My apologies

I’m really sorry for the lack of posts, but I’m getting to the last few stages of coming off tablet & oral Morphine, so I can have a Morphine pump fitted inside my body instead. That and another infection are giving me some rather unpleasant side effects; making me feel really unwell.

I do hope you guys can bear with me ( especially new followers ) & be patient for posts; whilst I’m going through this difficult period.
Those that know me know I hate being offline, as I class this blog seriously, its my life since becoming disabled & one of the only ways, bar giving money to charities; that I can help raise awareness to the atrocities of worldwide animal abuse.

I’m hoping I will be able to do a few posts before hospital; if I can get to my main pc! My wireless broadband is sxxt. its taken me ages to type this from my bed; on my ipad….😡

Anyhow, I will keep you informed on whats happening & hope to be back posting daily; ASAP.

All the best
Jules 🐴

Advocates push for tougher animal cruelty laws

There was push for pets in Albany as part of the third annual Animal Advocacy Day. Supporters are calling for tougher animal cruelty laws. Our Megan Cruz tells us how that could mean a state registry of convicted animal abusers.

ALBANY, N.Y. — Five paws for Pearl!

“So affectionate, gets along great with our other dog and our kids. She’s just been a great addition,” said Susan Kittle. Her and her family adopted Pearl in December. They just wish it wasn’t under such awful circumstances. Pearl and two others had been found mutilated and left for dead on railroad tracks in Albany. One died. The other, Hudson, now lives with the Nashes.

“Too often you hear it on the news – dogs, cats, horses, all kinds of animals that are innocent,” said Rosemarie Nash. “They love you, they love you no matter what. Even with what he’s been through, Hudson still loves people.”

These two families joined lawmakers and hundreds of animal supporters Tuesday for the 3rd annual Animal Advocacy Day in Albany. Together they pushed to strengthen Buster’s Law – which made aggravated animal abuse a felony punishable by up to two years and a $5000 fine.

“A lot of these animals literally don’t have a voice because they’ve been de-vocalized,” said Assemblyman Jim Tedisco. “A dog here today who was a breeder at a puppy mill, they cut his vocal chords so he wouldn’t bark and make noise so they could catch the inappropriate breeding taking place.”

Senator Greg Ball said, “We have seen that people who start with crimes like that move on to much worse crimes against neighbors, our families.”

Some examples: serial killers Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, and David Berkowitz, also known as at “Son of Sam.”

“So these bills don’t just protect our furry friends, they’ll protect the larger community,” said Ball.

There’s close to 10 bills that Ball and Tedisco hope will make people pause before hurting our four-legged friends.

Tedisco said, “The state registry is probably most important. We have to identify those people who are doing this type of abuse, put them on a registry so they cannot own an animal anymore until a psychological evaluation and treatment.”

Now while Hudson and Pearl have found their happy ending, many abused animals do not. People at Tuesday’s event hope to get pass these measures before the end of the Legislative session.

“Keep these people off the streets so they don’t do it to any other animal or person,” said Richard Nash.

News Link:-http://capitalregion.ynn.com/content/top_stories/667573/advocates-push-for-tougher-animal-cruelty-laws/

Stray Dogs Rescued From Water Canal

Two dogs were thrown into a rain water canal dividing Las Acequias and Jardines Residential neighbourhoods in Juarez, Mexico.

The canines were abandoned there to their own fate, but a Good Samaritan spotted the strays in time and came to their rescue.

The canal has high concrete walls that stopped the dogs from escaping on their own. While the dogs were trapped, the canal had low water levels, but the city expected strong rain storms and the woman rescuer feared the dogs would drown and be washed away.

For two days the woman tried to rescue the dogs on her own but was unsuccessful. That’s when she reached out to local rescue organization, Aprodea, for help.

According to El Diario, Aprodea used their Facebook page to recruit volunteers for the rescue mission. Alma Morfín, Aprodea’s director, said they hoped other neighbors would step up and help recover the canines.

The post stated that volunteers would need long ropes to easily exit the canal’s walls. It also informed those willing to help that the dogs were skittish and therefore the rescue effort would take some time.

Animal lovers answered the post immediately and the dogs were out of the canal and in the safety of Aprodea that same day.

A veterinarian was scheduled to examine the dogs the next morning and as soon as the dogs receive a clean bill of health they will be placed for adoption.

News Link:-http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2013/07/stray-dogs-rescued-from-water-canal/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LifeWithDogs+%28Life+With+Dogs%29

Ivory Trade Video: Suspected Poachers in Kenya Kill Two Wildlife Rangers

July 19th –NAIROBI, KENYA — The Kenya Wildlife Service says two wildlife rangers were killed Thursday responding to dozens of suspected poachers in the Kipini Conservatory game reserve on Kenya’s coast. 

Officials say the suspected poachers were armed with AK-47 rifles and opened fire on several rangers who were responding to a poaching incident inside the reserve.

Kenyan Wildlife Service spokesman Paul Mbugua says the rangers were actually attacked twice and one of the two men killed was a commander. One poacher was also killed.

“Then after that particular incident the rangers made a tactical withdrawal and then later they moved in to collect the body of the fallen ranger, and as they moved in to collect the body, the poachers were lying in wait,” he said. “They actually set up an ambush, and the rangers together with the police they were fired at, and during that second incident, which occurred at five in the evening, one of our officers who was actually the officer commanding the team actually went down.”

Mbugua said poachers are getting bold and patient. He said that after the first shooting incident, poachers had to lie low for up to five hours, waiting for the rangers to come back, knowing eventually they will come to collect the body of their fallen ranger.

“They are extremely brave and this is what we have been communicating, and you can see they are very sophisticated. One particular poacher had 208 rounds on him, he had three magazines for his firearm and he had other rounds of ammunitions of course in his possession,” he said. “And that tells you that these guys are willing to go to any length to ensure that they get their way.”

According to a recent United Nations Environment Program study, the number of elephants illegally killed in Africa has doubled over the last decade, reaching 25,000 killed in 2012, while the ivory trade has tripled in size.

Experts say the poaching of African elephants is at an all-time high, raising the possibility that the species could become extinct this century.

Trade in ivory was made illegal in 1989. Demand for ivory remains high in Asia, however, where it is used for ornaments and traditional medicine.

News Link:–http://www.voanews.com/content/suspected-poachers-in-kenya-kill-two-wildlife-rangers/1705521.html

Petitions to sign please, also in above menu:-

• http://www.bloodyivory.org/petition
• http://www.elephantfamily.org/sign-our-petition/
• https://secure.avaaz.org/en/no_more_bloody_ivory/

Petition to Save Africas Elephants Ban Thai Ivory Trade

Published on 13 Jan 2013

Every day in the savannas and forests of Africa, elephants are being gunned down for their ivory tusks. Across the continent, tens of thousands of these majestic animals are being slaughtered each year. In many places the species has already been poached to extinction. If we don’t act now there may be no wild elephants left.
Elephant poaching is being driven by demand for ivory carvings and trinkets in Asia where many consumers think “elephant teeth” simply fall out and re-grow without hurting the animal. The truth is that ivory comes from dead elephants.
In Thailand, elephants are revered as sacred. There is a saying that there would be no Thailand without the elephant. But Thailand is also the biggest unregulated market for ivory in the world. Although it is against the law to sell ivory from African elephants in Thailand, ivory from domestic Thai elephants can be sold legally. As a result, massive quantities of illegal African ivory are being laundered through Thai shops. 
To save Africa’s elephants it is essential that Thailand closes this legal loophole.

Join us in asking Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to ban all ivory trade in Thailand.
Representatives from 176 governments will be meeting in Bangkok March 3-14 to discuss global wildlife trade issues, including the elephant poaching crisis. While the eyes of the world are turned to Thailand, we want to present 1 million signatures to Mrs Sinawatra.

Sign the petition and tell the Thai Prime Minister to ban ivory trade and save Africa’s elephants!

“Dear Prime Minister Sinawatra, we are greatly concerned about the record levels of elephant poaching in Africa. Demand for illegal ivory products could drive the species to extinction in Africa, and Thailand’s elephants could be next. You can save them. We urge you to ban all ivory trade in Thailand to give elephants their best chance of survival.”
For more information:
http://www.wwf.or.th/killthetrade
http://www.panda.org/ban

Dog With Gang Tattoo Rescued In Los Angeles

“WTF…I’m stuck for words; how could anyone torture a young pup by tattooing him? I suppose these gangs are used to violence & murder etc. was the dog destined to be used as another tool of aggression? It obviously wasn’t vicious enough for their gang; bloody knob heads! Thank God he was thrown out like trash, tied to a tree & rescued; he could so easily have been killed & buried. Perhaps one of the gang actually had a heart & couldn’t kill Petey, whatever it was; I’m so pleased he was rescued”!

Petey is a pit bull that has undergone trauma that no puppy should have to endure. Found abandoned and tied to a pole a woman came to his rescue and brought him to ROMP Rescue where they discovered that Petey’s underside was covered with a gang tattoo.

Petey was found about a month ago tied to a pole outside a doughnut shop in Lomita, California. The woman who found him called police for help, but help never came.

So she provided the dog with food and water. When at the end of the day no one had come to help she took him and home and to a veterinarian to be checked out.

“He was crying,” said Randy with ROMP Rescue. “She saw him and she called the police and they said they would call animal control. Neither one ever showed up.”

The woman was unable to keep Petey permanently so she reached out to ROMP Rescue and Randy came to take Petey.

Once back at ROMP he noticed markings on Petey’s belly and thought he might have ringworm. When he shaved Petey’s belly he was shocked by what he found.

A tattoo that lists the name of a “set” of a Los Angeles-area gang covers most of Petey’s underside.

“I’m speechless,” said Randy. “I can’t understand why they would do that. The pain involved is obviously more than any puppy should have to endure.”

ROMP Rescue fears the tattoo isn’t the only pain Petey has endured. Although he is great around people he gets angry and nervous around other dogs. They hope to find him a home in the future, but for now he’s not ready for one.

“His legs just shake,” said Randy. “He’s afraid of the world.”

A fund has been set up for Petey’s training and care. Donations can be made here.

Video & News Link:–http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2013/07/dog-with-gang-tattoo-rescued-in-los-angeles/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LifeWithDogs+%28Life+With+Dogs%29

SeaWorld Refutes New Film That Exposes the Cruel Treatment of Captive Whales

The new documentary ‘Blackfish’ reveals the inner workings of the multi-billion dollar seapark industry.

Captive whales have been driven to disturbing and destructive behavior. (Photo: John Warden/Getty Images)

SeaWorld has unleashed a bitter attack on the new documentary Blackfish, accusing the filmmakers of being “shamelessly dishonest,” and filling the movie with serious inaccuracies.

As someone who has followed the saga of Tilikum and deceased trainer Dawn Brancheau for years, I was happy to rebut SeaWorld’s various grievances. The inaccuracies, it turns out, are found in spokesman Fred Jacob’s “Dear Film Critic” letter, which was sent out today:

I’m writing to you on behalf of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. You may be aware of a documentary called “Blackfish” that purports to expose SeaWorld’s treatment of killer whales (or orcas) and the “truth” behind the tragic death of trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010.

In the event you are planning to review this film, we thought you should be apprised of the following. Although “Blackfish” is by most accounts a powerful, emotionally-moving piece of advocacy, it is also shamefully dishonest, deliberately misleading, and scientifically inaccurate. As the late scholar and U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan famously noted: “You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts.”

The film’s most egregious and untrue allegations include: The insinuation that SeaWorld stocks its parks with killer whales captured from the wild. In fact, SeaWorld hasn’t collected a killer whale from the wild in more than 35 years; more than 80% of the killer whales at SeaWorld were born there or in other zoological facilities.

 First of all, an “insinuation” is not an accusation, and Blackfish does not make this claim. It is worth pointing out, however, that the wild orca Morgan, who was rescued in waters off the Netherlands a few years back, now lives at Loro Parque, Spain; in its SEC filing there, SeaWorld claimed her as one of their own whales, just as they own the other orcas in the park.

The assertion that killer whales in the wild live more than twice as long as those living at SeaWorld. While research suggests that some wild killer whales can live as long as 60 or 70 years, their average lifespan is nowhere near that. Nor is it true that killer whales in captivity live only 25 to 35 years.

Because we’ve been studying killer whales at places like SeaWorld for only 40 years or so, we don’t know what their lifespans might be—though we do know that SeaWorld currently has one killer whale in her late 40s and a number of others in their late 30s.

The research completed to date does not “suggest” average life expectancies and maximum lifespans; it methodically and scientifically documents them, at least among resident killer whales of the Pacific Northwest.

As I reported in Death at SeaWorld: “The average life expectancy for female orcas in the wild has been estimated at 45 to 50 years, with a maximum lifespan of about 90,” and, “the average life expectancy for a wild orca male is approximately 30 years, with an estimated maximum lifespan of about 60.”

Read More:–http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/07/13/killer-whales-cruel-treatment-in-captivity?cmpid=tpanimals-eml-2013-07-20-seaworld

Forest Officials Try To Downplay Tiger Poaching Issue

NAGPUR: The first official statement on tiger poaching issued by the forest department on July 19, exactly 43 days after two organized poachers Mamru and Chika were arrested, seems to an exercise in washing hands off the poaching problem rather than trying to tackle it head on.

The statement by chief conservator of forests (CCF) for Nagpur Circle SH Patil, which was approved by additional principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) SS Mishra, comes in the wake TOI’s (Times Of India) expose of call detail report of tiger skin trader from Haryana Sarju Bagdi on July 20. Sarju procured tiger skins right under the nose of forest officials.

Tiger poaching in India

It was TOI which had first exposed the poaching case on June 10, but the department never came clear on the issue. First, it was about sale of five tiger skin, which included one from Tumsar and another from Melghat, bought by Sarju from Aamdi Fata near Ramtek. Even the mystery behind five tiger skins has not been solved yet.

Subsequent interrogation of poachers revealed that Sarju had procured six more tiger skins from Bhandarbodi near Ramtek in the first week of April. The total tiger skins Sarju bought from various gangs was 11.

Patil has clarified that arrested poachers never admitted about the latter six skins in their confession. Instead of probing the serious issue in toto, the forest officials are trying to downplay it.

Investigating officials from Melghat and Nagpur told TOI that the fact of six tiger skins procured in April first week was revealed by poachers when they were quizzed in Melghat on June 9, but the statement was not recorded for reasons best known to forest officials.

The six skins included one tiger each from Katangi in MP and another from Melghat. Four were suspected to be from other places, perhaps from PAs near Nagpur, and hence officials buried the fact.

However, another fact, which the department is hiding, is that is that when Mamru and Chika were arrested by police and forest officials on June 6 night, Chika was in police custody while Mamru was in forest custody at Seminary Hills. “It might quite be possible that Mamru must have told many facts to the officials, also about the six skins here,” feel officials. But why were statements at Seminary Hills not recorded?

Confession statement of Mamru, a copy of which is with TOI, taken on June 17, itself exposes forest department’s failure to nail the poachers and their lack of intelligence. Mamru has admitted that his gang stayed in Bhandarbodi. The CDR of Sarju also reveals he went there on April 3. He had also stayed in Mahadula during that period.

What were they doing in Bhandarbodi? Why did Sarju visit there? Why did forest officials take Chika and Mamru to Bhandarbodi for probe? These are some of the questions that remain unanswered.

Patil has said that Mamru and Chika were nabbed based on the CDR of poachers involved in Dhakna (Melghat) tiger poaching case on March 4. Actually, police nabbed the culprits on June 6. If officials were working on CDR since March 4, what did they do for three months? Why could not they nab Sarju when he was here from March 30 till April 6 and then again after May 26?

Another glaring fact is that Mamru admitted his gang killed Ghatang (Melghat) tiger in second week of May. If forest officials were working on CDR since March, why did they fail to nab the culprits for over 70 days?

The poachers revealed names of 16 gang members involved in tiger poaching here but none of them has been arrested yet. Two poachers Yarlen and Barsul were handed over by the MP officials and others were arrested by Melghat officials.

Instead of criticizing the media, if forest department is really serious about poaching, why the matter is not being handed over to the CBI? Even forest minister Patangrao Kadam has asked the officials to go ahead with CBI probe. Not to mention that notorious tiger poacher Sansarchand is set to be released.

News Link:–http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Forest-officials-try-to-downplay-tiger-poaching-issue/articleshow/21290373.cms?intenttarget=no

Related articles & Petitions & Information

• Three Pardhis From Katni Held In Nagpur For Tiger Poaching (preciousjules1985.wordpress.com)
• https://preciousjules1985.wordpress.com/2013/02/01/help-stop-the-killing-and-poaching-of-wild-tigers-in-india/
• http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-killing-of-tigers-and-leopards-in-india
• http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-poaching-tigers
• http://www.thepetitionsite.com/982/645/045/stop-tiger-poaching-in-india/
• http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/wildlife/tigers/
• More petitions can be found in the Menu – Petitions updated 2013

Score One For Pachyderms: Elephant Tramples Poacher To Death

According to a report by Zimbabwe’s Sunday Mail, a poacher was trampled to death by the very elephant he was attempting to kill.“Now that’s what you call Karma; shame it doesn’t happen more often!”

The report said Magunje police found the remains of Solomon Manjoro fourteen days ago in Charara National Park, Gatshe-Gatshe, Kariba after a friend of his was arrested on allegations of possessing firearms illegally.

Manjoro was reportedly trampled by an elephant after he failed to shoot it during a hunting expedition. He, along with his 29-year-old friend Noluck Tafuruka, allegedly visited Charara National Park for the sole purpose of poaching between April 19 and 29.

Poachers kill elephants to collect ivory, which is sold on the black market and often smuggled into Asian countries to be used in ornaments and jewellery. Ivory sales were banned back in 1989 when poaching for the valuable substance halved the remaining number of African elephants in the 1980s.

Just recently, 26 elephants were massacred in the Dzanga Bai World Heritage Site in the Central African Republic. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said 17 individuals armed with Kalashnikov rifles entered an area locally known as the “village of elephants” with the intention to kill the large animals. This area reportedly hosts between 50 and 200 elephants each day. The WWF said that since the poachers arrived, no elephants have been seen in the area.

“The brutal violence we are witnessing in Dzanga Bai threatens to destroy one of the world´s great natural treasures, and to jeopardize the future of the people who live there,” said Jim Leape, WWF International Director General. “The Central African Republic must act immediately to secure this unique World Heritage site.”

He said the international community needs to step up to help assist the Central African Republic to restore peace in the area and safeguard the elephant population.

“WWF also asks Cameroon and the Republic of Congo to assist the Central African Republic in preserving this World Heritage Site, which not only encompasses the Bai, but also includes large neighbouring areas of these two countries,” Leape said. “The events in Dzanga Bai are a vivid reminder of the existential threat faced by forest elephants in Central Africa. Populations of this species have plummeted 62 per cent over the past ten years.”

A report by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) found that the elephant population in DRC has dropped by 37 percent in the last five years due to ivory poaching. The survey found that 75 percent of the reserve’s elephant population has been killed in the last 15 years.

News Link:–http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1112844919/elephant-tramples-poacher-to-death-zimbabwe-051313/

Nevada County Fair Board Votes To Retain Contract For Elephant Rides

“Another email that warrants being shared, so please send to friends etc.”

The Nevada County Fair board of directors failed to do the right thing a second time, by voting, 8-1, at its meeting on July 16, 2013, to retain its contract for elephant rides. More than 70 people testified for more than three hours, with about 75% of the speakers opposing the rides. Only five of those who spoke out against the rides were not Nevada County residents.

PAWS‘ director of science, research and advocacy, Catherine Doyle, presented testimony at the meeting, including a letter signed by elephant experts and conservationists from around the world who oppose using elephants for rides. 

The Fair board set the tone of the meeting, when it stated that it would only consider new evidence on the topics of safety, the use of animals in entertainment, and the reputation of the company providing the rides, Have Trunk Will Travel.

It was obvious that the board had little intention of changing its position, and it was made clear that the number of people opposing the rides would not be a factor in their decision.

Sign Petitions Here Please:-

• http://www.change.org/petitions/nevada-county-fairgrounds-please-choose-to-not-have-elephant-rides-at-the-2013-fair
• https://secure3.convio.net/bfusa/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=809&JServSessionIdr004=ts7aw6twg3.app332a
• http://www.thepetitionsite.com/707/325/892/keep-elephants-out-of-the-nevada-county-fair/
• http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/820/465/716/

 In the end, the Fair board chose to dismiss undercover video of Have Trunk Will Travel caught by Animal Defenders International that shows the company’s owner and employees viciously striking elephants with bullhooks and using an illegal electric shock device during training.

To us at PAWS, it is unfathomable that anyone could watch the video and not find the treatment of the elephants reprehensible. 

“The board looked long and hard at the video and the testimony,” said Fair board president Tom Browning. “We feel they (Have Trunk Will Travel) have a very good operation…this is the mindset of the board.”  “Bull shit…they obviously didn’t see the video I did, of baby elephants trunk being held & pulled to make him conform to commands. They didn’t see an electric pod being used on an elephant who screamed out in pain, as she was forced to stand on her head! This is appalling, this board is anything but fair!”

Training for rides involves violently breaking and training elephants, and controlling them

Trained by force, fear & abuse

through dominance and fear of pain for the rest of their lives. Handlers use the bullhook – a steel rod resembling a fireplace poker – to routinely prod, hook and strike elephants so they comply with every command.

Not only did the board reject clear-cut evidence of abusive treatment, it failed to address the fact that the Fair lacks an emergency preparedness plan specific to an elephant escape. PAWS had requested various safety documents pertaining to emergency procedures, which the Fair was unable to produce.

Though many members of the Fair board claimed to have researched elephant rides, they opted to accept only information that supported their already established position, and the information that members presented was often inaccurate.

PAWS is working together with local organizations to plan an educational public demonstration when the Fair takes place in Grass Valley, California, on August 7-11.This will be a peaceful protest that is suitable for all ages. We urge you to attend (invite family and friends!) and show your support and compassion for the elephants. 

In the coming weeks, we’ll be providing more details on our efforts, so stay tuned. Mark those dates on your calendar now. The fairgrounds are located approximately 70 miles north of Sacramento.

Website link:–http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=68strdcab&v=001TTzY1hjm9FiiViisKsGk63YMz9RaRLjYqZrbNYAmP8BG_Q6R4ioqMgHLE6AaNiugYVN4nNi3vXuZJ-v46hq6JnIkVaXtq_2lnf87vEmeR33TN3M7FTbaY5LVmdF1ZKUvGSLoTJLSKHEU3QrnjTJlKbV2NzAVluKIP9MPXxZCvkiG4tsSdm4OuU_M8rTJH1bHpCwLB5HzEJ80lhzZtfhv1g1PIoxgeQKnIfUQF2cxwIQ0miE9qzc5Iw%3D%3D

Letter signed by elephant experts and conservationist:-

July 12, 2013
Statement by elephant professionals in opposition to elephant rides PAWS has invited professionals in science, conservation and elephant care to join us in endorsing the following statement that addresses the use of
elephants for rides.

We, the undersigned, are opposed to the use of elephants for rides at county fairs, carnivals, circuses, zoos and other recreational activities, for the following reasons:

• It is wrong to allow our children to think that elephants used for rides are living an acceptable life, when evidence for the opposite is overwhelming.
• Reducing elephants to the equivalent of a carnival ride distorts the public’s understanding of elephants and of their endangered status in the wild.
•  Elephants are highly intelligent, curious and socially complex animals who possess a range of emotions, and are empathetic and self-aware. It is appalling to see these astonishing animals reduced to walking in small circles for hours as they give rides.
• Elephants used for rides were traumatically taken from their mothers as calves. Female elephants, those typically used for rides, would naturally remain with their families for life.
• Elephants used for rides are deprived of what is natural to them, including the ability to move freely in a vast natural environment, to be part of a family and extended social network, and to have choice and control over their lives.
• Elephants are wild animals. They are not domesticated, so they retain their innate wild natures, which are often brutally suppressed.
• The extreme training that is necessary to dominate and control elephants for providing customers with “safe” rides is abusive. It is well documented that elephants are trained to comply with commands through use of the menacing weapon called the bullhook and fear of painful punishment.
• Elephants used for rides are under a great deal of stress from being held in conditions to which they are unsuited, including prolonged chaining, confinement in cramped trucks and pens, extensive travel, and ongoing threat of punishment.
• There are many documented incidents in which elephants have “snapped,” and have injured or killed people.
• The interests and well-being of elephants used for rides will always be secondary to the profits the company needs to maintain itself.
• Elephant rides do not contribute to the conservation of elephants, or to an awareness of the plight of wild elephants.
• On the contrary, elephant rides may divert funds from genuine, and deeply important, conservation work.
•  Conservation is a noble cause and it is demeaned by unethical companies that use it as a public relations ploy to distract the public from this inhumane, unsafe and outdated use of elephants.
•  It is wrong to keep alive an outdated practice that we know is brutal for elephants.

Given current knowledge, it is unjustifiable to use elephants for recreational rides, and it is wrong to allow elephants to suffer just so they can entertain us.

The times are changing. More and more county fairs and other community events are eschewing elephant
rides due to public safety and humane concerns.

We advise event organizers to reject elephant rides, and we strongly urge the public to refrain from riding elephants, to oppose elephant rides if they are proposed for a community event, and to support legitimate conservation organizations that are making a real difference for elephants.

Sincerely,

Ed Stewart President and Co-founder, PAWS

Cynthia Moss, Director, Amboseli Trust for Elephants (Kenya)

Joyce H. Poole, Ph.D., Co-Founder, Co-Director, ElephantVoices

Petter Granli, Co-Founder, Co-Director, ElephantVoices

Peter Stroud, Independent Zoological Consultant, Member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature/Species Survival Commission Asian Elephant Specialist Group

Phil Ensley, DVM, DACZM, Former associate veterinarian with the San Diego Zoo

W. Keith Lindsay, Ph.D., Conservation Biologist & Member, Scientific Advisory Committee, Amboseli
Elephant Research Project (Kenya)

David Hancocks, Former Director at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona, Seattle’s
Woodland Park Zoo, Australia’s Werribee Open Range Zoo and Melbourne Zoo

Scott Blais, International Elephant Consultant

Carol Buckley, founder and CEO of Elephant Aid International and founding director of The lephant Sanctuary in Tennessee

John W. Freeze, Retired Animal Husbandry Supervisor (Elephants), North Carolina Zoological Park

Gary Kuehn, DVM, Former veterinarian with the Los Angeles Zoo Henry Melvyn Richardson, DVM

Will Travers OBE, CEO The Born Free Foundation, UK and Born Free USA

Margaret Whittaker, Animal Behavior Consultant, Active Environments, Inc.

Letter Link:-http://www.pawsweb.org/documents/PROFESSIONALS_LETTER_RIDES.pdf?utm_source=Fair+board+votes+to+keep+contract&utm_campaign=UA-16696807-1&utm_medium=email

PDF Document:–

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2013
CONTACT: Catherine Doyle, PAWS Director of Science, Research & Advocacy,
cdoyle@pawsweb.org
Nevada County Fair Lacks Sufficient Safety Precautions for Elephant Rides San Andreas, Calif. –

The Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) contends that the Nevada County Fair does not have adequate information or an action plan to protect the public from the serious risks associated with elephant rides.
The controversial rides will be offered for the first time at this year’s Fair, August 7-11, in Grass Valley, California.

“The Fair has been lulled into complacency by false assurances that elephant rides are safe, when that is the farthest thing from the truth,” said PAWS president, Ed Stewart, who has more than 32 years of experience caring for elephants. “Our intention is not to discomfit the Fair board, but to inform the public that elephant rides pose a serious risk, and that there is insufficient preparation on the part of the Fair should an incident occur.”

PAWS recently filed a California Public Records Act request, and learned that the Fair lacks key information necessary to protect public safety.

For example, there is no emergency plan that is specific to an elephant escape, a situation for which most law enforcement agencies are unprepared and unequipped. In fact, the Fair’s evacuation plan calls for preventing people from entering buildings, the very places that might provide safe haven during an escape.

Other safety and security documents the Fair was unable to produce were:

• An elephant escape and recapture plan provided by Have Trunk Will Travel, the Southern California company providing the rides – Without a plan, there would be no communication and coordination between the elephant ride provider and the local first responders in the event of an escape.
•  Have Trunk Will Travel’s protocol for securing elephants when they are not giving rides, during the daytime and overnight – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cited the company last year for failure to safely handle an elephant at a county fair in South Dakota. The elephant was left unmonitored while she was rested from giving rides, creating a risk to the public.
• A history of Tuberculosis test results for all elephants owned by Have Trunk Will Travel, including those to be used for rides –Elephants can carry tuberculosis, which is transmissible to humans. Due to the prevalence of the disease in elephants and risks to public health, the USDA requires that all exhibitors test their elephants annually for tuberculosis.

In addition, the Fair did not produce veterinary records for the elephants to be used for rides, which would show whether they are suffering from diseases, such as arthritis and foot infections, commonly caused by inadequate captive conditions. Chaining and cramped confinement – during travel to the Fair and at the Fair – would exacerbate these conditions and negatively impact the elephants’ welfare.

PAWS has long monitored and documented the numerous incidents involving elephants used for rides that have resulted in human injuries and deaths. In 2000, PAWS co-founder, the late Pat Derby, testified before a Congressional committee on this serious safety issue.

“We are urging the Nevada County Fair to cancel the elephant rides because they are unsafe, outdated and inhumane,” said Stewart. “For over a century the Fair has been successful without elephant rides – and the serious risk and controversy that come along with them.”

Above PDF Document:-http://www.pawsweb.org/documents/PR_NCF_SAFETY_ISSUESx.pdf?utm_source=Fair+board+votes+to+keep+contract&utm_campaign=UA-16696807-1&utm_medium=email

Fiona the Blind Dog Rescued By Eldad Hager – Video Update 2013

“At last, a much-needed happy ending; kudos Eldad & all at Hope For Paws. I am a protector at Hope For Paws it only cost’s £3 per month. Well worth it for all the work Eldad & Audrey do; for animals in dire need of rescue!”

You may remember Fiona’s rescue by Eldad Hagar of Hope For Paws, from the March 2012 video that has been seen by over 2 million viewers. Finoa was blind, dirty and scared when her rescuers approached her.

Here is the original video of her rescue. Please see the video with Fiona below this one, where she enjoys a visit from her rescuers a few days ago.

Blind dog Rescue – Fiona

Published on 17 Mar 2012

My facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/eldad75
Please make a small donation to Hope For Paws:http://www.hopeforpaws.org

The video update on Fiona below shows a beautiful, happy, playful girl who has blossomed and thrives in her forever home. She soaks up the love and attention when she is visited by her rescuers.

Update on Fiona 2013

Published on 26 Jun 2013

To really appreciate this video, please watch Fiona’s original rescue video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJkZXh… – Please share it. There are still a few billions of people who haven’t seen it yet. Thanks 🙂

To read the great article written by our friend Annie Hart and to see a few EXCLUSIVE pictures of Fiona, please click here:http://www.dogheirs.com/billfoundatio…

I am testing a new editing software. If anything looks weird / off / bad sound / bad colour / anything – please let me know in the comment section below.

Thanks!!!

Eldad

http://www.HopeForPaws.org

News Link:-http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2013/06/2-fiona-the-blind-dog-rescued-by-eldad-hagar-new-video-update-2013/