The Pawz Cauze

Below you will find a copy of the plea sent to me, DJ Ice, by Kinship Circle. Dispite our requests and pleas to Montcalm County to stop animal suffering by selling companion animals to R & R Reasearch, Inc; hundreds of animals are still falling into the hands of evil tortures in the name of science. The only way to stop this is to call upon the animal lovers of the world to step up and become the voice for the voiceless. We need to unite as one and send well written, well thought out letters to the Montcalm County Officials asking them to please stop this madness. Thank you on behalf of the animals your voice will help save from agony.

KINSHIP CIRCLE DISASTER AID NETWORK / PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST

Fill out a VOLUNTEER FORM online, so you’re officially registered in Kinship
Circle’s Animal Disaster Aid volunteer network:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/volunteer/default.html

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COMPANION ANIMAL CAMPAIGNS
1/7/09: Misery For Profit At Michigan Pound
This issue comes up for a vote at the commissioners meeting, 1/12/09

FOR A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC), EMAIL: kinshipcircle@accessus.net
Easily modify letter. Copy/paste it into an email or print letter to fax or mail.

Michigan Deals with the Devil, http://www.poocini.com/report/archives/964

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FULL CONTACT INFORMATION. Sample Letter Follows
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Many alerts currently circulating the Internet about Montcalm County’s pound
seizure practice ask activists to CALL and/or SNAIL-MAIL comments, rather
than email them: “Please…write a good old-fashioned letter and copy it 9
times. Often when email is sent for something like this the commissioners
will simply hit DELETE.”

STREET ADDRESS FOR ALL COMMISSIONERS:
Montcalm County Commissioners
Administrative Building, 3rd Floor
211 W. Main St.
P.O. Box 368
Stanton, MI 48888

City of Stanton, Mayor Robert Burns
225 S. Camburn St.
P.O. Box 449
Stanton, MI 48888
ph: 989 831-4440; fax: 989-831-5756
email: mayor@cityofstantonmi.com

Montcalm County Animal Control
154 W. Quarterline St.
P.O. Box 368
Stanton, MI 48888
ph: 989-831-7355; fax: 989-831-7410

*Kinship Circle cannot guarantee validity of email addresses. During
campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses. Emails
from government or corporate websites may be incorrect.

*************
SAMPLE LETTER — This letter is prepared to inform you about the issue.
Try to shorten and personalize your letter before sending.


Dear Montcalm County Officials:

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SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
========

Michigan deals with the devil
http://www.poocini.com/report/archives/964
Montcalm County Animal “Shelter” Cruelty Exposed
http://www.michanimalnews.com/Montcalm_Animal_Control.html
Where Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?
http://www.cccmontcalm.org/
Michigan Animal Shelter Ships Animals to Class B Research Dealer
http://www.michanimalnews.com/co2_euth_followup.html
R&R Research; 19256 W. Kendaville Rd.; Howard City, MI 49329; 231-937-5680
http://guide.labanimal.com/guide/companyd.jsp?b=5285

PLEASE SUPPORT KINSHIP CIRCLE’S WORK FOR ANIMALS…
* DONATE SECURELY ONLINE: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation

* DONATE BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER:
Kinship Circle / 7380 Kingsbury Blvd. / St. Louis, MO 63130

Action Campaigns I Literature I Animal Disaster Aid Networking
info@kinshipcircle.org or kinshipcircle@accessus.net
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/
KINSHIP CIRCLE is a 501c3 public charity. Donations are tax-deductible.

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SUBSCRIBE:
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide

Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: kinshipcircle@accessus.net
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts
SEND: Address / Phone / Email for placement in geographic disaster zone

*DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

With Thanksgiving coming up on Thursday, it’s no surprise that turkeys are have been in the news over the last week. The most widely circulated story is probably the one in which Sarah Palin, after pardoning a turkey, conducted a fun chatty interview as the other birds were being slaughtered behind her. Of greater import is the New York Times report on shocking undercover video taken recently at a commercial turkey farm. That is covered below.

Those who haven’t seen the Palin video can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPDrC1FjjDk
Just over a minute into the video, the man who has been working behind Palin lowers a live turkey into the slaughter cone. We see the animal’s legs kicking pitifully and we watch the man grab them tight to keep them still as the turkey bleeds out.

It was interesting to watch the presentation of the story in the mainstream media. One anchor, whose station blurred out the kicking legs, suggested the video was so gruesome that parents should have children leave the room. Yet, as one would expect, Palin did her official pardoning not at a typical industrial plant but at a small farm where the birds are being carefully slaughtered one by one. While what viewers see may be enough to jolt many sensitive folks out of their complacency regarding the headless carcass on their table, it is a far cry from the typical treatment of turkeys who end up as Thanksgiving main courses.

The Wednesday, November 19 New York Times article presents a more gruesome and more typical picture. The piece, by Donald G. McNeil Jr. is headed, “Group Documents Cruelty to Turkeys.” (Dining Section, p D5)
It opens: “In what is becoming an annual Thanksgiving rite, an animal rights group on Tuesday released undercover videotapes taken at the nation’s premier poultry-breeding operation, showing turkeys being stomped to death and punched by workers.”

We read that after seeing the video, company representatives at Aviagen said they ‘’condemn the abuse of any of the animals in our care and will take swift action to address these issues.'’ Yet one of the many shocking segments of the video has a supervisor acknowledging that he knows some of his men enjoy beating up and killing the turkeys. He says that every now and then everybody gets agitated and has to kill a bird, and that is okay “as long as they don’t do it a lot.”

We read in the New York Times piece: “The Aviagen video can be seen at http://www.peta.org/. The scenes show stomach-turning brutality. Workers are seen smashing birds into loading cages like basketballs, stomping heads and breaking necks, apparently for fun, even pretending to rape one.

“On the tape, one worker describes losing his temper at a tom who pecked him, marking its head with a pen so he could find it again, fetching a broomstick, ramming it down the bird’s gullet and holding it up in the air while shouting ‘Let this be a lesson to y’all’ at the rest of the flock.”

You’ll find the full New York Times piece on line at
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/dining/19peta.html and the video on line at http://getactive.peta.org/campaign/turkey_investigation
I do hope anybody considering eating turkey for Thanksgiving will watch it. My neighbor, heading towards vegetarianism but not sure what to do about Thanksgiving turkey, actually screamed out loud as he watched a worker’s boot come down on a turkey’s skull. But as Gretchen Wyler used to say, “We must not refuse to see with our eyes, what they must endure with their bodies.”We have a moral obligation to make the effort to make informed choices.

Of special interest in the New York Times is the opening line. Indeed, the release of these undercover videos has become an annual Thanksgiving rite; this operation is no aberration. PETA does not have the resources to put loads of undercover workers on various turkey farms or in turkey slaughterhouses trying to find “a bad one.” Yet every year an undercover investigator goes into one of the major producers and comes out with video like this. In “Thanking the Monkey” I discuss some of the videos, including one that shows a worker doing his boxing punching bag practice on the live turkeys moving past him, who are helplessly hung up by their legs headed for slaughter.

You can respond to the New York Times article with a letter to the editor
sent to letters@nytimes.com but far better, this week, why not send a letter to the editor at your local paper, thereby letting people in your town know about the video that
the New York Times covered last week? You can guide them to check it out.
And if you are preparing a veggie feast you can write merrily about that as well.

Newsweek has covered the Thanksgiving turkey issue in its November 19 edition (Society section), looking not at the cruelty aspects but at table dynamics when vegetarians join turkey eaters. The article, by Sarah Kliff, is headed, “A Recipe For a Family Fight:At Thanksgiving, vegetarians and vegans object to the menu (and the heckling), while other relatives feel family traditions are being scorned.”

You’ll find it on line at
http://www.newsweek.com/id/169906&GT1=43002

It presents a great opportunity for letters to the editor giving some of the background, the reasons one might refuse to eat turkey (for example the recent New York Times coverage of the PETA undercover video) which are not discussed in the article. Or you might just write a letter appreciative of Newsweek’s coverage of the issue. It is great to see vegetarianism get so much mainstream coverage, and positive feedback encourages more of it.
Newsweek takes letters at letters@newsweek.com

If you have any trouble finding the email address for a letter to your local editor, feel free to ask me for help.

Always include your full name, address, and daytime phone number when
sending a letter to the editor. Remember that shorter letters are more likely to be published.

Yours and the animals’,
Karen Dawn

(DawnWatch is an animal advocacy media watch that looks at animal issues in the media and facilitates one-click responses to the relevant media
outlets. You can learn more about it, and sign up for alerts at
http://www.dawnwatch.com/. You may forward or reprint DawnWatch alerts if you do so unedited — leave DawnWatch in the title and include this parenthesized tag line. If somebody forwards DawnWatch alerts to you,
which you enjoy, please help the list grow by signing up. It is free.)
Please go to www.ThankingtheMonkey.com to read reviews of Karen Dawn’s new book, “Thanking the Monkey: Rethinking the Way we Treat Animals” and watch the fun celebrity studded promo video.

Pawz Up,

Ice & The Pawz Cauze Team

I found this posted on one of my groups and felt that since we’ve helped to save pit bulls from death in Denver, CO, then we can do it for her!  Please read and follow the links to help:

http://pitbullsonlinecommunity.ning.com/events/sign-a-petition-to-help-save?rsvpConfirm=1

The city of Des Moines, Iowa wants to kill my dog because he is a pitbull. They think he is a “Vicious Dog” because of his specific breed. Which, in turn, makes him a “Dangerous Animal” and subject to a city ordinance that will allow them to murder my innocent dog.
I have appealed this judgement and must now appear before the city council…but I can’t plead my case, I can’t introduce any new evidence which includes all the letters I’ve collected from my community about what a great dog Mojo is. So my plan is e-mails and mailing pictures and letters to the city council members before the meeting. Thank goodness it’s my civic right to contact them directly. I would appritiate any advice or letters I could send off to them.
Please, I am begging, anyone who cares to write a letter and e-mail it to me so I can send them. I’m hoping this will change her decision to kill Mojo. If they can understand that he has impacted so many people and has so many friends.
I have owned my pit since he was 4 weeks old, he is now 5 years now. My neighbors small dog attacked him and my dog bite him, a warning bite to say the least. No significant injuries, no stitches, and neither dog was on a leash (it happened in the hallway of my apartment) So now they want to destroy my dog because my neighbors LIED and said the bite was unprovoked.
I am working on getting an attorney but right now I’m writing, making phone calls, e-mailing, and begging for help.
HELP ME SHED THE LIGHT All I need is just two sentences, two paragraphs ANYTHING!!!
*Just state your name
*How you know Mojo and I
*What your experiences have been with him-his manners, whatever…
*And why you feel he shouldn’t be killed
*E-mail to shannon84simmons@gmail.com
He has been in the pound for a month now.They won’t let me see him and I know he is so scared! They don’t walk him, he has an automatic feeder and the only time they take him out is to clean the tiny kennel. That’s the only social interaction he has! He belongs on my couch, taking a nap!
PLEASE HELP ME BRING MY DOG HOME!!!!! HIS LIFE IS IN OUR HANDS

 http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/maximum-penalty-for-the-men-who-hacked-up-a-puppy

Hi, I signed the petition “maximum penalty for the men who hacked up a puppy.”. I’m asking you to sign this petition to help us reach our goal of 100,000 signatures. I care deeply about this cause, and I hope you will support our efforts.  Here are the basics of the case:

Hardened police officers have been shocked by the horrifying torture, mutilation and brutal slaying of a seven month old fox terrier puppy near Mackay at the weekend.
If found guilty, they could face up to two years in prison. Police have obtained video footage from a mobile phone which shows graphic images of the puppy yelping and howling in terrible pain as it hacked to pieces with garden shears and a pocked knife.
They said the owners were too distressed to talk to anyone about it.
The pups nose was cut off, its front right leg and rear left leg were cut off and it was decapitated. A three-part video series on a mobile phone shows the dog being tortured.
The maximum penalty under the Animal Care and Protection Act for such an offence is $75,000 or two years in jail; however the maximum penalty ever handed out has been a four month jail term.

WE BELIEVE THESE MEN SHOULD RECIEVE THE MAXIMUN PENALTY AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALIA FOR THIS SADISTIC, DISGUSTING ACT.

 

 Standard Podcast [15:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This includes website and his personal email information.  Feel free to voice YOUR opinions to him.

Here is a story from the past that is worth taking a second look at because it shows how celebrities, even the less popular ones, can get away with just about anything!  Pete Burns should have been prosecuted for having this coat in his possession; however, police are saying the coat was not in violation of any laws.  Take a look: 

Photo and story from: http://worldofstaci.blogspot.com/2006/01/dead-or-alive-singer-busted-for.html

On January 18th, 2006 police swooped on the Celebrity Big Brother house to seize the controversial “gorilla coat” worn by transvestite pop star Pete Burns.

The Dead Or Alive singer, who has worn the bizarre coat a number of times since entering the reality TV show house, told fellow guests that it was made from the fur of an endangered species.

He instantly clashed with fellow contestant Jodie Marsh who told him the coat was cruel.

The host of Celebrity Big Brother, was immediately overwhelmed with complaints from viewers concerned about animal welfare issues.

A Police spokeswoman confirmed this afternoon that the coat had been handed over to officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary.

“The coat will now be tested to determine its origin”, the spokesperson said.

This news came after Government minister, Jim Knight, warned that the former Dead or Alive star could face jail if the coat was indeed made from gorilla fur.

Gorillas currently head the list of critically endangered animals and trading in their fur can carry a penalty of up to five years in prison and an unlimited fine.

February 2006:

Here is the follow-up of this story for those whom asked me to find out about this story and what became of the incident.  This was found at:  http://www.inthenews.co.uk/television/big-programmes/big-brother/pete-burns-avoids-charges-over-gorilla-coat-$15147176.htm

Celebrity Big Brother finalist Pete Burns will not face criminal charges over the coat he claimed was made from gorilla fur.

The crown prosecution service (CPS) has decided to take no further action after investigating the circumstances that led to the 1980s pop singer owning the garment.

After Burns was seen on TV claiming the coat was made from gorilla fur, officers from Hertfordshire police swooped on the Big Brother house in Elstree and took the coat for further analysis.

Experts from the National History Museum in London established that the fur originated not from a gorilla but from the colobus monkey. The species is endangered but possession of the fur is not a criminal offence unless it was illegally imported.

“The CPS has decided that no prosecution should follow in relation to a colobus monkey fur coat taken into the Big Brother house by Pete Burns,” a CPS statement said.

“There is no evidence to suggest that this garment was imported illegally and therefore that any offence has been committed.”

The CPS added that Burns has not been interviewed by police over the matter.

Burns’ coat was said to be in a poor condition and the pelts used to make the coat are thought to have been brought into Britain during the 1930s or 1940s.

The Dead or Alive frontman was one of the last six contestants left in the Channel 4 reality TV series, eventually being beaten in the public vote by model Chantelle Houghton, former TV presenter Michael Barrymore, Ordinary Boys singer Samuel Preston and Goldie Lookin’ Chain rapper Maggot.

The Stock, Aitken and Waterman song that made him famous, You Spin Me Right Round, is set for a re-release after the publicity garnered by Burns’ appearance on the show.

In the opinion of The Pawz Cauze Host, this is ridiculous.  The animal was endangered and thus the coat should be illegal to posses.  What is wrong with these people???????

Pawz UP, Ice

 

 Protest to free Forrest [22:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Once again the spotlight is on Denver, Colorado, Forrest the dog held captive, and his owner, Chris; an innocent man who thinks of his dog as his ’son’.  Join us as DJ Ice speaks with Dr. Paula Terifaj and Chris LIVE at the protest.  Hear as Chris tells his chilling tale of how Forrest was stolen the first time he ended up across the Denver city line and how DENVER forced him to keep his dog locked in a kennel.  Now Denver is holding the dog and threatening to euthanize him over the Breed Ban Legislation they passed several years ago that has since resulted in the deaths of hundreds of family pets only because they were guilty of being the wrong breed.  Forrest has never hurt anyone.  Chris doesn’t even reside in Denver.  His place of residence is recorded as being in Adams County; yet Denver feels the need to confine this dog and KILL him!

You hear the words, then you make your decision, then take action.  Don’t allow prejudice to win.  Stand up and be heard.  Stand up for Forrest.  Demand that he be returned to Chris.

Please feel free to pass this along and gain as many supporters as possible to stop Denver from killing this dog!  Thank you.  Below you will find the emails to the city officials and mayor.

Ursla.Null@Denvergov.org ; Doug.Kelley@denvergov.org ; Nancy.Severson@denvergov.org ; Felix.Ortiz@denvergov.org ; LinkhartAtLarge@ci.denver.co.us ; Rachel.Kurtz-Phelan@denvergov.org ; Lisa.Zoeller@denvergov.org ; Carol.Boigon@denvergov.org ; Rosalind.Alston@denvergov.org ; Julia.Gayles@denvergov.org ; Michael.Hancock@denvergov.org ; Caitlin.Quander@ci.denver.co.us ; Kathi.Anderson@ci.denver.co.us ; Nora.Kimball@ci.denver.co.us ; Jeanne.Robb@ci.denver.co.us ; Teresa.StPeter@Denvergov.org ; Stephanie.Syner@denvergov.org ; Judy.Montero@denvergov.org ;

Lynne.Lombard-Hunt@denvergov.org ; Stephanie.Cross@Denvergov.org ; Carla.Madison@denvergov.org ; Valerie.Kerns@denvergov.org ; Jennifer.Redies@denvergov.org ; Chris.Nevitt@denvergov.org ; Meagan.Mercer@denvergov.org ; Carol.Singer@denvergov.org ; Charlie.Brown@Denvergov.org ; Sarah.Hader@denvergov.org ; Lynn.Pressnal@denvergov.org ; Marcia.Johnson@Denvergov.org ; Sunni.Rogers@denvergov.org ; Diane.Young@denvergov.org ; Peggy.Lehmann@denvergov.org ; Denise.Perez@ci.denver.co.us ; Gia.Irlando@denvergov.org ; Paul.Lopez@denvergov.org ;

Jeanne.Fatz@ci.denver.co.us ; Pat.Defra@denvergov.org ; Rita.Contreras@denvergov.org ; Rick.Garcia@DenverGov.org ; Doug.Kelley@ci.Denver.co.us ; Nancy.Severson@ci.denver.co.us ;

Dencc@denvergov.org ; Heather.Barry@denvergov.org ;

Suzan.Moore@denvergov.org ; Sue.Cobb@denvergov.org