GRAPHIC VIDEO: Why Arguments For Killing Of Giraffe Marius Don’t Stand Up To Scrutiny

“WTF…they didn’t have to kill  him, Marius was offered various homes & even a business man was willing to pay thousands to save the giraffe! It seems it’s rules for one & rules for another in the EAZA operation! If they can’t or don’t want an animal that doesn’t fit their requirements, they should have a system in place whereby the un-wanted animal can always be offered an alternative home; if they can’t manage that…then perhaps they shouldn’t be breeding animals at all!!

Thanks to my dear friend on twitter.com/9marbar9 for heads up on these. Please sign:

1. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/666/714/094/boycott-zoosrevenge-for-marius/
2. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/142/274/832/they-killed-marius/#next_action

Editor’s note: Liz Tyson is Director of UK charity, The Captive Animals’ Protection Society (CAPS). She previously lived and worked in the Colombian Amazon on conservation projects. She is a board member of conservation charity Neotropical Primate Conservation and a doctoral researcher at the University of Essex, School of Law. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely hers.

Liz Tyson

(CNN) — The killing of a young giraffe named Marius at Copenhagen Zoo sparked international outrage this weekend. On Sunday, he was shot with a bolt gun then publicly dissected before being fed to the lions.

In its defence, the zoo has argued that Marius’ death was necessary to protect the genetic diversity of his species. It was claimed that to allow Marius to take up space that could be used to house another animal with more desirable genetic make-up may hinder conservation breeding programs.

Contraception which required sedation is dangerous and giraffes might die during the procedure. As such, Marius’ birth could not have been safely prevented. Marius could not be re-homed because sending him somewhere other than a zoo which was a member of the European Association for Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) could result in him being sold into a circus, which would be against EAZA rules. In effect, the zoo’s hands were tied, it was implied.

None of these arguments appear to stand up to scrutiny.

As the head of the European endangered species program for giraffes stated in press, Marius was not from a rare sub-species.

Given that zoos claim that animals are kept in order to support the conservation of threatened species, it is therefore unclear why any member of Marius’ subspecies should be held captive at all.

Zoo staff get death threats

It was further confirmed that a contraceptive for giraffes has been developed in the last few years which allows females to be safely injected at a distance thus suggesting that Marius’ birth was not inevitable.

The director of EAZA supported the stance that Marius had to die and encouraged people to consider the “bigger picture.” But EAZA itself is less than consistent in its approach to inbreeding and, indeed, in its concern for the ultimate fate of animals in its member zoos.

EAZA and similar zoo bodies discourage member zoos from deliberately breeding white lions; a practice which is recognized as involving inbreeding in order to perpetuate the unusual white colouring of the animals involved.

Due to the serious welfare implications and the lack of conservation value of inbred animals, breeding of white lions is theoretically not allowed in EAZA zoos. In practice, both West Midland Safari Park and Paradise Wildlife Park in the UK breed white lions.

Both are EAZA members and yet, despite vociferously supporting the killing of Marius to prevent the same problem, a blind eye has been turned by EAZA to the persistent inbreeding of other species in its zoos. White lions are, perhaps tellingly, a great crowd pleaser.

In 2012 West Midland Safari Park were revealed to have sent four white lions to a circus trainer, who sent them on to a Japanese circus. That the safari park remains an EAZA member means that the rules on sending animals to non-EAZA collections are not consistently applied. Despite this, no exception was made for Marius.

In fact, rather than Marius being a tragic exception, the killing of animals considered to be surplus to requirements by zoos is something which is common in the industry. A 2003 study suggested that there are around 7,500 animals deemed “surplus” in European zoos at any one time.

Whilst it cannot be undone, Marius’ death has served an important purpose in shining a spotlight on a practice which is normally kept well-hidden from public view. As long as there are zoos, there will be unwanted animals. And as long as there are unwanted animals, more like Marius will be killed.

It has long been recognised that conservation success is achieved not in city centre zoos or safari parks, but in natural habitats. We would urge anyone with a passion for conservation to support effective in situ efforts which are truly making a positive impact on species conservation.

Viewer Discrestion Advised – Danish Zoo criticized for killing giraffe

Published on 10 Feb 2014

CNN’s Fred Pleitgen on why thousands are angry after a zoo in Copenhagen culled a healthy giraffe.

READ: Why Copenhagen zoo was right to cull giraffe

READ: Danish zoo kills healthy giraffe, feeds body to lions

READ: Marius the giraffe: Copenhagen zoo staff get death threats

News Link:–http://edition.cnn.com/2014/02/10/opinion/giraffe-culling-against/

GRAPHIC MEDIA: Auction of Black Rhino by Dallas Safari Club

By Omemee  |  Posted January 4, 2014  |  Omemee CNN PRODUCER NOTE     CNN is currently investigating this iReport. It has not been verified.  – Jareen, CNN iReport producer

The Dallas Safari Club has seen its organization in the cross-hairs of a worldwide debate since first announcing its plans for the execution of a highly endangered rhinoceros.

THIS IS NOT CONSERVATION IT IS JUST BLOODY MURDER

On January 11, 2014 at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, they will be auctioning the rights to kill an endangered Black Rhinoceros and are declaring this hunt a “heroic conservation” effort, the Dallas Safari Club and its supporters are attempting to deceive a gullible public into believing this hunt isn’t simply the slaughter of a rare species of rhino.

The club’s actions and rhetoric dares to make palatable what most would deem unjustifiable—killing an animal facing extinction. Some ‘lucky’ hunter-with a fist full of cash, gets to kill an endangered Black Rhino.

“Black rhinos tend to have a fairly high mortality rate,” Executive Director of DSC Ben Carter says. “Generally speaking, out of a population of 2,000, harvesting three rhinos over a couple or three years has no impact on the health of the rhino herd at all.”

“It’s going to generate a sum of money large enough to be enormously meaningful in Namibia’s fight to ensure the future of its Black Rhino populations,” Carter says.

ENDANGERED SPECIES

IMAGE FROM:-http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2477873/Texas-Save-rhino-fundraiser-auctions-chance-shoot-endangered-black-rhino-dead.html

The money, in reality, may go to an already corrupt government, one that is willing to turn a blind eye to the destruction of its own resources for money. At the time of this writing, there is no clear indication who will get the money and for what conservation purposes.  Government corruption In Southern Africa is a well-known issue and regularly documented by various media sources. 

 In a second interview Ben Carter states “Namibia has an annual quota to kill five black rhinos and has ‘selected’ the club to auction one of them.” He then continues, “That said, if someone wants to cough up almost seven figures and use the permit to go shoot the rhinos with a camera, they are more than welcome to do so.” These statements are a direct contradiction of what they are claiming as “advanced, state-of-the-art wildlife conservation and management techniques”

“Conservation,” is the organization’s only argument to garner support, even within its own community. This is simply a selfish attempt to ensure its members can continue hunting rhinoceros and other species years from now.

This auction to hunt a Black Rhino is NOT conservation of a species. There is nothing ethical or heroic about it. It is a deliberate attempt to mislead the general public and disguise the true motives of the Dallas Safari Club and its members.

Exposing a Rhino Hunt By HSUS

According to Louisiana conservation attorney John J. Jackson, who said he’s been working on the auction project with federal wildlife officials, the hunt will involve one of five black rhinos selected by a committee and approved by the Namibian government. The five are to be older males, incapable of reproducing and likely “troublemakers … bad guys that are killing other rhinos,” he said.

These animals are farm-raised around humans and cared for by humans only to be killed by rich hunters in what has been coined as “canned hunts.” This is simply a method that allows them to farm more for harvesting later.

This auction is nothing more than abuse of Africa’s natural resources to the highest bidder. No ethical or moral motive drives the hunt club’s actions. What DSC touts as conservation, we label destruction of a nation.

Rhino poaching: After the killing: Farmers Rhino poached (Viewer Discretion)

Published on 30 May 2013

Three rhinos were poached during our recent visit to a rhino farm. Is trading their horns the only way to save them? WARNING: contains graphic images.

The DSC lawyer’s statements are shockingly arrogant and factually incorrect. “This is advanced, state-of-the-art wildlife conservation and management techniques,” Jackson, a Metairie, La.-based international wildlife attorney, said Wednesday. “It’s not something the layman understands, but they should. This is the most sophisticated management strategy devised,” he said. “The conservation hunt is a hero in the hunting community.”

Yes he is correct–the hunt may be a hero in the hunting community. But it has no conservation value other than the additional killing of rhinoceros and other species by rich Americans. This guise of “conservation” is not new but seems to be the only justification the group has.

The individuals who participate in these hunts are rich Americans and Germans-typically millionaires who could very simply donate towards the care and keeping of endangered species rather than killing them. If this club wants to be seen as ‘heroes,’ and it has such a concern for conservation, it could easily petition its rich members to save these animals by donating money, to be used towards conserving the species.

So we continue to ask–how is handing over a sum of money for the rights to kill an animal that is nearly extinct the most sophisticated management strategy, when most South African countries are banning Trophy Hunting?

These countries have found that it just does not work. There is a comprehensive list of researched and confirmed reasons that clearly explain why trophy hunting is not a good conservation method, even if cash is generated in the process. And, in fact, the numbers of threatened species have rapidly declined since the Hunting Lobby groups won the fight to continue “their conservation efforts”.

The real motive for this auction and hunt is not for the survival of the rhino species, and protection of the species’ inherent majesty and ecological importance, but rather for the expensive blood-lust thrill of killing. This opportunity is available only to an elite group of power hungry wealthy people to “conserve” a commodity for the continued planned, organized, and highly profitable execution of wildlife for fun!

News Link:-http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1072625

This has been done before, Facebook page of Hunter:-https://www.facebook.com/JohanCalitzSafaris

Jose Belismelis and Louis Pansegrouw did it again. Jose bought an auction elephant in NG35 and took this beauty. Heaviest tusk measured 19.5″x48″ and weighed 84lbs. The smaller one measured 19.25″x46″ and weighed an equally impressive 80lbs — in Botswana. Image of hunted Elephant:

MURDERER

Just a few of many petitions against this auction:-

• http://www.change.org/petitions/dallas-safari-club-stop-auction-to-kill-endangered-black-rhino#invite
• http://www.yousign.org/en/dallas-auction
  
• http://action.sumofus.org/s/black-rhino-auction-thanks/?action_id=15757112&akid=.3275504.MVCLHL&ar=1&form_name=act&rd=1&sub=tw
• https://www.causes.com/actions/1762628-a-petition-to-ben-f-carter-executive-director-of-dallas-safari-club-john-patterson-board-pres
• http://forcechange.com/89655/stop-hunting-club-from-killing-endangered-black-rhino/
• http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-the-legal-killing-of-wildlife-stop-hunting.html
• http://www.change.org/petitions/rhinoceros-in-south-africa-need-your-help-before-their-extinction

Earlier News Item:–

• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2477873/Texas-Save-rhino-fundraiser-auctions-chance-shoot-endangered-black-rhino-dead.html
• http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/10/25/texas-hunters-pledgesavingblackrhinobykillingone.html
• http://janiallan.com/2013/12/06/rhinos-siege-poachers-customers-siege/
• http://victoriafalls24.com/blog/2013/10/31/killing-for-conservation-black-rhino/
• http://www.eturbonews.com/39386/texas-group-kill-rhino-africa-name-conservation

The rhino hunt is reportedly going to take place at Mangetti National Park, which is located in northern Namibia.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has granted Namibia an annual export quota of up to five hunter-taken black rhinos, South Africa Tourism Update reported. The Namibia government approved the permit in accordance with CITES provisions to generate funding for rhino conservation initiatives, including anti-poaching efforts.  BY NELSON ALCANTARA, ETN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | NOV 02, 2013

Quotes from the above website!

• http://alleghenycampus.com/2013/11/09/black-rhino-hunt-auctioned-january-conservationists-hope-raise-money-namibias-black-rhino-anti-poaching-efforts/

“Jeff Flocken, North American director for the International Fund for Animal Welfare, believes that this auction sends the wrong message, implying that the black rhino is worth more dead than it’s worth alive. “Killing animals to save them is not only counterintuitive but ludicrous,” Flocken told National Geographic. “We’re talking a highly endangered species, and generating a furor to kill them in the name of conservation is not going to do anything to help them in the long run.”

“Every single rhino is under the threat of poaching at the moment,” said Director of the World Wildlife Fund’s Species Conservation Program, Barney Long, to Antara News. However, the WWF also sent a letter to the FWS in 2009, advocating for the removal of non-breeding males.

British conservation charity Save the Rhino has advocated for proactive hunting while still acknowledging the minor details in play. Save the Rhino has also argued positively for the auction being held in America rather than remaining within Namibian boundaries.

“Couldn’t they get $750,000 without having to suffer an animal being shot? Well, yes,” Save the Rhino said in a statement on the official website, savetherhino.org. “It would be nice if donors gave enough money to cover the spiralling costs of protecting rhinos from poachers. Or if enough photographic tourists visited parks and reserves to cover all the costs of community outreach and education programmes. But that just doesn’t happen.”

Quotes from above website

Facebook page:-https://www.facebook.com/pages/STOP-Trophy-Hunting-NOW/136918922995288

Save The Rhino:-http://www.savetherhino.org/latest_news/news/filter/trophy+hunting

WARNING VERY GRAPHIC – Rhino Wars- The Silent Slaughter

Published on 1 Nov 2012 – Gavrielle Kirk-Cohen

Rhino Wars- The Silent Slaughter is a short documentary about rhino poaching in South Africa, which has become a pandemic. If rhino poaching continues at its current rate, all rhinos will soon be extinct. It is imperative that more awareness needs to be created about rhino poaching, so that governments will act with greater resolve and political will to combat poaching. This documentary was filmed in South Africa in June 2012 in partial fulfilment of my Masters dissertation and is dedicated to Lawrence Anthony for his wonderful work in conservation and for doing everything in his power and beyond to save the rhinos.

UPDATE: Christopher Dillingham, Washington Man Who Allegedly Blew Up ‘Possessed’ Dog, Pleads Not Guilty

“This psycho needs to be taken off the streets, he is a danger to both animals & the public.; if he can blow up a dog, what else is he capable of??. How the hell can he plead not guilty; when he made the bloody bomb with the intent to blow up his dog! Personally I think this can be classed as one of the worst cases of animal cruelty! I don’t see how he can evade prison, but if he does; then the law regarding “did the animal suffer” needs to be changed…of course the animal suffered; it was bloody blown up!!”

Christopher Dillingham, a Washington state fireworks seller, pleaded not guilty Thursday to blowing up his dog with explosives.

Dillingham, 45, of Stevenson, Wash., allegedly blew up his 3-year-old Labrador retriever – a gift from his ex-girlfriend – because he believed it was possessed by the devil, authorities told the Associated Press earlier this month.

Dillingham pleaded not guilty Thursday in a Skamania County courtroom Thursday to charges of possession of a bomb or explosive device with intent to use for an unlawful purpose, animal cruelty, a fireworks violation, and reckless endangerment, prosecutors told CNN. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charge.

The animal cruelty charges were filed after the other offences because investigators initially said that the 3-year-old dog didn’t suffer during the incident.

Dillingham, who owns a fireworks business, allegedly told authorities he was preparing for “the rapture” when he strapped explosives to the dog’s collar. Authorities said the dog died instantly, according to the AP.

Cabela blown up with home made bomd

Neighbours called the Skamania County Sheriff’s Department about loud explosions coming from Dillingham’s home around 3:45 a.m. Aug. 6. Deputies discovered the dead dog’s remains on Dillingham’s property.

Dillingham reportedly told authorities he was preparing for the end of the world, which he believed was imminent due to a nuclear attack.

He also allegedly told sheriff’s deputies that his ex-girlfriend gave him the dog and that she “put the devil in it.”

When Dillingham allegedly strapped explosives to the dog, he distracted the lab with treats so it wouldn’t try to knock them off its collar.

He allegedly told police he made the explosives from black powder derived from fireworks.

Dillingham remains in the Skamania County Jail, where he has been holed up since Aug. 4.

He was unable to come up with the $500,000 bond set by a judge.

News Link:-http://www.ibtimes.com/christopher-dillingham-washington-man-who-allegedly-blew-possessed-dog-pleads-not-guilty-1388879

Please sign petition demand Justice:–http://forcechange.com/71703/commend-pursuit-of-justice-for-dog-blown-up-by-owner/

Related post:-

• Christopher Dillingham, Washington Man Who Allegedly Blew Up ‘Possessed’ Dog, Pleads Not Guilty (preciousjules1985.wordpress.com)

Chinese Netizens Decry Tourist Treatment of Dying Dolphin

Chinese netizens have expressed outrage at photos which emerged on the Chinese microblogging site Weibo, showing tourists posing with and manhandling a stranded and dying dolphin at a beach in the southern city of Sanya in Hainan Province.

The photos which went viral on Weibo shows the tourists holding the wounded animal and using it as a prop while snapping photos on their iPhones. The dolphin later died due to an injury to its tail believed to have been caused by a collision with a fishing boat.

The tourists are being accused of contributing to the death of the dolphin by handling it roughly and increasing its distress. They lifted the wounded dolphin out of the water and snapped photographs with it even while it was dying of its wounds.

The incident reportedly happened on June 16. Xinhua news agency reports the tourists found the dolphin at about 6 pm on Sunday near the shore in Dadonghai, a top resort in Sanya City. According to the CNN, Chinese Hinews service said the dolphin died around midnight at a local marine park due to excessive bleeding from its tail.

The CNN reports that a witness confirmed the dolphin was still alive when the tourists found it and pulled it out of the water for photographs. But instead of helping it, a crowd gathered taking turns to snap photos with the animal as it bled to death.

Chinese tourists manhandle dying dolphin

The incident shocked Chinese netizens who condemned the behaviour of the tourists, describing them as “having no shame,” “uncivilized” and “disregarding life.” Other netizens described them as “ignorant.” According to the CNN, a commenter, @Justin_joe, called them “a group of animals,” while another, @Jiangxiangsiyi, lamented that “China is now filled with people lacking moral values and civility.” 

Chinese tourists manhandle dying dolphin

However, others felt that netizens over-reacted. A blogger, @Woaijialin, wrote: “I think people have focused on the wrong thing. They don’t care when people die, but care only about dolphins.”

 Xinhua, however, used the opportunity to educate the public, saying that experts recommend that anyone who finds a stranded dolphin should contact the responsible authorities while keeping the animal wet and protected from sunlight. It is also recommended that care should be taken to prevent debris entering the blowhole on the animal’s head.

The tourists involved in the incident have not been identified. However, it is unlikely they will be prosecuted because while there are laws protecting endangered species, there are no laws protecting non-endangered species in China.

News Link:– http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/352653#ixzz2XWOKZqF3

Seal Videos Brings National Spotlight On Animal Abuse : Videos From YouTube

“Isn’t it strange, that it’s ok to set up video surveillance to catch animal abusers on this beach; yet it’s not ok to set up a camera to catch animal abuse in a slaughter house…without being called a TERRORIST!!”

(CNN) — The images of seals being harassed on a California beach are perplexing and disturbing.

In the middle of the night, two women sit on harbour seals, kick them or pull their flippers, all the while snapping flash pictures. The animals eventually flee into the water.

Seals harassed at La Jolla Children’s Pool beach, February 2013

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Video camera captures instances of abuse against seals on a California beach
• Other incidents of animal cruelty include people putting beer cans on sea birds
• Some people abuse animals due to peer pressure, but some enjoy doing it, ASPCA says
• Conservationists say more enforcement is needed, not more laws

A newly installed video camera captures that attack and others on the seals, who have been using the beach at Children’s Pool in La Jolla for decades.

Sara Wan of the Western Alliance for Nature said her organization installed the camera after years of people who are opposed to the seals’ presence on the beach being cruel to the animals, trying to scare them off the sand.

“One of the things we found with the camera is it shows what we knew was going on before,” she says. “Now people are seeing what is going on and saying, ‘You’re right, that’s wrong.'” 

San Diego Mayor Bob Filner placed a sunset to sunrise curfew on the beach, saying people can disagree about how a beach should be used, but they cannot abuse animals, CNN affilate KGTV reported. The restrictions end May 15 after pupping season is over.

The beach was a popular spot for parents to take their children for a safe place to swim, but harbour seals took over the beach in the early 1990s, KGTV said. Beach-access advocates want the area returned to its original use, the station reported.

Our Seals – The story of the Children’s Pool Seals of La Jolla

Uploaded on 30 May 2011

This award winning documentary follows the controversy of the Children’s Pool Seal Colony of La Jolla, California. It covers the history of how the pool was built for the children of San Diego by Ellen Browning Scrips to how the pool evolved to become the only “natural” marine haul-out site in Southern California. We interview lifeguards, scientists from Hubbs Research, volunteers from Friends of the seals, and tourists, and along the way learn important trivia like waters off La Jolla are the birthing ground for the Pacific Great White Shark. Written, Produced, Filmed and edited by Patrick Rea

Because most cases of animal abuse or neglect are never reported, it is difficult to say whether the number of incidents are increasing.

But with enhanced technology and social media, some of the most egregious cases have recently caught the attention of the media.

There were cases where people apparently were ignorant of the law, such as the woman in Florida who rode a manatee, and other more serious ones where people showed wanton disregard for wildlife, as in the case of two sea birds found struggling to breathe after someone forced beer cans over their heads.

In December, at least 10 dead dolphins washed up on beaches in the Gulf Coast. Some were shot, while others were stabbed.

It makes you wonder, what is wrong with people?

“I really don’t understand how someone can be deliberately cruel to an animal like that. It’s really baffling,” says Sharon Young, marine issues field director with the Humane Society of the United States. “They know it’s illegal, they know it’s wrong.”

Studies have shown that people who have little or no empathy for animals often have none for other humans, activists say.

Animal cruelty is a crime that mostly goes unreported. A 1997 report from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says that only 40% of people who witness abuse ever report it.

The same study found people who committed violent crimes against animals were five times more likely to commit violent crimes against humans than were other people who lived in the same neighbourhoods.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, there are three reasons people abuse animals.

Most people, the ASPCA says on its website devoted to children, “don’t think about or realize what they are doing.” Take, for instance, the pet owner who doesn’t understand how cruel it is to tie a pet up all day on a chain that is too short.

Another type of abuser is the person who is bowing to peer pressure. In those cases, the person, usually someone young, doesn’t hurt or harass animals but a few times. Eventually, they learn to feel for the animal, the organization says.

The third category is people who enjoy hurting animals. These people are often looking to demonstrate their power, the ASPCA says.

Sometimes, people feel they are at odds with the wildlife, Young says. It’s a clash, where a growing human population wants the same space as the animal population, Wan says. The pressure is growing. “And more and more we are taking it out on wildlife,” she says.

Both Wan and Young agree that there isn’t a problem with the legal penalties for animal cruelty, but with catching and convicting the bad guys.

“We don’t need stronger laws, but clearly there is a need for stronger enforcement,” Young says. “We need to make proverbial examples of some people.”

Her organization works with groups to educate the public. In the case of the seals, the cruelty has “accelerated so rapidly” that activists are scrambling to do something, she said. They hope to create a video that draws attention to the problem.

For now, she and Wan hope the beach closure will help give the seals a respite from the types of incidents caught on camera.

News Link:–http://www.kctv5.com/story/21751923/seal-video-brings-national-spotlight-on-animal-abuse

Nine birds decapitated and dozens of animals missing after vandals break into Australian zoo

• Vandals broke in to zoo in the region of Tasmania and opened 30 cages and enclosures
• Nine birds were found dead and mutilated with their heads crushed and ripped off
• Over 60 animals are still missing from Tasmania Zoo

Nine rare birds were brutally slaughtered and decapitated and over 60 animals are missing after a break-in at a zoo in Australia.

 Zoo owner Dick Warren arrived on Friday morning to find his animals mutilated and the doors to over 30 enclosures hosting birds, wallaby, monkeys and quolls – an endangered marsupial species – cut open.

Police believe several perpetrators broke into Tasmania Zoo in Riverside, Tasmania during the night and opened the cages.

Slaughtered: The birds were found decapitated or with their heads crushed when the owners arrived at Tasmania Zoo on Friday morning

The zoo-workers were forced to clean up the bodies of their treasured birds after the vandals killed them.

Dick Warren, who opened the zoo nine years ago, said the scene that met him yesterday morning was ‘heartbreaking’.

‘They’ve just caught them and banged their heads and pulled their heads off,’ he told ABC Television.

‘How could people do this sort of thing? It hits you so hard.’

Warren’s daughter Rochelle Penney, who co-owns the private zoo with her father, said they have spent the past days trying to re-capture the lost animals, as many will not survive in the wild.

Anger: A visibly upset Mr Warren spoke to Australian TV about his ordeal and said the vandalism and bird murders had hit him hard

‘A lot of our animals are in captivity for a reason and they won’t survive on their own,’ she told CNN

Although a majority of the animals were re-captured more than 60 animals remain missing today, including two rare swift parrots, a yellow-tailed black cockatoo and five quolls.

Animal keeper Courtney McMahon said the missing quolls has had a devastating impact on the zoo’s breeding program.

The rare mammal also goes by the name ‘native cat’ and is endangered in its natural habitat.

Despite its moniker the carnivorous marsupial is a closer relative to kangaroos and Tasmanian devils than cats, and the loss of the five animals has been a painful hit for Tasmania Zoo.

‘We’re trying to increase numbers of threatened species and we’ve lost a good part of that program,’  she said.

Two chainsaws were also stolen from the zoo and police are appealing for witnesses.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2183679/Nine-birds-decapitated-dozens-animals-missing-vandals-break-Australian-zoo.html#ixzz22cfEpsh9

PSPCA: Third Philadelphia’s pet set on fire; rally planned

“WTF…sorry but this makes me so mad, these people are obviously not in their right mind, no sane person would purposely set a puppy on fire! or would they? Wouldn’t surprise me if it wasn’t kids…but whoever it was, they need to be caught & thrown in jail for several years, not months!”

For the third time in less than a month, a pet has been discovered with serious burns after being set ablaze.

Hercules was found suffering from severe burns in the city’s West Oak Lane section.… (Pennsylvania SPCA )

The latest victim, a pit bull puppy, was found in severe pain by a passerby in Philadelphia’s West Oak Lane section. The four-month-old pup, spotted wandering on West Cheltenham Avenue, had been burned on the legs and back and left to die, said a spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Hercules, who is expected to survive, was first taken to PSPCA headquarters then transferred to a shelter hospital in New Jersey for emergency care, said spokeswoman Wendy Marano. The puppy remained in serious condition this afternoon at Animal Alliance of NJ in Lambertville.

The case follows two others in less than fortnight.

“This is an extremely troubling trend,” said Marc Peralta, chief operating officer of the Pennsylvania SPCA.

On Sunday, a man who barricaded himself inside a South Philadelphia rowhouse reportedly killed a small cat, set it on fire, and hung it on a fence on the side of his house. The man, who lived on the 1800 block of Dickinson, later surrendered to police.

Last week, a young pit bull named Chloe died of severe burns after being set on fire near the 700 block of Gray Street in the East Germantown section. Investigators have several leads, Marano said. PSPCA officials do not know if the two pit bull incidents are related.

Chloe, a young pit bull, was found severely burned in an East Germantown neighborhood.

The PSPCA is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever set fire to Chloe.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has also put up another $1,000.

“We see a lot of cases of animal abuse in the city,” said Marano, “but setting an animal on fire and leaving it to die is just heinous. We need the community to stand with us and not tolerate these kind of acts.”

The PSPCA is planning a rally, Justice for Chloe, to bring attention to extreme animal cruelty within the city limits. “Justice for Chloe” will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 12 at the Pennsylvania SPCA’s headquarters at 350 E. Erie Avenue.

“We don’t know what causes people to do this,” Marano said. “It appears to be a spur of the moment kind of action.

“We can’t even get into the mind of someone who would do this,” she said. “But one thing’s certain, we can’t let anyone get away with these acts.”

News Link:-http://articles.philly.com/2012-07-05/news/32552381_1_pit-bull-severe-burns-pspca

Anyone with information is asked to call the Anti-Cruelty Hotline at 866-601-7722. Donations to the reward fund can be made athttp://pspca.org/support-us/donate/ or call 215-426-6304 Ext. 272.

Milwaukee Police arrest man for starting dog on fire

“I have been trying to find out more about this case, as yet nothing but will keep looking…If these scum bags don’t get prison time, I don’t know what it will take to get an animal abuser banged up!”

The Milwaukee Police Department is reporting that they took a 23-year-old man into custody for animal cruelty. The suspect was arrested in the 4400 block of N.54th Street Friday evening after attempting to set the family dog on fire .

The Boxer was conveyed to a local animal hospital for treatment for burns over 25 percent of its body. More information to follow as it becomes available.

News Link:-http://racineuncovered.org/2012/06/milwaukee-police-arrest-man-for-starting-dog-on-fire/

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CNN.com – Video – Lilly The Hero Dog

Added On May 9, 2012

Lilly the pit bull is being hailed as a hero after pulling her owner out of the path of a freight train. WCVB reports.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

CNN.com Video, posted with vodpod

News link:-http://edition.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c3#/video/us/2012/05/09/dnt-ma-dog-pulls-owner-off-train-tracks.wcvb