10

10 log in or sign up to start earning Butterfly Credits today!
learn more »
earn credits for web search

community & fun

groups

get together & make a difference

Groups > Animal Activists > Member Sharebook
Member Sharebook

powered by Care2.com • Care2 Home • E-cards & Fun • Shopping • Healthy Living • News Network • Petitions • Click to Donate

A collaborative Sharebook created by the members of Animal Activists.
To add your own Shares, use this tag: *group:AniActiv*

Select the share type or view all:

Alert: forced child prostitution in Germany . . .

Focus:	Children
Action Request:	Petition
Location:	Germany

There is a young girl in Russia who is about to trafficked into forced prostitution in Germany . . .

There are thousands just like her . . .

You should do something about it . . .

Here's what . . . ?

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Dear Colleague,

          There is a young girl in Russia who is about to answer an ad for a waitress job in Berlin while the World Cup is going on.

          When she arrives in Berlin, her "employer" will beat her, steal her passport, chain her to a radiator in a dirty room, and force her into prostitution.

          This is happening right now all over Eastern Europe. Young girls are being enticed into forced prostitution in Berlin as the Germans are preparing to host the World Cup.

          We must do what we can to stop this outrage.

          All told 40,000 prostitutes are about to descend on the World Cup that is just about to begin in Berlin.

          I urgently need you to read this email, sign the protest petition and SEND THIS EMAIL TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

          Some have expressed skepticism that this charge is true. How could something so monstrous be true?

          Well, here is the lead from a recent story on the BBC:

          "From the outside, it looks like an ordinary motel that you would find on the edge of a motorway. But as you walk into the Artemis, a few scantily clad women who are standing near the main entrance provide and obvious sign that there is more on offer here.

          "Artemis is one of Germany's largest brothels. It opened recently, just in time for the World Cup. It is a short bus ride from Berlin's Olympic stadium, where many of the games, and the final, will be played" (May 15, 2006, BBC)

          There it is.

          One of our Friday Fax readers called the German Embassy in Canada and the diplomat who spoke admitted the charges that thousands of prostitutes are descending on Berlin and that special brothels have been built. Some are no more than one room sheds.

          So, here is our question. What is moral and decent about that? And then the question becomes; how many of these women are being forced into prostitution. Those who are experts in human trafficking say that legal prostitution is a magnet for human traffickers and a magnet for forced prostitution.

          We must do something about this.

          This is one of the largest and most important sporting events in the world and the German government is colluding in sullying the reputation of this sport of their people. Moreover, the German government is colluding in the inevitable trafficking of human flesh for the sexual pleasure of rowdy drunks.

          We must do something about this. Here is what you and your family and friends can do.

          First, go to http://www.c-fam.org/stopwcpro.htm and sign the petition. At our site you can also read more about the horrific state of human trafficking . . . of women and even children. Sign the petition!

          Second, SEND THIS EMAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW. WE MUST GET 50,000+ NAMES TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT.

          We will present this petition, signed by thousands from all over the world, to the German Mission to the United Nations, the Germany Embassy in Washington DC, the Office of the Chancellor of Germany, and to our pro-family friends in the German Parliament so they can initiate a resolution condemning the tragedy that is about to happen in Berlin.

          I urge you to act now. Even now, the traffickers are gathering in Berlin. They are setting up shop. Young girls are being beaten. Help them right now by going to http://www.c-fam.org/stopwcpro.htm and signing the petition and then sending this email to everyone you know.

          We can and will cause a stink about this. We, along with thousands of others, can raise a holy ruckus but we have to act fast. The World Cup begins in a week and goes for a month.

          Act now. Go to http://www.c-fam.org/stopwcpro.htm to sign the petition and send this message to your entire address book.

Yours sincerely,

Austin Ruse, President, C-FAM

PS 15,400 have signed so far. We need 50,000 more and we need it fast.
*look* http://www.c-fam.org/stopwcpro.htm *sign*

Posted: Jun 17, 2006 1:47pm | comment (0) | discuss () | permalink

fetching data...

Tags: child german sex slave

Alert: This could be the most important petition you sign...ever. The Animal Legal Defense Fund is sending petition to congress for an

Focus:	Animal Welfare
Action Request:	Petition
Location:	United States

Animal Bill of Rights

The struggle to end cruelty to animals is not an easy one. But there is something easy you can do right now to make a difference in the lives of abused animals. It's as quick and simple as typing in your name.

Through the Animal Bill of Rights, we are working to show Congress a groundswell of support for legislation that protects animals and recognizes their rights. Ultimately, we hope the petition will be a bill. In the meantime, the thousands of signatures on this petition send a clear message to our legislators that Americans strongly support legal protection for animals. When animal-related legislation is proposed, Congress will remember the huge number of signatures on the Animal Bill of Rights. With that in mind, they will cast a vote for the animals.

Sign the Animal Bill of Rights

http://www.aldf.org/petition.asp?sect=action

Posted: Jun 13, 2006 6:46pm | comment (6) | discuss () | permalink

fetching data...

Tags:

Alert: Action Alerts from the Animal Legal Defense Fund...

Focus:	Animal Welfare
Action Request:	Write Letter
Location:	United States

Please write polite letters. Each rude letter distracts the reader from the purpose of all of the respectful letters--the animals! Please do not write disrespectful, rude letters. These letters go to the person you want to persuade because they can do something to punish the person. Writing a rude letter does nothing. Please remember this! Don't write in all CAPS BECAUSE IT IS HARD TO READ, and implies yelling. I posted a share on how to write an effective letter that has some tips that might help you.

Case Closed (but action still needed):Animal Abuser Gets A Slap on the Wrist - Write the Judge Today!
Published 5/8/06 (Valley, Alabama)

A case that investigators in Valley, Alabama, labeled the worst case of animal abuse in the city's history has resulted in a slap on the wrist for the perpetrator. At a March 2006 hearing, Jerome Shockley plead guilty to abusing his dogs, but he will not spend one day in jail or be prohibited from owning dogs or other animals.

In November 2003, law enforcement officers reportedly found eleven dead dogs and eleven severely neglected dogs, who survived inside one-square-foot "dog boxes," completely deprived of food and water. Although they were all rescued, some of the dogs had to be euthanized due to their grave conditions.

Eleven felony animal cruelty charges were presented to a grand jury, which indicted Shockley on eleven misdemeanor charges. At first, Shockley denied the accusations. Then Judge Tom F. Young Jr. accepted Shockley's guilty plea to one misdmeanor count of cruelty. He was given a six month suspended sentence, a year of probation and a court fine of $837.

Action:
Please urge Judge Young to take all animal cruelty cases seriously and remind him that neglect cases are often more egregious than outright violent abuse because the animals suffer in silence for long periods of time -- sometimes their entire miserable lives. People who collect or hoard animals are generally in need of intervention and psychological assistance; research shows that if perpetrators are not adequately penalized, it is highly likely that they will continue to commit the same crimes in the future. To break this cycle, intervention and treatment, including prosecution, mandatory psychological treatment and a ban against owning any animals, is critical.

The Honorable Tom F. Young, Jr.
Circuit Judge, 5th Judicial Circuit Court
Chambers County Courthouse
2 Lafayette Street
Lafayette, AL 36862

Case Closed(but action still needed): Plourde Sentenced to Prison
Published 5-26-06 (Lyndonville, Vermont)

Issue:
Jeffrey Plourde, 18, who plead no contest to charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, has been sentenced. Vermont District Court Judge Kathleen Manley sentenced Plourde to 18 months to three years in prison, counseling, a lifetime ban on possessing animals and from owning or using any hunting or fishing equipment. For unrelated charges of burglary, petty larceny and possession of stolen property, he received concurrent prison time and a suspended five to 10-year sentence. Plourde is also awaiting trial for other unrelated charges of sexual assault and lewd and lascivious conduct for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend.

Plourde was accused of torturing a neighbor's Labrador dog in late 2004 by sodomizing and choking the dog, named Kacy. Her tail had been pulled away from her body and she had to be euthanized because of the severe injuries. Plourde never admitted that he abused Kacy.

Action:
To thank Caledonia State's Attorney Robert Butterfield for recommending a sentence of 18 to 3 years in prison with psychological treatment and a prohibition from ever owning or living with any animals, and Judge Kathleen Manley for recognizing the serious nature of Plourde’s crimes against an innocent animal, please write:

Robert Butterfield
State’s Attorney
26 Main Street
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

The Honorable Kathleen Manley
Caledonia Superior Court
1126 Main Street, Suite One
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

First Felony Dogfighting Case in Tennessee Returns to Court on June 1
Published 5-26-06 (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.)

Issue:
Two Hamilton County pitbull owners have been charged with felony dogfighting, possibly the first such case since Tennesee made the crime a felony, rather than a misdemeanor, in 2004.

John David and Israela Putnam's charges resulted from a 5-month undercover investigation by humane society and local law enforcement officials. The investigation reported that the Putnams allegedly raised 22 pitbulls to sell and be used in fighting. The dogs were wounded and covered in scars and it is unclear whether they will be able to be adopted or will be euthanized.

In October 2004, Judge Ron Durby denied a motion by Putnams' defense attorney to return 22 pitbulls to to the Putnams, but he did allow them to visit their animals at the shelter.

Action:
The trial had been set for June 24, 2005, but then was rescheduled to January 2006. On January 11 the court date was again continued to March 16, 2006, then to May 8 and finally to May 18. Recently ALDF learned that Israela Putnam’s next court date is June 1, 2006. To urge the prosecutor to ask for an order prohibiting the Putnams from owning or harboring any animals in the future, with unannounced periodic checks, please write:

John Lee

Assistant District Attorney
600 Market Street, Suite 310
Cahttanooga, TN 37402

Refer to Case #252794

Persuade Prosecutors to Reject Plea Bargain Before July 25
Published 06-07-06 (Omak, Washington)
ISSUE:
At least three horses have died, reportedly due to neglect and starvation, in Okanogan County near Omak. Amanda Vance and Matthew Velasquez have been charged with three counts of animal cruelty in the first degree, Class C felonies.

In December 2005, after one horse reportedly died and a neighbor witnessed dogs eating the carcass a field, the sheriff's office was notified. A deputy responded and noted the dead horse and two others that appeared to be in poor condition. Three days later, another call reported that there was another horse dead and the first one had not yet been buried. A more thorough search was done by the sheriff’s office and four more malnourished horses were found in other pastures, in addition to yet another horse who was found in a barn and appeared to be dead or dying of starvation.

There was reportedly no evidence of food for the horses anywhere and they had begun eating wood in the corrals. It was finally determined that the horses needed to be seized, but it was several days before deputies returned to the property, and the horses had still not been fed. The third horse fount in the barn also died.

A veterinarian was finally called out to examine the horses, who stated that they were extremely malnourished and expressed surprise that one particular horse was not dead. That horse later died as well. The remaining horses were removed by the owner, Linda Vance, Amanda's mother.

The defendants have plead not guilty and were scheduled for trial on May 2, 2006. Following several delays, it is now set for July 25. However, concerned residents fear that Vance and Velasquez will be offered a plea bargain because that tactic is not uncommon in the county.

ACTION:
To urge the prosecutor not to consider any plea bargains and prosecute Vance and Velasquez to the full extent of the law, including asking for an order that would bar them from owning or harboring any animals in the future, write:

Karl Sloan and Jennifer Richardson
Okanogan County Prosecutor's Office
237 4th Avenue North
Okanogan, WA 98840

Please refer to case number 06-1-00013-5

Trial for Alleged Dog Attacker Continued
Published 06-07-06 (West Monroe, LA)

Sharon Fowler, 35, was arrested in August 2003 for allegedly torturing a neighbor's dog in West Monroe, Louisiana. The dog, an 8-month-old Labrador retriever, had been playing with Fowler's child and others in a mobile home park when the dog reportedly scratched the child.

Fowler told police that when she later saw the dog, she went into a rage and tried to tie a rope to the dog's collar. Police reports say that the dog bit her and she proceeded to hit the dog with a hammer in front of children, then tied him to the rearview mirror of her vehicle and dragged him down the road, running over his head. A passerby found the dog still alive and took him to a nearby veterinary hospital, where he was euthanized.

Fowler was charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a felony, and, following many delays and continuances, was finally scheduled to go to trial on May 15, 2006. However, ALDF has learned that a “motion for sanity” has been scheduled for July 11, 2006.

To urge the prosecutor to prosecute vigorously and ask for mandatory psychiatric treatment and a prohibition against having contact with any animals for the rest of her life, send a polite letter to:

Jerry J. Jones
District Attorney, 4th Judicial District
P.O. Box 1652
Monroe, LA 71210
opda@bayou.com

Go to the link below for more action alerts:
http://www.aldf.org/content.asp?sect=action&sectionid=2

Posted: Jun 13, 2006 4:29pm | comment (0) | discuss () | permalink

fetching data...

Tags: *gro

Alert: Protected species-female alligator-brutally attacked and killed.Pictures posted on myspace.com. Urge prosecutor to file cruelty

Focus:	Animal Welfare
Action Request:	Write Letter
Location:	United States

Urge Prosecutor to File Cruelty Charges!

In March, a female alligator was brutally attacked and killed within the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key, Florida. Timothy Goll, 18, Jordan Milo, 20, and Theo Derleth, 19, have been charged with alligator poaching. Details about a fourth juvenile suspect are undisclosed.

Two resident American alligators, protected species, lived at the Blue Hole, an observation pond, together, for years. On March 24, the men allegedly killed two or three migratory birds, then left and illegally returned after dark. Reportedly using the dead birds, they lured the smaller female alligator closer to them, then shot her eyes out with a high-powered pellet gun and beat her to death with a baseball bat. They then took her body back to a home on Big Pine and took pictures and posted them on Myspace.com. The alligator was butchered and the meat taken to a BBQ party a few nights later.

Florida activists have collected over two thousand signatures on a petition urging that criminal cruelty charges be brought for such a heinous crime, yet the defendants are still charged with only poaching. If you are outraged that these violent young men can commit the unspeakably cruel crime they are accused of and not be charged with animal cruelty, please write to the prosecutor and politely ask him to file felony animal cruelty charges against the defendants, pursuant to Florida Statute 828.12 (2). Remind him of the link between animal abuse and human violence and urge him to ask for the maximum penalty, including a ban on future contact with animals.

Send your letter to:
Mark Kohl
Monroe County State Attorney
4695 Overseas Highway
Marathon, FL 33050

(Action alert from Animal Legal Defense Fund)

Posted: Jun 13, 2006 4:16pm | comment (0) | discuss () | permalink

fetching data...

Tags: *gro

Blog: How to write an effective letter

How to write an effective letter

Letters and faxes are an extremely effective way of communicating with your elected officials. Many legislators believe that a letter represents not only the position of the writer but also many other constituents who did not take the time to write. It has been said that as few as 10 letters, according to legislators, represent 1,000 people.
Emails, postcards, and phone calls are good communication tools, but letters and faxes are the most effective and persuasive way of communicating our views to elected officials.
Letters to the editor are one of the most widely read sections of the newspaper and reach a large audience. They allow community members to comment on the way issues are being addressed in the media and to influence what topics the local paper covers. Elected officials often monitor this section of the newspaper and take notice of constituents' opinions.
Due to strict space limitations in newspapers, not all letters will be published, but the more letters the newspaper receives on a certain topic, the more likely they are to run at least one letter on the topic. Check the letter guidelines in your local paper and use these tips to write an effective letter to the editor:

Keep it short and focused.
Many newspapers have strict length limits and edit letters for space. A concise, single-issue letter has a better chance of retaining its salient points and keeping the reader's interest.

Make specific references.
While some newspapers will print general commentary letters, most prefer letters that respond to a specific article.

Here are some ways to refer to an article:
"I was impressed by the comprehensive logging solution outlined in the May 5^th article, 'Sustainable Logging on a Roll.'"
"I strongly disagree with Senator Baker's position against increased fuel economy standards 'To be or SUV' June 22)."

Be factual and highlight aspects of the issue that haven’t been previously addressed.

Include your contact information.
Many newspapers will only publish a letter to the editor after verifying the author’s contact information. When printed, the letter will usually only include your name and city.

Type your letter and sign it.

«««Tip«««—Send letters to smaller newspapers.
Small newspapers are more likely to print your letter and the letter can then spark local community action.

Writing to your elected officials.
State Who You Are and What You Want Up Front: In the first paragraph, tell your legislators that you are a constituent and identify the issue about which you are writing. If your letters pertains to a specific piece of legislation, it helps to identify it by its bill number (e.g. H.R. ____ or S. _____).
You are the Expert: Remember that your legislator's job is to represent you. You should be courteous and to the point, but don't be afraid to take a firm position. Remember that often your elected official may know no more about a given issue than you do.
Personalize your letter: Tell your elected official why this legislation matters in his community or state. If you have one, include a personal story that shows how this issue affects you and your family. A constituent's personal stories can be the very persuasive as your legislator shapes his or her position.
Be polite and take a firm position in your letter. Be confident in your understanding of the issue and remember that the legislator may know less than you.
Include a brief summary of the crime or issue you're writing about, and make sure your information is factually correct. Carefully read the entire case and the case updates so that you can be sure that the information you're quoting is the most current. Referring to inaccurate or outdated information will discredit your letter and you will not be taken seriously. Make sure the case info you have is the most recent.
Choose the three strongest points to support your argument and develop them clearly but briefly. Too much information can distract from your position. Respect the fact that the official is very busy. Limit your letter to one page and one issue.
Keep it brief: Letters should never be longer than one page, and should be limited to one issue. Legislative aides read many letters on many issues in a day, so your letter should be as concise as possible.
Make it personal. Tell your officials why the issue matters to you and how it affects you, your family, and your community. Make a connection to the legislator. Did you vote for her? Did you contribute to the campaign?
Trust your voice. Be polite and take a firm position in your letter. Be confident in your understanding of the issue and remember that the legislator may know less than you. Thank elected officials when they vote the way you want.
Be specific - tell the recipient exactly what you'd like to see happen. "Please make sure this man cannot ever hurt another animal" is less compelling and useful than something like "Please ensure that this man is sentenced to the maximum term of jail time allowable by law, required to undergo mandatory psychological counseling and banned from owning animals for as long as possible."
Ask for a reply. This does not have to be as daunting as it may sound. Simply ending the letter with, “I look forward to your response” will be enough to let him/her know that you want a reply. It might simply be a form letter, not a personal response, but the point is to know you have been heard. Also, this puts a little more pressure on the official who knows you are expecting to be heard and responded to. Include your name and address on both your letter and envelope (put it on both in case your envelope is misplaced.
If you live in the area where the case is being prosecuted, let the official know that the issue is very important to you and that the way they deal with the situation may affect your future voting decisions.
If you live in a different area from where the case is being prosecuted, let them know that his or her position on the issue may make you reluctant to visit the county, state or province and that you may be inclined to spend your money elsewhere.
Proof-read and spellcheck your letter - typos and grammatical errors will reduce your credibility and you may be taken less seriously.
DO NOT WRITE IN ALL CAPS. Use your words to convey how strongly you feel. Letters written in all caps are harder to read and often imply "shouting".
Include your real name and mailing address. A random selection of names may be contacted to verify signatures. (Hence, if names/addresses cannot be contacted, they will only hurt our cause.)
Letters without full names or mailing addresses could be taken less seriously, as it could be construed that you are attempting to hide behind anonymity. When people are willing to be held accountable for their opinions, those opinions typically have more weight.
Use the proper title and salutation in your letter, and always address your letter to a specific person. If you're using the Pet-Abuse.Com Action Alert forms, will automatically fill in the title and salutation for you.
Prosecuting Attorney/Judge:
The Honorable John/Jane Doe
Presidents:
Dear Mr./Ms. President Doe

Mailing address to Members of Congress:
The Honorable John/Jane Doe

Greeting to Member, Senate:
Dear Senator Doe

Greeting to Member, House of Representatives:
Dear Congressman/woman Doe

Mailing Address to Ambassadors:
His/Her Excellency John/Jane Doe

Greeting to Ambassador:
Dear Ambassador Doe

Prime Ministers:
Dear Prime Minister Doe

Other Officials and elected representatives:
Dear (Title) Doe

Writing to newspapers, TV or radio stations:
Dear (Title) John/Jane Doe
Dear Mr./Ms. John/Jane Doe
When a prosecutor or judge comes through with a meaningful sentence, be sure to write to them and thank them for their efforts.

Posted: Jun 12, 2006 9:06am | comment (2) | discuss () | permalink

fetching data...

Tags: animals abuse cruelty

Photo: Animal

Animal abuse in Serbia, poisonig of stray dogs, mass killing...

Posted: Jun 11, 2006 3:49pm | comment (0) | discuss () | permalink

fetching data...

Tags:

Alert: Animal Welfare Action Alerts through National Anti-Vivisection Society

Focus:	Animal Welfare
Action Request:	Various
Location:	United States

Federal: Stop "Pet Theft" for Illegal Trade in Animals Sold for Research

House Bill Revitalizes Stalled Senate Effort.

Federal: Update: House passes federal plan to include animals in regional disaster planning!

Call your U.S. Senators to support.

Illinois: Urge Illinois Assembly to Pass Ban on Foie Gras Production

This bill would prohibit the force feeding of a bird in order to enlarge the bird's liver beyond normal size.

Massachusetts: Support Legislation to Give Massachusetts Students a Choice on Dissection

A bill that would give public school students the right to use an alternative to dissection needs your help to make it law!

New York: New York Assembly passes ban on personal care animal testing

Call Your State Senator to support cruelty-free products

UPDATED! Federal: Make the Ban on Horse Slaughter Permanent

Now is the time to pass The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.

Connecticut: Support Teaching "Humane Treatment of Animals" in Connecticut Schools

Inclusion of humane education in the curriculum of public schools.

Federal: Stop "Pet Theft" for Illegal Trade in Animals Sold for Research

The Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2005, S. 451, would amend the Animal Welfare Act to ensure that all dogs and cats used by research facilities are obtained legally.

Federal: Protect Animals Sold as Pets by Breeders and Importers

New Measure Would Subject Puppy Mills to Federal Regulation

Federal: Support the Truth in Fur Labeling Act for All Fur Products

A federal bill, H.R. 4904, would require all fur sold in the U.S. to be labeled, regardless of value.

Federal: USDA Petition May Allow Horse Slaughter to Continue

A petition filed with the USDA would undermine the recent victory for horses bound for slaughter in the U.S. for export to foreign meat markets.

New Jersey: PASSED! New Jersey Senate Unanimously Passes State Student Choice Legislation

On Thursday, December 15th, the New Jersey Senate passed a bill to protect the rights of students who object to dissection. Call to thank your legislators for their support on this bill.

New York: Support Humane Education in New York Schools

Teaching kindness toward domestic pets and the humane treatment of living creatures

Posted: Jun 11, 2006 12:09pm | comment (0) | discuss () | permalink

fetching data...

Tags:

Blog: Does anyone want to help me change animal cruelty laws?????

Here is what I want to do. I want to change the laws regarding animal abuse in Missouri (and other states if I can--I live in Missouri so I am not sure if I have any legal ability to change laws in other states) and also I want to further define what "animal abuse/cruelty" actually is. I want to make mandatory punishments (eg. 2 years in jail and a fine of $1000 plus paying for the treatment of the animal(s) involved) and mandatory psychological treatment. It is a long process but it will be well worth it. I would love the help but this is probably the 5th time I have asked for help online and nobody seems to want to actually act when it comes down to it. I am not really expecting anyone to email me or respond but I thought I would put it out there. You never know unless you try, again and again. New people may have joined care2 since the last time I have asked and hopefully they will respond. I truly do not think I can do this alone. It requires a lot of work, which I can do, but also requires an immense amount of research and knowledge of law and the process of making a new law. I know the basics of getting a new law enacted but I want to make sure there are NO loopholes and I believe I will need a lawyer to help with that.

*kittyhug3*
*thanks*

Posted: Jun 11, 2006 8:05am | comment (4) | discuss () | permalink

fetching data...

Tags: cats law cat animal dogs laws abuse changing missouri kansas welfare cruelty legislation

Alert: The Pennsylvania General Assembly is considering a bill that would forbid tethering dogs outdoors for more than 16 hours a day.

Focus:	Animal Welfare
Action Request:	Write E-Mail
Location:	Pennsylvania, United States

Help protect dogs from inhumane treatment

The Pennsylvania General Assembly is considering a bill that would forbid tethering dogs outdoors for more than 16 hours a day. Help support this effort and protect Pennsylvania’s canine pets!

Pennsylvania is known as a state that takes care of its animal populations. Many Pennsylvania families own pets, and these pets are generally treated with love and compassion.

Pennsylvania’s “Cruelty to Animals” law, however, is missing an important element: a section that provides restrictions on how dogs may be tethered outdoors. State Representative Mario M. Scavello (R-District 176) has introduced a bill that would update the “Cruelty to Animals” statute to institute certain standards controlling how, and for how long, dogs may be tethered outdoors.

Tethering dogs outside for long periods of time is inhumane and unnecessary. Dogs possess strong social instincts and suffer when they are left alone outdoors for more than a few hours. Tethering a dog outdoors makes a dog more likely to act aggressively and to bite, and may also lead to injuries if the dog is approached by other animals or people and cannot get away. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has concluded that “tethering dogs as a means of primary enclosure is not a humane practice.”

Rep. Scavello’s bill would not forbid tethering outdoors, nor would it impose invasive regulations that dictate to dog owners how their animals must be raised and cared for. This bill would simply prohibit tethering any animal for more than 16 hours in any 24-hour period, require that dogs be given shelter during temperature extremes, and forbid the use of choke or pinch collars when tethering dogs outdoors. This is an initiative that would make a significant difference in the lives of many Pennsylvania dogs.

The American Humane Association supports this important legislation. Help support this bill and put an end to neglect and maltreatment of dogs in Pennsylvania!

This action alert is for residents of the following states only: Pennsylvania

Posted: Jun 10, 2006 5:17pm | comment (0) | discuss () | permalink

fetching data...

Tags:

Alert: NY: Bill passes to ban animal testing on personal care products...2nd state to do this...48 to go!

Focus:	Animal Welfare
Action Request:	Various
Location:	New York, United States

New York: New York Assembly passes ban on personal care animal testing *yay*

(I am not sure if this has passed entirely and now is law or if this is just the first step. This might just be the first step and has more to go)
Bill Details

Name: An Act to amend the public health law, in relation to prohibiting traditional animal test methods.

Number: A1163

Call for Action: Contact your New York State Senator to support passage of A1163.

A New York bill, A1163, would prohibit manufacturers and contract testing facilities from using traditional animal testing methods for which an appropriate alternative testing method available. New York would be only the second state, after California, to pass such a ban on animal testing for personal care and other non-medical products.

Traditional animal tests are often unnecessary and impose extreme cruelty upon the animals being tested. Although this legislation would not ban animal tests altogether, it would require manufacturers to use alternative methods in specific instances and for specific products when validated by the federal Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM).

The ICCVAM was created by the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences to develop a uniform process for assessing the validation of testing methods that reduce or eliminate the use of animals to test product safety. Industries are currently not required to use those alternative test methods, though many do so voluntarily.

To see a listing of the companies that currently use non-animal testing methods for their products, see the NAVS’ publication Personal Care for People Who Care.

Passage of this legislation would be a big step forward in ending the use of animals for testing personal care items and cosmetics. Please help New York join California in becoming a more cruelty free state!

Take Action Now!