8/29/00 Action Alert

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Thanks to theanimalspirit for this alert!

 

 

 

Message: 1

Tue, 29 Aug 2000 06:03:11 -0000

Theanimalspirit

8/29/00 Action Alerts

 

ALERTS IN THIS ISSUE:

 

1.HELP GET JUSTICE FOR SPIKE - DOG BEAT TO DEATH WITH AX - SAMPLE

LETTER

2.LETTERS OF SUPPORT NEEDED FOR AB860

3.LEAGUE OF HUMANE VOTERS WEB SITE

4.INDIAN CATTLE UPDATE - SAMPLE LETTER

5.HILL'S SCIENCE DIET ENCOURAGES BREEDING - SAMPLE LETTER

6. URGENT - WEST VIRGINIA -ANIMALS IN SHELTER WITH VERY LIMITED TIME

7. UPDATES ON ANIMALS THAT NEEDED HOMES

8. IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT THE MEDICATION BAYTRIL

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1.HELP GET JUSTICE FOR SPIKE - DOG BEAT TO DEATH WITH AX - SAMPLE

LETTER

 

Thank you to theanimalspirit Dr. Jean for sending in this alert!

 

SOURCE: API, www.api4animals.org

 

BACKGROUND:

 

Last March, in Sedona, Arizona, Bob Bradshaw (58, member of an old and

well-respected Sedona family) beat his 8-month old German shepherd mix

puppy, Spike, to death with an ax. A neighbor witnessed the crime and

called authorities, who found the puppy lying in a large pool of

blood.

Blood was spattered up to 10 feet away, attesting to the violence of

the

act. The neighbor who witnessed the killing said that, when asked what

he was doing, Bradshaw responded, " I'm through with that [expletive]

dog! " After his arrest, Bradshaw maintained that the puppy had parvo

and

it was a " mercy killing " (Spike was sick four months earlier, but the

veterinarian who examined the body said there was no evidence of

disease). Family and neighbors say Bradshaw was angry with Spike, who

was kept chained up. They also stated they had seen Bradshaw hit and

kick the defenseless puppy on numerous occasions.

 

API helped coordinate a letter writing campaign to the prosecutor,

Terry

Hance, who received over 2,000 letters, faxes and emails. He responded

by doing a fantastic job with the prosecution. Last week, a jury found

Bradshaw guilty on all counts, including felony animal abuse (under

the

brand new law passed .

 

Now the case goes to the judge for sentencing on Sept. 20, and we need

to let him know that the people consider this a very serious crime.

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 

Please write a letter (no faxes or emails will be accepted) to the

judge

urging him to give Mr. Bradshaw the maximum sentence (on the Class VI

Felony Animal Abuse charge, penalties range from probation to two

years

in prison, plus fines up to $150,000):

 

Judge Robert Van Wyck

Division 1, Superior Court

Coconino County Court House

100 East Birch Street

Flagstaff, AZ 86001

 

Thank you letters to the prosecutor are also needed. Mr. Hance was

very

responsive to our concerns and worked hard to obtain a conviction on

all

charges.

 

Terry Hance, County Attorney

110 E. Cherry

Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Fax (520) 779-5618

Email: thance

 

SAMPLE LETTER:

 

I am writing in reference to the case involving Bob Bradshaw who beat

his 8-month old German shepherd mix puppy, Spike, to death with an

ax. A neighbor witnessed this horrendous act and attested to the

brutality of the killing. When arrested, Mr. Bradshaw declared it

a " mercy killing " because he said the dog had parvo, though a

veterinarian who examined the body said there was no evidence of

disease.

 

Whether the dog was diseased or not, the fact of the matter is Mr.

Bradshaw has committed a very violent act. If he is capable of such

brutality against a defenseless 8-month old puppy, there is no

telling what other acts of violence he is capable of committing.

 

I urge you to prosecute Mr. Bradshaw with the maximum punishment

allowed and make sure that he is sentenced accordingly. Animal abuse

can not and will not be tolerated in a civilized society. It is up to

the people in positions such as yours to make sure this message is

heard loud and clear.

 

Thank you for your time.

 

Sincerely,

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2.LETTERS OF SUPPORT NEEDED FOR AB860

 

SOURCE: lernberg

 

 

BACKGROUND:

 

AB 860 by Assemblywoman Helen Thomson has been passed by the

California Legislature and is on its way to the Governor's desk.

 

AB 860 provides that future lease agreements cannot prohibit a

homeowner from keeping a pet in a mobilehome park and that new or

amended governing documents for common interest developments must

allow owners of a separate interest (such as a condominium) to have a

pet. AB 860 allows for reasonable regulations.

 

BUT, THE BAD NEWS IS

The opposition (mobilehome park owners and managers and some

homeowner associations) is focusing its attention on the Governor. In

the

words of an opposition lobbyist, " we must . . . mount the grassroots

effort of

our lives in order to FORCE A VETO and to avoid increased legislative

micromanagement and an erosion of local neighborhood control . . . .

We

cannot be hounded into silence and defeat by animal rights

groups . . . we

cannot allow the very author of the DAVIS-Stirling Act to be

pressured into

revoking the local control he gave 6,000,000 homeowners in 32,000

associations when he (as an Assemblyman) authored the bill that

created

community associations in the first place. "

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 

PLEASE SEND A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR AB 860 TO GOVERNOR

DAVIS as soon as possible. Davis can act on the bill at any time up

through

September 30. Ask him to sign AB 860. Tell him that those who own

their

homes deserve the right to have companion animals. Having more

housing in

which pets are allowed is a significant factor in reducing pet over-

population.

 

Assemblywoman Thomson also asks that you send a copy of your letter

to

her; she plans to hand deliver an extra set of support letters to the

Governor.

 

Governor Gray Davis

State Capitol Building

Sacramento, CA 95814

Fax: (916) 445-4633

 

Assemblywoman Helen Thomson

State Capitol Building, Room 4140

Sacramento, CA 95814

Fax: (916) 319-2108

 

A letter simply stating " I request that you support and sign AB860 "

is fine. Include your full name and address.

 

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3.LEAGUE OF HUMANE VOTERS WEB SITE

 

This is an EXCELLENT site!

 

http://www.humanevoters.org

 

FOWARDED MESSAGE:

 

Greetings,

 

We are pleased to announce the launch the League of Humane Voters web

site.

 

The League strives to advance the humane and ethical treatment of

animals through political action. It is our belief that establishing

an organized national and local " pro-animal " voting block is critical

if significant progress is to be made in all areas of animal activism.

 

In short, the League organizes registered voters for the purpose of

coordinating support for elected officials that have an established

record on humane and ethical animal policies and legislation and

those willing to establish one.

 

Please visit our web site at http://www.humanevoters.org to find out

more and/or sign-up. In any event, feel free to distribute this

notice to like-minded people.

 

 

Peter

 

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4.INDIAN CATTLE UPDATE - SAMPLE LETTER

 

SOURCE: PETA http://www.petaindia.com/cleath800.html

 

BACKGROUND:

 

In a continuing effort to end the cruel treatment of Indian cattle

killed

for meat and leather, PETA representatives, including President Ingrid

Newkirk, travelled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and back to Delhi in

late July

2000.

 

Malaysia, as the world's number one importer of beef from India, has

tremendous power to ensure that the Indian government enforce their

own

anti-cruelty laws and to guarantee Malaysian consumers that their

meat is

indeed " halal. " Sadly, after a series of meetings with members of the

Malaysian government, during which time our representatives were kept

waiting for hours and treated like pariahs, PETA learned that despite

all

the evidence presented, including the rules of the halal certifying

agency

of the government itself, the decision was to do absolutely nothing to

address this abuse. In fact, the Malaysian government ignored even the

admission of the Indian government and the Indian leather industry

that such

cruelty exists and declared meat from abused buffalo as " halal " . The

Malaysian government devised a fantasy scenario, accusing PETA of

representing meat interests in the USA, because 37 American

slaughterhouses have recently failed to meet Malaysian hygiene

standards for " halal " meat.

 

In India, the PETA delegation met with the minister of commerce and

industry

and learned that some steps have been taken to encourage improved

enforcement of the laws and to increase public awareness of the

problem.

However, compared to the Indian leather industry's seemingly earnest

steps

to try to reduce cruelty to the cattle, the Indian government is

dragging

their feet. If the Indian government continue to talk rather than

act, PETA

will escalate their campaign and are likely to lead a boycott against

Indian

tourism .

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 

1. Write to Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad and let him know that

as the number one importer of Indian beef, Malaysia has a

responsibility to ensure that humane and halal treatment is given to

the cattle from the point of purchase at auction until they are

slaughtered.

 

Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad

Prime Minister

Prime Minister's Office

Federal Government Administration Centre

62502 Putrajaya

Malaysia

Fax: 603-8888-3444

E-Mail: ppm

 

2. Write to Prime Minister Vajpayee, ask him to move quickly to

require vigorous enforcement of India's current Prevention of

Cruelty

to Animals Act, and request that he sign the strong new amendments to

the act which have been languishing in his office for more than a

year now.

 

Respected Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee

South Block

New Delhi

110011

India

Fax: 011-91-11-301-6857

 

3. Keep checking our Web site to see if the Indian tourist boycott is

on!

 

 

SAMPLE LETTER #1:

 

Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad:

 

I am writing in regard to the recent reports of abuse of cattle by

the Indian government. Unfortunately it seems that these issues of

abuse are being ignored and the Indian government has declared meat

from abused buffalo as " halal " .

 

As the number one importer of Indian beef, Malaysia has a

responsibility to ensure that humane and halal treatment is given to

the cattle from the point of purchase at auction until they are

slaughtered. I certainly hope you will take this responsibility

seriously.

 

Thank you for your time.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

SAMPLE LETTER #2:

 

Respected Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee:

 

I am writing in regard to the recent reports of abuse of cattle by

the Indian government. Unfortunately it seems that these issues of

abuse are being ignored and the Indian government has declared meat

from abused buffalo as " halal " .

 

I urge you to move quickly and require vigorous enforcement of

India's current Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. It is

imperative that you sign the strong new amendments to the act which

have been ignored by your office for more than a year.

 

Thank you for your prompt attention to this very serious matter.

 

Sincerely,

 

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5.HILL'S SCIENCE DIET ENCOURAGES BREEDING - SAMPLE LETTER

 

SOURCE: PETA http://www.peta-online.org/alert/00/150.html

 

BACKGROUND:

 

The makers of Hill's Science Diet, a brand of dog and cat food,

sponsor a Breeders Association whose members can receive rewards for

every new litter of dogs or cats, such as free food and financial aid

for advertising.

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 

Please write to the company and explain that hundreds of dogs and

cats are being euthanized every day in shelters across the country

and breeding only perpetuates the overpopulation crisis

(http://www.hillspet.com/public/breeder/index.html). Please don't buy

Hill's Science Diet until the company ends this irresponsible

promotion

 

SEND LETTERS TO:

 

Robert C. Wheeler

CEO

400 S.W. Eighth St.

Topeka, KS 66601-0148

Phone: 785-354-8523

Fax: 785-368-5915

Toll Free: 800-255-0449

 

SAMPLE LETTER:

 

Mr. Wheeler:

 

I am writing to you in reference to your sponsorship of the Breeder's

Association. I understand that you are offering rewards for every new

litter of dogs or cats, such as free food and financial aid for

advertising.

 

I feel that with approximately 10,000 healthy dogs and cats

euthanized in shelters throughout the country yearly because of lack

of good homes, encouraging and rewarding people to bring more litters

into the world at this time is very irresponsible. Perhaps you could

offer rewards, such as financial aid, to people who spay/neuter their

pets.

 

Please rethink this promotion. Thank you for your time.

 

Sincerely

 

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6. URGENT - WEST VIRGINIA -ANIMALS IN SHELTER WITH VERY LIMITED TIME

 

This is a forwarded message, please do not reply to the list, reply to

Geralyn at: Taylorspydersmom

or: pooch11358

 

http://members.aol.com/pooch11358/

 

Please stop and take the time to look at this website for homeless

dogs.

They are located that the Lewis Upshur County Animal Shelter, in

Upshur County, West Virginia. This shelter is in central W.VA.

There are many great dogs here, so please take a peek at their

pictures.

This site was updated on Friday, August 25th.***** The dogs have only

5 days before they are put to sleep!******

 

If anyone can help with their rescue,, please act fast, as time is of

the essence.

 

This week there are alot of Hounds. Great looking hounds, at that.

One looks to be a Bluetick. There are also several beautiful Lab

mixes and Shepherd mixes. A Shepherd mix puppy who is too

adorable!! Theres a " Benji " dog as well who is smiling for the

camera, and theres a pretty Border Collie x, too.

They are ll great dogs, and it is heartbreaking to know that they

only have 5 days for someone to find them. Please look to see if

there may be one that would fit into your home and your heart.

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7. UPDATES ON ANIMALS THAT NEEDED HOMES

 

A. The dog from Michigan found a home.

 

B. The senior PA. dog had someone who wanted to adopt him, but when

the woman arrived at the shelter she was told the dog was sent to a

rescue. The shelter was unable to furnish information as to exactly

where the dog was sent which we find very frustrating. I will keep

you updated as I find out information.

 

C. The cat from Connecticut who needed a home before his owner moved

found a wonderful home and arrived there yesterday.

 

D. The siamese kitten found by the dumpster found a new home.

 

If there was another animal listed that I haven't mentioned it does

not necessarily mean they were not rescued. Sometimes I never hear

from the people again, and sometimes I just have so many animals

going through my head I forget who went where :-) If there is a

specific animal you are concerned about who was not mentioned just

email me with the original alert and I will do my best to find out

the final outcome.

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8. IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT THE MEDICATION BAYTRIL

 

The following information was supplied by a friend of mine from

another list.

 

FORWARDED MESSAGE:

I recently heard that a medication called Baytril is not good for

animals.

Last night I had to bring one of my kitties to the vet for health

reasons to find she was suffering from a URI (upper respiratory

infection).

Most vets will recommend Amoxicillian but she cannot take it nor can

she take Clavamox as it comes from the same derivative as the Amoxi

and causes stomach upset so I usually give her the Baytril.

Yesterday was a different story. I learned that the rumors are true.

I was informed by my vet that recent scientific research has

discovered major complications in the medication causing death in

both cats and dogs.

So instead, I was given Antirobe which was offered in both liquid and

capsule.

PLEASE... stay away from this medication until you know for sure that

these problems have been resolved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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