MEXICO

PROTEST AGAINST THE "EMBALSE DE TOROS"

Source: M. Mench


Even though the fiesta will take place early next year we have been asked  by Mexican animal rights people to put pressure on now, to give the  authorities time to deal with the matter.

Each year on the 1st of February, six cebu bulls are tortured and killed  during the "Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria" in the town of  Tlacotalpan, in the Mexican state of Veracruz. First they are dragged  through a river by ropes attached to boats. Then they are chased through  the streets Pamplona style and tortured until they are physically and
psychologically destroyed.

The part of the fiesta, which takes place in the river is called "embalse  de toros" and is even promoted by the tourism authorities. In 2006 due to  an international campaign and meetings with Mexican animal rights  activists,the governor of the state of Veracruz banned the use of the  cebus in the fiesta. However, the mayor took sides with the animal abusers  and the fiesta went ahead as usual.
Shocking images and reports by Mexican TV stations and newspapers showed  how one bull, in terror, tried to escape from his pen. Later one bull  almost drowned in the river. The policemen present in the village tried as  hard as possible to protect the bulls from the mob, who were in lynching  mood, but the police were too small in number.

In 2007 in defiance of the campaign, in addition to the six cebu bulls six  young fighting bulls were released onto the streets and tortured.

Tlacotalpan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Please inform UNESCO about  what is going on in Tlacotalpan.
A large part of Mexico's income arises out of international tourism so it  is important to include the Mexican tourism authorities. The Catholic  Church should also be included.

Please write your own letter (Spanish and English) or use the sample as a  guide.

Addresses in a batch:

wh-info@unesco.org,F.Bandarin@unesco.org,A.Pedersen@unesco.org,
n.sanz@unesco.org,dl.mexique@unesco.org,mexico@unesco.org,
mt.baz@unesco.org,felipe.calderon@presidencia.gob.mx,
fidelherrera@veracruz-llave.gob.mx,info@tlaco.com.mx,
ofe_montalvo@hotmail.com,tlaco2005_2007@hotmail.com,
contacto@sagarpa.gob.mx,alberto.cardenas@sagarpa.gob.mx,
portal_vrz@vrz.sagarpa.gob.mx,delegado@vrz.sagarpa.gob.mx,
c.secretario@semarnat.gob.mx,delegado@veracruz.semarnat.gob.mx,
embamex@embamex.or.at,mision@embamex.or.at,icm@embamex.or.at,
info@embamexcan.com,prensafrancia@sre.gob.mx,mail@embamexale.de,
embamex@embamex-nl.com,embamex1@swissonline.ch,mexuk@easynet.co.uk,
culturalgb@sre.gob.mx,relizondo@sectur.gob.mx,

flopez@promotur.com.mx,sgonzalez@promotur.com,
relacionespublicas@promotur.com.mx,northamericanpress@visitmexico.com,
uk@visitmexico.com,contacteurope@visitmexico.com,
germany@visitmexico.com,france@visitmexico.com,otmex@wanadoo.fr,
italy@visitmexico.com,spain@visitmexico.com,argentina@visitmexico.com,
brasil@visitmexico.com,cptmtokio@hotmail.com,cptmbeijing@gmail.com,
echaillo@visitmexico.com,veronica.querejazu@newlinkcorp.com,
hguerrero@visitmexico.com,marisol.hernandez@newlinkcorp.com,
houston@visitmexico.com,sandra.munoz@newlinkcorp.com,
mmora@visitmexico.com,gustavo.rivas@newlinkcorp.com,
miami@visitmexico.com,yusfia.jimenez@newlinkcorp.com,
montreal@visitmexico.com,toronto@visitmexico.com,
dgutierrez@visitmexico.com,arzobispado@arzobispadomexico.org.mx



Estimados Señores,

me refiero a la tortura y la matanza de seis toros en el "embalse de  toros"en el marco de la "Fiesta de la Candelaria", que se llevará a cabo  el próximo 1 de febrero del 2008 en Tlacotalpan, estado Veracruz.
Tal comportamiento no es digno de una sede del patriomonio mundial.
Le ruego que prohiba el uso de los animales en la fiesta.
Por favor intervenga con las autoridades locales para que se acabe con  esta horrible tradición para siempre y para que se siga adelante con la  fiesta sin animales.

Atentamente
Name/Country

______________________

Gentlemen,

I refer to the torture and killing of the six bulls during the "Embalse de  Toros" in the "Fiesta de la Candelaria", which will take place in  Tlacotalpan, in the state of Veracruz on February 1, 2008.
This action is not worthy of a world heritage site.
I urge you to ban the use of animals in the fiesta.
Please intervene with the local authorities to get this horrible tradition  banned and to take the animals out of the fiesta.

Sincerely,
Name/Country

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPHINES

No More Dogs For Dinner In The Philippines

Source: Kinship Circle

SOURCE OF INFORMATION:
Help Stop The Philippines' Illegal Dog Meat Trade:
https://community.hsus.org/campaign/hsi_stop_dog_meat_trade/wgg6gsd4f877den?
VIDEO:
https://community.hsus.org/humane/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=14752672
DogMeatTrade.com:
http://www.dogmeattrade.com/
Republic of the Philippines Government Officials / Contact Information:
http://www.op.gov.ph/profiles_yapDA.asp
PETITION: Save Dogs from the DOG MEAT Trade:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/879609320


EMAIL CONTACTS
+ POSTAL ADDRESSES/PHONES * SAMPLE LETTER FOLLOWS
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Some may be disabled due to this campaign. Try them again later.


COMPLETE CONTACT INFORMATION:
H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace, JP Laurel Street
San Miguel Manila NCR 1005
web email for President: http://www.op.gov.ph/contact.asp
Office of the Executive Secretary: erermita@op.gov.ph
Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson: ops_edp@ops.gov.ph

The Honorable Arthur Cua Yap
Republic of the Philippines, Department of Agriculture
Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City
email: sec.yap@da.gov.ph, usecparas@da.gov.ph
web email (Contact Us): http://www.da.gov.ph/

The Honorable Jose Livioko Atienza Jr.
Department of Environment & Natural Resources
email: osec@denr.gov.ph * website: http://www.denr.gov.ph/

The Honorable Francisco T. Duque III
Republic of the Philippines, Department Of Health
San Lazaro Compound * Sta. Cruz, Manila
email: ftduque@co.doh.gov.ph, bfad@co.doh.gov.ph, aapadilla@co.doh.gov.ph,
mmgalon@co.doh.gov.ph, jfdelmundo@co.doh.gov.ph
website: http://www.doh.gov.ph

Baguio City Hall
2600 Baguio City, Philippines
email: webmaster@baguio.gov.ph

CANADA
His Excellency Ambassador Jose S. Brillantes
Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines
130 Albert Street, Suite 606 * Ottawa, Ontario KIP 5G4
ph: 613-233-1121 * fax: 613-233-4165 * email:  embassyofphilippines@rogers.com

UNITED STATES
His Excellency Ambassador Albert F. Del Rosario
Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines
1600 Massachusetts Avenue N.W. * Washington, DC 20036 USA
ph: 202-467-9300 * fax: 202-466-6288 * email:  info@philippineembassy-usa.org
website: http://www.philippineembassy-usa.org

UNITED KINGDOM
His Excellency Ambassador Edgardo B. Espiritu
Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines
9a Palace Green * London W8 4QE
ph: 0207 361 4621 * fax: 0207 937 2925 * email: consulars@philemb.org.uk
website: http://www.philemb.org.uk

GERMANY
Her Excellency Ambassador Minerva Jean A. Falcon
Uhlandstrasse 97 * 10715 Berlin
ph: (+49-30) 864-9500 * fax: (+49-30) 873-2551 * email: berlinpe@dfa.gov.ph
website: http://www.philippine-embassy.de

PHILIPPINES EMBASSIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES:
http://www.asia-planet.net/philippines/embassies.htm


SAMPLE LETTER
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______________________________

ALL EMAILS IN THIS ALERT:
erermita@op.gov.ph,ops_edp@ops.gov.ph,sec.yap@da.gov.ph,
usecparas@da.gov.ph,osec@denr.gov.ph,ftduque@co.doh.gov.ph,
bfad@co.doh.gov.ph,aapadilla@co.doh.gov.ph,mmgalon@co.doh.gov.ph,
jfdelmundo@co.doh.gov.ph,webmaster@baguio.gov.ph,
embassyofphilippines@rogers.com,info@philippineembassy-usa.org,
consulars@philemb.org.uk,berlinpe@dfa.gov.ph


Honorable Officials of Republic of the Philippines:

I commend Congress and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for enacting the  Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, with language to ban commerce in dog meat and  prevent rabies through required dog vaccination.

The new law surpasses Republic Act 8845 of 1998, with steeper fines and a  one to four year jail sentence for each dog slaughtered or sold for meat.  It also increases fines for caretakers who neglect to inoculate dogs  against rabies or let animals roam unsupervised.

Please strengthen funding for police training, provisional shelters, and  public humane education. As you know, the Anti-Rabies Law of 2007 is a  "paper law" only -- without proper financing and enforcement.

I am worried about illicit dog meat markets in northern regions in and  near Baguio City, where residents eat some 200 dogs daily. According to  Humane Society International, 500,000 dogs are annually butchered for food  in the Philippines, despite the 1998 ban in RA 8845. While the new law  inflates fines and jail terms, these advances are irrelevant without  police officers trained to investigate and arrest offenders. The law  cannot be fulfilled without firm prosecution and punishment of violators.

Most Filipinos shun dog consumption, but profiteers of this gruesome trade  can always find a market for dog meat. Publicized videos have revealed  dogs squashed inside wire cages in the suffocating heat. To supply dog  meat eateries around Baguio City and the Cordilleras region, strays and  former pets are captured or stolen and trucked from as far away as the  southern Tagalog provinces, Visayas, and Mindanao. Roughly half the dogs  perish from starvation and dehydration during the journey.

Survivors wind up in illegitimate slaughterhouses where workers wrench  them from cages with looped poles and smash their skulls. The dogs' mouths  are bound with plastic cord as butchers slice their throats at the jugular  vein.
Expelled blood is bottled and sold. The dogs are then tossed over fires to  strip away fur. Some regain consciousness. Finally, their bodies are
dismembered for distribution to restaurants and public wet markets.

I respectfully ask officials to work within their area of command to  uphold the new law and permanently end the slaughter and sale of dogs for
consumption. I object to all egregious cruelty to animals killed for human  ingestion, including the merciless treatment of pigs, cows, chickens,
turkeys, sheep and other farmed animals around the world.

All sentient creatures feel pain, misery and fear -- regardless of their  intelligence. The Philippines can ease a piece of animal suffering with the
termination of its dog meat trade.

Thank you,


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

U.S.A.

Hanging Pigs: “That’s Not Torture”

Source: Kinship Circle

SOURCE OF INFORMATION:
Cruelty Charges Filed Against Ohio Hog Factory
https://hfa.org/campaigns/wiles.html
NEWS VIDEO, aired upon completion of Wiles Farm trial
http://www.wkyc.com/video/player.aspx?aid=37585&bw=

EMAIL CONTACTS
POSTAL ADDRESS/PHONE + SAMPLE LETTER FOLLOW
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COMPLETE CONTACT INFORMATION:
NOTE – Some contacts below do not have publicly available email addresses.
Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine
Wallace Building, 2nd Floor * East 9th and Grand
Des Moines, IA 50319 * ph: 515-281-8617
SOURCE: http://www.agriculture.state.ia.us/vetboardmembers.htm
http://publications.iowa.gov/archive/00001745/01/vetboardmember.htm

BOARD MEMBERS
Sarah Garst, D.V.M., Chair
Garst West Veterinary Hospital
1215 Prospect Avenue * West Des Moines, IA 50265
ph: 515-224-9747 * fax: 515-224-9748
email: sarahgarst@mchsi.com

Anne M. Duffy
Kirkwood Community College
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW * Cedar Rapids, IA 52406
ph: 319-398-4978 * fax: 319-398-5611
email: aduffy@kirkwood.cc.ia.us

Dean B. Upton, D.V.M.
Urban Pet Hospital and Resort
3601 104th Street * Urbandale, IA 50322
ph: 515-727-0607

Tom Colvin
5452 N.E. 22nd St. * Des Moines, IA 50313
ph: 515-262-9503, ext. 103

Leslie C. Hemmingson, D.V.M.
Le Mars Veterinary Clinic
724 Plymouth Street SW * Le Mars, IA 51031
ph: 712-546-6040 * fax: 712-546-5000
email: lchdvm@frontiernet.net

BOARD STAFF ATTORNEY
Steve Moline
Lucas State Office Building * Ground Floor, Room 018
Des Moines, IA 50319
ph: 515-281-5351 * fax: 515-242-6072
email: smoline@ag.state.ia.us

BOARD STAFF
Dr. David Schmitt, Acting State Veterinarian
ph: 515-281-8601 * email: david.schmitt@idals.state.ia.us
Ginny Eason
ph: 515-281-8617 * email: ginny.eason@idals.state.ia.us


SAMPLE LETTER
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ALL EMAILS IN THIS ALERT:

sarahgarst@mchsi.com,aduffy@kirkwood.cc.ia.us,lchdvm@frontiernet.net,
smoline@ag.state.ia.us,david.schmitt@idals.state.ia.us,
ginny.eason@idals.state.ia.us


Iowa Board Of Veterinary Medicine:

At the 2007 trial for Wiles Farm of Wayne County, Ohio, Iowa veterinarian  Paul Armbrecht was paid to testify on behalf of the defense. Dr. Armbrecht  claimed, under oath, that images in Humane Farming Association's explicit  investigative videos, photos and notes did not represent animal cruelty.

Evidence accessible to Dr. Armbrecht included: Starvation and veterinary  neglect of pigs with prolapsed vaginas, leg fractures and broken backs;  overcrowded pigs wallowing in filth and excrement; pigs bashed with  hammers and forcibly flung into transport carts. Dr. Armbrecht also viewed  the videotaped hanging of neck-chained pigs -- the slaughter technique  used at Wile Farms.

In the video, a pig is dragged down a corridor and flipped off a four-foot  ledge. A chain is looped around his neck and then clipped to a front-end  loader. Once hoisted above the ground, the pig's legs flail against the  rigid clamp at his neck. After four or five minutes, the pig dies.

Dr. Armbrecht, who never actually visited Wiles Farm or spoke to its  staff, testified that hanging pigs is an adequate slaughter method, even  though the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American  Association of Swine Veterinarians, and the National Pork Board do not  sanction asphyxiation by strangulation as humane euthanasia.

"Using asphyxia via strangulation...that's not torture," Dr. Armbrecht  said during the trial. This was not the first time he'd observed  slaughterers
chain the neck of a pig and utilize a forklift to hang the animal. When  Prosecutor Frank Forchione asked him if other choked pigs struggled in the  same manner as Wiles Farm pigs, Dr. Armbrecht answered "Yes, sir." Dr.  Armbrecht has never reported any incidence of strangling pigs to death.

Dr. Armbrecht is a disgrace and a fraud with no respect for veterinary  principles or animal cruelty laws. As an expert witness for the defense,  Dr. Armbrecht's trial testimony seems to violate the Iowa Veterinary  Practice Act, which forbids "knowingly making misleading, deceptive,  untrue, or fraudulent representation in the practice of the profession."

I ask the Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine to thoroughly investigate Dr.  Armbrecht and pursue commensurate punitive action. I urge you to rescind  his license to practice veterinary medicine.

Sincerely,
____________________________________________________

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB AND BANK OF AMERICA CAUGHT SUPPORTING CRUELTY OF RODEOS

Source: SHARK

We were horrified to see that the Boys and Girls Club of Hobbs brought  approximately one hundred children to the steer busting finals. It's bad  enough that the PRCA would stoop so low as to use children to try to fill  its largely empty stands, but what of the reaction from the Boys and Girls  Club?

On November 8th, 2007, SHARK Campaigns Manager, Janet Enoch spoke with Mr.  Mike Clampett, Chief Professional Officer of the Hobbs Boys and Girls  Club. According to Mr. Clampett, the decision to bring young children to  see this spectacle was his. When Ms. Enoch asked to talk to Mr. Clampett's  supervisor, Mr. Clampett stated he did not have one. When Ms. Enoch, who  had done her homework, asked to speak to Board President, Brian  McWilliams, who is in fact Mr. Clampett's superior, Mr. Clampett hung up  on Janet.

Janet is currently in discussions with Telayo Stansfield of The Boys and  Girls Club National Headquarters' Vice President Glenn Permway office.   Unlike Mr. Clampett, Ms. Stansfield has been professional and cordial.

Please call/email Ms. Stansfield and politely request that the Boy and  Girls Club of America issue a corporate policy banning all the BGCA  locations from taking children to rodeos and any other event wherein an  animal may suffer harm.

Ms. Telayo Stansfield, Boys and Girls Clubs of America

1275 Peachtree Street NE

Atlanta, GA 30309-3506

Phone: (404) 487-5700

e-mail: info@bgca.com

Please advise SHARK of responses you receive from the Boys and Girls Club  of America regarding this issue. SHARK will update developments in the  Boys and Girls Club and Bank of America matter on SHARK's
RodeoCruelty.com, and CorporateThugs.com web sites.