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Issue
182 - February 13, 2002
| Cormorant Killing Plan in the Works |
| Double crested cormorants have been protected
under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MTBA) since 1972.
Still, about 47,000 cormorants are killed every year in order
to appease commercial and sport fishing interests, who claim
that the birds are eating too many fish. Now, the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has proposed allowing states and
other federal agencies, including the USDA's "Wildlife
Services" agency, to shoot unlimited numbers of Double-crested
Cormorants without permits. Even cormorants who are not
actually depredating fish stocks in aquaculture facilities
could be shot. It is estimated that under this plan,
approximately 204,500, or 10% of the current cormorant
population, would be killed each year.
What You Can Do:
The USFWS has issued its "Draft
Environmental Impact Statement" (DEIS) on its expanded
cormorant killing plan and is inviting the public to submit
comments on the DEIS. Please ask the USFWS NOT to
implement its expanded plan. Submit your comments by Thursday,
February 28 to:
Jon Andrew
Chief, Division of Migratory Bird
management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 North
Fairfax Dr.
Suite 634
Arlington, VA 22203
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| Update: Nevada Wild Horse Killers
Sentenced |
| On Monday, 02/14, District Judge Michael
Griffin sentenced the three men accused of a shooting rampage
that left dozens of mustangs dead on the Nevada plains. Judge
Griffin sentenced Scott Brendle and Darien Brock, who both
pleaded guilty to a gross misdemeanor of killing or maiming an
animal, to 39 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. Anthony Merlino,
who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the
peace, was given one year of probation and a $1,000 fine.
These prison sentences are a disappointment—the Judge could
have imposed one year in jail for Brock and Brendle, and six
months in jail for Merlino. |
| Senate Farm Bill Passed |
| On Wednesday, 2/13, the Senate passed the
Farm Bill, including an unprecedented series of animal
protection measures. Though there were five major victories,
there was one significant loss.
- Animal Fighting—VICTORY— a provision championed
by Senators Wayne Allard (R-CO) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) to
close a loophole in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) in order to
bar the interstate shipment of fighting birds and the export
of fighting dogs or birds. The provision also increases
penalties for animal fighting violations.
- Bear Protection Act—VICTORY— introduced by Sen.
Mitch McConnell (R-KY) earlier in the year as S. 1125,
prohibiting interstate and international trade in bear
viscera (gall bladders and bile) and products containing
them, used in Asian medicine.
- Puppy Protection Act—VICTORY— an amendment pushed
by Sen's Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) that
strengthens the regulation of so-called "puppy mills," giant
dog-breeding facilities that are notorious for their
inhumane treatment, relentless overbreeding, and lack of
socialization of dogs.
- Downed Animals—VICTORY— a provision championed by
Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Daniel Akaka (D-HI) that
mandates humane euthanasia of animals too weak from sickness
or injury to stand or walk at stockyards, auctions, and
other intermediate livestock markets.
- Humane Slaughter Resolution—VICTORY— a resolution
calling on the USDA to enforce the Humane Slaughter Act of
1958. The resolution came in response to media reports that
still-conscious animals are being skinned and dismembered in
slaughterhouse lines, which operate at such high speeds as
to preclude "humane" slaughter.
- Birds, Rats and Mice in Research—DEFEAT— an
amendment introduced by Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC) to bar USDA
from including mice, rats and birds under the AWA, reversing
a recent federal court order that compels USDA to begin the
rulemaking process regarding their inclusion under the
umbrella of AWA protections.
The final outcome of the Farm Bill will be determined soon,
when a House-Senate Conference committee meets to iron out the
differences between the House Farm Bill and the Senate Farm
Bill. Stay tuned to HUMANElines for further action you
can take to retain the pro-animal amendments and fight to have
the harmful one removed. |
| Encourage PBS Stations to Broadcast Wild
Horse Documentary |
| Although wild horses evolved and existed in
North America until their mysterious disappearance 8,000 years
ago, they have long been thought of as an "exotic" species,
introduced to North America by Spanish explorers. Their long,
complex history on the continent and current persecution in
many areas of the West are the subject of "El Caballo," a new
documentary being offered royalty-free to all PBS stations
nationwide via satellite on Sunday, March 3, 2002 (8:30 to
9:30 p.m. Eastern Time).
What you can do:
Call your local PBS-affiliate
and ask that it download and broadcast this important and
compelling documentary. You will need to provide them with the
following information to download the program:
"El
Caballo" (1 x 60) is offered through NETA on Sunday, March 3,
2002, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET/513. | |
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