HORSES: SANCTUARY NOT CRUELTY FOR EXPLOITED RACE HORSES

“You have just seen what happens to racehorses on the previous post by PETA. I’m still in tears over it. So PLEASE…IF YOU TRULY LOVE ANIMALS; SUPPORT THEM, NOT THE INDUSTRY! P.S. The video is not in the original post, it’s just to remind people how horses suffer in horse racing!”

Posted 26 March 2014

Saturday (March 29) marks the start of Animal Aid’s Horse Racing Awareness Week, an annual campaign during which the public is asked to consider the sombre truth about an exploitative horseracing industry.

Just to remind you – The Dark Side Of Horse Racing

Uploaded on 25 Mar 2008

Most people regard horse racing as a harmless sport in which the animals are willing participants who thoroughly enjoy the thrill. The truth is that behind the scenes lies a story of immense suffering.

On racecourses around the country, a total of around 200 horses die every year – usually from broken backs, legs and necks; or they suffer a heart attack. A large number of other horses at the start of their ‘careers’ are rejected as unsuitable, and others – when they have finished racing – are disposed of by being sent for slaughter.

The amount allocated for the roughly 7,500 horses who leave racing every year is pitifully small. The official rehabilitation scheme received just £50,000 from the Horserace Betting Levy Board for race horse care in 2013, out of a total of about £75m that was dispersed throughout the industry.¹

Animal Aid supporters will be in high streets across the country during Horse Racing Awareness Week, communicating these hidden truths to a public that is told over and over by industry propagandists that race horses are cherished and cosseted like royalty.

Animal Aid’s detailed research over the past 15 years reveals something quite different: that the industry treats thoroughbreds as mere disposable commodities.

Animal Aid publishes details, as best we can, of every on-course death on British racecourses (because the British Horseracing Authority does not).

Our online database for this purpose is called Race Horse DeathWatch.

We also publish periodic annual reviews. The last one – for 2012 – revealed that ten racecourses saw two deaths in a single day’s racing, while three courses saw three horses die in a single meeting.

Based on industry data, we have calculated that around one in every 42 horses who begins the jump race season will be dead by the end of it as a result of an on-course injury.

Horse Racing Awareness Week is an ideal time for people to commit to supporting horses in need rather than bolstering the industry with their betting money or racecourse attendance fees.

The Animal Aid initiative that promotes this cause is called Sanctuary Not Cruelty. This year, the named horse charity is Hillside Animal Sanctuary of Frettenham, Norfolk.

Says Animal Aid Director Andrew Tyler:

‘A typical reject of the racing industry is Underwriter. He stopped being profitable and found himself about to be sold to a slaughterhouse. About 1,000 horses from the racing industry are butchered each year in British slaughterhouses.

Happily, when it came to Underwriter, the meat man was outbid by representatives of Hillside Horse Sanctuary in Norfolk – and that is where Underwriter is currently to be found, sharing his days with special friend Sweetie and 900 other rescued equines.

As we approach the frenetically hyped three-day Grand National meeting, our message to the public is to use the money that would have gone on a bet, to support a hardworking horse sanctuary.’

Underwriter and Sweetie are featured in a short film produced for this year’s Sanctuary Not Cruelty campaign.

News Link:-http://www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/NEWS/news_horse//3075//

“The 175th edition of the Grand National takes place at Aintree on Saturday, 5 April 2014 – PLEASE DON’T BET ON THE CRUELTY!”

THE GRAND NATIONAL KILLS HORSES

PETA Petition: Horse Racing’s Daily Double: Drugs And Death – PETA Undercover Investigation

“I am seriously shocked & disgusted at the following painful treatments these poor horses have to endure. A horse, forced to run with a makeshift super glued hoof; later had to be killed! Please watch the video & read on screen or listen to how trainers, vets  or owners talk about their horses…the sick POS need putting down; not the horses! I am furious & sickened by what PETA documented. If you love animals; Please DO NOT BET ON any RACE HORSE either in the US or UK!!”

“PLEASE TAKE ACTION at the link  BELOW; please don’t let them suffer!”

Imagine being forced to run, being pushed beyond the breaking point, the bones in your legs straining to hold up the weight of your body, your bleeding lungs incapable of breathing in enough air, and forced to keep running in spite of it all.

This is what life is like for racehorses who are chronically drugged by trainers in order to mask their pain and make them run faster.

All this, just so their owners and trainers can win money or fame.

For the first time ever, PETA has captured these cruel, standard industry practices on camera during an undercover investigation of leading thoroughbred trainer Steve Asmussen. Watch now:

UGH: Horses Drugged for Racing!

Published on 20 Mar 2014

A PETA undercover investigation of a leading thoroughbred trainer reveals that horses are DRUGGED to make them run faster and to hide their injuries. http://peta2.me/2nnnb

Subscribe to peta2tv: http://peta2.me/2cuol
Take Action NOW to Help Stop This: http://peta2.me/2nnnb
Slaughterhouses: Where Race Horses Retire?!http://peta2.me/2nnnc
Deadly Races: http://peta2.me/2nnnd
Do YOU Love Horses? Help Them NOW: http://peta2.me/2nnnb
Animal Rights = Human Rights: http://peta2.me/2nnnf

“We witnessed a horse so sore it hurt him even to stand, thyroid medication dumped into horses’ daily feed, and horses who had been blistered in a bizarre attempt to stimulate healing. Even at this top level of racing, the syringe is the top training tool, and if the horses get out alive, they’re broken.”

PETA’s investigation revealed the following …

• Many if not all horses in Asmussen’s New York stable were given thyroxine, a powerful drug that treats hypothyroidism. Horses may not have needed the drug―they may have been given it solely to “juice them up” and push them beyond their natural capabilities.
• A horse’s legs were burned with liquid nitrogen, according to one trainer, and other horses’ legs were blistered with chemical paint, purportedly to stimulate blood flow to their sore legs but leaving multiple scars.
• Horses were also given muscle relaxants, sedatives, and other potent pharmaceuticals―treatments designed for ailments such as ulcers, lameness, and inflammation―at times when they had no apparent symptoms.
• Horses are reportedly sometimes electro-shocked with concealed buzzers to make them run faster.
• One horse, Nehro (who came in second in the 2011 Kentucky Derby), was forced to run with chronically painful hooves that actually had holes in them and that were held together with superglue and was eventually killed after becoming violently ill.

HELP HORSES NOW!

Contact your U.S. representative and senators and ask them to support the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2013, Senate Bill 973 and House Bill 2012, which would increase oversight and penalties for overusing drugs in horse racing.

Remember: The best thing you can do to help horses in the racing industry is never to attend any race, including the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes.

Participation in this action alert is limited to those who live in the U.S., but if you are outside the U.S., you can still help horses by sharing the video and encouraging everyone you know to skip horse races.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW AT THIS NEWS LINK:-https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=5365&utm_campaign=0314%20Horse%20Racing%20Investigation%20EA&utm_source=peta2%20E-Mail&utm_medium=Alert

 

Related articles

• A Horse Racing Controversy Surrounding an Oaklawn Trainer
• PETA undercover…
• PETA Accuses Top Horse Trainer Of Animal Cruelty Following Undercover Investigation
• Undercover PETA Video Reveals the Darker Side of Horse Racing
• And, The Asshole Of The Day Goes To Steve Asmussen!
• Undercover video leads to investigation into horse abuse
• End the Abuse of Racehorses
• Horse trainer accused of cruelty

Petition: RSPCA – Circuses are no fun for animals, Hold the Government to its promise!

“I don’t know about anyone else but I am sick & fed up of contacting my MP about a ban on Wild animals in circuses across England & Wales. How come other Countries have managed to introduce a ban with no problems? Just WTF are the Government dithering about for? I just pray for all the animals forced to perform, that the Government will not go back on their word & will introduce the much-needed ban ASAP!”

In 2012, the Westminster Government announced it would finally grant wild animals in circuses their long overdue ban.

No Animal Should Be Used & Abused For Entertainment

Two years later and there is a real danger that Parliamentary time will simply run out to deliver the ban and wild animals could languish in circuses for many years to come…

We’ve come this far, we can’t let the animals down now! If you live in England or Wales act now using the form below to make sure the Westminster Government keeps its promise…

The wild animals unfortunate enough to be part of a circus act today live lives of forced performance, prolonged confinement and unnatural social groupings.

 The complex needs of wild animals can never be adequately met in a circus environment and regular transport, cramped and bare temporary housing, forced training and performance are all unavoidable realities for the animals.

So what are we waiting for?

In March 2012 the Westminster Government announced it would ban wild animals in circuses and the Welsh Government later announced they were keen for Wales to be included in the legislation.

However, two years and one meaningless circus licensing scheme later, the animals are still waiting.

 Take action and urge your Government not to break its promise…

Use the form below to email your MP (or if you live in Wales, the Minister for Natural Resources & Food, Alun Davies AM) urging them to ensure the Government keeps its promise! 

Use this link to the form to Contact Your MP:-http://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaigns/bigstop/takeaction

Also use form by PETA to contact your MP:-http://action.peta.org.uk/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=5&ea.campaign.id=26477

RSPCA – Circuses Are No Fun For Animals

Published on 15 Nov 2012

Join the campaign to end circus suffering at: http://www.rspca.org.uk/CircusesAreNoFun

Despite the Westminster Government’s promise to ban wild animals in circuses, the licensing scheme planned for the interim period could mean even more suffering, for even more animals…

In fact, we could still see wild animals suffering in travelling circuses in 2020! It’s time the Government listened to the majority of the people in this county and granted the animals their long overdue ban. Please share this video and spread the work that Circuses are #NoFunforAnimals

News Link:– http://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaigns/bigstop

Related articles

• UPDATE: Circus Malta: Petition Supporting Animal Circuses Gains 5,000 Signatures
• Wild Animal Circus Ban Under Threat!
• Graphic Video: Animals Are Not Ours To Use For Entertainment : Petitions to sign
• Graphic Video Inc. Circus Was About Exploitation and Cruelty
• Hippopotamus Death in Circus Leads to Protest
• It’s All Over for Wild Animal Circuses – or is it?
• City Council Vote Means Circus Animals Still Welcome In Worcester

Praise President Obama for Keeping Animal Cruelty Out of the Military

“Please sign the petition below…no animal should suffer for military training!”

Target: President Barack Obama

Goal: Commend President Obama for signing a bill that will eliminate animal cruelty from military drills

For years, Department of Defense (DOD) regulations have required that military trainers use humane alternatives to animal cruelty whenever possible. However, video footage of a recent Coast Guard training session in Virginia Beach revealed horrifying animal abuse.

Fortunately, President Obama just signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law, a section of which requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a plan within two months for phasing out the use of animals in military training. The President deserves praise for taking a stand for animals, and to be encouraged to keep the pressure on the DOD.

Animals have been a part of military trauma training for many years. The exercises, which mutilate and ultimately kill animals, are meant to replicate battlefield injuries and are supposed to help soldiers learn how to save lives in battle. However, a report from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) claims that the exercises did little to help soldiers learn how to save others.

Public outcry against military training involving animals reached a fever pitch after PETA obtained video footage of goats being mutilated by a company hired by the military to assist in training. The shocking footage showed goats–alive and inadequately anaesthetized being stabbed, having their legs broken and cut off with tree trimmers, and getting their organs pulled out. The whistle-blower who provided the footage to PETA also claimed that goats were shot in the face and hacked to pieces with axes–while they were still alive.

The fact that practices like this continue to exist is all the more horrifying given the availability of extremely lifelike training dummies which, according to PETA, “can breathe, bleed, talk, and even ‘die.’”

All these facts make the passage of legislation prohibiting the use of animals in training long overdue. While this is a victory, there is still more to be done. Thank President Obama for signing anti-cruelty legislation into law, but urge him to continue pressuring the DOD to phase out animal use as quickly and effectively as possible.

Petition Link:-http://forcechange.com/51308/praise-president-obama-for-keeping-animal-cruelty-out-of-the-military/

Related: Animals used in Coast guard Training: both links contains the graphic video:–

• https://preciousjules1985.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/goats-legs-removed-in-video-coast-guard-wont-verify-video-involves-their-personnel-graphic-video/
  
• https://preciousjules1985.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/animals-are-being-shot-ask-the-department-of-defense-to-investigate/

Stop this perverted Tierschänder! Zoophilia – Sodomy – (No Graphics)

Berlin – They call themselves “animal lovers”, but what these people do to their pets is hard to imagine: you live in a partnership with the four-legged friends – even have sex with them! And they say: The animals will find it good too.

FINALLY STOPS TIERSCHÄNDER these perverts!

The Berliner Zeitung “BZ” speaks for the first time one of these so-called Zoophilist (Greek for animal lovers) publicly about his inclinations. David Z. had (26) allegedly for the first time with 20 sex with a dog, he told the “BZ”, “My dog ​​has started on its own. I would never hurt my partner to stay, always passive. “

Ulla acid has for years against the abuse of animals. The animal rights activist told Bild: “This is something we often hear as an excuse. If a dog starts up, is the dominant behavior and has nothing to do with sexual desire! “

Charlotte Köhler of the animal rights group Peta told BILD: “Often the animals are not only physical pain or injury inflicted. They often suffer mentally, which is expressed for example in behavioral disorders. ”

David Z., he says the “BZ” who has sex with his dogs is not abuse – but an expression of love. The Berlin had been five animals as sex partners. David Z.: “My dog ​​Nelly was my first love.”

The incredible thing: Sodomy is not banned in Germany!

In 1969, the sex was painted with animals as a crime in the penal code. Animal welfare officer observed in recent years, a nationwide increase in the number of sexual acts. The “B. Z. speaks “of some 10 000 Zoophilisten.

Therefore, now demand more and more politicians a sodomy ban.

Previously sexual acts with animals are punished only if an animal so suffering serious injury or death. “My God…are these people for real…If you put anything into the behind of a dog, that is not supposed to take the size of another dog, then it will cause internal damage, often irreversible. ” 

Federal Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner (47, CSU) told BILD: “Germany is a leader in animal welfare. The welfare of animals is for the federal government a high priority, so we will bring more improvements on the way. ”

In the fall to the Bundestag and Bundesrat adopt such a law.After image-information to sodomy punishable by a fine in the future up to 25 000 euros.

CRIMINAL OFFENSE IN ENGLAND AND SWITZERLAND

Under sodomy understands the science sexual acts with animals. The word comes from the Biblical city of Sodom, which God destroyed because of their depraved debauchery.

During sodomy also describes sexual violence against animals are considered animal lovers Zoophilisten. You mean to do no harm to the animals, but apparently feel love and sexual attraction for the four-legged friends.

Sexual scientists believe that sodomy is innate. She seems to affect men more than women.

In Europe, the sexual contact with animals in England, Wales and Northern Ireland offense. In Switzerland, since September 2008, the Animal Protection Law sexually motivated acts with animals expressly forbids.

News Link:-http://www.bild.de/news/inland/sodomie/stoppt-diesen-tierschaender-26974766.bild.html

 

Pictured: Killer whale’s mysterious horror gash prompts fresh fury over the treatment of animals at SeaWorld

“OMG…that must hurt…the underside of Nakai’s jaw has a gaping wound, one can almost see the ligaments or muscles of the tongue! It’s such a precise cut, it looks like it’s been done with a knife; it’s so precise! Hard to imagine another killer whale could do such a bite, as surely Nakai’s wound would be ragged around the edges with bits of skin dangling.! I have no idea how it happened, but it will take a long time to heal!!”

• Nakai, an 11-year-old performing whale suffered gash to the chin which left its jawbone exposed
• Park claims it happened when he hit the side of the pool
• However reports claim Nakai may have been in a fight with two other whales
• Peta accuse SeaWorld of housing killer whales together incompatibly, a violation of the Animal Welfare Act

A performing Killer Whale suffered a horrific injury which left its jawbone exposed at a SeaWorld theme park, prompting fury from animal rights groups.

Pictures showing Nakai, an 11-year-old whale who performs at the San Diego SeaWorld park, with a large gash to its chin were leaked online by a unnamed whistleblower. 

In a statement, SeaWorld said Nakai’s injury was caused when it ‘came into contact with a portion of the pool environment’.

Jawbone: Pictures released by a SeaWorld whistleblower show the horrific injuries suffered by killer whale Nikai which insiders claim were result of a fight between three whales

However online reports suggest the incident happened on September 20 when Nakai got into a fight with two other Killer Whales Ike and Keet.

Animal welfare group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has submitted a complaint to the US Department of Agriculture accusing the park of housing incompatible killer whales together

They believe Nakai was either bitten by one of the other whales or smashed into the concrete pool wall.

Journalist Tim Zimmermann reported: ‘It happened last week during a night show, seemingly during a major altercation involving Nakai, Keet, and Ike.

‘It’s not clear if there was an aggressor or instigator, or if they all suddenly went after each other.

‘In response to the altercation, Nakai split to the back pool. The onstage trainers, not realizing how badly injured he was, continued the show with the other whales. 

‘It was only when they called Nakai over later that night that they realised he was seriously hurt.’

Animal welfare group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has submitted a complaint to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

They have accused SeaWorld of housing Killer Whales together incompatibly –  a direct violation of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).

A spokesman for the group said: ‘The AWA makes it clear that marine mammals that are not compatible must not be housed in the same enclosure.

‘Yet SeaWorld parks have a long history of housing incompatible orcas from widely divergent groups together in enclosures – and the result has been stress, agitation, aggressive and bloody raking, serious injury, and death.‘

In a statement, a spokesman for the park said: ‘There is no organisation in the world more committed to the physical, social and mental welfare  of its animals than SeaWorld.’

They said Nikai is being treated with antibiotics and had been ‘swimming comfortably and interacting with other killer whales’. 

In February 2010 trainer Dawn Brancheau was killed by six-ton killer whale Tilikum, who is Nikai’s father, at SeaWorld’s Orlando park.

The six ton whale dragged the 40-year-old into the pool by her pony tail and then thrashed her while she was in the water, as horrified spectators looked on.

It’s was the third death Tilikum had been involved in.

In 1991 trainer Keltie Byrne died after slipping and falling into the tank with Tilikum and two other whales.

In 1999, a man sneaked past security at SeaWorld Orlando and was later found dead, his body draped over Tilikum.

Earlier this year Peta filed a lawsuit against San Diego SeaWorld claiming that the five killer whales at the are treated like slaves because they’re forced to live in tanks and perform daily.

Banned: No trainer is allowed in the water with Tilikum because of his size and dangerous history

The five whales were named as the plaintiffs in the case.

However a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit saying the 13th amendment – which outlaws slavery and involuntary servitude – applies only to humans.

News Link:–http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2211159/SeaWorld-Killer-whale-suffers-mysterious-injury-prompting-fury-animal-rights-groups.html

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Bob Barker Launches Campaign to Keep Animals Safe on Film Sets

 

Bob Barker and The Simpson’s co-creator Sam Simon have teamed up to spearhead a new animal rights campaign to keep creatures safe from harm on movie and TV sets.

The two celebrities have joined People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals activists in calling for the reform of the No Animals Harmed… label given to film projects that are given the American Humane Association (AHA)’s stamp of approval whenever horses, dogs, cats and other furry friends are used.

Barker and Simon will stage a press conference to launch the campaign on Thursday, when they will ask AHA officials to investigate claims that animals are being mistreated on sets.

Peta bosses claim the AHA has failed to adequately oversee several recent and current film and TV productions, where animals have been injured and killed.

The campaign launch comes just months after Peta chiefs won a major battle with TV executives at HBO over horse racing drama Luck following the deaths of two horses.

The animal rights activists fought to shut the set down after the tragedies and creators and producers agreed to cease production.

The projects that have come under fire for questionable treatment of animals include The Lone Ranger, There Will Be Blood, Failure to Launch and The Hobbit.

Peta bosses have revealed they received information about the mistreatment of animals on these and other film sets from “whistle-blowers” after they released leaked information about the deaths of the horses on the set of Luck.

Announcing the new campaign to force AHA officials to take action, Peta’s Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo tells WENN, “Moviegoers can’t rely on the assurance that ‘no animals were harmed’ if the very people standing on film sets to safeguard animals are the ones placing animals at risk. The reports of complicity and complacency that Peta has received suggest a broken system that must be fixed immediately, before one more animal is injured or killed”

News Link:-http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/entertainment/Bob+Barker-256738.html

 

Judge Grants Ben The Bear Permanent Sanctuary

” What wonderful news, so happy for Ben, hope he has a wonderful life, finally living as a bear should. I only wish that Tony, the truck stop tiger, could finally have his freedom; away from the noise & pollution of the truck stop! One thing is for sure we will never stop fighting for him!!”

Lawsuit Against Jambbas Ranch Means New Life for Bear Who Had Languished for Years on Cement in Chain-Link Kennel

For Immediate Release -August 27th, 2012

Contact:
Lisa Franzetta, ALDF
David Perle, PETA

Fayetteville, N.C. — Cumberland County District Court Judge Kimbrell Tucker, in a lawsuit brought by concerned North Carolina citizens represented by PETA, the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), and local counsel, has signed a permanent injunction that allows a bear named Ben—who had been confined to a barren concrete cage at Fayetteville-based roadside zoo Jambbas Ranch Tours for six years—to reside permanently at the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) sanctuary in California, where he can forage, swim, and build his den under trees.

Ben lived in solitary confinement at Jambbas Ranch, which caused him to suffer physically and psychologically.

Published on 19 Apr 2012 by ALDFstaff

” NOW BEN IS FREE AT THE PAWS SANCTUARY…NO MORE CAGE FOR THIS BEAR!”

He was denied everything that is natural and important to bears. Judge Tucker entered a permanent injunction that ended Jambbas’ ownership of Ben and awarded permanent ownership and custody to PAWS

S. Ben was flown to California via a FedEx climate-controlled plane on August 9 after Judge Tucker issued a preliminary injunction. The permanent injunction also forbids Jambbas from acquiring, owning, or possessing any bears in the future; seeking any state wildlife captivity licenses or endangered species permits relating to owning or possessing any bears; and using Ben’s former concrete cage as the primary enclosure for any wild or exotic animal.

At the PAWS sanctuary, Ben is thriving in a vast natural habitat—one that is measured in acres, not feet and inches—where he bathes in his own pool, rubs his back on trees, and sleeps soundly in his large straw nest under oak trees.

“Ben now has the chance to live like a bear again, finally able to roam, play, and forage,” says General Counsel to PETA Jeffrey S. Kerr. PETA’s local counsel, Calley Gerber, adds, “Today’s news ushers in a victory for animals across North Carolina who are confined in similarly cruel conditions.”

ALDF Executive Director Stephen Wells says, “Ben’s treatment was cruel and illegal under North Carolina law, and the court stopped it, plain and simple.” Adds ALDF local counsel, Gavin Parsons, “We’re very pleased with the court’s order and wish Ben well in his new home.”

Video footage of the transfer and of Ben in his new habitat at PAWS is available upon request.

News Link:-http://aldf.org/article.php?id=2143

Sir Paul McCartney writes to minister against cruelty to elephant

 

Moved by the condition of a temple elephant in Kolhapur that was allegedly beaten and kept in chains, ex-Beatle Paul McCartney has written to state Forest Minister Patangrao Kadam, requesting him to take action to rehabilitate the animal.

McCartney called on Kadam to draw his attention to Sunder, an elephant at Jyotibha temple in Kolhapur district, after People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India investigated complaints from local residents that the animal was being abused.

“I have seen photographs of young Sunder, the elephant kept alone in a shed at Jyotibha Temple and put in chains with spikes,” McCartney wrote in his letter.

“I appeal to you to do what is right here and get Sunder post-haste to rehabilitation in the forest. Years of his life have been ruined by keeping him and abusing him in this way and enough is enough,” he wrote.

Around three weeks ago, the PETA team found a young elephant, around 13 years of age, being kept in a pathetic condition at the temple. “All his legs were chained and his mahout (handler) was young, newly appointed and hardly had any experience. There was a hole in the animal’s ear, like every captive elephant has, where a sharp hooked weapon, called the ankus, is jabbed to control the animal and he had a severe injury in the right eye due to the same instrument. He did not have access to water or enough food,” said Dr Manilal Valliyate, director of veterinary affairs, PETA India.

When McCartney, a PETA supporter, was informed about the elephant, he immediately offered to help, said Valliyate. “Even though he was busy with the London Olympics rehearsals, he wrote the letter almost within a day of informing him,” he said.

The PETA team has filed a complaint in the case with the local police and is also in constant touch with Kadam. “We have informed him about the elephant and shown him the photographs as well. He told us that the matter is under review and no decision has been taken so far,” said Valliyate. PETA is also in touch with local MLA Vinay Kore, who donated the elephant to the temple. “He was unaware that the elephant was being mistreated and is sympathetic,” said Valliyate.

Animal welfare organisations said such cases are not new and many temple elephants are abused across the country. “We had found an elephant in Pali, Raigad, which had lost an ear, and another one that was regularly chained in another part of Maharashtra. But such cases are common across the country. Elephants are made to walk long distances in the wild but kept in captivity, they suffer from mental and physical distress,” added Valliyate.

News Link:-http://www.indianexpress.com/news/mccartney-writes-to-minister-against-cruelty-to-elephant/979904/0

 

Couple behind animal torture videos face new charges

Additional charges have been filed against the Filipino couple currently on trial for crimes related to the production of “crush” videos featuring scantily clad underage girls torturing and killing animals.
 
Dorma and Vicente Ridon were arrested in August last year and charged with animal cruelty and child abuse.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said in a statement Friday the Ridons are now facing additional charges of violating the Wildlife Protection and Conservation Act (RA No. 9147) and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA No. 9208).

They are currently being held at the La Union Provincial Jail.

“Manila is ‘ground zero’ in the international war against the vile crush-video industry,” said PETA-Asia vice president Jason Baker.

“The Philippines has an opportunity to slam the door on animal abuse by holding the Ridons accountable for the horrific pain and misery that they have caused,” he added.
 
According to PETA, the case has prompted government to improve laws against animal cruelty.

In February 2011, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into crush videos. Also in May that year, Rep. Irwin Tieng filed a bill to prohibit the sale, exchange, or distribution of crush videos in the country. — Amanda Lago/VS/HS, GMA News

News Link:-http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/264456/news/nation/couple-behind-animal-torture-videos-face-new-charges