ASPCA, Humane Society of the US, Legislation, Puppy Mills No comments yet

Breaking News meets Great News: NC anti-puppy mill bill introduced

By on April 12th, 2013

No Gravatar

A press release this morning from the Humane Society of the US and the ASPCA reports a new bill has been introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly – to regulate dog breeding and crack down on puppy mills.

Thousands of dogs are suffering today and this suffering has gone on for decades in North Carolina puppy mills. It is long past time for this legislation to become law. Efforts to pass regulations on dog breeding have failed in years past in North Carolina.

I read over HB 930 and find it to be balanced and reasonable. There is nothing excessive or prohibitive for quality breeders. Quality breeders already provide at least the minimum standards of care outlined in this bill.

The bill will be attacked by some groups and individuals, as somehow a violation of property rights or an attack on breeders – or some other fictitious issue. All any reasonable person needs to do is read the bill.

Polls are showing an extremely high level of support from the citizens of North Carolina for regulations on dog breeding, to provide minimum standards of care. This is a clear case of where the will of the people and the welfare of animals should take precedence over the lobbying efforts of special interest groups.

This should be the year when animal welfare in the state of North Carolina steps into the 21st Century.

The full release:

“” “”

Animal Advocates Praise North Carolina Lawmakers for Introducing Bill to Crack Down on Puppy Mills

(April 12, 2013) — Animal welfare advocates including North Carolina Voters for Animal Welfare, Susie’s Law, the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), Humane Society of Charlotte, SPCA of Wake County, United Animal Coalition and The Humane Society of the United States applaud Rep. Jason Saine, R- 97, for introducing a bill to ensure that dogs are treated humanely in commercial breeding facilities.

HB 930 establishes commonsense standards of care that include: daily access to fresh food and water, appropriate veterinary care, and housing that protects dogs from the elements.

Continue reading Breaking News meets Great News: NC anti-puppy mill bill introduced →

PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic

Big Oil, Environment No comments yet

Aerial video of Exxon oil spill in Arkansas

By on April 11th, 2013

No Gravatar

Once again, we have another environmental disaster. But Big Oil will mark it down as no big deal.

And at some point in the not too distant future, someone will appear on a cable news show to ask – “What spill? We never have spills.”

PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic

Legislation No comments yet

NC bill would allow for immediate rescue of pets found locked in hot vehicles

By on April 10th, 2013

No Gravatar

Amazingly enough in North Carolina, current law reportedly restricts the authority of even law enforcement officers from rescuing pets locked inside vehicles during a summer heat wave. I find this hard to fathom.

But an article posted Monday on the WRAL.com site states this. The article suggests law enforcement can only try to locate the owner of the vehicle – while the dog or cat continues to suffer and maybe dies. But now thankfully, a bill has been introduced to allow them to enter the vehicle after reasonable effort to find the owner.

North Carolina is my home state and there are a lot of highly debatable pieces of legislation under review this year. This bill however, should gain unanimous approval. I can’t see how anyone could be cold-hearted enough to vote against it.

The other thing is, how could anyone challenge the actions of an individual who saved an animal from suffering in this way – certainly if the weather conditions clearly warranted their actions? Would I be charged with a crime for breaking out a car window to save a baby near death in hot car? – No.

We really should not charge people with a crime for acts of compassion.

 

PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic

Animal Cruelty, Animal Welfare Act No comments yet

What some people will do for profit is sometimes astounding

By on April 9th, 2013

No Gravatar

From the just-when-you-thought-you-heard-it-all file, we have the following story. A company that reportedly uses 10,000 goats and 5,000 rabbits for harvesting their blood to sell the antibodies, is being accused of animal cruelty.

Numerous violations of the Animal Welfare Act were found at Santa Cruz Biotechnology over several years, as reported in a Care2 article from Sunday. But very little was done to relieve the animals’ suffering, until recently, when a complaint was finally filed. But surprisingly, it is reported that the federal government does not rescue animals from cruelty in these cases or bar the offenders from keeping animals.

In the video report above, it is noted that a USDA inspector found a goat with a broken leg and when the inspector went back a month later, the goat was still there with the broken leg.

PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic

Animal Cruelty, Dolphins No comments yet

Scientists rightfully categorize slaughter of the dolphins inTaiji, Japan as cruelty

By on April 8th, 2013

No Gravatar

When it’s all said and done, logic matches up nicely with science. And this is the case with a scientific conclusion that the horrible torture that goes on during the killing of dolphins in Taiji, Japan is cruel.

The New York Times Dot Earth blog reported Sunday on a peer-reviewed study that suggests the

… killing method does not conform to the recognized requirement for “immediate insensibility” …

Of course this is true. Our common sense, logic and science tells us that the stabbing and cutting of conscious animals inflicts terrible physical and mental suffering.

This so-called hunt should be outlawed immediately. No civilized country or community of any kind could support this sort of animal cruelty.

 

PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic

Ag-Gag Laws, Legislation 1 comment

Supporters of ag-gag laws are not offering proposals to protect animals from abuse

By on April 8th, 2013

No Gravatar

Undercover video in any number of cases of late has exposed animal cruelty on factory farms and in at least one case where horses were being trained. The response has been diverse – from one side being outraged to the other side attempting to cover up any future cases of abuse.

I’m not hearing suggestions from the other side – suggestions that might help animals and end these abuses. I’m not seeing outrage from that side of the room. They are not crying out for unannounced inspections from state and federal authorities.

So since we know the abuses are occurring, we must have some sort of undercover investigations and surprise inspections. The states that are banning undercover video by animal-welfare organizations, should be required to fund law enforcement undercover operations – on a regular basis.

But my fear is that these industries will pay off or buy influence over state and federal agencies – the way the oil and gas industries have influence over the regulatory system.

The Denver Post reports the American Legislative Exchange Council, described as “a business advocacy group with hundreds of state representatives from farm states as members,” is creating model bills, “drafted by lobbyists and lawmakers.”

One of its model bills is “The Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act.” They want to tab the animal welfare organizations that trying to expose cruelty as terrorists.

We are losing influence to powerful entities – and within this trend, the environment and animals are suffering and human health is at risk.

 

PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic

Homelessness, Nathan Winograd, No Kill Movement, PETA No comments yet

No-Kill advocate Winograd vs. PETA

By on April 6th, 2013

No Gravatar

There is a back-and-forth building between no-kill advocate Nathan Winograd and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Winegrad and others have slammed PETA for the number of animals euthanized at its shelter in Virginia. PETA has responded by stating the dogs there are too unhealthy or too dangerous to adopt out. Officials there claim the animals taken into the shelter are from surrounding areas and have been rescued from horrible situations.

The charge is that 96 percent of the animals taken in during 2011 did not make it out alive.

Now, an International Business Times article reports PETA has responded with a video, suggesting no-kill shelters are turning away pets when their kennels are full and are telling those showing up to drop animals off that they will need to do so at local municipal shelters.

This sort of debate has been going on for some time now. I tend to try to separate myself from this back-and-forth. Animal welfare groups don’t need to go after each other, when the villains in the story are those who are the source of the problem. While puppy mill operators and people who continuing allow their pets to breed new homeless pets continue to hide untouched the shadows, this debate goes on.

Maybe there’s enough blame to spread around, but the focus should be placed on those who are the source villains.

I fully support the efforts of the no-kill shelters, but until we fix the problems, the euthanasia of homeless pets will continue. Until our state legislatures get serious about puppy mills and funding spay/neuter programs and join forces with animal welfare groups, the problems will go on. Until the federal government gets serious about these problems, they will go on.

Until those who are uneducated about the need for spaying and neutering and about the horrors of puppy mills become educated, it will be difficult to fully solve the problem.

We’ve ALL got to work together – within a Pack Mentality – to solve this crisis. Far too many homeless are dying every year. We can make excuses, but excuses don’t save lives.

 

PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic

Adoption, Homelessness, Kitten Bowl No comments yet

Adoptable kittens to be featured in Kitten Bowl on Super Bowl Sunday

By on April 5th, 2013

No Gravatar

The Hallmark Channel has announced a new special for Super Bowl Sunday – “Kitten Bowl.” So joining the Puppy Bowl will be adoptable kittens on the TV field.

It is great that that the networks are promoting the adoption of homeless pets with specials such at this.

The full Hallmark press release:

“” “”

THE BIGGEST SUNDAY IN ALL OF SPORTS HAS A BRAND NEW TRADITION!
HALLMARK CHANNEL’S ‘KITTEN BOWL’

Hallmark Channel’s Three-Hour Original Special Filled with Purr-Fectly Adoptable Kittens Performing in the Biggest Feline Sports Show in TV History

Attention, sports fans! Hallmark Channel announces a brand new tradition that is sure to become the most talked about big game on television! On Sunday, February 2, 2014 (12:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. ET/PT), Hallmark Channel opens its stadium doors to the greatest feline showdown in cable television history, “Kitten Bowl,” a three-hour Hallmark Channel Original Special featuring the world’s most adorable – and adoptable – kittens in the mother lode of cat agility competition. The special, which will be presented annually, is supported by the network’s animal welfare partner, American Humane Association, and is just one of many high-profile commitments the company has made to its evergreen Pet Project initiative. With American Humane Association, Hallmark Channel’s in-house production team will scour rescue associations and shelters searching for kitty competitors whose enduring prize will be a loving, forever home. “Kitten Bowl” is a bonanza of opportunity for Ad Sales and product integration and will feature a live streaming internet channel to catch every delightful, charming, or inspirational moment. Suiting up as judges, referees, and sideline trainers will be Hallmark Channel’s top tier Original Movie talent. And, in a first for the network, viewers at home will vote in social media for the MVK – Most Valuable Kitten. Continue reading Adoptable kittens to be featured in Kitten Bowl on Super Bowl Sunday →

PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic

Canadian Seal Hunt No comments yet

New animated HSUS video informs on the horrors of the Canadian seal slaughter

By on April 4th, 2013

No Gravatar

The Humane Society of the United States has released a new video, informing viewers about the horrors of the Canadian seal slaughter.

While the market for seal products continues to decline worldwide, the Canadian government continues to promote severe cruelty.

PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic

Animal Intelligence No comments yet

Animals can be smarter than some people: Example No. 473

By on April 4th, 2013

No Gravatar

My local city’s newspaper website runs mug shots on the main page of its website. News outlets are doing this all over and some areas have printed publications for this purpose.

So check these mug shots out every day and you will find photos of individuals who show cognitive abilities far lower than those seen in rats, mice and lizards.

Ever seen a lizard arrested for drunk driving? – No. Has a mouse or rat ever been locked up for domestic abuse? – No.

 

PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic