Cruelty Rescue Horses Image by dbarronoss These horses were reportedly seized in animal cruelty investigations. They now live basically wild on large acreages in herds, much as mustangs do in the American West. I really enjoyed going to visit these animals, and the bison in the TallGrass Prairie Preserve, and the wildflowers we also found.
I admit to being guilty of bandying about the negative statistics concerning the raising of farm factory animals for the sole purpose of making the case that animal consumption is a blight on our environment as well as a major contributor to world hunger and other humanitarian issues. I also try not to miss touching on the issue of health, since it is pretty clear that an animal based diet is one of the surest ways to become a heart attack, cancer, stroke, or diabetes statistic.
Sometimes however, in my most intuitive moments I realize that if vegetarianism is a movement, then many times my maneuvering of statistics can in the long run become counterproductive. The highest purpose for the eradication of farm factories is not the environment, nor the overall health of the human race but because it is the cruelest system imaginable and responsible for the barbaric torture of innocent animals for profit.
If the movement to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle focuses more on environmental woes, as opposed to keeping the main focus on the barbaric treatment of our animal friends, then even if we win many battles and get the word out at record pace the result might very well be merely a tapering off of animal consumption in the same way that we tend to be more careful about our automobile driving in a gas crisis. This would cut down on the sheer volume of animals raised and slaughtered for consumption but it would not eradicate the farm factories heinous brutality nor the plight of innocent animals caught in this web of torture.
Another great danger would be that when many farm factories were forced to shut down due to less demand for their product, the ones that remained would certainly feel the need to dream up new ways to pad the bottom line. Profit is and always will be the only issue no matter what commodity is being exploited, even if that commodity is an animal with a heart and soul and a great desire to live, and to care for its offspring, and to thrive and grow in surroundings that are compatible with a natural habitat. The profit margins will never be allowed to suffer for the sake of humane practices, especially if there is no regulation or enforcement in place. How much more would this be true when the surviving farm factories had to tighten their proverbial belts because of economic survival of the fittest.
To be perfectly honest, global matters are far too complex for this writer to attempt to make sense of the myriad of concerns and how each relates to the other. Environmental issues, economics, politics, racism, and entrenched cultural mindsets are just a few of the puzzles that need to be solved. Although selling the flesh of animals as a commodity is a major contributor to a large number of social woes, whether it be the environment, world hunger or the health of the human race, nevertheless it is irresponsible to contend that adopting a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle would be the answer to all of these issues. It would be a great help but it is just one part of the solution.
If the vegetarian movement (and me) are too busy throwing statistics in the face of those who don't really have a heart for the issue, then instead of eradication of farm factories, there might be a measure of reform or even reduction. This would be functional in alleviating some of the environmental problems, but would not result in the abolishing of farm factories. They would continue to exist, albeit under a slightly different form, but the torture, and exploitation of animals as mere commodities for human consumption would continue.
I am passionate about health issues, and the state of the health of our wonderful America. I believe the American Diet is literally killing us and I believe that lobby money is the reason that we have been brainwashed into the shift from a plant based diet to an animal based diet. The result has been an unprecedented increase in heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancers of all varieties. I believe Americans are suffering from a lack of truthful information concerning our diets. I enjoy writing motivational articles that will help to correct the problem regarding this lack of information and also examine the prevailing misinformation in the light of truth.
Healthy Vegetarian Choices For Life Dedicated to the advancement of informed choices that will benefit our health, our environment, and our animal friends. Please visit my website at http://www.ourhealthforlife.com and look around awhile. I would very much appreciate comments concerning your reaction to what I have written as well as any input that might aid me in the task of making my site more helpful. I thank you in advance for your consideration.
This morning I read an interesting article in the local paper. It started with a letter which had been sent to the paper's agony aunt for animal problems and concerns. A young woman had become concerned that one of her friends was posting lots of photos onto Facebook of her cat in various outfits for her own amusement, and also for the amusement of all her friends. The issue raised was whether or not what she was doing was cruel to her cat.
When taking the law into consideration there are no rules regarding dressing up an animal for any reason as long as it is not causing any major discomfort. It was ultimately advised that the friend who sent in the message should get her friend out of the house more and to get her involved in more activities outdoors that she could take photos of to up her social networking status in other ways! What is so interesting about dressing up animals is that it is not an uncommon thing on the internet, it is in fact a very popular thing that alot of people seem to do with their pets as a form of exhibitionism. From the analytical data that I pull from my website everyday I have found that a large majority of the search traffic that gets attracted to the site are people who are looking for funny dog videos or photos of animals in dress up, or for people looking to buy such items. In particular the smallest of dogs breeds such as the corgi are the most popular search term for breeds of dog when put infront of other keywords such as cosplay or costume. It is easy to conclude from this data that as a substantial majority of people who own these small breeds have them for the sake of fashion, they want to keep their dogs fashionable by looking at styles and what is available in term of dog clothing and accessories.
Dress up outifts and costumes for dogs is a multi-million dollar business, with experts estimating the market worth at upto $ 301million a year.
At Cute Dog Thing we have seen many dog photos and videos of dogs in costume. From fantasy costumes such as an earlier post this week of two dogs playing live action role play Skyrim together. We also have the user submitted photos and videos which have featured many wonderful things such as a cute chihuahua which had been bought a wonderful elephant costume by its owner.
For more quality content like this everyday you must come over to out dog video site where there is lots more wonderful news and content about dogs posted everyday.
Chris Hodgson is the author of Cute Dog 'Thing' of the Day, a leading Dog Video hosting site, and a regular dog walker at the local homeless animal shelter. For more information and to submit your own Funny Dog Clip, visit Funny Dog Videos
China's brewing promulgated the "Anti-Cruelty to Animals Act", the experts recommend is to draft for public comment in April will be submitted to relevant departments. Among them, the illegal consumption or Sell Cat dog The maximum fine of 5,000 yuan was being detained for 15 days to initiate the formulation of a huge response.
It is understood that "anti-animal cruelty law (expert Proposal)" is divided into nine chapters, roughly including the main system of anti-cruelty to animals, wildlife, economic animals, pets and many other species of anti-abuse measures, animal health, animal transportation, animal slaughtering anti-abuse measures, legal liability and supplementary provisions. One of the most striking one is the "unlawful consumption of dog, cat or dog sales, Maorou, individuals will impose a fine of 5000 yuan 15 detention, and ordered a statement of repentance; of the units and organizations, more than 10,000 yuan Office 500,000 yuan fine. "
Animal protection volunteers: more than cats and dogs on the table from the stole
"If the successful introduction of this legislation, at least in the protection of animals, when to stop Animal cruelty laws to abide." Animal protection organization "Animals Asia Foundation," said Project Manager setting of higher vocational, dogs and cats on the table is often stole to the its articles behind a huge black chain.
It is understood that the animal protection organizations in Guangdong in recent years, pet owners volunteer support, many times to intercept the vehicle transporting cats and dogs, rescue dogs and cats stole. However, this act has won praise, but the lack of legal protection. January 24, this newspaper once reported to the front of a village in Zengcheng anger steal Gouzei bar, the results were stolen Gouzei killed in the crush of the tragedy.
Setting of higher vocational said, Guangdong, Guizhou and northeast region has Chimao dog meat Diet Customs, "but it does not mean that we bring this cruel practice of inheritance to the next generation."
Public: Legislative fast cat dog meat is questionable
Reporter found that the vast majority of respondents in favor of the non-Chi Mao dog, including some who did not like a pet, but there are people that form of legislation Chimao ban dog meat, is questionable.
Public Mr. Wen that both cats and dogs as pets by humans, many people abroad against eating on the pet. "But what to eat and not eat what can not be generalized, and some people have also pigs as pets then, should also legislate against eating pork?" Mr. Wen that the legislation is to ensure fairness and justice, he thought through the social organizations or third-party agencies to promote dog meat eating Maorou more appropriate.
Ahead of Guangdong People's Congress to protect animals in experimental animals must first anesthetics further "surgery"
Reporter's interview, the provincial People's Congress, Guangdong, China Law Firm Senior Counsel column Yu Zhu said the relevant departments of Guangdong in the protection of animals have taken an important step, "Laboratory Animal Management Regulations of Guangdong Province (Draft) "has been finalized and is awaiting consideration by the NPC. The Ordinance is legislation to protect test animals, which states that experiments with animals can not kill, but must be implemented, "euthanasia", if you want to be, "operative" test, you must anesthetics. Zhu Yu
out that some European and American developed countries, the animal protection legislation is perfect, food, cruelty to animals are likely to constitute a crime, even serious crime.
"Dogs and cats to accompany the animals since ancient times human beings, not for eating." Zhu Yu out that "anti-animal cruelty law" introduced in line with people's eating habits and circumstances so require. Abuse took place a few years ago, once the cat incident caused great repercussions on the network, and now many people still deeply impressed. "Once introduced specific legislation on the handling of the perpetrators will also have a clear legal basis." Legislative drafting expert proposals
chief anti-cruelty to animals is not uniform throughout to decide punishment
Beijing, (Reporter Liu Jianyun) in Beijing this year Two , Beijing CPPCC members, Animal Protection Law Project Team Leader, Chief drafting experts, Academy of Social Sciences Law Research Institute often Clement again proposed legislation against cruelty to animals, and interview with this newspaper.
Do you want to be sexy and gorgeous? Do you want to be more beautiful and attractive not only in your eyes, but in the eyes of many? Find out how you will achieve all these great things in life by reading our Skinny Vegan Diet. If you are willing to give up anything for the sake of beauty, this one is for you.
The Skinny Vegan Diet focuses on animal cruelty and more direct and practical diet approach. It is simple and easy to follow unlike other weight loss programs where they ask you to do complex things like cooking unusual foods and finding extraordinary ingredients, buying supplements and other weight-loss products, and doing strenuous physical activities in the gym or at home.
This plan simply asks you to eat healthy. Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin wrote the first version of this book called Skinny Bitch, which the public did not like because of its harsh and offensive line of attack. Hence, they wrote another book called the Skinny Vegan Diet that is a lighter and gentler version of their vegetarianism perspective. This book still incorporates their advocacy towards animal rights, which is highly noticeable in their first book. Nevertheless, this provides a simpler and straight tactic to losing weight. Below are some of their tips and suggestions:
1. They heavily emphasize vegetarianism in their book. They encourage people to stop eating any meat products and to be contented with eating plant products only to stop heartlessness. They sympathize with those animals that some of us killed in a brutal way because just like us human beings, they also have the right to live on this planet.
2. They promote daily consumption of all fruits and vegetables because they will not only make us healthy, but they will also give us protection against various diseases.
Now you want to have more energy, be Healthier, look Younger, lose weight, and cleanse your body, right?
Removing the Blade Image by AdamCohn After a cock fight, the taji blade is removed from the injured chicken's foot. Blood splattered all over the men as the chicken flapped its wings.
Dave Comroe stepped to the firing line, raised his 12-gauge Browning over and under shotgun, aimed and fired. Before him, a pigeon fell, moments after being released from a box less than 20 yards away. About 25 times that day Comroe fired, hitting about three-fourths of the birds. He was 16 at the time.
"It's not easy to shoot them," he says, explaining, "there's some talent involved. When a live pigeon is released, you have no idea where it's going."
Where it's going is usually no more than five to ten feet from its cage. Many are shot on the ground or while standing on top of the cages, stunned by the noise, unable to fly because of being malnourished, dehydrated, and confined to a small space for hours, often days.
Nevertheless, even with "expert" shooters on the line, only about one-fifth of the pigeons are killed outright, according to Heidi Prescott, senior vice-president of the Humane Society of the United States. About a tenth of the birds usually escape. But about two-thirds are wounded.
"There really isn't much you can do for a wounded pigeon except put it out of its misery," says Comroe. Prior to an order in 2002 by the Court of Common Pleas in Berks County, most of the wounded were picked up by trapper boys and girls, some as young as eight years old, who killed the birds by stomping on their bodies, hitting them against structures, stuffing them into sacks, and dumping them, some still breathing, into large barrels. Some also wrung the birds' necks or ripped them from their bodies. Since that order, the "trappers" are at least 18 years old and have gone "high-tech"; they now use garden shears to sever a bird's head.
Trappers can't get all of the birds. Hundreds at a large shoot will fly to surrounding areas and remain untreated as long as several days to die a painful death, says Johnna Seeton, Humane Society police officer. Pigeon shoot organizers do their best to keep observers from the scene, and don't allow volunteers to pick up and treat wounded birds unless they fly off the property, even if there's no shooting at the time. "We have only been able to rescue a few birds," says Seeton.
Dave Comroe, now 32 years old, had begun hunting when he was 12 years old. That first year he killed his only deer. Although he has been deer hunting many times, he says he has "only taken a shot once." He has gone pheasant and dove hunting about a half dozen times.
"Fathers take their sons out," he says, noting that hunting is "a "bonding experience." That "bonding" continued through his teens and early 20s when he went to pigeon shoots. "I went as a spectator," he says, "and to hang out with my friends." He was 14 when he attended his first pigeon shoot, and remembers he didn't compete until a year or two later. Comroe says he competed in five shoots, "but attended 10 or 12 overall," including two or three at Hegins.
That shoot, at one time the largest and most controversial in the nation, brought as many as 250 shooters and as many as 10,000 spectators, from animal rights activists to neo-Nazis and skinheads, to the community park every Labor Day. The organizers claimed they only wanted to raise money for the town park. But they refused an offer by the Fund for Animals, which later merged into the Humane Society, to buy traps, clay pigeons, and ammunition for a non-violent event. Confrontational protests, begun in 1991 under the direction of the Fund for Animals, were abandoned two years later in favor of a large-scale animal rescue operation. Each Labor Day, more than 5,000 birds were killed and thrown away.
The organizers of the Hegins shoot finally canceled the contests in 1999, 66 years after they began. It had nothing to do with a realization that killing domesticated pigeons is cruel. It had everything to do with a unanimous ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that humane society officers could arrest participants and organizers under state anti-cruelty charges.
Comroe, a Syracuse graduate and instruction technology specialist, is pleasant, soft-spoken, and definitely not violent. Some who attend pigeon shoots aren't. Heidi Prescott, who has been to more than 50 shoots, has seen "Children ripping the heads off live birds or throwing them into the air like footballs, adults cheering and laughing when crippled birds flop up and down in pain, and spectators parading around the park with pigeons' heads mounted on plastic forks."
It's hard to reconcile the compassion seen in Comroe's eyes with the reality that he calls pigeon shooting a sport. "There's no pretense about it," says Comroe, "It isn't hunting. It's a sport." Pigeon shoots, claims the National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action, "are a traditional and international shooting sport." But, killing trapped pigeons isn't a sport, according to the International Olympic Committee which banned pigeon shooting after its only appearance in the 1900 Olympics. The reason why pigeon shooting isn't recognized as a sport was best explained by the IOC. "It's cruelty," it said after thinking about the Olympics' only bloody "sport."
Sensitive to the public outrage, almost every shooter and the organizers of the gun clubs that sponsor the events refuse to talk to the public or the press. But, in private, the shooters claim not only are they sportsmen, but they hold a high moral code. The NRA claims the participants "are law-abiding, ethical shooting enthusiasts, hunters, and sportsmen." However, there appears to be a different morality for pigeon shooters than allowed under state and federal laws. Like dog fights and cock fights, participants and spectators make money not from the prizes, which are usually belt buckles, trophies, and purses that average $ 20-$ 100 per event, but from an extensive underground in gambling. Comroe acknowledges "a lot of money trades hands" at pigeon shoots. In addition to tax fraud, money is also made by the illegal capture, interstate transportation, and sale of pigeons, also a violation of federal laws.
Pennsylvania is the only state where people openly kill live pigeons in organized contests. Every other state, with the exception of Tennessee, which has no law against it but also no shoots, has either banned the practice by law or by court action, or it is covered under the state anti-cruelty statues. The actions of pigeon shoot organizers "is clearly animal cruelty, and the Pennsylvania legislature needs to finally address it," says Johnna Seeton. Several bills have failed to gather majority support in either house of the Pennsylvania legislature.
Current bills in the state legislature not only ban shooting any captive bird at a trap or block shoot, they extends to a little-known practice of tying turkeys to hay bales and then shooting them, often with arrows. In the Senate, SB 1150, introduced by Patrick Browne (R-Lehigh Co.), has languished in committee since November. The Senate Judiciary committee was scheduled to vote on the bill in March, but pulled it to deal with an equally controversial gay marriage amendment. The pigeon shoot bill has not come up for a vote since.
The history in the House of Representatives to enact legislation has been more contentious. In 1994, the year after State Police arrested 114 persons at the Hegins pigeon shoot, the House of Representatives voted 99-93 to ban all pigeon shoots. Supporters, however, needed 102 votes, a majority, for passage. Subsequent bills have been blocked by the Republican leadership, aided by Democrats from the more rural parts of the state.
In the House, HB 2130, introduced by Rep. Frank Shimkus (D-Lackawanna), is also stalled in the Judiciary Committee. Rep. John Pallone (D-Armstrong), chair of the subcommittee on crime and corrections, said in February he would "convene hearings [on the bill] at the earliest convenience." There have been no hearings. Pallone says he just doesn't think a law is necessary, "because we do have animal laws relative to domestic and wild animals." Heidi Prescott disagrees.
"Although the Pennsylvania Supreme Court rightfully termed these shoots 'cruel and moronic' and allowed humane officers to prosecute participants for animal cruelty, this narrow procedural ruling did not stop live pigeon shoots," says Prescott. The Humane Society, she says, "has tried in court to apply the cruelty law to shoots, but without success so far."
Pallone says the bill, now with 51 co-sponsors, one-fourth of the House membership, an abnormally large number of co-sponsors for any piece of legislation, "is not a legislative priority." Rep. William DeWeese (D-Waynesburg), majority floor leader, sets the legislative priority. According to insiders in the House, DeWeese, like Pallone, vigorously opposes legislation to ban the state's pigeon shoots. Pallone claims that "it couldn't be any further from the truth" that DeWeese is blocking the bill from coming to the floor and has influenced the subcommittee. DeWeese, who has been in the House 32 years, twice before voted against bills that would ban pigeon shoots.
Records filed with the Pennsylvania Department of State reveal that DeWeese's campaign committees have accepted significant political contributions from organizations that oppose the ban on pigeon shooting. State records reveal that his committee has received $ 750 from the Flyers Victory Fund, the political action arm of the Pennsylvania Flyers Association, an organization of about 300 members who are dedicated to promoting live pigeon shoots. His campaign committees the past four years, according to Department of State records, have also received $ 6,500 in contributions from the NRA Political Victory Fund.
When Sen. Roy Afflerbach first introduced an amendment in 1998 to ban pigeon shooting, only about five senators supported it but, says Afllerbach, "the Senate has come a long way since then." A poll of Senate committee members, conducted in February and March, revealed a majority of committee members, including both the committee chair and minority chair, support the bill. An informal and confidential poll of House committee members in March revealed that 14 of the 29-member House committee would probably vote for the bill; nine were undecided and only six were firmly opposed.
"It does not require any courage to shoot a pigeon launched from a box, and it shouldn't require much more for a legislator to decree that it is wrong to do so," says Prescott, who is acknowledged even by opponents as one of the most effective lobbyists in the state capitol. But, Prescott is facing a formidable opponent.
"Banning pigeon shoots would be a first step in advancing [the] agenda [of animal rights activists], and they won't stop there," wails an alarmist message on the NRA website. "It's the first step in an agenda that would prohibit all hunting," NRA spokesperson Rachel Parsons told the Pittsburgh City Paper in February.
"That's a ridiculous argument, and nothing less than a scare tactic," says Karel Minor, executive director of the Humane Society of Berks County, Pennsylvania. Roy Afflerbach, who grew up on a farm, says he hunted "from the time I was old enough to walk into the field." He says, "We grew up with a reverence for life, and never shot anything that we couldn't eat, that gave us sustenance for life." Opposing pigeon shoots "is not a firearms or hunting issue, but an issue of violence and animal cruelty, the mass killing of animals and birds solely to award prizes," says Afflerbach, now president of the Afflerbach Group after serving four years in the state House of Representatives, 12 years as a senator, and as Allentown mayor.
"Only the most extremist hunters would defend launching, shooting, and then dumping animals into a trash bag as hunting or as a sport," says Heidi Prescott. Jerry Feaser, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, agrees. Pigeon shoots, he told the Philadelphia Inquirer, "are not what we would classify as fair-chase hunting." Rep. Shimkus told the Scranton Times-Tribune, "I do not support gun control," and vowed to "never allow this bill to go forward if it had to do with gun control." The bill specifically excludes legitimate hunting activities.
Karel Minor says his organization became involved "because reasonable hunters," including those on his board of directors, "deem pigeon shooting is so far out of the mainstream." Reasonable hunters, he says, realize that "it's cruelty in order to make money from shooting animals that are catapulted."
If Pennsylvania hunters are really worried, says Heidi Prescott, "they can look at other big hunting states-like New York, Texas, Montana, West Virginia, and Michigan." These states, says Prescott, "have outlawed captive bird shooting, but hunting continues unaffected."
While the NRA is expending considerable time and resources to block the bills, most of the state's sportsmen's organizations, says Afflerbach, "recognize that this 'sport' is indefensible." The 4,000-member Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania (USP) has not devoted resources to trying to quash the bills; only a one-line notice in a list of bills USP opposes indicates that organization opposes the ban on pigeon shoots.
There were about two dozen shoots during the past year at the Pikeville Gun Club, Strausstown Gun Club and Wing Pointe in Berks County, as well as one at Valley View in Schuylkill County and Erdman in Dauphin County. At each shoot, more than 1,000 pigeons are killed and thrown away.
Dave Comroe no longer goes to pigeon shoots. "It's not too exciting for me," he says. "It's not something I'm interested in. It's not my thing," he says. His "thing" is competitive trapshooting. Comroe now kills inanimate clay pigeons made of tar and pitch, hitting about 96 percent from the 16 yard line, occasionally busting a perfect 100 to earn championships.
Heidi Prescott and the 11.6 million members of the Humane Society, about 7.3 million more than the NRA, wish the few hundred Pennsylvanians who are active pigeon shooters would follow Comroe's example and stop participating in the cruelty of pigeon shoots-either voluntarily or by force of law.
Dr. Brasch attended and reported on five pigeon shoots. An award-winning syndicated columnist, he is professor of journalism at Bloomsburg University and president of the Pennsylvania Press Club. His latest book is Sinking the Ship of State: The Presidency of George W. Bush (November 2007), available through amazon.com and other bookstores. You may contact Brasch at brasch@bloomu.edu or through his website at: http://www.walterbrasch.com
The view of this video is prohibited to minors. The images in the following program are highly sensitive and may be as disturbing to viewers as they were to ...
McDonald's Corp. and Target Corp. cut ties to Sparboe Farms, one of the largest egg suppliers in the United States, following the release of an undercover video displaying animal cruelty at some of its farms.
The moves also came after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned Sparboe Wednesday that inspections at five of its facilities exposed “serious violations” of federal rules meant to prevent salmonella.
In the warning letter, the FDA said that eggs from those facilities “have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have become contaminated with filth, or whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health.”
The agency also noted unacceptable rodent activity.
The expose:- The video, which was released on Friday, shows chickens being packed into tight cages, some being thrown away with dead ones in plastic bags, and workers cutting chickens' beaks. “The behavior on tape is disturbing and completely unacceptable. McDonald's wants to assure our customers that we demand humane treatment of animals by our suppliers,” McDonald's Vice President for sustainability, Bob Langert, said.
It was shot by members of the group Mercy for Animals at five Sparboe facilities in Iowa, Minnesota and Colorado over the summer. Their investigator went undercover and got hired by Sparboe, and wore a hidden camera to “work” to document cases of “egregious animal abuse and neglect,” the group said.
McDonald's, which uses eggs for its popular Egg McMuffins, announced the termination decision on Friday. Target soon followed, saying it was removing Sparboe's eggs from its shelves.
In a statement, McDonald's said, “Based upon recent information, we have informed our direct supplier, Cargill, that we will no longer accept eggs from its supplier, Sparboe. This decision is based on McDonald's and Cargill's concern regarding the management of Sparboe's facilities.”
Sparboe was a significant egg supplier for McDonald's.
“Regarding the undercover videos, the behavior on tape is disturbing and completely unacceptable. McDonald's wants to assure our customers that we demand humane treatment of animals by our suppliers,” McDonald's vice president for sustainability, Bob Langert, said.
Target also issued a statement saying, “Having been made aware of the unacceptable conditions in the company's egg laying facilities, effective immediately, Target will discontinue its business relationship with Sparboe Farms.”
Sparboe's reaction:- In an online statement, Beth Sparboe Schnell, the company's president and owner, said that Sparboe launched an internal investigation when it learned about the video and “identified four employees who were complicit in this disturbing activity and they have been terminated.”
The company also said that it has made management changes, taken corrective actions sought by the FDA, and started retraining all of its barn workers in proper animal care procedures.
“Acts depicted in the footage are totally unacceptable and completely at odds with our values as egg farmers. In fact, they are in direct violation of our animal care code of conduct, which all of our employees read, sign and follow each day,” Schnell said.
5-Legged Goat, Chinese Freak Show Image by AdamCohn This poor fellow was chained up in a tent at a Freak Show in China. I will upload more photos from that incident when I have a chance
Inhuman Contact Image by sidnair "All is for the best in the best of all possible worlds" : Candide -Voltaire.
In the state of Arizona animal cruelty is often times charged as a misdemeanor. However, for more serious cases there is a chance that it can be charged as a felony. If you are facing misdemeanor or felony charges of animal cruelty you need to speak with an Arizona criminal defense attorney to discuss your rights. An experienced attorney will be able to assess your case and help you make the best decision as to what action to take.
When it comes time to represent your case in court you do not want to stand alone. A criminal defense lawyer can help you to get minimal punishment so that you can get back on the right track again, and avoid further complications in the future.
What is Animal Cruelty:
Arizona has several statuary definitions for animal abuse including intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly subjecting an animal under a person’s possession to cruel neglect or abandonment. The state defines cruel neglect as failing to provide the animal with necessary food, water, or shelter. Abandonment however is not specifically defined by the statute and therefore would probably be given its common definition. These things will all be taken into consideration when the court looks at your case and for the best representation you should seek the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
Signs of Animal Cruelty:
You can help stop or prevent animal cruelty by watching for signs of animal cruelty in your neighborhood. Signs of animal abuse and cruelty may include: Extremely thin animals, animals that are unable to walk or are limping, a tick or flea infestation, animals that are repeatedly left alone outside without food or water, a house with an excessive amount of cats, an animal that cowers in fear as you approach it, overly aggressive animals, animals left in parked cars during extreme heat, owners yelling at or threatening their animals, cuts and bruises or other types of sores, and or missing patches of fur.
If you notice any of these signs of animal neglect and abuse you need to call the Arizona Humane Society and report the mistreatment to them. You can help to stop animal cruelty with one phone call. If you have been accused of animal cruelty an Arizona criminal defense attorney can help you to receive minimal punishment, and get back on track so that you can avoid similar mistakes in the future.
Jeremy Geigle is a criminal defense attorney in Mesa Arizona who has successfully defended individuals charged with a variety of offenses. Jeremy prides himself on offering quality representation for juveniles charged with criminal offenses, dui victims, expungement cases and many other criminal offenses.
Arizona has created a task force to help manage and monitor how Arizona pet shops take care of the animals they are selling. Just because you are selling those animals, and the fact that they are not your pet does not mean that they don't deserve to be treated humanely. Without a sense of responsibility Arizona pet shop owners might neglect their animals.
But not only Arizona pet shops; as shocking as it may seem animal grooming establishments, breeding facilities, kennels, and even animal shelters are common violators of animal rights. Making these people legally responsible to fully implement laws against animal cruelty is the best action to be taken.
Follow these Simple Rules
An Arizona pet shop must have a resident veterinarian or currently have a veterinarian on its pay roll to on call and to check up on its animals regularly. This is to ensure that the animals are healthy and is in proper care. Not only will a sick pet be a danger to itself but also to the owners. There is also a danger of causing an epidemic among animals.
It is good for an Arizona pet shop to know the history and background of the animals they are selling. They must have the health and medical records as well as the breeding history of that animal upon request of the animal task force or the consumer. It is also important to remember that although an Arizona pet shop's aim is to gain profit, never misrepresent an animal's breed, health or pedigree as this is punishable by law.
For Arizona pet shops that sell puppies and cats they must post the puppy lemon law in their establishments. Non profit establishment however are not required to do so. Non-profit establishments are humane societies or rescue groups.
If encase the need for euthanasia arises, an Arizona pet shop must go about it in the most humane way and the acceptable way as according to the task force.
Never neglect the needs of your animals. As Arizona pet shop owners you should also be aware that cats and dogs cages should never be place in close proximity with each other.
In the beginning the task force sent out letter notices to all Arizona pet shop owners that there is now a law governing body to implement laws against animal cruelty. These days the task force goes into Arizona pet shops without prior notice; a surprise inspection to see if the pet shops really take care of their animals.
DSC_5142 Image by Life Lenses The aftermath of a 500 dog seizure in Fort Worth. Pictures taken at the temporary shelter HSUS, petsmart, and the UAN set up to hold the dogs as they await their freedom.
Being the superior creation of God, it is the duty of us human beings to take care of the lesser creatures. Animals are often treated in a sadistic manner by their owners and the woebegone faces of animals say it all.
A large number of animal welfare organizations along with animal activists are actively involved in rescuing stray animals to provide them with a better life. These organizations also help the pet owners relocating to a different place to find shelter for their pets.
Being inspired by these activities, a wide section of people are resorting to various unique ways to support cruelty free life of animals. Some of the initiatives undertaken to support this noble mission are as follows:
Abandoning fur products: Clothing and accessories made of fur are being abandoned extensively by the ethically conscious section of the society as a large number of animals like cats, dogs and bears are killed to get fur from their body.
Banning products made of ivory: Ivory obtained from elephant is used for making ornaments, statues, furnitures and other decorative items. Elephants are brutally killed for deriving ivory from their tusk; hence various countries have banned the selling as well as imports of ivory products.
Banning circus and animal shows: To protest act of cruelty against animals, various countries are taking the initiative of banning circus and animal shows where animals are used as props for entertainment. Using animals in movies has also been banned in many countries.
Buying cruelty-free products: Majority of people these days prefer buying cruelty-free products which are not tested on animals.
The market is inundated with cruelty-free products ranging from cosmetics to household products. One can identify such products by reading the cruelty free label attached to the products.
Humane Meat USA is one such organization that funds research into methods of cruelty free meat production that will either equal, or even beat, the current price of conventional fast food meat so that this meat becomes "world standard" due to its price point, eco-healthiness, and more. This is a wonderful initiative taken for cruelty free meat production.
These are the various initiatives undertaken by the society to provide a cruelty –free life to the animals and birds worldwide. By contributing your support to such noble missions even you can make a big difference.
For more information on Human Meat USA, please visit: Human Meat USA
Warning: Contains Graphic Footage. Undercover video footage at "Wyoming Premium Farms" revealing egregious cruelty and filthy conditions at a Wyoming pig bre...
