Animals through the World - Online since June 2003

Dear Friends,

All problems from last month sorted ; so this month the Magazine goes back to normal.

This month we have a premiere Serbia.

The Parliament of Catalonia, Spain, presented a proposal of law to ban bullfights in the region. If this law is approved it will be a major victory and an open door to other regions to follow the example.

For a change instead of a protesting letters to Spain we can send encouragement letters.

We do not include a sample letter in Spanish it's preferable to send the letters in English and please try to modify the letter.

Please help those who have no voice.

For the Animals

Maria Lopes
Coordinator of the International Movement Against Bullfights

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet. It is my view that the vegetarian manner of living, by its purely physical effect on the human temperament, would most beneficially influence the lot of mankind."
Albert Einstein (Nobel Prize)

COLOMBIA

PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO THE COLOMBIAN GOVERNMENT TO DECLARE BOGOTA ANTI-BULLFIGHTING CITY

Source: Perla Oloarte

Below a sample letter in Spanish and English.

To:

Señores concejales,

De mi mayor consideración,
Solicito apoyen el proyecto de Acuerdo donde se declara a Bogotá como ciudad antitaurina, acorde a los nuevos tiempos que corren,donde urge un mayor respeto a nuestros semejantes.
Las corridas de toros solo pueden fomentar la violencia y transmitir antivalores a la sociedad.

Atentamente,
Name/Country

______________________________

Dear Sirs,

Please support the proposal to declare Bogota anti-bullfighting city.

Bullfights are a source of violence not art or culture.

By declaring Bogota an anti-bullfighting city you are giving an example to the rest of the countries that still do have bullfights.

Yours sincerely,

Name/Country

RUSSIA

Seal Farming

Source: Linda Furness and MentayFlor

Please send protest letter to:

president@gov.ru,
post_sf@gov.ru,
priem@duma.gov.ru,
mayor@mos.ru,
webmaster@gov.ru,
irrtv@irrtv.org,
murzin@rian.ru ,
murzin@rian.ru,
kenmore@btinternet.com,
post3@pravda.ru,
info@moscow-guide.ru,
media@izvestia.ru,
piligrim@glasnet.ru ,
igor@kp.ru ,
kp@kp.ru ,
mayor@mos.ru,
info@moscow-guide.ru ,
irrtv@irrtv.org ,
murzin@rian.ru,
kenmore@btinternet.com ,
media@izvestia.ru ,
piligrim@glasnet.ru,
webmaster@interfax.ru ,
ai@aha.ru ,
echo@echo.msk.ru ,
smola@rg.msk.ru , gazeta@novayagazeta.ru,
info@moscow-guide.ru ,
leskov@izvestia.ru,
uuplatog@ru.ru,
webmaster@vesti-rtr.com,
receptionKSA@vid.ru,
slabka@hotmail.com

Russian Embassies all over the world
http://www.russianembassy.net/

Dear Sirs,

I would like to express my deepest concerns regarding the Seal pup hunting and Seal Farming which will take place this March and April in the Arkangelsk, White Sea region of Russia. The number of baby seal pups slaughtered has more than doubled over the last ten years from 18,183 in 1992 to the recent figures of 39,111 in 2001 and 37,936 in 2003. These thousands of 9 to 12 day old baby seals are murdered solely for their fur; and they are killed in the most inhumane manner by being clubbed to death on the ice. I understand that the capture of young pups for seal farming takes place in the region; where if not killed on the ice, or if the allocated hunt quota is reached, the young pups are placed in individual nets; then arranged into groups of around 50, and airlifted by chartered helicopter (costing $1000 per hour) to the seal farms located in areas such as Koida. Seal farming in this region is common and places a great deal more stress on the pups than direct killing on the ice. The pups are not fed during their confinement and they are often known to try and suckle each other for the much wanted milk. The pups succumb to disease due to stress and overcrowding, often indicated by bleeding at the mouth; something never seen in the wild. On the farms, 24 hour guards are employed. When their coats reach the correct stage for processing, pups are killed in batches of around 50 animals by being injected under the flipper with ‘Dithyllinum’ a drug which has been condemned by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dithyllinum is supposed to cause death by immobilising the respiratory muscles, causing fatal suffocation. If a pup is only given a dosage which causes paralysis, which is quite possible, it is impossible to see whether it is dead or still alive. Thus, as a result of this, a certain percentage of pups from the farms are literally skinned whilst only paralysed but very much still alive. I ask you please to refer my disgust at this slaughter to the highest authorities, and ask of the Consulate to promote Eco-Tourism in the White Sea region to see the pups in their natural environment instead of murdering them. The locals who currently hunt could turn their skills into acting as tourist guides during the Spring season. The region is well known internationally for its history and beautiful architecture. In this modern age of 2005, I do not consider that any form of seal pup hunting is acceptable or that the local communities still have to rely on such barbarity for their livelihood. Can you also please explain how such allegedly poor and financially deficient hunting communities can pay around $1000 per hour for the hire of around eight helicopters flying approximately 4 to 6 hours per day out to the ice floes; or is this hunt financially supported and encouraged by the Russian authorities ? Please stop the hunt and bring the region into the 21st Century by promoting Eco-Tourism. I will do everything in my power to inform as many people as possible about the mass murder of seal babies which takes place in Russia every year. You are in a position to stop it – please do it !

Yours Sincerely
Name/Country

SERBIA

THE WAR IS OVER BUT THE BRUTAL MASSACRE OF ANIMALS ADVANCES

Source: Marijo Gillis

During the past several weeks we have been contacted by countless Serbians concerned about the startling escalation of blatant animal abuse in their country. Due to widespread corruption and a "fear factor" regarding retribution that still exists in Serbia, these individuals requested that we tell their story while keeping their identities secret. Following, are facts and observations recounted by Serbian citizens to the writers of this article.

Ever since the end of the war, Serbia has been inundated with abandoned street animals, the majority of whom are brutally murdered. Like so many other places in the world, most citizens and civil authorities are not educated in humane animal issues and furthermore do not care. Sterilization (spay/neuter) is not practiced. The animal welfare laws that do exist are not enforced and improving animal welfare is not a priority of Serbian government officials.

While it is understandable that the country is still in transition due to its history of war, Serbian citizens reporting the injustices to us, rumor that ample documentation exists detailing rampant corruption not only among Serbian authorities but even within some of the non governmental organizations (NGOs) purportedly engaged in animal welfare. Thankfully, a small minority of compassionate people are working diligently to bring about positive change for both companion and farmed animals. Obviously and sadly, they cannot do it alone.

Ten years have passed since Serbian hostilities were laid to rest It is absurd and unacceptable to use the war as an excuse for abuse, neglect, indifference and inaction. Yet, torturing, poisoning and brutally killing dogs and cats is still occurring without punishment for the perpetrators of these vicious animal related crimes. The "Serbian scene" is of growing concern to civilized people everywhere. Serbian animal welfare advocates have witnessed brutal trapping methods, the ruthless beatings of dogs to death and poisonings, resulting in agonizing deaths. Hunters wantonly shoot abandoned companion animals for sport.

Our sources estimate that the city of Belgrade savagely destroys about six thousand dogs annually. The city "fathers" hire the "professional pest" control firm, EKOSAN to exterminate the unwanted animals--innocent victims of human animal cruelty. The government claims that humane practices are exercised yet documentation and verbal reports from animal workers detail graphic images of dogs in Belgrade’s “OVCA” dog kill shelter being viciously destroyed. So much for official Serbian credibility

Other Serbian observers report that many of the so called humane societies work in "close" relationship with authorities who advocate destroying the stray animals. Witnesses have observed dogs and cats being destroyed using brutal methods by "dog catchers". "Workers" at kill shelters lack training in humane animal care and control and legal issues pertaining to animal rights. Witnesses have observed dogs and cats being destroyed using viciousl methods within these same "shelters". There are also reports of the "disappearances" of sterilization and euthanasia equipment. Furthermore, documentation is available showing dead dogs, skinned and heaped together -- the victims of mass execution. All this, in a Belgrade shelter! Is this what the Serbian hierarchy terms humane euthanasia?

Equally as sad and reprehensible is the Belgrade zoo, one of the oldest zoos in Europe. Housing approximately two thousand animals, the zoo has acquired a notorious reputation due to the unacceptable treatment of the animals in their "care". The zoo director has close ties to the Serbian hunting lobby as well as Belgrade’s city hall. Documentation is available from Serbian animal welfare advocates showing these animals confined within squalid living conditions and consequently ill and distressed. Many of these animals exhibit abnormal behavior, such as bar biting, over-grooming, self mutilation, head bashing, circling, leg chewing, etc. Furthermore, many animals that were born in the zoo throughout the years have disappeared. The zoo claimed that new tigers, bears and a hippo were born recently but the animals appear to have vanished.

Please sent protest letters to the authorities:

The brutal treatment of companion, farmed and zoo animals in Serbia is coming to the attention of the world. We are horrified to witness man's lack of compassion, indiscriminate cruelty and the Serbian government's indifference and inaction regarding the criminal treatment of Serbian animals.

This negative publicity will surely reverberate throughout the world and result in sanctions from civilized governments and concerned citizens who are able to travel and spend tourist dollars. Surely, the Serbian gross national product depends in part on the influx of money from neighboring nations.

We respectfully and urgently request that you take notice and action of this reprehensible situation which is fast resulting in the deterioration of Serbian status within the global family.

Put a stop to the brutal, vicious killing of domesticated street animals by government officials, civil workers and ordinary citizens. Please request the aid of international animal welfare organizations who are adept at planning and implementing humane welfare programs. Implement a spay / neuter program throughout the country and attempt to initiate human education programs in the school system. Request assistance in the design of coherent and straightforward animal protection legislation. Once in place, and so important,implement and enforce that legislation and initiate prosecution and punishment for perpetrators of animal related crimes. If need be, until Serbia is capable of tending properly to her zoo population, extend an invitation to experts in the proper and humane care and management of confined species.

Please enter this new millennium and posture with compassion and a civilized stance regarding animal welfare.

Name/Country

SPAIN

CATALONIAN PARLIAMENT BULLFIGHT VOTE

Source: Manuel Macia/PACMA

ERC a Spanish party presented a proposal of law to ammend the actual Animal protection Law. According to this proposal all instruments (picadors, banderillas, sword,etc) used in bullfights will be banned.

Therefore there is no possibility whatsoever of harming the bulls. Obviously this is a mean of ending bullfights in the region.

The bullfighters are panicking and are collecting signatures to present to the Parliament to avoid the approval of this ammendment to the law.

Please send emails of encouragement to the Catalonian MP's, urging them not to be intimidated by the bullfighters.

To:

grupicv-ea@parlament-cat.net;
gsoc-cpc@parlament-cat.es,
gruperc@parlament-cat.es;
grupppo@parlament-cat.es,
grupciu@parlament-cat.es,
ernest-benach@parlament-cat.net,
ciu@ciu.info,
a.mas.ga@convergencia.net,
f.puig.go@convergencia.net,
o.pujol.fe@convergencia.net,
j.angerri.au@convergencia.net,
r.camp.ba@convergencia.net,
j.vilajoana.ro@convergencia.net,
jnc@convergencia.org,
a.batalla.si@convergencia.net,
c.campuzano.ca@convergencia.net,
e.orriols.se@convergencia.net,
jmp@unio.org,
duran-lleida@unio.org,
jsanchez@unio.org

Dear Sirs

Friends in Spain have told me that you intend to ban the cruel "sport" of bullfighting in Catalonia.

May I congratulate you in setting an example that perhaps the Regions of Spain may one day follow. You have my total support for the courage you are displaying.

Catalonia is, by this measure, showing the world that it is prepared to put aside the old primitive practices that portray Spain as a barbaric nation.

Yours sincerely,
Name/Country

PETITIONS

Ban Blood Sports in Ireland

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/784506550?ltl=1114635917

"Stop the Carpathian Brown Bear Slaughter in Romania"

http://www.ursusarctos.ro/protest/

"Revise the current animal protection laws in Japan"

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/287575604

Stop the Bull Ship e-postcard

http://www.ciwf.org/campaigns/stbscyberform.shtml

Please Disallow Ads For Free Pets

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/748948196

Dog & Cat Fur Petition to EU Commissioner, Markos Kyprianou urging him to implement a ban on the trade of dog and cat fur from Asia to Europe

http://www.heathermillsmccartney.com/petition.php

Guzoo Licensing

http://www.petitiononline.com/guzoo/

Stop the Oregon's Cougar-Killing Study
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/554435532

Petition for humane medical research
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/535942607

	ANTERIOR ISSUES
MARCH 2005 FEBRUARY 2005 J ANUARY 2005 DECEMBER 2004 NOVEMBER 2004 OCTOBER 2004 SEPTEMBER 2004	AUGUST 2004 JULY 2004 JUNE 2004 APRIL 2004 MARCH 2004 FEBRUARY 2004 JANUARY 2004	DECEMBER 2003 NOVEMBER 2003 OCTOBER 2003 SEPTEMBER 2003 AUGUST 2003 JULY 2003 JUNE 2003

Disclaimer: All items published in this magazine were received by us and we pass them on in good faith. We are not responsible for incorrect email addresses, errors, omissions etc. by the originators.

INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT AGAINST BULLFIGHTS

www.2kat.net/iwab

This Magazine published by Maria Lopes

marialopes@2kat.net

Animals through the World
Supported by the Latino Portal R+C of Ordo Svmmvm Bonvm