Veg'n KTVU reporter story on Kangaroo Slaughter/Shoes

[Guest guest]

(Hope ya don't get this twice... I sent it this morning but it didn't come

through so I'm sending it again)

 

Hi all,

 

Seems like there is has been some " brief " coverage out there for veggie and

animal rights issues on local TV. This previous Wednesday KTVU/Fox aired a

" Special Report " on kangaroos being slaughtered for their leather for

sporting goods. While they get credit for doing the show and giving it

airtime, what happened on the editing floor was akin to information

slaughter. They gave much coverage to the pro-kangaroo slaughter side of

the issue... slight coverage to the information from lauren's interview with

them about kangaroo slaughter. (link below to VIVA's site for those of you

wanting more information)

 

From lauren (VIVA)

================

" It would be great for people to write to adidas (especially their pr

person) and say they saw the coverage on FOX and were outraged to see that

they use roo leather. And of course, good for FOX to hear people are upset

by it. "

 

What the 2 minute story said:

=========================

Frank Summerville Special Report - Kangaroos are lovable but animal rights

group VIVA provided KTVU with footage showing kangaroos being slaughtered.

And it is graphic... So brutal that we're not going to show all of it to

you. The use of graphic video is a time tested method of getting attention.

 

VIVA spokeswoman lauren Ornelas says it's not just full grown kangaroos that

are being endangered. (States lauren) " Also there's the additionall

aspect that the babies are ripped from their mother's pouches and stomped on

or bludgeoned. " (This is the only statement of lauren's they aired in the

whole segment.. and I'm sure she said more than that!)

 

Showing a wall of shoes - reporter says " Ornelas says kangaroos hide are

illegally being used to make goods like soccer shoes... shoe maker Adidas is

one of the biggest offenders. In a telephone interview Adidas officials at

company's HQ in Germany said the video is a " fake " . (Letter shown on

screen) In a prepared statement (shown on the screen), " None of the common

species of kangaroo that are harvested are considered endangered animals...

we have concluded that Viva is misinformed and that their claims are

misleading. "

 

The australian consul general in SF PETER FRANK also denied VIVAs charges

that his govt allows illegal and cruel slaughter. " Under our laws there is

very rigorous code of conduct that was negotiated... there are 50 million

kangaroos in Austrialia and the government allows as many as 6 mil to be

killed each year. "

 

Frank Somerville: Adidas uses kangaroo leather because it is light and

durable. It is always looking for synthetic materials that are just as

supple so far it hasn't found any.

 

 

Talking Points (from VIVA)

======================

-We know the kill is legal (different than what FOX contended)

-It does not make it any less cruel or inhumane

-Babies ripped from their mother's pouches and at foot joeys left to fend

for themselves.

-How can the hunters determine at night if the kangaroo they are shooting is

protected or not?

-The possible demise of a species of kangaroo by targeting the largest

kangaroos and the most fit. What happens during a drought?

More info on VIVA's campaign:

http://www.vivausa.org/Campaigns/campaigns.htm

 

ADIDAS:

=======

Ross McMullin, CEO/President

Adidas

5055 North Greeley Avenue

Portland, OR 97217

800/448-1796 Customer Service

Consumer.Relations

 

KTVU /FOX

=========

1) KTVU Station - online feedback form online here:

http://www.bayinsider.com/partners/ktvu/aboutus/feedback.html

 

You can also send snail-mail to:

KTVU/Fox, P.O. Box 22222, Oakland, CA 94623, Phone: 510-834-1212

 

Anchor reporter Frank Somerville did the story (FSomerville) ...

from looking up KTVU on the website for contact info, I found out he is a

vegetarian... " Somerville, who raised baby chickens beginning when he was 5,

has been a vegetarian since he was 12. " I told my mom I didn't want to eat

chicken because we had chickens as pets, and I didn't want to eat my pets, "

he said.

 

He eventually cut out all meat because he decided he didn't want to kill any

animals. However, he adds: " Even though I don't eat meat, fish or poultry, I

don't judge people who do. I just hope that people respect that an animal

gave up its life for their meal. "

 

Cheers,

Tammy

 

Be-A-Veg with SFBAVeg!

http://www.generationv.org/.htm

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Perform a death-defying act.... Go Vegan! FREE info kit:

http://www.veganoutreach.org/starterpack/free-vsp.html