Month: September 2023

General News, Uncategorized

USA: Animal rights activists outraged over euthanasia at Memphis Animal Services.

Animal rights activists outraged over euthanasia at Memphis Animal Services

Animal rights activists outraged over euthanasia at Memphis Animal Services (msn.com)

Memphis Animal Services is in the hot seat after more and more people speak out on issues with the location’s policies. Some animal rights advocates said they’re planning to take legal action.

There has been outrage as the number of dogs MAS euthanizes sparked community concern. MAS takes in thousands fewer animals than a Knoxville shelter, but more than 300 animals died in MAS custody in 2022. This is an issue rescuers said is common at the Memphis shelter.

In August alone, MAS euthanized 167 animals, even as some kennels remain open. Michelle Craig, a volunteer at another dog shelter, said the time of day the shelter is open impacts the ability for potential new pet owners to foster and adopt.

“The hours are only 12-4 and for people like us that work all day, it is hard to get over there,” Craig said. “They will still put a dog down when there are empty kennels available.”

MAS responded to dogs being put down while there are still empty kennels, with this statement: “Even when there are open kennels (which are necessary for us to operate, so that our animal services officers have somewhere to put incoming animals), there will be some animals that are euthanized regardless.”

This left animal rights advocates and volunteers upset.

“I cried all passionate about it but they are – they are just turning into an awful place,” one person said.

But, ABC24 spoke with volunteers off camera who said they’re scared to go public with their concerns because other volunteers weren’t allowed back after speaking out, rescuer Jessica Gotera said.

“There are good volunteers but they don’t stay for long or they’re very distraught,” Gotera said. “They’re falling apart because they’re emotionally distraught by what they’re going through.”

She voiced her concerns about half of a bonded pair, like moms and puppies, being separated and euthanized. 

MAS provided this response: “This can happen when one of the two pets is doing well behaviorally or medically, and one of them is suffering or struggling behaviorally or medically.”

But Gotera doesn’t think the shelter’s reasoning for putting down one half of a pair is enough.

“What they consider as behavioral is if they’re being rowdy or if they’re being complacent in their kennels,” Gotera said. “Even if they’re being complacent and not moving or nothing, they’re still gonna kill the dog.”

As animal rights activists and other volunteers across the state work to decrease the number of animals euthanized at MAS and other shelters, they did tell ABC24 they’re working to get a lawsuit together against the city-run shelter.

Regards Mark

Environmental, General News, Uncategorized

Ireland: A cull of wild rabbits at Derrynane National Park will turn the landscape into a “bloodbath”.

A European Rabbit on the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland (Stephen Bridger / Alamy Stock Photo)

A cull of wild rabbits at Derrynane National Park will turn the landscape into a “bloodbath,” an animal rights activist has said.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is to commission a cull of wild rabbits on Derrynane House National Park in County Kerry after a dramatic increase in the population has had a negative impact on other wildlife and rare plants.

The European Rabbit was introduced to Ireland by the Normans over 800 years ago, and are designated a medium impact invasive species by the National Biodiversity Data Centre.

Specialists will be hired to shoot the rabbits and lay more than 100 traps near the former home of political leader Daniel O’Connell, Derrynane House.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, animal rights activist John Carmody said he is “dishearted” by the lastest cull.

“I mean, I’ve been working on these campaigns for years and you know, we’ve had targets on deer, we’ve had targets on seals and now we’re hearing about the rabbits population in Derrynane,” he said.

“I’m kind of scratching my head since, asking myself, ‘What has went on in the last couple of months with [the rabbits] down there, that went on in the last number of years?

“As the saying goes, you breed like rabbits and there is no way a cull is going to stop those animals breeding down there – it’s totally unscientific.”

Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Norma Moriarty rejected Mr Carmody’s claim that the decision was “shortsighted”.

“It’s being done with a view to the future and the protection of the biodiversity down there and a very, very, very sensitive ecosystem, in terms of the dune system that’s there at Derrynane,” she said.

“It’s also very scientifically based because it’s the results of surveys that have been carried out and also very visible erosion.”

Councillor Moriarty said the size of the rabbits has led to “overgrazing” – while a lack of natural predators has increased their population significantly.

“There’s a serious imbalance taking place, because of the overgrazing we don’t have that very important grassland that effectively knits the dunes together and protects the area from further erosion,” she said.

“They also pose a threat to the natterjack toad, the choughs and the whorl snails.”

Mr Carmody said a lot of the rabbits will end up being maimed.

“Quite essentially, that beautiful National Park is going to turn into a bloodbath,” he said.

“I get it – we can’t exactly go down there and hand out each individual rabbit a pack of condoms and say, ‘Off you go lads’.

“So why don’t the Office of Public Works come and sit down with campaigners and wildlife biologists and come up with a solution?”

Councillor Moriarty said a “plethora” of actions had been considered by the OPW.

“When you’re talking about ecosystems and balance, it’s basically about the order of beings and their natural predators, and the absence of that natural predator has meant an unnatural explosion of the rabbit population,” she said.

“Part of this plan is the introduction of ferrets as part of [introducing natural predators], as much possible, to be in sync with what nature would want, but it does need a helping hand.”

Mr Carmody said “interfering” in nature is what human beings do best.

“We definitely know how to wreck the place and destroy the place and ransack environments,” he said.

“This is almost like going back to the Flintstone eras where we’re sending in ferrets in the hope that we’d be able to get some of the rabbits taken out so that we can, in some way, shape or form, protect the other species.

“Stop right now, stop this tender and let’s go back to the table and come up with a more humane and kinder solution for all.”

Regards Mark

‘The National Park will be a bloodbath’: Animal rights activist slams rabbit cull | Newstalk

General News, Uncategorized

USA: Animal Rights Group Calls for Charges After Horses Dragged by Truck.

Animal Rights Group Calls for Charges After Horses Dragged by Truck (msn.com)

Video footage can be seen by clicking on the link above.

Animal Rights Group Calls for Charges After Horses Dragged by Truck

Videos showing horses being dragged behind a truck down a Utah residential street have triggered outrage in the community and sparked an animal rights group to push for criminal charges against the driver.

The graphic videos, captured by residents’ home security cameras in Farmington, Utah, show two horses tied to a trailer being towed by a pickup truck as they struggle to keep up. Homeowners Don Evans and Amberly Powers shared the clips with local media outlets. They say the incident occurred on September 8 along Ranch Road.

While the Farmington Police Department (FPD) is aware of the videos, police told local station KUTV that it doesn’t qualify as animal cruelty. Farmington city officials said in a statement on Monday that Animal Care of Davis County is investigating.

Officials from the Humane Society of Utah told local media that they believe the incident captured on video shows a case of animal cruelty and are seeking justice for the horses.

Newsweek reached out via email and Facebook on Monday to the FPD and Animal Care of Davis County for comment. Newsweek also reached out via email and social media to the Humane Society of Utah.

Evans told KUTV that he is one of the residents whose surveillance cameras captured the “horrendous” incident, saying he wasn’t home at the time but watched the footage after his neighbor, Powers, told him what happened. Powers’ home camera also caught the horses being pulled down the street.

In the clip Evans shared with the station, the white horse stumbles before collapsing and getting dragged on its side. The video shows the truck continues to drive for several seconds before stopping.

“Sick to my stomach, outraged, disbelief,” Evans said of the footage. “I have not seen this amount of reckless disregard in my life. It’s horrendous; there’s a lot of outrage in the community over this.”

The incident has sparked such controversy in the community that Farmington city officials said in a statement on Monday that there have been “calls made for violence” to local officials and the owner of the horses.

“The City recognizes this is a traumatic incident and understands the public concern around this matter,” the online statement reads. “Animal cruelty is a serious issue, and we are concerned for the welfare of the animals within our community. There have been calls made for violence to City staff, elected officials, and the horse owner as a possible solution to this situation. Needless to say, we are concerned for the safety of humans involved in this incident and we strongly request patience and empathy as this investigation plays out.”

Humane Society communications director Guinnevere Shuster told KUTV that the animal welfare group wants Davis County investigators to charge the driver with animal cruelty and traffic violations.

“The Humane Society condemns the situation, and we decided to release a statement about it because we really want to encourage the local jurisdiction to take action,” Shuster said, adding that “the dragging of horses behind a truck is unacceptable and subjects the truck driver to penalties under the criminal code.”

Shuster told the station that it was “really disheartening” to see the white horse fall and be dragged.

“Under Utah law, anybody who knowingly, recklessly transports or confines an animal in a cruel manner is considered cruelty to animals, and we feel that it falls in that situation,” Shuster said.

Regards Mark

General News, Uncategorized

England: All Creatures Are My Family.

Anyone who is a regular to this site will be aware of the beautiful photos that Pauline sends me regarding wildlife around London and the River Thames. Pauline also visits my home to do a bit of Badger watching if they decide to show up early enough to enjoy all the food that is put out for them; and importantly for us, to be seen ! – they are being rascals lately and arriving well late !

You can visit all of the past Pauline photos by clicking on the following section of the site:

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/?s=pauline

Well P told me recently that she was having a tattoo on her arm relating to both veganism (she is Vegan) and animal welfare. Last week she contacted me again and said that it had been done, but was still covered in a protective plaster. Now the plaster has ben removed but it will probably take about 6 weeks to look its best. So here is the current version, and I am promised another photo in a few weeks time.

‘All creatures are my family’ + Vegan symbol.

Thanks Pauline; great reminder of all your work for the animals.

Regards Mark and Pauline

Above – one of my badgers photographed in the garden – early !!

General News, Vivisection

EU: New EFSA scientific opinion on the protection of cats and dogs in commercial breeding establishments.

New EFSA scientific opinion on the protection of cats and dogs in commercial breeding establishments

15 September 2023

Eurogroup for Animals welcomes the new scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), but notes that the apparent lack of scientific evidence for common sense approaches prevents further welfare improvements.

The new opinion “Scientific and technical assistance on welfare aspects related to housing and health of cats and dogs in commercial breeding establishments” focuses on three aspects; housing, health and painful surgical procedures. EFSA came to the following conclusions:

Housing

Evidence supports that cats and dogs used for breeding should not be kept permanently in boxes, crates or cages (whether multi-storey or not). Such confinement compromises their welfare, leading to abnormal behaviour and distress.

According to EFSA, further evidence is needed to support the fact that breeding dogs need an outdoor area for exercising and socialisation on a daily basis. It is at least acknowledged that such needs should be fulfilled regularly and preferably on a daily basis.

EFSA concluded that ideal housing temperature for the majority of adult cats is 15- 26°C. An ideal housing temperature in adult breeding dogs could not be provided due to the diversity of breeds and types of dogs. There is little or no research to conclude on the ideal housing temperatures for young kittens, pregnant bitches or puppies. 

Although the role of light in regulating physiological, behavioural and hormonal parameters is widely known, EFSA believes there is insufficient scientific evidence to support the idea that access to daylight has an impact on the welfare of breeding dogs and cats.

Health

Specific focus was placed on welfare issues associated with reproduction, as well as breeding frequency. 

EFSA concluded that no breeding should take place before skeletal maturity, even though puberty may happen first. On the frequency of pregnancy, it is advisable to assess the body condition score and general state of health to prevent exhaustion and, for queens over 6 years and bitches over 8 years, a check-up by a vet is recommended.

There is no universal approach to the minimum breeding age for bitches and queens, or to the minimum time between whelping. In the case of dogs, size is considered an important factor: for small breeds an age of 18 months is considered as fully grown, while for larger breeds, a prior check is necessary.

Painful surgical interventions

So-called cosmetic surgeries such as declawing to prevent scratching in cats (a perfectly natural and necessary behaviour), tail docking in dogs, ear cropping and debarking should never be performed unless necessary for the animal’s health.

Eurogroup for Animals welcomes EFSA’s conclusion on the clear impairment of dog and cat welfare during painful surgical procedures, as well as the irreversible damage caused by living permanently in boxes, crates and cages. Nevertheless it is regrettable that the lack of scientific evidence for what we could call common sense approaches may put a hold on improving inadequate living conditions.

Regards Mark

Enjoy: 

Farm Animals, General News

EU: Why do fast-growing broiler chicken breeds need to be phased out?

Why do fast-growing broiler chicken breeds need to be phased out?

18 September 2023

Photo – Act 4 Farmed Animals.

95% of the broiler chickens currently reared on factory farms are fast-growing, selectively bred to reach slaughter weight in just five to six weeks. Their growth rate has a huge impact on their health and welfare. Here’s why the EU must ban fast-growing broiler breeds as soon as possible.

Sickness. Exhaustion. Starvation. Broiler chickens commonly face all of these problems on factory farms, as the way in which they are bred results in a string of health issues that have a major impact on their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. From the immense pressure their rapid growth puts on their bodies to the crowded conditions they are housed in, it’s clear fast-growing broiler breeds must be banned in the EU’s anticipated update to the animal welfare laws. 

The European Commission is currently working on revising the animal welfare legislation for the first time in decades.

Learn more about the policies we are asking them to consider for all kept species, including broiler chickens, here.

What are the biggest health problems experienced by fast-growing broiler chickens?

Industrially farmed broiler chickens commonly experience:

Lameness: the skeletal systems and leg muscles of fast-growing broiler birds cannot keep up with their rapid growth and weight gain. They therefore have muscles far too heavy for their fragile bones, leading to gait problems and considerable pain. Up to 58.8% of broiler chickens reportedly suffer from lameness;

Lesions: due to their excessive weight, fast-growing broilers spend more time sitting than their slower-growing counterparts. It is common for them to develop lesions on their bodies that can become infected due to the poor hygiene standards in place on most factory farms. Contact dermatitis is also frequent in these systems, with up to 58% of industrially-farmed broiler birds reportedly suffering from lesions;

Heart failure: their unnatural growth rate puts immense pressure on the cardiovascular system, meaning countless birds die before slaughter.

What other factors make it impossible for fast-growing broiler chickens to lead comfortable lives?

Fast-growing broiler chickens are chronically hungry, which results in them experiencing near constant mental and physical distress.

They also generate a lot of body heat due to their high metabolic rates. With typical broiler houses containing thousands of birds, these spaces quickly become inhospitable, with chickens overheating. The consequences can be fatal.

To make matters worse, broiler houses are not cleared of litter until the birds have been taken to the slaughterhouse. This means that chickens have to live in their own faeces for weeks, and often end up suffering from respiratory problems, eye abnormalities and other health issues resulting from high levels of ammonia and other noxious gases.

Due to their sheer size and subsequent health problems, broiler chickens cannot engage with their environments and peers comfortably. Evidence shows that broilers are curious birds that want to explore and play, but breeding in a way that causes them to be chronically unhealthy, while also being crushed into huge flocks, means these birds don’t have the energy nor the means to express their natural behaviours. 

Here’s what a day in the life of a typical factory farmed broiler chicken looks like.

The European Commission must ban the breeding of fast-growing broiler chickens 

Fast-growing broiler breeds must be prohibited in the updated animal welfare legislation, and only slower-growing breeds should be permitted in Europe’s farming systems. These animals deserve a healthy life filled with positive experiences, which is only possible for birds of breeds with slower growth rates.

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, Fur and Fur Farming, General News

Finland: Great News – Citizens’ initiative to ban fur farming in Finland breaks records.

Citizens’ initiative to ban fur farming in Finland breaks records

13 September 2023

Susiryhmä

Having collected the required 50,000 signatures in just 24 hours, a Finnish citizens’ initiative calling for a national phase out of fur farming will now go to Parliament for debate.

Turkistarhaus historiaan (consign fur farming to history) calls for a law to ban fur farming in Finland within a reasonable transition period, in addition to rolling out a support system for fur farmers to ensure a fair transition for all.

Finnish citizens’ initiatives have 6 months in which to gather the required level of support.

After breaking records by acquiring the required 50,000 signatures in only one day, over 100,000 names have now been added. Signatures are collected on the Ministry of Justice’s website.

The organisers highlighted the suffering of animals such as mink and foxes, the economically unprofitable industry and public health risks as reasons why fur farming must be brought to an end. 

The demand for a ban will be debated in the Finnish parliament after validation of the signatures.

The success of the initiative is another clear indication that European citizens want to see an end to fur farming, as proven by the European Citizens’ Initiative Fur Free Europe which gathered over 1.5 million validated signatures. 

Visit the initiative’s website to learn more, add your support if you are a Finnish citizen, or donate.

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, General News, Uncategorized

Italy: Mass pig culling continues in Italy amid African swine fever crisis.

Mass pig culling continues in Italy amid African swine fever crisis

14 September 2023

Essere Animali

Essere Animali documented serious biosecurity and animal welfare shortcomings in the management of pig culling.

First detected in Italy in January 2022, African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs. Whilst posing no threat to humans, mass culls have been taking place in an attempt to limit the spread of the disease amongst farmed pigs to reduce losses for farmers. 

New footage obtained by Essere Animali in the province of Pavia shows inadequately culled animals subjected to slow and painful deaths, and serious deficiencies in hygiene and biosecurity that may lead to further spread of the virus on farms.

The footage shows:

Serious deficiencies in the facility and in the biosecurity procedures

Inadequate management of culling with severe additional suffering for the animals

The lack of animal welfare training of the workers involved

At least 5 pigs abandoned on the ground in the pen leading to the killing containers in an acute distressed condition with symptoms potentially attributable to ASF

Video footage –

🔴 IMMAGINI STRAZIANTI Abbiamo filmato con un drone l’abbattimento dei maiali in un allevamento del pavese colpito dalla peste suina… | Instagram

The organisation also claims that improper implementation of biosecurity measures by the nation’s health authorities have resulted in the inability to control the spread of the disease, resulting in emergency mass culls that are a disaster for animal welfare.

We think it is essential to show images that show that, in the face of all the failings of the health authorities and our institutions, in a period of time in which public money has been spent on inadequate measures and biosecurity has not been sufficiently stringent, it is the tens of thousands of pigs that will be slaughtered in these days, amidst atrocious suffering and in the absence of adequate stunning, who will pay the highest price.

Simone Montuschi, President, Essere Animali

Regards Mark