August 2009

Pig Trauma Training Inhumane

Paws Down!

To the United States Marine Corps for using live pigs in combat trauma training.

Marines at Camp Pendleton, California, have been using live pigs to train soldiers in how to handle battlefield injuries. While the pigs are anesthetized during their surgeries, they are too wounded following them to ever be revived—all are ultimately killed.

Although the military has slowly begun using simulators, a Navy spokesperson contends they must still use animals in their trauma training, which is conducted by a private contractor on private land.

Take Action: Write a polite letter to the Commandant of the Marine Corps and to the Secretary of Defense urging them to eliminate the use of pigs in their trauma training classes.

General James T. Conway

Commandant of the Marine Corps
Headquarters, USMC
Code MMSB-10
Quantico, VA 22134-5030

Telephone: 703-784-3941

The Honorable Robert Gates

Secretary of Defense

Department of Defense

1400 Defense Pentagon

Washington, DC 20301-1400

Telephone: 703-428-0711

Source:

www.nctimes.com/news/local/military/article_9a50803f-b16c-53cc-a073-37e445bd4847.html

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Wolves Need Protection

Paws Down!

To the Idaho Fish and Game for “jumping the gun” on permitting wolf hunting.

According to news sources, “Area Fish and Game Director Jerome Hansen says hunters were eager to get their permits” for the September 1 start of the wolf hunting season, which has been scheduled following the removal of federal protections for gray wolves in the Northern Rockies region earlier this year by U.S. Interior Department Secretary Salazar.

Idaho, as well as several other states in the region, is under heated criticism for lacking sustainable wolf management plans despite intentions to allow wolf hunting. However, there is a last minute hope for reprieve! U.S. District Court Judge Donald W. Molloy will hold a 3-hour hearing on August 31 to hear arguments against the Idaho-scheduled wolf hunt.

Take Action: While public comments are no longer being accepted on this case, the hearing is open to the public to observe. If you live in the Missoula, MT, area, please call the court house to learn how you can attend this important case for wolves.

U.S. District Court
Russell Smith Courthouse

(406) 542-7260

Source:

www.ens-newswire.com/ens/aug2009/2009-08-20-094.asp

www.animalconcerns.org/external.html?www=http%3A//www.kmvt.com/news/local/54850912.html&itemid=200908260022070.640278

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