July 2010

Geese Should Not Be Gassed

Paws Down!

To the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services and state and local agencies for exterminating flocks of Canada geese in New York State.

According to news reports, The USDA and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation are carrying out a plan to exterminate flocks of geese by capturing them and then gassing and burying them.

The USDA Wildlife Services has been rounding up entire flocks of Canada geese—not just in New York State, but all over the United States—and killing them as a means to control their numbers.

Many people enjoy the geese and are outraged at the actions of the Wildlife Services and state and local agencies, especially since there is a non-lethal, humane way to control geese populations—not letting the eggs to hatch.

Take Action: New York State residents, contact the State Department of Environmental Conservation and express your outrage at this senseless killing. Also, write USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, and let him know you want an end to the slaughter of Canada geese. Non-residents, you too can write Secretary Vilsack. You can also contact your local jurisdiction to find out about goose management plans in your area.

Pete Grannis, Commissioner

State Department of Environmental Conservation

625 Broadway
Albany, New York 12233-1010

Tele.: 518-402-8545

Fax: 518-402-8541

The Honorable Tom Vilsack

U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20250

Tele.: 202-720-3631

Source:

www.nytimes.com/2010/07/24/nyregion/24geese.html?_r=1&src=mv

www.idablog.org/featured/urge-the-usda-to-stop-exterminating-canada-geese-today/

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Protection for Companion Animals

Paws Up!

To the state of Delaware for passing legislation to protect animals in public and private shelters in the state.

According to news sources, “The Delaware Companion Animal Protection Act mandates collaboration between shelters and rescue groups. Under the new law, a shelter cannot kill an animal if a rescue group is willing to save that animal’s life. It also makes convenience killing illegal—shelters can no longer kill an animal when there are available cages or the animals can share a cage or kennel with another one.”

According to the law, shelters must meet certain conditions before a healthy, adoptable animal may be euthanized.

Take Action: Delaware residents, contact your legislators and thank them for enacting legislation to protect animals in your shelters. Residents of other states, contact your legislators and suggest they follow Delaware’s lead.

Source:

http://legis.delaware.gov/LIS/lis145.nsf/vwLegislation/SB+280/$file/legis.html?open

http://envirothink.wordpress.com/2010/07/25/deleware-governor-signs-progressive-animal-protection-bill/

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Massachusetts Becoming a Better Place for Animals

Paws Up! 

To the Governor of Massachusetts for signing into law two different bills improving animal welfare in the state.     

On July 19, Governor Deval Patrick signed HB 4285, which requires antifreeze and engine coolant sold in the state to include bitter flavor. This bill is aimed to save lives by preventing animals and children from being accidentally poisoned by drinking the sweet tasting liquid. Pets commonly drink spilled antifreeze or step in it and then get poisoned when they groom themselves to lick it off. It only takes 1-2 teaspoons of antifreeze to poison a cat, and 3 tablespoons to poison a medium-sized dog.

On July 21, Governor Patrick signed HB 344, making Massachusetts the first state to ban the surgical devocalization of cats and dogs. This bill allows cats and dogs to keep their main method of communication, their voice!

If you would like to learn more about the damaging effects of devocalization, click here!

Take Action: Please thank the governor of Massachusetts for considering the animals by signing HB 4285 and HB 344 into law.

The Honorable Deval Patrick

Massachusetts State House
Office of the Governor
Room 280
Boston, MA 02133

Phone: 617.725.4005

Fax:  617.727.9725

Source:

http://www.mspca.org/about-us/press-room/2010/governor-signs-bill-to.html

http://crittertalkblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/massachusetts-outlaws-devocalizing-dogs.html

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Leave Their Fins Alone 

Paws Up!

To the state of Hawaii for banning the possession of shark fins.

Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle signed into law SB 2169, a bill prohibiting the possession, sale, or distribution of shark fins effective July 1. State Senator Clayton Hee, who promoted the bill, said, “killing sharks for their fins is like killing elephants for their ivory.”

According to a news story, “sharks are being killed for their fins at the rate of 89 million per year.” Sharks are pulled out of the water and have their fins severed. Their bodies are then thrown back into the sea.

What some call a cultural tradition, the serving of shark fin soup and other supposed delicacies, is depleting sharks worldwide to levels where some may not be able to sustain their populations without intervention.

Take Action: Please thank the governor of Hawaii for signing into law the ban on shark fins in that state.

The Honorable Linda Lingle

Governor

State Capitol
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: 808-586-0034
Fax: 808-586-0006

Source:

www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jun2010/2010-06-30-093.html

www.khon2.com/news/local/story/Supporters-praise-Hawaiis-ban-on-shark-fins/A4I-Fn4J-UCISeKM3sQHpw.cspx

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Greyhounds Win

Paws Up!

To the state of New Hampshire and Governor John Lynch for enacting HB 630, a law which will prohibit greyhound racing in the state.

Recently New Hampshire Governor John Lynch signed into law a bill that will prohibit greyhound racing in the state.

Seven states still have legal and operational greyhound racing tracks: Arizona, Texas, Iowa, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, and West Virginia.

Take Action: New Hampshire residents, send a note of thanks to Governor Lynch. Residents of the seven states where greyhound racing is legal and operational, please write a polite note to your state legislators urging them to ban greyhound racing now.

The Honorable John Lynch

Governor

State House
107 North Main Street
Concord, NH 03301
(603)271-2121
(603)271-7640 (fax)

Source:

www.endtucsongreyhoundracing.com/blog/2010/07/08/good-news-nh-governor-lynch-signs-bill-to-end-greyhound-racing/

http://ourcompass.wordpress.com/2010/07/08/nh-governor-lynch-signs-bill-to-end-greyhound-racing/

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It’s the Dogs’ Day

Paws Up!

To the Berkeley County, WV, Commission for enacting an anti-tethering ordinance.

The Berkeley County Commission recently enacted, as part of a combined animal-related ordinance, an anti-tethering law. The ordinance considers it unlawful for dogs to be tethered unless certain conditions are met. Such conditions involve the length, weight, and type of tether; weather conditions; and age and health status. In addition, the ordinance states, “The dog’s restraint should last as brief a time as possible and, in no case, may the restraint time exceed 12 hours in any 24 hour period.”

In addition, the combined ordinance added language to the penalty section that requires anyone convicted of cruelty to animals to undergo a complete psychiatric or psychological evaluation. More and more jurisdictions are aware of the link between animal cruelty and mental health. The addition of this requirement may prevent the recurrence of further acts of cruelty.

Take Action: Berkeley County residents, take a moment to thank your commissioners for protecting the animals of your community. Other readers, if your community wants to protect its dogs from abusive and inhumane tethering, please contact your local authorities and ask that they pass anti-tethering legislation.

Berkeley County Commission

400 West Stephen Street, #201

Martinsburg, WV 25401

Tele.: 304-264-1923

Fax: 304267-5049

Source:

www.berkeleycountycomm.org/docs/ordinances/dog.pdf

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Caging the Battery Cage

Paws Up!

To all 17 campuses of Le Cordon Bleu Schools in North America for joining the “sustainable food” movement by switching to using only cage-free eggs.

Brian Williams, senior vice president of the Le Cordon Bleu Schools in North America, says, "Teaching our students sustainable practices prepares them to be progressive in choosing ingredients that consider animal welfare and green initiatives." Le Cordon Bleu is just one of the many schools and companies examining where their food is coming from, and as a result is purchasing humanely and sustainably raised food.

Typical egg-laying hens are housed indoors in cages and live their lives having less space than a single sheet of paper. Cage-free hens are also typically housed indoors but are not confined to cages, thus they generally have 2 or 3 times the amount of space than caged hens.  

Take Action: Contact Kirk T. Bachmann, Le Cordon Bleu Schools Vice President of Academic Affairs, thanking him for making the compassionate decision to use only cage-free eggs in North American Le Cordon Bleu Schools. Also please encourage Mr. Bachmann to continue to purchase food from companies that raise animals locally, organically, and humanely.

Kirk T. Bachmann, M.Ed., CEC,CPC

Vice President of Academic Affairs

Le Cordon Bleu in North America

The Career Education Corporation

2895 Greenspoint Parkway Suite 600

Hoffman Estates, IL 60169

Phone: 1.800.736.6126

Source:

http://green.tmcnet.com/news/2010/05/17/4793137.htm

http://chefeducatortoday.blogspot.com/2010/06/le-cordon-bleu-to-use-only-cage-free.html

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“Susie’s Law”

Paws Up!

To North Carolina’s Governor Beverly Perdue for signing into law “Susie’s Law,” which allows judges to send convicted animal abusers to jail for up to 10 months.   

“Susie’s Law” was inspired by Susie, a puppy who was found in a North Carolina park approximately 2 weeks after being burned, beaten, and left for dead.  Unfortunately, Susie’s abuser, Lashawn Whitehead, received only probation. This light sentencing inspired citizens of North Carolina to fight for tougher animal protection legislation in honor of Susie.

Susie’s story inspired those in North Carolina to demand tougher animal cruelty laws, and hopefully will inspire those in other states to take the same initiative. Will you take action to see that animal abusers get the punishment they deserve?

Take Action: Contact Governor Perdue and thank her for being a voice for animals by signing “Susie’s Law.”

The Honorable Beverly Perdue
Office of the Governor
20301 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-0301
Phone: (919)733-4240
Fax: (919)733-2120

Go one step further and write your own state’s representatives asking them to increase animal cruelty penalties.

Find out who your representatives are by going to:

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Source: 

www.myfox8.com/videobeta/50e55ebb-9d73-4691-a450-ad8b4153fd1f/News/Senate-Approves-Susie-s-Law

www.wral.com/news/local/story/7835724

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