Awareness Day News
City Councilman Tony Cardenas Challenges Citizens of Los Angeles to Stand Up and Be Counted in Opposition to Horrid Puppy Mill Cruelty
City Councilman Tony Cardenas is no stranger when it comes to speaking out for the animals. And Wednesday he didn't mince words when he issued a challenge to join "A Puppy-Store-Free LA" campaign to stop the sale of puppy mill dogs in Greater Los Angeles. Before a packed news conference at Luxe Hotel Sunset Boulevard, Cardenas joined actress Maggie Q and Chris DeRose, founder of Last Chance for Animals; along with Julie Castle and Francis Battista of Best Friends Animal Society.
Los Angeles, Calif. (PRWEB) July 10, 2008 -- City Councilman Tony Cardenas is no stranger when it comes to speaking out for the animals. And Wednesday he didn't mince words when he issued a challenge to join "A Puppy-Store-Free LA" campaign to stop the sale of puppy mill dogs in Greater Los Angeles.
Before a packed news conference at Luxe Hotel Sunset Boulevard, Cardenas joined actress Maggie Q and Chris DeRose, founder of Last Chance for Animals; along with Julie Castle and Francis Battista of Best Friends Animal Society. Cardenas passionately laid out his case against those who would tolerate puppy mills and the stores who serve as their buying customers.
"My point to you is that when we act ignorant as a community, we are not doing the right thing," Cardenas said. "We must make the masses understand that we have a responsibility to care for our animals; and that when things get messed up, it's usually because human hands have caused it."
Cardenas, who two years ago helped create an L.A. City Animal Cruelty Task Force, praised the work of Last Chance for Animals and Best Friends Animal Society for creating the campaign, which will be extended to more U.S. cities in the coming 12 months.
"Today is the beginning of a tremendous campaign, and needless to say, when it involves organizations like Best Friends and LCA, I'm happy to do what I can to raise awareness about animal cruelty," said Cardenas. "This work is done in the trenches, and in the case of LCA, much of it is done undercover.
"The goal is to make Los Angeles a model community for California and the rest of the country with regard to the sale, importation and breeding of animals. This program will help raise the awareness with families--that where they get their pets does matter.
"For years these groups have been the leaders in the investigation of puppy mills. When you see the horrible conditions that these animals live in, you wonder why operators of puppy mills have gone undetected for so long."
Cardenas said new legislation regarding pet store sales of puppy mill dogs is important, but not appropriate until all aspects of the legislation, including funding for enforcement is in place.
"I can promise to you sometime this summer we are going to have legislation before the council," he concluded.
Chris DeRose, founder and president of Last Chance for Animals, emphasized that puppy mills are all over Southern California and in every part of the United States. Holding a small puppy mill rescue Yorkie named Lovey in his arms, DeRose described the horrible plight of puppy mill dogs, including the conditions under which breeding parents spend their entire lives.
"Even licensed breeders are allowed to stack cages on top of each other," he said. "Dogs have barely enough room to move around, and the ones stacked at the top defecate and urinate on those below them. No living being should have to endure conditions that you wouldn't put on your worst enemy."
Actress Maggie Q, one of Asia's top screen stars who cares for eight rescue dogs of her own, said: "If we can't treat animals with kindness and compassion, how are our relationships going to be with each other? These are living beings who don't have a voice in how we treat them."
The solution is simple, she pointed out.
"If we're not demanding these puppies, then they (puppy mills) are not going to supply pet stores."
Francis Battista, longtime resident of Los Angeles and one of the founders of Best Friends Animal Society, described puppy mills as an ethical issue for the public at large.
"This isn't simply a matter of sentiment from animal activists--this is an essential ethical question," Battista said. "The way we treat animals is a core value, and allowing this type of abuse, this type of pain and suffering is unconscionable.
"These are living beings, while puppy millers are motivated by greed and profit. Pet store sales from puppy mills place a tremendous burden on society and result in millions of dollars being spent on animal shelters. This is something that has to stop. And it's going to stop here."
Julie Castle, director of community programs and services for Best Friends, asked those in attendance to look toward a future when the problems for animals created by puppy stores no longer exist.
"This is what the campaign is all about," she said. "It's also about taking a message that the sale of puppy mill dogs in pet stores across the United States cannot continue."
Castle said that in Los Angeles, which has the highest intake of displaced animals in the nation, about 25 percent of dogs in shelters are pure-bred puppies of the type that traditionally come from puppy mills.
"This is the perfect place for our announcement--one that we will carry across the entire nation."
Launch of "A Puppy-Store-Free LA" campaign follows successful undercover investigations and protests that have resulted in the Posh Puppy Store in Beverly Hills, Calif. to close its doors. It is also based on the fact that puppies, increasingly, are purchased on impulse or as accessories. Later, when pet owners discover that they cannot care for their puppy, it ends up in a shelter.
For more information visit A Puppy-Store-Free LA.
Read LA Leashed:Plans to protest the sale of puppy-mill puppies
Once Again, No Action on Puppy Mills
Letter to the Editor, July 09, 2008
The Reporter
House Bill 2525, currently sitting in the House Appropriations Committee, is focused on improving the cruel and inhumane treatment of breeding dogs in Pennsylvania 's commercial breeding kennels.
More commonly known as puppy mills, the legislation would require dogs to have veterinarian care at least annually, outlaw wire floors in cages, prevent the stacking of dogs so high in the air dog wardens conducting inspections cannot see them, require exercise, and require rabies vaccinations to be administered by qualified individuals.
This bill was scheduled to be voted on in the House last week and had the support of more than 130 members of the Legislature from both sides of the aisle.
A small group of Republican legislators, led by Rep. Art Hershey, R-Chester County, in a clear effort to derail the bill, added more than 115 amendments to the bill in a successful effort to thwart consideration of the bill.
The amendments were so disingenuous that many in the Legislature were angered because they wanted to vote on the bill before they went home for summer recess.
Once again, Pennsylvanians are on the short end of the stick because a few legislators were reacting to the special interests that control every aspect of the legislative process.
Pennsylvanians by and large support the efforts to improve the conditions for these dogs, the Legislature by and large supports the efforts also.
The special interests of the commercial breeders do not, and because citizens of this commonwealth do not have a high-paid lobbyist in Harrisburg , the dogs will continue to die and be abused and Pennsylvania will remain the "Puppy Mill Capital of the East" and we will continue to buy these sick dogs.
Please contact your state senators and representatives and demand that they support efforts to improve the lives of these helpless dogs.
Thomas G. Hickey Sr.
Member, PA Dog Law Advisory Board
Drexel Hill, PA
PA - Action Alert: Don't Drop the Ball - Dogs Are Counting on YOU
Posted by: "Maureen Koplow" mkoplow@comcast.net
Fri Jun 27, 2008 11:19 am (PDT)
Go ahead, take a bow. Pennsylvania animal advocates have a lot to be proud of... In a little more than 40 days newly introduced legislation to improve conditions in puppy mills has cleared two House committees thanks to phone calls, faxes, emails, and most importantly, YOU. Your dedication to raising awareness about the horrific conditions in Pennsylvania' s commercial breeding kennels has made a significant difference but there's still more to be done.
House Bill 2525 - legislation that will mandate breeder dogs be given larger cages, a solid surface to stand on, daily exercise and an annual physical by a licensed veterinarian - along with House Bill 2532 - legislation that will end cruel debarking and other surgical procedures in unsterile environments and without anesthesia - may come to the House floor at a moments notice for a vote. We need to contact elected representatives across the state and urge them to vote for both Bills.
The passage of House Bills 2525 and 2532 is crucial to improving the health and welfare standards for dogs in Pennsylvania' s breeding kennels.
What You Can Do:
- Politely contact your elected state representative and encourage their support and vote for both Bills.
- Pass this alert on to every animal advocate in Pennsylvania that you
know and encourage them to get involved.
Talking Points:- Remind legislators that dogs in Pennsylvania have been suffering for far too long and deserve better conditions and protection than they are currently afforded by law;
- Mention that House Bills 2525 and 2532 are NOT Democratic or Republican issues - the humane treatment of dogs is a concern for ALL Pennsylvanians in every part of the state;
- If your state representative is NOT supporting one or both Bills, ask how they can possibly side with an industry that places profit over the health and welfare of innocent dogs;
If your state representative IS supporting both Bills, remind them how important the humane care and treatment of dogs in breeding kennels is to you and thank them for their continued support and anticipated vote FOR the legislation.
Each day that goes by without the passage of House Bills 2525 and 2532 represents yet another day that dogs in Pennsylvania are suffering for the sake of profit. By working together and letting our officials know how strongly we feel about both pieces of legislation we may actually make the summer of 2008 the last summer dogs in Pennsylvania spend sweltering in rabbit hutches or stacked in cages in unventilated barns.
By working together and making these calls we CAN make a significant difference in the lives of tens of thousands of dogs currently languishing in puppy mills across the Commonwealth.
Join us in this worthwhile endeavor and please, pick up the phone today!
Please feel free to cross-post this Alert to online advocacy discussion boards and to advocacy email lists.
To learn more about House Bills 2525 and 2532, click HERE
Forwarded message - please reply to NPPMWATCH@NPPMWATCH.COM
The HSUS Commends the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee for Passing Important Anti-Cruelty Legislation
HARRISBURG, Pa. (June 24, 2008) — The Humane Society of the United States commends the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee for approving a bill addressing some of the cruelest practices employed by puppy mills today. The legislation now advances to the full House of Representatives.
Introduced by Rep. Thomas Caltagirone (D-Berks), H.B. 2532 seeks to outlaw abusive practices employed by breeders in Pennsylvania’s puppy mills, including debarking, performing surgery on pregnant dogs to remove the puppies, and tail docking. Under current law, it is completely legal for commercial breeders in Pennsylvania to perform surgical births by slicing open the stomachs of pregnant dogs, removing the puppies, and sewing the dogs back up. There is not any requirement that the breeders have any veterinary training, use anesthesia, or conduct the operations in sterile conditions. Breeders may also perform painful debarking by ramming a metal pipe or other object down a dog’s throat to rupture the vocal cords and render the dog mute, again without anesthesia and while the dog is fully conscious.
“The provisions of HB 2532 are common sense to anyone. Only licensed veterinarians should be authorized to perform surgery on these dogs” says Sarah Speed, The HSUS’ Pennsylvania state director. “For too long, commercial breeders have abused the laxity in the law to maximize profit at the expense of the well-being of the dogs and the unwitting consumer.”
HB 2532 will also close a loophole in the law that allows commercial breeders to escape prosecution for animal cruelty. Under the current law, only a Humane Society Police Officer has the ability to cite a breeder for animal cruelty. In counties where there is no such officer, a breeder may escape citation. Currently there are three counties (list which ones if we know) in Pennsylvania that do not have a Humane Society Police Officer. HB 2532 will close this loophole by allowing Dog Law Wardens in the counties without officers to issue citations for animal cruelty within the limited scope of performance of their inspection duties.
The Humane Society of the United States is working in conjunction with The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Pennsylvania Legislative Animal Network to pursue this important legislative effort in Pennsylvania.
Resources:
The HSUS Anti-Puppy Mill Campaign raises public awareness and educates communities about the abuses inherent in the puppy breeding industry and the benefits of choosing to adopt a pet. The HSUS rescues dogs from puppy mills across the country, works to strengthen laws against puppy mills, and educates consumers about their ability to end this abusive industry Visit: humanesociety.org/stoppuppymills.
Media Contact: Martin Montorfano: 301-258-3152, mmontorfano@humanesociety.org
Animal-rights officials: Case is a warning
They urged breeders in Pa. to heed a Lancaster County cruelty conviction, which a judge upheld.
By Amy Worden
Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau
HARRISBURG - State officials say they hope a Lancaster County judge's decision to uphold animal-cruelty charges against a large commercial kennel operator will serve as a warning to other breeders who mistreat dogs.
Judge Howard F. Knisely let on Friday stand a conviction on 10 of 11 counts of animal cruelty and five counts of violating the state dog law against Ervin Zimmerman of Ephrata. The judge also ordered Zimmerman to forfeit ownership of 18 dogs seized by humane officers as part of the case last year.
Zimmerman, who has bred dogs for 17 years, had appealed a ruling by District Justice Daniel Garrett in December. At his trial, humane officers said they had found animals suffering from extreme neglect: a puppy with its hind legs chewed off and dogs so matted they were unable to defecate. Dog wardens said they had found dead rats in the cages and food contaminated with feces.
Sue West, director of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, said the decision should send a message to breeders that they must focus on the welfare of the dogs in their care.
"Those that choose to allow inappropriate kennel conditions or ignore the welfare of their dogs will also find themselves in court at some point in time," West said.
Zimmerman, reached by phone yesterday, referred all questions to his lawyer, Kurt Geishauser of Reading, who did not immediately return a phone call.
West said the case underscored the need for stronger legislation - under consideration by the state House - that would require regular veterinary care for dogs in commercial kennels, impose higher fines, require restitution, and generally give the agency more enforcement authority.
Zimmerman's license was revoked in November after he failed seven state inspections, but his kennel was allowed to remain open while he appealed. At that time, humane officers seized 18 sick and injured dogs, including one with a broken leg, and dogs with fight wounds, infected gums, and ear and foot infections.
Knisely fined Zimmerman $1,200 for cruelty charges and $425 for the dog-law violations. He declined to prohibit Zimmerman from owning dogs since a Department of Agriculture hearing on his kennel-license revocation is pending this month. If his appeal is rejected, Zimmerman - who recent inspection reports show has 202 dogs in his kennel - would be allowed to own no more than 25 dogs.
West said the cruelty charges, while not automatic grounds for revocation under current law, would have "a major impact" on the case before Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff.
Knisely also did not order restitution for the housing of the seized dogs, mainly miniature schnauzers and West Highland terriers, which have been in the care of the Lancaster Humane League for almost eight months at a cost of $57,500.
Kerry Flanagan, the league's vice president of operations, said that while she was happy that the case was over and that the shelter finally got custody of the dogs - some now available for adoption - she was disappointed that Zimmerman had not been held financially accountable for the housing costs.
"The reality is he barely had a slap on the wrist," she said. "Why should people who donate to the Lancaster Humane League have to foot the bill while the case plays out in court?"
Lancaster Assistant District Attorney Christine Wilson said she would seek restitution to cover at least some of the costs. All 300 licensed kennel owners in Lancaster County, home to the largest number of commercial breeders in the state, have been put on notice, she said. They were sent certified letters last month informing them of an educational sessions to be held by the District Attorney's Office this week.
"It's the first step to allow kennel owners to understand what is a violation and what will be prosecuted by this office," Wilson said.
There is no further appeal on the cruelty charges, she said. Zimmerman faces three additional counts of cruelty stemming from the seizure of three dogs earlier this year.
Contact staff writer Amy Worden at 717-783-2584 or aworden@phillynews.com.
For Immediate Release Contact: Patricia Haddock, 866-448-1330
May 29, 2008 or Michelle Buckalew, 877-454-0807
1st Annual Pennsylvania Week for the Animals to be held September 20-28, 2008!
Exciting statewide event to build awareness and celebrate animals. (Pennsylvania) Animal World USA and Animal Law Coalition are pleased to announce the 1st Annual Pennsylvania Week for the Animals will be held from September 20-28, 2008.
The statewide event is designed to celebrate the role that animals play in our lives and build awareness on behalf of all animals in the great state of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Week for the Animals will bring together animal shelters, rescue organizations, students, musicians, artists, educators, decision makers and caring citizens in an action-packed week of activities.
The week will feature adoption events, leaders in our state who help animals; a salute to animals in law enforcement and the military, schools activities, R.E.A.D. dogs in libraries, blessings of the animals and much more! Some of the many leading PA participating organizations include:
- Bucks County SPCA
- Buzzy's Bow Wow Meow
- Central PA Animal Alliance
- Woofstock
- Dogs Deserve Better
- No Chains
- Keystone Greyhounds
- North Penn Puppy Mill Watch
- Pennsylvania Legislative Animal Network
- Puppy Mill Awareness Day
- The Spayed Club
- and many other Pennsylvania humane orgs, animal shelters, rescue groups and animal lovers all across Pennsylvania!
To become involved, contact Patricia Haddock at 866-448-1330, Michelle Buckalew at 877-454-0807 or Laura Allen at 435-644-3333. Learn more about Pennsylvania Week for the Animals at www.animalweekpa.com.
Friday, May 23, 2008 - Rikki Rockett Exonerated of Rape Charge
Poison Drummer Rikki Rockett Exonerated
of Mississippi Rape Charge
Poison drummer Rikki Rockett was exonerated of a felony rape charge filed in Mississippi stemming from a September 23, 2007 incident in which a Neshoba County, Mississippi woman claimed that Rockett had forcibly raped her. Rockett was not in Mississippi during September 2007. The Neshoba County District Attorney refused to prosecute the case after determining that Rockett was not the person who committed the alleged rape. The charges carry a potential life sentence. Rockett said, "I want to sincerely thank my lawyers Barry Tarlow and Mi Kim for their commitment to my case and their terrific legal work that exonerated me of any wrongdoing."
The warrant, issued on December 18, 2007, sought the arrest and extradition of "Rockett, Rikki A" a/k/a "Minskosf, John" to Mississippi for "strong arm rape." News stories shortly disclosed the correct spelling of the name John Minskosf as "John Minskoff." Rockett has never used the Minskoff name. It is now believed that Minskoff used Rockett's name to convince the complaining witness to sleep with him.
"I think it was a case where the woman and her husband unfortunately believed they could extort money from me and my band," Rockett said, "This is a gross example of people attempting to abuse the law for personal profit. They tried to subvert and make a mockery of the criminal justice system. It is abhorrent and disgraceful." Rockett happily continued: "It's nice to feel like I can have my life back now. I have a Poison tour to look forward to as well as a wedding to prepare for." Rockett was arrested at LAX when he and his band mates arrived after performing at a large music festival in Wellington, New Zealand. Rockett said: "I was exhausted from a 14-hour flight and then was hauled off to jail. The worst part was having to walk past my fiancé in handcuffs. She had no idea what was happening and neither did I! When I was finally told that I was arrested on charges of rape, I about passed out!" Rockett was booked, fingerprinted, and photographed at the Los Angeles county jail. "The Police were as cool to me as they could be considering the circumstances. I was never disrespected by them during the time I was there. I want them to know that I appreciate that."
A flood of press coverage, both negative and positive, soon followed. "I remain surprised that no member of the educated and savvy press ever googled the name 'John Minskoff'! Had they done so, they would have found out that in 1996, John Minskoff claimed to have been involved with the rock band, White Snake, when he lured and kidnapped a 15-year-old girl in Reno, Nevada. Minskoff is a violent career criminal and felon and convicted perjurer with multiple convictions who has admitted to impersonating "rock stars" to sexually pursue women."
"I received undying support from my band, friends, and fans, but unfortunately, my detractors had a field day with the story. I look forward to serving the press who created defamatory remarks some healthy lawsuits!" Rockett went on to say, "I also look forward to helping other people who have been falsely accused of committing heinous crimes. My lawyers, Barry Tarlow and Mi Kim, are helping me seek out organizations like Centurion Ministries to help if I can. This wonderful organization works to free innocent people in prison who have done serious time for crimes they did not commit."
May 23, 2008 - HSUS Campaign Update:
The U.S. Senate yesterday followed the lead of the House of Representatives and overrode President Bush's veto of the Farm Bill, ushering in key new protections for animals.
The final bill -- which is now considered law, except for one section excluded due to a technical glitch -- bans the import of puppies from foreign puppy mills for commercial sale in the U.S. The law spares young, unweaned, and unvaccinated pups from harsh, long-distance transport -- during which they are exposed to extreme temperatures and often die in cargo holds -- and will keep foreign breeders from adding to the tragic overpopulation of pets in this country.
The Farm bill also adds a provision to federal law to make almost any form of animal fighting a federal felony. It's also now a federal crime to knowingly possess or train animals for fighting, and the maximum prison time for a single violation of any section of the law goes from three years to five years. It is hard to overstate what a blow this is to dogfighters and cockfighters, and it brings us one step closer to eradicating these criminal industries.
The law also authorizes an increase in potential fines -- quadrupled from $2,500 to $10,000 -- for violations of the Animal Welfare Act, fines that haven't been upgraded in more than 20 years. Such penalties will more effectively deter abuses at puppy mills, laboratories, circuses, and other facilities that use animals.
HARRISBURG - May 14, 2008 -- "Today is the beginning of the end for commercial puppy mills in Pennsylvania." Read the full article about today's rally in Harrisburgh.
- Pennsylvania: Governor Rendell Pushes Changes to the Dog Law. Read full article.
Video of Harrisburgh Rally on May 14, 2008
Awareness Day is very happy to announce that
will be attending Awareness Day 2008!