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Action Alert! Welcome the Members of the 112th Congress
Action Alert! Welcome the Members of the 112th Congress: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
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Western Art Horse Paintings: Zenyatta Painting Contemporary Horse Impressionism...
Western Art Horse Paintings: Zenyatta Painting Contemporary Horse Impressionism...: "ZenyattaContemporary Horse Impressionism PaintingShe's Up To Race Again Soon In The Breeders Cup!20x16 Inches 1.5 Inch Deep Gallery Wrapped ..."
AWI Press Release: OKLAHOMA HORSE TRAILER ACCIDENT HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED FOR FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE ACTION
AWI Press Release: OKLAHOMA HORSE TRAILER ACCIDENT HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED FOR FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE ACTION: "Washington, DC – The need for federal legislation ending the slaughter of and providing safer transportation for American horses came to the forefront again last Tuesday, as we witnessed another horrific accident involving an overturned cattle trailer carrying 30 horses.
At around 6:00 am on May 18, 2010, Christopher Dobbin of Missouri fell asleep behind the wheel of a stock cattle trailer hauling horses bound for slaughter in Mexico to a temporary feedlot in Texas. Eleven of the 30 horses died as a result of the careless and inhumane transportation methods used by Dobbin, who was issued a reckless driving citation. This unfortunate accident underscores the desperate need for quick and thorough legislative action to end the slaughter of American horses and provide safer transportation for equines.
“This unfortunate incident is one more unwelcome reminder of the need for swift movement on federal legislation. Pending bills would require better treatment of animals being transported, provide safer roadways for drivers, and criminalize acts that lead to the slaughter of America’s horses,” said Christine Sequenzia, federal policy advisor, Animal Welfare Institute (AWI).
AWI is actively working to achieve passage of the Horse Transportation Safety Act (H.R. 305), sponsored by Congressmen Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Steve Cohen (D-TN). H.R. 305 was introduced as a response to several earlier horrific accidents, including one in Illinois involving 59 draft horses being hauled in a double deck cattle trailer, 13 of whom died as a result. The Horse Transportation Safety Act would ban the transportation of horses in double deck trailers designed for shorter-necked species.
The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (S. 727/H.R. 503) was introduced by Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and John Ensign (R-NV) in the Senate and Congressmen John Conyers (D-MI) and Dan Burton (R-IN) in the House. This bill would finally put an end to sending American horses over U.S. borders to be slaughtered for human consumption. Horses have not been slaughtered in the U.S. for human consumption since remaining plants closed their doors in 2005. However, killer-buyers are still able to purchase American horses at U.S. auction houses, condemning more than 90,000 equines to inhumane transportation, grueling holding facilities and, finally, the cruelty of slaughter.
The Animal Welfare Institute commends advocates for speaking out against the inhumane transportation methods used to haul the horses involved in this incident and denounces sending American horses to slaughter. To learn more about what AWI and our efforts to end horse slaughter, visit http://www.awionline.org/.
Media Contacts:
Christine Sequenzia, Animal Welfare Institute (202) 446-2140
The Animal Welfare Institute has been working to alleviate the suffering inflicted on animals by humans since 1951. Please join us in our work to protect animals – visit our website to find out more and to sign up for AWI eAlerts: http://www.awionline.org/.
To view this release online, please visit:
"
At around 6:00 am on May 18, 2010, Christopher Dobbin of Missouri fell asleep behind the wheel of a stock cattle trailer hauling horses bound for slaughter in Mexico to a temporary feedlot in Texas. Eleven of the 30 horses died as a result of the careless and inhumane transportation methods used by Dobbin, who was issued a reckless driving citation. This unfortunate accident underscores the desperate need for quick and thorough legislative action to end the slaughter of American horses and provide safer transportation for equines.
“This unfortunate incident is one more unwelcome reminder of the need for swift movement on federal legislation. Pending bills would require better treatment of animals being transported, provide safer roadways for drivers, and criminalize acts that lead to the slaughter of America’s horses,” said Christine Sequenzia, federal policy advisor, Animal Welfare Institute (AWI).
AWI is actively working to achieve passage of the Horse Transportation Safety Act (H.R. 305), sponsored by Congressmen Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Steve Cohen (D-TN). H.R. 305 was introduced as a response to several earlier horrific accidents, including one in Illinois involving 59 draft horses being hauled in a double deck cattle trailer, 13 of whom died as a result. The Horse Transportation Safety Act would ban the transportation of horses in double deck trailers designed for shorter-necked species.
The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (S. 727/H.R. 503) was introduced by Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and John Ensign (R-NV) in the Senate and Congressmen John Conyers (D-MI) and Dan Burton (R-IN) in the House. This bill would finally put an end to sending American horses over U.S. borders to be slaughtered for human consumption. Horses have not been slaughtered in the U.S. for human consumption since remaining plants closed their doors in 2005. However, killer-buyers are still able to purchase American horses at U.S. auction houses, condemning more than 90,000 equines to inhumane transportation, grueling holding facilities and, finally, the cruelty of slaughter.
The Animal Welfare Institute commends advocates for speaking out against the inhumane transportation methods used to haul the horses involved in this incident and denounces sending American horses to slaughter. To learn more about what AWI and our efforts to end horse slaughter, visit http://www.awionline.org/.
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Media Contacts:
Christine Sequenzia, Animal Welfare Institute (202) 446-2140
The Animal Welfare Institute has been working to alleviate the suffering inflicted on animals by humans since 1951. Please join us in our work to protect animals – visit our website to find out more and to sign up for AWI eAlerts: http://www.awionline.org/.
To view this release online, please visit:
AWI Press Release: Congress Must Act Now to Prevent Reckless Government Agency from Imperiling Survival of America's Wild Horses and Burros
AWI Press Release: Congress Must Act Now to Prevent Reckless Government Agency from Imperiling Survival of America's Wild Horses and Burros: "(Washington, D.C.) - The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), along with leading Members of Congress, numerous wild horse advocacy organizations and the majority of Americans, is exceedingly frustrated with the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) gross mismanagement of America’s wild horses and burros. In a recent ad in the Washington, D.C., newspaper, The Hill, AWI called on Congress to take swift and decisive action to prevent the BLM from “managing” our nation’s wild horses into extinction.
'AWI has long been critical of the BLM's inability to responsibly manage wild horses on the range, and the agency's recent actions have amplified concern for the future of America’s wild horses,' said Chris Heyde, deputy director of government and legal affairs for AWI. 'BLM’s more aggressive campaign of rounding up and warehousing wild horses began under the Obama administration and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. Recent reports of horses dying during roundups due to broken necks and legs, sloughed hooves, and most recently water intoxication (allowing the horses to drink a toxic amount of water following a strenuous run), are unconscionable.'
Yet despite all of this public and Congressional attention, the BLM continues to recklessly round up and remove thousands of wild horses from their legally mandated rangeland. In fact, Secretary Salazar has proposed spending millions of taxpayer dollars to build additional long term holding facilities in the Midwest and East to facilitate even more wild horse removals, which will add to the staggering 38,000 animals already in confinement.
Ever defiant, just last week, BLM Director Bob Abby sent a letter to all Members of Congress decrying increased public scrutiny of the wild horse and burro program. In this letter Director Abby wrote, 'Some wild horse activists are waging a campaign in the court of public opinion, aimed at stopping the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from gathering'wild horses and burros from overpopulated herds on Western public rangelands.”
'The Obama administration came into office promising greater transparency and accountability, which is entirely contrary to the BLM's preference to keep its abuse of wild horses and burros behind closed doors,” contends D.J. Schubert, AWI’s wildlife biologist. 'If the BLM is convinced that its wild horse management program is essential for the good of the horses and the land, it should provide the public with reasonable opportunities to observe its roundups – the good, bad, and ugly – instead of complaining when advocates expose the program’s inherent cruelties and deficiencies,' adds Schubert.
AWI asserts that, like its sister Department of Interior agency, the former Minerals Management Service (MMS), the integrity of the BLM’s wild horse and burro program has been compromised by its relationships with special interests that occupy or use wild horse and burro range. A few thousand wild horses are being blamed for every natural and unnatural problem facing the Western ranges, while ranchers, oil and gas companies, and other commercial entities abuse the public’s lands with inadequate oversight. The BLM’s obvious favoritism toward these more politically connected and financially lucrative industries continues to jeopardize the survival of America’s last wild horses and burros.
'Based upon its record, it is no wonder the BLM balks whenever the demand for genuine accountability is discussed,' states Heyde. 'While the BLM has repeatedly ignored the public’s demands, we hope that the requests of Members of Congress will not be so easily dismissed.'
For More Information:
Chris Heyde, Animal Welfare Institute, (202) 337-2332
"
Thankfully, several members of Congress are stepping up to defend these national treasures. House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall (D-WV) and Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Chairman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) have led the way in holding the BLM accountable for its actions. They sponsored the Restore our American Mustangs Act (ROAM Act), which passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelming margin last year and have just sent a bipartisan letter signed by 52 of their colleagues to Secretary Salazar. The letter raises serious questions about the recent tragic deaths of several wild horses and addresses the dire need for an independent analysis of the wild horse and burro program by the National Academy of Sciences. As stated in the bipartisan letter, 'We are concerned by the inability of your agency to acknowledge these disturbing outcomes, change what seems to be deeply flawed policy, and better manage the gathers so as to prevent the unnecessary suffering and death of these federally protected animals.' AWI shares these concerns.
Yet despite all of this public and Congressional attention, the BLM continues to recklessly round up and remove thousands of wild horses from their legally mandated rangeland. In fact, Secretary Salazar has proposed spending millions of taxpayer dollars to build additional long term holding facilities in the Midwest and East to facilitate even more wild horse removals, which will add to the staggering 38,000 animals already in confinement.
Ever defiant, just last week, BLM Director Bob Abby sent a letter to all Members of Congress decrying increased public scrutiny of the wild horse and burro program. In this letter Director Abby wrote, 'Some wild horse activists are waging a campaign in the court of public opinion, aimed at stopping the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from gathering'wild horses and burros from overpopulated herds on Western public rangelands.”
'The Obama administration came into office promising greater transparency and accountability, which is entirely contrary to the BLM's preference to keep its abuse of wild horses and burros behind closed doors,” contends D.J. Schubert, AWI’s wildlife biologist. 'If the BLM is convinced that its wild horse management program is essential for the good of the horses and the land, it should provide the public with reasonable opportunities to observe its roundups – the good, bad, and ugly – instead of complaining when advocates expose the program’s inherent cruelties and deficiencies,' adds Schubert.
AWI asserts that, like its sister Department of Interior agency, the former Minerals Management Service (MMS), the integrity of the BLM’s wild horse and burro program has been compromised by its relationships with special interests that occupy or use wild horse and burro range. A few thousand wild horses are being blamed for every natural and unnatural problem facing the Western ranges, while ranchers, oil and gas companies, and other commercial entities abuse the public’s lands with inadequate oversight. The BLM’s obvious favoritism toward these more politically connected and financially lucrative industries continues to jeopardize the survival of America’s last wild horses and burros.
'Based upon its record, it is no wonder the BLM balks whenever the demand for genuine accountability is discussed,' states Heyde. 'While the BLM has repeatedly ignored the public’s demands, we hope that the requests of Members of Congress will not be so easily dismissed.'
##30##
For More Information:
Chris Heyde, Animal Welfare Institute, (202) 337-2332
AWI Joins Forces with Shelters and Rescue Organizations:
AWI Joins Forces with Shelters and Rescue Organizations:: "Hundreds of Animals Rescued from Lab under Investigation for Abuse
(Washington, D.C.) - An enormous victory was achieved for animals when nearly 200 dogs and 54 cats were rescued from a North Carolina animal testing facility that closed its doors after an undercover investigation revealed apparent abuse of the animals by workers at the facility. Quick work on the part of the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), in partnership with the Humane Society of the U.S. and more than a dozen animal shelters and rescues (see list below) succeeded in placing all of the rescued animals, offering hope that they will find loving homes and solace after their ordeal.
“This event serves as dramatic testament to what can happen when the humane community comes together to oppose cruelty,” says AWI President, Cathy Liss. “We applaud the dedicated efforts of animal welfare advocates who stepped up to take in these animals, and hope that the exposure of this situation will underscore the need for stricter enforcement to protect animals in research facilities.”
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) conducted the initial investigation[1] that exposed the apparent cruelty at Professional Laboratory and Research Services, an inconspicuous rural lab funded by large pharmaceutical companies to test insecticides and other chemicals used in companion animal products. For nine months, a PETA investigator worked undercover at the facility, and shot video showing animals in excruciating pain from procedures, as well as employees kicking, throwing, and dragging petrified dogs, violently slamming cats into cages, and screaming obscenities at the animals for showing fear and being uncooperative.
Following its investigation, PETA filed formal complaints with federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and submitted evidence to the local prosecutor’s office. Soon thereafter, the USDA inspected the facility and instigated a formal investigation. In the meantime, the lab agreed to surrender voluntarily all its dogs and cats, and to cease research at the facility.
The deadline for placing the released animals was Friday, September 17, and AWI was alerted to the need to find shelter for the animals only three days earlier. AWI scrambled to place the hundreds of animals in shelters to avoid the possibility that they would be euthanized. For several days, AWI staff members frantically worked the phones, calling on its vast network and succeeding in getting all the animals placed. Over a dozen shelters and rescues groups from New Jersey to Florida were enlisted to take them in.
“AWI is extremely grateful to PETA for its initial investigation, to enforcement personnel at the USDA for taking swift action once the situation was revealed, and to the all the animal advocates who worked overtime to get these animals placed in shelters,” added Liss. “Through the actions of many, hundreds of animals were rescued and given the chance to receive the care and compassion all animals deserve.”
For More Information:
Cathy Liss - (202) 337-2332
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] More information, photos and videos on PETA’s investigation of the lab is available online at: http://www.peta.org/features/professional-laboratory-and-research-services.aspx
Animal shelters and/or rescues that have taken in dogs and cats from the NC lab
Associated Humane Societies (NJ) 973-824-7080
Beagles to the Rescue (VA) 757-204-4411
Carteret County Humane Society (NC) 252-247-7744
Elizabeth City SPCA (VA) 757-344-3033
Guilford County Animal Shelter (NC) 336-297-5020
In Dogs We Trust (FL) 561-400-7732
Norfolk SPCA (VA) 757-622-3319
Triangle Beagle Rescue (NC) info@tribeagles.org
Virginia Beach SPCA (VA) 757-427-0070
Wake County Animal Control/Adopt. Ctr. (NC) 919-212-7387
Wake County SPCA (NC) 919-772-2326
Washington Animal Rescue League (DC) 202-726-2556
"
| Photo by PETA |
“This event serves as dramatic testament to what can happen when the humane community comes together to oppose cruelty,” says AWI President, Cathy Liss. “We applaud the dedicated efforts of animal welfare advocates who stepped up to take in these animals, and hope that the exposure of this situation will underscore the need for stricter enforcement to protect animals in research facilities.”
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) conducted the initial investigation[1] that exposed the apparent cruelty at Professional Laboratory and Research Services, an inconspicuous rural lab funded by large pharmaceutical companies to test insecticides and other chemicals used in companion animal products. For nine months, a PETA investigator worked undercover at the facility, and shot video showing animals in excruciating pain from procedures, as well as employees kicking, throwing, and dragging petrified dogs, violently slamming cats into cages, and screaming obscenities at the animals for showing fear and being uncooperative.
Following its investigation, PETA filed formal complaints with federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and submitted evidence to the local prosecutor’s office. Soon thereafter, the USDA inspected the facility and instigated a formal investigation. In the meantime, the lab agreed to surrender voluntarily all its dogs and cats, and to cease research at the facility.
The deadline for placing the released animals was Friday, September 17, and AWI was alerted to the need to find shelter for the animals only three days earlier. AWI scrambled to place the hundreds of animals in shelters to avoid the possibility that they would be euthanized. For several days, AWI staff members frantically worked the phones, calling on its vast network and succeeding in getting all the animals placed. Over a dozen shelters and rescues groups from New Jersey to Florida were enlisted to take them in.
“AWI is extremely grateful to PETA for its initial investigation, to enforcement personnel at the USDA for taking swift action once the situation was revealed, and to the all the animal advocates who worked overtime to get these animals placed in shelters,” added Liss. “Through the actions of many, hundreds of animals were rescued and given the chance to receive the care and compassion all animals deserve.”
##30##
For More Information:
Cathy Liss - (202) 337-2332
AWI was founded in 1951 and is dedicated to alleviating suffering inflicted on animals by humans. As a central pillar of its mission, AWI works to promote better care of animals in research facilities, and foster efforts to provide them with comfortable, humane quarters and the opportunity to engage in natural, species-typical behaviors, while sparing them unnecessary pain, fear and distress.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] More information, photos and videos on PETA’s investigation of the lab is available online at: http://www.peta.org/features/professional-laboratory-and-research-services.aspx
Animal shelters and/or rescues that have taken in dogs and cats from the NC lab
Associated Humane Societies (NJ) 973-824-7080
Beagles to the Rescue (VA) 757-204-4411
Carteret County Humane Society (NC) 252-247-7744
Elizabeth City SPCA (VA) 757-344-3033
Guilford County Animal Shelter (NC) 336-297-5020
In Dogs We Trust (FL) 561-400-7732
Norfolk SPCA (VA) 757-622-3319
Triangle Beagle Rescue (NC) info@tribeagles.org
Virginia Beach SPCA (VA) 757-427-0070
Wake County Animal Control/Adopt. Ctr. (NC) 919-212-7387
Wake County SPCA (NC) 919-772-2326
Washington Animal Rescue League (DC) 202-726-2556
AWI Press Release: USDA Urged to Toughen Penalties for Humane Slaughter Violations
AWI Press Release: USDA Urged to Toughen Penalties for Humane Slaughter Violations: "(Washington, D.C.) - A new report by the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) – Humane Slaughter Update: Comparing State and Federal Enforcement of Humane Slaughter Laws – indicates that, more than two years after the shocking depiction of inhumane practices at the Westland-Hallmark slaughter plant in California, enforcement of humane slaughter laws has increased at both the state and federal levels, but remains inconsistent and low in comparison with other aspects of food safety inspection. Furthermore, application of weak penalties (including typical plant suspensions of one day or less) is insufficient to deter repeat violators from continuing to commit inhumane acts.
AWI conducted the review, which was performed by analyzing data received through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, to judge the effectiveness of measures taken in the aftermath of the Westland-Hallmark incident, where workers were observed kicking, shocking and abusing animals too sick or injured to walk into the slaughterhouse. While federal suspensions for humane slaughter violations increased 7-fold after Westland-Hallmark, AWI found that the 15 federal food safety districts varied widely in application of humane slaughter laws. And, although state-level enforcement was up as well, some states offered no evidence of enforcing the law. Overall, federal inspectors were shown to be four times more likely than inspectors in state plants to take serious action in response to an egregious humane infraction.
Earlier this month, AWI presented a petition to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) describing how the agency can prevent future animal abuse in American slaughterhouses by implementing a few relatively simple and inexpensive reforms. First and foremost, AWI is recommending stronger penalties, including substantially longer suspensions and more frequent withdrawal of inspection, for slaughter plants that repeatedly violate humane slaughter laws.
“We have slaughter plants that are still operating after three, four and even five suspensions within a one-year period,” said Dena Jones, farm animal program manager for AWI. “Apparently shutting down a plant for a day or less isn’t enough of a deterrent to prevent repeat violations.” AWI is recommending that a second suspension result in removal of inspection for no less than 30 days and retraining of staff in humane handling and slaughter practices, and a third suspension result in withdrawal of inspection service for a period of at least three years.
In addition to stronger penalties, AWI is requesting USDA develop procedures for referring willful acts of animal cruelty to state law enforcement for prosecution, and that the agency work toward greater consistency among state-level humane slaughter enforcement programs. AWI is also urging USDA to post enforcement records on its website. “Making humane handling records available would not only assist the public in making more informed choices about the foods they purchase and consume but would encourage compliance by individual slaughterhouses with humane laws,” said Jones. Until USDA makes these records readily accessible to the public, AWI will post documents received through FOIA on its website at www.awionline.org/humaneslaughterviolations.
For more information:
Dena Jones, 202-446-2146 or dena@awionline.org
"
AWI conducted the review, which was performed by analyzing data received through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, to judge the effectiveness of measures taken in the aftermath of the Westland-Hallmark incident, where workers were observed kicking, shocking and abusing animals too sick or injured to walk into the slaughterhouse. While federal suspensions for humane slaughter violations increased 7-fold after Westland-Hallmark, AWI found that the 15 federal food safety districts varied widely in application of humane slaughter laws. And, although state-level enforcement was up as well, some states offered no evidence of enforcing the law. Overall, federal inspectors were shown to be four times more likely than inspectors in state plants to take serious action in response to an egregious humane infraction.
Earlier this month, AWI presented a petition to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) describing how the agency can prevent future animal abuse in American slaughterhouses by implementing a few relatively simple and inexpensive reforms. First and foremost, AWI is recommending stronger penalties, including substantially longer suspensions and more frequent withdrawal of inspection, for slaughter plants that repeatedly violate humane slaughter laws.
“We have slaughter plants that are still operating after three, four and even five suspensions within a one-year period,” said Dena Jones, farm animal program manager for AWI. “Apparently shutting down a plant for a day or less isn’t enough of a deterrent to prevent repeat violations.” AWI is recommending that a second suspension result in removal of inspection for no less than 30 days and retraining of staff in humane handling and slaughter practices, and a third suspension result in withdrawal of inspection service for a period of at least three years.
In addition to stronger penalties, AWI is requesting USDA develop procedures for referring willful acts of animal cruelty to state law enforcement for prosecution, and that the agency work toward greater consistency among state-level humane slaughter enforcement programs. AWI is also urging USDA to post enforcement records on its website. “Making humane handling records available would not only assist the public in making more informed choices about the foods they purchase and consume but would encourage compliance by individual slaughterhouses with humane laws,” said Jones. Until USDA makes these records readily accessible to the public, AWI will post documents received through FOIA on its website at www.awionline.org/humaneslaughterviolations.
##30##
For more information:
Dena Jones, 202-446-2146 or dena@awionline.org
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
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