This is the last Magazine of 2003 and we wish to thank all that every month helped to save animals. This last month brought to all of us a beautiful Christmas present a major victory for animals, the suceed of the Written Declaration 17/2003, it was due to your preserverance that we managed a majority of MEP's signing it. Our union makes the difference. Thanks.

  We wish you all a Merry Christmas and that 2004 be a better year for all the non human animals.

  Maria Lopes

  Performing Animals In Victoria, AU Need Our Voice

  Source: Penzelda and Kinship Circle

  Please send letters to :

crfayeu@mitchellshire.vic.gov.au , crwilliamm@mitchellshire.vic.gov.au ,

crsuem@mitchellshire.vic.gov.au , crbobh@mitchellshire.vic.gov.au ,
crdonaldp@mitchellshire.vic.gov.au , ianh@mitchellshire.vic.gov.au

Copy to:
crrossl@mitchellshire.vic.gov.au , crrobertg@mitchellshire.vic.gov.au

I strongly encourage you to reexamine evidence from prestigious veterinary and animal welfare professionals whose opinions clearly indicate that wild animals do not belong in the circus.
 
In recent years circuses around the world have accumulated innumerable violations of animal welfare laws, including citations for trauma, physical harm and behavioral stress to animals; deficient veterinary care; and
insufficient sanitation, exercise, space and shelter for animals.

To subordinate wild animals, trainers must keep them "constantly in pain or in fear of pain," claims Tufts University veterinarian Paul Waldau. It's no surprise that distressed animals, unchained or uncaged only during performance, seize this opportunity to flee. Escaped or rampaging elephants, tigers and other animals present serious risks to public health and safety.

Over the last 13 years captive "big cats" attacked humans at least 123 times. Of the episodes documented, 13 resulted in human death. Within the same time span, elephants in shows or rides accounted for 12 human
fatalities and over 126 injuries worldwide.
 
Circuses argue that animal acts offer children a close-up glimpse of exotic creatures. In reality, forcing captive beasts to perform unnatural stunts does not teach kids about life in the wild. Elephants instinctively roam 20 to 50 miles everyday, pausing to indulge in mud and dust baths. In the circus, they perform up to three shows a day, with 50 weeks of travel shackled inside frigid or sweltering boxcars.
 
If performing animals were well cared for, as the circus community contends, trainers would be armed with treats, toys and other forms of positive reinforcement. Instead, circuses pack an arsenal of bullhooks, chains, ropes, cinch collars, shock prods, axe handles, baseball bats, metal pipes and whips.
 
Please reinstate the policy to ban circuses with exotic animals from property within your jurisdiction. Thank you for your valuable time and consideration.
 
Sincerely,

Name/Country/Email

  WRITTEN DECLARATION 17/2003

  The Written Declaration was approved yesterday 17/12/3003.  Today 18th according to the website of the Eu we have already 346 signatures this is a major victory for all animal defenders and for all MEP's that campaigned for a ban on dog and cat fur products in Europe.

We couldn't have a better Christmas present than this one. Thanks to all of you that sent over and over letters to the MEP's to convince them to sign this written declaration. Now is time to celebrate this victory.

  We transcribe an excerpt of the press release made yesterday by Struan Stevenson MEP:

  "This is fantastic news.  318 MEPs now support moves to make the trade of cat and dog fur illegal.  The Commission should now listen to the Parliament and bring in new proposals to ban this vile trade across the EU.

  CAMPAIGN TO END BULLFIGHTS IN PERU

  Source: ALCO/Peru

  Please send the following letter to the President of Peru, Alejandro Toledo:

You can either copy and paste the letter on:
http://www.presidencia.gob.pe/elpresidente/buzon_presidente.asp

or you can use the following e-mails, which have been used for previous campaigns.

sepres@presidencia.gob.pe, oginf@presidencia.gob.pe

Sample letter in Spanish and English

Señor Presidente Alejandro Toledo,

Le escribo la presente para mostrarle mi enérgico repudio a los espectáculos taurinos y solicitarle disponga la erradicación total de este tipo de espectáculos de crueldad contra los animales. No permita que la tortura y el sufrimiento de estos seres siga bañando de sangre tan hermoso país como es el Perú. No olvide que los turistas evitan visitar países que no respetan a los animales.

Recuerde los ejemplos de los países amigos, Argentina en 1819 y 1822, Chile mediante ley de 1823, Uruguay en 1890, Cuba en 1928, Bolivia en 1998, y muchos países más, que por disposiciones oficiales abolieron este tipo de espectáculos, por considerarlos una barbarie en contra de los animales.

Le agradezco por leer mi carta y con la seguridad de que Ud. no permitirá que el país siga apoyando y acogiendo este tipo de barbaridades, quedo de Ud.,

Muy atentamente,
Name/Country
______________________________________

Dear President Toledo,

I am writing to you to show my serious disgust of bullfighting and ask you to take the necessary steps to completely erradicate this kind of spectacles which are cruel to animals. Don't allow that the torture and the suffering of these beings continues to spill blood on such a beautiful country like Peru. Don't forget that tourist avoid countries which don't respect the animals.

Please bear in mind the examples of the neighbour countries, which officially abolished these kind of spectacles, because they considered it cruel to the animals (Argentina in 1819 and 1922, Chile by law in1823, Uruguay in 1890, Cuba in 1928, Bolivia in 1998 and many more countries).

I thank you for having read my letter and I am sure that you will not allow that this country continues to support and welcome this kind can of barbarism.

Yours truly,
Name/Country

  WILD ANIMALS IN CIRCUSES - PLEASE PROTEST

  Source: Vita

  On Wednesday, December 3 a circus bear killed a Moscow circus employee. This is one more chance for us to appeal to the Moscow authorities to forbid the use of wild animals in circuses. 
 

PLEASE WRITE TO THE MAYOR OF MOSCOW YURY LUZHKOV AND ASK HIM TO FORBID THE USE OF WILD ANIMALS IN MOSCOW CIRCUSES AND OTHER ENTERTAINMENTS.

To the mayor of Moscow Mr Luzhkov

major@mos.ru

Dear Mr. Luzhkov,

I would like to cordially thank you for forbidding two planned bullfights in Moscow in 2000 and 2002. This humane gesture of the Moscow city council gives hope for further improvements in the field of animal protection in Russia.

Mr. Luzhkov, after the tragic fate of Umar Zakirov, employee of “Ugolok Durova” I appeal to you to forbid the use of wild animals in Moscow circuses and other entertainments.

Circus animal care-taker Umar Zakirov was killed by a circus bear on Wednesday, December 3. Two other employees of “Ugolok Durova” were injured.

It is obvious that wild animals do not belong in the circus. Under tortures and bad housing conditions animals develop unnatural behavioural patterns, which lead to dramatic incidents as the one described above and many others. Thus, keeping wild animals in circus is undoubtedly dangerous for people.

Moreover, circus conditions are torturous for wild animals themselves. To tame the animals, they are being beaten, burnt, deprived of food, etc. Wild animals belong in their natural surroundings, and not in cages.

Mr Luzhkov, please consider my appeal and forbid the use of wild animals in Moscow circuses and other entertainments, such as street photographing and other.

Yours sincerely

Name/Country/Email