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Issue
194 - May 8, 2002
| Farm Bill Passage is a Mixed Bag for
Animals |
| Congress has approved the Farm bill, by a
vote of 280-141 on Thursday (5/2) in the House and a vote of
64-35 on Wednesday (5/8) in the Senate. In its final form,
this enormous legislative package proved to be a major
disappointment for animal protection efforts. While the
"conference committee" quietly gutted protections for animals
(e.g., provisions regarding puppy mills; downed animals; the
bear parts trade; and AWA coverage for birds, rats, and mice),
we did garner a single, significant victory in the fight to
shut down illegal cockfighting rings. The anti-cockfighting
measure, championed by Senators Wayne Allard (R-CO) and Tom
Harkin (D-IA) and Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Tom
Tancredo (R-CO), and Collin Peterson (D-MN), will close the
legal loophole that cockfighters have been exploiting for
years to ship their fighting roosters across state and
national lines. The legislation bans any interstate shipment
or exports of fighting birds. To see how your U.S. Senators
voted on the Farm Bill, see: http://www.senate.gov/legislative/vote1072/vote_00103.html,
and to see how your Representative voted, see: clerkweb.house.gov. |
| Department of Defense's License to
Kill |
| The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is
asking Congress to pass legislation that would exempt it from
federal environmental and animal protection laws, such as the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
The House Armed Services Committee has approved legislation,
as part of its pending annual Defense Authorization bill, that
would harm federally-protected migratory birds by granting the
DOD a blanket exemption to kill them and destroy their nesting
areas with bombing and firing activities. It would also
automatically eliminate vital protections for 300 endangered
or threatened species living on DOD lands. These exemptions
are completely unnecessary—most existing federal laws already
grant the President the authority to waive regulations, on a
case-by-case basis, in the interest of national security. The
new exemptions would be disastrous for animals and the
environment and would set a dangerous precedent by allowing
the government to sidestep the very laws it is supposed to
uphold.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
The Defense Authorization bill is
scheduled to be voted on in the U.S. House Thursday (5/9), and
will be reaching the Senate floor soon. Call your
Representative and two Senators and urge them to oppose
blanket exemptions from our nation's environmental protection
laws in the Defense Authorization bill. To identify the names
of your legislators, go to http://www.vote-smart.org/
or call The HSUS at 202-955-3666. |
| Send in Comments to Protect Canada
Geese |
| The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
has published its "Draft Environmental Impact Statement"
(DEIS) on a proposed Canada goose management plan that many
consider to be a dangerous step in the wrong direction. The
DEIS is heavily biased toward lethal management of Canada
geese, citing trapping and culling programs, expanded hunting
opportunities, and various depredation orders allowing
expanded killing of resident geese. Particularly disturbing is
the DEIS's failure to provide information on exactly what
occurs under the various lethal control scenarios, which have
in the past included cruel round up and slaughter or gassing
operations undertaken when the birds are molting and unable to
fly away. The USFWS is accepting public comments on its
proposed DEIS until May 30, 2002.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- Send in your written comments to the USFWS regarding its
DEIS for Canada goose management by Thursday, May 30. Tell
the USFWS that goose-killing programs are unacceptable and
that you support only humane methods of managing Canada
geese, such as hazing (including the use of guard dogs) or
egg addling (preventing eggs from hatching). Also insist
that the USFWS explain the lethal components of its plan.
Write to:
Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management
U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
ms 634
ARLSQ
1849 C St., NW
Washington, D.C. 20240
E-mail:
Canada_Goose_EIS@fws.gov
- The USFWS is holding meetings on its management of
Canada geese in cities in Minnesota, South Dakota, Virginia,
Connecticut, New Jersey, Colorado, and Washington, from now
until May 30, 2002. For meeting dates and locations, see: news.fws.gov.
To read a copy of the USFWS's proposed DEIS on Canada goose
management, call the USFWS at 703-358-1714, or go to migratorybirds.fws.gov.
|
| Fraternity Animal Abuse Prank |
| Twenty-three members of Sigma Phi Epsilon
fraternity at Wake Forest University have been charged with
misdemeanor animal cruelty, after an April 20, 2002 incident
in which they allegedly abused a pig during a fraternity
party. According to Associated Press reports (5/1), the
fraternity members forced the animal to drink alcohol to the
point where she was near death, before abandoning her in a
park. A couple walking their dog the next morning found the
pig ill, unable to stand, and missing her tail. A Forsyth
County animal control officer has been quoted as saying, "That
pig could have easily died. I don't understand how someone
could think it would be fun to abuse an animal like that."
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Contact Wake Forest University
officials and let them know that in light of the serious
breach of both moral and legal codes, the Sigma Phi Epsilon
members who tortured and abused this helpless pig should be
subject to permanent expulsion or at the very least, a
significant period of suspension from the University. An
institution of higher learning has a community obligation to
correct dangerous behavior in its students. Write to:
Harold Holmes, Dean for Student Services
P.O. Box
7202
Winston-Salem, NC 27109
336-758-5226
Fax:
336-758-4883
E-mail: holmes@wfu.edu. | |
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