Mendoza Zoo: Horrors The Animals Face; Please Sign Petitions

“OMG…what a life…the poor animals, they all look like they have lost the will to live; having seen their habitats, I’m not surprised. Watch the following videos, does this look like a polar bear in good condition, or a bear that wished his life away to end the loneliness & torment of being held captive?? People actually pay to see a polar bear going crazy…WTF…how is this allowed to happen??? People pay to see animals suffering; don’t they see it is wrong?? Please sign all the petitions below to try & end the miserable lives of all the inhabitants of this appalling zoo!

Polar Bear Bedroom Arturo November 2013

Published on November 24, 2013

Visit Arthur’s bedroom Polar Bear November 24, 2013 
Mr. Norberto Filippo shows where we rest and cool looking animal in summer -. 
ecological STATES

“This poor polar bear just goes back & forth, he doesn’t even resemble a polar bear, he looks like a brown bear! Just look at his pool, would you want to swim in that?? This bear is in solitary confinement; literally going stir crazy…I feel so bad for this poor bear; I would gladly put a bullet in him to stop his suffering!

Arturo Zoocosis polar bear in JULY

Published on July 18, 2013

POLAR BEAR ARTURO in Mendoza Zoo, in the month of July 2013 
In this video we see him with his long zoocosis of that terrible loneliness that afflicts us -. Walk from one side to another, always in the same place and that grievance and complaint grin on his face that hurts our souls -. 
their cage We watched from above and do not understand much abuse towards an animal that should be walking on ice and surrounded by sea -. 
CONTINUE IN THE STRUGGLE FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY LIFE 
ecological STATES

Mendoza Zoo: captivity is inseparable from suffering…it’s fxxxxxg appalling:–

Speciesism Zero documents the horror Mendoza Zoo

Published on 20 Mar 2013

The stark reality of zoos. 
March 2013 -. Images taken at the zoo in Mendoza, Argentina on 18 June 1903 are the first animals brought. From that time many other animals were taken there to be exhibited and used for commercial gain and environmentalists as if their lives do not import them or belonged to them. Zoos, contrary to what many people think, are centers where animals suffer and suffer all kinds of hardships. The animals in zoos are caged for life by depriving them of the opportunity to develop their interests and needs. A Zero activist Speciesism imaged stress, anxiety, sadness and suffering zoocosis animals. The unfair reality of Arthur around more visible than other captive animals in the zoo, as the last polar bear Argentina. He presents a clear case of zoocosis. His life was all I had, the least that we should not take.* The zoocóticos animals have suffered mental damage due to captivity, showing obsessive, repetitive behaviors and abnormal.If an animal has no control over his life, not being able to exercise or stimulate your mind begins to develop a series of repetitive or stereotyped ¨ ¨ behaviors. The zoocosis may also include self-mutilating behaviors. * The zoocosis was detected not only in captive animals in zoos, but also in animals used on farms, circuses, animal testing laboratories and other operating centers. If you care about animals, not go to the zoo. financies not slavery of animals. More info:http://especismocero.org/entretenimie … [PHOTOS] Research:http://www.facebook.com/media/set/? is …

Videos showing the appalling conditions these animals live in!

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k26qGerE9F4
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtezQI49ZoY
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9trVDdWc98
• Speciesism Zero documents the horror Mendoza Zoo:-http://youtu.be/Y9trVDdWc98
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C09gd_D22Bk
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5O7FOZh1Ps

The following is copied & pasted as is, for & on behalf of Tony Zadel

SAVE THE POLAR BEAR and all animals, closing the Mendoza Zoo and transforming it into RESERVE

►PET.1 http://www.change.org/es-AR/peticiones/salvemos-al-oso-polar-y-a-todos-los-animales-cerrando-el-zoo-de-mendoza-y-transformandolo-en-reserva
►PET.2 http://www.change.org/es-AR/peticiones/guido-loza-director-del-zoo-de-mendoza-permitan-el-traslado-del-oso-polar-arturo-a-canadá-para-que-sobreviva
►PET.3 http://www.change.org/es/peticiones/al-gobierno-de-mendoza-y-director-del-zoológico-mendocino-traslado-urgente-del-oso-polar-arturo-a-canadá
►PET.4 http://www.change.org/es-AR/peticiones/intendente-y-gobernador-de-mendoza-argentina-que-se-cierre-el-zoo-urgente
►PET.5 http://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/please-allow-arturo-to-have-a-better-life-in-the-assiniboine-park-zoo-in-canada
►PET.6 http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/liberen-al-oso-polar-arturo-de-su-infierno-en-el-zoo-de.html
►PET.7 http://www.thepetitionsite.com/825/945/466/salvemos-la-vida-del-oso-polar-arturo-del-zoolgico-de-mendoza-el-calor-infernal-lo-est-matando
►PET.8 http://www.thepetitionsite.com/100/163/443/arthur-is-dying-please-help-to-close-the-mendoza-zoo/
►PET.9https://secure.avaaz.org/es/petition/Cristina_Fernandez_de_Kirchner_Francisco_Perez_Liberacion_del_oso_polar_Arturo_en_el_Zoologico_de_Mendoza/
►PET.10https://secure.avaaz.org/es/petition/Sr_Gobernador_de_la_Provincia_de_Mendoza_Dr_Francisco_Perez_Salvemos_la_vida_del_oso_polar_Arturo_el_calor_lo_esta_matan

BACKGROUND: (UPDATE: 20 DECEMBER-2013)
◕Activists struggle to get elderly polar bear out of the Argentina heat..!
Arturo is a 28-year-old polar bear who lives in a zoo in Mendoza, Argentina. Activists have been campaigning to get him out of Mendoza for months, saying the scorching hot weather is taking a toll on him. A zoo in Canada has even offered to adopt him, but local authorities have swayed back and forth on whether to let him go.
◕According to his keepers, Arturo was born in captivity in the United States. He has spent two decades in Mendoza’s zoo, where he is the only polar bear. Local activists have published multiple videos showing his living conditions online, and petitioned the zoo to let him go to Canada – but despite their continuing efforts, it seems he may not be leaving his pen anytime soon.
◕In the wild, polar bears live an average of 15 to 18 years. However, in captivity, they can live well into their 30s; one bear in a Canadian zoo lived to be 42.

✦✦READ THIS REPORT:From Maria Fernanda Arentsen is originally from Mendoza, Argentina. She works as a university professor in Winnipeg, Canada.

“There is no way for him to escape the heat, which can rise to more than 40 degrees Celsius in Mendoza”

◕◕I first heard of Arturo’s plight through friends of mine in Mendoza who are part of environmental groups there. It was clear from their reports and from videos they filmed of Arturo that he was suffering from the terrible heat in Mendoza, which is not suitable for an animal meant to live in much colder temperatures. We became especially worried about his situation after another polar bear kept in a zoo in Buenos Aires died from the effects of the heat there last year. And that bear lived in much better conditions, in an enclosure with a deep pool and big blocks of ice

.◕As you can see in the videos,(**see below) Arturo lives in a concrete enclosure with only a shallow pool. There is no way for him to escape the heat, which can rise to more than 40 degrees Celsius during the summer months in Mendoza. [The polar bear in Buenos Aires, who was 16 years old, died on a day with a high of 36.7 degrees]. He has been filmed rocking back and forth in a way that animal experts say signals distress. It breaks my heart to see this.◕◕Since I live in an area that is much more suitable for polar bears, I contacted a polar bear conservatory here, which offered to send their experts to evaluate Arturo’s condition and, if he was found fit to travel, take him back to their centre to live out the rest of his life, at no cost to the Mendoza zoo.◕At first, Mendoza zoo officials refused, but then changed their minds and invited the conservatory’s experts to come see Arturo in November. However, just days before the scheduled trip – when the Canadian experts had already booked their tickets, packed all their equipment, etc – the invitation was retracted. [Editor’s Note: The province’s environment minister commented on this decision in a local radio interview by saying that the Canadians were “like pirates” who wanted to steal their bear, and alleged that the trip would kill him.] We were all very disappointed by their decision.
“It seems to me that the zoo is putting its pride ahead of Arturo’s well-being”◕It seems to me that the Mendoza authorities are putting their pride ahead of Arturo’s well-being – and may not want to lose an attraction that brings revenue to the zoo.◕◕Activists in Mendoza are not giving up the fight, however; they have collected more than 60,000 signatures and presented the petition to the local governor. My fingers are crossed, though I worry that nothing will change as long as the local authorities are in office.✦✦FRANCE 24 contacted Don Peterkin, the director of Winnipeg’s Assinoibe Park Conservancy. He replied with the following statement: “We have left our offer to accept Arturo open but have not had any recent communications with officials in Mendoza. As Arturo is ultimately their responsibility, we have to leave the next step, if any, to their discretion.”

✦✦Representatives for the Mendoza zoo did not reply to an interview request by press time; when they respond, we will include their comments here.
Source:http://observers.france24.com/content/20131220-arturo-polar-bear-argentina-heat

✦✦VIDEOS:PLEASE WATCH THESE 2 VIDEOS OF THE CONDITIONS OF ARTURO THE POLAR BEAR IN MENDOZA ZOO
◕VIDEO:1 Published on Mar 26, 2013
Sadly we can observe the behavior and suffering from a life behind bars, “Arthur” is the last polar bear Argentine zoos, and hopefully so is to not have more of their kind to suffer captivity like.No species should be behind bars..
►http://youtu.be/A_HeschSqss
◕VIDEO:2 Mendoza Zoo, exhibition ‘POLAR BEAR’
repeated movements, permanent complaint, the closure put him insane?
►http://youtu.be/X_X-tZPT6Ys

✦✦Watch as these 2 videos of Arturo the Polar Bear IN WINTER:loneliness…!!
▬►http://youtu.be/_93JILqnQOM
▬►http://youtu.be/K7RhUGhnadg
—————————-
✦✦MENDOZA ZOO IS ALREADY KNOWN FOR THE VERY MISERABLE CONDITIONS OF THE ANIMALS..
This video, filmed by activists, shows several different animals in their pens at Mendoza zoo, including Arturo.

Published on Mar 20, 2013

The stark reality of the zoo.. 
March 2013 -. Images taken at the zoo in Mendoza, Argentina on 18 June 1903 are the first animals brought. From that time many other animals were taken there to be exhibited and used for commercial gain and environmentalists as if their lives do not import them or belonged to them. Zoos, contrary to what many people think, are centers where animals suffer and suffer all kinds of hardships.

The animals in zoos are caged for life by depriving them of the opportunity to develop their interests and needs. A Zero activist Speciesism imaged stress, anxiety, sadness and suffering zoochosis animals. The unfair reality of Arthur around more visible than other captive animals in the zoo, as the last polar bear Argentina. He presents a clear case of zoochosis. His life was all I had, the least that we should not take. * The zoocóticos animals have suffered mental damage due to captivity, showing obsessive, repetitive behaviors and abnormal.

If an animal has no control over his life, not being able to exercise or stimulate your mind begins to develop a series of repetitive or stereotyped ¨ ¨ behaviours. The zoochosis may also include self-mutilating behaviors. * The zoochosis was detected not only in captive animals in zoos, but also in animals used on farms, circuses, animal testing laboratories and other operating centers. If you care about animals, not go to the zoo. financies not slavery of animals

◕◕Watch the video here:▬►http://youtu.be/Y9trVDdWc98
✦✦More infos here:http://especismocero.org/entretenimiento/51-zoologicos
✦✦PICTURES:
WATCH THE MISERABLE PICTURES OF THESE POOR ANIMALS HELD IN THIS HORRIFIC ZOO HERE: ▬►https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151628356497868.1073741826.171422327867
Thank You~Tony Zadel – Copyright(©)—

— with Isabel Barros.

Please Help Stop The Blood Sport – Bear Baiting In Pakistan & South Carolina

In rural Pakistan, up to 2,000 spectators will assemble to watch a tethered and clawless bear set upon by trained fighting dogs.

Dogs attack during a bear baiting event, Pakistan © WSPA/Mark Riss

The brutal but lucrative contests are organised by powerful local landlords. They own and train the dogs, which are also victims of this ‘sport’, encouraging ferocity in attack situations.

The bears are owned by Kalanders – traditional bear owners –who are paid by the landlords to bring the bears to fight.

Bear baiting is banned by the Pakistan Wildlife Act and contravenes Islamic teachings, which forbid the baiting of animals.

 Taking action

WSPA and member society the Pakistan Biodiversity Research Centre (PBRC) have helped to dramatically reduce the number of bear baiting events in recent years, by:

• Campaigning to bring awareness of international opposition to the ‘sport’ to the Pakistani authorities.
• Working with the Pakistani government and wildlife officials to halt the fights and look at alternative livelihoods for bear owners.
• Monitoring the numbers of captive bears and pushing for prosecution.
• Building the Kund Park sanctuary, providing a home for confiscated bears.
• Educating potential spectators through a mobile phone awareness unit and religious teachings. Our anti-bear baiting message has been delivered in over 9,000 mosques to a potential audience of over 1 million people.
• Calling for greater action to prevent illegal bear cub poaching. A Pakistan-wide educational programme has raised awareness of the issue.

Support our work

Thanks to your help, WSPA has tracked down and stopped many bear baiting events. We’re getting closer to ending this brutal blood sport altogether.

But there is still much more work to be done.

WSPA needs to gain political support for our call to make bear ownership illegal. Please support us so more wild bears can be made safe to enjoy a life free from fear and injury.

News Link:–http://www.wspa.org.uk/wspaswork/bears/bearbaiting/default.aspx

Imagine a bear, tethered to a post, set upon by up to four trained fighting dogs. Hundreds of people are watching.

A dog’s mouth is bloodied from bear baiting

The dogs, which are also at risk of injury, are groomed to be extremely aggressive. Their ferocity is a matter of pride for the owner, who reaps the financial rewards of the baiting, which is illegal in Pakistan.

The crowd knows that the tethered bear is suffering a further handicap. Its claws and teeth will have been removed – an agonising mutilation for which anaesthetic is rarely used.

The ‘contest’ lasts for three rounds. As the dogs are encouraged to attack, the bear will tire and weaken, until it is unable to remain upright.

This is when the bear’s face and neck become vulnerable to the dogs’ teeth. They hang from the bear’s mouth and lips as they try to drag it to the floor. If they succeed, the dogs ‘win’ the round; if the bear stays on its feet, it has ‘won’.

Bears sustain more injuries than dogs in these savage stand-offs, suffering ripped noses and mouths. The dogs’ jaws, clamped around the bear’s nose, are prized apart using sticks.

Most bears are permanently scarred, but the killing of either animal is avoided – they are too valuable. The bears live on to suffer further at the hands of their owners.

Help WSPA end bear baiting

Working with the Pakistani authorities and the Pakistan Biodiversity Research Centre (PBRC), WSPA is halting an increasing number of bear baiting events.

Your donation will fund our work to continue and help WSPA reach our ultimate goal – to stamp out bear baiting for good.

News Link:-http://www.wspa.org.uk/wspaswork/bears/bearbaiting/savagebloodsport.aspx

PLEASE HELP STOP BEAR BAITING IN PAKISTAN 

This Video is Graphic – Viewer Discretion Advised

Published on 15 Jul 2012

Bear Baiting is a cruel bloodsport in which pairs of dogs are set upon a tethered bear. Although it has been declared illegal in Pakistan for quite some time now, it continues unpunished to this day. For more information on bear baiting, visit WSPA’s website http://www.wspa.org.uk

World Society for the Protection of Animals
Producer: WSPA

I have some wonderful news to share with you – Sammy – the bear featured in a recent WSPA appeal – has now been rescued from the cruel blood sport of bear baiting.
Sammy (pictured before her rescue) is now safe from harm and recovering in the WSPA-funded sanctuary in Pakistan. Her life of fear and violence is over and a new life of peace, safety and wide open spaces is just beginning.

To mark this new beginning, Sammy has been given a beautiful new name: Yarrow, which means healing.

Because of WSPA supporters like you, she will have a safe and peaceful life in the sanctuary. 
Thank you

Victor Watkins.

2 more bears rescued from a life of bear baiting in Pakistan :-
WSPA’s partner group BRC have rescued two more bears from the bear baiting industry and brought them to Balkasar to start a new life. The bears are now in quarantine and will be released into a large enclosure when their injuries have healed.

Dora, meaning ‘gift’, is pictured before the handover. She was used in bear baiting for about 5 years. Partner group BRC took her in September 2012 after her owner gave her up as part of the alternative livelihood programme. Dora has severe facial injuries, including a pierced tongue, that BRC are treating in quarantine.

Shaad is a six year old female used in the bear baiting industry. She was rescued by partner group BRC in September 2012 after her owner gave her up as part of the alternative livelihood programme. Shaad meaning ‘happy’ is pictured before the handover. Her facial wounds were treated on arrival at the Balkasar sanctuary

Shaad arrives at Balkasar sanctuary, run by partner group BRC. Her nose ring and ropes are cut away by a member of staff which is one of the most important moments of her new life.

Link:–https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151307561277697.491163.35671512696&type=1

Face Book Link:–https://www.facebook.com/wspauk

The following is posted for & on behalf of fellow animal advocate Tony Zadel

BEAR BAITING A SHAME ON HUMANITY !

Also known as “bear baying” by some, is a very cruel & barbaric show for sick sadistic pervert persons..an event where participants release their pit bull dogs to attack a tethered, captive bear, who has had his claws and some of his teeth cut off, leaving him totally defenceless .The poor bear is so terrified, that he pee’s in fear when he hears the dogs barking and rushing at him…you can imagine why, because he can’t defend himself as usually with no teeth and no claw’s and beside that he is chained and can only move around 5″ ft!

PLEASE SIGN & SHARE WIDELY THOSE ►►10 PETITIONS !! IN SOUTH CAROLINA (USA),IT IS STILL LEGAL!

PET ►1.http://www.thepetitionsite.com/458/076/794/ban-bear-baiting-competitions/

PET ►2.http://www.change.org/petitions/boycott-south-carolina-until-they-outlaw-bear-baiting

PET ►3.http://forcechange.com/28658/outlaw-bear-baiting-in-south-carolina/

PET ►4.http://www.thepetitionsite.com/790/562/231/please-ask-new-hampshire-to-ban-bear-baiting/

PET ►5. http://www.change.org/petitions/government-of-alaska-stop-alaskas-officials-from-expanding-aerial-shooting-of-bears

PET ►6. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/469/495/493/boycott-south-carolina-until-they-outlaw-bear-baiting/

PET ►7.http://www.causes.com/causes/40328-wspa-put-an-end-to-bear-baiting/actions/1678749

PET ►8.http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-bear-baiting-in-pakistan.html

PET ►9.http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-the-bear-baiting-by-dogs-in-pakistan.html

PET►10.http://theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/campaign.faces?siteId=3&campaign=BearBaiting

► FORE MORE INFO GO TO :

http://observers.france24.com/content/20110308-pakistani-landlord-idea-fun-pitting-dogs-against-bears-bear-baiting

►  Also: https://preciousjules1985.wordpress.com/2012/08/03/petition-outlaw-bear-baiting-in-south-carolina/

►PLEASE WATCH & SHARE VIDEOS:- IN PAKISTAN! – Viewer Discretion Advised
http://youtu.be/-muhw83R8XY
http://youtu.be/f4nsZBJCytQ

►  IN THE US : ONLY IN SOUTH CAROLINA IT IS STILL LEGAL:- 
http://youtu.be/iKeBPtkqe_E

► PLEASE READ MORE ABOUT S.CAROLINA INFO HERE :-http://www.humanesoety.org/issues/campaigns/wildlife_abuse/bear_baiting_fact_sheet.html

BACKGROUND : –

Bear baiting is a terribly cruel and inhumane blood sport that for the most part still persists in the Punjab and Sindh regions of northern Pakistan. Even though it has been illegal in Pakistan since 1890 — through the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act — routine bear baiting events are still being held in the name of public entertainment. It is especially prevalent in the rural tribal regions.

At a typical bear baiting event, a bear is tethered to a post in the middle of a stadium. The rope or chain is between 2-5 meters long. The bear’s claws have been blunted, his/her canine teeth removed and a nose ring inserted. At least two dogs are then let loose to attack the tethered bear. The dogs are removed when the bear submits; this is seen when the bear rolls on the ground to avoid further attack by the dogs. The bear is forced to do this up to as much as ten times per day.

The average life expectancy of a wild bear is 20 years. Bears used for bear baiting have significantly shortened lives to 5-7 years at best.

BEAR BAITING:-

Of all the ways in which bears are mistreated around the world, the medieval sport of bear baiting must be the most barbaric and obscene.

The setting of pit bull terriers against bears inflicts appalling suffering on both animals. This activity, which was once widespread in Europe, is now only found is rural parts of Pakistan. Thankfully, after five years of campaigning, there are signs that bear baiting will be banished from this last strong hold.

Bear baiting has been illegal in Pakistan for more than 100 years, but WSPA’s first investigation, undertaken in 1993, found evidence of 80 different contests involving 300 bears.

Pakistan wildlife expert Inayat Chaudry, who undertook the survey, uncovered for the first time a network of hunters, wildlife dealers, gypsy bear owners and land owners which enabled bear baiting to thrive. And he revealed how the bears, whose teeth and claws were removed, were virtually defenceless against an onslaught from as many as eight dogs in one day.

 Blood Sport:-

Historically, bear baiting was popular in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, who was so fond of the sport she overruled Parliament when they attempted to ban bear baiting on Sundays. The practice was introduced to south Asian cultures by British colonizers in the mid-nineteenth century.

While the sport is illegal in Pakistan, it persists to this day. Land owners, called landlords in Pakistan, arrange bear baiting at village fairs.

Bear cubs are taken from the wild and held in captivity in small cages. Without adequate care and sustenance, the bears live lives of misery. Of course, the fight is manipulated in favour of the dogs because the bears are tied to a post and have their sharpest (canine) teeth removed and claws filed down to prevent the bear from adequately defending him/her self against the dogs.

“The physical and mental trauma these bears have endured means they will never be able to experience life in the wild. We need to provide them with the space, care, treatment and nourishment that they will need for the rest of their lives,” said Jan Schmidt-Burbach, WSPA’s Wildlife Veterinary Programmes Manager.

Posted for & on behalf of fellow animal advocate Tony Zadel

 

UPDATE: Guilty Pleas for Men Charged in Dog Stabbings

“The laws related to crimes like this need to be raised to felony charges! 7 months for their brutal attack is pathetic! When someone has purposefully & intentionally killed an animal without any provocation…what does that say about their state of mind? Will they have forgotten all about it in 7 months…No…likely to do something like this again..YES…but they will make sure they are undetected next time. Look at the anger, the evil in their eye’s…watch out for these names in the future, they have a mean streak, they will offend again!” 

UPDATE 9/13/12 @ 11:20 a.m.
LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) — “This is the meanest act I’ve ever seen,” were the words of Judge Oakley Clark Collins Jr. just before sentencing the two men who pleaded guilty to stabbing and slitting the throats of two dogs.

Jonathan Jiles, 20, of Pedro, and Brian Sharp, 20, of Pedro, pleaded guilty to prohibition concerning companion animals and criminal trespassing during a hearing in Ironton Municipal court Thursday morning.

Each man was sentenced to seven months in the county jail, three years probation and fined $1,200. They must also pay restitution of $800 to the dog’s owner and can’t own a penned animal for three years.

The dog’s owners, Josie and Michael Scythes, found “Bubba” and “Bear” stabbed to death in the front yard of their home in Pedro last month.

Sheriff Lawless says following their arrest, both men admitted to their involvement in the stabbings and said they were drunk at the time. They also said they did not target the owners of the dogs.

Both Jiles and Sharp told the court they were sorry for what they did but the dog’s owner said they wish more could be done in cases like this.

“I just couldn’t believe why they would do something like this. Why they would want to do it. I’m very pleased they got the max the law would allow for such a brutal act. It should be considered a felony,” said Josie Scytes.
UPDATE 8/30/12 @ 9:10 a.m.
LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) – A second person has been arrested in connection with the stabbing deaths of two dogs in Lawrence County, Ohio.

Sheriff Jeff Lawless says Jonathan Jiles, 20, of Pedro, was arrested Wednesday night. Brian Sharp, 20, of Pedro, was arrested Monday night.

Sheriff Lawless says both men admitted to their involvement in the stabbings and said they were drunk at the time. They also said they did not target the owners of the dogs.

The two dogs were found stabbed death in the front yard of a home in Pedro early Saturday morning.

Both men are charged with prohibition concerning companion animals. They are also charged with criminal trespassing.

When it came to choosing a charge, Lawless tells WSAZ.com that “When you have a crime like this, where people have targeted these innocent animals, we wanted to go after them. And as we looked at the statutes that would govern this for the Ohio Revised Code, cruelty to animals is certainly a charge that would stick so we wanted to research to see if there was something that was a little more stringent because we felt like the nature of the crime warranted a little bit more. So we were able to come up with a prohibition concerning companion animals charge.”

The charge is a misdemeanor one, compared to cruelty to animals being a misdemeanor two. The prohibition charge has a stiffer jail punishment.

The men face six months in jail if they are convicted.

ORIGINAL STORY 8/27/12 @ 12:30 p.m.
LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) — A family from Lawrence County, Ohio is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who can help find the person who stabbed their two dogs to death over the weekend.

Josie Scythes says it happened sometime early Saturday morning outside her home in the 300 block of State Route 373 in Pedro.

She and her husband found their two dogs with multiple stab wounds and their throats slit.

“I just don’t understand what kind of a person could do this to an innocent animal,” Scythes said. “And if they can do this, what’s next? Somebody’s kid?”

Scythes is asking anyone with any information to contact the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office. If a tip leads to an arrest, she is offering a $1,000 reward.

News Link:-http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/Family-Offers-Reward-after-Dogs-were-Stabbed-to-Death-167566755.html

 

Ben The Bear’s Journey From Hellhole to Sanctuary – Video

 

“I’ve Just seen this video of Ben the bear & cried for him, happy tears of course; so thought I would share it with you! Ben was  bear kept at Jambbas Ranch Tours, & had been confined for years to a tiny cell made of concrete and chain link, until people spoke up about his neglect. Now at the PAWS sanctuary, Ben can live as he should…just being a bear!”

“When you see an animal that’s been rescued, looking so happy, probably for the first time in their lives, it makes all the petition signing, letter writing & donating, so worth while. don’t you think? So the next time you think ‘oh can’t be bothered to sign that petition’ just think of Ben & his happy little face…I’m sure it will give you the motivation you need!!”

Published on 27 Aug 2012 by officialpeta

After a long and hard-fought battle, Ben the bear has been rescued and will now live out the rest of his life at a beautiful accredited wildlife sanctuary in northern California. http://bit.ly/benrescue

Related articles

• Judge Grants Ben The Bear Permanent Sanctuary (preciousjules1985.wordpress.com)

 

PETITION: Outlaw Bear Baiting in South Carolina!

Bear baiting (also called bear baying) pits a de-clawed and de-fanged bear which is chained to a stake against hunting dogs that bark and bit at it while hundreds of people watch.

Bear Baiting

Spectators consider this event entertainment and hunters consider this as a training regimen for their animals.

A pack dogs rush the bear, barking, biting and lunging at it. Frightened, the bear rears up on it’s hind legs, and has to use its strength to fend off the dogs, swinging at them.

The bear suffers bites and gashes, but the real trauma is the psychological trauma of a ceaseless set of attacks that last for hours.

In fact, some bears are prone to attacks for four hours as nearly 100 teams of dogs are set upon the bear in rapid succession. The bear…may endure this treatment every weekend throughout much of the year.

Surrounded by throngs of onlookers, many who travelled hundreds of miles to take part in the despicable spectacle.

As countries around the world ban events such as bullfighting and cockfighting, Pakistan and South Carolina (USA), are two remaining places that haven’t criminalized the practice. Sign the petition today to help put an end to this “sport”.

Uploaded by hsus on 24 Aug 2010

Bear baiting, also known as “bear baying” by some, is a cruel spectator event where participants release their dogs to attack a tethered, captive bear, who has had her claws and some of her teeth cut off, leaving her defenseless.

Defenseless bears have no rights and are attacked for the cruel pleasure of spectators. Bear baiting needs to be stopped. We demand that South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley outlaw and criminalize bear baiting in the state to put an end to this practice.

Speak out against bear baying!

Following are ways to let your voice be heard:

Contact the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SC DNR).   Let them know that you are a South Carolina resident and that you oppose the practice of bear baying.  Ask them to use their power to prohibit the practice.  A reasoned and respectful plea, in your own words, will have the greatest impact.

• The SC DNR can be reached by phone at 803-734-3886.

• A letter can be addressed to the following:

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
P. O. Box 167
Columbia, SC 29202
Attn:  John Frampton, Director

Contact your legislators in the statehouse.  Whether bear baying is active in your community or not, our state leaders need to hear a clear message from their constituents – South Carolinians do not agree that bear baying should be legal.

Find on-line contact information for your state legislators by visiting:  http://www.scstatehouse.gov/cgi-bin/zipcodesearch.exe.

Please sign this petition:–http://www.causes.com/causes/40328-wspa-put-an-end-to-bear-baiting/actions/1668713?recruiter_id=50064857&utm_campaign=invite&utm_medium=wall&utm_source=fb

Face Book Page dedicated to the ban of bear baiting/baying

https://www.facebook.com/BoycottSouthCarolinaUntilTheyOutlawBearBaiting?ref=hl

Wandering bear killed in Moncton

“Why isn’t something done to protect the public & the bears from getting shot?? Surely if a town is surrounded by bear Country, can’t some sort of fencing be put up? The bears are obviously coming down for food, or are just nosy…but we can’t just continue to shoot them…that’s just the lazy option!”

Police in New Brunswick killed a black bear in downtown Moncton as it wandered through the city.

Police and officers with the province’s Natural Resources Department were called to respond when the animal was seen near the Old Garrison on John Street. Police shot the animal.

Natural Resources Department officers no longer trap or tranquilize bears when they enter urban areas.

The RCMP say encounters with wildlife are common on the out-skirts of the city, but in this instance the bear wandered into a neighbourhood near the downtown core

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/technology/Wandering+bear+killed+Moncton/6786916/story.html#ixzz1y5hSPxz7

Children warned not to chase wild bear cubs

Sudbury police are urging people to stay away from wild animals after this incident, and after another bear cub was reportedly chased.

On Sunday, Sudbury police received a complaint that as many as five children with hockey sticks were chasing a bear cub in New Sudbury. “ Where the hell are the parents, whilst  that poor bear cub was being abused by children?? They sure as hell would have appeared sharpish if the mother bear had got hold of one of the children…but then it would have been shot, for trying to protect it’s baby!! 

It’s the second report from Sudbury police since May involving children who chased and teased a bear. “If the parents don’t treat animals with respect & kindness, the children won’t either!”

Police are reminding people that bear cubs often have adult bears nearby.

Parents have been urged to speak to their children and reinforce that it is dangerous to go near wild animals.

In the case of the bear cub that was tied down, police said that when a crowd gathered, the mother bear — who was nearby with another cub — became agitated. “I’m not bloody surprised the mum was agitated, the stupid stunt could have ended with not only the cub dying but also a human tragedy! ” Could this be the reason bears are circling towns, if their cub has been chased by kids or hurt?” 

News Link:-http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/story/2012/06/11/sby-bear-tied-up.html?cmp=rss

Bear killed in Burlington

Halton police shot and killed a black bear in a Burlington park Wednesday after the animal was seen wandering close to peoples’ homes.

“Prevention is better than cure! You would think any Town that is surrounded by Bear Country, would have all the necessary departments & options in place, to quickly handle any stray bears, but apparently not…so they just shoot them instead!!” 

Halton Regional Police search for a black bear in Mountainside Park in Burlington Wednesday, May 17, 2012. (DAVID RITCHIE photo)

Residents reported seeing the 400-pound animal lumbering in Mountainside Park in the Mountain Rd. and Queen Elizabeth Way area around 10 a.m.

And while police reportedly called the Ministry of Natural Resources for help, officers were forced to shoot the animal after realizing help was unavailable.

“We do not have tranquillizer guns or that capability, nor are we trained to (use) them,” said Halton Regional Police spokesman Sgt. Dave Cross.

“Our officers do not relish having to dispatch an animal, but our options were extremely limited,” Cross added in a statement. “Why do they use the word ‘dispatch’ because using the word Kill, upsets people!”

It has also been reported that City of Burlington Animal Control was also contacted, but those at animal control claimed to not be adequately equipped to deal with the situation. “Well if Animal Control don’t have the equipment to deal with a case like this, why are they called animal Control?? How stupid!”

The bear, an adult male, reportedly had at one point ventured within nine metres of a house.

Ministry of Natural Resources told police it would be time consuming – and risky – to try and immobilize then relocate the bear themselves. “Oh, so they shot it because they didn’t have time to do the right thing!”

Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle reportedly said earlier this week that the ministry would no longer tranquilize and relocate wild bears, adding that bears were returning to the same areas despite the effort. “Well they are not taking them far enough away, the only reason the bears would come down is for food!”

News Link:-http://www.torontosun.com/2012/05/16/bear-killed-in-burlington

Mark Dumas, Animal Trainer, Swims With Polar Bear In Pool (VIDEO)

In a video that’s both nerve-wracking and beautiful, Mark Dumas swims with an 800-pound polar bear like it’s nothing out of the ordinary.

The experienced animal trainer has been working with Agee the polar bear since she was a cub. According to video released by Barcroft Media, the bear grew up in Dumas’ household, where she was bottle-fed and even played with the family’s pets.

In the clip, Dumas hugs and kisses the bear like an oversized toy as they continually wrestle on land and in the water.

It’s important to point out that exotic animals can be potentially dangerous and shouldn’t be kept as pets.

But while some may gawk at Dumas’ bold actions in disbelief, the trainer saysexperience has taught him how to interact with the animal.

“I have worked with bears for 40 years, so I can read Agee’s body language and know how to behave safely,” Dumas told the Sun in 2011.

Dumas and his wife, Dawn, own “Beyond Just Bears,” a company that trains animals for scenes in movies, television shows and advertisements. The pair have a combined 50 years experience working with animals on set.

Agee, which is touted as the only trained polar bear in North America, has starred in various commercials and even had a role in the movie “Alaska.”

According to the company’s website, “Beyond Just Bears” has worked with a variety of wild animals, including cougars, wolves and deer.

Nevertheless, the use of animals in the entertainment industry has come under scrutiny after multiple reported incidents of alleged animal abuse and deaths on movie and television sets.

News Link:-http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/04/mark-dumas-man-swims-with-polar-bear_n_1568549.html

 

Published on 11 Apr 2012 by barcroftmedia

ABBOTSFORD, CANADA: Grizzly man Mark Dumas, 60, is the only man in the world who can touch a polar bear. And as these incredible pictures show the fearless bear handler from Abbotsford, British Columbia, even goes for dip in his swimming pool where he and 16-year-old polar bear Agee enjoy a watery cuddle together. Mark and wife Dawn, 60, train the 60-stone (800lb) friendly beast – the world’s largest land predator – to star in high-budget TV adverts. She has even performed in movies like ‘Alaska’ in 1995 when she was just a few weeks old. With his incredibly intimate bond Mark wrestles on the grass with Agee, kisses her, puts his head in her huge jaws, and even bear hugs her as she rears up on her hind legs to over seven feet. Mark and Dawn have owned Agee since she was six weeks old and the colossal mammal even lived in their home as a cub where she played with the family dogs and was bottle fed.

Hunter accused of shooting at grizzly bear near lodge

A trophy hunter who tried to shoot a grizzly bear in front of a fishing and wildlife-viewing lodge put lives at risk, says the son of the lodge’s 80-year-old owner.

Grizzly bears often lounge around on the beach in front of Forward Harbour Lodge and are watched by owner Isabel Hindbo and guests who rent the rustic cabins.

Last Tuesday, a licensed hunter turned up at the dock in front of the lodge and asked if it would be all right to shoot one of the bears on the beach, said Hindbo’s son, Marv Minty.

“I explained that we are a licensed tourist lodge and the owner . . . did not like the idea at all and could he please find somewhere else to hunt,” Minty said.

“Disregarding our request, he returned, shooting and probably leaving a large, wounded, pissed-off grizzly for two disabled seniors and an 80-year-old woman to deal with.”

The hunter said he fired two high-powered rifle shots into the bear from about 100 metres, but then could not find it and left two hours later without establishing whether the bear was injured, Minty said.

A grizzly bear with cub in front of the Forward Harbour Lodge.

“As he was leaving he said ‘I don’t know how I could have missed,‘ ” Minty said.

Under provincial rules, a hunter cannot discharge a firearm within 100 metres of a building — about the distance from which the shots were fired — and the hunter was on Crown land, not private property.

Under the Wildlife Act, if someone kills or injures an animal they must make every reasonable effort to retrieve it.

Forward Harbour is on the Central Coast, but can be reached only by boat from Sayward or by float plane from Campbell River.

Minty reported the shooting to Sayward RCMP and conservation officers.

The matter is under investigation, said Sayward RCMP Cpl. Rod Pick. “A grizzly bear can be quite aggressive and an injured bear is more likely to go into the community where there’s an easier food supply,” Pick said.

“Most responsible hunters will go to extreme measures. If they believe they have shot an animal, they will do their best to track it down and find that animal,” he added.

However, Hindbo believes the 500-kilogram grizzly might have escaped the bullets as a similar bear reappeared on the beach the next day.

“He didn’t seem to be hurt, but he was very agitated the next day. He was running around and wouldn’t settle down. He seems to have settled down now,” she said.

The bears have never bothered Forward Harbour residents, but, when new people arrive, they usually disappear into the woods for a couple of days, Hindbo said.

The hunter watched the beach for a day, Hindbo said.

“Then at 5 a.m. the next morning, he kayaked on to the beach and snuck into the trees and fired two shots,” she said.

Hindbo said she is not against all hunting and some family members hunt deer for food.

However, she cannot understand why someone wants to shoot grizzlies.

“I don’t see any sense to that. Live and let live,” she said.

The spring grizzly bear hunt runs from April 1 to May 31 in the Vancouver Island region, which includes the Central Coast.

The province estimates there are 15,000 grizzly bears in B.C., but the number is disputed by groups opposed to the trophy hunt.

This year, 3,716 tags were issued for the spring and fall hunts. Last year, 3,773 tags were handed out.

In both 2009 and 2010, just under 3,000 licences were issued.

An average of 300 bears are killed each year by legal hunters. “That’s still 300 bears too many!”

Chris Genovali, executive director of the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, said coastal grizzlies are often sitting targets.

Allowing the hunt “is not only anachronistic from a wildlife management perspective, it is ethically deplorable as well,” he said.

“Killing these magnificent animals for sport, trophy and profit has no place in today’s society.” “I couldn’t agree more, so let’s do something about it, it is a sport, pleasure a hobby; people won’t die of hunger if there are no bears killed!”

Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Hunter+accused+shooting+grizzly+bear+near+lodge/6721571/story.html#ixzz1wq3yUEv1

Please read this extremely informative petition & then sign to help protect the bears

Trophy Hunting

by Ian McAllister, founding director of Pacific Wild

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/trophyhunt/blog/352