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| Woodridge and Winkler by the I-HOP |
Friday, September 16, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Austin Residents Don’t Want Animals Rescued from Wild Fires Killed in Houston Shelters
The city of Austin will soon take up the issue of banning the transfer of their shelter animals to any other shelter which has a higher kill rate than their own. The proposal is in response to a September 6 attempted transfer of 19 animals from Austin’s animal control shelter (TLAC) to the Houston SPCA. Animal advocates in Austin succeeded in causing the Houston SPCA bus to return all the animals back to Austin.
Austin rescue groups have been saving animals from the Bastrop County fires, resulting in a space crunch for Austin animals. Abigail Smith, the director of TLAC, made the decision to open up kennels by sending animals to the Houston SPCA.
According to their records, TLAC has had a 90% or better save rate for the past six months whereas the last reports produced by the Houston’s SPCA in 2005 puts their save rate at only 35%. The Houston SPCA refuses to make more current data public. Austin and Houston animal advocates protested claiming that it put Austin’s animals at risk of being killed by the Houston SPCA and also put Houston animals at risk for being killed to make room.
“Houston shelters kill 80,000 animals a year,” said Bett Sundermeyer of No Kill Houston. “It makes no sense to be killing our own animals and bringing in animals from Austin, especially when Austin is saving better than 90% of them.”
Ryan Clinton of Fix Austin, who succeeded in stopping the transfer, wrote in a letter to the Mayor of Austin that, “We should never allow our lifesaving values to be legitimately questioned by transferring animals to an organization that has less regard for life than we do.”
Of particular concern to Austin and Houston advocates is that, the Houston SPCA kills savable animals, has a breed discrimination policy mandating the killing of friendly dogs of certain breeds, and refuses to publicly release intake and disposition data, including rates of killing.
Because of the large outcry of opposition, the bus with the Austin animals, which was already on the road to Houston, was sent back to Austin. Both the Austin Animal Welfare Advisory Commission and the Austin City Council will consider enacting a policy banning the transfer of animals to high kill rate shelters.
“It’s another black eye for Houston, when an entire city in Texas says we will not send animals to you because you can’t even save the animals in your own community,” said Sundermeyer.
Link to story here.
Austin rescue groups have been saving animals from the Bastrop County fires, resulting in a space crunch for Austin animals. Abigail Smith, the director of TLAC, made the decision to open up kennels by sending animals to the Houston SPCA.
“Houston shelters kill 80,000 animals a year,” said Bett Sundermeyer of No Kill Houston. “It makes no sense to be killing our own animals and bringing in animals from Austin, especially when Austin is saving better than 90% of them.”
Ryan Clinton of Fix Austin, who succeeded in stopping the transfer, wrote in a letter to the Mayor of Austin that, “We should never allow our lifesaving values to be legitimately questioned by transferring animals to an organization that has less regard for life than we do.”
Of particular concern to Austin and Houston advocates is that, the Houston SPCA kills savable animals, has a breed discrimination policy mandating the killing of friendly dogs of certain breeds, and refuses to publicly release intake and disposition data, including rates of killing.
Because of the large outcry of opposition, the bus with the Austin animals, which was already on the road to Houston, was sent back to Austin. Both the Austin Animal Welfare Advisory Commission and the Austin City Council will consider enacting a policy banning the transfer of animals to high kill rate shelters.
“It’s another black eye for Houston, when an entire city in Texas says we will not send animals to you because you can’t even save the animals in your own community,” said Sundermeyer.
Link to story here.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Crime Stoppers Gets Involved In Anti-Dogfighting
September 2, 2011
by: Bill Stamps
When you think of Crime Stoppers, you probably think of crimes like murders and sex offenses. Add animal cruelty to that list. Several animal advocacy groups held a news conference today to announce their new partnership with Crime Stoppers.
by: Bill Stamps
When you think of Crime Stoppers, you probably think of crimes like murders and sex offenses. Add animal cruelty to that list. Several animal advocacy groups held a news conference today to announce their new partnership with Crime Stoppers.
Dogfighting and animal cruelty is something Harris County has been dealing with for some time now. Authorities busted a big ring more than a year ago that led to numerous arrests. But they continue to find the corpses of dogs believed to be used in fights. Now, Crime Stoppers is stepping in as another tool in this battle.
This is Crime Stoppers Executive Director Katherine Cabiniss: "If you see signs of abuse, an animal with injuries that are going unreported or untreated, call Crime Stoppers, or call the police. If you know of a dogfight that is going to take place in your community, or if you know someone who is planning a dogfight, or is attending a dogfight, call Crime Stoppers, or call the police."
Tina Lundquist Faust is with nonprofit group PetSet. Even though dogfighting continues to plague the Houston area, she believes the situation is improving. "I think that there is progress being made. I think because so many people are aware and because of events like this it creates awareness and people recognize that it is a crime and that something can be done."
With Crime Stoppers now getting involved, people will also have access to rewards. "It’s people that are in the rescue groups, that are in the adoption centers that see the abuse that may have a link to abusers and they’re maybe not sure where to go, but through Crime Stoppers, they have a way to turn these people in and get them off the streets."
The state is also trying to do its part. State Senator John Whitmire says the legislature passed several laws related to animal cruelty, including one that allow them to keep track of people who may be breeding for criminal purposes.
"We passed an anti-puppy mill legislation. If you have eleven or more breeding females, you will be regulated by the state of Texas and have standards. That was a huge step forward. We passed in the Senate an animal registration list. It was modeled after the sexual offenders registration list, knowing that these individuals that abuse animals will most likely then repeat those crimes, often against humans."
Crime Stoppers rewards of up to five thousand dollars. The number to call is 713-222 TIPS.
With Crime Stoppers now getting involved, people will also have access to rewards. "It’s people that are in the rescue groups, that are in the adoption centers that see the abuse that may have a link to abusers and they’re maybe not sure where to go, but through Crime Stoppers, they have a way to turn these people in and get them off the streets."
The state is also trying to do its part. State Senator John Whitmire says the legislature passed several laws related to animal cruelty, including one that allow them to keep track of people who may be breeding for criminal purposes.
"We passed an anti-puppy mill legislation. If you have eleven or more breeding females, you will be regulated by the state of Texas and have standards. That was a huge step forward. We passed in the Senate an animal registration list. It was modeled after the sexual offenders registration list, knowing that these individuals that abuse animals will most likely then repeat those crimes, often against humans."
Crime Stoppers rewards of up to five thousand dollars. The number to call is 713-222 TIPS.
Link to story.
Police Seek Houston Man Accused of Animal Cruelty
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| Credit: HPD, Daniel Caballero |
From khou.com
HOUSTON – Police and Crime Stoppers are asking for the public’s help locating a man accused of animal cruelty. Daniel Caballero is suspected of either assaulting a dog or forcing it to participate in fights.
On April 23, 2011, HPD officers responded to a report of an injured dog at a home in the 200 block of Burress. The dog – a pit bull that belonged to Caballero – had a severe injury to one of its eyes. Police told Caballero to seek immediate medical attention for the dog. But two days later, when officers returned to check on the animal, they said it was tethered outside of the home, without food or water.
Police determined that Caballero hadn’t sought medical attention for the dog, so they seized it. A seizure hearing was held, but Caballero didn’t attend.A warrant for animal cruelty was issued for Caballero, but he remained at large Friday.
He is 20 years old, stands 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs 175 pounds. His last known address was near the 200 block of Burress in Houston. Anyone with information about the location of the suspect is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at (713) 222-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be submitted online at crime-stoppers.org or via text message – just text "TIP610" plus your info to 274637.
All tipsters will remain anonymous.
Please Don’t Buy Pets While Millions Die
Friday, September 2, 2011 4:00 pm  |
| Arlo and Cassie are two of five pups that were recently abandoned in San Jacinto County. The other pups were not as fortunate as these two and died before they could be rescued. If you are interested in adopting Arlo and Cassie, please call 281-229-8830 or send email to bandbtex@eastex.net. |
I have written numerous articles for this publication, with the last two giving details about specific breeds, and featuring rescued dogs of that breed that are up for adoption. I am sorry to say that I never received any inquiries about these dogs, nor have I ever had an adoption resulting from any of my past articles.
I have to assume that the residents of our area own dogs, yet most of our adoptions are in the Conroe/Woodlands area. Why do we do so few adoptions in our own communities? One reason could be that we have a plethora of dogs, with many people in rural areas, including ours, seeming to believe that spaying or neutering is unnecessary. After all, if the owner of an unaltered female dog suddenly finds himself with a bunch of unwanted puppies, he can just dump them off in the woods somewhere, or over a neighbor’s fence. He never suffers the consequences of his irresponsible behavior.
Instead, those of us who try to save animals, are filled to capacity, and end up having to tell people that, “Sorry, no more room at the inn.” Even less concern is shown to the neutering of a male dog, because the owner doesn’t have a clue how many females his dog can, and does, impregnate. Why should he care?
Millions of these unwanted animals are killed every year. In the Harris County shelter alone, literally hundreds of animals are taken in every day, and recent statistics show that over 80 percent of them are killed. Those of you who don’t bother to spay or neuter your pets are directly responsible for this type of slaughter.
A second reason for the lack of adoptions could be that people are buying pets, instead of rescuing one of the many abandoned and homeless animals. Please reconsider. Shelters are filled with many different dogs, and about 25 percent are purebred. There are also breed specific rescues, and Houston has most, if not all of them represented.
Check hadr-tx.org for Houston area dog rescues. First, before buying, or adopting, a companion animal, check with your local area rescues, including us at Legacy Ranch. Our web address is www.adoptrescuedogs.com, and all of our adoptable dogs, as well as information about low cost spay and neuter services, can be found there. We are just one of many, and by adopting a dog locally, you are saving a life that probably began right in your own area.
We humans are responsible for these animals. We have made the dog dependent on us, as a species, for its needs, yet we callously discard it as if it had no value. As I have written in the past, the old dogs, the black dogs, the disabled dogs, and the dogs that need a little extra attention, are the last to be adopted.
This month, two well-known animal welfare organizations, Best Friends Animal Society, and Petfinder.com, are both promoting special adoption events. The first is “Back in Black,” and the second is “Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet-Week.” Adopt Rescue Dogs/Legacy Ranch will take part in these events by offering black dogs and senior dogs at a reduced fee. Please contact us at bandbtex@eastex.net or 281-229-8830 for more information.
Link to this story.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
LAPD Officer Puts A Muzzle On Illegal Animal Sales
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Courtesy of David Newey/Voice for the Animals Foundation Cmdr. Andrew Smith poses with rescued cats Julia and Rocky. |
September 1, 2011
Los Angeles is cracking down on illegal animal sales. Thousands are sold on downtown streets every year. Recently, an ordinance went into effect that raises fines on the buyers, but curtailing this underground economy will not be easy.
Behind the wheel of an undercover car, Los Angeles Police Department Cmdr. Andrew Smith admits the nickname Dr. Dolittle isn't the toughest moniker a cop could have.
"But I guess it fit OK, and I didn't really mind," he says.
Over the years, Smith became well-known for having a soft spot for the tossed-away animals found on LA's downtown streets — its fashion district sitting at the heart of the illegal animal sales.
Amid an open-air bazaar of fake Gucci, Prada and Levi's, shoppers can also find animals of all kinds: lizards, snakes, rats, cats, dogs, fish, turtles, hamsters and different types of birds.
The sidewalks are overrun with bargain shoppers and merchandise that spills onto the street. And among the racks of sunglasses, sportswear and purses, the animal vendors hawk their goods.
"Unfortunately, almost all of the animals that are sold out here die in no time because of improper treatment or because they're sick or injured when they're sold," Smith says. "Or because they're too young to be away from their mother, and they die of starvation."
'One Step Closer'
A few streets away, a man is standing behind a stack of plastic cages holding turtles and baby rabbits in the hot sun. Smith, undercover wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, approaches the man.
Right next to a pair of Levi's they'll have six little baby birds that they're selling.
"Twenty," the animal vendor says.
The man grows hesitant after Smith asks him what he feeds the rabbits and quickly backs away while signaling two other men who then sweep in, grab the cages and disappear into the crowd.
"What they'll do is they'll stash the rabbits somewhere in the back — behind a store, behind a counter, in the trunk of a car and wait until we're gone," Smith says.
He says the sellers work in teams with lookouts in Santee Alley. And many store owners work with the animal vendors.
"Right next to a pair of Levi's they'll have six little baby birds that they're selling," he says.
Vendors who sell these animals face just a $25 fine. LA's new ordinance targets the buyer, with a $250 fine for the first citation and $500 for a second offense.
"I think everything we do gets us one step closer to where these animals aren't being mistreated and aren't dying here on the streets," Smith says.
As the day draws to a close, the animal vendors start making a hasty departure from Santee Alley. However, Smith spots the rabbit seller, who starts to scurry around the back while someone else goes over to put the animals in a plastic bag.
Smith waves down an LAPD officer on a bike, but the officers know that to give chase now could put the throngs of shoppers at risk.
The man had already tossed two cages into the street: The turtles that are desperately paddling the walls of their plastic cages will be turned over to LA's Department of Animal Services.
Link to this story.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Rescue "Damian" Means Hope for Us
The resident has been reported to the authorities and our hopes is they will never do this again.
HOW TO GIVE: Donations can be made via our website at PayPal/Google, http://www.barriodogs.org/donations.html or mailed to:
Barrio Dogs of Houston
P.O. Box 230677
Houston, TX 77223-0677
Tough New Texas Cockfighting Law Now In Effect
Owning, possessing or training a cock with the intent for cockfighting now illegal
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – In Texas, it is now illegal for individuals to attend cockfights, possess birds with the intent to fight, and sell and possess the razor sharp weapons that are designed to increase the bloodletting in cockfights. “Closing these loopholes is essential in cracking down on the entire cast of characters involved in cockfighting,” said Nicole Paquette, Texas senior state director for The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
The Humane Society of the United States, on behalf of its more than 500,000 supporters in Texas, celebrates this measure’s passage and thanks Rep. Wayne Christian, R-District 9, and Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-District 27, for championing HB 1043 through the process.
“The spectators fuel this illegal activity and implementation of this new law will send a strong message that cockfighting will not be tolerated in the Lone Star state,” Paquette said. Cockfighting is a cruel activity involving the deliberate pitting of animals against each other to fight to the death for the sole purpose of gambling and the entertainment of spectators. Roosters used for fighting are often drugged to heighten their aggression and forced to keep them fighting even after they’ve suffered severe injuries such as deep gashes, punctured lungs, and pierced eyes.Young children are often brought to these events and exposed to the gruesome spectacle as acceptable entertainment.
The HSUS conducted two investigations into cockfighting in Texas which showed that this crime is widespread throughout the state. In 2010, undercover investigators attended cockfights at nearly 20 pits throughout Texas and documented about 100 locations where cockfights are regularly held. Investigators used hidden cameras to document repeated acts of animal cruelty as well as the presence of young children, widespread illegal gambling, and prostitution. The HSUS investigative team also went undercover in April, 2011 with ESPN E: 60 into a cockfighting ring in Gunter, Texas which highlighted the need for stronger laws to ensure that all participants in the illegal activity are charged with a crime. Enactment of HB 1043 provides law enforcement with the tools to crackdown on this illegal activity and aligns Texas’s laws with neighboring states and most of the country. The HSUS stands ready to assist law enforcement in their efforts.
Facts:
Link to this story.
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – In Texas, it is now illegal for individuals to attend cockfights, possess birds with the intent to fight, and sell and possess the razor sharp weapons that are designed to increase the bloodletting in cockfights. “Closing these loopholes is essential in cracking down on the entire cast of characters involved in cockfighting,” said Nicole Paquette, Texas senior state director for The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).The Humane Society of the United States, on behalf of its more than 500,000 supporters in Texas, celebrates this measure’s passage and thanks Rep. Wayne Christian, R-District 9, and Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-District 27, for championing HB 1043 through the process.
“The spectators fuel this illegal activity and implementation of this new law will send a strong message that cockfighting will not be tolerated in the Lone Star state,” Paquette said. Cockfighting is a cruel activity involving the deliberate pitting of animals against each other to fight to the death for the sole purpose of gambling and the entertainment of spectators. Roosters used for fighting are often drugged to heighten their aggression and forced to keep them fighting even after they’ve suffered severe injuries such as deep gashes, punctured lungs, and pierced eyes.Young children are often brought to these events and exposed to the gruesome spectacle as acceptable entertainment.
The HSUS conducted two investigations into cockfighting in Texas which showed that this crime is widespread throughout the state. In 2010, undercover investigators attended cockfights at nearly 20 pits throughout Texas and documented about 100 locations where cockfights are regularly held. Investigators used hidden cameras to document repeated acts of animal cruelty as well as the presence of young children, widespread illegal gambling, and prostitution. The HSUS investigative team also went undercover in April, 2011 with ESPN E: 60 into a cockfighting ring in Gunter, Texas which highlighted the need for stronger laws to ensure that all participants in the illegal activity are charged with a crime. Enactment of HB 1043 provides law enforcement with the tools to crackdown on this illegal activity and aligns Texas’s laws with neighboring states and most of the country. The HSUS stands ready to assist law enforcement in their efforts.
Facts:
- Cockfighting is outlawed in all 50 states and is punished as a felony in 39.
- With passage of House Bill 1043, 38 states and the District of Columbia prohibit the possession of birds for fighting; 43 states and the District of Columbia prohibit being a spectator at cockfights; and 15 states prohibit the possession of cockfighting implements.
- Spectators pay hundreds or thousands of dollars in admission fees and gambling bets, generating the bulk of the revenue for this illegal enterprise. The fights would not occur without the crowd betting on the outcome and enjoying the bloodletting. Spectators provide cover for animal fighters, who weave into crowds to evade prosecution at the first sign of a police raid.
- participating in the earnings of a cockfight (a state jail felony);
- using or permitting another to use property for cockfighting (a class A misdemeanor);
- manufacturing, buying, selling, possessing cockfighting equipment (a class A misdemeanor);
- owning, possessing or training a cock with the intent that it be used for cockfighting (class A misdemeanor); or
- attending as a spectator an exhibition of cockfighting (class C misdemeanor for first offense and class A misdemeanor for future offenses)
Link to this story.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Dogfighting Video Game Deserves to Die
Opinion L.A.
Observations and provocations from The Times' Opinion staff
August 30, 2011
My colleague Jon Healey, in his post, "Technology: Should Google censor a dogfighting game?," argues that Kage Games' KG Dogfighting video game, available through Google's Android Marketplace, may be distasteful but that it shouldn't be censored. Even though dogfighting is a felony in all 50 states.
I completely agree that it's the company's 1stAmendment right to sell the game -- and the buyers' right to buy it -- despite the game itself being despicable. There are plenty of despicable video games out there. And I believe critics couldn't sue the company claiming it promotes crime.
But I don't see anything wrong with lobbying Google to stop selling it -- and, at the same time, lobbying the company to stop making the game, as Healey suggests.
As for this statement from Kage -- "What makes the Google Android platform special is that it gives the freedom and responsibility to the individual users to decide what to put on their phones as opposed to the phone carriers and app stores making value judgments on our behalf" -- talk about palaver. Companies make value judgments and taste decisions all the time about what they will and won't sell. The Los Angeles Times won't run ads for sex toys. The broadcast networks won't let TV show characters use curse words or crude slang. Maybe they should let viewers and parents of young viewers decide for themselves what they will or will not watch. Nope; they're deciding for you.
Google's Android Marketplace is not a university of higher learning where professors and students should be free to express their thoughts and ruminate on anything they choose. It's just a commercial conduit to a bunch of games and apps for sale. And if enough consumers are annoyed by what's being sold and can marshal enough pressure on Google to get it to stop selling something, I say go for it.
Observations and provocations from The Times' Opinion staff
August 30, 2011
I completely agree that it's the company's 1stAmendment right to sell the game -- and the buyers' right to buy it -- despite the game itself being despicable. There are plenty of despicable video games out there. And I believe critics couldn't sue the company claiming it promotes crime.
But I don't see anything wrong with lobbying Google to stop selling it -- and, at the same time, lobbying the company to stop making the game, as Healey suggests.
As for this statement from Kage -- "What makes the Google Android platform special is that it gives the freedom and responsibility to the individual users to decide what to put on their phones as opposed to the phone carriers and app stores making value judgments on our behalf" -- talk about palaver. Companies make value judgments and taste decisions all the time about what they will and won't sell. The Los Angeles Times won't run ads for sex toys. The broadcast networks won't let TV show characters use curse words or crude slang. Maybe they should let viewers and parents of young viewers decide for themselves what they will or will not watch. Nope; they're deciding for you.
Google's Android Marketplace is not a university of higher learning where professors and students should be free to express their thoughts and ruminate on anything they choose. It's just a commercial conduit to a bunch of games and apps for sale. And if enough consumers are annoyed by what's being sold and can marshal enough pressure on Google to get it to stop selling something, I say go for it.
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