“In my opinion the only real way to outlaw this cruel sadistic practice; is not to have shows like the ‘Big Lick. After all, it’s the prize money most are after, do they really care about the horrific injuries & burns, they inflict on the horses?”
Urge Congress to End Horse Soring
Published on 17 Mar 2014
New TV ad campaign by The Humane Society of the United States calls on federal lawmakers to support H.R. 1518/S. 1406, the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act.
A national television advertising campaign backed by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is the latest strategy in promoting a federal bill aimed at toughening regulations and penalties around the illegal practice of soring horses.
The advertisement is pushing for the passage of the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, H.R. 1518/S. 1406.
It urges viewers to call their federal lawmakers and ask them to pass the bill.
It began airing in Kentucky on Sunday, urging viewers to call Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul and ask them to support the PAST Act.
The ad campaign would expand to other media markets around the country in the coming weeks, the HSUS said.
The commercial is the latest effort by the HSUS to urge Congress to pass the bill against soring – the illegal practice of inflicting pain to horses’ legs and feet to force them to perform an exaggerated high-stepping gait known as the Big Lick.
The Senate bill has been introduced by their Republican colleague, Kelly Ayotte, of New Hampshire, and it has 51 cosponsors. The House bill has 268 cosponsors.
The HSUS says the bill is so weak that cheating and violations have been rampant for decades. The PAST Act would end the failed industry self-policing system; ban the show-ring use of chains, stacks, and excessively heavy shoes (devices that used in the soring process); and increase penalties for violators.
“Kentucky is the heart of horse country inthe US, and Senators McConnell and Paul should support this critical legislation to protect horses from the cruelty of soring,” said Pam Rogers, Kentucky state director for the HSUS.
“No other breeds are subjected to this kind of intentional form of torture, and it is a disgrace that it exists anywhere.
“Only an upgrade of the federal law will put an end to the horrible horse abuse that still plagues the ‘Big Lick’ show world.”
The PAST Act is endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association (and every other state veterinary medical association), the American Association of Equine Practitioners, and the American Horse Council, along with a host of other national animal protection, veterinary, and horse industry organizations.
In 2011, an HSUS investigation into Tennessee walking horse trainer Jackie McConnell’s stable in Collierville, Tennessee, revealed shocking cruelty to horses to a national audience, which led to the introduction of the PAST Act.
The investigator recorded horses being whipped, kicked, shocked in the face and intentionally burned with caustic chemicals. The new commercial shows footage from this investigation.
“Those who secretly film the atrocious acts of violence are not terrorist; they merely want the PUBLIC to know the truth about the lives of the animals you eat & how they are treated. Imagine how it feels for them? animal lovers, having to watch the abuse happening all around them…to enable the public to see the truth. I think they deserve a bloody medal; for keeping their hands off the MF’ing bxxxxxxd’s committing such horrifying acts !!
YOU the meat-eating public, have the right to know the animals you eat have been treated with respect; before going to slaughter!! AG- GAG laws were introduced to protect those allowing the cruelty to continue to their animals, & protect those who commit the crimes; what happened to freedom of speech??? They don’t want you, the paying pubic to know the heinous acts of cruelty that go on behind their closed doors; because they know they are likely to lose business !!.
NO ANIMAL meant for human consumption should be treated worse than shit on shoes; they are sentient beings more than capable of feeling the pain of every blow, kick, punch etc. They give their lives for you…please don’t let them suffer in silence! AG-GAG Laws were introduced to stop the public knowing the truth…the animals have the right to dignity & the public have the right to know how they are being treated!Please, sign the petition at http://www.walmartcruelty.com/ scroll to the bottom half to sign”
“Watch the videos below. if you can stomach them, is it fair for animals to be treated this way? YOU have the power to help stop this; please use it & stop AG-Gag Laws!!”
Posted: Sunday, February 23, By Randy Stapilus
Backers of the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation anti-videoing legislation — “ag-gag” — have already lost the war, even if the legislation passes. Especially if it passes.
Their best hope is to change strategy.
Senate Bill 1337, which has passed the Senate, bars a person who “without the facility owner’s express consent or pursuant to judicial process or statutory authorization, makes audio or video recordings of the conduct of an agricultural production facility’s operations.” More specifically, it’s intended to ban (though various existing laws already theoretically do) the videotaping of what happens to livestock in concentrated animal feeding operations.
This is significant in Idaho, home to some very large CAFO operations in the Magic Valley and southwest. The new bill would punish violators with up to a year in jail or a $5,000 fine; critics note that’s the same as the state penalty for animal abuse.
Similar legislation has been proposed, most often failing to pass, in more than a dozen states; a Utah law is being challenged in the courts.
The Idaho bill was specifically prompted by a video shot in 2012 at Bettencourt Dairy at Hansen, showing workers beating on livestock. Last week another video shot at an Idaho CAFO, which added animal sexual abuse to the mix, was released. Both have had many, many views, and they’ve gone viral on social media.
We can’t know if the videos alone would have generated massive international attention. We do know the videos, combined with legislation to ban shooting more of them, has sent interest in the subject sky high in news reports nationally and overseas.
The story is irresistible: An attempt to keep the lid on what people have already seen. But memories aren’t so easily erased. Nor is the technology, which keeps moving in the direction of disclosure, as privacy advocates regularly remind us.
Among other responses to the bill are petitions — some inside Idaho, some by national animal advocacy groups. Petitions usually do little by themselves, but they can assist organization efforts, and they keep the subject visible.
Not only are smaller and relatively hard-core groups like Mercy for Animals, which released the Bettencourt videos, involved in this, but also larger and better-funded groups like the Humane Society of the United States. The subject of CAFO livestock has gone mainstream.
If you doubt that, watch the latest series offering from Netflix: The satirical but pointed “Farmed and Dangerous.” The initial plot hook involves an exploding cow. Once issues like this get into cultural discussion, national regulation and legislation may, in time, follow. It’s in the spotlight now.
The Magic Valley has benefited recently from arrival of a number of food processors who came there largely because of the easy supply of dairy products. Don’t be surprised if boycotts of some of them start — and lead to business responses. To see this playing out, Google the Wiese Brothers Farms in Wisconsin and read about the videos and other reports that led a frozen pizza company to cut all ties with them.
Nor is that all. If SB 1337 is signed into law (as seems likely), watch for this: An activist who deliberately violates it, shooting more video, intending to get caught, and insisting on a very public trial that could draw more national and international attention, kicking in the cycle all over again.
The problem for livestock operations is not insoluble. The simplest out is to improve and closely monitor operations, then throw open the doors for public viewing.
Some CAFO advocates have argued that much of what has been shown on the videos has been unusual aberrations, that most livestock is treated better before slaughter than the videos suggest. An open-door policy would be the one practical way to prove it.
Some of what inevitably happens in the best of meat processing businesses is of course difficult for many people to stomach, but the operators could fairly argue that if you want your meat at the supermarket, this is how it has to get there. Since most people do want their steaks and burgers, the argument might settle down, on at least higher ground than it occupies now.
Legislation has its uses. But CAFOs here have among other things a public relations problem, and these kinds of laws seldom are much help with that.
* Randy Stapilus is a former Idaho newspaper reporter and editor, author of The Idaho Political Field Guide, edits the Idaho Weekly Briefing, and blogs at www.ridenbaugh.com. He can be reached at stapilus@ridenbaugh.com.
A new Mercy For Animals undercover investigation reveals shocking cruelty to animals at Walmart pork suppliers. Workers hit, throw, and drop mother pigs and their baby piglets. Learn more and take action at http://www.WalmartCruelty.com
The video below is just a reminder of how animals are treated, without undercover investigations the public wouldn’t have a clue about the atrocities that happened at this farm!
Hidden camera video secretly shot by an investigator with Mercy For Animals at an Ohio dairy farm reveals shocking, malicious cruelty to calves and cows. The video, recorded between April and May, 2010, shows dairy farm workers beating cows in the face with crowbars, stabbing them with pitchforks, breaking their tails, and punching, throwing, and kicking calves.
The Harper County District Attorney’s Office has filed one felony count of animal cruelty against suspect Donna Walker of Laverne, Okla. Walker, 69, faces a penalty of up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
“We are grateful to Harper County Sheriff Office officials, including Sheriff Marty Drew, and Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners’ Investigator William Brogden for their tireless effort in rescuing the dogs and in seeking justice for them,” said Cynthia Armstrong, Oklahoma state director for The HSUS.
In May, officials were called to Laverne to investigate after receiving several complaints. When they arrived they found the 110 dogs and two cats suffering from a lack of adequate food, water shelter and veterinary care. Some of the animals were living in a single-wide trailer filled with trash, and kennels found on the property were saturated with fecal matter. In the trailer, decomposing food littered the floor, and water containers on the property were filled with dirty water. Most of the animals had not been socialized and lacked proper grooming. Few had been spayed or neutered.
“Very interesting, I suggest you read the rest of this article at the link below!”
The great thing about keeping chickens intensely confined in barren battery cages is that once the super bird flu we are breeding in these facilities wipes out much of our population, the rest of us will have all the cheap eggs our cholesterol-loving hearts can scramble.
Am I really willing to pay about a cent more per egg to allow the 200 million or so egg-laying machines have a bit more space, a few perches, some torn newspaper to scratch at and pseudo-private areas?
If the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012 passes, the egg industry will have 18 years to comply with new federal regulations – under the watchful eye of the notoriously industry-friendly USDA – that require hens that now live their entire lives jailed behind metal cages with little more space than a piece of paper be given a bit more wing room and some “enrichment” goodies (the perches, scratching materials and what are kindly being labeled “nesting boxes”).
Against all odds, this bill is the result of a partnership between two historically bitter enemies – the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), an organization feared and reviled by the livestock industry for its many successful campaigns to improve living standards for animals raised for food, and the United Egg Producers (UEP), which represents the country’s biggest egg farmers who have fought the HSUS hard against the various state initiatives targeting factory farming that have now been passed across the nation.
The UEP claims it was tired of trying to comply with the many complicated, piecemeal laws pertaining to animal care standards and labeling so approached the HSUS in an attempt to come to a compromise and produce federal legislation that would create one national standard. The Egg Products Inspection Act is that compromise.
But the act has torn a rift on both sides of the debate. While the bill is supported by the HSUS, Farm Sanctuary, In Defense of Animals, Compassion Over Killing and the Animal Legal Defense Fund among many others, all well-respected organizations with the best of intentions, it is also opposed by many animal welfare organizations.
“All horse owners know that this happens, so I don’t know why its taken so long to prosecute the abusers; well I can take an educated guess, money makes people look the other way, if you get my drift??”
Mr McConnell admitted to applying banned chemicals to the horses’ pasterns making them hyper-sensitive, causing them to raise their front legs artificially high — a practice known as “soring”.
He also admitted to trying to camouflage the signs of this practice, which has been illegal for more than 40 years.
Two other men — John Mays and Joseph Abernathy — pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges related to the case, with Mr McConnell on 22 May. Sentencing will be held on 10 September.
“Although the HPA has been in place for more than 40 years, violators have seldom been prosecuted,” said the HSUS’s Keith Dane.
“The McConnell case urges the federal government to continue to make the enforcement of the HPA a top priority.”
The trainer has also been banned for life from the biggest annual event for the breed — the Walking Horse National Celebration (22 August – 1 September).
“With sow stalls, its a quick turnaround… it’s not about quality of the meat, or the quality of the pigs life, it’s quantity that counts! People want cheap fast food, this is how the animals suffer for them. Crates are all about being in control, getting the sow to have as many piglets as possible, being contained throughout pregnancy means humans are in charge of what they eat, when their moved, & when their inseminated again, which is usually straight after a birth…It’s fast pigs…in a crate, literally!”
When it comes to convincing companies to phase out cruel sow gestation crates from their supply chains, this has been a good year. Fast food giants Wendy’s and McDonald’s both announced plans earlier this year to phase out the two by seven foot gestation crates pregnant pigs are kept in.
Big food companies like Compass Group, which calls itself the world’s largest food and support services, announced similar plans. Even Smithfield Foods, the largest pork producer on the planet, announced in December its plans to phase out the crates.
Don’t expect a similar announcement fromDomino’s, the world’s second-largest pizza chain with over 9,700 locations.
Domino’s shareholders rejected a proposal last month, submitted by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), to stop buying pork from suppliers who use sow gestation crates. Last year, a representative from HSUS asked the company, at the annual shareholder’s meeting, to move away from suppliers that use gestation crates. Domino’s just won’t listen despite the industry move away from the crates, and the fact that they are outlawed in eight states and the EU.
“Domino’s allows its suppliers to confine pigs in crates so small they can’t even turn around for nearly their entire lives,” said Kristie Middleton, food policy manager for the HSUS. “Consumers don’t support this animal abuse and it’s time Domino’s finally caught up with other restaurant companies by getting gestation crates out of its supply chain.”
Clearly many consumers don’t support the use of gestation crates, as a current Change.org petition indicates. The petition, which has received over 135,000 signatures, urges Domino’s to “phase cruel gestation crates out of their supply chains.” It asks why Domino’s can’t do what some of its fellow fast food giants have all done: “If all these huge companies can commit to getting rid of gestation crates, why is Domino’s unwilling to listen to the rest of the industry and consumer demand?”
A few months ago I wrote about the industry move away from gestation crates, and noted that the crates are so small that the sows can’t turn around while confined in them. They are moved to a different crate after giving birth, and post-birth are soon impregnated. Once pregnant again, they are moved back to the crates. Why would Domino’s not want to move away from such a cruel practice in a time when people are much more compassionate about the treatment of animals?
I also noted in my previous article that the increased appetite for meat lead to the rise of factory farms, which is why practices such as the use of gestation crates exist. Americans ate only 168 pounds of meat a year in 1970, and in 2005, ate 185 pounds a year. As I stated then, and stand by now, until Americans commit to eating less meat, factory farming will be a reality. And companies will have to deal with the taint of factory farms.
“I thought the HSUS was one of the top organisations, helping all the little dogs & cats you see in their adverts. Turns out it is not like that at all; I thought PETA was bad! My donations will go to my local shelters from now on!”
“Due to copyright I can’t add any further details…So if you donate to the HSUS, go the site below for some very interesting & eye-opening facts!!
WARNING: Contains Graphic Footage. New HSUS undercover investigation at battery cage egg factory underscores the need for federal legislation to help laying hens.
HSUS released the video April 12, showing scenes of dead and dying birds it says were neglected and overcrowded, with some birds trapped in cages.
Abuse
The organization alleges the following key issues with the farm:
Birds were severely overcrowded in cages more cramped than the national average;
Injured and dead hens, including mummified bird carcasses, were found inside cages with living hens laying eggs for human consumption.
Hens were left without water for days when a water source malfunctioned, causing many to die.
Hens’ legs, wings and heads were found trapped in cage wires and automated feeding machinery.
Legislation
HSUS claims Kreider Farms is one of the few egg producers in the U.S. that doesn’t support proposed federal legislation known as the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012 (H.R. 3798), aimed at improving conditions for laying hens. The bill is supported by HSUS and United Egg Producers.
Kreider Farms President and CEO Ron Kreider said the farm already supports the legislation, and is a national leader in transferring to modern cages.
“Kreider Farms is not a member of UEP, but we fully support such legislation,” Kreider said. “More regulation would actually benefit Kreider Farms; with our state-of-the-art facilities, we would have the least to do to comply.”
Kreider said his farm is “leading the industry” by tearing down old, traditional-style egg houses and replacing them with “new, state-of-the-art facilities.”
More than 80 percent of the farm’s chickens are said to be housed in larger, modern cages.
The farm also says the video was edited and spliced to produce the effects the activists wanted.
“The allegations by HSUS are a gross distortion of Kreider Farms, our employees and the way we care for our birds,” Kreider said in prepared statement.
Kreider said the accusations resulted in three “official, spontaneous inspections” of the farm’s chicken houses on April 11, including from Dr. Gregory Martin from Penn State University, Dr. Donna Kelly from the University of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Craig Shultz, Pa. Department of Agriculture veterinarian.
“All three inspections provided us with a ‘clean bill of health.”
Tom Beachler, vice president of operations for the farm, said it’s no coincidence HSUS produced the video during a political debate over the legislation.
“It’s just a total fabricated piece by an intruder,” he said. “It’s their classic method, falsifying … and trying to make a story.”
He said he’s not opposed to the agreement, but looking at what just happened to his own farm, he wonders whether it will resolve anything for farmers.
“The issue I have is whether it’s actually going to cause a peaceful future,” he said.
The act
The Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012 would phase in new housing systems for hens over the next 15 to 18 years, providing them far more space and ensuring that cages contain environmental enrichments such as perches and nesting areas, according to HSUS.
The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for slashing the throats of two dairy cows in St. Albans, Vt.
The Case: Police are still investigating the case of two Holsteins who were killed on a family farm in St. Albans on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25. The body of one of the cows was found in a pasture, and the other was found tied to the barn the next day. Both cows had their throats slashed. The owner’s name is being withheld at their request. There are no leads in the case.
Animal Cruelty: Getting the serious attention of law enforcement, prosecutors and the community in cases involving allegations of cruelty to animals is an essential step in protecting the community. The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented. Studies show a correlation between animal cruelty and all manner of other crimes, from narcotics and firearms violations to battery and sexual assault.
“This senseless act of violence toward these innocent creatures is hard to comprehend,” said Joanne Bourbeau, Northeastern regional director for The HSUS. “It takes a truly vicious person to slash the throats of two gentle cows. We are hopeful that this reward will bring forward anyone with information about this heinous crime.”
The Investigators: Detective Sergeant Benjamin Couture with the St. Albans Police Department is investigating. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call 802-524-2166.
Resources: The HSUS Animal Cruelty Campaign raises public awareness and educates communities about the connection between animal cruelty and human violence while providing a variety of resources to law enforcement agencies, social work professionals, educators, legislators and families. The HSUS offers rewards in animal cruelty cases across the country and works to strengthen laws against animal cruelty. To see information on statistics, trends, laws and animal cruelty categories, go to humanesociety.org.
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.
Error: Please make sure the Twitter account is public.
Flag Counter Added May 2012
Face Book – Please Take Notice
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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