Horse Slaughter Houses Soon to be in Montana

A federal bill in Montana might allow for the state to build horse slaughter plants.

All that is needed for it to pass is the signature of Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer. In the event that this bill is passed, the first U.S. horse slaughter houses would be built; many horses would be brutally killed there for human consumption.

Here is a letter I sent via email to the governor expressing my discontent in this proposed legislation. I hope that my letter motivates you to do the same.

You can send him a quick note, through Montana's Official State Website, urging him to veto horse slaughter bill #HB 418.

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Governor Brian Schweitzer,

Although I live in New York City, I am greatly concerned about legislation that might allow the United States' first horse slaughter houses to be built in the great state of Montana. It would be very disturbing if state legislation allowed for such majestic creatures to be brutally killed for human consumption.

For over 4,000 years, horses have served man tirelessly: providing transportation, labor, entertainment, and even companionship. "Of all the animals on Earth, the horse has probably most closely shared in man's adventures and has been most intimately allied with his progress." (Britannica Encyclopedia)

We are taught from a young age to respect and love horses. As children we are taken either horse back riding or on school trips to farms, where we can admire and feed them. Most of us can reflect back on the nostalgic memories of riding the extravagantly decorated "horses" on the carousel. It is why we associate horses with the fondness of our childhood recollections.

As a culture, we claim to love horses yet there are public officials willing to disregard their service and then allow for them to be served on plates; it can be seen as barbaric to say the least.

Most Americans are disgusted by the thought of consuming canine meat. Although some cultures eat it, our culture disapproves of such practices. The reason is that we view dogs, as well as cats, as our companions. To make a similar point, horses have been just as loyal in their servitude. So why would we consider eating horse meat?

The ASPCA and other organizations are there to prevent the abuse or slaughtering of dogs, whether for their meat or any other reasons. So tell me, who is going to protect the horses???

I sincerely hope that you protect them... by vetoing horse slaughter bill #HB 418.

-- A .Torres

Silverback Gorillas Face Extinction

Silverback gorillas (mountain gorillas) are strong yet beautiful, shy, and peaceful creatures. They are herbivores and also the largest primates.

These gorillas are known as "silverback" being that the hair on the lower back of male gorillas turns a grayish color when they reach the age of 10.

Their family structure consists of one silverback, several female gorillas (his mates), and all their offspring. This group of gorillas is called a troop. The silverback is the leader of the group; he makes all the decisions and is responsible for protecting the rest.

Unfortunately, only roughly 700 are alive today. It is very upsetting to know that such few exist. What is even worst is that they continue to get killed by poachers and rebels for food. A large scale gorilla massacre is all it would take to speed up the process of their eradication.

Their extinction seems inevitable at this point in time. The only logical solution would be to put them on camps where they can be protected and monitored, and where they can reproduce. This would hopefully allow the current population to steadily increase. An action like this should be taken and as soon as possible.

To lose these creatures would be saddening; we would have no choice but to say good-bye to humans' closest relatives.

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* Congo rangers are responsible for patrolling the silverback habitats. They work hard to protect the gorillas from poachers and rebels. Sadly 97 rangers have died, on the call of duty, since 1996.

If you are interested in helping Congo rangers, you can make a donation through wildlife direct.

Proposed Oil Spills Threaten Survival of American Polar Bears

If the melting of their marine environment is not enough, polar bears are now facing major oil spills in the seas in which they reside, just north of Alaska.

It is the Beaufort and Chukchi seas that will soon become the home of numerous oil rigs and pipelines. This is the sole doing of George Bush, who proposed such before his term in office was completed.

These oil spills are completely immoral and dangerous to the polar bears!!! Oil gets on their fur and being that it coats it thickly, it is difficult to remove. Their beautiful white fur then becomes useless and unmanageable once the fur is matted and clumpy. Eventually the cold freezes up the oil.

Why would the United States allow such a thing? All the American polar bears live in this area, off the Arctic coast of Alaska. Also, global warming is already in effect. Large quantities of oil in these seas would only fasten the process of climate change.

If this area becomes unlivable for them, we will possibly see the elimination of polar bears in the U.S.

"The climate predictions coming out are showing massive changes in sea-ice distribution...We'll certainly lose polar bears in a lot of areas where we currently have them", says University of Alberta biologist Dr. Andrew Derocher.

Dr. Derocher's projection is accurate which is why we must do something. We must urge Obama to revoke Bush's oily plan. I urge you all to help; sign the online petition "Help Save the Polar Bears!"

What would you do if you had no where to go?

Dissection Animals: Where Do They Come From?

Every year millions of animals are killed and supplied to schools for dissection.

Although frogs are most commonly dissected below university level, other animals dissected include: pigs, minks, cats, dogs, rats, mice, foxes, and pigeons. Also dissected are: fish and worms.

As someone who has, unfortunately, performed dissections in junior high school, I never wondered where the animals came from. Now that I am a little older, I now know and I have to say that it is a shame that the United States allows dissections to go on in schools.

So where is it that these animals come from? Frogs, and other animals, are taken out of their natural habitat against their will.

Illegal dealers, pet stores, shelters, and slaughterhouses are all guilty of selling their animals to institutions, which kill animals and embalm them before transporting them to schools.

Baby pigs for experimentations are taken from the stomachs of their pregnant mothers, in slaughterhouses. Dealers engage in snatching up stray cats and dogs. Some even steal those that have been left outside by owners.

It is about time people knew the truth: these animals do not just die of natural causes; they are killed. In allowing dissection in elementary and junior highschools, it desentizes children of the value of life; whether that of a human or an animal. It may even foster animal abuse.

Personally, I do not want children being taught such and even more so, I do not want to see the further suffering of animals for such unnecessary practices.

Wouldn't you prefer cats to be happy and healthylike this, rather than being killed for dissection?

Circus Elephants: Far From Willing Performers

Many Americans enjoy taking their children to the circus and watching elephants perform all kinds of tricks. The big friendly creatures appear to be so happy and willing to be there to entertain the crowd.

But is this really true?

The issue will be debated in court today February 4th and will be tried by Judge Emmit G. Sullivan, without jury.

The lawsuit is by a merger of animal rights groups and is against the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, accused of torturing elephants with clubs and bull hooks, among other things.

Let’s all hope that Judge Sullivan rules in favor of the elephants as justice for these circus animals is long overdue. If a dog is abused, everyone is enraged but yet we turn a blind eye to the suffering elephants. They are just as smart, friendly, and loyal as dogs, and they have a great memory as well.

We need to stop the cruelty! Here are just some of the reasons why:

Clubs, electric prods, and bull hooks are among the items used to punish the elephants. Trainers use the bull hooks to puncture their skin in sensitive areas such as: behind the ears, underneath the chin, some spots of the trunk, around the feet, inside the ear and mouth, and in and around the anus.
(picture to the right: areas where bull hooks are used to puncture elephants)

Chaining may cause irritation and itching. Poor husbandry may contribute to poor foot health like: cracked or infected toenails and even overgrown nails. Also, due to frequent travel, stress, poor nutrition, contact with infected elephants, and inconsistent food and water supply, circus elephants are prone to contracting tuberculosis, TB. It can be spread from humans to animals and vice versa.

And these are just some of the cruel practices and health risks associated with circus elephants. Imagine all the endless cruelty they have to endure.

Elephants are not meant to be enslaved for our entertainment so let's remove their shackles and set them free.

Want to get involved with this issue? Visit: http://www.circuses.com/ (where alot of information from this blog was obtained)

City Hall Hearing for the Horse Carriage Ban

A hearing was held today at City Hall for Intro 658A, a bill aimed at banning the horse carriage industry in New York City, which was proposed by Queens’ council member Tony Avella.

(Photo to the right: Tony Avella and I)

Also deliberated on was the opposing bill Intro 653 A, a bill aimed at adding regulations to the industry and proposing a raise for horse carriage drivers.

Testimonies from carriage horse drivers, including the local Teamsters union that joined forces with them around Christmas, claimed driving these carriages is the very livelihood that feeds their family.

They allege that they love their horses, that they follow the current regulations, and that in the midst of economic hardship and unemployment, the city should not allow 400 carriage horse drivers to lose their jobs.

At the same time, they were demanding a raise in fare hikes being that they claim that expenses, for the horses and the cost of living, have nearly tripled since 1989.

Testimonies for the ban note the safety issues involved with placing a prey animal in a busy and congested environment. It is a horse's nature to become easily spooked by loud noises that they do not recognize.

They noted the lack of adequate amounts of food and water. Among the concerns was the poor ventilation and drainage in stables which sometimes forces the horses to stand in their own waste.

One memorable testimony was that of a spirited, Rachel Trachtenburg, 15, whom I had the opportunity to speak with before the hearing. Her biggest concern was: "It's very dangerous for them (the horses)". This proud animal lover wound up being the youngest person to testify, later that day, in proud support of Avella's legislation. On her yucalaly she played a song in which she wrote herself. (Photo to the left: Rachel Trachtenburg)

Also delivered were the powerful testimonies of:
Donny Moss: who put together the independent film BLINDERS in which the plight of the carriages horses is clearly and accurately portrayed.

Elizabeth Forel: founder and president of the local Coalition to Ban Horse Drawn Carriages.

Christine MacMurry: vice president of the Coalition.

Elaine Sloan: a much devoted member of the Coalition.

Despite opposing testimonies heard at City Hall, I still hold steadfast to my sympathy of the carriage horses. They are exploited for money and are subjected to inhaling harmful fumes from vehicles, while working double shifts.
At the end of their day, they do not return to a pasture where they can run around and interact with other horses, rather they return to small stalls where they have no room to lay down.

Should a human receive the monetary benefit from the hard work of an animal? I invite you to give this question some thought. The reasons for the ban are endless. We are at a point in which the outlaw of the industry is necessary for the well-being of the horses, New Yorkers, and the reputation of perhaps the best city in the world.

Here are a few websites you can visit:
http://www.tonyavellaformayor.com/
Tony Avella's website

http://www.petitiononline.com/ch4ny123/
An online petition to ban the industry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31GgmMsFzOM
The trailer to the film BLINDERS

http://www.myspace.com/supportthecoalition
The official myspace for the Coalition to Ban Horse Drawn Carriages

http://www.banhdc.org/
The website for the Coalition to Ban Horse Drawn Carriages

Cage-Free Production in California

Proposition 2, passed in California in November, is requiring that farmers transition to more humane and environmentally friendly farm practices. This means no longer cramming animals into small cages where there is no room for them to move or stretch.

The official title and summary of Prop 2, as prepared by the Attorney General, states that it: 

“Requires that calves raised for veal, egg-laying hens and pregnant pigs be confined only in ways that allow these animals to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs and turn around freely.

Exceptions made for transportation, rodeos, fairs, 4-H programs, lawful slaughter, research and veterinary purposes.

Provides misdemeanor penalties, including a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment in jail for up to 180 days.”

Some are arguing whether the bill really makes a difference to the treatment of hens. Hens in commercial cage-free farms are just as crammed, but in filthy sheds. They are still subjected to having their beaks cut off with hot blades.

“They suffer from the same lung lesions and ammonia burns as hens in cages, and they have breast blisters to add their suffering”, according GoVeg.com, a website allied with PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

PETA, which claims Prop 2 does not make much of a difference, was actually one of the animal rights agencies that endorsed the bill.

The truth is that this bill does make a huge difference. To those hens, the difference of being able to stretch and move around is certainly an improvement for them.

To clarify, cage-free does not imply “cruelty-free”. But for one thing, it is a step in the right direction. Other states should follow in California’s direction. From that point on, there must be a push for even more legislation that would further improve treatment for farm hens.