MySpace


MySpace.com | rss | sign in
Moonwarriors



Last Updated: 6/27/2009

Send Message
Instant Message
Email to a Friend
Subscribe

Gender: Female
Status: Single
Age: 101
Sign: Pisces

State: Southwest
Country: UK
Signup Date: 8/2/2008

Blog Archive
[Older      Newer]
 /  / 
Friday, March 06, 2009 

Current mood:  animated

Inbred Dogs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYe5t7PNHQA





Crufts organisers expecting record crowds despite breeding controversy


• Annual dog show opens at the NEC in Birmingham
• Event goes online after BBC drops coverage

Stephen Bates Thursday 5 March 2009 12.24 GMT



Crufts 2009

Dogs and their owner arrive for Crufts 2009 at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre. Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA


The Crufts dog show opened at the National Exhibition Centre near Birmingham this morning with organisers insisting they expected record crowds despite last year's controversy over breeding methods for pedigree dogs, which caused the BBC to drop its coverage, the major sponsor Pedigree to pull out and the RSPCA to end its association with the 118-year-old show.

Animal rights demonstrators are threatening to picket the show on Sunday, its final day, when the Crufts champion dog is chosen.

In response to the loss of broadcast coverage ‑ which last year attracted 14 million viewers ‑ the Kennel Club has launched a live webcast on the internet showing events from the arena, with commentary provided by Peter Purves and Frank Kane, the BBC's regular broadcasters at the show.

There will also be a live radio broadcast, available over the web and accessible on radios within a three-mile radius of the NEC.

Purves, a former actor and Blue Peter presenter, was quoted by the Kennel Club's website as saying: "I am really pleased that the club has decided to take the show online, enabling the thousands of dog lovers who look forward to Crufts every year to see a slice of the action … it is a big-hearted and fun celebration of happy, healthy dogs and everybody is invited to join in."

The publicity surrounding a BBC documentary last August, which alleged that in-breeding and the encouragement of damaging and unhealthy specifications for some pedigree breeds was causing deformities and unnecessary traits to be developed, has rocked the dog world.

The programme showed a King Charles spaniel suffering from syringomyelia, a condition in which its skull was too small for its brain, allegedly exacerbated by the breed's tiny gene pool in Britain; boxers suffering from epilepsy; pugs with breathing problems; alsations with deformed hind legs and sloping backs and bulldogs, unrecognisable from old pictures of the breed, so changed as to be unable to mate or give birth without assistance.

The Kennel Club, regulators of pedigree breeds, has reacted defensively to the allegations, claiming them to be far from accurate and some breeders have responded with fury to the programme, as much as to the accusations it contained, which were backed by the RSPCA and some owners.

Crufts began in 1891 as a promotional event sponsored by a dog food manufacturer and has been run by the Kennel Club since 1938. The club, which is estimated to have lost £500,000 as a result of this year's sponsorship pull-outs, says it expects 28,000 dogs to take part, the third highest entry in its history, and hopes for crowds which will exceed last year's 160,000.

The club's spokeswoman, Caroline Kisko, said: "Although the show will no longer be on the BBC, we know that it is the world's best platform to bring together those organisations and individuals who care about dogs, so we can continue to make a positive differencem … we have the continued support of many high-profile veterinary organisations and dog welfare charities and want to ensure we continue to engage the support of those dog lovers who are unable to get to the show."

The message for visitors and viewers this morning was that the show remains the best in the world. Those tuning in to the dogs' agility competition, which launched proceedings at 8.30am, heard the announcer say of the contest, in which dogs race around an obstacle course, that it was not just for pedigree breeds: "This is a lot better than some foreign clubs … we allow any dogs to compete so long as they're registered with the Kennel Club."

Despite its defensivenes, the club has announced a review of the specifications for the 209 pedigree breeds and will be introducing revised standards for some of them.

Animal rights protesters have called on Facebook for supporters to join them at the NEC on Sunday, wearing dog costumes and bearing banners claiming that breeding dogs is pointless when there are already so many in the world.Protest against inbreeding dogs and Crufts dog show"Now it is time for the public to put another nail in the coffin," the message says, adding that it has liaised with West Midlands police about the demonstration.

Source:http://www. guardian. co. uk/uk/2009/mar/05/crufts-opening-bbc-rspca-protests



Crufts Starts Despite Row Over 'Cruelty'


8:38am UK, Thursday March 05, 2009
Sara Merchant, Sky News reporter

Crufts is to get under way minus its major sponsor, TV coverage and the backing of the RSPCA following claims that pedigree breeding is harmful to dogs.

Organisers are introducing a "health zone" at the world-famous show in the wake of a BBC documentary that claimed decades of inbreeding had exposed dogs to horrendous diseases and deformities.

Pedigree Dogs Exposed showed prize-winning pedigrees suffering from painful congenital conditions and led the BBC to end its long-standing coverage of the event, which attracted more than 14 million viewers in previous years.

The show's major sponsor, Pedigree, also pulled out, and animal charities including the RSPCA have withdrawn their support.

The Kennel Club, which overseas pedigree matters in the UK, has introduced a new breed standard as well as health checks in an attempt to address the controversy.

The club will include health screening and DNA tests at this year's show, but there are calls for more urgent action to eradicate genetic health defects which cause dogs to suffer.

For example, there are fears that the droopy-eyed and wrinkly-skinned look of a basset hound can make it more prone to eye and skin infections and its short legs can lead to problems with arthritis.

Mark Evans, RSPCA chief vet, said breeders attempting to create ideal examples of each breed were producing dogs that were prone to inherited diseases and suffered from the effects of "exaggerated anatomical features" including too much skin, legs that are too short and backs that are too long.

He said Crufts' "beauty pageant" centrepiece was "fundamentally flawed" and that changes had to be made in the show and across society at large to put dogs' health above their looks.

"I absolutely believe that when people take on dogs as pets what they want is an animal that is going to be fit and healthy and happy and have a long life," he said.

"Most people don't say 'I want a dog that looks like this and I don't care if it's going to die young and have lots of inherited diseases that I'm going to have to go through the emotional and financial trauma of having to deal with.' They want a healthy and happy dog."

Source: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Crufts-Dog-Show-Starts-Despite-Pedigrees-Row-Event-Dropped-From-BBC-TV-Schedule/Article/200903115234772?f=rss


Posted By Moon Warriors

1:21 AM 
7 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Thursday, February 26, 2009 
2:40 AM 
1 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Sunday, February 22, 2009 

Current mood:  animated
Category: Life




Mass demo against HLS- London 27th Feb



Mass demo against HLS- London 27th FebUK - 27 Feb at Noon Bank tube st. SHAC AGAINST VIVISECTION

Photobucket



Support SHAC UK Prisoners www.myspace.com/194494272
HLS exposed again Mass Demo London UK 27th Feb against HLS


HLS have been exposed again, activists filmed one primate unit at HLS In Cambridge UK between 2007-2008. They filmed wild caught primates so terrified and abused they had bitten their own fingers off. It shows highly intelligent primates kept in 1 metre by 1 metre cages with nothing to do at all. These primates suffer so much just so companies like Astra Zenica and GSK, and the British Governments Military can make money and war.

Please watch the video, and please attend the Shake City shakedown in the City of London 12 Noon, Friday 27th February, take the day off work, pull a sicky, just be there to show the UK government it is not acceptable to allow these abuses to continue.



....
9:39 PM 
2 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Thursday, September 04, 2008 
CLOSE ALL KILL SHELTERS AND START ANIMAL SANCTUARIES

"The greatness of a nation and its' moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mahatma Ghandi


We the people of the United States demand that all kill shelters be closed and animal sanctuaries be opened to replace them. We further demand that spayed & neutering be made mandatory for cats and dogs in all States and this be made State or Federal funded. We the people demand our own Pet Project for this is the only way we will ever see a light at the end of the tunnel.

We proclaim ourselves a super power while at the same time knowing no compassion or mercy. We ask that we rid America of this Shameful act and become a superpower of compassion for our domestic animals. (cats & dogs) We demand the no kill solutions now. We demand our Constitutional rights to join signatures and be heard. No more killing of these loving, loyal, faithful, INNOCENT creatures.

10 Million Plus Animals Are Euthanized Annually In The United States.
Factsheet: http://www. americanhumane. org/site/PageServer?pagename=nr_fact_sheets_animal_euthanasia

Please sign the petition
http://www. thepetitionsite. com/1/close-all-kill-shelters-in-the-states-and-start-animal-sanctuaries



STOP GASSING ANIMALS! KILL SHELTERS ARE INHUMANE!

This petition is to make kill shelters in the United States illegal. Every 6 seconds an animal is killed at a kill shelter in the U.S. They are killing animals that are healthy and don't have behavioral issues. Some are inhumanely ending the animals lives by sticking them into a metal container, much like a dumpster, closing them in by holding down a cover and pump toxic gas into this containe r- an EXTREMELY painful death! Then they repeat this process with the next round of dogs on top of the dead! WHAT A SIN & A SHAME TO MANKIND!!!! The public needs to be made aware of this! US CONGRESS needs to do something to STOP this!!!

Please sign the petition
http://www. thepetitionsite. com/petition/985406651


STOP THE BRUTAL ASPHYXIATION OF PETS IN YADKIN COUNTRY, NC

This video was filmed in the late 1990's at the Yadkin County, North Carolina Animal Shelter. This is their "Kill Box" and it is still in use today

..
..


Who dares stand before their Maker on the Day of Judgment, when their hands are stained bloody red from this legacy of torment, abuse, and destruction? The incomprehensible torment visited upon the blameless pets of Yadkin County, North Carolina, may not go unchallenged.
Can we hold our heads high, in Twenty-first Century America, when the blameless, the vulnerable, the orphaned and the friendless, perish gasping in the steel confines of the Yadkin County Animal Shelter Carbon Monoxide Gas Chamber?

We, the undersigned, do hereby:

RESOLVE, that the Yadkin County Board of Commissioners, the Yadkin County Animal Shelter, and all relevant and responsible authorities, must cease at once the barbaric slaying of Yadkin County pets in the carbon monoxide gas chamber; and we do hereby further

RESOLVE, that euthanasia, when unavoidable, all reasonable alternatives having been exhausted, should be effected by use of the use of pharmaceutical injection, of such humane lethal agents as intravenous sodium pentothal; and we do hereby further

RESOLVE, that no one who could witness the terrifying destruction of these trusting, innocent animals would go unscarred, and that perpetuation of these methods inflicts psychological damage on all who are ordered to perform the deadly deed, if any humanity yet lives within them; and we do hereby further

RESOLVE, that such inhumane and unconscionable practices are a blight upon the imaginations and souls of our children and grandchildren, whose nightmares are ever plagued by monstrosities such as these; and we do hereby further

RESOLVE, that the animal welfare community will be prepared to applaud and commend Yadkin County for its care, kindness, and compassion, when it has accomplished these critical tasks.

Please sign the petition
http://www. thepetitionsite. com/1/stop-gassing-carolina-pets

ESTABLISH FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO END THE USE OF GASSING CHAMBERS AS A MEANS OF EUTHANASIA


Innocent Souls (Dogs & Cats) killed at the shelter and then thrown away like trash.


Every day across the United States, thousands of unwanted dogs and cats are put to death by use of gassing chambers, an unnecessarily cruel and horrible manner of death. Gassing chambers are atrocious and cause great amounts of stress and prolonged agony to the animals.They are sometimes ineffective in their task, necessitating its repeated use on the animals who simply did not die.

We hope to make residents of states who still employ this barbaric form of death aware of the fact and hope to enlist the help of many of our citizens who want this horrible form of death to be abolished to let their legislators know our feelings.

Please sign the petition
http://www. thepetitionsite. com/1/establish-federal-legislation-to-end-the-use-of-gassing-chambers-as-a-means-of-euthanasia

STOP GASSING ANIMALS IN NORTH CAROLINA


CAN YOU IMAGINE BEING THROWN INTO A HUGE METAL BOX WITH A HALF DOZEN OF OTHER FOLKS, JUST THROWN IN ON TOP OF ONE ANOTHER AND HAVING THE LID CLOSED. IN TOTAL DARKNESS YOU'RE SCARED AND YOU CAN HEAR THE WHIMPERING AND CRYING OUT OF THE OTHERS IN THE BOX. "WHAT IS GOING ON ?, WHY ARE WE IN HERE?". THEN YOU ALL START TO COUGH AND CHOKE, THERE IS NO AIR TO BREATHE, YOUR LUNGS FEEL LIKE THEY WILL BURST ANY SECOND. YOUR EYES AND NOSE ARE RUNNING AND YOU LOSE CONTROL OF ALL BODILY FUNCTIONS. THE STENCH IS UNBEARABLE AND THE SCREAMS AND CRIES ARE EAR SHATTERING. THEN IT STARTS TO GET QUIET, ONE BY ONE THE OTHERS STOP THEIR WIMPERING AND THOUGH DISORIENTED AND UNABLE TO MOVE YOU TRY TO MAKE SENSE OF WHAT IS GOING ON.....AND THEN THERE IS LIGHT, THE LID COMES UP AND HOPE RISES THAT WHATEVER HAPPENED IS ALL OVER AND IT'S TIME TO GET OUT OF HERE. BEFORE YOU CAN GET ORIENTED AND FIGURE OUT WHAT TOOK PLACE, ANOTHER SIX SQUIRMING AND WHIMPERING LIVE BODIES ARE TOSSED INTO THE BOX ON TOP OF YOU, THE LID CLOSES AGAIN AND THE HORROR CONTINUES. YOU'RE BARELY CONSCIOUS AND LOSE TRACK OF HOW MANY TIMES THIS PROCEDURE WAS PERFORMED BEFORE YOU FIND YOURSELF OUT IN THE LIGHT BEING STUFFED IN A HUGE PLASTIC BAG AND DISPOSED OF AT THE DUMP. YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE NOISE, PLEADING THAT SOMEONE WILL REALIZE THAT YOU ARE STILL ALIVE BUT YOU CAN'T.

YOU'RE TOO WEAK AND SUFFER NEUROLOGICAL DAMAGE FROM THE GAS. EVENTUALLY YOU DIE, SUFFERING TERRIBLY AMIDST A PILE OF DEAD BODIES.....AND YOUR LAST THOUGHT IS WHAT DID WE DO TO DESERVE THIS ? THE ANSWER IS NOTHING...YOU DID NOTHING WRONG. YOU'RE PAYING FOR THE SELFISHNESS AND IRRESPONIBILITY OR HUMANS.

EVERY YEAR COUNTLESS INNOCENT ANIMALS ARE PUT DOWN IN THIS CRUEL MANNER AND THEY SUFFER UNBELIEVABLE TORTURE...THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE LAWS.

THE ANIMALS DON'T ALWAYS DIE FROM THE GAS. I KNOW PERSONALLY OF SEVERAL CASES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE FOUND LIVE DOGS IN THE BAGS AT THE DUMP. THESE DOGS ARE ALWAYS PERMANENTLY DISABLED FROM THE EFFECTS OF THE GAS. ALL ANIMALS DESERVE MORE THAN THIS AND WE AS CARETAKERS OWE THEM MORE. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO SIGN THIS PETITION AND HELP CHANGE THE EUTHANASIA LAWS IN GASTON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

Please sign the petition
http://www. thepetitionsite. com/2/stop-gassing-animals-in-north-carolina


STOP THE GAS CHAMBER AT THE STANLY COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER




This photo shows the strange gas chamber used to kill thousands of unwanted animals at the Stanly County Animal Shelter in Albemarle, North Carolina. Can you imagine watching dogs and cats being put into this awful, tilted metal box to die?

Please contact the government officials and politely encourage a change to humane euthanasia by injection for the animals that are not adopted from the shelter.

As always, please do your part to control overpopulation by spaying and neutering your pets! Save a shelter pet instead of buying from breeders and pet stores. Help stop the suffering today.

Please sign the petition
http://www. thepetitionsite. com/takeaction/604384350




BAN THE USAGE OF GAS CHAMBERS IN THE DAVIDSON COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER


Is this truly how far we have come as a society, to insure suffering upon an animal at its last moments on earth, all because of our failure to be responsible pet owners? This is appalling, especially considering the fact that North Carolina doesn't even offer this horrifying death as an option for its convicted murderers. People who rape and kill children have a more merciful death than animals, whose only crime is not having anyone to love and take care of them.

This county needs to enforce animal cruelty laws and focus on adoption and prevention methods, something that the sheriff's department is not doing. We need to put someone in charge who has the animals' welfare as a priority, because animals do have feelings, too. They protect us, our children, find drugs and bombs, provide services to the disabled, and they are loyal and offer unconditional love to people regardless of race or gender. They too deserve respect and dignity. If we focus on prevention and adoption methods, having to euthanize animals could become a thing of the past, but in order to get here, we must be willing to set a goal and work towards this solution.

Please sign the petition
http://www. gopetition. com/petitions/ban-gas-chambers-davidson-county-animal-shelter. html

BAN THE GAS CHAMBER AND INHUMANE TREATMENT AT TRUMBULL COUNTY DOG POUND


The dogs housed at the Trumbull County Dog Pound in Warren, Ohio are euthanized by gassing. Their screams have been heard by a volunteer while they were slowly dying. Not only do the dogs face the gas chamber, they are treated inhumanely while they are there. Dogs are forced to lay in their own waste, dogs are kenneled together and fight but not separated, injured or sick dogs are left untreated, kennels are hosed down while the dog is still present, females in season are housed with intact males, the list goes on and on.

Please sign our petition so that the dogs who are unfortunate enough to end up at this dog pound are treated humanely by the staff and if they are to be euthanized they pass on peacefully by lethal injection.

Please sign the petition
http://www. thepetitionsite. com/1/trumbull-county-dog-pound


STOP GAS CHAMBER EUTHANASIA IN MICHIGAN

I WAS SAVED FROM BEING GASSED


I am writing this petition crying out for the help of the people to help stop the inhumane euthanasia of animals by gas chamber. Hundreds and maybe even thousands of animals each year are placed in the gas chamber of Berrien County Michigan Animal Control to die. The entire process of gassing these animals can take as long as 40 minutes to complete. While the animals are in this gas chamber even before the gassing begins the animals can get very frightened and start to fight and as the gas starts to fill the chamber the animals start to howl for release.

We need to urge all the Animal Shelters that use this method of euthanasia to switch to a more humane euthanasia process like sodium pentobarbitol injections which euthanizes the animal within seconds. This process is painless and the animal has no suffering whatsoever. The animal is also held with compassion by the members of the shelter staff as the animal passes on. Please I urge you help us combat this inhumane and unethical act of euthanasia and urge them to consider a more humane method.

Please sign the petition
http://www. thepetitionsite. com/1/stop-gas-chamber-euthanasia-in-michigan

SUPPORT BREVARD COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTERS GO NO-KILL


Brevard County in Florida has an extremely high pet over-population and equally high kill rates. In Brevard over 10,000 animals are being euthanized annually. We plan on scheduling a meeting with the commissioner about wanting ALL shelters in Brevard to go No-Kill. No-kill has been done and can be done. Let's do what is right for the animals who deserve the quality care and life they deserve. There is no excuse for putting animals down. Let's tell our county that we are fed up with the inexcusable killing of healthy and adoptable pets!

Just between the South and the North Animal Care and Adoption Centers in 1/1/06-12/31/06 a total of 15,821 cats and dogs were brought to the shelter. Out of the 15,821 cats and dogs, 10,013 were euthanized making it 63% destroyed! This is just in 2006 and 2007 is even higher (statistics not available yet).

Thank you for reaching for a better tomorrow! To read more details on No-kill shelters go to http://nokilladvocacycenter. org/

Please sign the petition
http://www. thepetitionsite. com/1/Make-Brevard-No-Kill-County

Shelter Cat

STOP THE USE OF GAS CHAMBERS AS A METHOD OF EUTHANASIA IN UTAH


It has been shown in the Utah State Statutes that gassing is an unacceptable method of euthanasia in animal shelters. Research has shown that people have died, had ongoing health problems, fertility problems, etc. from exposure to the CO2 gas. It has also been shown that it is not a quick, painless death. Euthanasia is defined as "The Good Death". Gassing is not what would fit in this category. It is not something that is easier on the person euthanising the animal. The animal dying can scream, bang it's head against the door, and scratch. This is something that we have outlawed for our prisoners, why are we using such barbaric ways to euthanize animals?

Please sign the petition
http://www. thepetitionsite. com/8/stop-the-use-of-gas-chambers-as-a-method-of-euthanasia-in-utah

STOP USING GAS CHAMBERS TO KILL ANIMALS AT THE ST. JOSEPH, MO ANIMAL SHELTER


We have been working with veterinarians, city government officials, and citizens in St. Joseph, MO to change the present local laws and ordinances, and to ban the use of gas chambers to kill animals in the city's shelter.

We have shown that THE SAFEST AND MOST HUMANE WAY TO EUTHANIZE AN ANIMAL IS BY LETHAL INJECTION. A letter has been sent to each city council member.

We have contacted the city officials about the fact that the shelter still uses the gas chamber and to educate them as to its DANGER TO HUMANS and to show that it is indeed INHUMANE. Maybe you live in St. Joseph and are not aware that they are using this outdated, inhumane method. St. Joseph's shelters is one of the few shelters in all of Missouri that still uses this barbaric inhumane method to kill animals.

Please sign the petition
http://www. petitiononline. com/scstjoe/petition. html

BAN THE GAS CHAMBER IN JOHNSTON COUNTY


The Johnston County animal shelter continues to kill unwanted animals in the GAS CHAMBER. Even the sick, injured, pregnant, puppies, and elderly animals are put to death by gas. I'm just one concerned citizen who wants this changed to euthanasia by injection. This method is painless, faster, and more cost effective. It would put an end to the suffering that accompanies death in the gas chamber. Our county euthanizes 3000 per year. This method is considered by many to be outdated. Animals in a gas chamber do not die quickly or painlessly. They struggle for breath. They claw to get out. This is not a pretty site and will stay with you for a very long time. When animals inhale carbon monoxide, they can suffer convulsions, vomiting, angina, and muscular spasms. Some will not die the first time.

Please sign the petition
http://www. petitiononline. com/JC4NC/petition. html


STOP THE CRUEL USE OF GAS CHAMBERS


After PETA stopped coming to Northampton County to asist with the caring and cleaning of the animals, Northampton once again started the use of their gas chambers. And there are many more cases of cruelty in gas chambers! ANIMALS DIE IN GAS CHAMBERS! Please help us and sign this petition.

Please sign the petition
http://www. thepetitionsite. com/takeaction/702775753

Save a Stray!

BAN THE CARBON MONOXIDE GAS CHAMBER FOR EUTHANASIA IN MACON, GEORGIA

Georgia banned most animal gas chambers in 1990. Macon continues to use a gas chamber under one of the few exceptions. Gas chambers are a cruel and outdated method of euthanasia of animals. Lethal injection is a much more humane, less expensive alternative.

Gas chambers also place shelter workers at risk of CO poisoning when they load and unload or clean the gas chamber, breathing in low levels of the gas on a regular basis. In Tennessee, a shelter worker died from CO poisoning from the gas chamber. As a result, Tennessee has banned the use of gas chambers.

The use of the gas chamber causes great psychological suffering for many shelter workers. Animals do not lose consciousness or die until there is a build up of the CO gas in their lungs. Shelter workers have documented that until that build up happens, they hear the piercing cries, howling, frantic calls, scratching and panic of animals. It is not uncommon for shelter workers to have to gas some animals a second time.

Please sign the petition
http://www. thepetitionsite. com/1/ban-the-carbon-monoxide-gas-chamber-for-euthanasia-of-companion-animals-in-macon-georgia

This Is The Gas Chamber Spalding In Georgia Uses!!!!
Photobucket

STOP THE SECRECY AND KILLING IN ANIMAL SHELTERS


A staggering number of cats are killed in shelters each year. And the majority of these killings happen in secret, away from the public eye and off the record. That's because only a few states require animal shelters to keep records and publicly report the number of cats they kill each year.

You have a right to know what is happening to the animals in your shelters and how your tax dollars and donations are being spent. You can demand that policies change. A revolutionary change in shelter practice and policy is needed. Pledge to make this happen at your local shelter by contacting them to:

* Find out their policy on keeping records of how many cats they kill (if they do not have a no-kill policy).

* Encourage them to make this information publicly available.

* Support humane methods of care, such as affordable and accessible spay and neuter services and Trap-Neuter-Return programs.

Please sign the petition
http://www. thepetitionsite. com/takeaction/113043231


PLEASE TAKE ACTION AND STOP THE KILLING OF CATS!


More than 70 percent of all cats brought into our nation's animal pounds and shelters are killed - feral, stray and owned cats. Everyone deplores this killing. Many characterize it as a "necessary evil". There is nothing necessary about this evil. Today's animal control system developed over 100 years ago to address certain serious harms that dogs posed to humans. It was, and is still today, based on ownership of animals.

Animal control laws attempt to control animals by controlling their owners. Animals who do not have owners or whose owners cannot comply must be either adopted or killed. The fate of our nation's cats is changing - due to a massive grassroots movement to stop the killing of cats across the country. Sign the pledge to show that you want the killing of our nation's cats to stop. You can be a part of this life-saving grassroots movement!

Please sign the pledge!
http://www. thepetitionsite. com/takeaction/990462465?z00m=15864307

STOP INHUMANE EUTHANIZING OF ANIMALS IN SHELTERS


The mission of this petition is to stop the killing of adoptable animals in shelters. We are asking that every county in every state stop euthanizing adoptable animals in shelters. Every day there are thousands of animals that are dragged into gas chambers, stuck with heart sticks or euthanized by lethal injection. There are approximately 5 million dogs and puppies and many more millions of cats and kittens that are needlessly put to death every year in this country alone. America needs new and relatively obvious laws--such as laws making it mandatory to spay and neuter every adopted pet and outlawing puppy mill breeding. These two changes would drastically reduce the huge numbers of animals being taken in to the shelters annually.

Most people care deeply for their pets and for animals in general, but they are unaware of how many are put to death--some by horrifically inhumane means every day. Please sign this petition to end the currently legal and inhumane killing of these loving animals--they are counting on us to save them! What an undertaking we are undertaking. But what a glorious feeling we will have when the impossible is achieved! And we can do it! It takes effort by everyone, to contact not just their friends, but their friends of friends! This grassroots effort could really give us the miracle these animals need. Thank you for signing this petition and for caring.

Please sign the petition
http://www. gopetition. com/petitions/stop-inhumane-euthanizing-of-animals-in-shelters. html

Oklahoma gas chambers in shelters - the cold, hard truth
This video is NOT for children to view


..
..
..
..
..
..
..

Posted By Moon Warriors

~♥~
12:53 AM 
158 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Thursday, August 28, 2008 


Support Vegan Animal Rights Activists In Jail

Please add their myspaces to your friends, leave comments, and write to them in prison.




Sean Kirtley

FREE SEAN KIRTLEY - POLITICAL PRISONER!


http://www. myspace. com/supportsean


Sean Kirtley was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail in May 2008 for his part in a prolonged campaign against the company (Sequani) and other Herefordshire businesses. He was arrested for doing nothing more than holding a banner and opposing animal abusers. Police phone and internet records had Sean pegged as an organiser of the Sequani protests. This was not the case, but he updated the SSAT website which made him a prime target for police and government to target.


Please take the time to write to Sean:

Sean Kirtley WC 6977
HMP Stafford
54 GAOL RD
Stafford
ST16 3AW

FYI Seans Birthday is 11th December

Seans new prison does not allow stamps to be sent. Please include a Self Addressed envelope if you want a reply from Sean.


Find out more about Sean at http://supportsean. wordpress. com

For more information on the campaign against Sequani Ltd and Sean, visit the SSAT Indymedia UK topic page: http://indymedia. org. uk/en/actions/2008/sequani

*************************************************************************************************************

Don Currie




http://www. myspace. com/supportdon

Don was arrested in March 2006. He is serving an indeterminate sentence of 12 years, with a minimum of 6 years, which means he is imprisoned for an unlimited time (interned). His actions were claimed in the name of the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) as acts of compassion against collaborators with notorious animal torturers Huntingdon Life Sciences.


WRITE TO DON!

Donald Currie (A3660AA)
HMP Parkhurst
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 5NX

Birthday: 13 April

What you can send: Cheques or postal orders made out to "HM PRISON SERVICE", with prisoner's name and number on the back. No stamps, envelopes or writing paper are accepted.


For details of how you can join the campaign to help close this hellhole that murders 500 innocent creatures every day, see http://www. shac. net

*************************************************************************************************************


Sarah Whitehead




http://www. myspace. com/supportsarah

Sarah Whitehead is a committed vegan activist who has dedicated her life to saving animals and helping people. She worked tirelessly as a nurse whilst rescuing and rehoming abused and neglected animals, as well as campaigning against the notorious Huntingdon Life Sciences.


Sarah went on trial for burglary in June 2008 for rescuing an abused beagle.


Sarah pleaded not guilty to the offence. She told the court she believed she had acted reasonably and honest and that it was the right thing to do because the police and RSPCA had failed to save this dog. Statements from the neighbours were read in court which described the cruelty to the dog: It lived outside in a wooden cage, muzzled, and fitted with an electric shock collar. The neighbours testified they had witnessed beatings from its owners, and heard the dog screaming on many occasions. But bizarrely the jury took the view that Sarah should have left the dog where it was and she was found guilty.


Sarah was already on a suspended sentence for rescuing animals from a notorious puppy farmer in West Sussex (see www. sarconline. co. uk/porter) which meant that if she re-offended within two years she would be sent to prison for that "crime". The judge sentenced Sarah to two years in prison, nine months of this is from the suspended sentence she was on, and the extra 1 1/3 years is for rescuing the beagle.


Please show Sarah that she is not alone, and that whilst she is in prison she is not forgotten. You can do this by writing her a letter or card.


Sarah Whitehead (VM7684)
HMP Bronzefield
Woodthorpe Road
Ashford
Middx
TW15 3JZ

*************************************************************************************************************


Mel Broughton




http://www. myspace. com/supportmel

Mel Broughton was remanded on 14 Dec 2007 at Banbury Magistrates' Court in connection with alleged offences relating to the SPEAK campaign.


WRITE TO MEL!

Mel Broughton (TN9138)
HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes, Bucks
MK4 4DA.


What you can send: SAEs; a small, non ring-binded calendar; Postal Orders made out on front to "HMPS", with the inmate's name and number on back, and also the sender's name and address if there is room.


Birthday: 5 July


*************************************************************************************************************


Dan Amos




http://www. myspace. com/supportdan

Dan Amos is a commited vegan activist who was arrested and bailed after 32 separate police raids, involving 700 police officers in the UK, The Netherlands and Belgium on May 1st 2007.


Dan was charged with "conspiracy to blackmail" Huntingdon Life Sciences and remanded on Wednesday 30th July 2008 at Winchester Crown Court after pleading guilty due to circumstantial evidence and the possibility of a trial lasting up to six months.
He will not be sentenced until the end of the trial

Write to Dan:

Daniel Amos (VN7818)
HMP Exeter
30 New North Road
Exeter
EX4 4EX

Birthday: 19th November

You can help by sending donations to help pay for Dan's vegan diet and other essentials. This can be done either as a postal order, made payable to "The Govenor" and write "Daniel Amos (VN7818)" on the back. This can be sent to Dan's prison address above. Or as a cheque, made payable to "The Govenor" with "Daniel Amos (VN7818) on the back.


Unfortunately they are not allowing anyone to send in any books, dvds, cds etc in any form.

What you can send: Envelopes, non-ring bind writing paper, Average style biros, and a book of stamps, single stamps or SAE (stamp addressed envelopes).


He is being treated as a convicted prisoner as he is on remand, but already given a guilty plea. So at the moment, as a basic prisoner, he is only allowed two visits a month.


The trial for the other defendants is due to start on the 29th September 2008 at Winchester Crown Court.


Please add the Support Dan myspace to show your support, and send letters of support to the address above.


Also visit www. shac. net to learn about the campaign against the notorious animal testing lab, Huntingdon Life Sciences.



*************************************************************************************************************


Gregg & Natasha Avery and Heather Nicholson




http://www. myspace. com/shacukprisonersupport

Gregg & Natasha Avery and Heather Nicholson were arrested and remanded into custody on May 1st 2007. They were charged with "conspiracy to blackmail" Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS) and are currently being remanded in prison. On 30th July 2008 Gregg and Natasha entered a plea of guilty and Heather is pleading not guilty. Heather's trial is booked to start on the 29th September 2008 at Winchester Crown Court (UK) and might take as long as six months. Gregg and Natasha will be sentanced at the end of that trial.


The charges against all activists are politically motivated and pleas of guilty are due to the likelihood of being convicted by a jury and not whether they are actually guilty. The "conspiricy to blackmail" charge carries a maximum 15 year prison sentence.


Gregg, Heather and Natasha have said on many occasions the best way of supporting them and the other defendents is to get out there, do demos, write letters, do what you can. There are campaigners fighting HLS all round the world so please if you can please get involved. (SHAC).

You can also write to them.


Gregg Avery (TA7450)
HMP Winchester
Romsey Road
Winchester
SO22 5DF
United Kingdom.


Natasha Avery (NR8987)
HMP Bronzefield
Woodthorpe Road
Ashford
Middx
TW15 3JZ
United Kingdom.


Heather Nicholson (VM4859)
HMP Bronzefield
Woodthorpe Road
Ashford
Middx
TW15 3JZ
United Kingdom.


You can email Heather and Natasha through www. refusedbail. com, emails cost 30 pence (£0.30) each and are delivered directly to them. The emails are all read by prison authorities and there is no facility allowing Heather or Natasha to reply. It is however a good and relatively cheap way of showing your support, especially if your based overseas.

*************************************************************************************************************


Jake Conroy



http://www. myspace. com/veganjedi

On September 12th, 2006, Jake was sentenced to 4 years in prison in the landmark SHAC 7 case. He started his prison sentence on November 16th, 2006.
Fore more information, check www. SupportJake. org.


Jake cannot check this account, but messages will be forwarded to him (or you can write him in prison!).
For more about my case, see www. SHAC7. com.


Write to Jake

JACOB CONROY, &035; 93501-011
FCI VICTORVILLE MEDIUM I
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O.
BOX 5300
ADELANTO, CA 92301

What You Can Send Jake/Prison Mail Regulations
The prison is very strict as to what is allowed to be sent. Generally, only letters, postcards, cards, and photos (no polaroids) are allowed to be sent in. You can also photocopy or print stuff off of the internet/your computer. Books and magazines may be sent, but can only be sent from the publisher. Stamps, news clippings, stickers, food, treats, care packages, etc. are not allowed. If you send prohibited items, the prison will reject your entire package.


*************************************************************************************************************


Lauren Gazzola



http://www. myspace. com/supportlauren

Lauren is a SHAC 7 defendant who was recently found guilty in Federal Court of multiple federal felonies for advocating the closure of the notorious animal-testing lab Huntingdon Life Sciences. She is currently serving 4 years and 4 months in federal prison. This myspace profile is being maintained on behalf of Lauren by her support committee.
For more info on Lauren visit www. supportlauren. com

One of the hardest things about being in prison is being cut off from friends and family. Take a moment to write Lauren a letter and ease a bit of the loneliness of prison life.


Lauren Gazzola
&035;93497-011
FCI Danbury
Federal Correctional Institution
Route &035;37
Danbury, CT 06811

Birthday Ist May


*************************************************************************************************************


Andy Stepanian




http://www. myspace. com/andystepanian

Andy Stepanian is an activist from Long Island, NY. He is currently serving a 36 month sentence in the Federal Correctional Institution at Butner, North Carolina. On March 2, 2006, Andy and his co-defendants were found guilty of multiple federal felonies for their alleged role in campaigning to close down the notorious animal testing facility, Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS).


WRITE ANDY A LETTER

Andrew Stepanian
26399-050
USP Marion
US Penitentiary
PO Box 1000
Marion, IL 62959

Birthday August 8th

IMPORTANT: When writing to any political prisoner, write your return address inside your letter as well as on the outside. Do not use any gel pens or stickers. Do not write about anything controversial that could get Andy in trouble in any way. Be aware that authorities read these letters and sensitive information could be harmful to both Andy and yourself. Finally, please be patient. Andy has lost his phone access and has very limited resources for writing at this time. Please do not stop offering your support.


Posted By Moon Warriors
12:21 PM 
3 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Tuesday, August 26, 2008 

Category: Pets and Animals
Serbian Animals Voice

URGENT ACTION



EU RESOLUTION -THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT FOR ANIMAL WELFARE AND STRAYS IN 2008



Image and video hosting by TinyPic


Please, if you, like us, are completely against the suffering and abuse that stray animals across Europe have to endure on a daily basis, PLEASE GIVE YOUR SUPPORT IMMEDIATELY TO THIS CAMPAIGN. Send it out to as many people and organisations as you know, asking them all please to sign and support, and to further pass on.


Stray animals need our support, and they need it now !

The resolution (detailed below) shall be presented to the European Parliament and the European Comission in Brussels on OCTOBER 4th, the world animal welfare day.

Lets all work together to get these signatures that are needed.


Thank You.

Serbian Animals Voice

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Stray dogs in death cages - Serbia


The Association for the Aid and Support of Creole Dogs HERE
asks you to sign the resolution
created by the European Association for the Protection of Animals and
Environment/Europäischer Tier- und Naturschutz e.V.
and the Alliance against
Abuse of Animals/Bund gegen Mißbrauch der Tiere e.V.
in order to establish
finally the rights of stray animals in the European legislation, the right
to live and to be treated humanely.


The European stray animals and those among us who are fighting for them,
have been waiting for this for a long time.


The resolution shall be presented to the European Parliament and the
European Comission in Brussel October 4th, the world animal welfare day.

We need at least 100 000 signatures.


We ask all animal welfare associations and organisations to send the
resolution to all their members and ask them to sign.
Please send the
resolution also to other associations and organisations and put it also on
your home page for downloading.


Sign the Resolution online - HERE
or HERE as well

The pages are in German. All you need to do is croll down to the bottom of the page and fill in the petition.
To help you, I am translating the petition part, so you dont have any excuses not to signe the Resolution :)

Arende : status - Frau : Mrs - Herr : Mr
Bitte Angrag auswhalen : please enter (Mr or Mrs)
Ihre email addresse : your email address
Newsletter - ja : yes - nein : no

Nachname : your familly name
Forname : Your first name
Strasse : street
Housenumber : address number
Plz : postal code
Ort : town
Land : country
Kommentar : comment

THANK YOU !!!!!!

10:40 PM 
0 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Tuesday, August 26, 2008 

Current mood:  busy
Category: Pets and Animals

Boycott the sale of horsemeat burgers





Thanks to:
Beth in Illinois Fighting to End Horse Slaughter

http://www. thepetitionsite. com/1/horsemeat-burgers-anyone-boycott-iga

Target:Independant Grocers Alliance (IGA)Sponsored by: Friends of Equines


FOES of Equine SlaughterAbout IGA
The Independant Grocers Alliance (IGA) is the worlds largest voluntary supermarket network with aggregate worldwide retail sales of more than $21 billion per year. The Alliance includes nearly 4,000 Hometown Proud Supermarkets worldwide, supported by 36 distribution companies and more than 55 major manufacturers, vendors and suppliers encompassing everything from grocery to equipment items.
IGA has operations in 44 of the United States and more than 40 countries, commonwealths and territories on all six inhabited continents

IGA promoting and selling horsemeat burgers internationally on-line;

http://www. iga. net/recipes. php?lang=en&id=174

NO to commercialization of horsemeat for human consumption! Boycott IGA in USA and everywhere else abroad! Lets send a powerful message to the grocers of the world: Horses ARE NOT a food-animal!!

Here is a link to where you can see how horrorifically these horses are killed, bear in mind this is what the "Pro-slaughter" people call "humane euthansia"

http://video. hsus. org/?fr_story=af238f6e5ce156726675a947debdeab0ad670054&rf=bm

Please sign the petition:
http://www. thepetitionsite. com/1/horsemeat-burgers-anyone-boycott-iga

10:31 PM 
1 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Sunday, August 24, 2008 

Current mood:  thoughtful
THE FACTS ABOUT DECLAWING CATS

Feline Amputation - "Onychectomy"


What You Really Need To Know


The Cat

The cat is born with claws as a means of defense. Large cats as well as small cats use their claws to hunt with, to burrow with, and to fight with. Taking a cat's claws away from them will lead to death if the animal is left outside. If you are thinking about having your cat de-clawed, think of this first: How would you survive correctly if you had no fingers?



The Cats Claws


Unlike most mammals who walk on the soles of the paws or feet, cats are digitigrade, which means they walk on their toes. Their back, shoulder, paw and leg joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves are naturally designed to support and distribute the cat's weight across its toes as it walks, runs and climbs. A cat's claws are used for balance, for exercising, and for stretching the muscles in their legs, back, shoulders, and paws. They stretch these muscles by digging their claws into a surface and pulling back against their own clawhold - similar to isometric exercising for humans. This is the only way a cat can exercise, stretch and tone the muscles of its back and shoulders. The toes help the foot meet the ground at a precise angle to keep the leg, shoulder and back muscles and joints in proper alignment. Removal of the last digits of the toes drastically alters the conformation of their feet and causes the feet to meet the ground at an unnatural angle that can cause back pain similar to that in humans caused by wearing improper shoes.




Understanding Declawing (Onychectomy)


The anatomy of the feline claw must be understood before one can appreciate the severity of declawing. The cat's claw is not a nail as is a human fingernail, it is part of the last bone (distal phalanx) in the cat's toe. The cats claw arises from the unguicular crest and unguicular process in the distal phalanx of the paw (see above diagram). Most of the germinal cells that produce the claw are situated in the dorsal aspect of the ungual crest. This region must be removed completely, or regrowth of a vestigial claw and abcessation results. The only way to be sure all of the germinal cells are removed is to amputate the entire distal phalanx at the joint.



Contrary to most people's understanding, declawing consists of amputating not just the claws, but the whole phalanx (up to the joint), including bones, ligaments, and tendons! To remove the claw, the bone, nerve, joint capsule, collateral ligaments, and the extensor and flexor tendons must all be amputated. Thus declawing is not a simple, single surgery but 10 separate, painful amputations of the third phalanx up to the last joint of each toe. A graphic comparison in human terms would be the cutting off of a person's finger at the last joint of each finger.




Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting






Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting



Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting





Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting





Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting




Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting



Complications


Declawing is not without complication. The rate of complication is relatively high compared with other so-called routine procedures. Complications of this amputation can be excruciating pain, damage to the radial nerve, hemorrhage, bone chips that prevent healing, painful regrowth of deformed claw inside of the paw which is not visible to the eye, and chronic back and joint pain as shoulder, leg and back muscles weaken.




Other complications include postoperative hemorrhage, either immediate or following bandage removal is a fairly frequent occurrence, paw ischemia, lameness due to wound infection or footpad laceration, exposure necrosis of the second phalanx, and abscess associated with retention of portions of the third phalanx. Abscess due to regrowth must be treated by surgical removal of the remnant of the third phalanx and wound debridement. During amputation of the distal phalanx, the bone may shatter and cause what is called a sequestrum, which serves as a focus for infection, causing continuous drainage from the toe. This necessitates a second anesthesia and surgery. Abnormal growth of severed nerve ends can also occur, causing long-term, painful sensations in the toes. Infection will occasionally occur when all precautions have been taken.




Laser Declawing Cruelty


Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting




Burnt tissue from laser declaw


Just like a scalpel, the laser is used to amputate the last bone of each of the cats's toes. Laser surgery has its own risks. This cat's tissue was overheated by the laser, resulting in exposed bone and necrotic tissue. The cat needed four additional surgeries before the wounds healed.




Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting




Secondary declaw surgery

This poor cat suffered for months with horrible infections and osteomyelitis. The second vet had to remove dead soft tissue and bone, including an entire toe from the paw on the right. The cat survived, but was permanently lame.




Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting




X-ray showing displaced bone fragments


This is a x-ray image of a typical declawed domestic cat paw. The retained fragment of the toe bone in a relatively normal anatomic position is indicated by arrow "A". "B" shows the fragment has been pulled under the paw by the tendon that is still attached. In this position, the fragment is situated between the remaining second toe bone and the pad, where it acts like a painful pebble-in-the-shoe.



Alternatives

There is a simple alternative available for you and your cat. Introduce a scratching post. You can make one yourself or it can be purchased. Your cat's scratching post should be tall enough so your cat can stretch completely when scratching, and stable enough so it won't wobble when being used. It should be covered with a strong, heavy, rough fiber like the back side of carpeting and lined with catnip.




Make the post a fun place to be by placing toys on or around it, or by rubbing it with catnip, and put it in an accessible area. If you're trying to discourage your cat from scratching a particular piece of furniture, try placing the post in front of it, gradually moving the post aside as your cat begins to use it regularly.




A quick squirt from a water bottle will let your cat know when it has made a wrong choice between your furniture and the scratching post. Training your cat to use its post helps increase the bond between the cat and owner by increasing communication.




Clipping the nails every week or two keeps nails short and less able to do damage. With the owner's patience and training, most cats will allow nail trimming.




If possible, get your kitten used to having its feet handled and nails clipped while young. Let your veterinarian show you how to trim your cat's nails. The only equipment necessary is a good pair of nail clippers. Don't forget to praise your cat while you clip the nails, and reward him with a treat.




Declawing Cats is actually illegal in:
France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Australia, Brazil, England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and recently Los Angles.




Posted By Moon Warriors

Click to add:

Photobucket

Click to subscribe to blog:

Photobucket


Click here to see Moon Warriors' recent bulletins

~♥~
7:58 PM 
13 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Wednesday, August 20, 2008 

Current mood:  thoughtful
Category: Pets and Animals

Inbreeding makes pedigree dogs diseased and deformed

Pedigree dogs plagued by disease

View video:

http://news. bbc. co. uk/1/hi/uk/7569521. stm

The problems faced by one cavalier King Charles spaniel


Pedigree dogs are suffering from genetic diseases following years of inbreeding, an investigation has found.


A BBC documentary says they are suffering acute problems because looks are emphasised over health when breeding dogs for shows.


The programme shows spaniels with brains too big for their skulls and boxers suffering from epilepsy.


The Kennel Club says it works tirelessly to improve the health of pedigree dogs.


Pedigree animals make up 75% of the seven million dogs in the UK and cost their owners over £10m in vets' fees each week.


Poor health

The programme, Pedigree Dogs Exposed, says dogs suffering from genetic illness are not prevented from competing in dog shows and have gone on to win "best in breed", despite their poor health.


It says physical traits required by the Kennel Club's breed standards, such as short faces, wrinkling, screw-tails and dwarfism, have inherent health problems.


Other problems occur because of exaggerations bred into dogs by breeders trying to win rosettes, it adds.


The programme shows a prize-winning cavalier King Charles spaniel suffering from syringomyelia, a condition which occurs when a dog's skull is too small for its brain.


It also features boxers suffering from epilepsy, pugs with breathing problems and bulldogs who are unable to mate or give birth unassisted.


It says deliberate mating of dogs which are close relatives is common practice and the Kennel Club registers dogs bred from mother-to-son and brother-to-sister matings.


Scientists at Imperial College, London, recently found that pugs in the UK are so inbred that although there are 10,000 of them, it is the equivalent of just 50 distinct individuals.


Steve Jones, professor of genetics at University College London, said: "People are carrying out breeding which would be first of all entirely illegal in humans and secondly is absolutely insane from the point of view of the health of the animals.


"In some breeds they are paying a terrible price in genetic disease.
"

Breeding practices

RSPCA chief vet Mark Evans was interviewed for the programme.


He said: "The welfare and quality of life of many pedigree dogs is seriously compromised by established breeding practices for appearance, driven primarily by the rules and requirements of competitive dog showing and pedigree dog registration.
"


View video:
http://news. bbc. co. uk/1/hi/uk/7569627. stm
The Kennel Club's Bill Lambert and RSPCA chief vet Mark Evans

Source:
http://news. bbc. co. uk/2/hi/uk_news/7569064. stm



BBC could drop Crufts over unhealthy 'freak show' breeds

By
Jonathan Margolis and Fiona Macrae
Last updated at 12:10 PM on 19th August 2008


The BBC could stop showing Crufts after a documentary exposed the diseases and deformities suffered by many of Britain's 5 million pedigree dogs.


Decades of inbreeding and the demands of the show circuit have resulted in a legacy of life-threatening ills, from agonising brain conditions to epilepsy, heart murmurs and cancers.


The golden retriever, the cavalier King Charles spaniel, the boxer, the Pekingese, the bulldog and the pug are among the breeds plagued by disease and deformity as a result of breeders 'playing God with dogs', tonight's programme claims.


Untitled-1.jpg


With purebreds accounting for three-quarters of Britain's 7million pet dogs, their catalogue of health problems is costing their owners more than £10million in vets' fees every week.


So shocking are some of the scenes in the documentary - including a boxer having an epileptic fit and a King Charles spaniel writhing in agony because its skull is too small for its brain - that the BBC is considering ending its 42-year connection with Crufts.


There is even speculation that the Queen, well known for her love of dogs, could cut her ties with the Kennel Club, which runs Crufts and sets the standards for the 200 or so breeds of pedigree dog.


Mark Evans, the RSPCA's chief vet, said: 'When I watch Crufts, what I see is a parade of mutants. It's some freakish, garish beauty pageant that has nothing, frankly, to do with health and welfare.


CRUFTS

BBC ban? Decades of inbreeding have resulted in a legacy of life-threatening ills



We've become completely and utterly desensitised to the fact that breeding these deformed, disabled, disease-prone animals is either shocking or abnormal.


The BBC1 documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed, to be shown at 9pm, is the result of a two-year investigation into the breeding and show circuits. It highlights the health problems suffered by many of our favourite pets.


Vets describe how virtually all cavalier King Charles spaniels develop life-threatening heart murmurs.


And a third have syringomyelia, an agonising condition caused by them being bred with skulls too small for their brains.


Veterinary neurologist Clare Rusbridge said: 'The cavalier's brain is like a size ten foot that has been shoved into a size six shoe; it doesn't fit.


'It is described in humans as one of the most painful conditions you can have, a piston-type headache. Even a light touch - a collar, for example - can induce discomfort.


'If you took a stick and beat a dog to create that pain, you'd be prosecuted. But there's nothing to stop you breeding a dog with it.
"

The programme says the drive for perfection has left golden retrievers prone to cancer, labradors with joint and eye problems, West Highland terriers beset with allergies and boxers at high risk of heart disease, epilepsy and cancer.


Pugs are so inbred that although there are 10,000 in Britain, their DNA could come from just 50.

The Pekingese's squashed face causes breathing difficulties that lead to some airlines refusing to fly them.


So serious are the breathing problems that Danny, the 2003 Crufts winner, sat on an ice pack while being photographed afterwards to stop him overheating.
<

To ensure desirable traits are passed on, male dogs are being mated with their own daughters, sisters and granddaughters.


Steve Jones, professor of genetics at University College London, said: 'If dog breeders insist on going further down that road, I can say with confidence that there is a universe of suffering waiting for many of these breeds and many, if not most, will not survive.


The Kennel Club said it worked hard 'to eliminate from breed standards any exaggerations that might cause problems'.


Club secretary Caroline Kisko said many of the health problems have their roots in Victorian times and inbreeding was an 'essential tool' in the development of breeds.


The organisation runs a range of health testing schemes and is funding the development of genetic tests. 'Ninety per cent of purebred dogs are healthy,' she said.


Eamon Hardy, the documentary's executive producer, said: 'In light of this programme, the BBC will request a meeting with the Kennel Club to discuss the implications and potential impact of the film.


Buckingham Palace said it could not comment on speculation.


Source:
http://www. dailymail. co. uk/news/article-1046614/BBC-drop-Crufts-unhealthy-freak-breeds. html


Posted By Moon Warriors
2:33 AM 
0 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate
Monday, August 04, 2008 

Category: Pets and Animals
12:42 AM 
2 Comments
(Add Comment) |
Translate