Cats Get a Breather

More colleges in the United States are replacing the use of live cats in medical training courses with human-based alternatives.

Paws Up!
To Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis Children’s Hospital for deciding to stop using cats to teach medical students how to intubate infants.

According to a news story, “Washington University has stopped using live cats in a medical training course, a practice that some animal rights groups have long opposed.”

Across the United States, many medical-related courses that once used live animals as test subjects are now being taught using only human-based simulators. For instance, in over 95 percent of the Advanced Trauma Life Support classes taught in this country, non-animal models, such as the TraumaMan System and SimMan, and cadavers are being used in place of live animals. Where infant training is concerned, validated and human-based alternatives, such as Gaumard’s Premie HALL and PREMIE Blue, exist and should be used in place of live animal experimentation.

According to Dr. John Pippin, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, “It’s especially inhumane and especially indefensible [to use live animals] when there are alternatives in hand which not only would spare the animals the trauma of going through this but also would provide a better educational experience.”

It’s time to do no harm in medical schools.

Take Action: Write a note of thanks to the Washington University School of Medicine and the St. Louis Children’s Hospital for deciding to spare the lives of cats. If you know of a medical school where animals are still being used to teach skills needed on humans, write to the dean and suggest he or she follow Washington University School of Medicine’s lead.

Larry J. Shapiro, MD
Executive Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs and Dean
Washington University School of Medicine
660 S Euclid Ave, St Louis, MO 63110

J Eric Gordon, MD, co-chief of service
Perry L Schoenecker, MD, co-chief of service
St. Louis Children’s Hospital
One Children’s Place
St. Louis, MO 63110

Patrick’s Law

Patrick’s law has been enacted in the state of New Jersey, honoring Patrick (shown above) for the extreme abuse he endured as a puppy. This law would increase the civil and criminal penalties involving animal abuse crimes. Photo courtesy of The Patrick Miracle Facebook page.

Paws Up!
To the New Jersey State Legislature for enacting Patrick’s Law, S 1303.

The New Jersey legislator has passed S 1303 known as Patrick’s Law in honor of a dog who was starved and then abandoned by his owner. The bill is before Governor Chris Christie for signature.

The bill calls for tougher measures that would increase civil and criminal penalties for animal abuse and neglect and creates a separate offense if an individual is charged with the “needless killing” of an animal.

Take Action: New Jersey residents, thank your legislators for enacting this law and for protecting the animals of your state. Let your governor know you want the bill signed into law. Residents of other states, if your legislators are considering enacting tougher animal cruelty laws, let them know you support them.

Breed Bans Busted

The state of Nevada has just enacted breed neutral legislation, preventing dogs from being found vicious based solely on their breed.

Paws Up!
To Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval and the Nevada legislature for enacting breed neutral legislation.

Assembly Bill 110 states, in part, “A dog may not be found dangerous or vicious…[b]ased solely on the breed of the dog.”

Today, the pit bull, yesterday the chow chow, before that the Rottweiler or the German shepherd. All these breeds have been defined as “dangerous dogs.” But in reality, a dog becomes dangerous at the hands of his or her owners and not because of the breed group to which he or she belongs. If a community thinks by banning one specific breed of dog, everyone will be safer, they are sadly mistaken. All dogs have teeth; all dogs are capable of biting. How a dog is raised has more to do with the dog becoming a good canine citizen or a menace to the community.

According to an American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) article “A community approach to dog bite prevention,” there are a number of factors that determine how a dog will behave: “…a dog’s tendency to bite depends on at least five interacting factors: heredity, early experience, later socialization and training, health (medical and behavioral), and victim behavior.” Only one of the five factors relates to the genetics of the dog. The rest are factors under the control of the dog owner.

Take Action: Nevada residents, please write your governor and your legislators thanking them for their action in protecting the dogs of your state. Residents of other states where breed specific legislation is being considered, please contact your legislators and tell them that breed bans don’t work.

Greyhound Victory

Greyhound racing in the state of Florida continues but with more restrictions in place to monitor their standards of care.

Paws Up!
To the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering for filing a new rule to protect racing greyhounds in the state.

According toa news story, “Florida greyhound trainers will soon have to be more transparent with their dog care. A new state animal welfare rule…requir[es] trainers to notify state regulators every time a dog dies at a track or kennel. Trainers at the state’s 13 greyhound tracks also will be banned from keeping more than one dog per cage and be forced to maintain a roster that identifies each dog. Racetrack officials have to complete weekly walk-throughs of kennels.”

Greyhound racing is still a viable “sport” though its numbers are on the decline. However, the guess is that anywhere from 20,000 to as many as 50,000 greyhounds are born each year and anywhere from 20,000 on up are killed either as puppies unsuitable for racing or retirees whose racing careers are over. While NHES would ultimately prefer to see the sport banned outright, protection of the dogs in the system is of paramount importance.

Take Action: Florida residents, contact the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering to thank the agency for protecting greyhounds. Residents of other states where greyhound racing occurs (Arizona, Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, West Virginia, and Iowa), contact your state agency that oversees greyhound racing to determine if they are protecting the dogs who race in your state.

Leon M Biegalski, Director
Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering
1940 North Monroe Street, Suite 50
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1035

Humane Death for Shelter Animals

The use of gas chambers in Texas animal shelters has recently been banned.

Paws Up!
To Texas for banning the use of gas chambers to euthanize shelter animals.

According to a news article, “Texas has joined 19 other states in banning the use of gas chambers to kill unwanted shelter dogs, cats, puppies and kittens.”

“Euthanasia by injection is the recommended method, according to groups including the Texas Animal Control Association, the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and various veterinary and animal control associations.”

There is a bill in the US House of Representatives, HR 208, that opposes the use of gas chambers to euthanize shelter animals and supports laws that require the use of euthanasia by injection instead. Contact your senators and representatives and have them support HR 208.

Gas chambers should be banned in all states as a means of euthanizing shelter animals.

Take Action: Residents of Texas, thank your governor for signing into law a bill that bans the use of gas chambers to euthanize shelter animals in your state. Residents of other states, check to see if your state still allows the use of gas chambers as a means to euthanize shelter animals. If it does, please contact your legislators and urge them to introduce legislation banning the practice.

The Honorable Rick Perry
Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711-2428
Tele. No.: 512-463-2000

Spay/Neuter Assistance

The Spay/Neuter Assistance Fund bill will help control pet overpopulation in states such as West Virginia.

Paws Up!
To the West Virginia legislature for enacting and Governor Tomblin for signing into law SB 202, the Spay/Neuter Assistance Fund bill.

With more cats and dogs being born in West Virginia than can be adopted, the West Virginia legislature has decided to do something about spay/neuter on a statewide scale. The Spay/Neuter Assistance bill will help fund these vital surgeries to reduce the number of unwanted companion animals entering shelters, being left to succumb in the wild, or abandoned on other people’s property.

West Virginia joins several other states in recognizing the need to help relieve shelters and animal control agencies in the state with the burden of housing unwanted puppies and kittens.

Take Action: West Virginia residents, thank your legislators and governor for helping reduce the number of unwanted companion animals in the state. Residents of other states, contact your legislators to see if such an assistance program is needed where you live.

Running with Bulls Bad Idea

Virginia, Georgia, and Texas are supporting an event this year called Running with the Bulls, which is meant to mimic the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.

Paws Down!
To three arenas hosting running with the bulls spectacles this year.

An organization called Running with the Bulls is sponsoring three events this year in three states: Virginia, Georgia, and Texas.

These events are meant to mimic the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. However, just as in Pamplona, the bulls have no say in the matter. They are treated as spectacle rather than as living, breathing, sentient beings who belong almost any place other than an arena with a group of people sprinting ahead of them.

While some may say running with the bulls is tradition, it was never tradition in Virginia, Georgia, or Texas. As with many traditions, however, it should be put to rest in all other areas of the world.

Take Action: The best action any of us can take is to refuse to support organizations and venues that host animal-related entertainment by not attending these events and not even watching them on television. For our readers in the three states where these events will take place, please take time to write to the managers of each venue and express your displeasure at their booking such a frivolous event.

General Manager Bryan Pierce, General Manager
Virginia Motorsports Park
8018 Boydton Plank Rd.
Petersburg, VA 23803
Tele. No.: 804-862-3174
E-mail: bryanp@virginiamotorsports.com

General Manager
Georgia International Horse Park
1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway
Conyers, Georgia 30013
770-860-4190

Fern Davis, Sales Director
Royal Purple Raceway
2525 S Farm to Market Road 565
Baytown, TX 77521
Tele. No.: 281-383-7223
E-mail: fdavis@royalpurpleraceway.com

Puppies Are Protected in WV

West Virginia has recently passed SB 437, a bill that will ensure proper standards of care for dogs in commercial breeding facilities.

Paws Up!
To the West Virginia State legislature for enacting and Governor Tomblin for signing into law SB 437, the puppy mill bill.

West Virginia has joined with a number of other states that want to ensure safe, healthy standards of care for dogs living in commercial breeding establishments often referred to as puppy mills.

According to a bill recently signed by the governor, a “‘Commercial dog breeder’ means any person who (A) Maintains eleven or more unsterilized dogs over the age of one year; (B) Is engaged in the business of breeding dogs as household pets for direct or indirect sale or for exchange in return for consideration;”

Take Action: West Virginia residents, please thank your legislators and governor for protecting dogs in commercial breeding operations in West Virginia. Residents of other states, if you do not have laws protecting dogs in commercial breeding facilities, please contact your legislators and urge them to introduce legislation today.

Circus Animals: A Thing of the Past?

The British government has moved forward in banning the use of wild animals from circuses in England.

Paws Up!
To The British government for banning wild animals from circuses in England.

According to a news story, circuses in England will be banned from using wild animals. “British Veterinary Association president Peter Jones added: ‘There is no place in today’s society for wild animals to be used for our entertainment and we are absolutely delighted.’”

Circuses often mean suffering, pain, fear, and degradation for the animals who are forced to perform day after day. While life may be hard for the humans who choose to work in the circus, life is inhumane for the nonhuman animals who have no choice.

Circuses do not serve to educate people about the animal world or its habitats; nor do they protect endangered species or strive to instill in the general public an increased appreciation and compassion for animals. Circuses fail to provide captive animals with a humane standard of care that requires the creation of natural habitats, ample area for exercise and socialization, appropriate diets, and suitable climatic controls. Further, some circuses use abusive training techniques including whips, chains, clubs, and electric shock to force animals to perform out of fear of punishment.

Instead of supporting circuses that use and abuse animals, why not support those circuses that celebrate the human being and his or her daring feats?

Take Action: Congratulate the prime minister of England for his country’s forward thinking about protecting wild animals from a life of degradation and death in the circus.

David Cameron
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA
England

Factory Farmed Animals Win Some/Lose Some

Paws Up!
To a California legislator for withdrawing an “ag-gag” bill.

Paws Down!
To the Tennessee legislature for passing one.

“Ag-gag” laws are being considered in many states in order to provide protection for those that commit inhumane acts upon factory-farmed animals.

“Ag-gag” laws are being considered in many states. These laws are meant to interfere with undercover investigations of factory farms. They end up protecting employers and employees of factory farms who are abusing the animals in their care. These laws also destroy freedom of speech and the public’s right to know what happens to animals raised and slaughtered for food.

According to a news story, the author of California’s ag-gag bill (AB 343) withdrew the bill. However Tennessee passed such a bill in both houses and has sent it to the governor for signature.

Take Action: Tennessee residents, contact your governor and urge him not to sign the Livestock Cruelty Prevention Act (HB 1191/SB 1248).
California residents, let your legislators know you are not in favor of any bill that interferes with the pursuit of truth in the factory farm industry.