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February 2010 A Whale of a Story Paws up! To Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for taking action against Japan’s commercial whaling activities in the Antarctic. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd intends to go through diplomatic channels first to dissuade the Japanese from continuing their whale hunts in the Antarctic waters; but if that does not get the results he is looking for, he will seek legal action. According to a Bloomberg report, “Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said he will take Japan to the International Court of Justice this year unless it agrees to stop killing whales in Antarctica.” The International Whaling Commission prohibited commercial whaling in 1986; but did allow “lethal research” whaling. Japan continues to hunt whales in Antarctic waters under the guise of research. However, according to the Bloomberg report, “Whale meat not used for study is sold for consumption in Japan, which critics say is the real reason for the hunts.” The whaling season begins in November. Last year the Japanese target was over 900 whales but due to interventions by those seeking to stop the whaling practice, they killed just under 700 whales. Take Action: Australia residents, please write a letter thanking your Prime Minister for maintaining his campaign pledge to prevent the Japanese from whale hunting in Southern Ocean waters. The Honorable Kevin Rudd MP
Prime Minister
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600 Email from website at: www.pm.gov.au/PM_Connect/contact_your_pm_form Source: www.animalconcerns.org/external.html?www=http%3A//www.businessweek.com/news/2010-02-18/ australia-may-take-court-action-against-japan-whaling-this-year.html&itemid=201002190047560.254176 www.animalconcerns.org/external.html?www=http%3A//english.cctv.com/program/ worldwidewatch/20100220/101840.shtml&itemid=201002200012570.858695 # Howling Mad Paws Down! To the government of Saskatchewan for placing a bounty on coyotes. According to a news article, the Saskatchewan government is paying people to kill coyotes. “Less than four months after [the] coyote bounty program was announced, 18,000 coyotes have been killed. “Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud, who introduced the $20-an-animal bounty last November, said he's pleased with the number of people who have participated, but he'd like to see a lot more coyotes killed in the weeks ahead. “Bjornerud said he hopes 35,000 can be killed by the end of March.” The Saskatchewan Coyote Control Program will cost the government “$600,000 if 30,000 coyote are killed.” Take Action: Residents of Saskatchewan, please write a polite letter to the Agriculture Minister expressing your displeasure at your government supporting the killing of coyotes. The Honorable Bob Bjornerud Agriculture Minister Legislative Building, Room 334 2405 Legislative Drive Regina, SK SAS 0B3 Telephone: 306-787-0338 Fax: 306-787-0630 E-mail: minister.ag@gov.sk.ca Source: www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2010/02/19/sk-coyote-program-1002.html#ixzz0gDFoAfvy # TV Show Frightens Felines Paws Up! To RAI, a public broadcasting network, for dropping a popular cooking show whose host recommended cat stew as a “succulent dish.” According to news sources, “RAI…said that it had dropped Beppe Bigazzi, 77, for offering the recipe [for cat stew] on La Prova del Cuoco, which is broadcast at midday on the main channel. Its switchboard was inundated with complaints from viewers and animal rights groups. Bigazzi said that casserole of cat was a famous dish in his home region of Valdarno, Tuscany.” In another article, The Health Ministry Undersecretary Francesca Martini said, “Cats are pets protected by law,” specifically against “cruelty, maltreatment and abandonment.” Take Action: Please write a note of thanks to RAI for removing Mr. Bigazzi’s show from their television lineup. RAI Station Manager Viale Guiseppe Mazzini #14 Rome, Italy 00195 Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100217/ap_on_re_eu/eu_italy_cat_stew www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article7029058.ece # California Leads the Way Paws Up! To the City Council of West Hollywood for voting to ban the sale of dogs and cats in stores. According to a news article, “The West Hollywood City Council voted unanimously to ban stores from selling cats and dogs in a move aimed at curbing puppy mills and kitty factories. “Pet shops will be permitted, however, to offer animals from shelters, once the law goes into effect in September.” Most puppies and kittens sold in retail stores come from puppy and kitten mills. The more jurisdictions that ban the sale of these animals, the less suffering there will be. Another California city, South Lake Tahoe, was the first city to institute such a ban last year. Take Action: California residents, please write to the Mayor of West Hollywood expressing your gratitude for the city’s decision to reject the sale of puppy and kitten mill animals in retail stores in the city. The Honorable Abbe Land Mayor 8300 Santa Monica Boulevard West Hollywood, CA 90069 Telephone: 323-848-6400 Source: www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hWGOP4ux_loh2xhtjTfTs98DIjfQD9DTMLC00 http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=9859767 # Connecticut Animals Safer Today Paws Up! To Connecticut State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal for seizing animals from a serial animal abuser. According to news sources, “Attorney General Richard Blumenthal…filed a motion for custody of dozens more animals seized from the property of a man recently arrested for separate animal cruelty charges related to a North Haven farm, and who has a long record of animal cruelty cases in Connecticut. “Blumenthal, on behalf of the Department of Agriculture…is seeking permanent state custody of the latest seized animals, restitution for the costs of caring for the animals and an order barring animal owner Paul Novicki from owning or possessing any animals going forward.
“Collectively over the last several years, the state has seized approximately 178 neglected animals belonging to Novicki.” Take Action: Connecticut residents, please write a letter thanking State Attorney Blumenthal for his actions in protecting the animals of Connecticut. Urge him to pursue full prosecution in this case. Richard Blumenthal, State Attorney General Office of the Attorney General 55 Elm Street Hartford, Connecticut 06106 Telephone: 860-808-5318 Fax: 860-808-5387 E-mail: attorney.general@po.state.ct.us Sources: www.nhregister.com/articles/2010/01/28/news/b1-hanovicki.txt www.animalconcerns.org/external.html?www=http%3A//media-newswire.com/ release_1111409.html&itemid=201002011402470.178685 # Felony Animal Cruelty Bill Paws Up! To the Mississippi State Senate for passing a felony animal cruelty bill. The Mississippi State Senate recently passed SB 2623, which makes aggravated cruelty to cats and dogs a felony in the state. The measure now goes to the House for vote. According to the bill, if a defendant in a felony animal cruelty case is convicted, he or she can be sentenced to not less than 12 months or more than 5 years in jail and fined not less than $1,500 or more than $10,000. In addition, the court can order restitution for expenses related to the care of the animal by the owner and the cost of investigating and caring for the animal by local governmental agencies. The court may also require a psychiatric or psychological evaluation and, if appropriate, counseling or treatment. Under this legislation, the convicted individual may forfeit his or her right to own or care for any animal for a period determined by the court. The bill takes effect July 1, 2010. Take Action: Mississippi residents, please write a letter to your state senators thanking them for passing this important legislation protecting animals in Mississippi and also write your representatives urging them to pass it as well. Source: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2010/pdf/SB/2600-2699/SB2623IN.pdf www.animalconcerns.org/external.html?www=http%3A//www.wlbt.com/Global/ story.asp%3FS%3D11936489&itemid=201002042256040.416616 # |
