“All horses love to run, my horse loves to gallop (without any coaxing, i.e. kicked, whipped) on the beach; then she stops when she has had enough! But there is a big difference between letting them run freely & forcing them to carry on galloping, when they have given their all, by whipping etc. This just totally pxxxxs’s me off! Why? Because it’s all down to money!”
Two horses, both aged six-years-old, lost their lives at Plumpton Racecourse yesterday afternoon (Sunday 11 May).
In the first race of the day, Head Rush was pulled up injured, halfway through the two-mile hurdle race in which he was competing. Then, in the final event of the day, a National Hunt flat race, grey gelding Eastbury fell to the ground injured and was seen struggling to get up.
Horse deaths at Plumpton are not rare. Two other horses, Ironically and Business Mover, were killed in almost identical circumstances to yesterday’s victims on the same race day in May 2013. And a total of 29 horses have perished at the East Sussex course since March 2007.
“I know who I will be voting for; as a voice for animals!”
The European Elections take place on Thursday 22nd May. Since many laws relating to animals – including at slaughter and in vivisection laboratories – are generated in Europe, Animal Aid is asking you to do two things: 1) vote, and 2) think of the animals as you do so.
Animal Aid wrote to the key political parties standing at these elections to ask for their animal protection policies, and we also put to them five questions relating to animal issues affected by European laws. The Green Party, Animal Welfare Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru all responded in the required timeframe.
The Conservatives, UKIP, the SNP, Sinn Fein, UUP and the Democratic Unionists did not respond at all.
The Green Party supports an end to live export from theUK; mandatory CCTV for all slaughterhouses; ‘absolutely’ opposes cages for egg-laying hens, farrowing crates for pigs and zero grazing of farmed animals; is committed to ending animal experimentation and investing in non-animal replacements; and does not support the use of animals in circuses, horse racing, dog racing or sport shooting. Green Party candidates are standing in every region.
The Animal Welfare Party is a new political party focused squarely on being a voice for animals in Europe. It opposes live transportation of animals; supports mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses; opposes cages for hens, farrowing crates for pigs and zero grazing; supports a phase-out of all animal use in laboratories; and opposes all use of animals in sport and entertainment. The Animal Welfare Party is standing in London only.
“Remember the sad story of Borko, the little disabled street puppy taken in by Dr. Litov in Bulgaria? A Lynch Mob and the Media staged a shameful act of barbaric abuse on the dog & used intimidation in order to force the village Doctor, out of his home and work, only because he is helping the strays in the village, where there is no vet and no shelter. Well thankfully there’s good news on Borko… Dr. Litov went to court regards the above & threat of eviction! Read on, K9 Rescue still need help in their mission to help the voiceless street animals!”
Borko As He Was
PLEASE share my story and let the world know that the Government in Bulgaria are not enforcing laws against acts of animal cruelty and that they are allowing kind people who help animals like me to be persecuted and removed from their home.
In other news, Dr Litov had his first court victory on 25th April when the Judge suspended the eviction notice, until the end of the trial, and now this week at the Administrative Court, the Regional Health Authority Inspector gave evidence and confirmed that all inspections carried out in the last few years showed no violations justifying an eviction.
The Court’s final ruling will be at the end of June, so please sign and keep sharing our Justice 4 Borko petition – we have 56k signatures so far – we need to aim for a target of 100k signatures for it to be taken seriously by the Government. Borko and all the abused animals deserve our support! Thank you! ♥
Borko gets his wheels!!
Published on 31 May 2013
If anyone would like to contribute towards the Media Campaign Expenses, please use the link below – thank
“OMG…I FXXXXXG HATE THIS BLOOD SPORT….As a horse owner & lover for over 40 years; this just breaks my heart! TWO dead already, what is the Grand National going to be like…please pray all the horses get round the course safely; and go home safely, not dying of heart attacks or burst arteries after the race. R.I.P Little Josh x”
The Grand National meeting at Aintree suffered its second fatality today as the Little Josh, ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies, had to be put down after fracturing his shoulder.
The news comes after the meeting’s first casualty yesterday, when Battlefront suffered a suspected heart attack after being pulled up in the John Smith’s Fox Hunters’ Chase.
It is a further blow for Aintree officials after the course revamp before the meeting.
Carnage: Runners and riders are left strewn across the Aintree turf during the Fox Hunters’ Chase
Fox Hunters’ Chase In which Battlefront died of a heart attack after being pulled up
Aintree has revamped the course fences to make them safer for competing horses after criticism of the meeting’s Saturday showpiece branding it dangerous after seeing two fatalities – According to Pete and Synchronised – in last year’s National.
John Baker, Aintree and North West Regional Director of Jockey Club Racecourses, expressed his sympathies but defended the sport.
Tragic: Battlefront, ridden by Katy Walsh (left), suffered a suspected heart attack after being pulled up
‘British racing is very open that you can never eliminate all risk from horse racing, as with any sport.
However, welfare standards are very high and equine fatalities are rare.
‘With 90,000 runners each year, we have a fatality rate of just 0.2 per cent.’
Andrew Tyler, director of Animal Aid, described the carnage at Aintree as ‘utterly depressing’.
He said: ‘The Aintree authorities and the British Horse Racing Authority have been claiming that major new safety measures and efficiencies would eliminate much of the risk associated with racing on the Grand National course.”
Notorious: Bechers’ Brook (above) has claimed many casualties in the past
“But today’s Fox Hunters’ Chase, (4/4/2013) in which Battlefront lost his life, was stomach-wrenchingly chaotic from start to finish Several horses fell or were pulled up, tired and potentially injured.”
“It was both utterly depressing and served as confirmation that the Aintree authorities have got it badly wrong once again.”
“Please sign the petitions in the following related posts related articles…this race has to stop or at the very least, the jumps much smaller & a shorter distance to run!”
“It will be amazing if this really happens, praying it does & that it will be the start of many more rescues of these beautiful sentient beings!”
World-renowned dolphin activist Richard O’Barry has praised Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan for agreeing to help end the dolphin trade in Indonesia.
The minister met with O’Barry and the JakartaAnimal Aid Network on Tuesday following a discussion last week on dolphin protection.
Patrons interact with dolphins at Akame restaurant in Bali on Wednesday. Th Forestry Minister has called for their release. (EPA Photo)
Zulkifli on Wednesday travelled to Bali to investigate dolphins being kept inside Akame restaurant, which were captured by the travel show company Wersut Seguni Indonesia.
“I think he’s a hero. He never knew about the issue and as soon as he did he moved to action,” O’Barry said. “He’s going to get lots of positive international public attention for what he’s doing.”
O’Barry, who stars in the Academy Award-winning documentary “The Cove,” first came to Indonesia after hearing about what he believed to be the last travelling dolphin circus in the world.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the minister said he was shocked to learn about travelling dolphin shows and that he wanted to work with the JAAN to protect dolphins.
In 2010, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the JAAN and the Forest Ministry to protect, save and rehabilitate captured dolphins in Indonesia.
However, since March 2011, following a change in the director of the ministry, the discussions stalled.
JAAN co-founder Femke den Haasalleged that local levels of the forestry agency prevented the minister being informed about the issue, as they were receiving kickbacks from the travelling dolphin shows. She added that JAAN had been trying to reach the minister for two years.
Zulkifli said that he had not received letters sent to him about the issue and was not aware that an MoU had been signed.
“It was hidden from him because people were looking for profit, not protection,” she said.
O’Barry said he was confident the minister did not know the true depth of the issue until last week’s discussion.
“ I’m 73 and I’ve learned to be able to read people’s body language. When I gave him the MoU [at the discussion], I could tell he was reading it for the first time,” he said.
The JAAN hopes the captive dolphins at the Bali restaurant will be the first candidates to go to a dolphin rehabilitation center inKarimunjawa, Central Java.
The center is currently empty, but is ready to admit dolphins. O’Barry said it was not common for dolphins to be rehabilitated.
“When they get captured, they rarely get another chance at life,” he said.
30 years since campaigning to free captive dolphins i stumbled on these pathetic conditions in a new purpose built resort at LOVINA, BALI I have been offering to the owners the concept that this six year old prison where there are 3 of the original 4 dolphins performing regular circus acts several times a day – and have to put up with the invasion of humans paying for a ‘unique spiritual experience’ see for yourself it is my intention to use my expertise and social network to stage serious educational, spiritual and healing events at this resort if the owner will allow us to set the captives free as the waters around bali are swarming with free ranging dolphins DOLPHINS DIE IN CAPTIVITY one has already since it opened dr estelle myers estellejmyers@gmail.com
Campaigners from Tonbridge-based Animal Aid have been picketing near the big top in London Road, urging the public to boycott the show.
Animal Aid’s head of education, Mark White, said the animal circus was “outdated”.
He told the Courier: “It’s totally demeaning and depressing watching these proud and majestic animals perform parlour tricks.
“How can they justify using animals like tigers? It’s not entertaining, it’s not educational.
“The way they have to confine the animals is totally unsuitable and then they’re being dragged around the country in wagons. It’s outdated, it belongs in the past.”
In March the Government announced a ban on use of wild animals in circuses could be in place before the next general election in 2015.
The 20-strong group of protestors will be demonstrating until the last show on Sunday, which also includes llamas, reindeer, donkeys and Fresian horses.
Mr White said: “We’ll be there every day to try and persuade people not to go in. We’ve had lots of support from people driving past hooting and waving.
“It was youngsters who came in to our offices to say the circus was in town. They started to get the ball rolling, which was great.”
However, on the opening night the show didn’t go ahead.
Mr White said: “People are just not interested in animal circuses anymore. The fact the show didn’t happen illustrated that.”
Circus owner Martin Lacey said: “When I see them protesting year after a year, it makes us more determined to carry on.
“We will not be bullied by these societies. If for a moment I thought I was doing something wrong or cruel I wouldn’t do it.“Ok then, openly show the public how you train your tigers to do the tricks…show us how you get a tiger to do what you want… how do you overpower him, make it known that you are the boss & will not take any naughty behavior…without whips etc!! Sadly you can’t, because tigers will not perform of their own free will, which means you have to force them or coerce them with whips…whips are cruel, do don’t do it!”
“We’re inspected regularly and follow the regulations. “Yes, but you also know what date & time the investigators are going to be there…plenty time to tidy your act, so to speak!”
“People are not losing interest, we are in the middle of a recession, all entertainment businesses are down.” “Sorry your wrong mate, people are losing interest because they now know all the dirty tricks of the circus. They know all about the beatings it takes, to make animals do something which is totally un-natural for their species… the public have seen, through undercover investigations, animals being cruelly abused! No animal performs for the fun of it…if they did, they would be caught doing it in the wild…but they are not…they are forced into doing pathetic tricks by bullying tactics & beatings!”
PROTESTERS from a Tonbridge animal welfare group are urging the public to boycott a circus that arrived in town this week.
The Great British Circus – one of the last in the country to include wild animals such as tigers, zebra and camels – arrived at Mabledon Farm near Southborough on Tuesday.
The number of racehorses destroyed in the UK’sabattoirs has more than doubled over the last year, triggering calls from animal rights groups for the racing industry to do more to help thoroughbreds once their racing careers are over.
The rise comes as charities warn that the recession is having an effect on the welfare of all types of horses and ponies, with many owners struggling to pay for the upkeep of their animals.
Yesterday’s Epsom Derby, attended by an estimated 200,000 racegoers, proved the continuing popularity of horse racing. But critics say not enough money generated by the industry is being allocated for the welfare of thoroughbreds after their racing careers have finished.
A report by the British Horseracing Authority says that in 2011 the number of thoroughbreds reported dead to the horse passport issuing authority rose by 29%, from 1,994 in 2010 to 2,574.
Dene Stansall, horse racing consultant at Animal Aid, a charity that campaigns against horse racing, described the report’s figures as disturbing. “They [the horse racing authority] have not got to grips with the problem,” he said. “For years more horses have been bred than have been needed.”
But Professor Tim Morris, director of equine science and welfare at the authority, said the figures should be seen in the context of the 1 million horses on the UK’s equine database. “While a 126% increase may sound a lot, in absolute terms it’s not a big number,” Morris said, pointing out that the industry was heavily regulated so that the welfare of its animals was often to a higher standard than that afforded other types of horses and ponies.
“To solve this problem we’ve got to stop breeding so many, and then we won’t have to put so many down,” said Carrie Humble, an independent equine welfare consultant. “But I would rather see these overproduced horses dead than suffering.”
Morris said the industry had taken steps to reduce the number of horses entering racing to ensure there was not an oversupply of thoroughbreds during the economic downturn.
The authority report notes: “From 2008 to 2011 there has been an overall reduction of 38% in foals registered (falls of 45% in Ireland and 24% in Great Britain).”
But Stansall questioned whether the trend would continue downwards: “Whilst the supply has gone down, as soon as the economy picks up it will rise again.” Stansall said that, as many racehorses were owned by syndicates, it made it difficult to determine who should take responsibility for the horse’s future welfare after it had finished racing.
“If you’ve got a racehorse you have to commit to that animal,” he said, pointing out it often took a couple of years to calm the horse down so that it could be ridden by non-jockeys.
The disposal of horses in UK abattoirs is part of a wider European trend. The number of horses slaughtered at DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) abattoirs in Ireland rose from 3,220 in 2009 to 7,296 in 2010.
Despite widespread support from both the public and MPs for a complete ban on the use of wild animals in circuses, the government is continuing to pursue an expensive and ill-conceived inspection and licensing regime. Such a system would not prevent animals in circuses from suffering.
Animal Aid, along with several other animal groups, have issued a public statement saying that nothing less than a complete ban on the use of wild animals in circuses can be justified.
Two slaughtermen who were filmed beating pigs and stubbing cigarettes out their faces were today jailed.Piotr Andrzej Wasiuta, 30 and Kelly Smith, 40, were secretly filmed by animal rights group Animal Aid, who hid cameras in pig pens at Cheale Meats in Brentwood, Essex.
Kelly Smith
Members of the charity group wept today as the pair admitted cruelty charges and were sentenced to a total of 10 weeks behind bars at Westminster Magistrates Court.
In the distressing video, Wasiuta can be seen pushing a lit cigarette onto the forehead and snout of three different pigs and forcing hot ash into one of the animals’ faces as it squirms to get away.
Abuse: Wasiuta will spend six weeks behind bars after admitting stubbing cigarettes out in a number of pigs in his care
His actions earned him a six-week jail sentence.
In another clip, Smith, an experienced slaughterman of 14 years, is seen beating the animals with the edge of a ‘slapper’ used to move the pigs around the pens before slaughter.
He is later filmed hitting one pig 30 times in a minute – forcing the animal to sit down and pant heavily during the tirade of blows.
The 40-year-old father-of-three was jailed for four weeks.
Prosecutor Duncan Penny explained to the court how the footage was obtained by a contractor at the slaughterhouse who had ties to Animal Aid.
Stress: Smith claimed he was under intense pressure when he carried out the abuse
The filmed abuse took place in March and April 2011.
Describing abuse carried out by Smith, he said:’These acts were pointless, served no purpose and demonstrated to his colleagues his contempt for the animals he was dealing with
Jeremy Sirrell, defending Smith, said the beatings happened when he was under ‘extreme pressure’ at work.
‘They were expected to slaughter 1500 animals, or units as the company would call it,’ he said.
‘It is a matter of some irony, that this extreme pressure bore out of more animals being taken from another slaughter house in proximity having been closed down as a result, quite rightly, of activity by Animal Aid.’
Sundeep Pahkhania, defending Wasiuta, said he had been working in the slaughter house for under two months, and the abuse was part of a wider culture and couldn’t explain he behaviour.
‘In the CCTV, you can see another operative walking by, and he mentions nothing,’ he said.
WARNING: This film contains scenes that viewers may find disturbing.
‘I suggest there was an established culture of this kind of behaviour. ‘He walks into it as very much a newbie. ‘He realises now it was unacceptable, unlawful and is disgusted with himself.’
As he sentenced them both, Magistrate John Newgas told Wasiuta and Smith: ‘You have both seen the pictures of what took place. ‘They show clear animal cruelty no doubt about it.
‘You should have known what you were doing was wrong, and must have known it was wrong.’
Both men have since been sacked from their jobs at the slaughterhouse.
Animal Aid’s Head of Campaigns, Kate Fowler said the organisation was pleased with the result of the case – but urged the government to investigate two further slaughterhouses, claiming animals abuse is widespread across the industry.
She said: ‘We are satisfied that Wasiuta and Smith have now been brought to justice.
‘Their acts of cruelty were inexcusable and caused untold suffering to animals who were already scared and vulnerable.
‘However, many other slaughterhouse workers, who also caused serious and deliberate suffering to animals, have escaped justice because this government refused to act.
‘We are now calling on the Food Standards Agency to look again at two other cases to see whether charges may be brought under the Animal Welfare Act.
‘Our detailed investigations have found illegality in eight of the nine slaughterhouses we visited, despite government-appointed vets being present in all of them.
‘The current regulatory system does not work.
‘It does not catch those who abuse animals. But this case proves that properly placed and independently-monitored cameras do work, and we renew our call for Defra to make CCTV mandatory to catch those who abuse animals and to act as a disincentive to those who might consider it.’
“I say get CCTV in all slaughter & farm businesses..The public have a right to know how the animals they are buying, have been treated !!!”
Two former slaughtermen from Essex who were secretly filmed attacking pigs have been warned they could face jail after admitting animal cruelty offences.
Piotr Andrzej Wasiuta, 29, from Southend, Essex, was seen stubbing a lit cigarette on pigs’ snouts three times in CCTV footage shown to Westminster Magistrates’ Court in central London.
Kelly Smith, 40, from Benfleet, Essex, used excessive force to strike pigs with a baton on two separate occasions after getting frustrated with the animals, the court heard.
Both men were working for Cheale Meats at Orchard Farm in Little Warley, Brentwood, Essex, when the offences took place in March and April last year.
Wasiuta admitted three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a pig, under the Animal Welfare Act, while Smith – who had worked at Cheale Meats for “a considerable period of time”, the court was told – admitted two such charges. Two other charges originally faced by Smith were withdrawn by the prosecution.
An investigator from animal rights’ group Animal Aid had placed a covert camera on the premises to capture the footage of the cruelty carried out by the two men.
The pigs were attacked while in holding pens, before being stunned and then slaughtered, prosecutor Duncan Penny said.
Mr Penny said Smith had shown “violent frustration bordering on cruelty”, hitting one pig more than 30 times in 62 seconds.
The fact that both defendants were in positions of responsibility and used weapons are aggravating factors, the prosecutor added.
Chairman of the Bench Jeffrey Manton said “all options”, including custody, would be considered when Wasiuta and Smith are sentenced on April 25. The offence carries a maximum sentence of a six-month jail term, or £20,000 fine, or both. The men, who are of previous good character, were released on bail.
DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS BLOG - SOME PICTURES & VIDEOS CAN & WILL BE VERY GRAPHIC - SO PLEASE, VIEW THIS BLOG AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
You can find out more about me & this blog by reading "ABOUT THIS BLOG" on the menu (when i finish it) lol
PLEASE NOTE.....
Not all of my posts will be current news, or even about animal abuse! I do like to share other animal news, uplifting stories or videos; some that are funny or just touch the heart!
If I have anything to say on any post, you will see it in bold blue writing. I try to remain a lady, but it's hard to contain my anger & emotions at the some of the stories I post; I don’t have a heart of stone, tears stain many articles I write!
Lastly, my apologies for any errors; I am learning whilst posting, so if you find anything that doesn't work or a broken link, sorry, I'm only human!!!!
ABOUT THESE POSTS
I would just like to make readers aware, that I search for stories on the internet; regards animal abuse etc. I copy stories etc. from the internet; assuming these stories are correct at time of publishing. Having said that, sometimes the press get it wrong! So I just want to add that at the time of me posting a news story, I presume all the facts seem present & correct.
Please note....all people mentioned in this blog, are presumed innocent, until proven otherwise, in a court of law.
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For anyone wishing to connect to me via my Facebook page...PLEASE NOTE, ONLY PEOPLE I ADD AS ANIMAL ADVOCATES CAN SEE MY WHOLE PAGE...I do this out of respect for those friends I have who do not wish to see graphic images, videos or links of animal abuse!
As 99% of my page is animal related; anyone not in the above group of friends; will only see a limited amount of posts!!
DUE TO ANIMAL HATERS...I WILL ONLY ADD PEOPLE WHO CAN PROVE WHO THEY ARE via Facebook, Wordpress, Twitter etc. & WHO HAVE A GENUINE INTEREST IN ANIMAL WELFARE... i.e. if your Facebook page has absolutely nothing to do with animals, I see no point in joining my page. My Facebook is solely for animal welfare, I am not interested in playing games etc. I don't mean to sound rude but I am not interested in the amount of friends I have, its the quality of those friends that count.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND REQUESTS FOR YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN. I do not want anyone to be upset by graphic images etc.
My aim is to educate & raise awareness to the horrors animals face, at the hands of humans, every day, around the world!!
We can not hope to achieve better laws, to protect animals, unless we unite as one, to speak up for those who are voiceless!!
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DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS BLOG - SOME PICTURES & VIDEOS CAN & WILL BE VERY GRAPHIC - SO PLEASE, VIEW THIS BLOG AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
STOP ANIMAL ABUSE 
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