Part 1/ UPDATES: JAN-MAR 2008

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Part 1/ UPDATES: JAN-MAR 2008 KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY - PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST PART 1: KC UPDATES / JANUARY - MARCH 2008 Victories * Setbacks * Progress For Animals: ONLY PUBLISHED TRI-MONTHLY http://www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/ PART 1: KC UPDATES / JAN - MARCH 2008 1. Hallmark Meat Exec Admits Downed Cows Enter Food

Supply 2. Juvenile Arrested In Edna's Disappearance Found Guilty 3. Dog Attacked With Drill Gun - Updated 4. Canada’s New Rules For “Humane Seal Hunt” (oxymoron of the year?) 5. Mississippi Legislators Snub Buddy’s Law 6. Puerto Rico Faces Suit Over Roundup/Kill of Animals 7. Official Investigation Of Puppy Killer Is Underway, Marines Say 8. In Shadow Of Vick Case, Virginia Toughens Dogfighting Laws 9. Landmark Crate Ban On Way To Nov. 2008 Calif. Ballot 10. Los Angeles: Spay-Neuter Proposal Becomes Law 11. South Africa To Resume Elephant Culling After 13 Years 12. Three U.S. Agencies Aim To End Animal Testing

13. Animals Lose A True Friend With Congressman Lantos’ Death PART 2: KC UPDATES / JAN - MARCH 2008 PLEASE RESEND ME PART #2: kinshipcircle 14. Tammy Grimes To Appeal Unjust Sentence In Doogie Case 15. Companies Prosecuted In Poisoned Pet Food Recall 16. Report Calls For Prosecution Of Pet-Killing Dogcatcher 17. Judge To Bush Admin: You Can’t Exempt Navy In Sonar! 18. FDA OKs Food Sales From Animal Clones 19. NIH Tells UCONN Primate Experimenter To Return $65K 20. Dr. Anteneh Roba Earns Circle Of Compassion Award 21. USA: Killing Dogs In Training Of Doctors To End 22. SF Zoo Attack

Victim Admits Taunting Tiger 23. Premarin Maker Wyeth Faces Over 5,300 Lawsuits 24. Denny’s Stop Sponsorship Of Ringling Bros. Circus 25. Boys Sentenced In Toby’s Brutal Death 26. The Dogs That Vick Hurt =============================================================== =============================================================== 1. Hallmark Meat Exec Admits Downed Cows Enter Food Supply DATE: 3/12/08 SOURCE: http://www.hsus.org/ HSUS UNDERCOVER VIDEOS: http://tinyurl.com/yul2lw EDITED FOR LENGTH In testimony before the House Energy and Commerce investigative subcommittee, Hallmark/Westland executive Steve Mendell conceded downed cows went into the food supply after the committee chairman played videotape from an undercover investigation by Humane Society of the U.S. showing a downer cow entering the plant's kill box... Mendell previously stated unequivocally that he was unaware of rampant abuse of cattle at his facility, which slaughtered "spent" dairy cows. Mendell testified that his employees received "intense" training in the humane handling of animals. The HSUS investigator, however, never received training and said the plant misled inspectors and

auditors by: Posting signs at the unloading dock that electric prods were not allowed, though prods were repeatedly used; and instructing employees not to use electric prods while auditors were present, but not limiting their use at other times... ALSO SEE: Meat Executive Admits Sick Cattle Were Used http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/13/business/13meat.html Mr. Mendell retracted [his denial] when shown a video in which a downer cow was shocked and abused by workers trying to move it to the kill box, then shot with a bolt gun and dragged by a chain to the processing area... KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES: SEND THIS LETTER: I'm Mad. Downer Ban? USDA Says Forget It http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1727 & seriesfirst=true SEND THIS LETTER: No Plea Deal For Hallmark Animal Torturers http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1728 & seriesfirst=true SEND THIS LETTER: USDA-Certified Cruel: Downers Dragged, Shocked, Rammed http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1725 & seriesfirst=true DOWNLOAD THIS FACT SHEET: These Are Downed Animals http://www.kinshipcircle.org/fact_sheets/DownedOnTheFarmPHOTOS.pdf ================================================================ 2. Juvenile Arrested In Edna's Disappearance Found Guilty DATE: 3/11/08 SOURCE: http://www.network.bestfriends.org/pennsylvania/news/postdetail.aspx?gu=pennsylvania & np=23298 On October 31, 2007 Bill Whiting's worst nightmare came true. His little brown dog Edna went missing. Ten days later he received a phone call from

kidnappers (2 boys, claiming to be age 16 and 9) who said they had Edna. He could hear Edna crying in the background as they were hurting the dog. Five hours later the kidnappers called back and said they killed Whiting's dog... Now dognapper Victor Rodriguez has been found guilty. The verdict brings some satisfaction to Whiting and animal welfare advocates, but the question still remains, where is Edna? EDITED FOR LENGTH Charges Reduced For Philadelphia Teen in Dog Extortion Case http://www.kyw1060.com/pages/1802735.php? A Philadelphia family court judge found a 15-year-old boy guilty of reduced misdemeanor, rather than felony charges, in connection with a dog extortion case. He could be placed in a reform school setting when sentenced. Judge Robert Rebstock found the defendant guilty

of theft by extortion, terrorist threats, harassment, and conspiracy. ALSO SEE: Alleged dog-nap extortionist, traced to Virginia, turns himself in http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/16140907.html Arrest Made In Case Of Kidnapped Dog In Philadelphia http://network.bestfriends.org/pennsylvania/news/21771.html KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES: JANUARY KC DIGEST: Justice In Kidnapped Dog Case, Philadelphia (not yet available on website) ================================================================ 3. Dog Attacked With Drill Gun - Updated DATE: 3/11/08 SOURCE: http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/12959/CT/US/RSS/#UPDATES EDITED FOR LENGTH Severino Cruz, the Plainville man accused of viciously boring holes into the head of a pit bull named Baby: In court, defense attorney Deron Freeman said he will ask next month that Cruz receive a special form of probation that would let him avoid jail time or any permanent criminal record. Senior Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney Stephen Preleski announced that he will oppose that request when Judge Joseph Doherty hears it on April 30... Cruz could be fined $5,000 and imprisoned for up to five years if he's convicted of maliciously maiming or killing an animal, a Class D felony, and animal cruelty, a misdemeanor.... KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/man-punishes-dog-by-drilling-hole-in-his-head ================================================================ 4. Canada’s New Rules For “Humane Seal Hunt” (oxymoron of the year?) DATE: 3/10/08 SOURCE: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080310.wseal10/BNStory/National/home PHOTO COLLAGE, poster-size original created by Kinship Circle. CREDITS - Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, dead seals; IFAW, yellow jacket sealer clubbing; IFAW, yellow jacket sealer; IFAW, clubbing beater; IFAW, rolling over seal. http://www.harpseals.org/toolbox/xtoolbox1.html#kill 2008 KILL QUOTA: 275,000 seals 2007 KILL QUOTA: 270,000 seals 2006 KILL QUOTA: 335,000 seals EDITED FOR LENGTH OTTAWA -- Canada will impose rules for killing seals to make the annual hunt more humane... New Fisheries Department standards call for hunters to sever the arteries of seals after they’ve been shot or clubbed to ensure their deaths are quick and less painful, according

to spokesman Phil Jenkins... This week's move could not come at a more crucial time. The European Union will [soon] decide whether to ban the import of seal products... The European Food Safety Authority also issued an official "scientific opinion" (12/07) that said seals can be hunted humanely, but in practice are sometimes left to die slowly, in pain... Right now, hunters who first shoot a seal, or hit it with a club or hakapik (a traditional seal-hunting tool that looks like an ice-pick) are supposed to check that the seal is irreversibly unconscious -- for example, seeing if the stunned seal blinks when its eyes are touched. Under the new rules, hunters will also have to cut the seal's arteries to ensure it bleeds out... ALSO SEE: Seal Kill Increased http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/world/americas/11briefs-seals.html Canada sets rules for “humane” slaughter of seals http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23351015-2703,00.html KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES: SEND THIS LETTER: Canada's Disgrace - Stop The Seal Slaughter http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter%5Flibrary/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1714 & seriesfirst=true GET THIS FACT SHEET: Blood Prints On Ice http://www.kinshipcircle.org/fact_sheets/BloodPrintOnIce.pdf

================================================================ 5. Mississippi Legislators Snub Buddy’s Law DATE: 3/10/08 SOURCE: http://www.gulflive.com/opinion/mississippipress/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1205144121226190.xml JULY 2006 / BUDDY’S STORY: A 16 week old black lab puppy was tortured and left for dead in a diaper box at a gas station. A man stopped to put air in his tire and saw the box and heard a whimper. He opened the box and to his horror found the puppy with PVC glue in his eyes, nose, ears and throat. His back legs had multiple fractures. The man

took the puppy to the vet were he had to be euthanized due to his injuries... EDITED FOR LENGTH The reaction to Buddy...created a groundswell of support for tougher laws against animal cruelty... The petition to legislators sought to toughen the state's animal cruelty law. That effort has, so far, not been successful... KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES: 2/15/07: MS: Buddy’s Law Dies In Committees - No Felony Bill http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/gulfcoast/newsletters/07-02-15.html#10 1/31/07: Mississippi: Pass Buddy’s Law For Pup Fatally Tortured http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/gulfcoast/newsletters/07-01-31.html#6 ================================================================ 6. Puerto Rico Faces Suit Over Roundup/Kill of Animals DATE: 3/9/08 FROM: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/us/09dogs.html?_r=1 & amp;oref=slogin EDITED FOR LENGTH BARCELONETA, P.R. -- This much seems certain about the events of last

October at three housing projects in this town near Puerto Rico’s northern coast: Men working for the municipality entered the projects, rounded up dozens of dogs and cats that they said violated the housing authority’s no-pets policy and took them away. What happened next is less clear, but a lawsuit filed on behalf of 33 families claims that city employees and contractors drugged and brutalized dozens of animals and then flung them from a 50-foot-tall highway bridge into a weed-choked ravine and left them to die... KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES: Sept-Dec 2007 UPDATES: New Hope After Puerto Rico Pet Massacre (not yet available on website) 10/17/07: Puerto Rico’s Massacre At The Bridge http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter.asp?LetterID=1693 & seriesfirst=true ================================================================ 7. Official Investigation Of Puppy Killer Is Underway, Marines Say DATE: 3/7/08 SOURCE: http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_newsalert031408#1 EDITED FOR LENGTH ASPCA issued a press release urging United States Marine Corps (USMC) to release findings of its investigation of a video clip that...shows a [Marine] flinging a puppy across a rocky landscape...

Response from BGen Robert E. Milstead, Jr., Director, Marine Corps Public Affairs: “I have a dog and a cat, both rescued, so I can understand the disgust and outrage felt by those who have viewed the deplorable video of a Marine throwing a small puppy off a cliff. I can tell you that an official investigation is underway. The results of this investigation will establish the facts. Facts, not emotion, will be the basis used by these Marines' commanders in their determinations to include appropriate punishment. The actions of these Marines are clearly not consistent with that of the overwhelming majority of Marines who serve our nation with both courage and honor. Again, I understand everyone's outrage and demand for swift justice, but due process is a right afforded to all.” SEE VIDEO: http://www.dumpert.nl/mediabase/43462/9fb16ab3/us_soldaat_gooit_puppy.html http://digg.com/people/US_Soldier_throws_puppy_off_cliff_(video)?t=13323218 KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES: SEND THIS LETTER: The Marine Who Tossed The Puppy http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1729 & seriesfirst=true ================================================================ 8. In Shadow Of Vick Case, Virginia Toughens Dogfighting Laws DATE: 3/5/08 FROM: http://www.aldf.org/news/details.php?id=363 EDITED FOR LENGTH Richmond, VA -- The Virginia Assembly approved legislation which criminalizes organized dogfighting, giving prosecutors increased power to go after dogfighting operations as organized criminal enterprises. The bill, written by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) and patroned by state Senator W. Roscoe Reynolds, adds organized dogfighting to the list of crimes prosecuted under the state’s RICO ("Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act") laws... ================================================================ 9. Landmark Crate Ban On Way To Nov. 2008 Calif. Ballot DATE: 3/1/08 SOURCE: Farm Sanctuary, info Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, http://www.humanecalifornia.org/ Photos used in collage: Farm Sanctuary, http://www.farmsanctuary.org EDITED FOR LENGTH Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act Goes to California Voters Since Californians began campaigning for a ballot initiative to ban cruel farm animal confinement systems, volunteers collected approx. 500,000 signatures, and total signatures equaled almost 800,000. They needed only 433,971 valid signatures. This means that The Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act -- to ban veal crates for

calves, battery cages for egg-laying hens, and gestation crates for breeding pigs in the Golden State -- is well on its way to securing a spot on the November 2008 ballot in California. KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES: Don’t Blow This Landmark Chance For Farmed Animals http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter.asp?LetterID=1709 & seriesfirst=true GET THIS FACT SHEET: Dairy & Veal Factories http://www.kinshipcircle.org/fact_sheets/FactsAboutDairyVealIndustr.pdf GET THIS FACT SHEET: Poultry & Egg Farms http://www.kinshipcircle.org/fact_sheets/FactsAboutPoultyEggIndustr.pdf GET THIS FACT SHEET: The Pig Industry http://www.kinshipcircle.org/fact_sheets/FactsAboutThePorkIndust.pdf ================================================================ 10. Los Angeles: Spay-Neuter Proposal Becomes Law DATE: 2/27/08 SOURCE: Judie Mancuso, judie California Healthy Pets Act: http://www.cahealthypets.com/ca-healthy-pets-ab-1634-home.php

From left: Bill Dyer, In Defense of Animals, TV Star/Animal Advocate Bob Barker, Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa, Judie Mancuso, Sponsor / Campaign Director, AB 1634 California Healthy Pets Act EDITED FOR LENGTH VIDEO: Spay-Neuter Proposal Becomes Law http://video.knbc.com/player/?id=223005 We did it! Mayor Villaraigosa signed into law the largest universal spay/neuter ordinance in the country... Please thank the Mayor and City Council: http://www.lacity.org/ LOS ANGELES - The Spay/Neuter Ordinance requires all pet owners in the City of Los Angeles to have cats and dogs (four months of age and older) spayed

or neutered, unless otherwise exempted because the animal competes, serves as a rescue or service animal, or unless the pet is a registered breeder. Any person violating the spay/neuter law will be cited, and could be subject to up to a $500 dollar fine or 40 hours of community service... This new law, which aims to assist in humanely decreasing the number of cats and dogs abandoned and euthanized every year, also poses health benefits for the animals as well. Spaying reduces the risk of certain types of cancers and infections in females, especially if it is performed prior to the first heat. Moreover, neutering lessens a dog's temptation to roam, as well as to fight, as studies show that the majority of dog bites are made by intact, untrained male dogs... The new Spay/Neuter law will take effect in April. Judie Mancuso, Sponsor/Campaign Director, AB 1634 Calif. Healthy Pets Act KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES: Make Model Mandatory Spay/Neuter Law Reality http://www.kinshipcircle.org/digest/2007_04.html#anchor1 Support Landmark CA Law For Mandatory Spay/Neuter http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/gulfcoast/newsletters/07-04-14.html#7 ================================================================ 11. South Africa To Resume Elephant Culling After 13 Years DATE: 2/25/08 SOURCE: http://www.terradaily.com/reports/South_Africa_to_resume_elephant_culling_after_13_years_999.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/25/AR2008022500970.html Elephants gather at a watering hole in South Africa's Tembe Elephant Park. The animals, beloved by tourists, sometimes trample crops and devastate the habitats of other wildlife. (By Denis Farrell, Associated Press) EDITED FOR LENGTH Johannesburg (AFP) -- South Africa is to resume elephant culling for the first time in 13 years, lifting a moratorium on the practice to bring

ballooning populations under control... After months of emotive public debate over government plans to reduce elephant numbers, Environment Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk announced culling would be an option from May 1, but only as a last resort. His spokesman, Riaan Aucamp, could not put a number on the elephants to be killed. Announcing norms and standards for elephant management, the minister said contraception and translocation would continue to be the preferred population control measures. Culling may be undertaken only when recommended by an elephant management specialist, and on approval by authorities. ================================================================ 12. Three U.S. Agencies Aim To End Animal Testing DATE: 2/18/08 SOURCE: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2008-02-14-animal-tests_N.htm EDITED FOR LENGTH Environmental Protection Agency, National Toxicology Program and National Institutes of Health have signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" to develop and implement new methods...that could lead to the end of animal testing to evaluate safety of new chemicals and drugs. "This is the beginning of the end for animal testing. We think the (conversion) process will take about 10 years." Martin Stephens, Humane Society of the U.S. Although there are no figures, Stephens says his "best guess" is about 10 million animals a year are used in toxicity testing. "It [animal testing] is expensive, time-consuming, uses animals in large numbers, and it doesn't always work."

2008, Francis Collins, director of NIH's National Human Genome Research Institute. New systems: Human cells grown in test tubes and computer-driven testing machines -- that allow scientists to examine potentially toxic compounds in the lab rather than injecting them into animals. EPA has begun evaluating 300 chemicals using the new methods... Comparatively, EPA spent 3 DECADES to test 2,500 potentially toxic compounds in animal experiments. Elias Zerhouni, director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). All data produced will be put into a public database... ================================================================ 13. Animals Lose A True Friend With Congressman Lantos’ Death DATE: 2/11/08

SOURCE: Michael Markarian, president, Humane Society Legislative Fund Tom and Annette Lantos with their dog Gigi, a constant companion who accompanied Congressman Lantos to work on Capitol Hill. EDITED FOR LENGTH Michael Markarian -- Driving to work this morning, I heard the sad news that Congressman Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) had passed away from esophageal cancer... I will remember him as an extraordinary leader for the cause of animal protection... Among his many accomplishments, Lantos was: - Founder/co-chairman of Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus, which informed lawmakers about issues from dogfighting to farm animal welfare. - Author of Pets Evacuation And

Transportation Standards (PETS) Act, enacted in 2006 in response to animals left behind after Hurricane Katrina. - Leader in passing a House resolution calling upon Canada to stop its annual massacre of baby harp seals. - Supporter of every major public outcry involving animal protection... calling on China to stop mass dog culls, urging National Football League to take strong disciplinary action against any players involved in dogfighting, in wake of Michael Vick scandal... Brenda Shoss, Kinship Circle -- In August 2006, I had the opportunity to interact with Congressman Lantos’ office, as KC Animal Disaster Relief tried to help Best Friends secure military cargo planes to airlift animals out of war-torn Beirut, Lebanon. Tom Lantos’ proactive

stance for animals was evident in a staff prepared to listen, evaluate and move for animals in distress. At the time, Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (BETA), (the sole animal shelter/rescue group in Lebanon) had bomb fragments scattered throughout animals’ cages. Many animals suffered from war-related illness and injury. Others faced unnecessary amputation because supplies and veterinarians were so scarce. With no splints for broken bones, limbs were simply removed... The animals have lost not only a friend in Tom Lantos, but a powerful legislative voice ready to speak boldly on their behalf. ALSO SEE: Farewell to Tom Lantos http://www.chai-online.org/e-news/19feb08/chaialert_19feb08.htm Congressman Tom Lantos was a stalwart friend to animals across the globe, including to

animals in Israel. "As a Holocaust survivor, I know that suffering is suffering, whether human or animal," he said. ================================================================ Kinship Circle is a struggling 501c3 nonprofit. Please make a tax-deductible donation, if you can: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/ Action Campaigns I Literature I Animal Disaster Aid Networking info or

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