A n i m
a l W r i t e s © sm
The
official ANIMAL RIGHTS ONLINE newsletter
Publisher ~ EnglandGal@aol.com
Issue #
04/11/01
Editor ~ JJswans@aol.com
Journalists ~ Park StRanger@aol.com
~
MichelleRivera1@aol.com
THE TEN ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE ARE:
1 ~ Eastertime and The Lambs of God by
J.R. Hyland
2 ~ Bunnies at Easter: A Sad Story
3 ~ National Homeless Animal's Day
4 ~ Job Opportunity
5 ~ Puppy Mill Cruelty Prosectution Case Lancaster
County
6 ~ Puppy Mill Auction
7 ~ Greyhound Racing Around the World
8 ~ Warning! Dangerous Pet Toy
9 ~ A Holiday Prayer
10 ~ Quote To Remember
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Eastertime and The Lambs of God
by J.R. Hyland - HumaneReligion@compuserve.com
WARNING:
This article may be offensive to carnivorous Christians.
It is the Lenten season and as Easter draws near, the stores are overstocked
with greeting cards that depict baby lambs frolicking in green meadows or
running through flower-filled fields with the little children who are as
innocent and carefree as the animals with whom they romp. And for the more
religiously inclined, there are cards which depict the Christ, so often
portrayed as the Good Shepherd. He is shown tenderly carrying a lamb who looks
lovingly into the face of its protector. The messages
inside these cards speak of love and renewal -- of new beginnings.
The fashion industry also uses these springtime images of resurrection and new
life to sell Easter outfits. Newspaper ads use drawings of wild flowers and
little lambs, implying a connection between these pastoral images of innocence
and youth and the people who will wear the clothes.
During this season it seems that the whole world rejoices in the exuberant lamb
and the springtime world into which it has been born. And although most of
their readers live in a world of concrete sidewalks and hi-rise buildings, even
THE NEW YORK TIMES joins in this celebration of things pastoral. In fact, one
of their columnists became quite poetic in her appreciation of springtime, in
general, and little lambs, in particular. In the Sunday Magazine section Molly
O'Neill wrote, movingly, that "animal and shepherd wander the grassy knoll
without destination or care, a romantic idyll of innocence and freedom."
She went on to say that "even without religious implications, young lambs
invite a communion with nature."
Then Molly tells us how to achieve this communion with nature: Kill and eat the
carefree, young lamb. She is a food editor, and the headline of her column
explains her position: "A Little Lamb Eats Ivy: And clover. And fennel.
And Garlic. Which Explains Why it Tastes So Good." She goes on to praise
the lambs for eating those things, because their diet provides "built-in
seasonings" for those who will devour it.
In this article, Molly continues to writes lyrically about her subject. She
informs her readers that because baby lambs are "born in the month just
prior to their slaughter, they will have grazed on young grasses like clover or
on the salty marsh grasses of France and Ireland. The delicate herbaceousness
of the meat is like an edible postcard from the animal's hometown."
In addition to her definition of lambs as "edible postcards" this
food editor reports her theological insights regarding the slaughter of those
innocents. Ms. O'Neill informs her
readers that in "sacrificing an innocent we acknowledge the basic human
paradox, that in order to live we take life." (Note: she does not even try
to claim that we HAVE to take life in order to exist.) In her role as theologian/chef, Molly also
explains that "those who baste the lamb after letting its blood, for
Easter or Ramadan, feel chastened and protective. Reminded of their darkside,
they look forward to the light."
These uplifting thoughts are followed by her recipe for "Baby Leg of
Lamb." A full-color picture
accompanies the article. It is an artsy photograph of a giant, raw lamb chop,
haloed by the golden flames which will soon make it an "edible
postcard."
But it is not only the semi-sophisticated readers of THE NEW YORK TIMES who
accept this obscene juxtaposition of praise for the "innocence and
freedom" of the newborn lamb with a recipe that calls for "2 legs of
baby lamb (4 lbs each.)" Most people live with this schizophrenic
contradiction.
An Easter catalog, "Expressions of Faith: Christian Cards and Gifts"
arrived in the mail. It is definitely not for the sophisticate and there are no
artsy photos. Both the illustrations and the text are best described as
"precious." But the
contradictory message it gives is the same as that which is found
in more urbane publications.
One of the catalog's offerings is an Easter card series called "Warm &
Whimsical." The first one features a baby lamb, delighted by the spring
flowers that surround it. The inside message says "May the beauty of God's
creation brighten your Easter season."
This is a chilling sentiment when one realizes that for those who receive these
cards, the little lamb who expresses the "beauty of God's creation"
will probably "brighten" the season by ending up, dead, on their
plates for Easter Sunday dinner.
The catalog also offers Easter place mats for sale. Baby animals form the
motif: cuddly bunnies, tiny chicks, and of course, a little lamb, are depicted. A prayer -- grace before meals -- is also
printed on the mat. "For flowers and lambs and birds that sing, we thank
you, Lord, for everything. Amen."
Do those who order these mats say this particular prayer of thanksgiving just
before they cannibalize the lamb on their dinner plate?
Why not? Many who honor Jesus Christ celebrate his escape from the grave by
condemning to death tens of thousands of gentle lambs. They will be brutally
slaughtered so their corpses can be devoured on Easter Sunday -- with thanks to
God, and in honor of The Good Shepherd.
"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
Copyright 1998 by Humane Religion.
www.HumaneReligion.org
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Bunnies at Easter: A Sad Story
House
Rabbit Society Rabbit Care Guide
http://www.rabbit.org/
Contrary
to Eastertime hype, rabbits and small children are not a good match. The
natural exuberance and rambunctiousness of even the gentlest toddler are
stressful for the sensitive rabbit.
Children like a companion they can hold, carry, and cuddle. That's why stuffed
animals are so popular. Rabbits are not passive and cuddly. They are
ground-loving creatures who feel frightened and insecure when held and
restrained. The result: the child loses interest, and the rabbit ends up
neglected or abandoned.
Those cute baby Easter bunnies soon grow large and reach adolescence. If left unspayed/unneutered they are likely
to chew, spray or exhibit other generally unappreciated behaviors. Many end up
neglected or abandoned. The result?
Humane organizations such as House Rabbit Society see a
huge increase in the number of abandoned rabbits that continues through the end
of summer. Help us stop this yearly cycle! Know the facts about rabbits as
pets, and what you can do to educate those who have purchased or are thinking
of purchasing a rabbit as a pet.
Know the Facts.
Rabbits are not "low-maintenance" pets, and are a poor choice as a
pet for children. They have a lifespan of 10 years and require as much
work as a dog or cat. Your home must be bunny-proofed, or Thumper will
chew electrical cords and furniture. Rabbits must be spayed or neutered
or they will mark your house with feces and urine. They should live
indoors, as members of the family. To consign these sensitive, intelligent,
social animals to life in a hutch is to miss the joy of sharing your life with
a rabbit.
Clearly, rabbits aren't for everyone. Are you a gentle adult living in a quiet
household? If you think you're one of those rare individuals who would enjoy
sharing life with a rabbit, please visit your local rabbit-rescue group.
For more information, see the House Rabbit Society website
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National Homeless Animals' Day
from - Elizabeth Tolson - etolson@gibralter.net
Please
Note: National Homeless Animals' Day is always on the third Saturday of August
each year. This year that is AUGUST 18, 2001. Order your vigil
packet now!
ISAR began National homeless Animals' Day and Candlelight Vigils to publicize
dog and cat overpopulation in its overwhelming magnitude, to increase public
awareness of the millions of dogs and cats killed in shelters annually for lack
of homes and to emphasize the importance of spaying and neutering companion
animals. From modest beginnings in 1992, National Homeless Animals' Day and
Candlelight Vigils, commemorated on the third Saturday of August each year,
have grown enormously in both number and content. Animal Rights/Welfare
organizations, as well as individuals from around the world have taken part in
the event to increase public awareness of this issue.
The candlelight Vigils, perhaps more than any other event, dramatize the
significance of the overpopulation problem, and why the killing must
stop. Dedicated shelter and animal control personnel, who must kill the
animals at the cost of their own grief, plan beautiful, moving vigils. Many
read the names of the animals and the dates they were killed from
identification collars used in shelters. Music, prayers, readings and speeches
are also often part of the vigils.
As a part of National Homeless Animals' Day, many governors and mayors sign
proclamations written by ISAR. These declarations urge people to act
responsibly by having their companion animals spayed or neutered to help curb
pet overpopulation, ultimately putting an end to the killing of healthy but
homeless animals.
Individuals or organizations wishing to take part in National Homeless Animals'
Day and Candlelight Vigils can contact ISAR for a free vigil packet which
contains materials on how activists can organize their own vigils, as well as
helpful hints for holding a successful vigil.
To request a Vigil Packet, call or write to:
ISAR: International Society for Animal Rights
965 Griffin Pond Road
Clarks Summit, PA 18411
Voice - 570-586-2200
or 1-800-543-ISAR
Fax - 570-586-9580
ISAR@AOL.COM
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Job Opportunity
Animal Protection of New Mexico, Inc. (APNM)
seeks a highly self-motivated, energetic individual to implement its Companion
Animal Rescue Effort (CARE) project. The position involves establishing
and maintaining self-sustaining pilot programs in Santa Fe and Albuquerque that
provide foster homes for companion animals of domestic violence victims.
This will enable human victims to leave their violent homes and provide a safe
environment for the animals.
The position is a temporary full-time position which will require at least a
6-month commitment, with the possibility of up to a one-year contract, working
in either Santa Fe or Albuquerque. Salary range: $25,000 - $28,500 depending on
experience, and health benefits. Preferred candidates will have excellent
writing, speaking and people skills, knowledge of New Mexico, be experienced in
affecting public policy, have working knowledge of computers/internet, and be
fluent in Spanish.
Send resumés to:
APNM, Attn. Executive Director
P.O. Box 11395
Albuquerque, NM 87192,
or to Lisa@apnm.org
For more info: www.apnm.org, and click on the CARE program link.
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Puppy Mill Cruelty Prosecution
Case
Lancaster County
from Catherine Rodgers - catrodgers@yahoo.com
In
September there was a kennel raid in Mt Joy Township in Lancaster County,
PA. We took 61 dogs from horrible conditions. There were 3 separate
locations being used to house dogs and all were awful. One of locations was an
old stone barn - no heat, no air-conditioning, no ventilation, and no
light. The 2 small windows were boarded up. Smell of ammonia coming from
that garage literally knocked me over. Dogs were enclosed in that pit in total
darkness for almost 24 hrs a day. The only time that there would have been
light was when the garage door was opened for someone to go in. Based on
the build up of urine it had been some time since anyone had been there.
Some of the dogs crammed in cages were dog aggressive so other dogs lived in
terror. Some were blind, others deaf & still others lame from conditions
they were living in & failure of "owners" to provide adequate
medical care.
The woman affiliated with the operation threatened to kill the police officer,
his wife and their child. She was arrested for making terrorist threats & taken
to prison. Cruelty charges were filed against her & against the man she
lived with.
Cases are now making their way thru court. It would be very helpful to
police officer pressing the case if we could locate people who've
purchased dogs from the pair. The names are Charles Carr, Virginia Swayne
or Crossroads Kennel. If you know anyone who's purchased dog from these people,
please email me immediately.
There were many different breeds of dogs, but in particular, Bulldogs, Cocker
Spaniels, Chihuahuas, Pugs, Wheatens & Dachshunds.
Please forward this to every person & group that may have an interest in
it. It's very important that we locate
people who purchased dogs from these people.
Lee Wheeler
Hearts United for Animals
http://www.hua.org
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Puppymill Auction
from Trevor Chin - tmchin@yahoo.com
This
was written by a Japanese Chin breeder and columnist for the AKC Gazette who
witnessed in person the following ~~
As I walked up to the front of a big metal barn I first notice a sign beside
the door, "No cameras or video equipment, violators will be
prosecuted." Wearing plastic
boots and gloves I entered the barn and quickly understood why the sign was
there. The front half of the barn was filled with dust covered chairs,
the back half looked like a concentration camp for dogs. There were row
upon row of filthy, rusty wire cages filled with dogs, 300 of them to be
auctioned. I first noticed some powder puff Cresteds that turned out to
be Maltese, then I did see some Cresteds that I thought were some kind of
Terriers and so it went. These dogs did not meet any standard for their
breeds. They were in the poorest of poor condition; splayed, swollen,
inflamed feet from spending their entire lives on wire. Cavalier puppies
were sick, dull coats, shivering little bodies with little legs hanging down
through the wire, it just ripped my heart out. Two large dogs were
covered with mange and had big tattoos on their hips like we see on cattle on
wild west movies.
It gets worse!!! I walked to the very back of the barn where two men were
huddled together, I casually walked by to observe them micro chipping AKC dogs,
on the premises, on a filthy dirty table in the most unhealthy of all
circumstances. I returned to the car and got my own chair and felt like
the lowest form of human being present. The auction started, dog after
dog sold bringing anywhere from $50 to $500. They had girls working
bringing the poor creatures to the auction block where people would run up and
poke, prod, and then pry open their mouths to check bite, I'm not sure why,
they were buying bad bites and dogs with only one testicle for breeding
(inherited condition). The dogs could not stand on the table, it was
apparent that they had never been on solid surface. Every dog I saw
looked as if it had given up all desire to live and to be truthful with you,
death would have been a blessing for all of them.
They lifted up a huge Chihuahua that was very pregnant and the auctioneer told
how she always whelped 5 to 6 puppies, good mother and still had a lot of good
breedings left in her. I looked at my sale sheet and she had whelped just
six months ago and was 7 1/2 yrs. old. One Chi male they could not get
out of his plastic carrier because he was biting, the owner came with big heavy
leather gloves and tried to get him out, a rescue person bought him for $43, I
believe he was far beyond rescuing.
Most of the AKC dogs were sold with anywhere from 1 to 4 supplemental
transfers, just imagine the life they lead. Now we will get to the
buyers, all the Southwest Mo. puppy mill owners were present. One of them
lives at Miller, Mo. only 8 miles from my home and the other one lives at Mt.
Vernon, Mo. only 10 miles from me, unfortunately this one now has a so called
agent showing her Chin, she has 15 in her back yard up on wire along with 110
other dogs and 15 different breeds and her daughter had recently been fired
from her job working at this sale barn. These people represented the
scum of the earth, as dirty as the barn they were in. I wanted to take
these people outside and use a pressure washer on each one. They strutted
around proud as punch of themselves and their accomplishments in the "dog
industry".
The auction started at 11:00 am and I stayed for only two hours after they sold
100 dogs with the other 200 still to sell, it was 1:00 PM when I left, which
meant it would be about 5:00 before the auction would be over. Now keep
in mind that a large portion of these dogs were brought in the evening before
and put in the cages. They were not offered any food or water because they
didn't want them to eliminate in the cages before the sale.
These poor dogs have no quality of life, no love, and no attention. They just
seem to go back and forth from one puppy mill to another, there was no one
there just looking for a pet. These dogs could never be pets now, they are
simply puppy manufacturing plants. This is part of what is call the
"dog industry," one I assure you we should all be up in arms
about. AKC should have more respect for their Kennel Club than to turn a
blind eye to what is going on every weekend, not only one but usually two each
week end, continuing into June and then starting again in Sept and running
through Dec.
I was introduced to the USDA inspector that waltzed through the barn and then
seemed to disappear. I don't blame her, she was far too dressed up for
the occasion and certainly looked out of place. The AKC inspector did all
she could, she did pull some papers of some dogs, the new owners won't know
until they try to register them but most of them got though under the
wire. Thanks to Laura Rencher insisting that I get on some Paxil, I made
it though without bursting into tears, instead it made me furious. I have
thought of nothing else since last Sunday. I keep thinking, what can I do to
make a difference? But then, Madeline O'Hare single handedly got prayer
removed from schools so perhaps I can do something. I intend to go to some more
such auctions and I will take pictures even if you do have to bail me out of
jail. I am going to try and get reinforcements to go with me. Perhaps if
we make enough racket, AKC will start to listen. If 'the fancy"
isn't thrilled with my June column in the AKC Gazette just wait until they read
the Sept issue. I welcome any and all advise and suggestions, I'm
determined that together we can make a difference. Betty
P.S. A few of us who are involved with Boston Terrier rescue have been trying
to save some of these puppy mill auction Bostons whenever we can. We
rehabilitate them, spay/neuter, vet them, and find wonderful homes for
them. These dogs CAN be saved and there are some of us out there who are
trying our best! Please help us if you can. For the Love of ALL
Bostons, Roie Griego
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Greyhound Racing Around the
World
contributed by herma.caelen@win.be
The Irish Greyhound
* Did you know that greyhounds are classified as "commercial" and
exempt from "normal" dog treatment?
* Did you know Ireland is known as the foremost greyhound breeding country in
the world.
* Did you know it is estimated that approximately 14,000 greyhounds are
"disposed of" in Ireland each year. (not counting those tied to rocks
and drowned, left to starve to death or dumped in isolated regions)
* Did you know that rabbits and kittens are used to "blood"
greyhounds?
* Did you know approximately 20,000 greyhound puppies are registered each year
in Ireland. The number actually born each year is higher, but many
"unpromising" dogs are disposed of before registration time.
* Did you know about half of those registered are exported to the UK and the
United States, Spain, Vietnam and elsewhere.
* Did you know that many Irish greyhounds end up in Spain and Vietnam, in
horrific conditions and more horrific deaths?
* Did you know Greyhounds sales held monthly in Limerick, Cork and Dublin
result in the sale of dogs to unscrupulous buyers who subject these unfortunate
animals to untold cruelty.
* Did you know that when they are no longer "needed," many are given
over to "cut and kill" "surgical practice" and vivisection
experiments?
For further information see
IRISH ANIMALS ON THE
WEB
http://www.irishanimals.com/action/greyhounds.html
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Warning! Dangerous Pet Toy
source - BHGazette@aol.com
A pet toy, the Wiggly Giggly Ball, is a hidden
danger as it contains zinc-coated whistles encased in plastic. On 3/18/2001,
"Maggie", our 2 y.o. wheaten terrier, experienced a painful death
from zinc toxicosis after ingesting one of the three whistles. The ball
packaging gives no warnings as to metal contents, so it appears rather safe.
The toy was featured on the Oprah Winfrey show last Christmas season
& received the 1999 Toy of the Year award. It's a rugged green ball,
without batteries, decorated with paw prints & makes amusing noises.
Exact same ball has been marketed for children, but lacks paw prints. If a pet
should ingest metal (confirmed by x-ray), it should be considered a medical
emergency & extracted immediately via endoscope or surgery -- or the pet
will deteriorate & may die.
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A Holiday Prayer
Anonymous
Oh Great Spirit,
with whom all life extends
and returns.
Take under your wing
these creatures of the holiday,
lives shortened and thankless,
bereft of your sun and moon to gaze upon
and rain to feel upon their backs,
the morning crisp and bright.
Hear these small voices
hold their hearts inside your wide embrace
and let your tears
become the raindrops
as the cycle begins again.
Help us to feed upon the yield of the field
and not of the blood, cleansing our hearts
and our bodies with these grains of truth.
Give us a real holiday from cruelty
for the sake of our soulmates, all faces,
to gain the collective wisdom of non-violence.
To this end we are truly thankful.
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Quote To Remember
"Let's not eat anything that had a mother and a father."
~ Bob Barker
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Susan Roghair - EnglandGal@aol.com
Animal Rights Online
P O Box 7053
Tampa, Fl 33673-7053
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/1395/
-=Animal Rights Online=-
&
Advisory Board Member, Animal Rights Network Inc.,
not-for-profit publisher of The Animals' Agenda Magazine
http://www.animalsagenda.org/
The Animals' Agenda Magazine: WebEdition
«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»
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