Regarding Mark’s article on the “Ukraine” case, I have the following to say:
I don’t stand behind this article at any level.
I detest the witch hunt against Russia and find it ridiculous that the world’s population has fallen en masse to the machinery of media propaganda and US manipulation
regards, Venus
WAV Comment – We are animal welfare campaign organisation, and as such it is not for us to pass views on the senseless ‘war’ which is currently being undertaken by Putin in the Ukraine. So, instead I am providing you with a few stories relating to animals suffering war in the Ukraine campaign, and the more than heroic support they are getting from their owners and from people they have never previously met, such as the wonderful Polish vets as you can read below.
There is tragedy also.
These stories show that despite the actions of some in ‘power’, there are always those people who are better and put compassion and the bettering / welfare of others before themselves, regardless of their personal risk and placement.
Please click on the link at the end of each story to see all the associated photographs.
Regards Mark
Animal charities have been helping refugees bring their pets to safety as Ukranians face the “impossible decision” of whether to leave their beloved animals behind.
Some people are refusing to leave without their pets, while others are taking their animals with them as they flee Russia’s invasion.
Several countries including Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia have eased rules on taking animals across borders so refugees don’t have to abandon their pets, animal rights charity PETA said.
It said it has been working on Ukraine’s border to “shepherd animals out safely”.
Meanwhile, as missiles fall on their homes and cities, many Ukrainians have turned to pets for comfort – bringing dogs and cats with them to air raid shelters.
In Kyiv, where people have been taking cover from Russian airstrikes in underground stations, platforms are lined with pet carriers.
At first, authorities stopped people bringing animals, but then turned a blind eye. Pets have been huddling alongside their owners in the capital’s Pecherskaya station.
Across Ukraine there have been stories of people deciding to stay put to protect their pets.
Animal shelter owner Andrea Cisternino has been dubbed a “hero” for refusing to leave the 400 rescue dogs, cats, sheep and goats he looks after in Kyiv.
Cisternino, from Italy, said he would “rather die” than let the animals face the war alone.
One stranded student refused to return home to northern India without his pet dog.
Rishabh Kaushik and rescue dog Maliboo are reportedly now in Hungary and set to board a flight home after the Indian government also relaxed rules to allow people fleeing Ukraine to bring their pets with them.
PETA said it had been “deeply moved” by accounts of refugees walking great distances with their animals in their arms.
It said: “Many already traumatised people were being faced with the impossible decision of leaving their beloved animals behind due to the protocol for non-commercial movement of companion animals into the EU.”
“The current regulations for bringing companion animals into the EU and the UK are impossible for refugees to follow in a state of war.
“They require that animals such as dogs and cats be vaccinated and microchipped and have a titre test for rabies – and many animals don’t meet the criteria.”
The charity said several countries have made the process easier for refugees, and it is urging the government to relax the UK’s rules.
It has provided advice for Ukrainians arriving at border crossings with pets.
Continued on next page.
White-tailed eagle shot down in Saxony – Anhalt (Germany)
“Flight recorder data” convict hunters as perpetrators! Last week, a strictly protected white-tailed eagle was shot down by an irresponsible hunter in the state of Saxony-Anhalt.
What the shooter didn’t know:
The rare bird of prey carried a GPS transmitter from the LIFE EUROKITE species protection project, which – like a flight recorder – precisely recorded the course of the crime.
According to the project manager Dr. Rainer Raab, it is the first time in Germany that the illegal shooting down of an eagle with the help of a transmitter could be documented meticulously and to the meter.
The evaluation of the transmitter data showed that the carcass was transported to a residential building after the death on February 24 and kept there overnight.
After a check revealed that the address was the residence of the responsible hunting tenant, the nature conservation authority carried out an inspection there.
Confronted with the allegations, the 81-year-old man admitted shooting down the eagle with a hunting rifle and taking it home with him.
Apparently, the man didn’t notice until the next morning that the bird was wearing a transmitter.
In order to cover up the crime, according to the nature conservation authority, the transmitter was tied to a piece of wood and thrown into the Biese river the following day.
The dead bird was also later “disposed of” in a body of water.
During a search, both the eagle and the transmitter were recovered and secured as evidence.
White-tailed eagles are one of the strictly protected bird species in Germany and enjoy a year-round closed season.
The committee against bird murder and LIFE EUROKITE have now filed criminal charges for violating the Federal Nature Conservation Act, the Animal Welfare Act and the Federal Hunting Act.
If convicted, the accused hunter faces up to five years in prison, a hefty fine and the withdrawal of his hunting license.
Read the detailed press release of the “Committee Against Bird Slaughter” and LIFE EUROKITE here: https://www.komitee.de/de/aktuelles/presse-meldungen/2022/protected-white-tailed-eagle-shot-in-germany/
And I mean…According to the Committee against Bird Murder, a total of 1,626 cases with more than 2,213 victims have become known in Germany since 2005, including 67 white-tailed eagles.
In Saxony-Anhalt in particular, 40 cases have been reported in recent years, including 15 captures, 10 nest destructions, seven shootings, six cases of poisoning and two cases of illegal husbandry.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg; as experience has shown that more than 90% of all crimes go undetected.
The perpetrators who have been convicted to date are almost always pigeon or poultry breeders or hunters who regard birds of prey as competitors.
This case happened on March 1st and both the prosecutor’s office and the police who took over the investigation have not provided any information on the case yet!!
One speaks of the revocation of the hunting license in this case.
Based on previous experiences, no effective conviction of the killer can be expected
And that’s why no one obeys the law.
My best regards to all, Venus
On International Women’s Day, we recognize the countless women working to create a world where animals are respected and protected. The contribution of women to the fight for justice for animals is vital and cannot be ignored.
Women throughout history have led the animal protection movement, from the first animal shelter in America founded by Caroline Earle White, to the first suffragettes who gathered at vegetarian restaurants.
Women in the animal rights movement are becoming stronger, united and present, not only in the fight for animal liberation, but also in the convergence that this social justice movement has with the feminist fight.
For decades, bold, brave and passionate women have been on the front lines, defending animals and fighting to create a more compassionate and just world.
Fortunately, many people around the world are working to end animal cruelty.
But among all these people, and in the front line, we find many women.
Indeed, the animal rights movement is a movement led primarily by women.
In hunting sabotage, in actions in bullfighting arenas, in rescuing animals from stables and laboratories, in undercover filming… courageous and determined women are present.
We pay tribute and honor to all the courageous women of the animal rights movement.
My best regards to all, Venus
World Animals Voice 