a huge thank you to the tremendous amount of effort put in by activists from Aliberation who also campaigned tireless outside of Brown Thomas on Grafton Street every week gathering petitions, distributing leaflets and much more, thank you guys for all the hard work and of course to other groups and activists involved in urging Brown Thomas to ditch fur, it was all part of a huge team effort!
Thank you from us here at Animal Rights Action Network
Ps, in the mean time, please check out some of the attached pictures from other leading Animal Rights Action Network events we have held inside and outside of Brown Thomas
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Remembering ARAN's Rally Against The Cruelty 2006
Dear ARAN Members,
Many of you will remember that this time last year we geared up for the largest animal rights rally ever organized in Ireland. Coordinated and organized by Animal Rights Action Network, many of you would of being doing your part in order to make it a huge success. On December 10th 2006 hundreds of our members came from every corner of Ireland and our friends and members in Northern Ireland showed up in great support too! Our huge event was supported by some of Ireland's other animal protection groups like ISPCA, CIWF, IAVS, ICABS and various rescue groups with whom we often work closely with! We had a lovely variety of speakers including our friends from Uncaged based in the UK and words of support from our campaign partners at Animal Defenders International (ADI).
On the morning of December 10th 2006 news broke across the country on radio stations about our historic cruelty to animals rally. That day people across the country were waking up, getting ready to attend our event. Hundreds of you held lovely banners and posters and chanted 'There's No Excuse for Animal Abuse'. There were people from all walks of life, many were Animal Rights Action Network members for years and it was their first time coming to an event like this and were delighted to have done so. There was some lovely 'animal costumes' that lead the rally whilst three of Animal Rights Action Network's most dedicated coordinators lead the way with chants on our megaphones - our rally was being covered by Ireland's top media outlets with flashes from photographers going off every second, and reporters from some of Ireland's best known radio stations covering the event live. We passed through O'Connell Street and ended up outside Dail Eireann to hear speeches and people gathered to remember the animals suffering in Ireland today.
Luckily for the people who could not make it or for any new members or volunteers, we have lovely short video footage from the event thanks to You Tube, please click on both links below:-
Animal Rights Action Network Rally (1)
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BkTFIj-QqI>
Animal Rights Action Network Rally (2)
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD9eFXfta3A>
In the run up to our event we worked closely with the Gardai who contacted us shortly after the event to thank us for having such a peaceful and well organized event, it's what Animal Rights Action Network is all about! All our events are colorful, peaceful, welcoming and effective! On Monday morning December 11 2006 news broke across the country on tabloid and broadsheet newspapers covering huge articles about our event, radio stations could not get enough - we couldn't have organized it better, it was a great day for our members and supporters and it was a great day for animals, we put the issue of cruelty to animals firmly on the agenda of everyone that day.
Thank you for supporting Animal Rights Action Network.
Animal Rights Action Network
'Fighting Animal Abuse Across Ireland'
www.ARAN.ie*************************************************
- - - The Ward Union Hunt - Cruel from beginning to end - - -
Watch the Irish Council Against Blood Sports' revealing new slideshow to see why Minister John Gormley must ban the Ward Union carted deer hunt.
The presentation exposes the suffering of deer and highlights an official Department of Agriculture report which strongly criticised the
hunt for being "inhumane" and for causing terror, "extreme physical distress" and "physical exhaustion" to the deer.
Watch the slideshow now at
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=dn5ZG8fyRbM
- - - A C T I O N A L E R T - - -
Please contact Environment Minister, John Gormley, today and appeal to him to stop carted deer hunt cruelty by firmly refusing a licence to the Ward Union.
Sample Letter
(If you have time, please compose your own personal letter. Otherwise, send the short sample letter below. Be assertive, but polite, in all
correspondence. Thank you.)
Minister John Gormley
Department of the Environment
Custom House, Dublin 1.
Email: minister@environ.ie
Tel: 01 888 2403.
Fax: 01 878 8640.
Dear Minister Gormley,
I wish to register my opposition to the Ward Union carted deer hunt. I wholeheartedly support a total ban on this cruel blood sport and urge
you to refuse a licence to the hunt.
For the animals that suffer, for the Meath majority who want the hunt stopped, for the image of Ireland as a decent and compassionate nation, carted deer hunting must finally be ended.
Thank you, Minister. I look forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely,
[Name/Location]
- - - Videos: Carted deer hunting cruelty - - -
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The GSPCA are calling on all animal lovers to contact the Japanese Prime Minister and lodge your disgust with what his country is doing to whales. They are in breach of International Laws and the world needs to stand up and condemn their actions. Shame on you Japan the world is crying at your actions, once again your country is in shame.
Thank you for urging the new prime minister of Japan to start his tenure off right by putting a stop to the brutality ofwhaling!
If you haven't already, please tell your friends and family now how they can help, too:
https://community.hsus.org/campaign/hsi_whaling_JapanesePM/forward/ws5567s9a7nxw86j ?
Then, you can:
--Read about other ways you can take action to help whales:
http://www.hsus.org/marine_mammals/save_whales_not_whaling/take_action/
--Learn more about whaling and the International Whaling Commission.
http://www.protectwhales.org
The whaling ships have already set sail and there is no time to lose. Thank you for adding your voice to our fight to save these amazing animals.
Sincerely,
Andrew Rowan
Chief Executive Officer
Humane Society International*************************************************
200 dogs found in awful situation in El Cuervo, Sevilla
SCOOBY SHELTER IN SPAIN DESPERATELY NEEDS HELP WITH DOGS FOUND IN APPALLING CONDITIONS!!!!
200 dogs were found in the most appalling state of neglect, in awful conditions, too skinny with terrible skin problems, full of fleas, pregnant bitches about to give birth, dogs with recent wounds and some with scars from old fights .........
DONATIONS, VOLUNTEERS,VETERINARY HELP, UK AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS WHO CAN OFFER THESE DOGS HOMES ARE ALL DESPERATELY NEEDED!!!
If you can help please contact Edwin at edwin@scoobymedina.com
More infos at http://www.linpaul.com/sdga/scooby.html
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OIPA - International news letter - November 2007
HELP DOGS OF SICILY OIPA has been for many years, fighting to defend the rights of the animals in Sicily. In Marsala there is now a shelter, an example of love and respect for the animals. OIPA is giving great space, dedication and attention to the problems of stray animals in Sicily. the first of July of this year saw the opening in the City of Marsala (province of Trapani) the Communal Shelter and OIPA stipulated a protocol of understanding
with the City in order, the best way to carry out a voluntary service of the guardian structure and for the well-being of the dogs in the shelter.
http://www.oipa.org/abandonment/news/marsala.html
If you want help our dogs
http://www.oipa.org/oipa/oipa_whatcan.htmPETITION BAN FUR FARMING IN ITALY
Eighty-five percent of the fur industry's skins come from animals living captive on fur factory farms. These farms can hold thousands of animals, and the practices used to farm them is remarkably uniform around the globe. As with other intensive-confinement animal farms, the methods used
on fur factory farms are designed to maximize profits, always at the expense of the animals.
Please sign OIPA Petition: http://www.oipa.org/public/fur/petition.phpBAN CIRCUS IN ITALY
The animals in circuses spend their lives travelling around the world which in itself causes them much stress. When they reach their temporary destination they are kept in cramped conditions and have to perform "tricks" to the public. Animals in the circus aren't there because they
want to be, and they don't perform because they enjoy it. Animals do not naturally ride bicycles, stand on their heads, balance on balls, or jump through rings of fire. To force them to perform these confusing and physically uncomfortable tricks, trainers use whips, tight collars,
muzzles, electric prods, bullhooks, and other painful tools of the trade.
Please sign OIPA Petition: http://www.oipa.org/public/circus/petition.phpALLIANCE FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS - OIPA, SERBIA "We the undersigned wish to issue and register a formal complaint to the European Union Commission regarding animal welfare atrocities perpetrated by the Serbian Authorities. They (the Serbian authorities) stand accused of acts in
contravention of their own current Serbian Legislation Article 269". http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/serbia-suffering
Please visit the web site of our Member League and support this wonderful association http://www.epar.org.yu/index-e.htmlNew figures suggest upwards trend in animal experiments The first report bringing together figures on animal testing from 25 EU Member States reveals that 12.1 million animals were used for experimental or other scientific purposes during 2005. Looking at figures for the EU 15 in isolation reveals a 3.1% increase in the number of animals used between 2002 and 2005 (France was the only country not to provide statistics from 2005; figures from 2004 are included in their place). The number of animals used in the 10 Member States that joined the EU in 2004 (EU 10) represent 8.6% of the animals used in the EU 25. As in previous reports, rodents and rabbits represented the majority of laboratory animals (78%). Mice are by far
the most commonly used species, accounting for 53% of total use, followed by rats at 19%. http://www.oipa.org/vivisection/news/reports.htmlAnimal welfare aspects of killing and skinning seals - an update At the request of the European Commission EFSA is assessing, from an animal welfare perspective, the scientific evidence about the different methods of killing and skinning seals. EFSA is looking objectively at whether
any of these methods could be considered as humane; and which methods are likely to cause the least pain, distress or suffering. A working group of EFSA's Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) Panel is preparing a report and draft opinion drawing on the available scientific data and information.
http://www.oipa.org/hunting/campaign/canada/ahaw.htmlNAMIBIA 2007 Namibia is the only country in the world that still allows the killing of nursing baby seals. During what's been described as "the cruelest seal 'hunt' on the planet," young Cape Fur seal pups and adult males are beaten with clubs, stabbed, and shot with arrows. Although the Namibian government justifies its annual seal hunt by claiming that the seals are responsible for the demise of fish stocks, scientific studies have shown that
over-fishing is to blame-not seals. In reality, Cape Fur seals are killed mostly for their fur. Adult males are also killed for their penises, which are exported to Asia to be used as aphrodisiacs. OIPA created a blog with all the news and videos about Namibian seal Hunt.
http://namibia2007.wordpress.com
SUPPORT OIPA PAVIA Dear all friends and supporters, I would like to take a moment to introduce you an OIPA Italia branch close to my heart: OIPA Pavia. Our Representative here rescues cats, dogs and looks for new homes for them. She is taking care of many animals and
needs all of our support. http://www.oipa.org/abandonment/news/oipapavia.html
If you want help the animals http://www.oipa.org/oipa/oipa_whatcan.htm300 CATS SAVED IN ITALY Volunteers of OIPA Varese branch and their delegated have worked hard during these months: they have helped, fed and taken to the vet for spaying/neutering about 300 stray cats in Gallarate (VA). They all have received help from the Italian Military Air Force, based in the city, which has offered for the animals an area that they do not use and they have donated empy boxes for the shelter.
"We are very proud of our Branch in Varese - said Massimo Comparotto, OIPA Italia Chairman - they have done a job that seemed impossible and they have faced an emergency situation which can not be compared to in this area. OIPA thanks the Air Force, and we are sure that the Municipal
Adiministration will keep a dialogue with us to agree on the movement of these animals of this big colony". http://www.oipa.org/abandonment/news/varese.html
If you want help our cats http://www.oipa.org/oipa/oipa_whatcan.htmOIPA Videos: Dedicated to OIPA Italia by International Relations Office http://youtube.com/watch?vÁ99YJxqiEs
Animals have the right to live - Serbia http://youtube.com/watch?vª_MN5weJu4
OIPA for Romania (2001-2006) http://youtube.com/watch?vjJ2UK9lWzA
MARIA DAINES A voice for animals http://www.oipa.org/news/maj06_maria.htm
Please visit her web site to read her wonderful job for all the animals http://www.maria-daines.com
Support OIPA campaigns www.oipa.org/campaigns.htmlSign OIPA action alerts www.oipa.org/alerts.html
Link OIPA www.oipa.org/download.html
If you want support OIPA, Please make a donation
http://www.oipa.org/oipa/oipa_whatcan.htm*************************************************
Pamela Anderson Does Animal Rights Good Once Again
Dear ARAN Friends,
I want to share this personal email with you all. Everyone knows how sexy and famous Pamela Anderson is, the star of Baywatch, Stacked, Barbwire and much more. When Pam first got involved with animal rights it was she who contacted PETA offering her celebrity status to the plight of defenseless, gentle animals everywhere! Since then she has being at the forefront of all PETA's high profile campaigns for animal rights, from advertisements, personal involvement, celebrity red carpet events and much more needless to say Pam is somewhat of a vegan these days! She takes her passion for animal rights literally everywhere she goes!
Pamela Anderson spent time at a soup kitchen in Las Vegas yesterday evening to serve an early Christmas dinner to homeless families in the area. And Pam's act of charity will also be setting an example for people who want to make Turkey Day a bit kinder on the turkeys, as the dinner she's serving is 100 percent vegetarian, with Gardein Protein's <http://www.goveg.co.uk> amazing faux turkey as its centerpiece. All of the vegie turkey (which you can get in any Whole Foods, btw) was donated by the folks at Gardein Protein. Here's what Pam had to say about the event, "The holiday season can be especially hard for those who find themselves homeless. And it's murder on turkeys. With so many healthy and delicious options nowadays, it's easy to have a holiday meal that gives even turkeys something to be thankful for."
Pam was inspired to host the event after she saw video footage from PETA's recent investigation at a turkey slaughterhouse, which showed workers
striking and handling birds so roughly that the animals suffered broken bones. Not to be too much of a downer here since this is a really positive
story, but the footage is heartbreaking, and it shows standard practices in turkey slaughterhouses around the country, which should make anyone think twice about eating turkeys this Christmas.
Please check out the attached pictures of Pam at yesterday's vegetarian event for PETA and the homeless and of course I had to attach the picture
of ME and Pam when I met her last year when she was in Ireland to promote 'MAC' cruelty free cosmetics and her KFC cruelty campaign
<http://www.kfccruelty.com> in which she sent 'explicit' DVD's to all Irish KFC restaurants showing them just how cruel their treatment of chickens
really are, she called for a boycott with their sales dropping worldwide! During her Irish tour I was acting media spokesperson for the campaign
here in Ireland. The Irish media jumped on board when they heard about Pam coming to Ireland and her 'explicit' DVD's being sent to Irish KFC's - luckily for the chickens we had the campaign featured on countless radio stations, national broadsheet newspapers, TV3 & RTE national news which ended up directing consumers to the plight of animals. The following week she arrived in London for PETA's beautiful humanitarian awards 2006. In a daring event during the awards to raise money for PETA she stripped in front of her favorite cruelty free designer Stella McCartney's boutique window, check it out here <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOwjfg7vAgw> - again coverage broke across the world showing people you can have a killer look without actually killing!
Pam is my hero and idol, here at Animal Rights Action Network's small office in Limerick, Ireland - her campaign posters are spread across my desk
walls and pictures of her in action for animal rights cover the walls around us! Pam is the animal's angel.
Thanks and enjoy the pictures and video content, all clean of course!
John Carmody | Campaigns Coordinator | Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN)
Tel: 087-6275579 | Intl' +353-87-6275579 | Email: arancampaigns@eircom.net
Website: www.ARAN.ie
"Fighting Animal Abuse Across Ireland"*************************************************
Change Wendy's Frosty Attitude Towards Hens
Hi!
Today, the Humane Society of the United States is running a full-page USA Today ad asking Wendy’s to make a truly modest improvement in its animal welfare policy: start moving away from eggs from caged hens.
You can see our ad at http://tinyurl.com/yrucro and our press release at http://tinyurl.com/2w52xg
Burger King, Hardee's and Carl's Jr. have all started moving away from eggs produced in cruel battery cages, where hens don't even have room to spread their wings. But Wendy's frostily refuses to take even this small step.
That’s why we need your help! Your actions are critical to helping the birds who suffer their entire lives in tiny wire cages. Here's what you can do:
1. Mail a letter to and call Wendy's CEO Kerrii Anderson. We make it easy: http://tinyurl.com/2n373j.
2. Join people named Wendy—and even those who aren’t!—who are asking Wendy’s to at least start moving away from eggs from caged hens. Just send us your picture with a message for Wendy's, either on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/groups/wendysvswendys/) or by emailing it to hsusphotos@gmail.com. (See our photo album for some ideas: http://tinyurl.com/35tpj8.)
3. Get free leaflets and hand them out at your local Wendy's:
http://www.hsus.org/forms/wendys_leaflets.html. Just an hour of your time will make a huge difference.
P.S. Learn more about our Wendy's campaign at http://www.hsus.org/farm/news/ournews/wendys_time_to_do_the_right.html.
Interested in taking action online to help animals? Then join our online community! Go to:
https://community.hsus.org/humane/join
*************************************************
European seal product ban.- your chance to help
Hello all,
As you know the Irish Seal Sanctuary is not a campaigning organisation however the European Parliment will discuss a possible ban on seal products, in December. We are asking you to email the Mep's below and ask them politely to support the ban of seal products from Canada (and if possible from Norwegian, Russian and Namibian seals too). Many European countries have either already passed the ban or have initiated the tramits to introduce the ban.
Thank you for taking the time to do this.
best regards
Pauline Beades
Irish Seal Sanctuary
Brian Crowley brian.crowley@europarl.europa.eu
Colm Burke colm.burke@europarl.europa.eu
Kathy Sinnott kathy.sinnott@europarl.europa.eu
Liam Aylward liam.aylward@europarl.europa.eu
Maired Mc Guinness mairead.mcguinness@europarl.europa.eu
Avril Doyle avril.doyle@europarl.europa.eu
Marian Harkin marian.harkin@europarl.europa.eu
Jim Higgins jim.higgins@europarl.europa.eu
Sean O'Neachtain sean.oneachtain@europarl.europa.eu
Eoin Ryan eoin.ryan@europarl.europa.eu
Proinsias De Rosa proinsias.derossa@europarl.europa.eu
Marylou McDonald marylou.mcdonald@europarl.europa.eu
Gay Mitchell gay.mitchell@europarl.europa.eu*************************************************
Check out ARAN's New 'Drive Fur Out of Ireland' Campaign Tour
Dear Animal Rights Action Network Members & Supporters;
ARAN is launching our new winter anti-fur campaign called 'Drive Fur Out of Ireland' - a first for Ireland once again! Kicking off in Limerick city, the campaign will tour across Munster during the month of November and will visit Shopping centre's, clothing stores, art and design colleges and much
more, of course our tour would not be complete without us inviting the media along, every step of the way!
Our campaign car is kitted out with durable posters from PETA that read 'Your Fur Had a Face' which are safely secured onto every door. Inside,
we'll also have our famous Body Screen TV showing footage of animals on fur farms, whilst our dedicated Limerick team distribute educational materials to shoppers and students - we also plan on taking time out to speak with fashion and design students to learn them about how animals are tortured and cruelly treated on fur farms and that you can still have that killer look without actually killing anything! With so many fantastic humane
alternatives out there, there's simply no excuse for this animal abuse! To top all of this off, we'll be using an attention grabbing megaphone to bring
attention to our campaign car and tell shoppers about the alternatives to fur, all in all a friendly and professional way to bring about positive change for animals.
Our first stop is as follows with more routes being planned, we'll be mailing city particular members along the way:-
When: November 2nd 2007
Where: Arthur's Quay Park, Limerick City
Time: 12noon sharp
Again, thanks to each and every Animal Rights Action Network member who supports our work, you have yet to fail us and it's so comforting to know
that we can count on your dedicated support and count on you to be there for the animals, be very proud to be part of a growing organization that is
making good change for animals in need. As you are also aware, at ARAN we campaign and organize events and demos across the country which means it puts added pressure on our resources, but we are making a difference and know we can count on you to be there with us.
Enjoy the attached picture and be sure to tell family and friends about Animal Rights Action Network's work, get them involved too!
Thank you for being there for animals in desperate situations, stay with them!
John Carmody | Campaigns Coordinator | Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN)
120 Vale Avenue | Carew Park | Limerick | Ireland
Tel: 087-6275579 | Intl' +353-87-6275579 | Email: arancampaigns@eircom.net
Website: www.ARAN.ie
"Fighting Animal Abuse Across Ireland"
Please include all previous correspondence when replying!
"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."
Thomas Edison
1847-1931, Inventor and Entrepreneur
One of the best ways you can help ARAN is to get actively involved with our ongoing research, lobbying, events, projects, peaceful protests and
tabling events across Ireland. Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) is against all forms of animal cruelty and is a grassroots group working to speak out for the rights of all animals here in Ireland, whilst helping to promote and support European and international campaigns to end cruelty to animals.
ARAN works with volunteers, activists, members of the public and other animal protection groups. We firmly believe that by working together we can do so much more and be far more effective. Please be sure to check out ARAN.ie on a frequent basis to keep up to date with ARAN's latest lifesaving
campaigns work. Together we can make a huge difference and we need you on our side.*************************************************
Take Part in ARAN's National Campaign Event in 2008
Animal Rights Action Network is campaigning across Ireland as part of our campaign to 'Stop Circus Suffering in Ireland' which has being our largest
and to date most successful campaign. Right now we work on a new campaign to 'Ban Fur Farming in Ireland'. CIWF Ireland has being campaigning to ban fur farms in Ireland for the last few years, so here at Animal Rights Action Network, we are joining their campaign to ensure that this campaign not
only hits the headlines in 2008, but hits the streets and more importantly the consumer and Dail Eireann!
Animal Rights Action Network is counting on your support once again to make a real difference. Working non stop behind the scenes, we are confident that we have an opportunity to ensure fur farming and circuses that use animals are finally banned throughout Ireland. Make no mistake about it, Animal Rights Action Network is deadly serious and will finally end this needless suffering, but can only do it with your support.
How can you help? Right now we are drawing up plans to hold a national 'Ban Circuses with Animals and Fur Farming in Ireland' event in Dublin. It's
going to be very similar to our event we held in Dublin last year in which hundreds of you turned up to add your voice to our campaigns, it made
headlines across the country and we know our 2008 event will be even better again. You can visit www.ARAN.ie to see video footage, pictures and a
report on the event (Please be patient, Animal Rights Action Network is working on having the website completely updated!
In order for this event to proceed, we'll need your active participation between now and then and of course on the day. We are timing this event to
help ensure that government ministers know that cruelty to animals in Ireland is being noticed and is not wanted, the new 2008 animal welfare
bill draws hope of having these two campaigns supported and legislation drafted up to ban both issues.
Make the difference, contact Animal Rights Action Network today and let us know if you will be attending this event, we'll then put you on a special
list to ensure we deliver important information about the event between now and then!
Thank you for supporting Animal Rights Action Network and for all you do to bring hope to animals in desperate situations,
Animal Rights Action Network
'Fighting Animal Abuse Across Ireland'*************************************************
ICABS mp4 campaign video
About the Ward Union
Dozens of men and women on horseback, a pack of 40 howling hounds and one defenceless deer. That's the
Ward Union hunt's revolting recipe for "sport".
For over 150 years, this widely condemned group have been getting their kicks from abusing animals. Deer, with their antlers cut off, are driven from the hunt's private deer park in a livestock cart and set up as quarry. According to Department of Agriculture records, some deer are aware of the terror that lays ahead, with one observed showing "body tremors, excessive salivation and panting".
The disorientated animal gets a ten minute head start into the countryside of Meath or North County Dublin before finding the heartless Ward Union cavalry and their hounds closing in from behind.
The creature frantically tries to stay ahead but being in unfamiliar territory, the route is hazardous. Its tongue hangs out and sweat sprays from its body as it crashes through hedges, over walls, across busy public roads and even down village streets. It's a gruelling ordeal which can last for up to three hours and result in cuts, bruises, bites, lameness and exhaustion.
Veterinary documents, obtained by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports under the Freedom of Information Act, have also exposed some of the inevitable fatalities. There was a deer which died of fractured ribs, two deer which died from ruptured aortic aneurisms, a deer which drowned in a quarry and a deer which dropped dead after desperately trying to escape over an 8ft wall.
When the unfortunate animal becomes so depleted that it can run no more, hunt members move in to tackle it to the ground. On at least one occasion this merciless move has led to a deer being "accidentally choked" to death. Dragged along to the hunt cart and returned to the deer park, the deer used will await a future hunt outing when they will again have to endure this appalling abuse.
For far too long, the Ward Union have been flouting the Protection of Animals Act which clearly makes it is an offence to terrorise or cause unnecessary suffering. Their cowardly hunt may have been acceptable in the 1800s but there's no place for it in a modern Ireland where the vast majority of people abhor animal cruelty. All of us eagerly await Minister John Gormley's historic decision to banish this blood sport back into the past where it belongs. (Philip Kiernan, ICABS)
ACTION ALERT 1
Please contact Environment Minister, John Gormley, and appeal to him to stop carted deer hunt cruelty by firmly refusing a licence to the Ward Union.
Sample Letter
(Please compose your own personal letter if possible. If you do not have time to do this, please send the short sample letter below. Be assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.)Minister John Gormley
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Custom House, Dublin 1.Email: minister@environ.ie
Tel: 01 888 2403.
Fax: 01 878 8640.Dear Minister Gormley,
I appeal to you to please refuse a licence to the Ward Union hunt. Having been slammed by animal welfare groups, farmers, landowners, motorists, parents, householders and even hunters, the Ward Union must be one of the most widely condemned hunts in the world.
Refusing the Ward Union a licence will be welcomed by a huge cross-section of people across Ireland and the world.
Thank you, Minister. I look forward to your positive response on this issue.
Yours sincerely,
[Name/Location]
ACTION ALERT 2
Please contact your local TD and Senator and ask them to make an appeal to Minister Gormley on your behalf.
For the names of your TDs, please click on your county on the Irish Government website
(http://www.oireachtas.ie/members%2Dhist/default.asp?housetype=0&HouseNum=30&disp=const)Contact your TD at:
Dail Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 337889 (1890 DEPUTY).For a list of Senators, please visit the Irish Government website
(http://www.oireachtas.ie/members-hist/default.asp?housetype=1&HouseNum=23&disp=mem)Contact your Senator at:
Seanad Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 732 623 (1890 SEANAD).*************************************************
URGENT - support Protect Seals team prior to trail
Appeal to publicly support seal team prior to trial
On October 18th the ProtectSeals team will go on trial for documenting Canada’s commercial seal hunt.
After being repeatedly charged by a sealing vessel in March 2006, seven Humane Society International/HSUS observers were accused of being within the required 10-metre distance from seal hunters. We were not, and we have the evidence to prove it.
These trumped-up charges are part of the government’s desperate campaign to block observation of the hunt. Just months ago, the DFO proposed to double the distance observers must remain from seal hunters, making documenting cruelty violations even more difficult. And now the DFO wants to give the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans even more power to refuse any person an observation permit for the seal hunt -- for any reason -- for five years.
The government and sealers are desperate. One by one, nations are closing their markets to Canadian seal products, while legions of individuals and companies are joining the boycott of Canadian seafood. The Canadian government and sealing industry know they must do something to take the pressure off.
But rather than address the extreme cruelty we document each and ever year, they are trying to eliminate that documentation.
We need your help. We are fighting for our rights to be there for the seals and to expose the illegal abuse that is unleashed on the unsuspecting baby seals each year, but we cannot do it alone.
Please show your support. We are inviting organizations and individuals to submit their statements of support and testimonials against the seal hunt to be displayed on our website and shared with the media. Help us demonstrate to the Canadian government that the world is watching and that it can no longer hide the cruelty of the seal hunt.
For more information please contact Mandy Carter or Shely Bryan at Respect for AnimalsMandy: Email: mandy@respectforanimals.org Office: +44 (0)115 952 5440
Shely: Email: mail@shelybryan.net Mobile: +44 (0)7710 148957
Respect for Animals
PO Box 6500, Nottingham NG4 3GB
www.respectforanimals.org
www.boycott-canada.comRespect for Animals campaigns against the cruel and unnecessary international fur trade.
*************************************************
Petition Cadiz dogs: let Spain see we care !
Dear animalfriends,
Please help us to stop this cruel killing of dogs by signing this petition,
The petition is in english and spanish, please forward this to other animal lovers.
http://www.petitiononline.com/perrera/petition.html
http://www.petitiononline.com/peresp/petition.html
With regards,
Addy Koot,
Chairman Podenco in Nood
www.podencoinnood.nl
info@podencoinnood.nl*************************************************
Congratulations to Fingal Councillors
The GSPCA wish to congratulate the Fingal Councillors and to Councillor Clare Daly for putting the motion forward for banning circuses with animals. Now hopefully other councils around Ireland will do like wise
Again well done Fingal
*************************************************
ARAN Newsletter August 07
Animal Rights Action Network
RIGHTS FOR ANIMALS
(The e-news for Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) - Ireland's National Animal Rights Organization) August 2007
In This Online Issue:-
IRISH MEP'S SUPPORT EU PRIMATE DECLARATION - THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT
Behind the scenes ARAN worked flat out ensuring that all 13 Irish MEP's sign onto our campaign partners at Animal Defenders International
(ad-international.org) Primate Declaration 40. As of going to print 10 Irish MEP's signed the declaration and 433 other EU MEP's also signed on with
far more signatures than what was needed. In the run up to the declaration Animal Rights Action Network began contacting Irish MEP's via snail mail
with a detailed documented report called My Mates A Primate by ADI. In the following weeks after this we continued to call, write, email and fax
Irish MEP's across Ireland and when they were at their offices in Strasburg and Brussels. The great news is that we do know that our persistence worked because it was acknowledged in Europe by Irish MEP's to several campaigns working on the declaration. Persistence does sometimes pay off, keep up the great work.
HUNDREDS CALL FOR MAGGIE TO BE RELEASED - HERE IN IRELAND YOU MADE IT HAPPEN!
ARAN got involved in the campaign to free Maggie the elephant two years ago. Just recently she suffered health problems which brought her plight to the world's attention so we began work on helping to have her sent to a USA accredited sanctuary. Here in Ireland we led the way and sent out appeals across the country and around Europe resulting from our side in a wave of letters, fax's, emails, telephone calls and even a member made an online video appeal to have her released amongst others. The great news is that whilst we were working with In Defense of Animals (IDA) and Free Maggie Campaign the news was in, the zoo decided to work on releasing Maggie. Although as we go to print she has not yet being released as the zoo are deciding on where best to send her, we will keep you fully posted on any developments if and when they happen, but one thing we are going to see Is her long awaited release!
ARAN's YOUTH SECTION IN LIMERICK CITY PROTESTS PROCTER & GAMBLE AND SUPPORTS WORLD LAB ANIMAL WEEK
To support World Lab Animal Week and Procter & Gamble protest day over 30 members of Animal Rights Action Network including our youth members group held a fantastic demonstration in Limerick city centre during the week. With a huge banner reading 'Animals Are Not Ours To Experiment On' and 'The True Cost of Animal Experiments - Don't Let Anyone Tell You Different' they chanted, gave out leaflets and showed other people how they too can help support the campaign to end animal testing. The event was largely covered by the media and local radio stations ensuring as much people as possible knew about the ugly face of animal experiments.
SHACKLED' LONELY & BEATEN CIRCUS CAMPAIGN TOUR TAKES STAGE IN CORK CITY
Now in its 6th city Animal Rights Action Network's extremely popular and unique protest Shackled' Lonely & Beaten tour arrived in Cork city to a
deluge of photographers and press. On Patrick's Street another one of our nude models certainly did get attention wearing little more than 9 inch
spiked heels and chains in front of a banner that read 'Shackled, Lonely & Beaten - Boycott Animal Act Circuses'. During the day news about our Stop
Circus Suffering in Ireland campaign hit the local papers and shortly afterwards it hit radio stations and newspapers across the country telling
how animals in Irish circuses are still suffering until people boycott animal act circuses and until the government do something to help stop the
cruelty. Please join Animal Rights Action Network & Animal Defenders International 'Stop Circus Suffering in Ireland' campaign which is
nationwide and all will agree is making headlines wherever we take the campaign. The campaign previously visited - Limerick, Dublin, Galway,
Clare and Belfast all grabbing nationwide headlines, radio and TV.
ARAN's NAKED TRUTH DEMO DEBUTS IN LIMERICK CITY SHOWING THE CIRCUS'S UGLY SIDE
Stop Circus Suffering in Ireland is our largest and most widely supported campaign. It's making a huge difference and to show just that we firmly
believe that circus numbers are down across the country because people are know beginning to realize animals are suffering inside the circus and even more people are reading about the cruelty on newspapers and hearing about it on the radio stations. Making its launch in Limerick city our new eye catching circus campaign tour 'The Naked Truth - Circuses Are Cruel to Animals'. Upon releasing information on the tour the local newspapers and
radio stations immediately began getting interesting - shortly before the demo Limerick's Live 95FM ran our campaign on the station throughout the
day and of course local newspapers reaching over 80,000 people covered the story too which in turn lead to a huge amount of requests to get involved with our work and others telling us their stories about when they went to the circus and why they would never support that cruelty again. Naked truth demos are also planned for Dublin, Wexford, Derry and Northern Ireland.
PADDY POWER BETS ON BULLFIGHTING - HUGE FULL PAGE ARTICLE EXPOSES THE CRUELTY
Responding to our friends at ICABS appeal to pressure Paddy Power to stop placing bets on bullfighting we managed to secure a full page article in
the Limerick Post on the cruelty associated with bullfighting. Please send the following to Paddy Power info@paddypowerplc.com; ppower@paddypower.com :
* Dear Mr Kennedy,
I am writing to express my absolute disgust that the Paddy Power company is currently accepting bets on the number of ears that will be cut off the
heads of bulls after bullfighting events in Spain. It is beyond belief that a company which values its image would want to associate with this cruel and indefensible animal cruelty. Bulls are subjected to the most horrendous abuse in Spanish bullrings - spiked spears and swords are plunged into their flesh and they finally collapse in agony with blood cascading from their backs and spraying from their mouths and nostrils.
Bulls' ears, carved off as grisly trophies for the matadors, are sometimes removed when the animal is still alive. Video footage showing a live bull
having its ear cut off can be seen at http://s147271628.onlinehome.us/bullfighting07.mov I ask you to please view this shocking clip and immediately end your bullfighting bets.
Yours sincerely
ARAN MEMBER ORGANISES WEEK LONG PROTEST AGAINST ROYAL RUSSIAN CIRCUS IN DERRY
Support for ARAN in Northern Ireland is also growing. Thanks to Animal Rights Action Network member Louise Graham who recently coordinated a week long protest against the visit of Royal Russian Circus to Derry. Behind the scenes she worked hard ensuring that there was over 18 people at the first night's protest and there onwards. Thanks to Louise coordination of the event thankfully all the city's papers and radio stations promptly covered
their protests which ensured countless more people are now aware of animal suffering inside the circus. Also on the day a passing motorist got out of
her car to say well done, shortly after she contacted us here at so that she can now get involved with our work to expose animal cruelty. If you are a
member in Northern Ireland and want to get active in Derry, Bangor, and Belfast or beyond please get in touch with us and we can put you directly
in touch with our coordinators in these areas, again thanks Louise for everything you have done to make circuses with animals a thing of the past.
KATY FRENCH SHOPS AT BARNARDO'S - WHILST PETA AND ARAN HIT OUT AT THE CRUELTY
Irish model Katy French was recently pictured going into long time Animal Rights Action Network campaign target Barnardo Furs on Dublin Grafton
Street buying real fur. It goes without saying that this girl must be crying out for attention especially being in her early 20's that she doesn't know
about the cruelty associated with wearing real fur? If not then Animal Rights Action Network and PETA Europe immediately got stuck into sending her a DVD and written letter to explain about the cruelty associated with animals being skinned for their fur. The Irish media were also quick to point out
the cruelty of fur without even contacting anyone of us, they knew, we knew but Katy ignored it all - top irish fashion columnist also spoke out about
her wearing fur. ARAN has asked Katy to spend just 10 minutes inside a cage in scorching heat or freezing winter months and let her smell her own
urine and feces in order to get a low down on the poor animals who spend their miserable lives confined in a cramped, filthy dirty cage. For more
information on the fur trade please visit www.furisdead.com
SEXY ARAN & PETA EUROPE MEMBERS GET WET IN BELFAST FOR FISH
To protest national fishing week in Northern Ireland members of PETA Europe and Animal Rights Action Network donned sexy faux fish tails and wearing little more than silver and marine green body paint to illustrate fish. Holding signs reading 'Fishing Hurts' the sexy fish four gathered for a
photo call with some of Northern Ireland's top photographers inside a real water fountain, shortly after their protest it ended up gracing the pages
of many national and local newspapers and radio stations, even here in Ireland the protest was covered by the Irish Daily Mail, Irish Mirror and many
more. Learn more about why fishing is cruel, please visit www.fishinghurts.com
ARAN PROTEST'S CHRISTIAN AID ANIMAL FARMING PRACTICES IN BELFAST
With a banner reading 'Cut The Crap' members of ARAN supported a campaign by Animal Aid to have Christian Aid dump their animal farming programs. But why? While the two organizations agree that tackling climate change is of paramount importance, Animal Aid points out that livestock farming - an activity encouraged, supported and promoted by Christian Aid - is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, a recent major report (1) by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reveals that livestock farming contributes 18% of all man-made greenhouse gases - a larger share than the entire global transport sector. Yet Christian Aid promotes gifts of farmed animals to destitute communities in regions that are already suffering serious environmental degradation.ARAN SUPPORTS DOGS TRUST MOVE TO IRELAND
The UK dog giant Dogs Trust has applied for planning permission to come to Dublin Ireland. Whilst this is amazing news for dogs the sad news is that
there has being an objection to them coming to Ireland and particularly the ground in which they are going to be building. So, joining with other Irish
animal protection groups such as PAWS, Cork Animal Care Society and many more we written detailed letters to the planning authority urging them to put the Dogs Trust application through as a matter of urgency for Ireland's needy dogs. Although there has not yet being a decision with regards to
their application as of yet, we will keep working to support the Dogs Trust move to Ireland and will keep you fully posted on all developments should
they arise on this one. For more information on the work of Dogs Trust please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk
BOYCOTT CANADIAN SEAFOOD GETS SUPPORT FROM IRELAND'S TOP SUPPLIERS
ARAN's campaign against Canada's seal hunt continues as strong as ever. Behind the scenes we are working with the Humane Society of the United
States and Sea Shepherd to protest Canada's terrible slaughter. Behind the scenes thanks to the hard work of Chris Harrowell who is working for
Animal Rights Action Network on our Canadian Seafood Boycott in which he has enlisted the support of one of Ireland's top wholesale suppliers, although right now we are still in talks with the chain we will keep you posted on these developments. Good news also on the campaign is that we are writing to hotels and restaurants and seafood importers asking them not to but Canadian seafood. For everyone out there who is also vegan or vegetarian, of course Animal Rights Action Network would love if the world was like this too, but being realistic in our approach is only something that will end the brutal massacre of seals for good.
Please learn how you can get more involved in this campaign, please email us today to find out more.
ARAN MEMBERS ARE HAVING HOUSE PARTIES FOR ANIMALS - CHECK THIS OUT
Just recently another kind ARAN member Martin O'Reilly held a lovely party in his house to help support ARAN's work for animal rights. Based in
Donnybrook in Dublin, he invited other ARAN members from the Dublin area to support the 'party'. It was a lovely evening of vegetarian foods and
thanks to Samantha who many of you will know spoke to everyone about ARAN's current campaign including 'Stop Circus Suffering'. If you are interested in hosting a similar party please contact ARAN for more information.
BODYSCREEN TV SHOW'S SHOCKING SLAUGHTER HOUSE FOOTAGE INSIDE KFC LIMERICK CITY
Supporting PETA's KFC Cruelty Campaign members of Animal Rights Action Network recently took over KFC showing customers how KFC treat abuse and kill chickens. Our message on the night? Whilst several members of ARAN took the protest inside the store, another ARAN & PETA member held our Body Screen TV showing KFC customers how chickens are killed - customers were shocked, many cried and refused to eat chicken and at KFC again - other activists held signs reading 'KFC Tortures Chicks', 'Scalded Alive' and 'Boycott KFC' whilst chanting 'Boycott KFC'. Activists also distributed vegetarian starter kits so customers can learn more about how you can live a healthy lifestyle and get killer tasty foods without ever killing any animal for their flesh. To learn more about going vegetarian please visit www.goveg.co.uk or www.kentuckfriedcruelty.com
THANK YOU - KIND, CARING PEOPLE ACROSS IRELAND HELPING ANIMALS!
1. Well done to Lisa Farrell and partner Patrick for their work on circuses in Dublin
2. Jim & Breda Malone for their work for birds and animal rights in Dublin
3. Well done to Dublin Animal Rights Action Network coordinators Jesse Metcalfe and Husband for their ongoing Stop Circus Suffering in Ireland campaign promotion in Dublin schools and of course who turn up without fail to all our sponsored events.
4. Well done to ARAN members Kelly and Eimear who continue to promote Animal Rights Action Network's work in their school in Terenure and of course turn up without fail to every event we organize
5. Thanks to Anne McNamara & Francis for all their hard work with animals in Shannon
6. Awesome work to Animal Rights Action Network Steve and Diane for their hard work on our circus campaign in Sligo
7. Well done to Sharon Mcnulty for her continued support for our circus campaign
8. Thanks to Sarah, Katie, Gillian, Jon, Peter and Marcus for their hard work on petition signing for our anti-fur work
9. Well done to Bahroz Bashi for his ongoing support in Dublin
10. Thanks to Liz and husband Stephen in Dublin for their ongoing presentations in schools in Raheny, Blackrock, Donnybrook and more
11. Jimmy, Laura, Michael, Rachel and all in Tipperary who continue to promote anti-fur and circus campaigns for us
12. Thanks to their ongoing 'behind the scenes' support Limerick local group members Shane, John, Siobhan, Lisa, Maria, Stephan, Grainne, Samantha - keep up the great work.
13. Dublin Katie Carpenter for her work gathering petitions for animal rights
14. Lisa Whelan & Tara for their work on the Dublin dog ban as well as many many more people and groups
15. Thanks to Cork Animal Care Society members for all their hard work and support
16. Well done to Margaret of Galway SPCA for her ongoing support of ARAN's campaign work
17. Good work to Rachel Hickey in Wexford for her work to stop KFC opening a new restaurant
18. Emma & Mark Griffiths for all their dedication to our work to stop the new greyhound race track in Limerick City
19. Great work as always to persistent animal campaigners Gloria, Ed, William, John and Elin targeting animal abusers across the city
20. Good work to animal rights tablers Alison & Trevor, again reaching hundreds of people every weekend in Offaly.**************************************************
URGENT REQUEST
Please see below the email I received earlier >from Carly on Chios. If you have already seen and responded to the email, please ignore this note ... if not, please read on.
My email to the mayor of Chios is also included. PLEASE take a couple of minutes to write to him dxios7@otenet.gr yourself and to the local newspaper: news@alithia.gr This atrocity must be prevented!!! Please copy your email also to Carly: carlyprovan@london.com
Thank you,
VesnaSubject: URGENT HELP NEEDED IN CHIOS
Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2007 06:02:30 -0500Dear Friends,
It has just become known to me that on Tuesday 9Th October poison is being given free to all people in Chios from the Chios Municipality... The mayor Dr.Petros.Broulis has announced on local television and also the local newspapers in Chios that he is giving this poison free.. Now it is for sure this poison will kill off thousands of stray, owned cats and dogs in Chios and is completely wrong and cruel and i really need some help to stop him doing this, so please i ask of you to write to the mayor and sign, because this is a urgent situation in Chios and thousands of animals will die and suffer in pain....
Kind Regards,
Mrs.Carly Provan-Politis
President of Chios Animal Welfare Society www.chiosaws.org
===============================================================
----- Original Message -----
From: Vesna Jones
To: dxios7@otenet.gr
Cc: espresso@espressoedit.it ; Chryssa Dile ; terens@alter.gr ; Argyro Morou ; George Frantzeskakis ; news@alithia.gr
Sent: Sunday, October 07, 2007 10:02 PM
Subject: Please abandon your plan to distribute 'free poison'Dear Mr Broulis,
In this age of internet communication, news spreads fast ... good and bad!! It will therefore not surprise you to hear that the news about your proposed 'distribution of free poison' on Tuesday, 9 October, is crossing borders far and wide. It goes without saying that most of those who consider themselves civilised human beings, are absolutely appalled by your incredulous decision. Are you not aware that you would be breaking the laws of your country to hand out to people poison as if it were confetti??? It is clear that the poison would kill not only rats (who exist only because of the humans' discarded waste and poor hygiene), but countless dogs, cats, birds etc. It is also possible that an innocent child could accidentally eat some poisonous bait ... what would you tell the child's parents?? How absurd and misguided your thinking must be to come up with such a barbaric and idiotic plan!! And the people of Chios actually voted you into the office??? Incredible!!
I'm sorry the tone of this email is rather sharp, but can you expect any lesser reaction to your announcement??
I await the news that you have abandoned your 'extermination plan' and that you will in fact announce this on the TV and to the press.
Yours sincerely,
Vesna Jones,
Founder / President
Greek Animal Rescue - UK**************************************************
International News Letter - September 2007
----- OIPA
International Organization for Animal Protection
INTERNATIONAL NEWS LETTER
September 2007PETITION BAN FUR FARMING IN ITALY
Eighty-five percent of the fur industry's skins come from animals living captive on fur factory farms. These farms can hold thousands of animals, and the practices used to farm them is remarkably uniform around the globe. As with other intensive-confinement animal farms, the methods used on fur
factory farms are designed to maximize profits, always at the expense of the animals.
Please sign OIPA Petition:
http://www.oipa.org/public/fur/petition.phpBAN CIRCUS IN ITALY
The animals in circuses spend their lives travelling around the world which in itself causes them much stress. When they reach their temporary destination they are kept in cramped conditions and have to perform "tricks" to the public. Animals in the circus aren't there because they
want to be, and they don't perform because they enjoy it. Animals do not naturally ride bicycles, stand on their heads, balance on balls, or jump through rings of fire. To force them to perform these confusing and physically uncomfortable tricks, trainers use whips, tight collars,
muzzles, electric prods, bullhooks, and other painful tools of the trade.
Please sign OIPA Petition:
http://www.oipa.org/public/circus/petition.phpFREE PREGOLJA Pregolja is a female Asian elephant who lives at the Kaliningrad Zoo in Russia. She was born in this zoo in 1970 and has lived there ever since. She has spent 36 years of her life inside the same small and barren enclosure surrounded by rusty steel and grey cement. It is
an environment that nobody should be forced to live in. Pregolja is also all alone. Her mother (Shandra) died at the young age of 29 years in 1982, and her father (Jimmi) died in 2000. Pregolja has been without companionship of other elephants for a number of years.
http://www.oipa.org/zoo/alerts/pregolja.html
For more info please visit
http://freepregolja.com/default.aspxURGE THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT TO STOP WORST ABUSES OF
SHEEP Currently exploiting more than 100 million miserable sheep, Australia produces 30 percent of all wool used worldwide. Holdings consist of thousands of sheep, making individual attention to their needs and even to medical emergencies impossible. In Australia, the most commonly raised sheep are Merinos, specifically bred to have wrinkly skin, which means more wool per animal. This unnatural overload of wool causes many sheep to collapse and even die of heat exhaustion during hot months, and the wrinkles collect urine and moisture. Please sign OIPA Petition:
http://www.oipa.org/animalabuse/alerts/mulesing.html
For more info please visit: http://savethesheep.com300 CATS HAVE BEEN SAVED IN ITALY Volunteers of OIPA
Varese branch and their delegated have worked hard during these months: they have helped, fed and taken to the vet for spaying/neutering about 300 stray cats in Gallarate (VA). They all have received help from the Italian Military Air Force, based in the city, which has offered for the animals an area that they do not use and they have donated empy boxes for the shelter.
"We are very proud of our Branch in Varese - said Massimo Comparotto, OIPA Italia Chairman - they have done a job that seemed impossible and they have faced an emergency situation which can not be compared to in this area. OIPA thanks the Air Force, and we are sure that the Municipal
Adiministration will keep a dialogue with us to agree on the movement of these animals of this big colony".
http://www.oipa.org/abandonment/news/varese.html
If you want help our cats
http://www.oipa.org/oipa/oipa_whatcan.htmSTOP UNNECESSARY AND CRUEL EXPERIMENTS ON DOGS A New York
Times guest journalist recently toured an animal laboratory run by George Fahey at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and found dogs who "had been mutilated for the sake of science." Each of the dogs had undergone a bizarre surgery in which plastic tubing was run from the dog's intestines to a spout outside the dog's body in order to measure metabolism and nutrient absorption. This mutilation is as outdated as it is cruel.
http://www.oipa.org/vivisection/alerts/dogs.htmlAGAINST POISONING OF DOG AND CATS IN PIREO (GREECE)
In Pireo, authorities are killing stray animals. These animals are helped by animal protection associations, volunteers that take them water, food, and provide vaccinations, spay and neutering. In Pireo there is a shelter, it is small and is unable to house many animals. This shelter supports 11
Municipalities, the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor in a declaration have encouraged the elimination of stray animals with arsenic and rat poisoning.
This situation is very dramatic, we ask the authorities not support the poisoning, but to respect the European Laws which protect animals.
http://www.oipa.org/abandonment/campaign/greece/pireo.htmlALLIANCE FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS - OIPA, SERBIA "We the undersigned wish to issue and register a formal complaint to the European Union Commission regarding animal welfare atrocities perpetrated by the Serbian Authorities. They (the Serbian authorities) stand accused of acts in
contravention of their own current Serbian Legislation Article 269".
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/serbia-suffering
Please visit the web site of our Member League and support this wonderful association
http://www.epar.org.yu/index-e.htmlEFSA TO LOOK INTO SEAL HUNTING PRACTICES Following a request by the European Commission, the European Food Safety
Agency (EFSA) is to prepare a scientific opinion on the methods for killing and skinning seals currently used in and outside the European Union. The aim is to measure, as far as is scientifically possible, the degree of pain, distress and suffering that may be caused by each method,
and to identify the most humane practices.
http://www.oipa.org/hunting/campaign/canada/efsa.htmlCANADIAN SEAL HUNT Canada's commercial seal hunt is the largest and most brutal slaughter of marine mammals on earth. Over the past four years, over one and a quarter million seals have been killed for their fur. 97 percent of the seals killed were under 3 months of age and the majority was less than one month old. At the time of slaughter, many of these pups had not yet eaten their first solid meal or taken their first swim. A postmortem survey has shown that up to 42% of these babies are skinned alive. Killing hundreds of thousands of living beings is immoral and unethical.
Please, keep writing mails, more info at:http://www.oipa.org/hunting/campaign/canada/seals_petition.html
NAMIBIA 2007 Namibia is the only country in the world that still allows the killing of nursing baby seals. During what's been described as "the cruelest seal 'hunt' on the planet," young Cape Fur seal pups and adult males are beaten with clubs, stabbed, and shot with arrows. Although the Namibian government justifies its annual seal hunt by claiming that the seals are responsible for the demise of fish stocks, scientific studies have shown that
over-fishing is to blame-not seals. In reality, Cape Fur seals are killed mostly for their fur. Adult males are also killed for their penises, which are exported to Asia to be used as aphrodisiacs.
OIPA created a blog with all the news and videos about Namibian seal Hunt.
http://namibia2007.wordpress.com
Please help the seals and write letters:
http://www.oipa.org/hunting/alerts/namibia.htmlMARIA DAINES
A voice for animals
http://www.oipa.org/news/maj06_maria.htm
Please visit her web site to read her wonderful job for all the animals
http://www.maria-daines.com
RICH RUSSOM
Song for the seals "Ice Field Blues"
http://iacmusic.com/songs.aspx?SongID8160&ArtistID 335
Written in hope of raising awareness for the plight of the Baby Harp Seals, which are brutally killed for their fur!
Support OIPA campaigns www.oipa.org/campaigns.htmlSign OIPA action alerts www.oipa.org/alerts.html
Link OIPA www.oipa.org/download.html
If you want support OIPA, Please make a donation
http://www.oipa.org/oipa/oipa_whatcan.htmIf you would like to unsubscribe from this list, please send an email to international@oipa.org and in the subject line place "remove" .
We will remove this address from our list.OIPA International Organization for Animal Protection
NGO - Non Governmental Organization affiliated to the UN
Department of Public Information
international@oipa.org
www.oipa.org**************************************************
Animal Voice - September 2007
Campaign newsletter of the Irish Council Against Blood Sports
______________________________________
Irish Council Against Blood Sports (ICABS)
PO Box 88, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Ireland
Website: www.banbloodsports.com
WAPsite: www.banbloodsports.com/wap
Tel: 044-93 49848 or 086-2636265
*** Animal Voice can also be viewed on the ICABS website in rich text format ***
In This Issue:
01. Ban this despicable blood sport
02. Green Party urged to honour pre-election pledge
03. Coursers get go-ahead from Minister
04. Westmeath coursing club refused licence
05. Hare "squealed with distress": more coursing cruelty uncovered
06. Video: Paddy Power - Stop the bloody bullring bets
07. Meath TD slammed for defending animal cruelty
08. Unlawful trap appeal
09. Tony Gregory urges Minister to ban coursing
10. Kathy Sinnott, MEP joins calls for blood sports bans
11. Swiss Greens support ICABS appeal to Irish Greens
12. "You have my full support": Sean Hughes
13. Hunt kennels fined under Litter Pollution Act
14. No more in-flight bullfights
15. New anti-bullfighting leaflet
16. Scrap the matador avatar
17. Latest appeal: Print and post today
18. Positive coverage for fox in newspaper
19. Hare suffering evidence presented to former Minister
20. Campaign Quotes
21. Petitions
22. Letters to Editors
______________________________________
01. Ban this despicable blood sport
______________________________________
Please join our urgent appeal to Green Party Environment Minister, John Gormley, to refuse a licence to the Ward Union carted deer hunt. The
Minister is currently considering a licence application from the hunt for another season of despicable blood sport abuse.
Before responding to the Action Alerts below, please view our video presentation which exposes what happens to the Ward Union deer - from
the moment they are released from the cart to the end of the hunt when they are bitten by dogs and tackled to the ground.
Video: The cruelty of carted deer hunting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4V9l4ChELo
About the Ward Union
Dozens of men and women on horseback, a pack of 40 howling hounds and one defenceless deer. That's the Ward Union hunt's revolting recipe for
"sport".
For over 150 years, this widely condemned group have been getting their kicks from abusing animals. Deer, with their antlers cut off, are driven
from the hunt's private deer park in a livestock cart and set up as quarry. According to Department of Agriculture records, some deer are
aware of the terror that lays ahead, with one observed showing "body tremors, excessive salivation and panting".
The disorientated animal gets a ten minute head start into the countryside of Meath or North County Dublin before finding the heartless
Ward Union cavalry and their hounds closing in from behind.
The creature frantically tries to stay ahead but being in unfamiliar territory, the route is hazardous. Its tongue hangs out and sweat sprays
from its body as it crashes through hedges, over walls, across busy public roads and even down village streets. It's a gruelling ordeal
which can last for up to three hours and result in cuts, bruises, bites, lameness and exhaustion.
Veterinary documents, obtained by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports under the Freedom of Information Act, have also exposed some of the
inevitable fatalities. There was a deer which died of fractured ribs, two deer which died from ruptured aortic aneurisms, a deer which drowned
in a quarry and a deer which dropped dead after desperately trying to escape over an 8ft wall.
When the unfortunate animal becomes so depleted that it can run no more, hunt members move in to tackle it to the ground. On at least one
occasion this merciless move has led to a deer being "accidentally choked" to death. Dragged along to the hunt cart and returned to the
deer park, the deer used will await a future hunt outing when they will again have to endure this appalling abuse.
For far too long, the Ward Union have been flouting the Protection of Animals Act which clearly makes it is an offence to terrorise or cause
unnecessary suffering. Their cowardly hunt may have been acceptable in the 1800s but there's no place for it in a modern Ireland where the vast
majority of people abhor animal cruelty. All of us eagerly await Minister John Gormley's historic decision to banish this blood sport
back into the past where it belongs. (Philip Kiernan, ICABS)
ACTION ALERT 1
Please contact Environment Minister, John Gormley, and appeal to him to stand firm against the Ward Union and refuse a licence for their abuse
of deer.
Sample Letter
(Please compose your own personal letter if possible. If you do not have time to do this, please send the short sample letter below. Be
assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.)
Minister John Gormley
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Custom House, Dublin 1.
Email: minister@environ.ie
Tel: 01 888 2403. Fax: 01 878 8640.
Dear Minister Gormley,
I am writing to implore you to stand firm against the Ward Union and refuse a licence for another season of despicable deer abuse.
In its pre-election manifesto, the Green Party pledged to ban blood sports when in government. Please take the opportunity to fulfil this
promise and end the suffering of these deer.
Thank you very much, Minister. I look forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely,
Name/Location
ACTION ALERT 2
Please contact your local TD and Senator and ask them to make an appeal to Minister Gormley on your behalf.
For the names of your TDs, please click on your county on the Irish Government website
(http://www.oireachtas.ie/members%2Dhist/default.asp?housetype=0&HouseNum=30&disp=const)
Contact your TD at:
Dail Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 337889 (1890 DEPUTY).
For a list of Senators, please visit the Irish Government website
(http://www.oireachtas.ie/members-hist/default.asp?housetype=1&HouseNum=23&disp=mem)
Contact your Senator at:
Seanad Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 732 623 (1890 SEANAD).
______________________________________
02. Green Party urged to honour pre-election pledge
______________________________________
In its pre-election manifesto, the Green Party made a historic pledge to ban blood sports if they succeeded in getting into government. With two
Ministers and a Minister of State now in position, the Green Party is today firmly in government. Please join us in urging the Green Party to
honour its promise to bring hare coursing, carted deer hunting and fox hunting to an end in Ireland.
ACTION ALERT
Please send a message of support to the six Green Party TDs and urge them to stand firm on their pledge to protect Irish animals from the
terrible cruelty of blood sports.
Minister John Gormley, Minister for the Environment
Tel: 01-888 2403. Email: minister@environ.ie
Ciaran Cuffe, TD
Tel: 01-6183082. Email: ciaran@ciarancuffe.com
Trevor Sargent TD
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture
Tel: 01-6183465. Email: tsargent@greenparty.ie
Minister Eamon Ryan, TD
Minister of Communications Energy and Natural Resources
Tel: 01 6183097. Email: eamon.ryan@oireachtas.ie
Mary White, TD
Tel: 059 9773184. Email: marywhite@oceanfree.net
Paul Gogarty TD
Tel: 01 6183022. Email: pgogarty@oireachtas.ie
Sample Letter
(Please compose your own personal letter if possible. If you do not have time to do this, please send the short sample letter below. Be
assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.)
Dear Deputy,
I am writing to urge the Green Party to please honour its pre-election promise to ban blood sports in Ireland.
The Irish animals so cruelly abused and killed in our countryside are depending on your commitment to bring blood sports to an end.
As a first step, I appeal to you to please refuse a licence to the Ward Union deer hunt.
Your historic move will be widely welcomed across Ireland and the world.
Thank you and best wishes.
Name/Location
______________________________________
03. Coursers get go-ahead from Minister
______________________________________
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports has expressed disappointment at the news that Minister John Gormley has issued another licence to the
Irish Coursing Club. The licence will allow coursing clubs around Ireland to snatch thousands of hares from the wild to be used as live
lures. A decision has not yet been made on the licensing of the Ward Union but ICABS remains hopeful that this will become the first of our
blood sports to be banned.
ICABS is saddened to think of the hares that will be removed from their habitats in the coming weeks and months and forced to run for their
lives in front of greyhounds. As highlighted to the Minister in the weeks leading up to his decision, hares continue to suffer appalling
injuries on the coursing fields. Some are so severely mauled that they drop dead or have to be put down.
Despite our disappointment, the campaign against coursing most definitely goes on. With your help, we will continue to press Minister
Gormley to ban this shameful blemish on the Irish countryside. Please follow our action alerts below and share our confidence that the day is
coming when Irish animals will be spared the cruelty and inhumanity of blood sports.
ACTION ALERT 1
Please contact Environment Minister, John Gormley, and appeal to him to reconsider his decision to licence hare coursing. Urge him to stand firm
against the Ward Union and refuse a licence for their abuse of deer.
Sample Letter
(Please compose your own personal letter if possible. If you do not have time to do this, please send the short sample letter below. Be
assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.)
Minister John Gormley
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Custom House, Dublin 1.
Email: minister@environ.ie
Tel: 01 888 2403.
Fax: 01 878 8640.
Dear Minister Gormley,
I am writing to express my great disappointment at your decision to licence hare coursing in Ireland. This licence not only disregards the
awful animal cruelty of coursing but also the wishes of the majority of Irish adults who want this barbarism banned. I hope that you will find a
way to urgently bring coursing to an end in Ireland.
I understand that you will be considering the licensing of carted deer hunting in the coming weeks. I implore you to stand firm against the
Ward Union and refuse this licence.
In its pre-election manifesto, the Green Party pledged to ban blood sports when in government. You now have the opportunity to fulfil this
promise and end the suffering of deer and hares.
Yours sincerely,
Name/Location
ACTION ALERT 2
Please contact your local TD and Senator and ask them to make an appeal to Minister Gormley on your behalf.
For the names of your TDs, please click on your county on the Irish Government website
(http://www.oireachtas.ie/members%2Dhist/default.asp?housetype=0&HouseNum=30&disp=const)
Contact your TD at:
Dail Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 337889 (1890 DEPUTY).
For a list of Senators, please visit the Irish Government website
(http://www.oireachtas.ie/members-hist/default.asp?housetype=1&HouseNum=23&disp=mem)
Contact your Senator at:
Seanad Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 732 623 (1890 SEANAD).
______________________________________
04. Westmeath coursing club refused licence
______________________________________
A hare coursing club in County Westmeath has been refused a licence for a meeting in October. Although ICABS is pleased that at least one club
has been stopped, it's little consolation - the licence recently issued by Minister Gormley allows 90 other coursing meetings to proceed. Our
campaign against this deplorable blood sport continues.
Westmeath United Coursing Club, based in Raharney, was refused a licence for the 2-day meeting due to a serious licence breach in August 2006
when they were found to have hares on their premises, outside the licence period.
The club was reported to the National Parks and Wildlife Service by ICABS after a caller to our offices alerted us to the presence of hares
on the club's grounds.
The club was subsequently convicted at Killucan District Court last June. Club chairman, Brendan Farrelly, admitted at the time that the
hares had been caught outside the period specified on the licence. Quoted in the local media, he claimed that "it was simply
over-enthusiasm on the part of some members."
Mr Farrelly resigned his position as chairman of the general purposes sub-committee of the Irish Coursing Club, but maintained that this was
unconnected to his own club's licence breach.
"On the basis of breaches of the previous licence the Minister has decided to exclude one of the affiliated clubs from the licence for the
coming season and to curtail the activities of two other affiliated clubs," Minister Gormley announced in a statement.
ICABS has welcomed this season's ban on the netting of hares for use as live lures by the Westmeath United Coursing Club. Spokesperson Aideen
Yourell commented: "At least the hares in that area are spared the trauma and terror of being snatched from the wild and kept captive in a
coursing compound to be used as live lures before greyhounds in a barbaric activity more suitable to the dark ages than present day
Ireland."
Our campaign to secure a ban on all coursing clubs continues.
______________________________________
05. Hare "squealed with distress": more coursing cruelty uncovered
______________________________________
A hare "squealed with distress" after being caught by a muzzled greyhound during a coursing meeting last season. Just one of the
deplorable instances of animal cruelty uncovered by ICABS from the latest NPWS reports.
The documents, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, provide yet another horrifying insight into the fate of hares caught by coursing
clubs. The abuse outlined is some of the worst ever encountered by ICABS.
Among the disturbing incidents witnessed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service rangers during the 2006/07 season are:
* Hares being killed after being viciously mauled by greyhounds
* Hares suffering injuries so severe that they had to be put down
* A hare "squealing in distress" after being caught by a muzzled dog
* A hare suffering with "a badly broken hind leg"
* A hare "carrying a hind leg"
* A hare with "a damaged hind toe"
For more details, please click on Latest News at www.banbloodsports.com and scroll down to Hare "squealed with distress": more coursing cruelty
uncovered (31 August 2007)
______________________________________
06. Video: Paddy Power - Stop the bloody bullring bets
______________________________________
ICABS has produced a 30 second video as part of our campaign to convince Paddy Power to stop accepting bets on the number of ears carved from the heads of bulls. The presentation shows graphic footage of a bull being cut with a dagger alongside the slogan: "Paddy Power Plc - Stop the
bloody bullring bets".
To view the video, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5we4eBEdLgQ (English version)*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm8NJYEuTYs (Spanish version)*
(* Warning: Contains disturbing footage of a bullfighter cutting off the ear of a live bull.)
ACTION ALERT
Please urgently contact the CEO of Paddy Power and demand an end to its bullfighting bets. Ask as many of your friends as possible to respond to
this action alert.
Patrick Kennedy
Chief Executive
Paddy Power Plc
Airton House, Airton Road
Tallaght, Dublin 24.
Email: info@paddypowerplc.com; ppower@paddypower.com
Tel: 00353 (0)1 404 5900. Fax: 00353 (0)1 404 5901.
Sample Letter
(Please compose your own personal letter if possible. If you do not have time to do this, please send the short sample letter below. Be
assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.)
Dear Mr Kennedy,
I am writing to express my absolute disgust that the Paddy Power company is currently accepting bets on the number of ears that will be cut off
the heads of bulls after bullfighting events in Spain. The ears are carved off as grisly trophies for the matadors and often removed while
the animal is still alive.
It is beyond belief that a company which values its image would want to associate with this cruel and indefensible animal cruelty. Bulls are
subjected to the most horrendous abuse in Spanish bullrings - spiked spears and swords are plunged into their flesh and they finally collapse
in agony with blood cascading from their backs and spraying from their mouths and nostrils.
I ask you to immediately end your bullfighting bets.
Yours sincerely,
Name/Location
______________________________________
07. Meath TD slammed for defending animal cruelty
______________________________________
Fine Gael TD, Shane McEntee, has been criticised by ICABS for defending animal cruelty. Deputy McEntee has claimed that "hunting has a long and
honourable tradition in County Meath" and is asking for a licence to be granted to the Ward Union hunt.
In a statement headed "Hands off Hunting", the Navan TD maintained that the controversial deer hunt "has built up an excellent relationship with
farmers and the wider community across the county".
"I am calling on the Environment Minister, John Gormley to grant a licence to the Ward Union Hunt to hunt live stags," he said. "Any doubts
about the future of the Ward Union Hunt should be removed. Meath would be a poorer place if the Ward Union Hunt was not allowed to hunt across
its fields."
ICABS has strongly rejected Shane McEntee's pro-hunting claims and we have issued the following response.
It's hardly "honourable" to hound tame, defenceless deer around the countryside, leaving them exhausted and at high risk of injury, and even
death. Department of Agriculture reports (obtained by this organisation under FOI) have revealed numerous disturbing incidents, including a deer
hanging by its front leg on barbed wire, a deer which died of fractured ribs, a deer which died of a ruptured aortic aneurism brought on by the
huge stress of the chase, a deer "accidentally" choked on capture, a deer, having run 8 miles in 90 minutes, with a lather of white foam
around its muzzle, a deer which drowned in a quarry and a deer which dropped dead after desperately trying to escape over an 8ft wall.
How can Deputy McEntee, as a public representative, stand over and endorse such a cruel activity, masquerading as "sport"?
As regards Deputy McEntee's claim that the Ward Union has an "excellent relationship" with farmers and the wider community, this is highly
questionable, given the litany of complaints down the years against this hunt from farmers and the general public regarding trespass on lands,
damage to fields and boundaries as well as the cutting of wire - an admission made by a hunt official on RTE's Liveline show earlier this
year. The hunt have also been criticised for invading private gardens, creating traffic hazards by riding along public roads, holding up
vehicles, including a school bus and two ambulances (witnessed and filmed by ICABS) and generally making a nuisance of themselves.
The high profile and widely reported Kildalkey incident, earlier this year, pointed up the utter irresponsibility of this group, when a deer
was chased into a schoolyard by the hounds, resulting in the school having to lock down, while the followers on horseback rode roughshod
through Kildalkey village. All of these incidents most definitely negate Deputy McEntee's claim that the Ward Union has an "excellent
relationship with farmers and the wider community".
It would behove Deputy McEntee to call for the Ward Union hunt to do the honourable and responsible thing and immediately switch to drag hunting.
Drag hunting (already practised by the Ward Union as a way of exercising hounds) would be more humane, safer for all concerned, and more
environmentally responsible, as the route taken by the hunt would be pre-ordained and set out with the agreement of farmers and landowners.
ACTION ALERT 1
Please contact Minister John Gormley and ask him to refuse a carted deer hunting licence.
Sample Letter
(Please compose your own personal letter if possible. If you do not have time to do this, please send the short sample letter below. Be
assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.)
Minister John Gormley
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Custom House, Dublin 1.
Email: minister@environ.ie
Tel: 01 888 2403.
Fax: 01 878 8640.
Dear Minister Gormley,
I support the call by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports for you to refuse a licence to the Ward Union carted deer hunt.
The Green Party promised to ban blood sports when in government. I hope that you will take this opportunity to make history for Irish animals by
refusing to licence these blood sports groups.
Thank you very much, Minister. I look forward to your positive response.
Yours sincerely,
Name/Location
ACTION ALERT 2
Please contact your local TD and Senator and ask them to make an appeal
to Minister Gormley on your behalf.
For the names of your TDs, please click on your county on the Irish
Government website
(http://www.oireachtas.ie/members%2Dhist/default.asp?housetype=0&HouseNum=30&disp=const)
Contact your TD at:
Dail Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 337889 (1890 DEPUTY).
For a list of Senators, please visit the Irish Government website
(http://www.oireachtas.ie/members-hist/default.asp?housetype=1&HouseNum=23&disp=mem)
Contact your Senator at:
Seanad Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 732 623 (1890 SEANAD).
ACTION ALERT 3
If you are one of Shane McEntee's County Meath constituents, make him aware of your views on the Ward Union. If you are a landowner,
homeowner, motorist or parent who has in any way been negatively affected by the Ward Union, please point this out in your
correspondence. Ask Deputy McEntee to stop defending the Ward Union hunt.
Shane McEntee, TD
Dail Eireann
Kildare St, Dublin 2
Email: shane.mcentee@oireachtas.ie
Tel: 01 6184447. Fax: 01 6184509.
______________________________________
08. Unlawful trap appeal
______________________________________
ICABS is asking members of the public to check their local hardware stores and co-op shops for a trap which involves the drowning of mice.
The MouseMaster trap lures the creatures onto the lid of a bucket where they fall into water and die. ICABS has learnt that the trap is unlawful
in Ireland.
The cruel traps may still be on sale around the country, however. Please help identify the shops where the traps are being sold. If you spot one
of these traps, please email us with the name and address of the shop and we will pass it on to the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Thank
you.
About the trap: A newspaper advert for the MouseMaster states that it holds up to 10 mice and "regular checks are not required". According to
a Yahoo News report, the trap's Irish inventor said that one of the advantages of the trap is that the bucket can house any number of dead
mice as well as other animals. The trap won a bronze medal in the International Category at the 2004 British Invention Show. ICABS
understands that the trap is unlawful under Ireland's Wildlife Act 1976 (Approved Traps, Snares And Nets) Regulations 2003.
To view photos of the trap, please click on "Latest News" at www.banbloodsports.com and scroll down to "Unlawful trap appeal" (6 July
2007)
______________________________________
09. Tony Gregory urges Minister to ban coursing
______________________________________
ICABS Vice-President, Tony Gregory, TD has urged Minister Gormley to refuse a licence to hare coursers. Deputy Gregory pointed to the
horrific injuries suffered by coursed hares and reminded the Minister that a majority of Irish people want the blood sport outlawed.
"I urge you not to grant a licence to the Irish Coursing Club," Deputy Gregory stated. "As Minister for the Environment you now have an
opportunity to ensure that the cruelty to animals inherent in hare coursing is ended, a move which would be welcomed by a majority of
people."
______________________________________
10. Kathy Sinnott, MEP joins calls for blood sports bans
______________________________________
Irish MEP, Kathy Sinnott, has joined the calls for a ban on hare coursing and carted deer hunting. In a letter to Green Party Environment
Minister, John Gormley, Ms Sinnott asked for an end to "this terrible practice of animal abuse".
"I support the call by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports for you to refuse licences for the Irish Coursing Club and the Ward Union carted
deer hunt," she stated. "I join their calls for you to refuse licences to those involved in this terrible practice of animal abuse."
ICABS has thanked Kathy Sinnott for her support.
For more information on Kathy Sinnott, MEP, please visit
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members/expert/groupAndCountry/view.do?language=EN&id=28119
______________________________________
11. Swiss Greens support ICABS appeal to Irish Greens
______________________________________
The Green Party in Switzerland has taken time out from its pre-election campaigning to convey a message of support to ICABS. Vice General
Secretary, Miriam Behrens, announced that "the Swiss Greens fully support your position" and asked us to convey to Irish Green Party
Minister, John Gormley, their desire to see blood sports licences refused here.
ICABS has thanked the Swiss Greens for this support and have conveyed their message to Minister Gormley and the Green Party's TDs and
Senators.
______________________________________
12. "You have my full support": Sean Hughes
______________________________________
ICABS is delighted to report that popular Irish actor and comedian, Sean Hughes, has given the thumbs up to our campaign. Sean, who recently
appeared in Coronation Street, told us in an email: "You have my full support."
"I am opposed to any cruelty," he said. "I find animal cruelty disgusting. You have my full support."
ICABS is delighted to have the support of Sean Hughes.
Check out www.myspace.com/seanhughescomedian and www.pbjmgt.co.uk/clients/sean_hughes for more information on his film
and TV roles as well as his books and live comedy shows.
Other celebrities who have expressed their support for our campaign against blood sports include U2, Brigitte Bardot, Howard Jones, Benjamin
Zephaniah and Coronation Street's David Neilson.
______________________________________
13. Hunt kennels fined under Litter Pollution Act
______________________________________
The following is an extract from the Waterford News and Star of 3rd August 2007:
"Since January Waterford City Council have issued 28 litter fines for illegal signs. The council have also recently obtained two convictions
at Waterford District Court in prosecutions brought against two offenders under the Litter Pollution Act 1997. The first saw Waterford
Hunt Kennels, Brenan, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford being convicted of the illegal display of signs on the Outer Ring Road. They were sent two
litter fines under the Litter Pollution Act 1997 for displaying illegal signs, which remained unpaid. Waterford Hunt Kennels were not
represented in court. They were fined 300 Euro for each fine and ordered to pay legal cost and 75 Euro expenses on each fine."
______________________________________
14. No more in-flight bullfights
______________________________________
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports has praised the new publishers of Ryanair Magazine for an assurance that bullfighting will no longer be
publicised in the popular in-flight publication. Editor, Ramsay Short, promised ICABS this week that "there will not be any stories promoting
or highlighting bullfighting".
"You'll be pleased to hear that since Ink Publishing took on the mantle of producing Ryanair Magazine there have [not] been and there will not
be any stories promoting or highlighting bullfighting or any other such sport," Mr Short stated.
"Earlier this year when running a small item on the Pamplona bull run was raised, it was quickly deemed something that we would not want to
place in the magazine," he added. "Instead in our June-July edition we highlighted the Running of the Nudes - a protest against the Running of
the Bulls."
ICABS is delighted at this positive response from Ink Publishing, an award winning company which produces more in-flight magazines for more
airlines than any other publisher in the world. Their pro-animal stance means that a visit to a bullfight will no longer be suggested as a
holiday activity for Ryanair Magazine's potential monthly readership of 4 million.
Despite repeated appeals and complaints to the previous publishers of the magazine, bullfighting used to be regularly publicised. In the
August 2006 edition, bullrunning also received coverage with readers being encouraged to "Come to Pamplona and run with the bulls".
______________________________________
15. New anti-bullfighting leaflet
______________________________________
Please print out and distribute the new Irish Council Against Blood Sports' anti-bullfighting leaflet. The message on this year's leaflet
is: "Have happy holiday memories - This summer, boycott bullfighting".
* Please give a copy of the leaflet to your friends before they leave on holidays.
* Ask your travel agent to display a copy.
* When you arrive at your holiday accommodation, ask if you may display a copy in the reception area.
Download the leaflet now!
http://www.banbloodsports.com/pdfs/bullfighting-2007_A4_poster.pdf
(pdf, 1.9 Mb)
______________________________________
16. Scrap the matador avatar
______________________________________
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports has appealed to Yahoo! to drop a matador from its range of avatars (http://avatars.yahoo.com). The
offensive costume includes a red cape and allows users to assume the role of a bullfighter. In a letter to the company's head office, ICABS
outlined how the individuals who wear this outfit in the real world are merciless in their treatment of animals.
ICABS told Yahoo CEO, Jerry Yang, that bullfighting is opposed by millions of people around the world and that an international campaign
to secure a ban is ongoing.
In our appeal we stated: "As bullfighters are responsible for some of the world's worst cruelty to animals, we ask Yahoo to replace the
'Turquoise & Gold Torero Outfit' with an outfit more appropriate to Yahoo's friendly, fun and respectful values."
ACTION ALERT
Post a letter or send a fax to Yahoo! and appeal for the matador avatar to be scrapped.
Jerry Yang
CEO, Yahoo! Inc.
701 First Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94089
Fax: 001 408 349 3301.
Email: No email address available
______________________________________
17. Latest appeal: Print and post today
______________________________________
If you have friends or family members who do not have access to the internet, please print and distribute our latest appeal to Minister John
Gormley. The "No More Licences for Animal Cruelty" appeal (pdf, 286Kb) can be downloaded from
http://www.banbloodsports.com/pdfs/nolicences.pdf
______________________________________
18. Positive coverage for fox in newspaper
______________________________________
An Irish newspaper aimed at promoting nature has given foxes the positive coverage they deserve! Refreshingly free from the usual
misinformation, the article published in Sherkin Comment dispels myths and portrays the fox as one of our most fascinating wild mammals.
The article, which can also be viewed on the ENFO website (www.enfo.ie - Click on Wildlife and scroll down to Information Leaflets) provides lots
of information about the fox and its behaviour as well as tips on how to identify fox tracks and calls.
Among the fox facts presented for readers are:
* After humans, foxes are one of the most widespread of animals on earth.
* In urban areas foxes live at higher densities than in the countryside.This is probably due to urban foxes having a more regular source of
food. thanks to us!
* A home range is typically occupied by breeding male, a breeding female and their cubs. Often a second non-breeding female (the offspring of a
previous year) will remain in the territory and help to rear the cubs.
* A female fox, a vixen, is pregnant for 53 days and has a single litter per year. Cubs are born in March/April and the average litter is of 4-6
cubs. The tiny fox cubs only weigh 50-150 grams at birth and are not able to open their eyes till they are at least 9- 14 days old. At 4-5
weeks of age they are finally able to leave the den but still need their mother to look after them until they are weaned at 8-10 weeks.
* Sometimes the fox gets a bad name from farmers who blame them for killing lambs and poultry. Foxes in fact rarely prey on lamb and it
makes up a very small part of their diet. Where lamb or sheep is taken it is most often scavenged from animals that have already died from
other causes.
* Foxes have five toes on their front paws but only four on their hind paws
* Like all other mammals, foxes leave their distinctive smell everywhere they go. Usually this is to mark out their territory for other foxes.
The smell includes information as to whether the fox is male or female, and how old and healthy or strong it is.
* Foxes have up to 20 different calls, 8 of which are just used by cubs.
______________________________________
19. Hare suffering evidence presented to former Minister
______________________________________
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports has presented evidence of coursing cruelty to former Environment Minister, Dick Roche. The hare
suffering occurred during the 2006-07 coursing season following a licence issued by Mr Roche.
"You will recall that last year, you issued a licence to the Irish Coursing Club to net hares from the wild for use as lures in coursing,"
ICABS stated in a letter to Minister of State Roche. "We wish to bring to your attention instances of suffering experienced by hares during the
subsequent coursing meetings. These include hares squealing in distress with broken limbs."
______________________________________
20. Campaign Quotes
______________________________________
"Aideen Yourell of the Irish Council Against Blood Sports welcomed Mr Gormley's expected action: 'The Ward Union deer hunters are the grown-up
version of the schoolyard bully. Releasing a defenceless, domesticated deer into the countryside and hounding it around for a couple of hours
for 'entertainment' is nothing short of sadism.'" (Irish Examiner, September 6th, 2007)
"ICABS spokesperson, Aideen Yourell, said it was hardly 'honourable' to hound tame, defenceless deer around the countryside, leaving them
exhausted and at high risk of injury, and even death...'How can Deputy McEntee, as a public representative, stand over and endorse such a cruel
activity, masquerading as sport?' she asked. She said Deputy McEntee`s claim that the Ward Union had an 'excellent relationship' with farmers
and the wider community was highly questionable, given the litany of complaints down the years against this hunt from farmers and the general
public regarding trespass on lands and damage to fields and boundaries."
(Meath Chronicle, 18th September, 2007)
"Aideen Yourell, Irish Council Against Blood Spots, said a licence to net hares would give around 75 coursing clubs the go-ahead to 'cruelly
snatch approximately 7,000 hares from their habitats in nets.' She said: 'The hares are kept captive in coursing compounds for weeks before being
forced to run in terror from greyhounds on the days of coursing.' Ms Yourell reminded the Green leader that his party's stated policy is that
'when in government' they will 'introduce legislation to end blood sports'. (Irish Independent, September 5th 2007)
"The Irish Council Against Blood Sports (ICABS) have described Paddy Power's bullfighting bets as 'in the poorest of taste'. Spokesperson
Aideen Yourell, from ICABS, said: 'Visitors to the website are being given the opportunity to guess the total number of ears carved off the
animals and given to matadors as gruesome trophies. As people are casting bets on paddypower.com, the bulls are stumbling around the
bullrings with blood spurting from their backs and spraying from their noses and mouths. The animals are also sometimes still alive when the
horrible ear removal ritual is performed. Surely, this is not the type of activity which Paddy Power wants to either be associated with or to
make money from?' (Limerick Post, 8th September 2007)
"Readers of Monday's column will remember the bizarre and incredibly heartless story of how the bookie [Paddy Power] is offering odds on how
many bulls' ears the matadors will amputate on any given bull fight. The abhorrent practise, often carried out while the bull is still alive is
one of the more pointlessly violent aspects of a thoroughly sadistic pastime. And yet, despite the growing public opposition to Power
legitimising this practise at a time when even Spanish television is no longer showing bull fighting, he went on to The Last Word with Aideen
Yourell from the Irish Council Against Blood Sports the other day to resolutely defend his position." ("Really, Paddy, you got this one
wrong", Ian O'Doherty column, Irish Independent, August 29th 2007)
"As for the fox, I bear him no grudge. It's a tough job being the top predator in the Irish countryside. You have to be smart and grab an
opportunity when it's offered and you go hungry quite often. The pressure is even greater if you're trying to supply a vixen and a litter
of cubs in your den. I don't blame him. I blame myself for being careless." (Dick Warner, columnist Irish Examiner, 28th May 2007 on the
killing of two hens by a fox after their enclosure was damaged in a storm.)
"Hunting along the deep valley, one fox went back to the high country, but the other stayed in the valley and paid the price for his
mistake...Meanwhile another fox was viewed...they pushed the fox out over the hilltop and back down the valley into a roadside drain. Here
hounds marked strongly and the fox was accounted for [killed]..." (From a report on Westmeath's Brosna Foxhounds hunt - Hounds Magazine, June
2007)
"Some good work by the terrier-men soon had a fox on the move and a fast hunt of 45 minutes took place. The fox was marked to ground and left,
but another was soon afoot. After a long hunt this fox was accounted for [killed]..." (From a report on Limerick's Fedamore Harriers hunt -
Hounds Magazine, June 2007)
"A brace of foxes was on the move and the hounds had to work hard to keep in touch, due to the ghastly weather. They stuck to their task and
after 90 minutes, they caught their fox..." (From a report on Tipperary's Suir Vale Harriers hunt - Hounds Magazine, June 2007)
"Hounds disturbed another fox who ran in the direction of the Slaney River and then proceeded along the centre of the railway line with the
full pack in pursuit. As a train came in his direction he skipped right and went to ground beside the line. Thankfully all the hounds were
safely accounted for." (from a report on the Bree Foxhounds, Irish Field, February 4th, 2006)
"Nowadays, Florrie [a former foxhunt master] feels that because artificial fertilizer is being used in such large quantities, scent is
more difficult for hounds to keep a line and accounts for many of the short runs that many packs are experiencing compared with the old days."
(Irish Field, November 25, 2006) [Fertiliser on farmland - another good reason for animal hunts to change to drag hunting in which the pack of
hounds follow an artificially laid scent. A sufficiently strong scent can be dragged across the countryside shortly before the start of the
hunt, thus ensuring that hounds and riders have an uninterrupted run]
"At the market [Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny] was challenged by a young man, Shane Kiely, who demanded: 'Why won't you ban blood sports? I can't vote for you because you won't ban them.'" (The Irish Times, May 7, 2007)
"In an interview with this newspaper published on May 16, Cllr. Lorcan Allen, a keen foxhunter, hit out at Green Party proposals to ban blood
sports. In doing so he called on hunting fans not to vote for any party going into government with the Greens." (Gorey Guardian, June 28 2007)
"Over 120 hunt followers recently returned after a 27 year gap to a meet in the centre of Cashel town, to the hospitality of Pat Murphy, the
proprietor of the Cashel Palace Hotel." (Irish Field, January 13, 2007)
"With one horses already on the way back to the meet after cutting a hind leg, it was clear that there had been some serious jumping
involved." (Irish Field, February 3rd, 2007)
"They had killed a fox and sent the field home happy." (from a report on the Limerick Harriers hunt, Irish Field, February 3rd, 2007)
"Joint master David Lalor runs this pack with a smile but does admit that he worries about the lack of foxes in large parts of the country.
Shooting interests and much lamping are no help in the management of the fox population because it is always the best foxes that leave the covert
early and they are the first to be shot, leaving the cowardly ones skulking well out of the way." (From a report on the Laois Foxhounds,
Irish Field, January 20th, 2007)
"The hideous and satanic practice of bull fighting is an uncivilised shame and disgrace to all who participate in it and support it. How any
nation or group or person could think themselves evolved and sophisticated, yet to behave in such a primitive and thoughtless way to
another living being, is self-deceived. God created the bull, as He did all animals, and He loves them. To disgrace the bull is to dishonour
God!" (Sevi Regis, July 2007. Sevi is the author of "Until We Meet Again - God's Eternal Plan for His Animals" ISBN: 0-9753980-0-8)
"Throughout history, foxes have been hunted by man, but because he is an intelligent and cunning animal, he has been able to survive all types of
nasty things man and nature have thrown against him...Whatever our opinion is, they do a very important job of controlling the numbers of
pests that also share our environment such as rats and mice." (Enfo Children's Newsletter, October 2005)
______________________________________
21. Petitions
______________________________________
Ban Blood Sports in Ireland in 2007
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/784506550
Save the Tiger
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ianjohng61/index.html
Help persuade Tesco to stop selling live turtles in China
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/518761759
Stop torturing and killing animals in Andalucia (Spain)
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/599446165
Stop torturing bulls in Tordesillas!
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/504044650
Ban bullfighting in Mexico
http://www.petitiononline.com/55400000/petition.html
Serbia Suffering
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/serbia-suffering
______________________________________
22. Letters to Editors
______________________________________
Gormley's hare-raising hypocrisy
Irish independent, 15 September, 2007
by Philip Kiernan, Irish Council Against Blood Sports
How ironic that a Government department entrusted to safeguard the welfare of the Irish hare species has given the go-ahead to yet another
season of coursing.
The licence issued allows the forceful removal from the Irish countryside of thousands of hares. It's a cold-hearted netting assault
that marks the beginning of a long ordeal for this most timid of our native creatures.
"It is impossible to completely avoid stress in hares once you manhandle them and take them out of their natural environment," a vet attached to
the Irish Coursing Club is on record as admitting. "Stress can come in many shapes and forms and as long as you have the hare in captivity, he
is prone to it -- resulting in his disability and even death at times. I believe a lot of damage can be done to hares by rough handling and
netting."
The Department of the Environment's licence not only steamrolls over this, but also over the sickening evidence of hare suffering recorded by
its own National Parks and Wildlife Service division.
Wildlife rangers have been logging the horrors of coursing for years and copies of their reports, obtained by the Irish Council Against Blood
Sports, explicitly convey the cruelty.
It is this succession of abuses that underlines why a majority want the Government to reconsider its facilitation of coursing. We ask them to
continue calling on Minister John Gormley (minister@environ.ie) to spare the hare the cruelty of coursing and end this despicable blood sport.
Unholy origins of the hunt for stags and foxes
Irish Examiner, 21 September 2007
Dick Power, Boherlode, Ballyneety, Co Limerick
Western Europe took many of its ideas and culture from the old Roman empire, which brought about the greatest development in the use of
hunting as an amusement or what is now claimed as 'sport'.
"There is much in religion which belongs not to the Catholic tradition, but to the native or barbaric element that underlies medieval culture",
observed one historian, referring to the church's connection to this cruelty.
The historian Henry Hallam outlined how it became impossible to repress the eagerness with which the clergy rushed into these amusements after
the barbarians, tempted by the rich bishoprics, decided to take upon themselves the sacred functions.
Prohibitions of synods and councils, he wrote, had little effect. Those false shepherds said Mass with their spurs on, their hunting daggers in
their belts and their horses saddled and ready outside the church. Thus began the grafting of bloodsports onto the Christian religion.
With the ascent of the Borgias and Medicis to Peter's chair, such grafting got to the top. To entertain Pope Leo X (Medici), bulls were
fought in the piazza of St Peter's itself. He kept 16 horses and a pack of 35 couples of hounds. Those caught trespassing on his 10 square miles
of game reserve had their hands and feet cut off, their houses burned, their children sold as slaves.
By Nero's order, Christians were sewn into animal skins before being torn to bits by dogs. In 1537, the then 'bishop' of Salzburg had a
peasant sewn into the skin of a stag before setting his pack of hounds on the man who, it is said, was wrongfully blamed for killing the stag,
thereby depriving the bishop of his pleasure. Is it surprising that the church lost credibility?
The seminary at Maynooth was founded and funded by the British to provide the crown with a succession of dog-collared quislings. Not alone
did staff and students swear allegiance to the Crown, but good horses were provided on which deans and professors keenly rode to hounds.
With this church backing, it's not surprising that carted staghunting and foxhunting have only relatively recently met serious opposition.
Born to be wild: free 'performing' circus animals
Irish Examiner, 26 July 2007
by Vic McKeever, Churchtown, Dublin 14
I can't understand why travelling circuses feel the need to have wild animals such as tigers forced to 'perform' for audiences.
This is wanton cruelty and one must wonder why it hasn't been outlawed long ago.
Also, what kind of example does it send to young children who should be learning to treat all animals with the love they deserve?
If all animal lovers banded together and condemned this barbarity, then maybe it would dawn on the circus-owners that good fun can be provided
without making poor animals prance around in front of a ringmaster.
Ban this cruel stag hunting
Irish Independent, 26 July 2007
by John Fitzgerald, Lower Coyne Street, Callan, Co Kilkenny
This month, the Department of the Environment will decide whether to yet again grant a licence to the country's only carted stag hunt.
The "sport" involves the pursuit with hounds of a farmed or domesticated stag that is released from a horse cart for the chase. Mounted hunters
and sightseers follow the horses and hounds in land rovers. The hunt chases the animal across country for an hour or two until it collapses
from exhaustion.
In the course of being chased, the stag is severely injured, getting tangled up in barbed wire, thorn bushes and brambles along the way. Some
hunted stags have dropped dead from heart attacks. Others have drowned in rivers into which they were hounded. Others again have been beaten
half to death with sticks for failing to run.
The deer used are bred in captivity and therefore cannot be classified as wild creatures. The Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1965 prohibit
the hunting or baiting of domestic animals or farm livestock, and there is a widespread belief in legal, environmental, and animal welfare
circles that carted stag hunting is in breach of this legislation.
The only other comparable hunt on this island, in County Down, was banned for using farmed or domesticated deer contrary to Northern
Ireland's animal protection law, which is very similar to the Republic's.
A few months ago, RTE's Liveline radio show was inundated with calls about a stag hunt that rampaged through a schoolyard, scattering
terrified children in all directions. Pupils who saw the helpless stag; bloodied and with its tongue hanging out, were traumatised by the
spectacle.
We hope the Department of the Environment will heed the explicit, well-documented and compelling evidence against carted stag hunting.
There is simply no need or justification for the practice. Cruelty aside, it has no conservation or pest control value whatsoever.
So let's protect our majestic stags and safeguard a precious part of our wildlife heritage.
Bullfighting and betting
Western People, 5 September, 2007
by Philip Kiernan, Irish Council Against Blood Sports
SIR - Paddy Power's foray into the vile world of bullfighting must represent one of the most gruesome and distasteful money making schemes
ever concocted by an Irish company.
Visitors to its Spanish website are currently being invited to guess the number of ears hacked off the heads of tortured bulls. The severed ears
are presented to matadors as grisly trophies.
While the punters are considering their options, another bull is wracked with pain as spikes are driven into its back muscles. Twenty minutes of
unimaginable agony culminate with the matador plunging a sword between the bull's shoulder blades, sending it toppling into a pool of blood.
What happens next will determine if a few euros are added to Paddy Power's Eur58 million profits.
Sickening footage has been presented to company management which explicitly exposes what their bets are based on. A bull - paralysed but
still conscious - blinks slowly and weakly inhales as a bullfighter reaches down to its head.
Pulling an ear taut, he roughly carves it off with a dagger (www.youtube.com/icabs).
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports is calling on members of the public to join us in our appeal to Paddy Power Plc to "put compassion
before cash and scrap the bullring bets."
______________________________________
Tune in to the ICABS Channel
______________________________________
Footage of blood sport cruelty and the humane alternatives can now be viewed on the ICABS Channel on Youtube - www.youtube.com/icabs
______________________________________
Subscriptions/donations
______________________________________
Please become a supporter of ICABS. Annual rates are just 15 Euro (Individual), 20 Euro (Family) and 8 Euro (Unwaged). Contact us for the
relevant form or download it directly from: www.banbloodsports.com/subsform.htm
You can now make an online donation to ICABS using your paypal account or credit card. Please visit www.banbloodsports.com and click on the
"Donate" button. If you prefer, you can post a donation to ICABS, PO Box 88, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Ireland.
Thank you. Your support will allow us to continue campaigning against blood sport cruelty in Ireland.**************************************************
Coursers get go-ahead from Minister
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports has expressed disappointment at the news that Minister John Gormley has issued another licence to the Irish Coursing Club. The licence will allow coursing clubs around Ireland to snatch thousands of hares from the wild to be used as live lures. A decision has not yet been made on the licensing of the Ward Union but ICABS remains hopeful that this will become the first of our blood sports to be banned.
ICABS is saddened to think of the hares that will be removed from their habitats in the coming weeks and months and forced to run for their lives in front of greyhounds. As highlighted to the Minister in the weeks leading up to his decision, hares continue to suffer appalling injuries on the coursing fields. Some are so severely mauled that they drop dead or have to be put down. Sickening examples include:
* A hare "squealing in distress" after being caught by a muzzled dog
* A hare suffering with "a badly broken hind leg"
* A hare "carrying a hind leg"
* A hare with "a damaged hind toe"
* A coursed hare with a "badly broken hind leg [which] seemed to be in great distress"
* A hare in agony in a coursing enclosure with its leg "almost completely broken off".
Despite our disappointment, the campaign against coursing continues from today. With your help, we will continue to press Minister Gormley to ban
this shameful blemish on the Irish countryside. Please follow our action alert below and share our confidence that the day is coming when Irish
animals will be spared the cruelty and inhumanity of blood sports.
ACTION ALERT 1
Please contact Environment Minister, John Gormley, and appeal to him to reconsider his decision to licence hare coursing. Urge him to stand firm
against the Ward Union and refuse a licence for their abuse of deer.
Sample Letter
(Please compose your own personal letter if possible. If you do not have time to do this, please send the short sample letter below. Be assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.)
Minister John Gormley
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Custom House, Dublin 1.
Email: minister@environ.ie
Tel: 01 888 2403.
Fax: 01 878 8640.
Dear Minister Gormley,
I am writing to express my great disappointment at your decision to licence hare coursing in Ireland. This licence not only disregards the
awful animal cruelty of coursing but also the wishes of the majority of Irish adults who want this barbarism banned. I hope that you will find a
way to urgently bring coursing to an end in Ireland.
I understand that you will be considering the licensing of carted deer hunting in the coming weeks. I implore you to stand firm against the
Ward Union and refuse this licence.
In its pre-election manifesto, the Green Party pledged to ban blood sports when in government. You now have the opportunity to fulfil this
promise and end the suffering of deer and hares.
Yours sincerely,
Name/Location
ACTION ALERT 2
Please contact your local TD and Senator and ask them to make an appeal to Minister Gormley on your behalf.
For the names of your TDs, please click on your county at:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/members%2Dhist/default.asp?housetype=0&HouseNum=30&disp=const
Contact your TD at:
Dail Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 337889 (1890 DEPUTY).
For a list of Senators, please visit:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/members-hist/default.asp?housetype=1&HouseNum=23&disp=mem
Contact your Senator at:
Seanad Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 732 623 (1890 SEANAD).
Videos: The cruelty of blood sports
Help highlight the cruelty of blood sports in Ireland. Please embed our video presentations on your website by using the following code.
Carted deer hunting:
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie"
value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_4V9l4ChELo"></param><param name="wmode"
value="transparent"></param><embed
src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_4V9l4ChELo"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425"
height="350"></embed></object>
Hare coursing:
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie"
value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PFdjBy5S8k8"></param><param name="wmode"
value="transparent"></param><embed
src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PFdjBy5S8k8"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425"
height="350"></embed></object>
Foxhunting:
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie"
value="http://www.youtube.com/v/h7PK3E982Bw"></param><param name="wmode"
value="transparent"></param><embed
src="http://www.youtube.com/v/h7PK3E982Bw"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425"
height="350"></embed></object>
-----------------------------------------------------------
Irish Council Against Blood Sports
PO Box 88, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Ireland
Email: info@banbloodsports.com
Website: www.banbloodsports.com
WAPsite: www.banbloodsports.com/wap
ICABS TV: www.youtube.com/icabs
ICABS on Bebo: www.bebo.com/banbloodsports
ICABS on MySpace: www.myspace.com/banbloodsports
-----------------------------------------------------------
- Join our mailing list -
Keep up to date with our campaigns and action alerts. Send an email to
info@banbloodsports.com with "Subscribe" in the subject line. (Please
include your name and location).
- Sign our online petition -
Sign our "Ban Blood Sports in Ireland" petition at:
www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/784506550
**************************************************
ARAN & IAVS International Primate Demo Huge Success 2007
We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who participated in our joint event with our good friends at Irish Anti Vivisection Society (IAVS).
Numbers of people at this year's event were up on our similar event last year outside Dail Eireann, which is good news.
For over two hours activists distributed leaflets, a 'monkey' and a 'rabbit' ensured everyone including traffic on Dublin's busiest O'Connell Street saw
our banners and heard our message. Thankfully there was lots of support from many passersby with many people stopping to ask questions about animal experiments and cosmetic testing on animals, all in all it was a friendly and fun day that was bringing attention to a very serious issue of animal experiments.
Thanks to all who participated in today's event, activists and members came from Clare, Limerick, Sligo, Wicklow, Wexford and of course the amazing
troops from Northern Ireland, let's not forget all the amazing Dublin activists who attended today with whom Animal Rights Action Network
admire, very much, indeed!
So for those of you who could not make it today, don't worry we don't ever forget you either, please click here
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i95jU7LdnYA> to see a short video, we always manage to have fun on these demos too, because the cruelty can most often be all to pressing!
The number one thing people always ask is, how can I do more to help animals
- our message is simple - including but not limited to responding to our appeals, attend our demos and go vegetarian!
Thank you for all that you do animals,
John Carmody | Campaigns Coordinator | Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN)
120 Vale Avenue | Carew Park | Limerick | Ireland
Tel: 087-6275579 | Intl' +353-87-6275579 | Email: arancampaigns@eircom.net
Website: www.ARAN.ie
"Fighting Animal Abuse Across Ireland"
Please include all previous correspondence when replying!
"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."
Thomas Edison
1847-1931, Inventor and Entrepreneur
One of the best ways you can help ARAN is to get actively involved with our ongoing research, lobbying, events, projects, peaceful protests and tabling events across Ireland. Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) is against all forms of animal cruelty and is a grassroots group working to speak out for the rights of all animals here in Ireland, whilst helping to promote and support European and international campaigns to end cruelty to animals.
ARAN works with volunteers, activists, members of the public and other animal protection groups. We firmly believe that by working together we can do so much more and be far more effective. Please be sure to check out ARAN.ie on a frequent basis to keep up to date with ARAN's latest lifesaving
campaigns work. Together we can make a huge difference and we need you on our side.
**************************************************
GREAT NEWS, Hundreds of MEP's Sign Primate Declaration
-----We bring you more good news for animals. The last few months ARAN has being hard at work behind the scenes with Animal Defenders International (ad-international.org) lobbying Irish MEP’s to sign the European Primate Declaration 40, what a success it has being. Apart from the magnificent support we have received from Irish MEP’s on this vital declaration, as of today over 416 EU MEP’s have signed. That’s far more than what was needed and now boosts this campaign further.
Take Action to Stop Animal Experiments This Week – Join ARAN & IAVS to Support International Primate Day
Now has never being such a good time to speak out for animals in laboratories. Join other members of Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) and Irish Anti Vivisection Society (IAVS) as we gear up for an exciting event in support of International Primate Day. Help us celebrate this MEP success and International Primate Day which is speaking out for dogs, cat, monkeys and other gentle animals in horrible cruel experiments across Ireland.
An exciting event not to be missed:-
When: Sunday, September 9th
Where: GPO, O’Connell Street, Dublin 1
Time: 1 – 3.30pm
With huge banners reading ‘Animals Are Not Ours to Experiment On’, Ban Primate Experiments in Ireland’ and ‘The True Face of Animal Experiments’ (ARAN) and (IAVS) members will peacefully draw attention to the plight of animal experiments, our body screen TV will also be on hand to show undercover footage, whilst other members distribute leaflets to curious passersby.
Please do three other things in the lead up to this event;-
- Send this email far and wide and invite family, friends
- Make banners and placards
- Write to your local newspapers about animal testing
On behalf of Animal Rights Action Network & Irish Anti Vivi Section Society, thank you for all that you are doing to help speak out for animals.
**************************************************
ANIMAL EQUALITY / IGUALDAD ANIMAL RESCUES SIX BABY PIGS IN THE FIRST OPEN RESCUE EVER CARRIED OUT IN SPAIN
English Website: http://www.openrescue.net
Spanish Website: http://www.rescateabierto.org
Open Rescue Video: http://www.openrescue.net/videos/rescue-of-six-baby-pigs
Open Rescue FAQ: http://www.openrescue.net/faq/rescue-of-six-baby-pigs
Open Rescue Images: http://www.openrescue.net/imagesSeveral Animal Equality activists has rescued six pigs from an intensive farm in central Spain. With unmasked faces and in broad daylight they were
able to give a new life to these small creatures who had only ever known fear, deprivation, suffering and death. Their mothers, sadly, will never
see the light of day, except during transport to and from the lorry that will carry them to the slaughterhouse. They will never know freedom,
enclosed as they are in “gestation crates” in which they cannot even turn around. Nor do their cages allow them to look at their children, as any
mother would desire to do. Their babies remained by their sides even though they couldn’t enjoy their mother’s attention and care. They slept on the
cement floor and lived amongst excrement and urine. All of them were dirty, some malnourished and others in pain.Though there were dozens of pigs suffering within the farm, we were only able to save the six we had already found homes for. Once out of the farm
and on the way to the home awaiting them, the six piglets appeared calm and even slept peacefully in the car. When they arrived at their new home
everything was a new experience for them. They could feel sunlight for the first time in their short lives, walk on grass and leave the cement behind,
they could explore the earth with their snouts and they could play without fear. They started to run around their new space and jump up and down in
what can only be described as an expression of joy and happiness. They spent their first afternoon in freedom like this, playing with each other,
jumping around and messing about with everything they found in their path.These six pigs are now in a safe place, far from the slaughterhouse and from those who see them as products for consumption. Unfortunately more
than 37 million pigs are raised, exploited and murdered every year in Spain for flesh consumption and nobody will be coming to the rescue of vast
majority of them. A few days ago we rescued six.. at least 36,999,994 pigs are left suffering unimaginably (as well as uncountable millions of other
non-human animals such as chickens, cows, fishes etc.). We can’t help all of them, so we need your help. Only you can prevent millions of animals
being brought into the world just to be killed when the slaughterman slits their throat in the abattoir.Free your slaves, go vegan!
Animal Equality / Igualdad Animal rejects all kinds of animal slavery.
So-called "extensive farming" or "free-range" are just other expressions of the same injustice: all animals are deprived of freedom, separated from
their families and finally murdered in the same slaughterhouses. For more information about "welfarism", we recommend you to read: "Reforming animal slavery as means of perpetuating it":
http://www.animalequality.net/articles/reforming-slavery-as-a-means-of-perpetuating-itCONTACT
Sharon Nunez | Animal Equality / Igualdad Animal Spokesperson
Tel. +0034 915 222 218
Tel. +0034 675 737 459
Email: sharonn@animalequality.net
Office: C/ Montera, 34 2º 8 - 28013 Madrid (Spain)**************************************************
Petition against dog fighting.....
I don't know how many of you saw the BBC1 Panorama programme about the Irish dogfighting ring last night (30.08.07)
The footage shown in the programme was horrific and one of the men featured who was involved in this cruelty and abuse was a Gaelic
footballer, a popular sport. He has already been convicted and fined for keeping dangerous dogs and the footage showed him planning dog fights and discussing stealing a dog to use in a dog fight.
I have written a petition to ask the GAA, the Gaelic Football Association, to suspend this man from playing Gaelic Football. I do not believe that
such a cruel man should be allowed to enjoy the privileged lifestyle that he does, and also feel strongly that he should not be allowed to continue
in his position of role model in Ireland.
Please read the petition and sign it if you would like to show your support.
http://www.petitiononline.com/Cavlan/petition.html
If you would like to contact the GAA directly, their contact details are:
queries@gaa.ie
pressoffice@gaa.ie
Dog fighting is not a sport - it is a cruel and horrific crime.
Please forward this email on to all your contacts.
Regards
Jane**************************************************
Paddy Power's grotesque bullfighting bets
The GSPCA join with the Irish Council Against Blood Sport in condemming Paddy Powers taking bets on the number of ears being cut of bulls at the horrific so called sport of bullfighting. We ask all supporters of animal welfare to join the appeal to have this stopped. Indeed the GSPCA would go as far as saying dont use Paddy Powers until this betting stops.
Paddy Power's grotesque bullfighting bets 23 August 2007ICABS has described as grotesque and in the poorest of taste Paddy Power's acceptance of bullfighting bets. We were horrified to learn that the Irish company is currently inviting bets on the number of ears that will be cut from the heads of bulls after bullfights.
On the Spanish section of paddpower.com (Paddy Power en Espanol - Toros), visitors are being given the opportunity to guess the total number of ears carved off the animals and given to matadors as gruesome trophies.
In a fax to the company's CEO this week, ICABS asked for the bull betting to be urgently scrapped.
"We find grotesque and in the poorest of taste the Paddy Power company's acceptance of such bets," we stated. "We can only assume that company management is unaware of the horrors of bullfighting and how bulls are cruelly tortured with spikes and spears. As people are casting bets on paddypower.com, the bulls are stumbling around the bullrings with blood spurting from their backs and spraying from their noses and mouths. Surely this is not the type of activity which Paddy Power wants to either be associated with or to make money from."
Referring to the cutting off of bulls' ears, we detailed how this is done after the bulls have been subjected to the agony of being stabbed with spiked spears. The animals are sometimes still alive when this gruesome ritual is performed.
Responding to complaints, Paddy Power spokesperson, Gary Connolly commented: "We neither support nor denounce bullfighting, we simply respect this Spanish custom and offer a choice to those customers who wish to bet on it."
ICABS has sent an explicit video clip (please see below) to the company's head office which leaves nothing to the imagination. A bull, still alive, is seen lying paralysed on the ground as a bullfighter uses a dagger to carve off one of its ears.
"It's shocking viewing," we warned in our appeal to CEO Patrick Kennedy, "but we implore you to watch it and reconsider your company's foray into the violent and inhumane world of bullfighting."
A graphic from the Paddy Power website showing a bull, a matador and the slogan "The new face of the bullfighting world"ACTION ALERT
Please urgently contact the CEO of Paddy Power and demand an end to its bullfighting bets. Ask as many of your friends as possible to respond to this action alert.
Patrick Kennedy
Chief Executive
Paddy Power Plc
Airton House
Airton Road
Tallaght
Dublin 24Email: info@paddypowerplc.com
Tel: 00353 (0)1 404 5900
Fax: 00353 (0)1 404 5901
Sample Letter
(Please compose your own personal letter if possible. If you do not have time to do this, please send the short sample letter below. Be assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.)Dear Mr Kennedy,
I am writing to express my absolute disgust that the Paddy Power company is currently accepting bets on the number of ears that will be cut off the heads of bulls after bullfighting events in Spain.
It is beyond belief that a company which values its image would want to associate with this cruel and indefensible animal cruelty. Bulls are subjected to the most horrendous abuse in Spanish bullrings - spiked spears and swords are plunged into their flesh and they finally collapse in agony with blood cascading from their backs and spraying from their mouths and nostrils.
Bulls' ears, carved off as grisly trophies for the matadors, are sometimes removed when the animal is still alive. Video footage showing a live bull having its ear cut off can be seen at http://s147271628.onlinehome.us/bullfighting07.mov
I ask you to please view this shocking clip and immediately end your bullfighting bets.
Yours sincerely,
Name/Location
Paddy Power invites you to bet on this disgusting animal cruelty. A bullfighter uses a dagger to carve off a bull's ear. The unfortunate animal, paralysed from being tortured in the bullring, lays in unimagineable agony as the knife cuts through. A more graphic version of the images can be viewed from the homepage of our website at www.banbloodsports.com.Video: A bull's ear being cut off
The video clip we sent to Paddy Power can be viewed by clicking on the link below.
*** Please be warned that the clip shows a bull's ear being cut off with a dagger. This will be extremely upsetting and disturbing to some ***<http://s147271628.onlinehome.us/bullfighting07.mov>
(Video by www.sharkonline.org)**************************************************
Join our call for blood sport licences to be refused
In the coming weeks, Environment Minister John Gormley will be making a > decision on the licensing of carted deer hunting and hare coursing. Please join us in our call to the Minister to refuse licences for these cruel activities.
Contact us now for copies of our campaign postcards (please specify how many you require and we will post them to you). We would be most grateful if you could send one of each of the cards to the Minister and also make copies available to your supporters to send.
Please also see below for our latest Action Alert.
Thank you for your support. We look forward to your reply.
With best wishes.
Yours sincerely,
Philip Kiernan
Irish Council Against Blood Sports
PO Box 88, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Ireland
Email: info@banbloodsports.com
Website: www.banbloodsports.com
WAPsite: www.banbloodsports.com/wap
ICABS TV: www.youtube.com/icabs
ICABS on Bebo: www.bebo.com/banbloodsports
ICABS on MySpace: www.myspace.com/banbloodsports
-----------------------------------------------------------
- Join our mailing list -
Keep up to date with our campaigns and action alerts. Send an email to info@banbloodsports.com with "Subscribe" in the subject line. (Please include your name and location).
- Sign our online petition -
Sign our "Ban Blood Sports in Ireland" petition at: www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/784506550
-----------------------------------------------------------
ACTION ALERT
Please contact Minister John Gormley and ask him to refuse licences for
coursing and carted deer hunting.
Sample Letter
(Please compose your own personal letter if possible. If you do not have
time to do this, please send the short sample letter below. Be
assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.)
Minister John Gormley
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Custom House, Dublin 1.
Email: minister@environ.ie
Tel: 01 888 2403.
Fax: 01 878 8640.
Dear Minister Gormley,
I support the call by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports for you to
refuse licences for the Irish Coursing Club and the Ward Union carted
deer hunt.
The Green Party promised to ban blood sports when in government. I hope
that you will take this opportunity to make history for Irish animals by
refusing to licence these blood sports groups.
Thank you very much, Minister. I look forward to your positive response.
Yours sincerely,
Name/Location
_____________________
Please visit www.youtube.com/icabs for videos presentations showing the animal cruelty of blood sports. More information can be found on our website at www.banbloodsports.com
**************************************************
ARAN Takes PETA's Campaign into KFC Restaurant!
Dear ARAN Friends,
With so much cruelty we are standing right beside the animals as we take on even more bigger and larger targets, we don't and won't ever give up fighting for animals until the cruelty ends forever.
Members of Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) organized a peaceful protest against KFC in Limerick City to protest the company's killing of chickens.
Whilst several members of ARAN took the protest inside the store, another ARAN & PETA member held our Body Screen TV showing KFC customers how
chickens are killed - customers were shocked, many cried and refused to eat chicken and at KFC again - other activists held signs reading 'KFC Tortures Chicks', 'Scalded Alive' and 'Boycott KFC' whilst chanting 'Boycott KFC'. Activists also distributed vegetarian starter kits so customers can learn more about how you can live a healthy lifestyle and get killer tasty foods without ever killing any animal for their flesh.
This time last year prior to her arrival Pamela Anderson sent a letter and an explicit DVD of undercover investigations into KFC supplies documenting terrible acts of cruelty, shortly after hearing about this the Irish media jammed phone lines wanting to know what and why she sent them, we also spoke about the campaign on RTE and TV 3 the same evening on her arrival in Dublin for a MAC promotion.
To learn more about going vegetarian please visit www.goveg.co.uk or www.kentuckfriedcruelty.com.**************************************************
National Football League's 'Michael Vick' who has being indicted with charges relating to his part with involved dog fighting
I have just seeing pictures and video footage of a very touching protest that has just taken place in Atlanta city in USA today organized by my colleagues at PETA USA. The protest relates to one of the players at NFL or National Football League's 'Michael Vick' who has being indicted with charges relating to his part with involved dog fighting, visit www.hsus.org to learn more.
The story is making headlines across the USA and is helping to bring much needed attention to the viscous issue of cruel dog fighting which also takes place here in Ireland. The reason for me emailing you is that when I seeing the pictures and video footage of the people who took part in today's protest it touched my heart and reminds me of when ARAN stages similar but vital protests here in Ireland too for many other animal cruelty issues. You will see in this attached link http://blog.peta.org/archives/2007/07/vick_protests_i_1.php many people coming along to PETA's protest today, chanting and holding signs, these people are just like you, kind and caring who want to see and end to animal cruelty and will use their voice to do just that.
That's why when Animal Rights Action Network contact you requesting your help, it is always so important to do all you can to ensure you take part in
our eye catching and peaceful protests, urgent action alerts, vital educational events and much more. Remember the animals are counting on your
voice, the only voice - so please just like the people who attended PETA's protest today please do what you can to ensure that the next Animal Rights
Action Network protest is where you will be ensuring your voice is heard loud and clear, and we all the know the animals need us more than ever before.**************************************************
The Irish Seal Sanctuary has been notified by our colleagues abroad, of another outbreak of P.D.V (i.e. phocine distemper virus), in Kattegat, Denmark.
In 2002 Epizootic c20,000 harbour seals in Europe were wiped out. (This epizootic followed another in 1988) There is not cure and while Ireland's harbour seal population is hopefully at some remove this time, the epidemology of this virus is poorly understood and erratic and so the Irish Seal Sanctuary has immediately put in place protocols and reporting procedures for our volunteers, so the National Parks and Wildlife services, (conservation rangers) and Local authorities are immediately alerted to sick seals and deaths in their areas.
Dog owners and walkers should avoid seals and keep their distemper vaccines up to date. Vigilance is the best protection for our seals and the public are encouraged to report and unusual seal behaviour and deaths to the Irish Seal Sanctuary at 01 8354370 and to the authorities.**************************************************
The GSPCA join with The Irish Council Against Blood Sports is appealing to holidaymakers to boycott bullfighting venues when visiting Spain, Portugal or France this summer.
Some tour operators and travel guides will try to lure you into these hell-holes by presenting them as centres of art and culture. For the sake of the animals, and your own peace of mind, please don't listen to them.
Seeing a cut-up bull stumbling weakly around a bullring with blood spurting from its back and spraying from its mouth and nostrils is sure to leave a dark shadow across holiday memories. In fact, many who venture into bullrings out of curiosity leave in disgust as the animals are mercilessly killed before their eyes.
Spain may be the world's worst bullfighting blackspot but the arenas of southern France are equally horrendous.
In the blood-spattered Portuguese bullrings, meanwhile, no killing takes place, but it's little consolation to the bulls. They still suffer excruciating pain as spiked spears are thrust into their back muscles and afterwards, out of sight, they too are slaughtered.
Those who want to totally avoid the towns and villages where bullfighting is hosted can download a location list from banbloodsports.com or view it on their mobile phone at banbloodsports.com/bull.
Happy humane holiday.
**************************************************
THE GSPCA URGE ALL ANIMAL LOVERS TO HELP STOP JAPAN AIRLINES TRANSPORTING PUPPIES
TO END UP IN VIVISECTION LABS
PETA has learned that Covance http://covancecruelty.com/ , a company with a history of egregious cruelty to animals and the world's largest breeder of
dogs for use in experimentation, is using Japan Airlines to transport beagle puppies from New York City to vivisection laboratories in Tokyo. PETA is
asking Japan Airlines to follow the lead of Air Canada and other compassionate airlines by refusing to transport dogs and other animals to
vivisection laboratories http://stopanimaltests.com/index.aspx. Help us persuade Japan Airlines to stop participating in the cruel global trade in
animals!
The journey to Japan can take up to 28 hours. Dogs are crammed into tiny transport cages, may not receive sufficient food or water during the long
journey, and may be forced to sit in their own waste. Cargo holds often lack adequate air conditioning, heating, and ventilation, so animals may endure
extreme discomfort from temperature extremes or suffocate from insufficient oxygen. And this is just the start of the animals' suffering.
Contact Japan Airlines and ask the company to stop shipping animals to Japan for use in laboratories.
Personalized letters always work best. Feel free to use the following text, but your message will carry more weight if you write your own customized
message and subject line.
Please click here to send the airline a protest message, all you need to do is fill in your details and press send!
http://getactive.peta.org/campaign/japan_airlines**************************************************
Take Part in ARAN's Stop Circus Suffering in Ireland Nationwide Week of Action
October 4th - 10th 2007 is world animal week.
Here in Ireland, Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) will organize a nationwide week of action to support our joint 'Stop Circus Suffering in Ireland' campaign with our colleagues at Animal Defenders International (www.ad-international.org). Across the country there will be local campaigners gathering petitions, writing letters, contacting the media and staging peaceful protests outside of circuses that use animals. Never before has our campaign being so successful at highlighting the terrible conditions and the suffering animals endure in traveling circuses, people are refusing to support this cruelty, they are
choosing different forms of 'entertainment', our message is simple - Ban Animal Act Circuses in Ireland.
We need your help:-
On October 4th we are also staging a major demonstration outside the Department of Agriculture. We hope to have a huge inflatable elephant outside the doors of the department with a matching banner that reads 'Stop Circus Suffering', other members will hold similar posters that read 'Stop Circus Suffering' and we will also have 'live' video footage of circus cruelty and we are counting on you to be there with us on the day.
When: Thursday October 4th, 2007
Where: Department of Agriculture, Kildare Street
Time: 12noon - 2pm
Many of you are familiar with ARAN's campaign to end the use of animals in Irish circuses. Our campaign continues to make headlines across the country
exposing people to the suffering of animals in Irish circuses. We have ran huge mobile billboards across the country, continuing to stage highly
creative demonstrations at various city's across Ireland, lobbied the Irish Arts Council against their funding of Irish circuses, organize protests in
many local towns and city's, doing school talks, street theater, education and our local 'Communities Against Animal Act Circuses' initiative, local
campaign meetings and much more.
It's always so heartening when we put out appeals like this because you always continue to support our efforts, again please do you're very best to
make sure that you book the two hours off work to be there with us and many other caring people on October 4th to say Ireland does not want cruelty to
animals and does not support circuses with animals.
We cannot overly state how thankful we are to you all for your ongoing determination to end cruelty to animals, because together we are all making
the world of difference to those animals who count on each and everyone of us.
Thank you,
John Carmody | Campaigns Coordinator | Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN)
120 Vale Avenue | Carew Park | Limerick | Ireland
Tel: 087-6275579 | Intl' +353-87-6275579 | Email: arancampaigns@eircom.net
Website: www.ARAN.ie "Fighting Animal Abuse Across Ireland"
Please include all previous correspondence when replying!
"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed
is always to try just one more time."
Thomas Edison 1847-1931, Inventor and Entrepreneur
One of the best ways you can help ARAN is to get actively involved with our ongoing research, lobbying, events, projects, peaceful protests and tabling
events all over Ireland. Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) is against all forms of animal cruelty and is a grassroots group working to speak out for
the rights of all animals here in Ireland, whilst helping to promote and support European and international campaigns to end cruelty to animals.
ARAN works with volunteers, activists, members of the public and other animal protection groups. We firmly believe that by working together we can do so
much more and be far more effective. Please be sure to check out ARAN.ie on a frequent basis to keep up to date with ARAN's latest lifesaving
campaigns work. Together we can move mountains for the animals and we need you on our side.
**************************************************
OIPA
International Organization for Animal Protection
INTERNATIONAL NEWS LETTER
July 2007MEPS CALL FOR A COMPLETE BAN ON THE CAT AND DOG FUR TRADE
IN THE EU
We are extremely happy to be able to announce that on the June 19th 2007 the European Parliament voted unanimously to ban the import and export of Cat and Dog fur from China into the European Union by December 31st, 2008. It is estimated that more than 2 million animals are brutally slaughtered each year in China alone to supply the main markets in Europe and Russia. The furs and skins are made into coats, fur trim for gloves, boot-linings, cat and dog figurines and used in countless other ways. There is clearly a fraudulent and illegal aspect to this trade as consumers are duped into buying what they believe to be faux fur or fur from wild animals, as merchants make up mythical names on labels, or dye the fur to make it look like faux-fur.
http://www.oipa.org/fur/campaign/furcatdog-mep.html300 CATS HAVE BEEN SAVED IN ITALY Volunteers of OIPA Varese branch and their delegated have worked hard during these months: they have helped, fed and taken to the vet for spaying/neutering about 300 stray cats in Gallarate (VA). They all have received help from the Italian Military Air Force, based in the city, which has offered for the animals an area that they do not use and they have donated empy boxes for the shelter. “We are very proud of our Branch in Varese - said Massimo Comparotto, OIPA Italia Chairman - they have done a job that seemed impossible and they have faced an emergency situation which can not be compared to in this area. OIPA thanks the Air Force, and we are sure that the Municipal Adiministration will keep a dialogue with us to agree on the movement of these animals of this big colony”.
http://www.oipa.org/abandonment/news/varese.html
If you want help our cats
http://www.oipa.org/oipa/oipa_whatcan.htmSTRONGER LEGISLATION PROVIDES NEW HOPE FOR KOREAN ANIMALS
In 2004, the Korean government proposed legislation for the "hygienic control of dog meat," arguing that the government regulation of slaughter was the only way to insure that the process would be done humanely and under sanitary conditions. We are happy to announce that the newly revised animal protection law has been passed and that we have succeeded in defeating the proposal for hygienic control.
http://www.oipa.org/campagne/koreameat_legislation.html
For more info about Korean animals and IAKA-KAPS, please visit:
http://www.koreananimals.org/
http://www.koreananimals.or.kr/english/HELP US PREVENT THE BUILDING OF A LABORATORY AT CHANDLER
Covance, a contract animal-testing company, plans to build a huge animal-experimentation facility in Chandler. Experimentation facilities like the one that Covance intends for Chandler may affect the entire community. There is still time to stop its construction if we act now. In other locations, Covance workers have been grotesquely cruel to animals, particularly monkeys. Undercover footage shows lab personnel violently throwing terrified monkeys into their cages, jamming feeding tubes into restrained monkeys’ noses, stuffing them into plastic restraint tubes, and swearing in the petrified animals’ faces. Please, sign the Letter
http://www.oipa.org/vivisection/alerts/covance.html
For more info, please visit
http://www.protectchandler.orgTHE ABUSE AND ABANDONMENT OF SPANISH GALGOS Despite
modern laws designed to prevent it, the hanging of Galgos still continues today. When a hunter feels a Galgo is no longer in his hunting prime, he will bandon the dog or sentence the animal to death. Hunters will hang the dogs from a tree using rope or wire. The Galgos can suffer for minutes or for hours, depending on the hunter's judgment of his dog's skills. If he believes the dog was a poor hunter, he will ensure the Galgo suffers a long time. Please send a Letter
http://www.oipa.org/abandonment/alerts/galgos.html
BELGRADE ZOO The conditions in Belgrade Zoo are simply atrocious. The cages and enclosures fall way short of an acceptable standard. The nvironments are so removed from these animals' natural environments, which will obviously cause repetitive psychotic behaviour. Cages and enclosures are incredibly small and offer no stimulation. The Polar Bear is living in a 2,5m high and 2,5 m long/wide cage, on the concrete floor with the view on the wall. His life is so poor that words cant ever describe it. He is walking from one side to another side of the cage (two steps is needed) and banging his head on the fence... while his bloody eyes are looking no-where.
Please, sign the Letter
http://www.oipa.org/zoo/alerts/belgrade.html
For futher information about -Belgrade Zoo Campaign-please visit this web page
http://www.action4animals.bravehost.com/Zoo.htmlBAN CIRCUS IN ITALY As more people become aware of the cruelty involved in forcing animals to perform, circuses that use animals are finding fewer places to set up their big tops. Watching animals perform unnatural tricks only teaches our children that it is acceptable to exploit animals; it does not teach respect for animals, nor does it help animals in the wild. Animal-free circuses and entertainment, such as Cole Brothers Circus and Cirque du
Soleil, are growing as the use of animals becomes recognized as archaic, unsafe and inhumane.
Please sign the Petition
http://www.oipa.org/public/circus/petition.php
http://www.oipa.org/circuses/circus.htmlSERBIAN ANIMALS To read the latest news about Serbian Animals, please visit:
www.epar.org.yu
www.c4sain.bravehost.comMARIA DAINES FOR OIPA A voice for animals
http://www.oipa.org/news/maj06_maria.htm
Please visit her web site to read her wonderful job for all the animals
http://www.maria-daines.comRICH RUSSOM Song for the seals "Ice Field Blues"
http://iacmusic.com/songs.aspx?SongID8160&ArtistID 335
Written in hope of raising awareness for the plight of the Baby Harp Seals, which are brutally killed for their fur!Support OIPA campaigns www.oipa.org/campaigns.html
Sign OIPA action alerts www.oipa.org/alerts.html
Link OIPA www.oipa.org/download.html
If you want support OIPA, Please make a donation
http://www.oipa.org/oipa/oipa_whatcan.htm**************************************************
PAMPLONA HANG YOUR HEAD IN SHAME
With just days to go before PETA's Running of the Nudes
(www.runningofthenudes.com) PETA members including an Irish activist painted
in the Irish flag colors staged a creative event outside the Spanish embassy
in London today at 12 noon, wearing little more than body paint and a banner that read "The World Is Watching - Ban Bullfighting". Every year Irish
Animal Rights Action Network members travel to Pamplona to take part in
PETA's Running of the Nudes which is a fun and humane alternative to the
cruel running of bulls and bullfighting. Last year over 1000 people took
part in this fun event, check out www.ARAN.ie to see more.
Worldwide opposition to bullfighting is mounting. According to recent
surveys, the vast majority of Europeans - including 72 per cent of Spaniards
- have no interest in bullfighting. In 2004, the Barcelona City Council
declared Barcelona an anti-bullfighting city in an effort to eventually ban
this cruel blood sport, and 40 other Spanish towns - including Torello,
Calldetenes and Olot - have followed suit.
Every year, more than 40,000 bulls are slaughtered during Spanish
bullfights. The bulls are often intentionally debilitated with
tranquilizers, laxatives or beatings and have petroleum jelly rubbed into
their eyes in order to impair their vision. Lances are driven into the
animals' back and neck muscles, causing them to suffer significant blood
loss before they are stabbed to death. Their deaths frequently entail
repeated stabbings, and sometimes the animals are still conscious when their
spinal cords are severed.
In December 2007 Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) will organize another
rally against animal cruelty with this year's theme being 'Have A Heart For
Animals' we'll also support the bullfighting campaign during this exciting,
touching event.
Thank you from us all at nationwide at Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN)**************************************************
The GSPCA ask everyone to contact the Japanese authorities re this barbaric
cruelty immediately
URGENT APPEAL FOR LETTER CAMPAIGN AGAINST BARBARIC RITUALS IN HOKKAIDO,
JAPAN
***ONLY ONE letter from you will definitely help!!!***I urge all caring individuals and animal rights organizations to act now in
order to prevent the revival of horrendously barbaric rituals by Ainu in
Hokkaido in September 2007.Please see the attached photos. (A news clip from Mainichi on the 2nd May
and the photos of a bear being killed in the ritual.
“Iyomante” is supposed to be the most important ritual within
Ainu tribe.They kill hibernating mother bear in the cave then take the cubs back and
rise for one to two years, and then they choke the bear to death.They say it is the core of Ainu culture, but it is mere excuse for
entertaining killing.In modern days, no Ainu makes living by bear hunting, and it is hard to
imagine that all modern general Ainu people would be pleased to see the
revival of such an ancient rituals, which is half a century old.Most likely it was planned by some commercial people in tourism industry.
The Ministry of Environment Japan published their view last October;
“The ritual does not violate the law as long as it is observed in an appropriate
manner for justifiable purposes”.If they regard such ceremony, killing an innocent bear cub, is harmless
educationally and ethically, can they show it to children?I would like to know if shooting arrows and choking the poor bear can be
“performing properly within proper reason”.Also, I would like Hokkaido government to abolish “Permission to
hunt bears for cultural inheritance” which they permit as special case for
Ainus. Is this notorious method of hunting aimed at hibernating mother bear and
cubs a “culture”?Their view is “If the scene of killing the bear cub is shown
publicly, it could be against Law for The Humane Treatment and Management of Animals.The government permits brown bear hunting in order to
“inherit” traditional Ainu hunting method.” It is very strange that No Ainu
make living by hunting at present.The other issue is bear hunting in Japan.
Last year, Japanese black bear alone, 5000 of them were shot killed just
because they came near to human habitation area.The worst record is 2000 in the year 2004, so this number is utterly
outrageous.It is hopeless as most governments’ views are “the distinction cannot be
helped as bears are hazardous to human safety.”However, this view is so false as hunting is all controlled by Hunting
Associations in local areas.They apply for hunting permits “in order to eliminate human
hazard” and
kill the bears then take their livers out. One liver are sold for \200,000
(?870 approx.) to \600,000 (?2,600 approx.)!!Permitted hunting period is between 15 November and 15 February. (1 October
to end of February in Hokkaido), and of course bears are killed perfectly
legally within these periods.It is clearer than watching the sun that no bears will survive in Japan if
we do not do anything now.Last year, a ceremony called, “Marat Opnika” which kills
grown up bear instead of cubs, revived in Asahikawa Hokkaido after 7 years. 60 people
attended the ceremony from all over Hokkaido, and a male bear which was 4-5
years old was sacrificed.We should urgently ban these meaningless killing for pleasures of few
people.When bears feel absolute danger of being attacked by humans in the cave,
mother bears sometimes eat their cubs. They do that as they don’t
want their cubs to be killed by humans.Some hunters cut off bear’s feet s with axe if the bear resist
coming out from the cave because of their fright.We strongly urge the government to ban “Cave hunting” and all
hunting in Japan urgently despite of the pressure by the hunting associations, and
would like Bear care specialists in each local authorities.
It is vital that we send letters to the following bodies.Minister Masatoshi Wakabayashi
Ministry of Environment
Government of Japan Godochosha No.5,
1-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Cho-ku,
Tokyo 100-8975
JAPAN
Tel: 81-(0)3-3581-3351
Email: MOE@env.go.jpMr. Shinzo Abe
Prime Minister of Japan
#602 Shugiin Dai-ichi Giin Kaikan,
2-2-1 Nagata-cho,
Chiyoda-ku,
Tokyo 100-8981
JAPAN
Tel: 81-3-3508-7172
Fax: 81-3-3508-3602
info@kantei.go.jp
Governor, Ms. Harumi Takahashi
Hokkaido Government
Nishi 6-chome, Kita 3-jo,
Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8588
JAPAN
Tel: 81-11-231-4111
Fax: 81-11-241-8181http://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/ts/dsc/teian.htm
1. Click the link in item 1.
2. Click on the middle blue box, It means "Suggestion to Hokkaido"
3. First box: Name
Second box: Post Code
Third box: State
Fourth box: Telephone number
Fifth box: Email address
Sixth box: Select age range
Seventh box: Occupation
Eighth box: Sex
Ninth box: Title of the letter
Tenth box: Content of the letter
4. Click on the left box to "SEND"
Mr. Kazushi Abe
(*This organization promotes the ceremony.)
Vice Chairman
Utari Association
Presto 1 .7 (7F), North 1, West 7,
Chuo-ku, Sapporo,
Hokkaido 060-0111
JAPAN
Tel: 81-(0)11-271-4171
Email: ainu@frpac.or.jp
Please please send your view to the above addresses without a delay.
Thank you all for your help and god bless all of you!
**************************************************
Amazing Circus Campaign Van by PETA!
-Here in Ireland, Animal Rights Action Network is continuing with our joint ‘Stop Circus Suffering in Ireland’ campaign with Animal Defenders International (www.ad-international.org) which is making headlines across the country exposing people to the terrible suffering inside Irish circuses. ARAN has recently kicked off a new campaign following the hugely successful ‘Shackled, Lonely and Beaten’ tour – our new campaign? “The Naked Truth – Circuses Are Cruel to Animals” which was kicked off last Wednesday with a huge press launch in Limerick city gaining fantastic coverage exposing the suffering, watch out because it’s coming to a city near you!
Over the next few weeks, Animal Rights Action Network will be launching a nationwide week of action to ‘Stop Circus Suffering in Ireland’ and a huge visual display in Dublin.
From the team “@ Animal Rights Action Network – www.ARAN.ie
**************************************************
OIPA
International Organization for Animal ProtectionINTERNATIONAL NEWS LETTER
June 2007ANNOUNCEMENT CALL ON PROTEST AGAINST ANIMAL
ABUSE&AGAINST ANIMAL TESTING/SERBIA
Citizens from all parts of Serbia will gather to protest
peacefully
DATE: April 24. 2007- TIME: 12AM
LOCATION: Serbian Government
For more information about protest please contact:
www.epar.org.yu
www.c4sain.bravehost.comhttp://www.oipa.org/abandonment/campaign/serbia/protest.html
Info about Serbian animals:
http://www.oipa.org/serbiadogs.htmlPETITION AGAINST CAT DOG MEAT TRADE Recently OIPA closed
the online petition directed to Korean authorities urging
them to stop the government's unfortunate and ill-judged
attempts to legalize the dog meat trade.
During the past months over 30.000 signatures have been
collected, people from all over the world have shown their
support for these animals.
The signatures have been sent to "International Aid for
Korean Animals"
http://www.oipa.org/campagne/koreameat_news.htmlSLED DOGS OF GREENLAND OIPA began a campaign to protect
the Sled Dogs of Greenland after receiving many letters
from members league and citizens concerned about the
situation of these animals.
From Greenland Home Rule Government's press release, we
have learned that since the Danish tabloid Ekstrabladet
featured the story of the neglected and abused dogs on 5
February 2007, the Greenland Home Rule has been receiving
protest e-mails from Scandinavia, and the wave of protest
has now spread to 21 countries throughout the world. They
have received e-mails from countries in Europe, in North,
Central and South America, and in Asia.
It only takes a minute to show your support for the
campaign to end the suffering of the sled dogs of
Greenland, please sign OIPA petition
http://www.oipa.org/public/greenland/petition.php and pass
it on to others.
http://www.oipa.org/greenland.htmlA COMPLETE BAN ON CAT AND DOG FUR TRADE IN THE EU There
are over two million cats and dogs being raised under
deplorable conditions in Asia, particularly China, and then
skinned alive, strangled, stabbed to death for their furs
and skins.
A comprehensive EU-wide ban on trade in cat and dog fur
was approved by the "European Parliament Committee on
Internal Market and Consumer Protection" on 12 April. The
committee scrapped a proposed exception that would allow
trade in fur from cats and dogs "not bred or killed for fur
production". As Committee Chair Arlene McCarthy said, "We
want a ban, not a restriction."
http://www.oipa.org/fur/campaign/furcatdog-ban.htmlCANADIAN SEALS HUNT On March 29th Minister of Fisheries
and Oceans, Loyola Hearn announced the 270,000 kill quota.
The Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)
ignored scientists warnings of a potentially devastating and
irreversible population crash of the harp and hooded seal
herds in the coming years and announced another
irresponsible kill quota. Despite this ecological disaster,
the Canadian government has authorized yet another 270,000
seals to be cruelly slaughtered for their fur. Each March,
harp seals are born on the ice floes off the east coast of
Canada. This year hundreds of thousands of baby seals
perished as global warming caused the sea ice to melt
before they were old enough to survive in the water.
Please sign the Petition
http://www.oipa.org/hunting/campaign/canada/seals.htmlBELGRADE ZOO The conditions in Belgrade Zoo are simply
atrocious. The cages and enclosures fall way short of an
acceptable standard. The environments are so removed from
these animals' natural environments, which will obviously
cause repetitive psychotic behavior. Cages and enclosures
are incredibly small and offer no stimulation.
The Polar Bear is living in a 2,5m high and 2,5 m long/wide
cage, on the concrete floor with the view on the wall. His
life is so poor that words cant ever describe it. He is
walking from one side to another side of the cage (two
steps is needed) and banging his head on the fence... while
his bloody eyes are looking no-where.
Please sign the Petition
http://www.oipa.org/zoo/alerts/belgrade.html
For further information about -Belgrade Zoo Campaign-
please visit this web site
http://www.action4animals.bravehost.com/Zoo.htmlEND LIVE DOG LAB Twenty years ago, live dogs were commonly
used in physiology, pharmacology, and surgery classes at
medical schools. A standard lab involved anesthetizing the
dog, followed by injecting pharmaceuticals or practicing
surgical techniques. After the class, the animal was
killed.
Today, the New York Medical College is one of just a few
medical schools that still use dogs in these cruel and
unnecessary exercises.
Please, sign the Petition
http://www.oipa.org/vivisection/alerts/school.htmlFREE VETERINARY TREATMENT CAMP IN PAKISTAN From OIPA
Member League "Vets Care Organization Pakistan"
http://www.oipa.org/farms/news/pakistan.html
Please visit their site for more info:
http://www.vetscare.orgMARIA DAINES FOR OIPA A voice for animals
http://www.oipa.org/news/maj06_maria.htm
Please visit her web site to read her wonderful job for
all the animals
http://www.maria-daines.comRICH RUSSOM Song for the seals "Ice Field Blues"
http://iacmusic.com:80/songs.aspx?SongID8160&ArtistID 335Written in hope of raising awareness for the plight of the
Baby Harp Seals, which are brutally killed for their fur!Support OIPA campaigns www.oipa.org/campaigns.html
Sign OIPA action alerts www.oipa.org/alerts.html
Link OIPA www.oipa.org/download.html
If you want support OIPA, Please make a donation
http://www.oipa.org/oipa/oipa_whatcan.htmIf you would like to unsubscribe from this list, please
send an email to international@oipa.org and in the subject
line place "remove" .
We will remove this address from our list.OIPA International Organization for Animal Protection
NGO - Non Governmental Organization affiliated to the UN
Department of Public Information
international@oipa.org
www.oipa.org
**************************************************
The GSPCA with the Galway Advertiser and the competition sponsors Mobile Dog Wash and Grooming congratulate all the winners of our children's competition. We totally enjoyed meeting the beautiful Lamb and Rosie as well as the gorgeous boys Bertie and Tubby and rescue dog Tyson who fell head over heels for Lamb. Congrats to their owners for the way they looked after, and the obvious love they have for their dogs .
Mobile Dog Wash and Grooming also will offer a 10% reduction to all owners of GSPCA dogs so contact them on 085 117 4807 or email galway@mobiledogwash.ie
1st Prize
Cal McLoughlin
aged 13.
46 Portacarron, Knocknacarra, Galway
The dogs name is: little lamb, and she is a one year old miniature poodleRunner up prize winners:
Caoimhe Gaffney
Aged 9
Masonbrook, Loughrea
The dog’s name is: Rosie and she’s a terrierBrendan Marczewska
Aged 8
17 Ashbrook
Oranmore
The dogs are called Bertie and Tubby and they are bulldogs**************************************************
The Portuguese Post Office is promoting a competition to create a stamp where the most voted will be used in letters to be sent all around the world. *This is an extraordinary chance for us to promote our fight against Animal Cruelty, and best of all for free - such a campaign would otherwise cost millions!*
*STOP ANIMAL CRUELTY* - is the strong and meaningful message we are proposing, but only the winning stamp will be chosen. *That's why your vote is crucial.* We can't waste this excellent opportunity to raise the
awareness of the entire planet to *Animal Cruelty*!- All you have to do is to write your email address (not hotmail) in the textbox and click on "Enviar" (pressing the Enter key doesn't work):
click here to go to the website
- When submitted, a message will appear saying that a confirmation email has been sent to your Inbox (also check Spam and Trash folders). Open the email and click on the first link to validate your vote: *Para validar a sua votacao clique aqui*
1 email address = 1 vote, so *please forward this email to all your contacts and friends!! Together we'll win!!*
If each one of the organizations we've written to were to cast just 1 vote, our victory would be assured. Unfortunately, many have let us and the animals down. Please vote and make a difference, it only takes 1 minute to do so much for the animals.**************************************************
Big news! New York Times: Burger King Shifts Policy on Animals
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/28/business/28burger.html
March 28, 2007
Burger King Shifts Policy on Animals
By ANDREW MARTINIn what animal welfare advocates are describing as a “historic advance,” Burger King, the world’s second-largest hamburger chain, said yesterday that it would begin buying eggs and pork from suppliers that did not confine their animals in cages and crates.
The company said that it would also favor suppliers of chickens that use gas, or “controlled-atmospheric stunning,” rather than electric shocks to knock birds unconscious before slaughter. It is considered a more humane method, though only a handful of slaughterhouses use it.
The goal for the next few months, Burger King said is for 2 percent of its eggs to be “cage free,” and for 10 percent of its pork to come from farms that allow sows to move around inside pens, rather than being confined to crates. The company said those percentages would rise as more farmers shift to these methods and more competitively priced supplies become available.
While Burger King’s initial goals may be modest, food marketing experts and animal welfare advocates said yesterday that the shift would put pressure on other restaurant and food companies to adopt similar practices.
“I think the whole area of social responsibility, social consciousness, is becoming much more important to the consumer,” said Bob Goldin, executive vice president of Technomic, a food industry research and consulting firm. “I think that the industry is going to see that it’s an increasing imperative to get on that bandwagon.”
Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive of the Humane Society of the United States, said Burger King’s initiatives put it ahead of its competitors in terms of animal welfare.
“That’s an important trigger for reform throughout the entire industry,” Mr. Pacelle said.
Burger King’s announcement is the latest success for animal welfare advocates, who were once dismissed as fringe groups, but are increasingly gaining mainstream victories.
Last week, the celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck announced that the meat and eggs he used would come from animals raised under strict animal welfare codes. And in January, the world’s largest pork processor, Smithfield Foods, said it would phase out confinement of pigs in metal crates over the next decade.
Some city and state governments have banned restaurants from serving foie gras and have prohibited farmers from confining veal calves and pigs in crates.
Temple Grandin, an animal science professor at Colorado State University, said Smithfield’s decision to abandon crates for pregnant sows had roiled the pork industry. That decision was brought about in part by questions from big customers like McDonald’s, the world’s largest hamburger chain, about its confinement practices.
“When the big boys move, it makes the entire industry move,” said Ms. Grandin, who serves on the animal welfare task forces for several food companies, including McDonald’s and Burger King. Burger King’s decision is somewhat at odds with the rebellious, politically incorrect image it has cultivated in recent years.
Its commercials deride “chick food” and encourage a more-is-more approach to eating with its turbo-strength coffee, its enormous omelet sandwich, and a triple Whopper with cheese.
Burger King officials said the move was driven by their desire to stay ahead of consumer trends and to encourage farmers to move into more humane egg and meat production.
“We want to be doing things long before they become a concern for consumers,” said Steven Grover, vice president for food safety, quality assurance and regulatory compliance. “Like a hockey player, we want to be there before the puck gets there.”
Mr. Grover said the company would not use the animal welfare initiatives in its marketing. “I don’t think it’s something that goes to our core business,” he said.
Beef cows were not included in the new animal welfare guidelines because, unlike most laying hens and pigs, they continue to be raised outdoors. Burger King already has animal welfare standards for cow slaughter, he said.
The changes were made after discussions with the Humane Society and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, known as PETA.
PETA, in particular, has started a series of high-profile campaigns to pressure fast-food companies to change their animal welfare practices, including a “Murder King” campaign that ended in 2001 when Burger King agreed to improve its animal welfare standards to include, among other things, periodic animal welfare audits.
Since that time, PETA officials said they had met periodically with Burger King officials to encourage them to adopt tougher standards. About a year ago, the Humane Society began its own efforts to encourage Burger King to improve its farm animal standards.
Mr. Grover said his company listened to suggestions from both groups, but ultimately relied on the advice of its animal welfare advisory board, which was created about six years ago and includes academics, an animal welfare advocate, an executive of Tyson Foods and Burger King officials.
“Where we think we can support what our animal advisers think is right, we do it,” Mr. Grover said.
The changes apply to Burger King suppliers in North America and Canada, where the chain purchases more than 40 million pounds of eggs a year and 35 million pounds of pork, he said.
A reason that such a small percentage of purchases will meet the new guidelines is a lack of supply, Mr. Grover said. Burger King plans to more than double its cage-free purchases by the end of this year, to 5 percent of the total, and will also double its purchases of pork from producers who do not use crates, to 20 percent.
The cage-free eggs and crate-free pork will cost more, although it is not clear exactly how much because Burger King is still negotiating prices, Mr. Grover said. Prices of food at Burger King restaurants will not be increased as a result, he said.
Most laying hens in the United States are raised in “battery cages,” which are usually stacked on top of each other three to four cages high. Sows, during their pregnancies, are often kept in gestation crates, which are 24 inches across and 7 feet long.
Matt Prescott, PETA’s manager for factory farm campaigns, argued that both confinement systems were filthy and cruel because the animals could barely move and were prone to injury and psychological stress.
Under Burger King’s initiative, laying hens would be raised in buildings where they would be able to wander around. Similarly, sows would be raised indoors, most likely in pens where they would be able to move freely.
“This is not free range, but simply having some room to move around inside a controlled environment,” Mr. Grover said.
While converting barns for crate-free sows is relatively simple, Ms. Grandin said it was much more difficult and expensive to raise cage-free hens because not nearly as many birds fit in one building.
Burger King officials say they hope that by promoting controlled-atmosphere stunning, more slaughterhouses will adopt the technology. Currently, there are only a few in the United States using the technique, and most of them process turkeys.
Copyright 2007 The New York Times Company
Interested in taking action online to help animals? Then join our online community and sign up for our Humane Action Network. Go to www.hsus.org/join .**************************************************
Wolfgang Puck bans foie gras, adds veg options, and more:
Please take a moment to thank Wolfgang Puck at:
contactus@wolfgangpuck.com . You can read more details at:
http://tinyurl.com/384rwq .
Below is today's New York Times story:
*
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/22/dining/22puck.html
March 22, 2007
Celebrity Chef Announces Strict Animal-Welfare PolicyBy KIM SEVERSON
Wolfgang Puck, the Los Angeles chef whose culinary empire ranges from celebrity dinners at Spago to a line of canned soups, said yesterday that he would use eggs and meat only from animals raised under strict humane standards.
With the announcement, Mr. Puck has joined a small group of top chefs around the country who refuse to serve foie gras, the fattened liver of ducks and geese. But Mr. Puck, working with the Humane Society of the United States, has taken his interest in animal welfare beyond ducks.
He has directed his three companies, which together fed more than 10 million people in 2006, to buy eggs only from chickens not confined to small cages. Veal and pork will come from farms where animals are not confined in crates, and poultry meat will be bought from farmers using
animal welfare standards higher than those put forth by the nation's largest chicken and turkey producers. Mr. Puck has also vowed to use only seafood whose harvest does not endanger the environment or deplete stocks."We decided about three months ago to be really much more socially responsible," he said in a telephone interview from Los Angeles. "We feel the quality of the food is better, and our conscience feels better."
Many chefs at high-end restaurants, some smaller food-service chains and grocery chains like Whole Foods have refused to buy meat and eggs unless animals are raised under certain conditions. In 2000, McDonald's became the first American food company to impose minimum animal-welfare standards, like increasing cage size, on its egg producers. But M Puck's program goes much further than most corporate animal-welfare policies, and he is the flashiest culinary name yet to join with animal rights groups in the movement to change farming practices.
Mr. Puck's ventures include 14 fine-dining restaurants mostly on the West Coast. The flagship is Spago in Los Angeles, which helped him become the nation's first celebrity chef. He also runs more than 80 Gourmet Express restaurants, many of which are in airports, and sells frozen pizza, soups, kitchen cookware and cookbooks. Mr. Puck estimated his companies' value at $360 million.
Since 2002, at least one animal-rights activist group has tried to persuade Mr. Puck to stop using foie gras from ducks that are force fed extra amounts of grain to fatten their livers and veal from calves chained to small crates and fed a liquid diet to keep their flesh white
and tender.The group, Farm Sanctuary, protested in front of Spago and started a Web site called wolfgangpuckcruelty.org, which has since been taken down. Mr. Puck dismissed those efforts and said he decided to make the change as a result of a few trips to large-scale farms, discussions with the Humane Society and a desire to mark his 25 years in the business with
something more significant than the kinds of big parties he is used to holding for the Oscars."I have been telling people we have to stand for something for the next 25 years," he said. "It's time for us to make a statement and a time for us to see how we treat what we eat."
Mr. Puck said prices would increase only a few percentage points on some items.
As many as 98 percent of eggs come from chickens kept in banks of small cages to facilitate mass production, said Diane Storey, a spokeswoman for United Egg, which represents most major egg producers. She and Richard Lobb, a spokesman for the National Chicken Council, which
represents major producers of chickens for meat, said their groups had science-based animal welfare certification programs that used humane and ethical guidelines."We applaud the fact that he sells a whole lot of chickens," Mr. Lobb said. "But we think our program is very progressive and he should look at ours before he goes off with the Humane Society."
Copyright 2007 The New York Times Company
Alyson Bodai
Outreach Manager
Factory Farming Campaign
The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St., NW
Washington, DC 20037
301-721-6422
abodai@hsus.org
www.hsus.org**************************************************
IRISH MODELS AND MISS UK 2006 JUMP INTO BED FOR ARAN ANTI-FUR CAMPAIGN
Internationally renowned “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur” campaign has just hit Dublin, being organized by Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) and PETA Europe here in Ireland just in time for Valentines day. Our bevy of sexy nude models including Miss UK 2006 Lucy Evangelista where escorted from their limousine which driven them to the scene of a giant erect bed and awaiting them a huge swarm of photographers and reporters. The scene was being watched by possibly hundreds of people gawking to get in on the action. Their message was simple, you can still get that killer look without actually killing anything. The models jumped into bed wearing skimpy sexy red thongs and boxer shorts whilst holding signs reading “Fur Out Love In”
ARAN and the GSPCA wants consumers to know that animals trapped for fur suffer excruciating pain—often for days—before their chests are stomped on or their necks are broken by trappers. Beavers caught in underwater traps for their fur struggle frantically before drowning. On fur farms, animals spend their entire lives in tiny, filthy cages, where they suffer physical and psychological distress before they are killed by poisoning, gassing, anal electrocution, or neck-breaking. In China, the world’s leading fur exporter, animals on unregulated fur farms are sometimes skinned alive. Millions of dogs and cats are killed in China for the international fur trade—their fur can wind up anywhere in the world, because it is often intentionally mislabeled as fur from other species. In Ireland fur farming is still completely legal, where thousands of mink and arctic fox continue to be slaughtered for their skins which are mainly shipped to Europe and beyond. You can make a huge difference to ensure fur farming here in Ireland is banned forever, please write to:-
Minister Mary Coughlan
Office of the Minister for Agriculture & Food,
Agriculture House,
Kildare Street,
Dublin 2.**************************************************
all-creatures.org: Working for a Peaceable Kingdom for Humans, Animals, and the Environment
This is the opening lines for a web site that everyone should look through. Be warned it is not a pretty site , but it is a very truthful one. So please read through the site and then think twice when you come across animal cruelty and do the right thing www.all-creatures.org**************************************************
Galway SPCA Says
On behalf of all the animals in Galway City and County we would like to say a big thank you to Minister for Agriculture and Food, Ms Mary Coughlan TD for the generous grant of €25,000 to assist the GSPCA in its continued services for Animal Welfare in Galway city and county. These are some of the animals you have helped Minister Coughlan
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Irish 'Pets' in Limbo! Irish government washes its' hands of responsibility for 'pet' animals.
The stark reality for 'pet' or companion animals in Ireland is, there is no ministerial or departmental responsibility for their welfare and protection. We have been informed by Minister Coughlan, " The position as regards my Department is that its statutory responsibility relates only to the welfare and protection of farmed animals and does not extend to animals kept as pets".
This revelation means no one in government has any responsibility for the protection and welfare of companion animals which goes some way towards explaining why the main animal protection legislation (The Protection of Animals Act, 1911) is coming up for its' centenary. It's the same old story, an animal has no value in Ireland, unless you can sit on it, eat it, sell it, or bet on it.
Without a minister responsible, we cannot move forward in relation to public attitude, funding, or indeed much needed legislation. This is a national scandal and one which successive governments have kept quiet. Many of the problems relating to the overproduction, abandonment and cruelty to animals comes down more to indifference and apathy as opposed to actual 'acts' of cruelty. Given the apathy and indifference of our government, this attitude is not surprising.
Lack of ministerial responsibility impacts, not just on legislation, but in relation to funding. At present, some rescue and welfare groups receive "ex gratia" payments from the Department of Agriculture and Food. "ex gratia" comes from the Latin meaning 'by favour'. It is when something is done voluntarily, or out of kindness. There is no obligation on the part of the giver. Animal welfare is not written into the book of estimates, so therefore the welfare community must wait until the minister estimates 'what is left in the pot' to see how much, if anything, they will get.
The rescue community provide a much needed public service and in a country which cares little for its companion animals, are overworked and undervalued. The work carried out by these groups is voluntary and most people would think, it is a 'good cause'. The National Lottery however, gives nothing to animal welfare because the Minister for Finance has decided that animals are not a worthy enough cause. Departments such as Defence and Health receive Lotto funding, despite being heavily subsidised from central government. Should we value golf courses more than our 'pets'? The minister seems to think so.
Could the lack of a 'responsible minister' be the reason for animals being ignored for so long? The answer to that is probably YES! If you believe this is something which needs to be addressed, if you feel your own pets are entitled to protection, please contact the leader of the government, Mr Bertie Ahern and ask him, as leader of the country, what he intends to do about this appalling situation.
This revelation does not just impact on abandoned or abused animals, but on every companion animal in the country. If you care, please make animal welfare an election issue in the upcoming general election. Animals can't vote, you can, make it count for them.
View Current Signatures - Sign the Petition
To: Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern
We the undersigned respectfully ask an Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern, to allocate Ministerial responsibility for the protection and welfare of ‘pet’ or companion animals as a matter of urgency.
The lack of Ministerial and Departmental responsibility impacts on, public attitude, funding, and legislation. The main animal protection legislation in Ireland dates from 1911, and is outdated and ineffective. Successive governments and politicians in general, have largely ignored animal protection resulting in a problem that is out of control.
Independent animal rescue groups are overworked, undervalued, and rely on ex gratia payments to keep going. This situation has implications for all companion animals in Ireland as well as their owners.
For further information, please follow the link:
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
GO TO http://www.petitiononline.com/anvil/
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As we approach the end of the year , we thought you the reader might like to know what happened to some of our guys and gals.
The Galway Advertiser during the Summer told you the story of Casper the burns victim, well he made a full recovery and has happily settled into his new home.
Precious came to us looking like the wreck of the Hespers with attitude to boot, but she to found her special someone.
If ever their was a 'Mum of the year ' its our Molly, who gave birth to her own brood(5), and took on board 6 more kits who were found at a few days old and reared them all. So proud was she of her family that is used to walk around with them all in tow and dare anyone go near her little 'gang'.
Then there was Kraemor,who we all fell in love with, and stayed so long with us , we thought we would have to employ him as our 'meeter and greeter' but he too found his special angel.
Not all dogs where handed in , the 'Gort' puppies were dumped in a woman's front garden in a box, but now thanks to her quick thinking have lovely homes.
Spiros eventually too was homed as was Duncan, Blackie and Thomas are still with us waiting for that special someone.
These are just a few of our gang who have graced 'Paws' during the year
Not all our dogs find homes in Ireland , we have dogs in USA, UK,Canada, France ,Germany, Sweden, Wales , Scotland and we even have to in Australia. Our boys down under are at present teaching the Aussies 'Gaelic ',so watch this space for the 'International Doggie Football Rules' in a few years.
So if you have time on your hands , stuffed with turkey why not visit us to walk our dogs, they would love it and it is great exercise so call 0909676397.
We wish a our friends four and two legged a harpy,safe and healthy new year**************************************************
The GSPCA are calling for the people of Galway, Ireland, the World to vote with their feet and refuse to holiday in Iceland until they stop whaling.
The Icelandic Government have broken the 20 year old international ban on on whaling. This is 'a fingers up' at the world and the 55 countries and 140 animal welfare groups who are opposed to the cruelty of modern whaling.
So arrogant are the Ministry of Fisheries in Iceland that they announced that they would only catch whales that were 'abundant', included in 'abundant' are nine fin whales which are an endangered species. This same Government have also refused to submit any data they have on how the whales they have killed in the last few years were killed.
The Icelandic Ministry for Tourism have also come out and supported the resumption of whaling and have no problem with breaking the ban, So we ask everyone do not go to Iceland, buy their good or support their economy until they stop the whale kill. We as ordinary people are the ones with the power and unless we use it, sadly other countries will follow the barbaric Icelanders.
The the Campaigns Manager for WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals) Virág Kaufer has said the following " Regardless of the nature, size or sustainability of its whaling operation the indisputable fact is that whaling is both unnecessary and cruel". Miz Kaufer has also said that she with Whalewatch believe that Iceland will try to increase its sale of whale meat to other countries which is against the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species that banned the international trade in fin and minke products.
We also ask the Harbour Master, Gardai, Dept of Agriculture to check out any fishing boats from Iceland to see what they are carrying.
The breaking of the ban by Iceland is a very serious matter and unless we stand up and be counted then our seas will be unsafe for the wonderful Mammals that swim our coastline we means YOU,YOU, and YOU so don't fail these wonderful majestic animals.
Margaret O Sullivan (PRO)
Galway SPCA**************************************************
THANKS TO ALL THE IRISH MEP'S WHO SUPPORTED THE 'WRITTEN DECLARATION '- BRINGING CLOSER AN END TO THE CRUEL CANADIAN SEAL HUNT.
A new European Parliament resolution backing a ban on seal products is believed to be another step closer to stopping Canada’s cruel commercial seal hunt.The Irish Seal Sanctuary in conjunction with IFAW and many European groups, persuaded Irish MEP's to sign a Written Declaration calling for an end to the importation of seal products. A total of 471 MEPs signed the Written Declaration 38, which will go to the European Commission and the Council of Ministers, demanding that a ban is implemented.
The Declaration was submitted by five MEPs (Carl Schlyter, Paulo Casaca, Karl-Heinz Florenz, Mojca Drcar Murko and Caroline Lucas) who represent the four important political groups in the Parliament. It also highlights current legislative initiatives in a number of EU Member States (Belgium, Luxembourg and Italy) and those countries which have already banned the trade in seal products (USA, Mexico and Croatia).
A European ban will help their campaign to end the hunt by reducing demand for products. It will send an important message to the Canadian Government that the European Union wants no part in this hunt.For the President of the Animal Welfare Intergroup in the European Parliament, Paulo Casaca, the number of signatures shows the commitment of the European Parliament to animal welfare. “I hope that the European Commission will take very quickly the appropriate steps to ensure the implementation of the seal ban.”
The Irish MEP's who took the time and the courage to sign this Written Declaration were;
MARIAN HARKIN
SIMON COVENEY
AVRIL DOYLE
JIM HIGGINS
MAIREAD MC GUINNESS
GAY MITCHELL
MARY LOU MC DONALD
KATHY SINNOTT
PROINSIAS DE ROSSA
LIAM AYLWARD
BRIAN CROWLEY
SEAN O'NEACHTAIN
EOIN RYANHaving received letters of support from interested groups and individuals in Canada we are confident that not only does this reflect the wishes of Europeans, but also those of many Canadians who believe the hunt is no longer justified in any way.
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ARAN PROTEST AGAINST ANIMAL CRUELTY
ARAN is taking a huge step and is willing to organize a huge rally against the cruelty on December 10th 2006, which is the official International Day For Animal Rights. All over the world events will be taking place and we want this year to be the biggest ever here in Ireland. Right now the animals are counting on us all to speak up and free them from the pain and needless suffering that is taking place in the greyhound industry, bloodsports, circuses that use animals, animal experiments, shooting, fishing, homeless and abandoned dogs, cats and other animals, animals slaughtered for their skins, their flesh and even dogs that are chained up all over the country who are forced to live outside in all weather extremes be it in the thundering harsh winter or the excruciating summer heat that we seem to be getting, all this without food, water or shelter and there is so much more happening to animals. They desperately need us all to help them and we must because we all know this cruelty is needless and it's in our hearts to do so. The Irish government to date has a clear disregard for animal protection and unlike other governments in many other countries who have enforced legislation that outlaws cruelty such as fur farms, hunting, shooting, dog fighting and much more. In 2007 the Irish government has told us that they plan on updating the animal welfare legislation so we need to send a huge loud and clear message to government that the people of Ireland care and want all this needless cruelty to end. We are counting on people & groups across the nation to once and for all hold hands and join together in this peaceful march that is aiming to shine alight on the needless cruelty and urge legislators and the public to put an end to this terrible suffering.
Our plan is to gather at the Garden of Remembrance on Dublin's Parnell Street and with a huge banner reading "It's Time To End Animal Cruelty Now"
and "Animal Cruelty Must Stop" make our way down O'Connell Street where we'll come to a stop outside of Dail Eireann where these issues need to be
heard, if possible we will also have some speakers talk about campaigns going on around the country. At all times this rally will be completely
peaceful and will warmly welcome people of all nature and creeds to come along and speak out against the cruelty. But, this rally will only go ahead if we can gather 1000 pledges from people nationwide or indeed people who are willing to come from other countries to support our efforts. So If you want to be part of history in the making please fill in the details below and once we raise the 1000 - it's full steam ahead! Be sure to send this pledge onto as many friends and family as possible, remember the animals are counting on you.
Sign the pledge if you, family and friends can make it http://www.aran.ie/pledgepage.php**************************************************
GSPCA SUPPORT ANTI-BULLFIGHTING CAMPAIGN WITH ARAN AND MAKES HEADLINES IN GALWAY
Well done to GSPCA in Galway who helped support the anti-bullfighting campaign and for highlighting Running of the Nudes as an alternative to the bull run which takes place in Pamplona Spain each year. When Margaret O Sullivan heard about the Irish ‘contingent’ of activists heading for Pamplona she decided to call on the people of Galway to stay clear of the cruel bull fight and instead do something more compassionate and to run with the nudes. Thanks to Margaret’s awesome dedication the local media in Galway covered her story and our trip to Pamplona for PETA’s running of the nudes 2006 ensuring that as much people as possible know that bullfighting and running sucks and that running for the nudes can be just as fun and hot as the weather that Pamplona continues to bring. Well done Margaret and thanks for speaking up for the bulls and for helping ARAN we love you all.
ARAN wants people to know that in order to force animals to perform stressful acts, trainers use whips, sticks, and bullhooks with metal tips that are jabbed into elephants' sensitive skin on their thighs and behind their ears. In their native homelands, the animals would be free to walk and run, choose lifetime companions, and raise their families. Instead, the circus forces them to perform confusing acts night after night for 48 to 50 weeks every year.
Between acts, elephants are kept chained up like bicycles or confined to cramped pens, and tigers are stored in cages that are barely even large enough for them to turn around. Recently ARAN helped launched the findings of an undercover investigation into several Irish circuses by Animal Defenders International which exposed the dreadful conditions animals were subjected to, the violence and torment which was regularly used to train and make the animals perform. Most of this cruelty torment and violence is desperately hidden from circus goers who simply do not know this happens.
"It's one thing for consenting adults to use whips and chains in the privacy of their own homes," says Venus. "But beating animals into performing confusing and painful tricks is nothing short of animal abuse." This bed down is the start a nationwide tour that will also visit Dublin, Wexford, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Belfast.
Broadcast-quality video footage of animals in Irish circuses is available or visit ARAN.ie.
THE FUR PROBLEM:
Fur is a non-essential product used by the fashion industry. The fur industry in the Republic of Ireland is of negligible value to the Irish economy. Pelts are exported for processing elsewhere, so it is not a major employer either. There is clear scientific evidence of serious animal welfare problems in fur farming and we believe that there is no viable humane alternative way of rearing mink and fox. There is also the potentially damaging effect on the image of Irish agriculture generally if fur farming - which is widely perceived as inhumane by the public - is allowed to continue.Fur farming is legal in the Republic of Ireland, where there are currently 6 mink farms and at least 2 farms with fox. There are about 140,000 mink in total and 1,700 silver and Arctic fox. Shockingly, fox farms do not have to be licensed and this is why the number of fox farms is uncertain.
Eighty-five percent of the fur industry's skins come from animals living captive on fur factory farms. These farms can hold thousands of animals, and the practices used to farm them is remarkably uniform around the globe. As with other intensive-confinement animal farms, the methods used on fur factory farms are designed to maximize profits, always at the expense of the animals.
The most farmed fur-bearing animal is the mink, followed by the fox. Chinchillas, lynxes, and even hamsters are also farmed for their fur.( To cut costs, fur farmers pack animals into small cages, preventing them from taking more than a few steps back and forth. This crowding and confinement is especially distressing to minks-solitary animals who may occupy as much as 2,500 acres of wetland habitat in the wild. The anguish of life in a cage leads minks to self-mutilate-biting at their skin, tails, and feet-and frantically pace and circle endlessly.
Animals on fur factory farms are more susceptible to diseases than their free-roaming counterparts. Contagious diseases such as pneumonia are passed from cage to cage rapidly, as are fleas, ticks, lice, and mites. And disease-carrying flies thrive in the piles of rotting wastes that collect under the cages for months. Video footage and photos taken by undercover investigators show animals suffering from severe infections and injuries, untreated and left to die slowly.
Other sources of information:
>http://www.ciwf.ie/campaigns/campaign_fur.html
> Click here to read an Oireachtas Debate on Fur Farming in Ireland
>Want to see how your coat was made? http://www.furisdead.com/feat/ChineseFurFarms/
> http://www.ispca.ie/press/banfurfarming160305.html
> http://www.furisdead.com/What you can do:
>Please, immediately write to Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan, saying that you want fur farming banned. The letter can be very short, or longer if you wish. The important thing is that you urge her to ban fur farming. Write to: Minister Mary Coughlan, Office of the Minister for Agriculture & Food, Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 6072000 Fax: 01 6611013 Email: mary.coughlan@agriculture.gov.ie
>STOP BUYING FUR! THINK BEFORE YOU BUY. ALWAYS BUY ANIMALS FRIENDLY PRODUCTS!click here forARAN on Fur Farming
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Galway's latest cruelty victim
Casper friendly , lovable, cuddly, wants to be friends with everyone he meets such is his charm.
But poor friendly Casper met someone with evil intent who doused him in hot water leaving him with these horrible wounds.
Casper is lucky he was found and brought to a vet who now is slowly recovering and has a new home.
Sadly for lots like Casper they are not found in time, but if you know someone who is cruel to an animal any animal and say nothing then you like the person who poured the hot water on Casper are as guilty.
Please help put a stop to animal cruelty by not covering up for the people who do.**************************************************
The GSPCA wish to add their name to the world wide protest against Canada and the Canadian government over the horrific torture that is going to be inflicted on baby seal ages under a month in the coming weeks. As the world stands in protest which unfortunately at the moment is falling on deaf Canadian government ears you can help stop this needless horrific torture. Indeed it has been estimated by veterinary panels that up to 42% of these babies who have been slaughtered were skinned while still conscious. Just for a moment think about it, you skin your knee or your finger now imagine its all your body feel the pain and imagine you are a little baby seal still nursing of its mother, now do something.
Unless we protest and you can without ever leaving the comfort of your home. Get on your computer and log on to www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction and log your protest this is being organised by the Humane Society of United States our sister organisation.
Contact the Canadian tourist board and complain, the Canadian Ambassador. The only way this horrific torture can be stopped is to hit the Canadians where it hurts and only when they see people refusing to buy their goods or not going on holidays will they take action. This torture of these innocent babies is to facilitate the fashion industry nothing more . Sir Paul Mc Cartney has called on the new Prime Minister Stephen Harper to end the hunt .We in Galway love our seals , we respect them, fight for them, heal them when they are sick please help the defenceless Canadian babies whose own Government has turned a blind eye to them. We stand with Sir Paul Mc Cartney and Bridgette Bardot in utterly condemning the Canadian Government please stand with us and stop this senseless torture of the innocent
Margaret O Sullivan (pro)
Galway SPCA**************************************************
On a cold wet Novembers day we received a call about a dog in distress in Salthill. Luckily our field inspector had not left the office and was able to respond to the call immediately. What she found was Viva barely alive skin and bone and covered in open sores.
She was rushed to the vets for emergency care. So shocked was the vet he felt the best thing was to put her to sleep.
But when you saw the fight in her eye and the way she was grasping to what little life that was in her we could not let her down.
We all felt she needed to know all humans were not like her previous owner who had left her in this condition.
The vet did what he could she was suffering severe mange, trauma after having many litters of pups, and starvation. She weighed just 14 kilos less than half her normal weight.
So medical treatment given and a member of the Gardai investigating her case she was moved to our ICU in the sanctuary. Such were the sores on her bum every bump the our field inspector tried to go gently over made her cry.
She was immediately given a warm bath for the mange and gently dried.
Then it was a soft bed probably the first she ever had. As she was so starved she had to be fed little and often. You could see by the look in her eye that she was happy at last. Indeed her first bowel movement was just dust.
Slowly she started to recover and begin to put weight on, her hair started to grow and everyone waited to see just what colour she was because she hadn't one hair when she came in.
When she was well enough she was moved to a foster home and slowly started to recover. Unfortunately the Gardai were not able to get her owner even though it was known their was no evidence to prove it i.e. dog licence.
We would suggest to Bord na Con that they invest in the welfare of their dogs and not leave it to animal charities to care for them. Very little is done to protect them after their racing life is over and sadly some end up sold to Spain, Italy, Eastern Europe where they live terrible cruel lives.
Today Viva now weighs a healthy 25 kilos is neutered and is full of life and is a daily reminder to everyone that life is precious and should be enjoyed.**************************************************
Monty's story
A few months ago we told you Mont's story and how his life changed when he met his special guardian angel(if you haven't read it scroll down). SO after a busy Summer for Monty we thought you might like to read what he has been up to.
At this stage of his life he has become a well traveled lad, and could well become a tour guide. He has traveled all over Northern Ireland and pretended he was Fionn Mc jumping around the Giants Causeway.
He has journeyed to Wexford, Kerry, Donegal and off course Galway.
When not traveling Monty take over the security of Viv's office and checks out everyone who enters through the door regardless who they are. He is the official listener at all business meetings and when his services are not required there he is on duty in the courtyard in case any bird dares to drop in.
Mont's biggest break this year was when his Aunty Frances came to visit, Viv was worried how would he react to her, would he remember her from last year. So off to the Airport they went Monty minded the car while Viv collected Aunty Frances. When they returned to the car needless to say Monty proved all Viv's worries were unfounded as he jumped into her lap and had a great welcome for her a first for Monty.
So delighted was he to see her he refused to go to the office but spent his time with his pal and both had a great holiday. They went to the Zoo, revisited Newgrange where Monty thinks he is a canine druid, he tore up and down Tara Hill and met Aunty Frances half way up. On a trip to Clifden he showed her rock pools and was very brave trying to fish out the crabs but not to impressed when one caught his toe.
Plans for next year are well advanced and Monty now has his Passport so Europe watch out Monty is coming.
Viv hasn't decided yet but Mothy will either be sunning himself in Capri or Crete so if you are in either place a see a little Westie with a strong Galway accent just say "How's it goin Monty".
Life for Monty has gone from a terrible start to now living a wonderful life and proves rescue dogs do make great companions .
Monty is lucky he met his Guardian Angel but there are lots more waiting for their special Angels could it be YOU.**************************************************
Every week you see them in the ads. section of the papers "free kittens to good homes". The following tale is a warning to everyone who puts these ads in the papers for kittens, pups and dogs.The ad said "free kittens to good homes" and a telephone number. Over the next few days several people called to see and collect the kittens. As each person left, the woman said to the person "you make sure it gets a good home, I am fond of it".The first kitten to leave was a ginger female. Her four year old owner loved her to bits, but she accidentally injured the kitten's shoulder picking her up the wrong way. The child could not be blamed - nobody showed her the correct way to pick up a kitten. She named the kitten 'Ginger', but was very upset a few weeks later when her brother's friends "sat on it".The next to go was the white male with blue eyes, The person who took him named him 'Snowy'. Sadly, 'Snowy' never learned his name and as the new owner paid little attention to him, never realised he was deaf. His first adventure out of doors ended in disaster - he never heard the car.The next to go was a gray and white female who went to live in a neighbour's farm, and like her mother she was a mouser. Unlike her brother and sister she wasn't even given a name, but fell ill after repeat pregnancies, and died, leaving a new born litter.The last 2 kittens went to a pretty woman who wanted the two so they could remain together for life. She later sold them to a laboratory for Euro10 each. They are together as she promised - in a jar of alcohol.All the kittens arrived in heaven at the same time. They all played together, licked each other in delight and then together passed through the gates, passing a sign in big gold letters "YOU ARE FINALLY FREE KITTENS".The moral to this tale is: never hand over a kitten or any animal without checking where it is going. Never give it away free - take a donation and give it to a charity of your choice if you wish, and always get a name and address and follow up where they went. Other wise they could end up like any of the kittens above.
thank you
M. O'Sullivan (sec/pro)
galway spca**************************************************
The gspca is urging all consumers to be extra vigilant when buying coats,jackets,boots,toys, or any product where there is fur used to check it out in case it is dog or cat fur.
We would appeal to all shop owners not to buy any fur products even fake fur where there could be a question mark over the type of fur.People who buy for shops should be aware that fur products listed with unusual animal names for example "fin lake fox" is another name for dog fur.
It is illegal to sell dog or cat fur but they are being sold under different names as was shown by "fiorsceil" when they showed an under cover documentary highlighting this the illegal trade of these furs. In highlighting it they also showed the the plight of stolen pets in China,Philippines,Thailand and the indescribable torture they suffer, to describe what I saw would be so upsetting for many people but those who saw the programme are like me are suffering a tortured mind
the 2 main countries that receive this illegal trade are America, and Germany. Indeed it is to German shame that dog fur is used in the uniforms of the German army.
We would ask all people intending to visit these countries not to buy anything with real or fake fur.
What is distressing about this is people who are anti fur could be tricked into buying for example a jacket which they assume is not real fur equally disgusting is the fact that dog skin ends up in dog chews so check before you buy.
In America you will see for sale what looks like key rings with tails and paws these are not fake but cat.
In many European tourist centres life like cats and kittens which are supposed to be fake are actual real cat fur.
All the dogs and cats shown were stolen pets in these countries some of the dogs still had their collars on.
Finally we would like to publicly thanks TG4 for having the courage to show this documentary and urge all animal lovers to contact every politician,mep, county councilors, to protest over this illegal trade and to make them have this trade stopped it is the ordinary people who have the power to do this.
We also ask every dog and cat lover to contact Commissioner David Byrne
( david.byrne@cec.eu.int ) and ask him to ban this trade he is in charge of consumer rights .It is indeed a worrying fact that the International Humane Society have already asked him and he has repeatedly refused so the fate of these animals are now left to us to protect. If you contact 091 563631 his details will be given to you.
Yours
M. O 'Sullivan (pro,sec)
galway spca
mosullivan@eircom.net**************************************************
Paddy came into our lives around a year ago, a feisty opinionated little fellow.
We all loved him and hoped he would get a home soon, Westies generally do that is unless their name is Paddy.
His previous owner let him be the boss of the house, and he thought in the sanctuary the same rules applied he was the boss of everyone.
Unfortunately his attitude made him harder to home and so the months passed, everyone wanted him, but his fairy godmother still had not appeared.
We tried everything on him to calm him, make him less bossy but nothing seemed to work for him.
Then one day his fairy godmother came and things suddenly started to look up for "the boss", she liked him and felt she could control all his little ways.
Immediately we all knew she could make a new dog out of him.
So off he went to his new home in Dunshaughlin with Vivienne.
He has had his ups and downs the "old boss" appears now and again, but he has settled in and is happy.
He has discovered the joys of a car, and if he could would drive himself.
He has been to Morington beach, hurled up the hill of Slane, chased a few druids at Newgrange, and thanks to Vivienne taken on a whole new lifestyle.
He now is prince charming the "boss" a far away memory to him.
He is now called Monty a new name for a new life, but to us he will be always Paddy the boss.
He is a lucky little chap and all dogs deserve their own fairy godmother
He is now friends with all her friends and family,**************************************************
OUR EMAIL ADDRESS AT THE SANCTUARY IS :
gspca@eircom.netAND OUR TELEPHONE NUMBER AGAIN IS : 09096-76397
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