Guest guest Posted August 28, 2000 Report Share Posted August 28, 2000 Thanks to theanimalspirit for this alert! Message: 1 Mon, 28 Aug 2000 09:38:52 -0000 Theanimalspirit 8/28/00 Action Alerts ALERTS IN THIS ISSUE: 1.HELP STOP HOUND HUNTING OF COUGARS IN WASHINGTON - SAMPLE LETTER 2.REQUEST FOR HELP FOR WOLF & WOLFDOG RESCUE 3.HELP GET LIONS OUT OF GLASS BOX IN LV - SAMPLE LETTER 4.HELP END FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CHIMP KILLERS - SAMPLE LETTER 5.URGE NEW AIRLINE TO STOP SUPPORTING COW SLAUGHTER - SAMPLE LETTER 6.UPDATED INFORMATION RE: ROBBY THE MILITARY DOG 7.VOTE FOR IMOM ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` 1.HELP STOP HOUND HUNTING OF COUGARS IN WASHINGTON - SAMPLE LETTER SOURCE: ANIMAL PROTECTION INSTITUTE http://apiforanimals.org/default.asp?ID=784 LETTERS MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE SEPTEMBER 8, 2000 BACKGROUND: In November 1996, the citizens of Washington State passed Initiative 655 by a landslide 63% majority vote, thereby banning the unfair and unsporting practices of bear baiting and hound hunting of bears, cougars, and bobcats. Hound hunting allows trophy hunters to use packs of radio-collared dogs to chase and " tree " bears, cougars, and bobcats and then shoot them at point-blank range. By passing Initiative 655, Washington voters agreed to continue to allow the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) the use of dogs to hunt individual problem bears and cougars, but very decisively proclaimed that the use of dogs for sport hunting of these animals is not acceptable. Just two years after passage of I-655, Washington State legislators began a concerted effort to weaken or overturn the initiative. In response to media hype about " dangerous cougars, " pressure from the hound hunting community, and shameless lobbying by the WDFW, SSB 5001 was passed during the 2000 legislative session. Touted as a " public safety measure, " SSB 5001 allows the WDFW to issue permits for hound hunters to hunt cougars in areas where there are perceived problems. In other words, the hill essentially allows for a return to the practice of using hounds for sport hunting of cougars, even though the WDFW insisted that its plan for implementation of the bill would not let this happen. The WDFW's proposed regulation for implementation of SSB 5001 would determine the hunt areas and kill quotas one year in advance and allows for issuing hunt permits through a lottery-type system. The proposed rule also call for the killing of 68 cougars in the first year. Under the rule, hunters would be allowed to keep the hide of any cougar killed, use a professional guide service, have an unlimited number of " observers " of each hunt, and hunt cougar up to 22 miles beyond any perceived " problem " area. WHAT YOU CAN DO: Write to: The Honorable Gary Locke Office of the Governor Legislative Building PO Box 40002 Olympia, WA 98504-0002 Governor.Locke SAMPLE LETTER: Governor Locke: I am writing to express my disappointment regarding your support of SSB 5001 . I feel this seriously undermines citizen Initiative 655 and that WDFW's proposed " public safety cougar removal " plan violates the intent of the legislation. WDFW's plan will not alleviate the perceived " cougar problems " in Washington. Prominent cougar biologists definitively state that cougar hunting, with or without hounds, does not decrease the chance of human-cougar interactions. The proposed cougar-hunting season will run from December 16 through March 15. Allowing adult cougars to be killed in early spring when cougar kittens may be nursing is unethical. I hope you will take this into consideration. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` 2.REQUEST FOR HELP FOR WOLF & WOLFDOG RESCUE SOURCE: owner-wolfpaper I am writing you to ask for your help. Please read the entire story so that you will know why I am seeking help from all of you. Two months ago, our County Supervisors denied a special use permit to Wolfsong Ranch Foundation based on the influence of Ranchers in our area. Wolfsong Ranch Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing wolves and wolf dogs that have been neglected, abandoned, and abused. Wolfsong is the largest rescue of this type with over 160 animals on their property. Wolfsong is dedicated to the well being and lives of these magnificant creatures. Wolfsong has been in existence for over nine years and have never had problems with their neighbors until recently. More ranchers leased or bought land near Wolfsong in order to graze their cattle. Well, Ranchers and Wolves do not mix. Ranchers were worried that the wolves would escape and kill their cattle, thus the complaints to the County Supervisors began to take place. No animals from Wolfsong has attacked any cattle, but the concerns were there. Last month, Wolfsong was ordered to either move their animals from the 38 acre parcel or have them destroyed. The Rancher's money and influence won out. Appeals met with little results other than gaining an extension of time to relocate the animals. We have found land in Rodeo, New Mexico. The land we are purchasing is 144 acres of undeveloped property. We also have had many wonderful volunteers come forth to assist in the move. The down payment of $18,000 has been raised, however we need money for drilling the wells, building the new enclosures, running water to all the enclosures, and many more things. Our first priority would be to drill the wells which will cost over $8,000 for both wells. This has to be raised by the middle of September in order to move the first animals by November 1st. We must have all the animals moved by January 1st or the Sherrif's department will began destroying all the animals. Here is where we, as caring professionals can help. By donating money for this joyous move, we can help save these magnificant animals. Many of the animals are pure wolves. Wolfsong is home to Chico, a relative of Two Socks, one of the wolves used in Dances with Wolves. The wolf dogs are from people who saw a market for these animals. Breeders of wolf dogs found that people will pay large sums of money to own such an animal. However, when the owners found that these animals are not the fierce wolf they expected, they abused, abandoned, or neglected them. Many were just dumped in shelters where they could have lost their innocent lives due to their mix. The move is really a blessing in disguise. Wolfsong is moving from 38 acres to 440 acres. The Steering Committee for Wolfsong Ranch Foundation has developed a plan to provide a much better environment for these wonderful animals. We plan to build much larger enclousres with more comforts than what is presently in place at the old location. We plan to build both a wolf friendly environment as well as offer public comforts as well. We view this move as a positive experience rather than a negative one. More room to observe the wolves in their natural environment is the best way for all of us to observe and learn from our canine ancestors. Please help by sending as much money as you can spare to Wolfsong Ranch Foundation. Every dollar will help provide for these wolves. Every dollar raised goes to their benefit, well being, and most importantly, their survival. Visit Wolfsong's web site for more information (www.biopark.org/wolf/wolfsong.htm). This is a charity worth supporting. Please send your tax deductible check to: Wolfsong Ranch Foundation HCR2 - Box 3465 Wilcox, AZ. 85643 Please send this to as many people or other lists so that we can have a very successful move. Do it for the wolves. Thank you for taking the time to read this email. I hope you will join me in supporting this charity. Sincerely, Rocky Boatman NADOI #473/IACP/APDT 4248P, exp. 4-13-01 Arizona Canine Academy Sierra Vista, Arizona dog www.azcanine.com `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` 3.HELP GET LIONS OUT OF GLASS BOX IN LV - SAMPLE LETTER SOURCE: PETA http://www.peta-online.org/alert/00/61.html BACKGROUND: The MGM Grand Hotel recently spent $9 million to build a lion cage, so that visitors can observe a small pride of lions through glass walls. In addition, the casino forces lion cubs to sit for up to six hours a day, six days a week, to pose for pictures. The hotel claims it is " educating " visitors about lions and justifies keeping the animals in captivity by pledging to donate a portion of the proceeds generated by the exhibit to organizations promoting lion preservation. However, holding lions in captivity does nothing but degrade the species and deprive the individuals involved of a proper life and natural social relationships and stimulation. A true understanding and appreciation of animals can't come from looking at animals in glass boxes with every aspect of their existences regulated. What people learn from this is how animals act in captivity, and that it's acceptable to cause wild animals to be bored, cramped, lonely, and far from their natural homes. WHAT YOU CAN DO: Please let MGM know you will not visit its hotel or casino or any other operation of the MGM Grand until this exhibit is closed. Contact: Office of the President & CEO MGM Grand Hotel & Casino 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S. Las Vegas, NV 89109 Tel.: 888-646-1203 or 702-891-7777 E-Mail: info SAMPLE LETTER: I am very concerned about the lions that you are holding captive in a glass cage as " entertainment " for visitors. Lions are wild animals who can not live healthy and happy in a cramped glass cage subjected to the stress caused by this environment. I understand the lion cubs are forced to sit up and take pictures for several hours a day. Your treatment of the lions and the cubs is extremely degrading to the animal and inhumane. Please release the animals to a sanctuary where they can be live the remainder of their life in a less stressful, and more natural, environment. I will boycott the MGM Grand Hotel and encourgae others to do the same until you do the humane thing and turn these lions over to a sanctuary. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` 4.HELP END FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CHIMP KILLERS - SAMPLE LETTER SOURCE: PETA http://www.peta-online.org/alert/00/53.html BACKGROUND: Donna, a 36-year-old chimpanzee used as a breeder at the taxpayer funded Coulston Foundation (CF), a laboratory in New Mexico, died when her dead fetus was left in her womb for at least one week after the CF knew of her condition. Apparently, the skull of her partially decomposed fetus ruptured the wall of her uterus, causing a massive infection. CF veterinarians reportedly removed one litre of pus from her abdomen. Donna is one of six chimpanzees reported dead there between August and December 1999. The CF has recently been cited by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for hundreds of violations of the Animal Welfare Act and Good Laboratory Practice guidelines. Amazingly, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) continues to funnel taxpayer dollars to the CF. WHAT YOU CAN DO: Please, immediately get everyone you know to write NIH and demand an end to taxpayer support of this facility. Write to: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Institutes of Health Bethesda, MD 20892 E-Mail: kirschsr SAMPLE LETTER: I am writing to request that you end taxpayer supported funding of the Coulston Foundation (CF), a laboratory in New Mexico. The CF has recently been cited by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for hundreds of violations of the Animal Welfare Act and Good Laboratory Practice guidelines. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, ````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` 5.URGE NEW AIRLINE TO STOP SUPPORTING COW SLAUGHTER - SAMPLE LETTER SOURCE: PETA http://www.peta-online.org/alert/00/76.html BACKGROUND: JetBlue Airways would like for people to think that it is a progressive, hip company, yet it plans to contribute to the death of almost 40,000 cows. Both of JetBlue's Airbus 320 planes are equipped with 324 large leather seats, each of which takes the hides of approximately three cows to make. JetBlue plans to expand with at least one plane per month, until it reaches its goal of 82 planes, with all of its seats made of dead animal skin. Animals killed for leather endure horrors such as overcrowding, unanesthetized castration, branding, tail-docking, de-horning, and cruel treatment during transport and slaughter. And since beef consumption has drastically declined since the 1970s, thousands of animals are suffering cruel slaughter strictly for their skins. WHAT YOU CAN DO: Please write to JetBlue, urging the company to put an end to its support of cow slaughter by equipping its new planes with seats made of non-leather materials instead. David Neeleman, CEO Jet Blue Airways Corporation 80-02 Kew Gardens Rd., 64 Kew Gardens, NY 11415 To learn more about how leather is produced, please visit www.CowsAreCool.com SAMPLE LETTER: I am writing to request that you replace the leather seats of your new planes with eats made of non-leather materials. I will urge people to boycott your company until you have stopped promoting cow slaughter with your use of leather. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` 6.UPDATED INFORMATION RE: ROBBY THE MILITARY DOG Some of you may not be aware of the questions surrounding Robbie the Military Dog. I've held off on printing any information regarding Robbie lately because there are so many conflicting stories. The following letter is the latest information received from a Master Sgt from Lackland AFB.The letter was sent to Mr. Thomas Johnston. I am reprinting both letters with the permission of Mr. Johnston. BACKGROUND INFO: Robbie is a dog working for the military. There was a petition circulating stating that this dog, upon retirement, was to be euthanized even though he was a healthy dog. Of course animal advocates were outraged, but then stories started surfacing that this story was a hoax. LETTERS: Thomas Johnston [wolf_walker_1] Saturday, August 19, 2000 11:48 PM publicaf Msg. for Brig. Gen. Farage Sunday, August 20, 2000 Brigadier General Michael N. Farage Commander 37th Training Wing Lackland Air Force Base San Antonio, TX 78236 Good Morning General Farage; My reason for writing is simple. I am asking you to save a life. Recently, a K-9 named " Robby " , a Belgian Malinois Shepherd, was returned to Lackland from his duty station at Headquarters, United States Marine Corps, Quantico, VA. While stationed at HQ/USMC, Robby's most recent handler was L/Cpl. Shawn Mathey. L/Cpl. Mathey has expressed the desire to adopt Robby at the end of his useful military life, rather than see him killed. Section 2687( C ), Title 10, United States Code states that dogs trained in " law enforcement " may be donated to their handlers at the end of their useful service. As L/Cpl. Mathey is a United States Marine Military Policeman, this should be no problem. In addition, it is my understand from speaking with my local Police Department K-9 Section, that these dogs are taught to respond to commands in Belgian. Therefore eliminating the possibility that someone other than the handler could activate the dog. Robby has gained quite a civilian (between 6 and 7,000) and media following. We do not want him killed. Since time is; apparently, of the essence here, Sir, I respectfully request the following: 1. That you or your designee contact me with full particulars, including the name of the Chief Veterinary Officer, on Robby's intended fate within 3 working days. 2. That you or your designee issue an immediate " hold " order on any lethal action to be taken. 3. That you or your designee furnish to me a copy of the order. With respect, Sir, I inform you that the following people either have already been contacted in this matter, or will be within the next several hours. 1. William Cohen, Secretary of Defense. 2. General James L. Jones, Commandant, United States Marine Corps. 3. Senator Joseph Lieberman, Vice Presidential Candidate 4. General Michael E. Ryan, Joint Chiefs of Staff, United States Air Force Thank you for your time and attention to my requests, General. I look forward to your response. Sincerely, Thomas H. Johnston RESPONSE: Mr. Johnston-- Sir, the following information is provided in response to your concerns (attached email) regarding MWD Robby. When military working dogs are no longer deployable, Department ofDefense units make arrangements to have them replaced. They are usually sent back to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and the 341st Training Squadron places them in training/dog instructor status, assigning the dogs to student handlers as they complete courses at Lackland. The squadron at Lackland provides dog and handler training for all military services. As long as the dogs are physically capable, they spend the remainder of their lives " teaching " new handlers. If they contract an ailment, which causes them to suffer, and medication provides no relief, then and only then are they euthanized. Otherwise they live out their careers until they die from natural causes. As for adoption, if a dog has had any training in handler protection (controlled aggression), the Department of Defense cannot release them to the general public. This is primarily because the government could be held liable in the event the dog injures someone. Sir, queries beyond the scope of this response ( " policy issues " ) should be referred to the Air Force Security Forces Center (the DoD agent for the MWD program). Thank you. Master Sgt. Hill Lackland AFB Public Affairs SOME OF MR. JOHNSTON'S COMMENTS: Of particular note is what was and WAS NOT included in the response: 1. The response Was generated w/in the 72 hr. period. 2. The Name of the Chief Vet. (Col. Larry Carpenter) WAS NOT provided...I got that from PETA. 3. The request for a copy of a " Hold Before Lethal Action " order WAS NOT honored by Brig. Gen. Farage. 4. No one at Lackland has responded and said " Yes, Robby is here " and " Yes, he is still alive and being treated for his arthritis " . Needless to say, the fight goes on. You certainly MAY advise your group. I will be interested in their responses. On Lackland's home page is a link " The Official Response to the Save Robby Campaign " . The exact URL is: http://www.dodmwd/lackland.af.mil/robby.htm I think you might find it interesting. NO ONE has suggested that Robby be " released to the general public " . Best to you and yours. Tom Johnston ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` 7.VOTE FOR IMOM Please take a few minutes of your time and vote for IMOM (In Memory of Magic) as your favorite charity here: http://www.searchtohelp.com/charities.html After voting, click on " Search to Help " and click on " Donate 7+ for free " . If IMOM receives the most votes for the month of August, we will receive the money earned in the program for the month and your participation in the " Donate 7+ for free " will increase the pool. If you have been to the website lately, you will see that we have many, many pets in our Pets in Need program. (http://www.imom.org/pin/index.htm) that need our financial assistance and receiving this check for " Charity of the Month " will help us tremendously. This offer is only good through the end of August, so please vote today! Thanks for your participation! _______________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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