Animal-Kin-Folk-News

Court Considers the "Value" of Dogs in Accessing Damages to Owners.

2011-10-17T20:51:00.000-04:00

APPEALS COURT CONSIDERS NONECONOMIC DAMAGES OWED TO THE OWNERS OF DOGS POISONED BY NEIGHBORWhat Is a Dog Worth? Oral Argument in Heartbreaking Case Addresses How Our Legal System Values Companion Animals For immediate release:October 17, 2011 Tomorrow morning, the Colorado Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in a case regarding the damages owed to several pet owners whose five beloved dogs were killed in 2006 after eating poisoned meat left near their property in Adams County by a neighbor who said he was attempting to kill coyotes. The national non-profit Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) filed an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief in the appeal after the trial court instructed the jury that the dog owners’ economic damages should be measured by the market value “cost” of their dogs, rather than the true “value” of their dogs. As a result of this and other rulings of the trial court, the monetary damages awarded to the plaintiffs at the trial court level did not adequately compensate the plaintiffs for their noneconomic losses that resulted from the terrifying deaths of their unique, irreplaceable animal companions. The plaintiffs include veterinarians, a horse trainer, and a boy who was nine-years-old at the time of the incident; their dogs Boomer, Kirby, Rooster, Tanner, and Doc all ate chicken meat that Daniel Bowen left outside after soaking it for two days in a highly poisonous herbicide—and suffered torturous deaths as a result. Doc died relatively quickly, but the other dogs were in agonizing distress for over a week, while their owners spent thousands of dollars on veterinary care, missed significant time from work, and endured excruciating emotional distress before their beloved companions succumbed. Bowen was charged with criminal cruelty to animals (charges were later dismissed on a technicality), and plaintiffs testified that he did not apologize and expressed no remorse for the deaths of their dogs. In tomorrow’s hearing, the plaintiffs’ attorneys will argue, among other legal issues, and supported by the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s amicus brief, that the law recognizes companion animals as a special kind of property, different than a table or a car, and that they cannot be assigned value in the same way as an inanimate object. Further, they will argue that because the jury in Sullivan et al. v. Bowen was incorrectly instructed on how to attach a value to the lost dogs and all of the injuries the plaintiffs suffered, the plaintiffs were denied the full damages to which they were entitled. “When cherished pets die, the sense of emotional loss is real— and when they are gone, they are irreplaceable. Thus, their actual value far exceeds the sticker price of another animal of the same species,” explains ALDF Executive Director Stephen Wells. “Jurisdictions across the nation are now recognizing that when people lose their companion animals through an act of abuse or negligence, they are entitled to damages that accurately reflect those losses.” Attorney Kate Burke of Durango, representing the plaintiffs along with Denver attorney Rosemary Orsini, said she hopes that the Sullivan case will “encourage Colorado to join those states that apply an ‘actual value’ or ‘special value’ test to measure the losses when companion animals are wrongfully injured or killed.” The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s amicus curiae brief can be viewed on the Court’s website at: http://www.courts.state.co.us/userfiles/file/Court_Probation/Educational_Resources/2011/Fountain-Fort%20Carson/21_5%20AMICUS%20Sullivan%20v%20Bowen%281%29.pdf. All court briefs in Kathleen Sullivan et al. v. Daniel Bowen can be viewed at: http://www.courts.state.co.us/Courts/Education/Materials.cfm?s=Fall&y=2011. Oral argument is being heard by the Court of Appeals at Fountain-Fort Carson High School as a part of the Courts in the Community program, designed to give high school students a hands-on experience of the Colorado judicial system. ALDF was founded in 1979 with the unique mission of protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals through the legal system. For more information, please visit www.aldf.org.

DIE OF / MARINE WILDLIFE / ALASKA, SEAL, WALRUS

2011-10-17T16:13:00.000-04:00

***********************************

A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the

International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: Fri 14 Oct 2011

From: Per Leines Lausund [edited]

We had problems with increased mortality in grey seals in the North

Sea countries in the late 1980s due to mass migration of Greenland

seal to new areas (reduced number of human and furred predators had

something to do with that; the increasing numbers of Greenland seals

obviously found the fish-rich coast of Norway enticing!) bringing with

them a morbilli (distemper) virus they were adapted to, whereas the

grey seals were not. Might be worth checking.

--

Lt Col Per Leines Lausund DVM MPH

Staff Veterinary Officer

Defence Command Norway

******

[2]

Date: Fri 14 Oct 2011

Source: Alaska Dispatch [edited]

Arctic ringed seals aren't the only marine mammals suffering an

unusual skin-lesion outbreak along Alaska's northern coasts.

Walruses that have hauled out by the thousands at Point Lay in

Northwest Alaska during recent summers -- an event driven by climate

change -- are also turning up with bizarre, festering sores.

Scientists estimate perhaps 600 are infected. Instead of wounds on

their faces and rear flippers, red abscesses pepper the animals'

entire bodies. But apparently only a few have perished.

Still, scientists from a number of agencies are working to answer

several questions, including whether the outbreaks in the 2 species

are related. They also worry the lesions could eventually lead to

deaths among Pacific walrus, an animal more than 100 000 strong that's

being considered for protections under the Endangered Species Act.

"Is it the bubonic plague or just a really bad case of acne?" asked

Tony Fischbach, a federal walrus biologist who first noticed the sores

on some walruses late this summer [2011].

As in the case of the ringed seals, biologists are working with the

North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, pathology

experts, and others. They've sent skin and tissue samples to labs in

the US and Canada, but haven't pinpointed a cause. Everything from

viruses to toxins is being considered.

It doesn't appear that a huge numbers of walruses have the lesions. At

various times, an estimated 20 000 walruses have gathered on the

beach.

Leo Ferreira III, the former mayor in Point Lay, a village of 200

residents west of Barrow, said the sores seem to have contributed to

the deaths of some walruses.

"Most of them that are dying got the lesions on them," said Ferreira,

an Inupiat walrus hunter. He provided a little help last month

[September 2011] as scientists collected flesh samples from the

animals for testing. He's seen 2 dead ones with lesions.

"This is the 1st time this is happening," he said. "But this is also

happening with the ringed seals. We're very concerned. It's because we

think there is a disease spreading through them."

Sprawling walrus herds began hauling out on the beach near the village

in 2007, for the 1st time in memory, as temperatures warmed. Walrus

experts say it's because climate change has melted the sea ice the

animals normally use as a diving platform for bottom foraging.

Fischbach said biologists this summer witnessed new behavior among the

walruses at Point Lay. Previously, they did their diving for clams and

mud-dwelling worms near the beach. But that's not a rich feeding

ground.

So many walruses used the Point Lay beaches as their base camp. They

made long trips to feed at a site about 100 miles [160 km] off the

coast of Wainwright, a village north east of Point Lay. With the ice

gone, the walruses had no place to rest, Fischbach said. Some would

swim for 2 weeks before they returned to the beach, where they'd rest

a few days before leaving on another long trip.

Fischbach first spotted a sick walrus in late August [2011]. He was

there for an unrelated radio-tagging effort. On the edge of a huge

herd of animals, he crawled across the beach, trying to stay low and

out of sight.

One day he came across an abandoned calf that barely moved and

appeared to be dying. He first thought sea gulls had picked at it, but

he later saw other walruses with similar sores. "This little guy had

lesions all over him," Fischbach said. "That caused me concern because

it was near death."

Almost every walrus that swam onto the beach, especially single female

adults, approached the calf. Some tried nudging it toward the herd,

without results. "They seemed to be very interested in it, but they

moved on after a while," Fischbach said.

Fischbach saw other walruses with the lesions, but they appeared to be

healthy despite the open wounds across their body. The sores weren't

from jousting with tusks, something walruses are famous for when

gathered in herds.

"These lesions are very different from scars and tusk strikes," said

Fischbach. "Those heal up right away. This was different because

across the entire body you had large pock marks, like a really bad

case of acne."

He didn't know how many had been affected, because he was on the edge

of the herd. But he reported the sightings to the US Fish and Wildlife

Service.

Scientists who flew to the scene to assess the problem have estimated

that 6 per cent of the 10 000 to 20 000 animals that have hauled out

near Point Lay have the lesions, said Jason Herreman, a biologist with

the North Slope Borough. That would mean at least 600 had the

lesions.

Several groups are now working to determine the cause of the wounds,

said Teri Rowles, coordinator of the Marine Mammal Health and

Stranding Response Program under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration.

They're also working on the ringed seal problem. In recent weeks,

North Slope Borough biologists have found close to 50 dead ringed

seals that had lesions and patchy hair loss. Julie Speegle of NOAA

[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] said [that] lesions

have been found in the animals' respiratory system, liver, heart, and

brain as well.

The NOAA office in Alaska is also working with the borough's

department to prepare data to request a finding of an "unusual

mortality event" for the ringed seals, Rowles said.

Such a finding, allowed under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, could

free up federal funds and additional experts to determine what's

hurting the seals. Once a request is submitted, an international panel

of experts will determine if the ringed seals qualify for the

finding.

The outbreak among ringed seals is reportedly occurring in Chukotka,

Russia, and in northern Canada, and officials said they are working

with biologists to determine if there's a link with seals in those

countries. Harp seals in Greenland had similar problems earlier this

year [2011].

"We don't know what's going on, but we're looking at infectious

agents," Rowles said. "Is it bacterial, viral, fungal? And we're

looking at biotoxins and other chemical contaminants, as well as

overall metabolism."

Is it possible the animals more prone to illness because they're now

forced to swim long distances that leave them fatigued with weak

immune systems?

"That's one of the concerns," said Rosa Meehan, chief of the Marine

Mammals Management division in the US Fish and Wildlife Service. "As

their environment changes they may become more susceptible to things

like disease."

Back in Point Lay, many of the walruses have left their beach haul-out

and moved on for the winter, some likely to beach haul-outs in Russia,

she said. Ferreira said that a few have stuck around near the village.

If they're still there by the time the lagoon outside the village

freezes, he said he'll head across the ice and kill one for food. But

he'll avoid the sick animals. "I'd rather not," he said. "This is the

1st time I've seen this kind of thing."

[byline: Alex DeMarban]

--

communicated by:

ProMED-mail from HealthMap alerts

[Many thanks to Dr Per Lausund for his comments. We are awaiting more

information on this die-off. - Mod.MPP

Mass seal mortality associated with phocine distemper virus (PDV)

infection has been documented several times along the European and

North American coasts. The virus was first documented in 1988, when

harbor seals (_Phoca vitulina_) and gray seals (_Halichoerus grypus_)

died in large numbers off the coast of northern Europe (the episode

referred to above by Dr Per Lausund). A more recent episode in Europe

occurred in 2002, with an estimated 30 000 harbor and gray seal

deaths.

Millions of seals of various species inhabit the waters surrounding

North America; populations of most species are believed to be stable

or increasing, and no epidemics on the scale of those reported in

Europe have been reported. PDV disease in the United States was first

reported in harbor seals on the east coast during the winter of

1991-92, and serologic testing of gray and harbor seals suggested that

a PDV-like strain or strains were circulating enzootically in the

region. The clinical signs associated with PDV infection are tremors,

spasms, respiratory distress, and abortion. Not quite the skin lesions

reported in this episode.

Portions of this comment were extracted from

.

The skin lesions in walruses seem to be quite different from those in

ringed seals. Pictures of the walrus lesions can be seen at

and of the seal lesions at

.

The proximal cause of the disease might be a different one, but there

could be a common origin. A multi-factorial etiology is very likely.

The histopathology results will certainly shed some light.

The interactive HealthMap/ProMED-mail map for the state of Alaska is

available at - Mod.PMB]

Special Home Needed for a Special Dog

2011-09-28T21:29:00.000-04:00

"Babykins" is a Rottie-mix that spent the first year of her life on a ten-foot chain. When we first rescued her, we bought her into the home where she got along with our two little housedogs. This lasted about three months until one day one of the little house dogs got jealous and snapped at her. Although "Babykins" didnt start the fight, it was clear from her reaction that her intent was not only to defend herself but to also kill the little dog in the process. "Babykins" gabbed the little dog by the neck and began to shake her like a ragdoll and would not heed our commands to let go. This could be due to the fact that "Babykins" has no training and for this reason she will need a special home with no other dogs or young children and with someone who is either experienced in training dogs of this kind or who will pay to have her professionally trained.

Although almost 2 years old now, "Babykins" is still full of energy and still has the playfulness of a pup. She loves to chase a ball and to play tug-of-war with an old sock. She is highly intelligent, good in the house when left alone, and loves everyone she meets but yet is still a good watchdog.

We think that "Babykins" will make a great companion if just the right home can be found. Rescue is closing due to ill health of owner and "Baby" will have to be euthanized if just the right home isnt found soon. Call Chris (518) 753-7791 if interested.

INFLUENZA, CANINE - USA: (TEXAS)

2011-09-21T09:06:00.000-04:00

********************************

A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the

International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: 17 Sep 2011

Source: My San Antonio.com [edited]

20 confirmed cases of canine influenza and 70 suspected cases have

been recorded in San Antonio dogs within the past 30 days, according

to a local veterinarian.

The disease, also known as dog flu, has also been reported in Austin

and Dallas, said Dr. Michele Wright, who helped identify the virus at

a local clinic.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Texas is

one of 38 states where dogs have been exposed to the H3N8 virus.

The 1st San Antonio case originated with 2 dogs that stopped at dog

day care centers and parks, both community sites where dogs could have

contracted the disease, Wright said.

Signs include a fever, runny nose and coughing, but some dogs infected

with the virus do not show symptoms. The virus is not transmitted to

humans, cats or other species. Wright said dogs shed, or transmit, the

virus through secretions that expose it to the environment.

"What's scary for me as a veterinarian is they can act and look

healthy and still be shedding the virus," Wright said.

Two tests can confirm the virus. The vaccine is available at

veterinarian offices.

According to the CDC, the virus was 1st detected in 2004 in

greyhounds. Scientists believe it jumped species from horses to dogs

and adapted to cause sickness and spread among dogs.

Wright said because many local dogs haven't been vaccinated, close to

100 percent would get the virus if exposed. 20 percent would transmit

it but not appear sick. 72 percent would show mild signs of coughing

that could linger for 2 to 3 weeks, and 8 percent could develop

pneumonia that could be life threatening.

Animal Care Services director Gary Hendel said ACS has not confirmed

any cases of canine influenza in the shelter. "It's a situation that

bears watching," Hendel said. "Should that situation change, we will

work with our local veterinary community to identify solutions to

prevent widespread outbreak."

Wright suggested that pet owners vaccinate their dogs; limit visits to

communal areas to prevent exposure, and keep dogs away from

contaminated areas for a month after immunization, to build up

immunity. "I think if we can get people vaccinating, we'll be able to

contain the virus," Wright said. "The hard thing is getting people to

vaccinate in areas that haven't seen it yet."

Dog flu is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs caused by a

specific Type A influenza virus known as canine influenza virus. It is

not a human influenza virus, and people cannot get it.

The virus can be spread to other dogs by direct contact with

respiratory secretions from infected dogs, by contact with

contaminated objects, and by people moving between infected and

uninfected dogs. Nearly all dogs are susceptible to infection, but

most will have a mild form of the disease.

Clinical signs are cough, runny nose and fever; a small proportion of

dogs can develop severe disease, characterized by the onset of

pneumonia. Testing to confirm flu virus infection is done at

veterinary centers. An approved vaccine is available.

[Byline: Vincent T. Davis ]

--

Communicated by:

ProMED-mail from HealthMap alerts

[Canine influenza is a type A orthomyxovirus. It mimics "kennel cough"

or _Bordetella brochiseptica_/parainfluenza virus complex, which

sounds like a hacking cough that does not seem to stop. The cough with

canine influenza can be either moist or dry, and about 20 percent of

infected dogs may show little or no clinical signs but still be

shedding virus. Canine influenza is contagious by aerosolized droplets

and contaminated fomites (inanimate objects) that the dog can contact.

People can transmit the disease to their pets.

Unfortunately, treatment is non-specific but generally supportive. It

is important to get treatment early to reduce the death rate.

For a brief fact sheet on canine influenza, see the Washington State

University College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington Animal Disease

Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) website at

. There is

also an information sheet available on the University of Florida

College of Veterinary Medicine website at

.

- Mod.TG]

[see also:

2009

----

Influenza, canine - USA (03): (VA) 20091024.3676

Influenza, canine - USA (02): H3N8 20090820.2945

Influenza, canine - USA: (NJ) 20090704.2405

2007

----

Influenza, canine - USA (PA): corr. 20070802.2495

Influenza, canine - USA (PA) 20070801.2482

Influenza, canine - USA (Multistate) 20070208.0502

2006

----

Influenza, canine - USA (FL) 20060620.1703

Influenza, canine - USA (WY) 20060503.1279

Influenza, canine - USA (multistate) 20060325.0921

2005

----

Influenza, canine - USA (multistate)(03) 20051002.2883

Influenza, canine - USA (multistate)(02) 20050925.2830

Influenza, canine - USA (multistate) 20050923.2811

2004

----

Equine influenza, canines - USA (FL) 20040801.2099]

.................................................sb/tg/msp/dk

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NY Rabbit Rescue

2011-07-25T13:54:00.002-04:00

http://www.therabbitresource.org/

EXXON MOBILE ruptured pipeline sends oil coursing down Yellowstone River; ALSO: Montana & Yellowstone Earthquakes

2011-07-03T16:15:00.000-04:00

Subject: EXXON MOBILE ruptured pipeline sends oil coursing down Yellowstone River; ALSO: Montana & Yellowstone Earthquakes

Statement by ExxonMobil Pipeline Company Regarding Crude Oil Release into Yellowstone River in Montana -- The release originated from a 12" crude pipeline operated by EMPCo that runs from Silver Tip, MT to Billings, MT. The pipeline has been shutdown and the segment where the release occurred has been isolated. All appropriate state and federal authorities have been alerted. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/statement-by-exxonmobil-pipeline-company-regarding-crude-oil-release-into-yellowstone-river-in-montana-2011-07-02

Ruptured pipeline sends oil coursing down the Yellowstone River http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/article_6a8f2313-4279-542c-95c7-92f04639003f.html

Story/ article here with video; http://www.ktvq.com/news/laurel-residents-evacuate-after-oil-pipeline-break

Here is another link with pictures of Yellowstone oil spill;
http://www.ktvq.com/galleries/yellowstone-river-oil-spill/

Exxon oil spill in Mont. river prompts evacuations http://www.topix.com/business/energy/2011/07/exxon-oil-spill-in-mont-river-prompts-evacuations

An ExxonMobil pipeline that runs under the Yellowstone River near Billings in south-central Montana ruptured and dumped an unknown amount of oil into the waterway, prompting temporary evacuations along the river Saturday morning. Full story: WXIX-TV Cincinnati

http://www.fox19.com/story/15017587/exxon-oil-spill-in-mont-river-prompts-evacuations

An ExxonMobil pipeline that runs under the Yellowstone River near Billings in south-central Montana ruptured and dumped an unknown amount of oil into the waterway, prompting temporary evacuations along the river Saturday morning.___________________________________________not sure if related -- Map;
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/Maps/US10/42.52.-115.-105.php

MAG UTC DATE-TIME

y/m/d h:m:s LAT

deg LON

deg DEPTH

km LOCATION

MAP3.5 2011/07/01 22:03:0648.105-108.3115.419 km ( 11 mi) ENE of Lodge Pole, MT

MAP1.7 2011/07/01 02:11:1847.459-112.73727.026 km ( 16 mi) W of Augusta, MT

MAP1.0 2011/06/30 14:08:0444.815-111.8024.651 km ( 31 mi) NW of Island Park, ID

MAP1.2 2011/06/30 09:49:3544.612-110.3942.154 km ( 33 mi) SSE of Gardiner, MT

MAP1.1 2011/06/30 07:00:1445.180-111.43417.315 km ( 9 mi) SW of Big Sky, MT

MAP2.2 2011/06/29 11:44:0144.015-114.46613.428 km ( 17 mi) S of Clayton, ID

MAP1.0 2011/06/29 04:59:4744.653-110.4291.648 km ( 30 mi) SSE of Gardiner, MT

MAP1.7 2011/06/28 23:01:3346.038-111.4159.315 km ( 9 mi) S of Toston, MT

MAP1.0 2011/06/28 18:09:0546.093-111.8999.423 km ( 15 mi) SE of Boulder, MT

MAP1.4 2011/06/27 18:19:1946.341-111.3705.612 km ( 7 mi) E of Townsend, MT

MAP1.4 2011/06/26 20:32:0344.508-110.1881.460 km ( 37 mi) SSW of Cooke City-Silver Gate, MT

MAP1.1 2011/06/26 17:59:2847.036-112.1953.437 km ( 23 mi) NNW of Helena Valley Northwest, MT

MAP1.0 2011/06/26 13:14:1244.564-110.7512.430 km ( 19 mi) ESE of West Yellowstone, MT

MAP1.0 2011/06/26 11:43:1544.801-111.9685.551 km ( 32 mi) NNE of Spencer, ID

MAP1.9 2011/06/26 11:43:1544.789-111.97112.750 km ( 31 mi) NNE of Spencer, ID

MAP1.5 2011/06/26 10:02:1344.364-110.8195.340 km ( 25 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT

MAP1.0 2011/06/26 09:11:1444.616-112.10114.229 km ( 18 mi) NNE of Spencer, ID

MAP1.4 2011/06/26 05:32:0947.709-113.80912.720 km ( 13 mi) ENE of Turtle Lake, MT

tHE cHINA sTUDY: Illustrating for US the DANGERS of an Animal Based Diet

2011-07-03T15:02:00.000-04:00

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/the-china-study/f176d08e4961400c125af176d08e4961400c125a-880462201960?q=the%20china%20study

Tazmanian Devil Tumor-Disease UpdATE

2011-06-30T08:31:00.000-04:00

DEVIL FACIAL TUMOR, TASMANIAN DEVIL - AUSTRALIA: (TASMANIA) UPDATE

******************************************************************

A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the

International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: Mon 27 Jun 2011

Source: New Scientist [edited]

Despite its ferocious nature, the Tasmanian devil is a creature faced

with extinction, the victim of a gruesome facial tumor disease. Now

the 1st genetic sequencing of these carnivorous marsupials has

revealed that we had a hand in their decline: centuries of human

interference left the devils stripped of genetic diversity and

vulnerable to disease.

This meant that when the parasitic face cancer dubbed "devil facial

tumor disease" appeared in 1996 it rapidly spread through the entire

population. As a result, the Tasmanian devil, or _Sarcophilus

harrisii_, population has fallen over 60 per cent since 1996.

The disease is transmitted by physical contact, mostly biting during

sex. It is almost always fatal and has spread across most of

Tasmania.

Due to the species' sharp decline, the International Union for the

Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classed it as endangered. Some

studies estimate the marsupials could be wiped out within decades.

Marsupial sequencing

--------------------

To find out why they cannot fight the cancer, Stephan Schuster of

Pennsylvania State University in University Park and colleagues

sequenced the genomes of 2 Tasmanian devils, the 1st Australian

marsupials to be sequenced.

Schuster chose animals from opposite ends of the island, which should

have been as genetically distinct as devils get. But he found they

were pretty similar: their genomes only differed at 915 000 sites. A

similar comparison showed that 2 humans from China and Japan differ at

3 257 000 sites, says Schuster.

Genetic analysis of a further 175 wild animals and 7 museum specimens

showed that devils have had a low genetic diversity for over 100

years.

Humans had a heavy hand in this. First the devils were wiped out in

mainland Australia by dingoes brought in by settlers, then those that

remained in Tasmania were hunted as pests, causing several population

crashes. As their genetic diversity was slashed, the devils were left

vulnerable to disease.

This is clearly at the root of their problems, says Katherine Belov

of the University of Sydney, Australia. "Devils are essentially

immunological clones, so tumors pass between them without triggering

an immune response," she says.

The Australian and Tasmanian governments have set up a conservation

programme, capturing disease-free devils to establish an "insurance

population". Housed at sites like the Devil Ark in Somersby, New South

Wales, these devils could re-populate Tasmania if the wild population

is wiped out.

Missing diversity

-----------------

But Schuster says the captive population is missing some of the wild

population's diversity, such as it is. He found 7 subtly distinct

populations on the island and says individuals from each must be

included. But as nobody has genotyped the captive population we don't

know what is missing. Based on partial information on where the

individuals were collected, Schuster suspects the captive genotype is

not as diverse as it could be.

Having a large genetic diversity is essential for any captive

breeding programme, agrees Craig Hilton-Taylor of the IUCN, based in

Cambridge, UK. Schuster says conservationists need to look at genetic

diversity when they assess a species' wellbeing. He points out that

before the facial tumour disease appeared, the IUCN considered devils

to be of "least concern" because their population and habitat were

reasonably large. In fact they were genetic sitting ducks, says

Schuster.

The IUCN doesn't require its scientists to do genetic testing on

species they are assessing, although the information is used if they

do. Hilton-Taylor agrees the information can be invaluable, but says

systematic testing would be difficult and expensive.

Journal reference: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1102838108 [abstract available at

].

[Byline: Michael Marshall]

--

Communicated by:

ProMED-mail

[This article does not mention if there were any sequences of

Tasmanian devils in some other zoo in the world that might lend

genetic diversity or be a tumor free source of genetic material. But I

cannot remember if the Tasmanian devil has ever been sent to other

zoos - Mod.TG]

[Photos of Tasmanian devils can be seen at

.

Facial tumor at:

Tasmania can be located on the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map

of Australia at . - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[see also:

2010

----

Devil facial tumor disease - Australia (TS) 20100102.0019

2008

----

Devil facial tumor disease - Australia: (TAS) 20080718.2174

2007

----

Devil facial tumor disease - Australia (TAS) (02) 20071004.3289

Devil facial tumor disease - Australia (TAS) 20070218.0616

2006

----

Devil facial tumor disease - Australia (TAS) (02) 20061024.3051

Devil facial tumor disease - Australia (TAS) 20060201.0328]

.................................................sb/tg/mj/jw

*##########################################################*

************************************************************

ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that

are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the

information, and of any statements or opinions based

thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in

using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID

and its associated service providers shall not be held

responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any

damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted

or archived material.

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Diabetic Cats in Need

2011-05-04T11:43:00.001-04:00

http://fdmb-cin.blogspot.com/

DESPERATE for RESCUE transport help in Knoxville,Tn.

2011-04-29T12:17:00.000-04:00

From: quincey simmons [mailto: qzsimmons@hotmail.com ]

Subject: DESPERATE for transport help in Knoxville

Hi All

I have really had a TERRIBLE time filling transports recently. The problem is always the same: no one to drive or overnight through Knoxville. I am on the verge of cancelling yet another NC-IN transport. I am also thinking that I am going to have to quit pulling from NC. I hate to do this as I have long pulled from NC but the cancelled transports mean that I end up spending a FORTUNE in boarding fees and I just can't afford to do that anyone.

Here is my current run. If ANYONE knows ANYONE in and around the unfilled legs (Charlotte NC, Knoxville TN, Indy, IN) please let them know about this run.

Please please please!!!!!

********************************************************************************************

PLEASE CROSSPOST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

C'mon KNOXVILLE!!!! We need 2 legs and and overnight in your area!!!!

I have not has a lot of luck filling transports recently. As you all know, this makes it very hard to do rescue work. It is such a shame when you have a great rescue offer and no way to get the very deserving dog there. Please help me break my streak of unfilled transports!!! This one is for 2 lovely labbies. These sweet dogs were both pulled from the shelter only moments before their time was up. If we can get them to Adopt A Lab then they will be in forever homes before they know it! I would love to see these 2 running after balls in their own backyards and enjoying the summer swimming and sunning in homes of their own. Please help make a doggie dream come true!!

Sending Rescuer (Coal):

Volunteer contact: Mary Thomas rescueworker11@yahoo.com

Sending rescuer (Laurie):

Volunteer contact: Dorsey Patrick dcpphoto@aol.com

Receiving Rescue

Adopt A Lab

http://www.adoptalab.org/

Rescue contact: Quincey Simmons or Patty Strayer qzsimmons@hotmail.com

TRANSPORT COORDINATOR: Quincey Simmons

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE drive a leg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Passenger# 1

NAME: Laurie

BREED: 1-2 yr old yellowlab

SEX: female

SIZE/WEIGHT: Approx. 55lbs

SPAY/NEUTERED: to be done in rescue

SHOT UTD: Yes

RABIES VACCINE & TAG: yes

OK WITH DOGS: Yes

OK WITH KIDS: Yes

HOUSE TRAINED: Yes

CRATE TRAINED: Yes

SPECIAL NEEDS: None

DOES THE DOG RIDE WELL IN A CAR: Yes

ITEMS PROVIDED: collar, vet records

ITEMS NEEDED: None

Passenger# 2

NAME: Coal

BREED: 1-2 yr old black lab

SEX: male

SIZE/WEIGHT: Approx. 55lbs

SPAY/NEUTERED: to be done in rescue

SHOT UTD: Yes

RABIES VACCINE & TAG: yes

OK WITH DOGS: Yes

OK WITH KIDS: Yes

HOUSE TRAINED: Yes

CRATE TRAINED: Yes

SPECIAL NEEDS: None

DOES THE DOG RIDE WELL IN A CAR: Yes

ITEMS PROVIDED: collar, vet records

ITEMS NEEDED: None

The Run:

Saturday 4/30

Leg 1

Fairmont NC to Laurinsburg NC

40 miles 1hr

8:00-9:00AM.................Filled! Thanks Thanks Lou!!

Leg 2

Laurinsburg NC to Wadesboro NC

50 miles 1 hr

9:15-10:15AM......................NEEDED! Filled!! Thanks Chris!

Leg 3

Wadesboro NC to Charlotte NC

52 miles 1hr 15 mins

10:30-11:45......................NEEDED!!

Leg 4

Charlotte NC to Spartanburg SC

70 miles 1 hr

12:00 NOON-1:00PM................Filled!! Thanks Sharon!!

Leg 5

Spartanburg SC-Asheville NC

60 miles 1hr

1:15PM-2:15PM.................Filled!! Thanks Sharon!!

Leg 6

Ashveille NC-Newport TN

70 miles 1hr 15 mins

2:30-3:45PM.........Filled! Thanks Herb!!!

Leg 7

Newport TN-Knoxville TN

55 miles 1 hour

4:00-5:00PM.....................NEEDED!!

OVERNIGHT in KNOXVILLE...........................NEEDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday May 1

Leg 8

Knoxville to Williamsburg KY

70 miles 1 hour 10 mins

8:00AM-9:10AM.....................NEEDED!!

Leg 9

Williamsburg KY to Richmond KY

75 miles 1 hour 20 mins

9:25AM-10:45 AM.......FIlled! Thanks Jamie!

Leg 10

Richmond KY to Frankfort KY

55 miles 1 hour

11:00AM-NOON....................Filled!! Thanks Kay!!

Leg 11

Frankfort KY to Louisville KY

55 miles 1 hour

12:15PM-1:15PM........Filled! Thanks Kay!!

Leg 12

Louisville KY to Seymour IN

55 miles 1 hour

1:30PM-2:30PM......Filled! Thanks Joanne!

Leg 13

Seymour IN to Indianapolis IN

60 miles 1hr

2:45PM-3:45PM.......Filled! Thanks Joanne!

Leg 14

Indy IN to Muncie IN

60 miles 1hr

4:00-5:00PM......................NEEDED!!

Rescue to pick up in Muncie

2011-04-22T11:31:00.002-04:00

Hidden View Farm - Animal Cruelty - Seward, NY

2011-04-20T15:00:00.004-04:00

Subject: ABANDONED FARM - DYING ANIMALS IN YOUR TOWN!

Dear Mayor Borst, Supervisor Barbic, and DA Sacket,

I am writing to make you aware of an atrocious situation occurring in the town of Seward. As I write this, animals on an abandoned farm are suffering and dying.

A local woman has been trying to help them to no avail. It seems that no one will step up and help these dying animals even though this is in clear violation of the Agricultural and Marketing laws.

I do not currently have an address, but the name of the farm is HIDDEN VIEW FARM in Seward. The woman who is trying to help, Joyce Urban, may be reached at: Yodelingyogi@aol.com. Here is an excerpt from the e-mail I received desperately seeking help for the animals:

"The owners have only been told to "clean up the bodies within three days." There are still animals there, starving, pregnant, malnourished, likely unvetted and DYING! This includes pigs, cows, sheep, birds, horses, cats and dogs! PLEASE HELP! Before it's too late for the ones still alive"

I would appreciate a response and look forward to hearing that you have immediately intervened on behalf of these innocent animals in order to obtain the necessary veterinary and rescue help needed to assist those still living, and that you will be prosecuting the parties responsible for the abuse and neglect of these sentient beings.

Sincerely,

Teresa Vecere

More States Create Anti-Whistleblower Bills

2011-04-16T11:18:00.001-04:00

Here we go again! If you thought the recent legislation to criminalize those who film or photograph farm activity in states like Florida and Iowa is coincidental, it’s not. Similar bills are in process in Idaho and Minnesota, and other states are considering legislative action as well. Giant corporations like Monsanto are throwing money behind the Iowa version and possibly more in order further secure their “crop operations.” Minnesota is at least the fourth state to introduce anti-whistleblower legislation. They got it from Iowa who got it from Florida. In the Minnesota bill, even just possessing undercover documentation of farm operations would be illegal. How they can enforce a law like that without invading people’s privacy, I do not know. These bills threaten to punish anyone who dares to highlight questionable behavior towards animals, seed and produce, sanitation and employees. “We think it would be an important deterrent tool in our toolbox against trespassers,” says Daryn McBeth, president of the Minnesota Agri-Growth Council. People, there are already strict trespassing and theft laws. Big Ag has all the legal recourse needed to sue or punish those who obtain footage of their operations, so why don’t they? Can you imagine dragging an activist into court and saying to the judge, “Look, he found out we were throwing live chickens into a grinder and put it on the internet. This violates my intellectual property rights!” No, their solution to the bad PR is slapping the whistleblowers with a major felony and throwing them in a cage with rapists, murders, and armed robbers. So they make the act of discovery into a crime to preclude such discoveries instead of accounting for their crimes, which, by the way, they believe to be perfectly acceptable industry standards. Since when is crying foul on criminal behavior like animal abuse and breaking regulations considered a crime? Any law that imprisons you by superceding your constitutional rights is null and void. But that isn’t going to touch Mr. Policeman when you explain as he hauls you away. Laws are laws, intentions are irrelevant to a judge. That’s what makes them so dangerous to your rights. You may think it only applies to those overzealous “tree hugger” types, but no, it means you too! Ironically, citizens are considered heroic when they turn in their neighbor or call in an anonymous tip to stop criminal behavior and abuse. Yes, even animal abuse! But boy, if you actually gather substantial evidence in a Big Ag operation and show the public when officials won’t listen – you go to prison for a long, long time. These bills remove the pea from the whistle should you witness something vile, whereas before you at least had the recourse of sharing with others. This encourages more abominable behavior; with more cover up, such actions are sanctioned, and the perpetrators can rest easy knowing the whistleblowers are silenced in prison. When USDA backed Big Ag operations are in violation of current standards, how do we know? Who cares – the USDA? Whistleblowers are often the only window for the public, and when embarrassing information is released, it often leads to raised standards. On a smaller scale, it works with the restaurant industry. Get an embarrassing (public) write up about cockroach infestations and suddenly the kitchen is overhauled, no expense is spared, and sanitation thrives in order to reassure those paying customers who like a fresh clean salad, hold the mouse poop. When these bills first arrived on the scene there was a lot of backlash, but our concern is that with more and more cropping up and some scaling back punishment, they will be more readily accepted by the public. Some reporters called the scale backs, “more reasonable.” Why? First amendment rights are still going in the grinder, citizens will still go to prison. The running theme here is force, force, force even if it’s currently undetectable. Forceful legislation from senators, funds from Big Ag and Monsanto to strengthen the force, the force of multiple states following suit, force from the ensuing law enforcement – force of slamming the door on the face of public scrutiny. It’s going to be increasingly difficult to catch these viral bills, inform others, and take action when they keep rearing their ugly heads like a nationwide game of whack-a-mole. But with such replicated force, much like a virus, you can see it is more important than ever to do something. http://healthfreedoms.org/2011/04/14/more-states-create-anti-whistleblower-bills/ States & Bill Numbers: Florida, SB1246 (Health Freedoms petition coming soon) Iowa HF431 Minnesota, S.F. No. 1118 Idaho HB166 *Part of their Right To Farm laws, this one would preclude “nuisance” suits from the public. ~Health Freedoms Related Articles: http://healthfreedoms.org/2011/04/11/monsanto-cash-helped-fund-bill-to-stifle-whistleblowers-in-iowa/ http://healthfreedoms.org/2011/03/28/your-guide-to-the-illegal-farm-photos-bill/ http://healthfreedoms.org/2011/03/24/big-ag-lobbies-to-make-it-illegal-to-secretly-film-animal-abuse-iowa/ http://healthfreedoms.org/2011/03/17/florida-lawmaker-wants-to-make-farm-photos-illegal-2/ Other Sources Cited: http://www.agweek.com/event/article/id/18230/ http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/04/12/1602672/bill-would-ban-video-of-minn-farming.html http://www.startribune.com/local/119690504.html http://www.startribune.com/politics/119690504.html ### www.AFSConference.org www.antifursociety.org "All beings tremble before violence. All fear death. All love life. See yourself in others. Then whom can you hurt? What harm can you do? ~Buddha"

Missouri: Tell Governor Nixon: VETO SB113 / Protecting Puppy Mills

2011-04-14T01:54:00.001-04:00

Last November Missouri voters said “YES” on Prop B. Wednesday Missouri legislators said “NO” to that majority vote. The Missouri House of Representatives passed SB 113 on Wednesday – gutting all significant protections for dogs suffering in substandard puppy mills and sending the repeal of Proposition B to the desk of Governor Jay Nixon. Now is the time to contact Governor Nixon and let him know he should respect the will of the majority of Missouri voters. Please contact his office right now at (573) 751-3222. Let him know the democratic process and the well-being of dogs used for commercial breeding are important to you and he should veto SB 113. First the Senate and now the House have defied the will of the people and dismantled Proposition B piece by piece, dealing a blow to dogs suffering in substandard facilities and also to the democratic process in Missouri. Not only did some lawmakers choose to overturn a statewide vote, but some of them even voted against the majority in their own districts. Many legislators showed a profound disdain for the will of Missouri voters under the guise that Missourians weren’t smart enough to understand Proposition B. This is an insult to all of us who clearly knew we were voting to improve the barbaric and inhumane conditions in Missouri’s substandard breeding facilities. If Governor Nixon signs this legislation -- defying the will of the people and turning the clock back on the humane treatment of Missouri puppies and dogs -- we will not back down. We are prepared to immediately begin gathering signatures for a referendum to bring this issue back to Missouri voters and allow the people to have the final say. But RIGHT NOW, contact Governor Nixon. Tell him he should: -- stand with Missourians -- not career politicians; -- protect Prop B and Missouri's dogs, and -- VETO SB113. Call (573) 751-3222 or click here to contact Governor Nixon now. With kindest regards, Kathryn W. Warnick President Humane Society of Missouri

INFLUENZA A (H1N1) 2009, ZOO ANIMALS - USA: (CALIFORNIA)

2011-03-24T13:24:00.000-04:00

********************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: Tue 22 Mar 2011
Source: CIDRAP (Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy) News
[edited]

The [influenza A (H1N1) 2009] virus was detected in 3 animals of
diverse species at the San Diego Zoo in the fall of 2009, further
broadening the virus's range of animal hosts, according to a letter
published by Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) [available at
. - Mod.TG]

The virus was found in a 12-year-old American badger, a 19-year-old
Bornean binturong, and a 7-year-old black-footed ferret. The badger
and binturong got severely sick with pneumonia and had to be
euthanized, but the ferret had a mild illness and recovered with
antibiotic and fluid treatment.

The source of the infections was not determined but was probably a
human. Ferrets are known to be susceptible to influenza A viruses, but
such cases have not been previously reported in badgers or binturongs,
the report says.

Other species that have been naturally infected with flu viruses
include swine, a dog, cats, turkeys, skunks, cheetahs, and giant
anteaters, and experimental infections have been reported in mice and
cynomolgous macaques.

"The ubiquity of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and its ability to infect a
diverse range of hosts is worrisome for the health of wildlife and for
the possibility of creating additional reservoirs that could alter the
evolution of subtype H1N1 viruses by applying varied selection
pressures and establishing new ways of generating unique reassortant
strains," the authors say.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall

[Indeed the number of animals this virus touched, that we are aware
of, is quite frightening in terms of viral reassortment.

But if the ferret had less trouble with this virus than some other
animals, it is perhaps an animal we should be studying to learn why,
not just realize that it is more resistant to influenza type A, but
also really learn what the mechanism is that makes it more resistant
to that type of virus.

Photos
American badger (_Taxidea taxus_):

and

Bornean binturong (_Arctictis binturong penicillata_):
and

Black-footed ferret (_Mustela nigripes_):

and
.
- Mod.TG]

[The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of California can be seen
at . - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[see also:
Influenza A (H1N1) 2009, animal (02): USA (WI) feline 20110215.0500
Influenza A (H1N1) 2009, animal: UK, turkey 20110113.0150
2010
----
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) (64): WHO, pandemic over 20100811.2753
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) (63): WHO update 112 20100807.2680
Influenza pandemic (H1N1), animal (07): Finland, swine, OIE
20100901.3114
Influenza pandemic (H1N1), animal (06): Korea, swine 20100422.1296
Influenza pandemic (H1N1), animal (05): turkeys, insemination
20100205.0393
Influenza pandemic (H1N1), animal (04): global, update 20100131.0337
Influenza pandemic (H1N1), animal (03): Denmark, porcine
20100111.0128
Influenza pandemic (H1N1), animal (02): USA, turkey 20100108.0087
Influenza pandemic (H1N1), animal (01): China, porcine, canine
20100101.0014
2009
----
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (42): USA (NC) swine
20091228.4372
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (41): Russia (CV) swine, OIE
20091226.4353
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (40): USA (NY) canine
20091222.4305
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (39): Germany, swine, OIE
20091211.4220
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (38): Mexico, swine, OIE
20091211.4214
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (37): USA (OR, CA) feline
20091211.4213
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (36): USA (CO) 20091209.419
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (35): Italy, swine, OIE
20091205.4144
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (34): UK (England)
20091204.4141
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (33): USA (VA, CA)
20091204.4139
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal health (31): Finland,
swine,OIE 20091201.4106
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal health (29): Indonesia,
swine20091127.4071]
.................................................tg/mj/dk
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to
an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
scribe at .
For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.
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############################################################

Bill would create animal abuse database

2011-03-23T21:16:00.000-04:00

NJ resident charged in animal sacrifices

2011-03-21T03:54:00.001-04:00

Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:25 am (PDT)

Forwarded message - for info, please visit
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110319/NJNEWS14/110319012/NJ-resident-charged-in-animal-sacrifices

NJ resident charged in animal sacrifices

3/20/11

FREEHOLD - A borough resident was charged with eight counts of animal
cruelty after the remains of numerous animals, including chickens, guinea
hens and a slider turtle, were found in his yard last week, authorities
said.

Jorge Badillo, 47, of 100 Center St., admitted he killed the animals in a
Santeria sacrifice ritual, said Victor "Buddy'' Amato, chief of the Monmouth
County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Santeria is a
religion practiced in some parts of the Caribbean.

Amato said borough police Officer Thomas Duda and his K-9 partner, Rocky,
noticed the remains while responding to an unrelated call on Thursday. Duda
contacted the SPCA.

Duda and Amato went to the residence at 100 Center St. on Friday afternoon,
and received permission from Badillo to search the yard, Amato said. They
found numerous dead animals in various states of decomposition, as well as
some live animals ready for slaughter and several Santeria altars, he said.

Amato said Badillo admitted sacrificing the animals.

Each count of animal cruelty carries a possible six-month jail term and fine
of $1,000. The charges are to be heard in municipal court on April 19.

Senior Blind Dog Tortured! Rio Rancho, NM

2011-03-05T13:15:00.002-05:00

- Please take a minute for JUSTICE for Charlie, the Rio Rancho, NM Senior, Blind Dog that was brutally tortured!!

PLEASE EMAIL OR CALL REPRESENTATIVES LISTED IN THE BODY OF THIS EMAIL BELOW TO COMPLAIN AGAINST THE HEARTLESS CRUELTY AGAINST THIS POOR BLIND DOG WHOSE TESTICLES WERE BURNT BY THE MAN IN THE PHOTO BELOW.

HE STILL HAS OTHER ANIMALS IN HIS CARE WHO NEED TO BE RESCUED FROM HIM ASAP!!!

PLEASE CIRCULATE FAR & WIDE!! The petition is UP & all of the local contacts are listed! CALL! EMAIL! SIGN! SHARE! See below contacts...

This email is about a man in New Mexico who is accused by police of burning his blind dog's testicles and drop-kicking him, - still has other animals living in his home. It's been determined by the vet who saw Charlie that he had endured earlier torture and abuse. What this man did to this poor dog is criminal! Please take a moment to read more about Charlie and what he has endured. There is a petition to sign and also addresses for letters asking for punishment to the fullest extent of the law for this guy. I just can't get my head around people being so cruel.

Thanks so much for your time and for caring.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/nm-man-accused-of-extreme-animal-abuse-and-torture/

Please click on the Care 2 Petition Site and sign to send the coward that brutally tortured this senior and blind dog, to jail. Thanks.

PLEASE FORWARD ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW! YOUR SIGNATURES ARE POWERFUL!

More info below.

(Dakota's House Rescue)

dakotashouserescue@yahoo.com

http://homebusinessformydogs.weebly.com/

--------------------------------------------------------

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The man who Rio Rancho police accused of burning his blind dog's testicles and drop-kicking him still has other animals living in his home. Tuesday, March 1, 2011.

Many of you have been following the story of Charlie, a 10 year old dog that was brutally dropkicked, SET ON FIRE & thrown into a Yucca & the POS that inflicted this suffering on him, James Dickie of Rio Rancho, NM.

I was APPAULED when I got an anonymous call informing me that he has 3 more animals in his home, & told that RR police & animal control were doing nothing to remove them.

I have compiled a list of Rio Rancho city contacts below - PLEASE take a few minutes to write a letter, send an email or make a phone call protesting the complete LACK of accountabllity & concern for the other animals that has been shown by our paid & elected city officials. New Mexico Dogs Deserve Better is based out of Rio Rancho, NM & we work regularly with RRAC. THIS IS NOT OK!! You will probably receive some LAME form letter in response, as I have....but YOUR CALLS/EMAILS ARE VERY IMPORTANT in this case! We are currently working on a petition which be presented to the judge at the time of Dickie's hearing. But for now, it is VERY important that the folks handling this case KNOW that the citizens of Rio Rancho, the state of New Mexico & the nation are OUTRAGED with their complete lack of accoutability & concern fofr the welfare of these 3 animals currently living under the same roof as James Dickie, who was arrested for FELONY EXTREME ANIMAL CRUELTY! Let them know that we will NOT stand for it & that we DEMAND these animals be removed immediately! Let them know that James Dickie is a threat to our community & society - as we ALL know, this type of behavior with animals is only a precursor to violet behavior agianst people. I thank you! New Mexico Dogs Deserve Better thanks you! Charlie thanks you! The animals AT RISK in the home thank you!

Rio Rancho Mayor, Tom Swisstack
3200 Civic Center Circle NE
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
505-891-5001
505-891-7274 FAX
tswisstack@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us

Rio Rancho City Manager, James C. Jimenez

3200 Civic Center Circle NE

Rio Rancho, NM 87144
505-891-5001
505-891-7274
jjimenez@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us

Rio Rancho Assistant City Manager, Laura A. Fitzpatrick

3200 Civic Center Circle NE

Rio Rancho, NM 87144
505-891-5002
LFITZPATRICK@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us
Rio Rancho City Council Members:
Michael J. Williams mwilliams@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us
Patricia Thomas pthomas@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us
Tamara L. Gutierrez tgutierrez@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us
Steven L. Shaw sshaw@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us
Timothy C. Crum tcrum@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us
Kathleen Colley kcolley@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us

Rio Rancho Animal Control
Vickie Beazley, Animal Control Supervisor
Direct line: 505-891-5088
Cheryll Johns, Facilities Manager
3441 Northern Blvd.
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
505-891-5075
505-891-7207 FAX

Rio Rancho Chief of Police, Robert Boone
500 Quantum Road
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
505-891-59

Animal Protection of New Mexico
www.apnm.org
Lisa Boegel Cruelty Case Manager (505)821-9142
Animal Cruetly Taskforce Hotline (888)250-2178
This entity is out of the State Attorney Generals office & has been put in place to PROTECT our animals

James Dickie of Rio Rancho - arrested for felony extreme animal cruetly

for the LOVE of DOG...

Angela

NACA certified www.nacanet.org www.newmexicodogsdeservebetter.org

www.dogsdeservebetter.org
Dogs Deserve Better ~ NM a 501(c)3 non profit www.luvinlabs.com
New Mexico State Representative (505)974-4733 www.nmsiberianrescue.com
www.petfinder.com/pet-search?shelterid=NM129

Droves of bald eagles dropping from skies in Canada

2011-03-02T12:21:00.000-05:00

Droves of bald eagles dropping from skies in Canada

Fla. Seeks New Law to Stop Under-Cover Video-Taping of Animal Cruelty

2011-03-02T11:22:00.000-05:00

Florida Senate - 2011 SB 1246

By Senator Norman

12-01071A-11 20111246__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to farms; prohibiting a person from
3 entering onto a farm or photographing or video
4 recording a farm without the owner’s written consent;
5 providing a definition; providing penalties; providing
6 an effective date.
7
8 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
9
10 Section 1. (1) A person who enters onto a farm or other
11 property where legitimate agriculture operations are being
12 conducted without the written consent of the owner, or an
13 authorized representative of the owner, commits a felony of the
14 first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083,
15 or s. 775.084, Florida Statutes.
16 (2) A person who photographs, video records, or otherwise
17 produces images or pictorial records, digital or otherwise, at
18 or of a farm or other property where legitimate agriculture
19 operations are being conducted without the written consent of
20 the owner, or an authorized representative of the owner, commits
21 a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.
22 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, Florida Statutes.
23 (3) As used in this section, the term “farm” includes any
24 tract of land cultivated for the purpose of agricultural
25 production, the raising and breeding of domestic animals, or the
26 storage of a commodity.
27 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2011.

Chamberlain's Story

2011-02-28T00:33:00.006-05:00

Abandoned by his owners when they moved away, left out in the back yard chained to a tree, for at least two months with out food, shelter or water. No one knew he was there until one day someone decided to mow the lawn;

First days; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuPtQaoLf18

Therapy; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHbl4i7Jm7k&feature=related

Warning, vids not easy too watch. Chamberlain lay starving, a mass of skin and bones, helpless and immobile for so long he lost the use of his legs.

Several weeks into recovery, Chamberlain has gained some weight and gets his new chair;

However, he still receives therapy to hopefully get those legs working again someday, all four of them.

Good luck Chamberlain. We love you!

Did You Get Rid of Your Dog Because of this Article?

2011-02-26T10:15:00.001-05:00

There was an article in the January 24th edition of USA Today about The Danger of Dogs Sleeping in Bed.

Before you knew it, this story was being reported in news across the nation with the media playing to the terrible dangers of pets.

This story really upset me so I wanted to have a vet or two respond with an honest and irreverent opinion. So, once again I turned to the Irreverent Veterinarian for opinions on this topic.

To read the response from the Irreverent Vet, go to: http://www.petplace.com/irreverent-vet-speaks-out-on-the-danger-of-dogs-sleeping-in-bed

Was this article just irresponsible reporting or are there really significant dangers from letting pets sleep in your bed? Find out. And PLEASE don't make any decisions about allowing your dog in bed or getting rid of your dog before reading this article.

Until next time,

Dr. Jon

P.S. On a lighter note - I'd love to share some adorable photos of dogs sleeping (many in bed). These are adorable. Take a minute to check these out because they are sure to make you smile. Go to: http://www.petplace.com/Sleepingdogs

Progress! - Bloodless Bullfights!

2011-02-25T18:55:00.000-05:00

...and a new kind of matador!

Stop Bull Fighting!

2011-02-20T09:53:00.000-05:00

Meet Your Meat WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

2011-02-20T09:35:00.000-05:00

ALDF's 3rd Annual National Justice for Animals Week

2011-02-19T01:09:00.002-05:00

February 21-25 marks the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s third annual National Justice for Animals Week. Please invite your readers to join us for a week-long campaign to fight animal abuse and honor animal victims!

Each day during National Justice for Animals Week, ALDF will post an action that your readers can take part in to bring us closer to real justice for animal victims. Check us out on Facebook and ALDF’s blog to find out how your readers can participate in quick and effective actions each day this week! For example, we’ll kick off the week on Monday by asking our supporters to write an Letter to the Editor (LTE) to their local paper—those who get an LTE published win an ALDF prize pack!

We’ll also be announcing America’s Top Ten Animal Defenders. Here’s a sneak peek of the defenders being recognized this year by the Animal Legal Defense Fund:·

*Suffolk County, New York Legislator Jon Cooper, who sponsored the historic “Justin’s Law,” passed by a unanimous vote last October, which creates the nation’s first mandatory public registry for criminals convicted of animal abuse.

* Joshua Crain, who sought felony charges in a jury trial in Tennessee against a man who, after his 2-year-old Siberian Husky chewed on some wiring in his home, beat him and then used a metal file to grind down the dog’s teeth.

National Justice for Animals Week is also a great opportunity to ask your readers to sign on to demand that their state require animal abusers to register in their communities. Check out the petition here: www.exposeanimalabusers.org.

Thanks to supporters’ signatures 20 new animal abuser registry bills have already been introduced in various states in 2011!

More information about National Justice for Animals Week will be available on our website starting Monday, please visit: www.aldf.org

Puppy Mill Pups on eBay? Say NO!

2011-02-17T10:03:00.001-05:00

Puppy mills" are large-scale commercial operations where dozens of dogs are kept in small cages for their entire lives, forced to give birth to litter after litter until they're no longer fertile, at which point they're usually killed. Puppy mills are unsafe, inhumane, and produce thousands of puppies with serious health problems every year.

Now, puppy mills have found a national vendor: eBay.

A few years ago, eBay had plans to sell animals via online auction. Responsible breeders would never sell dogs via online auction, so this would have resulted in the site becoming a haven for puppy mills. eBay users and anti-cruelty activists spearheaded -- and won -- the fight to prevent eBay from selling live animals.

But now all that's changed.

Despite eBay's claims that it "do[es] not condone unethical treatment of animals," eBay now allows puppy mills to sell dogs in its classified section.

This practice enables flagrant cruelty to dogs, and it has to stop. Tell eBay to shut down its sales of cruelly treated puppies and all live animals.

Puppy mill dogs spend their entire lives in small wire cages, without companionship, and often without vet care, exercise or shelter from the elements. As far as puppy mill owners are concerned, the dogs have one purpose: to supply the pet trade.

The USDA recently admitted that they’ve failed to effectively monitor commercial breeders and puppy mills. When it comes to sites like eBay Classifieds, it’s even worse: Breeders who sell directly to customers online aren’t subject to any USDA regulations.

The best chance we have to shut down puppy mills is to hold vendors accountable.
Click here to tell eBay to shut down all live animal sales immediately:
http://www.change.org/petitions/ebay-classifieds-stop-selling-live-animals?alert_id=JhDDcGIQNR_KjsPUDxOJd&me=aa

Thanks for taking action,
Judith and the Change.org Team

Hi-Kill Shelters Wanted for HBO Doc

2011-02-13T11:31:00.002-05:00

Permission to Crosspost
Granted & Appreciated

HBO is looking to film a documentary series about high kill shelters this March. The producer is looking to use this film as an opportunity to shed light on both the the staggering numbers of adoptable dogs that are euthanized for space restraints and some of the methods of euthanasia (such as the gas chamber and heartsticks) that the public probably doesn't know about.

We are looking for a shelter that uses either the gas chamber or heartsticks that would be willing to be filmed to participate in this film. The filming would take place over 1-2 days and the camera crew would need unrestricted access to the day to day activities of the pound. It would be hard to overstate what an incredible opportunity this would be for any shelter that was featured. Not only would it greatly increase the profile of a potentially small, rural pound and help increase adoptions and donations- but at least one dog from this shelter would be pulled by PAWS New England (http://www.pawsnewengland.com/) and may be featured in this film.

As HBO reaches a large national audience, this series has the potential to be ground breaking for shelter dogs around the country. Thank you, in advance, for helping make this a success!

If you are interested in participating, please email Kelly Parker immediately at kesalerno@gmail.com.

Many thanks!
Kelly Parker
Cofounder PAWS New England

-----------------

I am going to suggest our own local Hi-Kill shelter, the Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society in Menands, NY,...who wont even divuldge their kill-rate; http://www.mohawkhumanesociety.org/

Reward Offered for Info on Sled Dog Culling

2011-02-02T23:07:00.001-05:00

Please ask your readers to help the Animal Legal Defense Fund speak out for sled dogs. Sponsorship is the biggest source of revenue for the race; have them contact the Iditarod’s corporate sponsors and request that they no longer fund this deadly and horrific event. Here’s the link: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5154/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5388

*MEDIA ALERT*
$1K REWARD OFFERED FOR INFORMATION ABOUT ILLEGAL “CULLS” OF SLED DOGS

This week, a shocking report from the British Columbia Worker's Compensation Board has sparked outrage across North America--the general manager of a dog tour company filed an application for post-traumatic stress disorder after having killed 100 sled dogs on April 21 and 23, 2010, as allegedly ordered to by his employer. The execution-style cull is now the subject of an animal cruelty investigation. Many aspects of the Howling Dog Tours case suggest the possibility of culls occurring in similar sled dog operations elsewhere, driven by the poor economy and the high cost of maintaining the dogs. That is why the Animal Legal Defense Fund (www.aldf.org) is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone engaged in the illegal killing of sled dogs in the U.S. or Canada.

According to the British Columbia SPCA, the slaughter of unwanted dogs is “a problem with the sled dog industry in general,” and one of the companies involved in the incident says they expected a cull to take place. The British Columbia government announced today that it will consider changes for the dogsledding industry generally. In the U.S. the industry goes largely unregulated, and mushing is actually exempt from state cruelty laws in Alaska (Alaska Stat. § 11.61.140(e)). If there is an economic incentive for dog sled operators to engage in culls and little oversight of the practice, similar culls may be happening in the U.S. and elsewhere in Canada.

Media reports suggest that the killing of unwanted dogs is standard practice in the mushing industry:

· Iditarod musher John Cooper wrote a story for the Anchorage Daily News about getting rid of unwanted puppies by tossing them in a creek;
· Iditarod musher Frank Winkler was charged with animal cruelty for bludgeoning 14 sled dog puppies with an ax handle;
· Dan MacEachen, owner of a sled dog center at Colorado’s Snowmass Village, allegedly shot old, injured, and unwanted huskies with a rifle and buried them in a pit;
· Musher Charlie Campbell said to the Anchorage Daily News, "I’m definitely going to have to cull some dogs,” and “we're going to have to be ruthless about who we keep;"
· Musher Frank Turner told the CBC, “Competitive kennels, or even kennels that may not be competitive but aspire to be, often breed more dogs than they're actually going to be able to keep, afford to keep and pay for the vet bills, the food and all the other associated costs.”
Law enforcement and the American people need to know about the abuse behind the dogsledding industry. If you have information relating to the practice of behind-the-scenes dog culls at sledding operations, please contact the Animal Legal Defense Fund at 707-795-2533 x1035.

More: ALDF was founded in 1979 with the unique mission of protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals through the legal system. For more information, please visit www.aldf.org.

Media Contact: Lisa Franzetta (ALDF)--707-795-2533 x1015; lfranzetta@aldf.org

Kaparot: Absolving Sins Through Animal Torture & Abuse

2011-01-27T23:08:00.009-05:00

Background: 1692

Many Jews believe that a chicken can bear the sins of a Jew, and then be killed to serve as the atonement for those sins. It is done in a ritual called Kaparot that is hundreds of years old. The ritual is done in assemblies, during the ten days of Rosh Hashanah leading up to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This year Yom Kippur will begin at sundown on October 8th.

How it works:

In the ninth century Jew scholars decided that since the Hebrew word gever meant both “rooster” and “man,” it followed that a chicken sacrifice could serve as the atonement for a Jew’s sins.

A white chicken is preferred. A rooster for a man, and a hen for a woman. First a selected Old Testament verse is read aloud, generally from Psalms 107:17-20 or Job 33:23-24. The chicken is then held by the legs, or by pinning the wings back and gripping it under the shoulder blades. The Jew then swings the chicken in a circle above their head three times, while reciting this chant: “This is my exchange, my substitute, my atonement; this rooster (or hen) shall go to its death, but I shall go to a good, long life, and to peace.” That’s it, and the ritual atones for an entire years worth of sins! The chicken is then handed to a Jew butcher who cuts its throat and vocal cords, for kosher reasons and so that the chicken can not squawk in pain. At this point the chicken is sometimes shoved into an inverted traffic cone to drain it of its blood. Finally it is thrown into a trash bag with other sacrificed chickens. The chicken’s death from loss of blood releases the sins, and the Jew is then cleansed of their sins.

Animal rights activist and others, including some Jews, think that the ritual is cruel to chickens. It is legally practiced in America under the right to freedom of religion.

More info and some videos;
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Kaparot%2BOR%2BKapparot%2BOR%2BKaparrot%2BOR%2BKapparot%2BOR%2BKaparos%2BOR%2BKapparos%2BOR%2BKaparros%2BOR%2BCaparot%2BOR%2BCapparot%2BOR%2BCaparrot%2BOR%2BCaparos%2BOR%2B&search_type=&aq=-1&oq=

UNDIAGNOSED DIE-OFF, SEAL - CANADA (02): (NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR)

2011-01-22T13:47:00.000-05:00

********************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: 19 Jan 2010
From: Lena Measures

Regarding "Undiagnosed die-off, seal - Canada: (NL) 20110118.0207,"
here is some information to date.

There are dead, apparently premature, harp seal pups and adults
(_Phoca groenlandica_) on shore over a wide geographic area including
the St. Lawrence Estuary but mostly off northern Newfoundland and
Labrador. Confirmed numbers dead are in the low hundreds so far and
involve mostly adult animals. Reports of early pupping began around
Christmas. Strong storm surges in early January 2011 have brought
some carcasses ashore.

Harp seals migrate down from the arctic in late fall to eventually
give birth and breed on the Front (off eastern Newfoundland and
Labrador) and Gulf of St. Lawrence in late winter. The normal period
for harp seal parturition is end of February, early March. It is
natural for some harp seal pups to be born premature even in January.
The harp seal population is estimated at 8 to 9 million animals with
natural mortality estimated at 4 percent.

Mortality of pups in their 1st year of life is estimated at 20 - 30
percent, declining with age. Pups are nursed for about 12 days then
abandoned, after which they fast and moult on the ice as it ice
drifts into the North Atlantic in early spring (April/May). As the
ice melts pups swim and begin to hunt on their own, eventually moving
northwards. After abandoning their pups females mate and adults rest
on the ice to moult and eventually migrate north. Harp seals spend
about 6 months in arctic waters and 6 months off southeastern
Canadian Atlantic waters.

Observed mortalities may be unusual but expected due to poor to
absent ice conditions and the size of the herd. We are examining
carcasses and differentials include environmental change, poaching
and an epizootic. Adults appear in good body condition. Phocine
distemper virus or PDV (morbillivirus) is enzootic in this population
and while epizootics have killed thousands of seals in Europe,
epizootics have not been observed in Canadian waters perhaps due to
herd immunity (83 percent of examined harp seals are seropositive to
PDV). Necropsies and further investigations are in progress in
collaboration with fisheries agents and veterinary pathologists at
provincial and university laboratories including the Canadian
Co-operative Wildlife Health Center.

Ice conditions can be monitored at the Canadian Ice Service website:
http://ice-glaces.ec.gc.ca/prods/WIS57CT/20110117180000_WIS57CT_0005506610.pdf>

--
Communicated by:
Dr. Lena Measures
Marine mammal health
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Maurice Lamontagne Institute
850 route de la mer, Mont-Joli, Qc, Canada G5H 3Z4

[We appreciate Dr. Measures taking time to inform us and look forward
to a follow up report regarding this condition in the seals. - Mod.TG]

[see also:
Undiagnosed die-off, seal - Canada: (NL) 20110118.0207]
.....................tg/ejp/dk

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Miami-Dade "Shelter" Heart-Sticks w/Out Sedation

2011-01-22T01:54:00.003-05:00

From: Pamela Banduric 60sgal@live.com
Date: Fri, Jan 14, 2011 at 11:31 PM
SOS!! - HUGE MIAMI DADE VIOLATION - PRESS RELEASE- WITNESS STATEMENT ATTACHED

WHETHER one lives in FL or not, if you are an animal advocate this needs to be read (including the sworn witness statement) in its entirety and then passed on to every animal advocate one knows.
*NOTE That the perpetrator still works for Miami Dade and the person who tried to stop it and is the whistle blower was fired (dismissed) on Tuesday.

From: advocategroups@gmail.com (at gmail.com)
Sent: 1/11/2011 6:14:21 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
MDAS VIOLATION - PRESS RELEASE - WITNESS STATEMENT ATTACHED

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*Contact: Amy Roman Restucci (561) 860-3783

Miami-Dade Animal Services WhistleblowerOffers Eyewitness Testimony To Inhumane Mass Killing At Shelter

October 22 Incident Provokes Public Outcry

Miami, Fl. January 11. 2011 --- A former employee of Miami-Dade Animal Services has come forward to testify to the killing of dozens of animals by a brutal method known as heart-stick in an incident at the shelter on October 22, 2010. More formally known as intracardial injection or IC, the procedure is widely held to be grossly inhumane and its use is in fact constrained by Miami-Dades own policies. Their published Standard Operating Procedure manual specifies â€œan intracardiac injection should be done only if an animal is unconscious,with the procedure overall held by the shelter as a method of last resort. Such veterinary and animal protection bodies as the American Veterinary Medical Association and Humane Society of The United States have also issued guidelines for the procedures to use, the AVMA specifying that Intracardiac injection is acceptable only when performed on heavily sedated, anesthetized or comatose animals, owing to the difficulty and unpredictability of performing the injection accurately. Grace Avila, then an Animal Care Specialist at MDAS, alleges that on the evening of October 22, dozens of animals were killed by MDAS Vet Tech David Perez using IC without sedation, causing them to suffer terrifying and agonizing deaths.

These accusations have surfaced at a time when the shelter was already at the center of a firestorm of complaints by local citizens regarding living conditions within the shelter, the neglect and mishandling of animals, a kill-rate significantly higher than the national average and overall mismanagement by MDAS director Dr. Sara Pizano, DVM. In particular, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarezâ€™ Facebook page has recently become the target of innumerable postings by outraged citizens of not only Dade County, but animal advocates from around the country and abroad, including such countries as the U.K. and Kenya.
Local grass-roots animal advocate groups are calling for a general assessment of conditions inside the shelter by an outside agency, as well as a thorough investigation into the horrific events of October 22, and removal of shelter administrators Dr. Sara Pizano and Xiomara Mordcovich. Several informal groups of concerned citizens have formed in recent weeks with the intention of gaining wide-spread exposure of numerous documented incidents of neglect and mistreatment of animals in the custody of MDAS. Large scale public demonstrations are currently in the planning stages.
As of this writing David Perez remains in the employ of Miami-Dade Animal Services, and the only disciplinary action known to have been taken against him by the shelter is his demotion to DA, shelter terminology for dead animal removal.

Whistleblower Grace Avila was dismissed by the shelter on Monday, January 11.

# # #
Interviews with Grace Avila available upon request.

19 Doxies Dumped on Calif. Shelter

2011-01-22T01:42:00.005-05:00

Click on pic to enlarge
In addition to Lucky and Lucy above,...there are 19 Doxies being surrendered to the Tulare County Animal Control today. Ages range from 5 years to senior citizen. We would like them out ASAP. The less time at the shelter the better. We are located in Visalia, CA between Fresno and Bakersfield.

Please contact Michelle Shanley at the shelter-559-636-3647 after 10:00am or by email:
mshanley@tularehhsa.org

Thank you for any assistance

Mystery Solved: Arkansas Birds Died of Blunt Force Trauma

2011-01-09T12:24:00.001-05:00

UNDIAGNOSED DIE-OFF, AVIAN - USA (05): (ARKANSAS), TRAUMA
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: 6 Jan 2011
Source: JS Online [edited]

The mystery of the deaths of thousands of blackbirds in Arkansas this
month [January 2011] has been solved. They died of blunt-force
trauma, according to the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison.
Samples of the blackbirds -- and other blackbirds from a separate
mass die-off about the same time in Louisiana -- were brought to the
little-known laboratory on Madison's west side for necropsies.

"They died of impact force to their bodies," said Scott Wright, chief
of disease investigations at the center.

He said the birds clearly showed signs of bruises. The Arkansas Game
and Fish Commission said tests for evidence of pesticide poisoning
were negative.

At least 3000 red-winged blackbirds died on New Year's Eve near
Beebe, Arkansas. Fireworks probably sent them flying from their roost sites.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said the agency began receiving
reports of blackbirds falling from the sky about 11:30 p.m. on 31 Dec
2010 in a one-square-mile area of Beebe.

The mass kill spawned speculation that their demise was caused by a
chemical pollutant, a fear heightened by the arrival in Beebe of
workers combing neighborhoods in hazmat suits. As the story spread,
other theories ranged from biblical apocalypse to proof of the
presence of UFOs.

"It's believed that the noise startled them -- they are poor night
fliers -- and they were in close proximity to neighborhoods, and they
flew into homes and cars (and other objects)," Wright said.

A separate incident near Baton Rouge, Louisiana involving about 450
blackbirds is still under investigation by the center, Wright said.

"I think the 2 events are a coincidence," Wright said. Also
unrelated, he said, are the deaths of more than 80 000 freshwater
drum and a few yellow bass, white bass, and sauger in the Arkansas
River reported on 3 Jan 2011.

Wright said large scale deaths of birds and other species are not
uncommon. Storms, for example, wreak havoc on bird populations. Birds
are also vulnerable to chemical pollution and biological poisoning
from natural toxins.

For the blackbird species alone, there have been 16 incidents in
which 1000 or more birds have died in single events over the past 5
years, he said. The lab analyzes 300 to 500 large die-off events each
year. The deaths involve all wildlife. Deaths in 2010 were as varied
as the demise of 4500 bats from a fungal infection known as
white-nose syndrome in Bucks County, PA to the deaths of 150
raccoons, striped skunks, coyotes and red foxes in Los Angeles County.

The lab's website shows 9 separate mortality events since December
2010 alone. Eight of those events involved bird species, and one
involved the gunshot deaths of dozens of Brazilian free-tailed bats
near Pima, AZ. The National Wildlife Health Center also played a key
role in the study of chronic wasting disease in Wisconsin's
white-tailed deer population after an outbreak in February 2002.

"We don't know what we are going to get tomorrow, or the next day,
but it will be something," Wright said.

[Byline: Lee Bergquist]

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via
ProMED-mail

[The birds reportedly "fell from the sky." Trauma would certainly be
evident. While the necropsy of the birds rules out any apparent foul
play, it does not identify the reason the birds were flying at night
and flying into objects. - Mod.TG]

[see also:
Undiagnosed die-off, avian - USA (02): (AR, LA) 20110105.0055
Undiagnosed die-off, avian - USA: (AR), RFI 20110104.0036]
....................................................sb/tg/msp/mpp

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information, and of any statements or opinions based
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using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
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or archived material.
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Vice Guide to the Carribean / Donkey Love

2011-01-08T07:18:00.004-05:00

Pt. 1; http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=50d_1179015263

Pt. 2; http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=051_1179016330

Pt. 3; http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=b5d_1179017318

Bat Die-Off Moves West to Arizona

2010-12-31T22:39:00.003-05:00

NY and some of the eastern and south-eastern states have experienced a 90% bat-die off over the last couple of years, and now, apparently the disease has migrated all they way across country skipping all the other states but somehow finally end up in Arizona...how odd for it to spread that way.

UNDIAGNOSED DIE-OFF, BATS - USA: (ARIZONA)
******************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: 28 Dec 2010
Source: Arizona Daily Star

Bat die-off here a mystery
--------------------------
Almost 70 bats were found dead Monday morning along an east-side
walking path -- a mystery that has Arizona Game and Fish officials
searching for answers. One possibility: unseasonably warm Tucson,
Arizona, temperatures.

"The whole situation is somewhat of a mystery in part because the bats
are Mexican free-tailed and should have been long gone by now," said
Mark Hart, a spokesman for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. "They
should have migrated to Mexico 2 months ago. What they were doing
there was unclear. Temperatures have been a little warmer. They may
have overstayed their visit."

Early Monday [27 Dec 2010] morning, a local resident was walking his
border collie [dog] along the path that runs under a bridge on East
Speedway where the road crosses the Pantano Wash when he discovered
dozens of bat carcasses strewn across the walking path. "I hike and
bike a lot and go under a lot of bridges, and I've never seen anything
like it," the resident said.

Of the bats found on the ground, 7 were alive. All of the dead bats
and 3 live ones were sent to the Arizona Department of Health Services
laboratory in Phoenix for rabies testing. 4 remaining live bats were
sent to a U.S. Geological Survey laboratory, where they will be tested
for white-nose syndrome, a fungal infection 1st documented in upstate
New York in 2006. The syndrome has killed millions of bats in the East
and has spread as far west as Oklahoma. The infection does not affect
humans, Hart said.

Investigators could find no evidence of foul play in the death of the
bats. Game and Fish officials used metal detectors to look for spent
ammunition, but they found no sign that the bats had been shot. It's
unlikely that the bats were sickened by chemical perhaps used in
surfacing or de-icing the bridge, Hart said. And the chances are
equally remote that almost 70 bats would simultaneously die of rabies.

The more likely hypothesis is that the bats died from the cold after
failing to migrate south to Central America and Mexico for the winter.
Hart said bats are still roosting under the bridge, and he has a
warning for recreationists who may find one of the mammals on the
ground:

"Don't handle or come near a bat that appears to be either dead or
injured," he said. "That would hold true of a lot of different species
of wildlife, but especially bats, because they do carry rabies."

About the species
-----------------
Mexican free-tailed bats (_Tadarida brasiliensis_) like the ones found
under the Pantano Wash bridge, are found in the western United States,
south through Mexico, Central America and into northern South America.
They are medium-size bats, weighing between 0.4 and 0.5 ounces, with a
wingspan between 12 and 14 inches. Their fur is reddish to dark brown
or gray in color. They have broad, black, forward-pointing ears and
wrinkled lips. Their tails extend more than a third beyond the tail
membranes; most other bats have tails that are completely enclosed
within the tail membranes. Their wings are long and narrow.

Mexican free-tailed bats prefer to roost in caves but will also
inhabit attics, bridges and abandoned buildings. They choose roosts
near water because it attracts the insects they eat. Females produce a
single baby each summer, and all of the babies roost in a "nursery" of
sorts, in the highest and warmest reaches of the cave or other roost
site.

[Byline: Kimberly Matas ]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail

[Free-tailed bat is so named because it possesses a tail free and
protruding beyond the uropatagium (hind membrane). The Mexican Free
Tail bat is also known (perhaps more correctly) as the Brazilian Free
Tail bat.

Photos may be found at:

Let's hope that some of the bat bodies were sent to a diagnostic
laboratory for a necropsy and perhaps some testing. - Mod.TG]

[The interactive HealthMap/ProMED map for Arizona is available at:
- CopyEd.EJP]

....................sb/tg/ejp/jw
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and its associated service providers shall not be held
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Honey-Bee Die Off, Colony Collapse, Transmission by Pollen Suspected

2010-12-29T13:20:00.001-05:00

VIRUSES, APIS - USA: POSSIBLE POLLEN TRANSMISSION SUSPECTED
***********************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: Fri 24 Dec 2010
Source: Science News [edited]

So far, 11 species of wild [insect] pollinators in the United States
have turned up carrying some of the viruses known to menace domestic
honeybees, possibly picked up via flower pollen.

Most of these native pollinators haven't been recorded with honeybee
viruses before, according to Diana Cox-Foster of Penn State University
in University Park. The new analysis raises the specter of diseases
swapping around readily among domestic and wild pollinators,
Cox-Foster and her colleagues report online 22 Dec 2010 in PLoS ONE.
Gone are any hopes that viral diseases in honeybees will stay in
honeybees, she says. "Movement of any managed pollinator may introduce
viruses."

A pattern showed up in the survey that fits that unpleasant scenario.
Researchers tested for 5 viruses in pollinating insects and in their
pollen hauls near apiaries in Pennsylvania, New York, and Illinois.
Israeli acute parasitic virus showed up in wild pollinators near
honeybee installations carrying the disease but not near apiaries
without the virus.

In domestic honeybees, such viruses rank as one of the possible
contributors to the still-mysterious malady known as colony collapse
disorder that abruptly wipes out a hive's workforce, Cox-Foster says.

Now she and others are looking at what the viruses do to wild
pollinators. Preliminary results of ongoing lab tests show some
disturbing effects, Cox-Foster says. "Is this part of the reason why
we've seen the decline of native pollinator species in the US?" she
muses.

Surveys show that wild bumblebees, for example, are dwindling in
numbers, and the new study raises further concerns. "We recognize that
those viruses likely pose a major threat to wild bumblebees," says
Sarina Jepsen of the Xerces Society, an invertebrate conservation
group in Portland, Oregon.

One of the most interesting results in the study is the detection of
deformed-wing virus and sacbrood virus in pollen carried by foraging
bees that weren't infected themselves, comments Michelle Flenniken of
the University of California, San Francisco, who has studied bee
viruses but was not involved in the new work.

Healthy foraging insects carrying virus-laden pollen are one of the
pieces of evidence that Cox-Foster and her colleagues use to argue
that pollen by itself can transmit viral infections. "Knowing that
viruses are found in and can be transmitted from pollen is an
important finding," says Flenniken. This raises concerns about
possible virus transmission through the 200 tons of honeybee-collected
pollen used to feed bumblebees in bee-raising operations worldwide,
Cox-Foster says.

[Byline: Susan Milius]

--
Communicated by:
Thomas James Allen

[Interesting connections seem like they are being made. Perhaps this
will lead to treatment or prevention for colony collapse disorder. -
Mod.TG]

[Images of honeybee compared to bumblebee:

- Mod.JW]

[The PLoS paper mentioned above is available at
.
- Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[see also:
Colony collapse disorder, apis - USA: possible cause 20101007.3635
Colony collapse disorder, apis - Europe: EU 20100915.3348
2009
----
Colony collapse disorder, apis - USA: cause 20090826.3008
Colony collapse disorder, apis - USA: multiple causes susp 20090731.2687
2008
----
Undiagnosed die-off, apis - China: (GD), RFI 20081119.3654
Undiagnosed die-off, apis - UK: pesticides susp. 20081004.3133
Honeybee die-off - UK 20080818.2574
Colony collapse disorder, apis - Germany: chemical ban 20080613.1868
2007
----
Colony collapse disorder, apis - USA: (FL) 20071026.3490
Undiagnosed die-off, apis - USA (Multistate) (03): agent identified
20070907.2960
Undiagnosed die-off, apis - USA : (Multistate) (02) 20070503.1436
Undiagnosed die-off, apis - USA : (Multistate) (02) 20070503.1435
Undiagnosed die-off, apis - USA (Multistate) 20070208.0497]
........................................tg/mj/jw
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
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Deep Inside the Enemy Camp - A PAC Against Animal Rights and the Politicians Who Support Them

2010-12-29T04:39:00.005-05:00

The Sportsmen and Animal Owners' Voting Alliance (SAOVA) is a nationwide, nonpartisan group of volunteers seeking to elect politicians who will oppose the "Animal Rightist" (AR) threat to "their rights as Americans" to own and/or exploit animals in any way they see fit,..much like any other "property" or comodity they own. It is the only national group working to protect both sportsmen and animal owners in the legislative and political arenas. SAOVA's members hunt, fish and own livestock, dogs, cats and other pets. They study political candidates in all states to identify those who understand and resist the AR threat, as well as those who are in the pocket of the Animal Rightists."

SAOVA Website; http://saova.org/ARPACS.html

And the politicians who love them;
http://votesmart.org/issue_rating_detail.php?r_id=2104&rtype=E

Lost Dog - Boxer / N. Greenbush, NY

2010-12-26T09:31:00.001-05:00

Please keep an eye out for this poor lost dog. His name is Diesel, a 2yr old neutered male boxer missing from the fenced yard at his residence on Rt.4 North Greenbush, 2 miles south of Hudson Valley College. Please contact the owner at 518-369-7769 or Animal Control at 518-810-2400. There is a 1,000 dollar Reward

Just a Dog

2010-12-24T17:27:00.003-05:00

JUST A DOG

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog,"
or "that's a lot of money for just a dog."

They don't understand the distance travelled, the time spent,
or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog,"
but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by
"just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch
of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you probably understand
phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship,
trust, and pure unbridled joy.
"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience
that make me a better person.
Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look
longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog"
but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts
away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that its' not "just a dog"
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being
"just a man" or "just a woman."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog,"
just smile,
because they "just don't understand."

~Unknown Author~

Dont Breed or Buy While Shelter Animals Die

Save a Life Not Create a Life

ADOPT!

Senate Bill Outlaws Shark Finning

2010-12-21T17:48:00.000-05:00

Restricts Shark Fin Trading

On Monday the Senate passed legislation that will promote the conservation of sharks internationally and provide a more equal playing field for U.S. fishermen. The bill, sponsored by Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass), closes loopholes in a ban on shark finning imposed by then-president Clinton.

First, vessels are prohibited from having custody, control, or possession of shark fins without the corresponding carcass. Second, it is a violation of law if the total weight of shark fins landed or found on board exceeds 5 percent of the total weight of shark carcasses. Third, and most particularly, all sharks landed must have their fins naturally attached.

With more than 90% of the sharks already absent from world oceans, this is legislation is a big step for sharks. If one is going to kill and harvest a shark, one must use the whole shark. The bill legislates public shame under the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act with the identification and prominent listing of nations that have fishing vessels that have not adopted a regulatory program for the conservation of sharks that is similar to the U.S.

More good news on sharks - the Shark Conservation Act has passed the House, and now only needs President Obama's signature to become law!

Directors Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud in their film Oceans show from underwater the dropping into the ocean of a shark with dorsal and tail fin cut off. The shark is still alive and sinks despite attempting to swim. The cameraman/diver follows the shark down to a sandy bottom where the shark continues to try to swim to no avail. Such images are not easily forgotten. Now shark finning legislation enacted by the Senate and House outlaws such terrible treatment of sharks.

Vulture Die Off / Poisoning / Kenya

2010-12-19T15:29:00.001-05:00

CARBOFURAN POISONING, VULTURES - KENYA
**************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: 17 Dec 2010
Source: BBC Earth News [edited]

Poisoning drives vulture decline in Masai Mara, Kenya
-----------------------------------------------------
Vulture populations in one of Africa's most important wildlife
reserves have declined by 60 percent, say scientists. The researchers
suggest that the decline of vultures in Kenya's Masai Mara is being
driven by poisoning. The US-based Peregrine Fund says farmers
occasionally lace the bodies of dead cattle or goats with a toxic
pesticide called furadan. [Furadan is a carbamate pesticide. - Mod.TG]
This appears to be aimed at carnivores that kill the livestock, but
one carcass can poison up to 150 vultures.

Munir Virani, who is director of the Peregrine Fund's Africa programs,
has called for use of Furadan to be banned in the region "to preserve
these keystone members of the scavenging community. People may think
of vultures as ugly and disgusting, but the birds are essential for
the ecosystem," he says.

Their taste for carrion actually makes them the landscape's clean-up
team -- ensuring the region is not littered with bodies, helping
contain the spread of disease and recycling nutrients.

The results of this latest survey of vultures are published in the
journal Biological Conservation. The terrible consequences of a
vulture population crash have already been demonstrated during a case
that became known as the Asian vulture crisis. Populations of Gyps
vultures in particular, in South Asia, crashed by more than 95 percent
over just a few years in the 1990s, primarily because farmers treated
their cattle with the pain-killing drug diclofenac [acid].

The pain-killer, it turned out, was lethal to the vultures, which fed
on the dead cattle. As well as driving 3 species of vulture to the
brink of extinction, the crisis provided a huge amount of food for
wild dogs, which moved in to take the place of the birds. This had the
devastating side-effect of increasing the spread of rabies. And Dr
Virani is concerned that a similar situation could happen in Kenya.

The solution in Africa though, could be much more straightforward than
in South Asia. By boosting the public image of vultures in the
country, the Peregrine Fund hopes to stop people from carrying out
these "revenge poisoning attacks."

Between 2003 and 2005, Dr Virani and his colleagues drove across the
expansive Kenyan landscapes, counting vultures. He and his colleagues
then compared the results of these surveys with the results of surveys
carried out in the 1980s. The comparison revealed a 60 percent decline
in vultures.

Corinne Kendal's work has taken this survey a step further. Ms Kendal
is a researcher from Princeton University in the USA, who has also
been working with the Peregrine Fund -- tracking and monitoring the
birds to investigate the extent of the poisoning.

"We attached the GPS trackers like little backpacks," she tells BBC
News. "There's a piece that sits on their chest and 2 loops around
each wing. But we had 4 out of 16 vultures killed in the 1st year and
3 of those were confirmed cases of poisoning. From a sample of 16,
it's difficult to know how representative that is, but it's extremely
worrying."

The transmitters also revealed that most of the poisoning happened
outside of the reserve, which is a protected area.

"If they stayed in the Mara Serengeti they would hardly ever get
poisoned," says Ms Kendall. "But, based on the transmitters, it
appears that the vultures that use the Masai Mara have very large home
ranges -- from 30 000 to 80 000 square kilometres [11 583 to 30 888
square miles], depending on the species." And the birds can travel
over 250km [155 miles] in a single day. This means that poisoning in
and around the Masai Mara could have an effect on the vulture
populations, not just in other parts of Kenya, but in other countries
in Africa.

Ms Kendall explains to BBC News that in the Mara ecosystem, the birds
consume 70 percent of all available meat. "If we lose vultures,
there's no other animal that will be able to consume the volume," she
says.

The reserve is a vast dining table for the birds, especially during
the annual wildebeest migration, when 1.5 million of the animals march
across the plains in search of grass.

"So without vultures, during the wildebeest migration you would have
carcasses lying everywhere and you would see lots of disease spread,"
said Ms Kendall.

Under threat
------------
In the last 3 months alone, Dr Virani says he has discovered 6 cases
where vultures have been poisoned.

The Peregrine Fund has now recommend that 3 vulture species -- the
African white-backed, Ruppell's, and hooded vultures -- be relisted as
Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, an internationally recognized
compilation of threatened species.

"If we lost the vultures," says Dr Murani, "tourists would have to
travel around the reserve with face masks on, because the stench from
rotting wildebeest carcasses would be unbearable."

[Byline: Victoria Gill]

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail

[Furadan or Curater is the market name for carbofuran, a very toxic
carbamate pesticide. Carbofuran is a systemic plant insecticide
meaning the plant can take it up through the roots and the plant pests
are killed when they consume the plant. Carbofuran is also toxic to
insects via contact with them.

Carbamates are a class of chemicals that work by reversibly inhibiting
acetylcholine esterase, a nerve transmitter. In contrast,
organophosphates irreversibly inhibit acetylcholine esterase.

Carbofuran has been banned from use in Europe and Canada. The US EPA
(Environmental Protection Agency) announced its intention in 2009 to
stop use of the chemical on all crops produced for human consumption.
In essence, it has had the same effect as banning the chemical in the
USA.

Prior to the ban of the granular form of the chemical, one granule was
enough to kill a bird of substantial size. There is a liquid
formulation that is less harmful to birds. However 1 teaspoon of the
liquid is enough to kill a 70 kg [155 pound] human.

These formulations, however illegal, remain a major culprit for
wildlife deaths in Canada, the USA and Britain. Domestic animals in
these same countries are also targeted with this poison. Especially
the granular formulation and to a lesser extent the liquid formulation
has been used in Kenya to kill lions.

Photos of the African White-backed vulture (_Gyps africanus_) may be found at:

and

Photos of Ruppell's vulture (_Gyps ruepellii_ [that is NOT a typo])
may be found at:
and

Photos of hooded vultures (_Necrosyrtes monachus_) may be found at:
and

References:
-----------
CBS News 60 Minutes tv show:

BBC News:

Wobeser et al. 2004. Secondary poisoning of eagles following
intentional poisoning of coyotes with anticholinesterase pesticides in
Western Canada. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 40(2):163-172

US EPA/OPPTS; Reregistration Eligibility Decisions (REDs) Database on
Carbofuran (1563-66-2). EPA-738-R-06-031. August 2006

Environment New Service:
- Mod.TG]

[Location map of Kenya:

Location map of Masai Mara Reserve:

-Mod.JW]

[see also:
2009
----
NSAID intoxication, vulture - Asia (03): ketoprofen, pot. hazard
20091213.4235
NSAID intoxication, vulture - Asia (02): ketoprofen, pot. hazard
20091211.4218
NSAID intoxication, vulture - Asia: ketoprofen, pot. hazard 20091210.4204
2008
----
Rabies, vulture die-off - India (02): link susp. 20080818.2576
Rabies, vulture die-off - India: link susp. 20080817.2554
2006
----
Vulture die-off - Africa, Asia (02) 20061110.3236
Vulture die-off - Africa, Asia 20060718.1978
2005
----
Vulture die-off - India (Gujarat) 20050612.1644
2004
----
West Nile virus, vulture - Russia (Vladivostok) 20040630.1744
Vulture die-off - India, Pakistan, Nepal 20040204.0415
2003
----
Vulture die-off - India, Pakistan, Nepal (02) 20030620.1515
Vulture die-off - India: etiology 20030613.1459
Vulture die-off - India: RFI 20030612.1447
Vulture die-off - India, Pakistan, Nepal 20030212.0375
Rabies and vulture die-off - India 20030207.0329
2002
----
Vulture die-off - India, Pakistan, Nepal (04) 20021018.5590
Vulture die-off - India, Pakistan, Nepal (03) 20021015.5557
Vulture die-off - India, Pakistan, Nepal (02) 20021014.5552
Vulture die-off - India, Pakistan, Nepal: RFI 20021010.5514
2001
----
Vulture die-off - India (04) 20010210.027
2000
----
Vulture die-off - India (03) 20000922.1637
Vulture die-off - India (02) 20000920.1619
Vulture die-off - India 20000530.0867
....................sb/tg/ejp/jw
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to
an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
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.
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TEXAS CONSUMERS SUE TO STOP HORRIFIC CONDITIONS FOR CHICKENS AT CAL-MAINE EGG PRODUCTION FACILITY

2010-12-15T00:48:00.001-05:00

Video footage documenting the extreme cruelty is available here: http://aldf.org/article.php?id=1552

State Agencies Brought under Fire for Failing to Uphold Special Texas Law Outlining Basic Mandates for Protecting Confined Birds

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Concerned residents of Travis County and Gonzales County, Texas, represented by the national non-profit Animal Legal Defense Fund, are filing a lawsuit in Travis County District Court today in an effort to stop the horrific abuses to birds and the human health risks posed by Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.—the nation’s largest egg supplier—at its chicken-raising and egg production facility in Waelder, Texas. Cal-Maine came under an international spotlight last month when an undercover investigation there revealed harrowing, clearly illegal conditions for chickens and a veritable breeding ground for human health threats. The three plaintiffs, who eat eggs and are thus at risk for contracting diseases like salmonella that can be generated at dirty and improperly regulated egg production facilities, are suing the Texas Public Health Commissioner, the Texas Commissioner of Agriculture, and the Texas Animal Health Commission for their failure to protect public health, public safety, and animal welfare in accordance with Texas law. Facilities with conditions like those at Cal–Maine’s Waelder farm have had their eggs recalled in the past.

Why are Texas residents taking their concerns about the treatment of Cal-Maine’s chickens to court? Texas has a special law protecting its feathered residents—Texas Health and Safety Code § 821.003 provides that persons who receive live birds for confinement must keep coops, crates or cages clean, must not overcrowd chickens confined in a cage, and must immediately remove all injured, diseased, or dead birds from coops, crates, or cages. This is in stark contrast with the nightmarish conditions at Cal-Maine that made international headlines last month when a four-week undercover investigation of the facility by the Humane Society of the United States revealed hens confined in overcrowded cages with the rotting corpses of long-dead birds, chickens drowned in filthy manure pits, hens covered in feces from birds in the cages above them, birds suffering from severe, bloody uterine prolapses, and eggs destined for human consumption covered in blood and feces.

The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief for an immediate stop to the abusive practices at the Waelder, Texas egg production facility, which violate state law and endanger public health and welfare. Because the state agencies named in the lawsuit are charged with enforcing the Texas Health and Safety Code—including its specific mandates with regards to the confinement of birds—the lawsuit also asks the Court to find, as a matter of law, that these agencies must administer the law statewide in the future – the same law which is being rampantly violated at the Cal-Maine facility.

“Texas law is clear in its provision to provide protections for birds kept in crates, coops, and cages,” says Stephen Wells, executive director of the Animal Legal Defense Fund. “The horrifying sight of birds at the Cal-Maine egg production facility covered in filth and crammed in cages with the decaying corpses of other birds is not only shocking in its cruelty—it is an affront to Texas law and a true health threat to consumers, who have real reason to be concerned about the safety of their eggs.”

ALDF was founded in 1979 with the unique mission of protecting the lives and advancing interests of animals through the legal system. A copy of the complaint is available upon request.
For more information, visit www.aldf.org

Over-Vaccination & Thyroid Problems

2010-12-14T11:59:00.001-05:00

http://www.jersanctuary.org/2010/12/over-vaccination-low-thyroid-and-behavioral-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-1025

Professional Animal Torturers Issue Proclaimation Against ARAs

2010-12-10T12:40:00.008-05:00

Organizations Unite Against AR Violence

AALAS - The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science - has issued a position statement condemning threats and harassment of those who work with animals in research.
AALAS's stance comes in the wake of the latest of numerous incidents - a razor-laden death threat being sent to UCLA neuroscientist, Pro-Test for Science founder and AMP director J. David Jentsch, and the targeting by militants of one of his graduate students.

The statement from AALAS reads in part:

"Acts of terrorism do not result in improvements in animal welfare. Progress comes only from thoughtful discussion and scientific assessment of alternative methods that refine the animal research process-efforts that AALAS itself fosters through educational and scientific programs. Terrorism in the name of "animal rights" jeopardizes the lives of people and animals-in the present by the violence itself, and in the future by hindering the progress of ethical animal-based research designed to find cures and treatments for diseases that affect humans and animals. The AALAS membership extends heartfelt support to our scientific colleagues and their families who have been affected by threats and acts of violence."

This most welcome comment is the latest by a large membership professional association. The 80,000 member AVMA - American Veterinary Medical Association - issued a condemnation of violence, as has the American Society of Primatologists, and Society for Neuroscience. We understand other associations' statements will be issued in coming days.
Visit the Speaking of Research website to read a letter of appreciation by Dr. Jentsch in which he also talks about some of the personal comments of support he and his fellow scientists have received. Be sure not to miss the comments section: In reply to an activist, he states:

"Both in the UK and in the US, researchers are finding the confidence they need to confront the terror face forwards. The days of people being forced into giving up biomedical research are nearly (if not already) over. We may move; we may have extra security concerns; but that's only because of our determination to continue our struggle against human suffering through responsible research. "I am only one person; there are tens of thousands like me that are just as committed. The violence and hate of animal rights extremists will not prevail."

Full article; http://www.aalas.org/headlines/detail.aspx?id=191

Riverside, Ca. Cat Cruelty Case / Offenders Need to Be Found

2010-12-07T22:17:00.002-05:00

PHONE CALLS NEEDED.

Please call and speak with the shelter manager and request that this cat NOT be released to its owner, and ONLY be released to a responsible rescue group.

Supposedly, this is at least the 2nd act of abuse to this specific cat, and the 5th or so time something similar has happened at this apartment complex. Plus she's not spayed!

Please call and speak to the shelter manager and request that this cat ONLY be released to a rescue group, where she will receive proper medical care, be spayed, and placed into a loving home.

CONTACT NUMBER: 951-358-7387
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2010 7:46 PM
Subject: RIVERSIDE, CA: Cat Tortured in DRYER, etc...

This kitty was taken to Riverside shelter...I searched Petharbor.com but am not sure which cat it is.
PLEASE NETWORK and let's get this cat out of there!!!!

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-cat-drier,0,239154.story

Cat Tortured, Bound With Duct Tape, Left in Clothes Dryer to Die

The cat suffered a fractured tooth and some bleeding in her left eye but she is expected to survive.
Officer Chris Peck Holds Cat Found in Drier

4:17 p.m. PST, December 3, 2010

RIVERSIDE ( KTLA) -- Authorities are searching for the person who tortured a cat by binding it with duct tape and placing it into a clothes dryer.

It happened at an apartment complex on Watkins Drive near UC Riverside.

A resident found the animal and called police who immediately alerted the Animal Services Department.

Officers say they are not sure whether the dryer was turned on after the cat was put inside but given the injuries sustained by the animal, "there is a good chance the dryer was turned on when the cat was inside," said Sgt. Jason Sanders of Riverside County Animal Services.

"This is an act of a coward," Sgt. Sanders said. "Who would do something like this to a defenseless animal? I hope the person is found and brought to justice."

The 4-year old female tabby was taken to Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter in Riverside.

Veterinarians removed the duct tape and say the cat suffered a fractured tooth and some bleeding in her left eye but she is expected to survive.

Riverside County Animal Services Registered Veterinary Technician Eileen Sanders said the cat is doing remarkably well despite what she called a malicious act against her.

"I can't imagine what this poor thing must have felt going through that ordeal," Sanders said.

"Whoever did this is going to move up and harm other animals -- or maybe people."

Sanders believes the cat may be a new mom and say they're concerned there could be a litter of starving kittens that have been left to fend for themselves.

Officers searched the apartment complex but as of late Friday afternoon, no litter was found.

Authorities are asking the public's for help and urge anyone who may have seen anything to call

951-358-PETS (7387)

--
Shelley Davis
Independent Animal Rescue Aide
(661)340-5615 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (

END BUSH TAX CUTS
CUT MILITARY SPENDING NOT SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE
PEACE THE DEFICIT BUSTER
NO CORPORATE MONIES FOR ELECTIONS
NO TAX DOLLARS FOR ISRAEL HELP AMERICANS FIRST
FREE LEONARD PELTIER AN INNOCENT MAN

I GoodSearch & GoodShop for Save Our Tribal Youth - SOTY (Tarrytown, NY)
ID: 893022

Gassing Pigs

2010-12-03T23:34:00.001-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N082tXCac08&feature=player_embedded

Lamb Slaughter

2010-12-03T23:16:00.000-05:00

http://www.apacheclips.com/media/22505/How_does_this_make_you_feel_AC_Britain_goes_halal../

Suscribe to Animals Voice Magazine

2010-11-26T13:32:00.001-05:00

Dear Animals Voice Supporter,

The November/December 2010 Issue of The Animals Voice Magazine is now available. Our cover story exposes the plight of rabbits worldwide. Wild horses, Vietnamese dogs, the fur industry, vivisection, and dolphins round out the issue.

To purchase your copy, please use the link below:

http://www.magcloud.com/browse/Issue/133473

To purchase a digital copy, please use this link and then choose the PDF button under the photo of the magazine:

http://www.animalsvoice.com/magazine/

Thank you for your purchase!

The Animals Voice

Fur-Free Friday - 11/26 Albany, NY Demos

2010-11-25T00:19:00.001-05:00

Hi all,

Just a quick reminder that Fur Free Friday is only a couple of days away!

Please join us as we protest the barbaric fur industry:

Friday, November 26th
8:45AM
Corner of Western Ave and Fuller Rd
Albany

After approximately two hours we'll be moving on to a few other locations.

Feel free to make your own sign, or use one of ours.

Hope to see you there!

Jessica Ryle
Adirondack Animal Rights
Glens Falls, NY
adkanimalrights@gmail.com
www.adirondackanimalrights.org

Follow us on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=260512472314&ref=ts

Upstate NY Animal Rights Meetup Group:
http://www.meetup.com/Upstate-NY-Animal-Rights-Meetup/

Do you have questions about animal rights or veganism? Ask us anonymously here:
http://www.formspring.me/ADKAnimalRights

Do You Know Where Your Fur Comes From?

2010-11-24T00:34:00.001-05:00

Chances are, it was ripped off of the animal alive. WARNING Graphic undercover vid of Chinese fur trade;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_8Ko-9uKRs&has_verified=1

Cruelty of "Hog-Dog" Hunting

2010-11-17T05:28:00.001-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVteBX8PQIc&feature=related

Why dont they just shoot the poor pig once the dog has it cornered?

Mexican Teens Have a Ball Burning a Cat Alive

2010-11-17T04:36:00.000-05:00

http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhS6nosGFgZzI7UXw4

Oak Valley SPCA Leaves Caged Cats Outside to Linger and Langush Til Dead

2010-11-17T04:29:00.002-05:00

http://catdefender.blogspot.com/2010/08/valley-oak-spca-kills-cat-by-allowing.html

Pig Farm Cruelty

2010-11-12T02:54:00.000-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDiSR0LGry8&feature=player_embedded

Diabetic Kitties

2010-11-03T09:34:00.000-04:00

The Lantus my vet prescribed for my kitty comes in a pen. You just screw
the needle on the end of the pen, turn the dial for the desired dose, remove
the needle cap and administer. When the pen is empty the dial for adjusting
dosage will not turn so no danger of giving an injection when the pen has
been used up. The needles are DB Ultra Fine lll pen needles. They are 5mm
(3/16in) in length and are 31 gauge. I inject the insulin into Nota's
scruff.

My glucometer is an Accu-Chek Compact Plus. It was free with the first
package of test strips. There is a lancet pen attached to the glucometer or
you can remove it and use it separately.. When the glucometer is turned on
to test it automatically dispenses a strip. You have 5 minutes to allow the
strip to draw up 1.5 microlitres of blood before the machine automatically
turns off. After testing I just turn the meter off and it automatically
ejects the strip into the garbage or wherever. The meter has a memory for
500 tests. It measures glucose in mmol/L or mg/dL. It even has an alarm
function to remind you when to test when during a glucose curve.

I find the combination of the pen and the meter very easy to work with.

Shoot a Tame Deer or a Zebra at "Heartless" Canned Hunt Ranch

2010-11-02T01:03:00.005-04:00

I dont think they advertize it here, on their website, but I have heard from other sources you can bag a captive zebra here;

http://heartland-wildlife.com/Heartland_Wildlife_Ranches/Welcome.html

Justice for Baby Elephant Tortured to Death by Whole Town

2010-10-31T01:01:00.000-04:00

http://apps.facebook.com/petitions/276/justice-for-baby-elephant-tortured-to-death-as-police-watch/

Battling Cancer Together: An ARA & Her Dog

2010-10-30T03:30:00.009-04:00

Hello, My name is Dawna and my dog Suzie and I are both battling cancer

This is my Suzie Q. She came to me about 10 years ago, just before I was diagnosed in Sept. 2001 with Stage 3 Breast Cancer. When I had my surgery for it in 2002, Suzie never ever left my side. At that time she was able to jump up on my bed & sleep or just stay right beside me if I ever needed her. After going through a radical right mastectomy with limpnoid removal & 6 months of chemotherapy, she showed more compassion then any human ever could. When I went through Chemo, it almost killed me, several times. Several times I had fallen and couldnt get up, but she was there for me and I would tell her, go get Daddy (my husband Ed) & she would!!!! She would find him no matter what & bark, run to me, then go to him, bark & then run to me. I would have died if not for this girl! She is now battling Cancer herself as well & I want to be there for her! Her vet bill so far is in excess of $900.00. and she will need continuing treatment and care. Being on disability with my husband only receiving retirement from social security, we have pawned or sold everything to save our girl. My plea to fellow animal lovers and advocates is to help us to be able to help her. She deserves all the time she can get but I need help paying her vet bills. So far she is doing well but after talking to our vet, her days are few so we are enjoying what time we have left with each other so I can tell her just what a special girl she really is! In January 2010 I was diagnosed with Liver cancer & Suzie was diagnosed with a mast cell type cancer. Her & I went through surgery at the same time. Me in Shands at Gainesville University & her at Dr. Amy Huff in Leesburg, Fl. We both came through our surgeries amazingly enough with the same amount of sutures!. We went through our rehab together & now she had to have surgery again to remove a tumor blocking blood flow to her leg. If anybody can please help us, I would be eternally grateful! She saved my life, I'm just trying to make her life good until we have to say our farewell.

Contributions to Suzies fund are not tax-deductable but will be greatly appreciated.

Contributions can be made directly to the vet at:

Suzies Fund

c/o Animal Clinic of Leesburg
1231 W. Dixie Ave.
Leesburg, Fl 34748.
Tele# (352)326-8940

Thank you

Dawna Christy & Suzie

(352) 429-8058
sidetraked@directv.net

The American Research Facility Animal Experimentation Entitlement Act

2010-10-28T19:34:00.002-04:00

Otherwise known as the Federal Animal Welfare Act, enacted to codify that animal experimentation is "A-ok" in the USA...http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/awa/awa.pdf

A Tough Call Tomorrow: Big Eyes Failing

2010-10-18T22:39:00.004-04:00

A little way into this short vid you will meet Big-Eyes,(at 0:54 sec.) an ex-feral we rescued about 5 years ago but he came with a severe case of peridontal disease and we and our vet have been battling with it ever-since. He has had most of his teeth pulled over the years, and has been on un-ending regimins of anti-biotics and predizone and even steriod shots. Over the last couple of days he has taken a turn for the worse. Doc says she belives the infection has gone to the bone in his jaw and now is even effecting his breating (sinisus). His mouth is swollen to the point where he cant even close it no more and his tounge is sticking out. Hes drooling and mouth bleeding and now trouble breathing...Poor thing hasent eaten much at all in days...he tried, but cant seem to manage even liquids anymore without going into pain. Even pain meds dont help at this point. We have tried everything short of removing parts of his jaw. Trip to the vet in the morning for one more (final?) evaluation but it does not look good for him. I simply cannot stand by and watch him suffer and slowly starve to death. Tomorrow it will be tough-decision time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yCb-ts_FKk

RIP Big Eye
Humanely Euthanized and Passed Peacefully in My Arms as I Wispered Sweet Nothings in His Ear and Scratched Him Behind the Ears.

Someday I will tell you the story of what we went through with Big Eye's and his peridontal disease. We thought we were doing everything possible, extracting teeth, antibiotics and predisone everyday,...near the end we tried steroid shots but it didnt do any good...but what I am finding out through further research into this disease makes me wonder,...did we really do everything possible? Was there another course? Was there a better way? Was there something we overlooked in the way of treatment and/or prevention? I cant get this question out of my head, but the answer is a definate "I think so." I hate to say it...but I think we missed an opportunity to increase his chances of survival. For starters, waay back when the vets first started pulling his teeth, a few at a time cause they wanted to save the ones they could,.... I think, given his history and problems with peridontal disease, that ALL of his teeth should have come out...the hell with trying to save a few ... these are the ones that got re-infected and ulcerated. These are the ones that let the infection get to the bone, all the while on predizone....hummmm. I am SO sorry Big-Eye. In our ignorance and BLIND FAITH in our vets, we could have done better by you. You might have still been with us today. At least you are out of pain and for that I am glad. We miss you.

Horses in Danger in Upstate NY

2010-10-17T13:31:00.002-04:00

gelding, bay, stocky hackney/welsh X, stands for farrier, trlrs, 15yrs 13.2H, drives only, not broke to ride, companion/driver,

$350 Feura Bush, NY (518) 269-2447

What to do about Duke.

2010-10-14T12:17:00.002-04:00

Duke, our old new england that we rescued from a fighting ring several years ago, got kicked by the donk and got himself mortally wounded. Had him to the vet who several days ago said it appears as if his chest bone was broken but said as long as he is up and around and eating well, he might be ok, as long as there was no internal bleeding. He did alright for a few days, but this morning I found him on his side, not moving. No reaction when I called him and cold to the touch, though he did raise his little head when I petted him. No doubt in my mind that he is dying. Vet says best way to end his suffering is to "give him the axe." God I hate this part of loving them. Thinking now what shall I do? I would really rather he go on his own but how long should I wait? What would you do? Advice please..

Update: Took Duke to vet same day to have him properly euthanized. RIP Duke. You were a good boy.

March of the Penguins

2010-10-12T20:27:00.002-04:00

Pt. 1; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLONbYQiISM
Pt. 2; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLgtBNMV0Mw&feature=related

A Historic Overview of the Govts Preditor Control Program on Public Lands

2010-10-09T19:21:00.002-04:00

http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1119&context=hwi

Celebrities Celebrate Animals with PETA

2010-09-29T01:52:00.002-04:00

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-496366?hpt=Sbin

Boycott All Things China

2010-09-27T11:34:00.003-04:00

RABIES - CHINA: (GUANGXI) COUNTERFEIT HUMAN VACCINE
********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: Sun 26 Sep 2010
Source: CRIEnglish.com, Xinhua News Agency report [edited]

Local drug authorities said Sunday [26 Sep 2010] that 8 people have
been arrested in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region for
producing or selling fake rabies vaccinations which caused the death
of a child and threatened more than 1000 others.

"They will be prosecuted for the fake rabies vaccines in Laibin
City," Guangxi's regional drug administration said in a statement.
The statement, which did not name the suspects, said the authorities
discovered 1263 fake rabies shots in a 2-month period from January
[2010]. Some 1214 of the shots had already been [administered]. The
fake shots, found in 13 village hospitals and 20 privately-run
clinics in Xinbin District, Laibin City, were reportedly produced by
an underground workshop and sold for about 330 000 yuan (USD 48 530).

Drug authorities have confiscated all the remaining fake shots. The
vaccine scandal was uncovered in December last year [2009], after the
death of a 4-year-old child. The child died 3 weeks after he was
bitten by a dog in his home village in Xinbin District. The victim's
father said the child received 6 rabies vaccine shots for 700 yuan
[approx USD 103] at the village clinic. "He had a high fever and
couldn't eat or drink after the shots," said Ye.

Local authorities said the boy was the only confirmed victim of the
fake shots so far, adding that there have been no other reports of
the fake shots causing health problems. By June [2010], health
workers in Laibin had located all the patients who had received the
fake shots and had given them a free standard shot.

Rabies has emerged as a major public health issue in China. Last year
[2009] China was 2nd only to India in the number of human deaths
caused by rabies. Around 2000 people per year in China die from rabies.

[Byline: Xu Leiying]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail

[A similar incident was reported in February 2009 (ProMED-mail
archive number 20090219.0691) in Liaoning province involved the
recall of 320 000 doses of a contaminated rabies vaccine produced by
a single manufacturer. In that incident there were no adverse
consequences. The current incident in Laibin City, Guangxi Zhuang
Autonomous Region, involves the sale of a counterfeit product
manufactured by an unlicenced supplier. Since the incubation period
for rabies virus infection in humans may vary from a few days to
several years, but typically is 1 to 3 months, it is likely that
death of the 4-year-old child 3 weeks after being bitten by a dog can
be attributed to the fake vaccine rather than disease. No other
adverse outcomes have been reported so far.

Guangxi, in southern China, is one of China's 5 minority autonomous
regions. A map of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region can be accessed at
.
A map of the provinces of China is available at
, and the
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of China at
. - Mod.CP]

[see also:
2009
----
Rabies - China (04): Ministry report 20090927.3379
Rabies vaccine - China: recall, RFI 20090219.0691
2008
----
Announcements (03): Rabies vaccine supply limited - USA (CDC) 20080826.2659
2005
----
Rabies, human - China: vaccine failure suspected 20050718.2071
2004
----
Rabies vaccine: recall (03) 20040406.0939
Rabies vaccine: recall (02) 20040403.0911
Rabies vaccine: recall 20040402.0909]
...................................sb/cp/mj/mpp

*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to
an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
scribe at .
For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.
############################################################
############################################################

DIE-OFF, FARMED FOX - RUSSIA: (KHANTIA-MANSIA) REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

2010-09-09T22:29:00.002-04:00

**********************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: Thu 2 Sep 2010
Source: Parliamentary newspaper "Izvestia Tyumenskiye" [in Russian, trans.
Corr.ATS, edited]

A mass die-off of young foxes has occurred in a government-owned fox farm
in Khantia-Mansia autonomous okrug [district]. Since May 2010, about
1700-1900 out of 3000 red and black-silver young foxes have died in the
farm. All the animals were less than 1 year old. The cause of this incident
is not clear yet.

An immunisation [the source does not mention the antigen] was carried out
in an attempt to stop the mortality. The managers consider that the danger
has gone because the die-off has stopped and the adult vixens remained
alive. There is a possibility that contaminated feed caused this die-off. A
regional veterinarian said that there is a reason to believe that
_Clostridium perfringens_ caused all this trouble because some tests
reacted positively for this bacterium. Another hypothesis is the presence
of fungal toxins, such as aflatoxin.

[byline: Vitaly Titov]

--
communicated by:
ProMED-RUS

[Final field or laboratory based diagnostic conclusions would be
appreciated. - Mod.AS

Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug-Ugra or Khantia-Mansia, is an autonomous
district of Tyumen Oblast (region) in Central Russia. It can be seen on the
map at .
The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Russia is available at
. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

.................ats/arn/mj/sh

*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to
an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
scribe at .
For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.

Shrine Circus Protest this Saturday

2010-09-09T14:28:00.000-04:00

Hi all! Here are some more details on Saturday's circus protests. Please share and crosspost widely!

Please join Adirondack Animal Rights for a demonstration against circus cruelty.

Saturday, September 11th
1:00PM and 6:00PM
West Glens Falls Fireman's Field
33 Luzerne Road
Queensbury, NY 12804

Some signs will be provided. Please feel free to make your own.

Walker Bros. Circus will be performing. http://www.facebook.com/l/06c76z1Ri0imJcyzrZuWkctZ6lQ;www.walkerbrotherscircus.com/

According to the information I have been given, they use horses, ponies and dogs. While most of the anti-circus information out there focuses on exotic animals, it is important to remember that all animals in the circus suffer, regardless of species.

While there is very little regulation and protection for exotic animals used incircuses, there is even less for domesticated animals in the circus.

According to the PETA factsheet on Walker Bros Circus:

"Walker Bros. Circus has failed to meet minimal federal standards for the care of animals used in exhibition as established in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has charged Walker Bros. Circus with numerous violations of the AWA, including failure to maintain programs of disease control and prevention for transporting two elephants infected with a human strain of tuberculosis and endangering both animal and human lives. In 2004, Walker Bros. Circus admitted to 18 violations of the AWA. Walker Bros. Circus no longer has its own USDA license..."

Thank you for your time and I hope to see you on Saturday!

Jessica Ryle
Adirondack Animal Rights
Glens Falls, NY
adkanimalrights@gmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/l/06c76-R_g2pkV9ppd7rtW60NuEg;www.adirondackanimalrights.org
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=260512472314&ref=ts
http://www.facebook.com/l/06c76cZDN1XE8SsIPthHbp3asLQ;www.meetup.com/Upstate-NY-Animal-Rights-Meetup/
http://www.facebook.com/l/06c76Sey0FgRQRNAdzbE0qCckUA;www.formspring.me/ADKAnimalRights

2010-09-04T10:09:00.000-04:00

From: "goldie544@yahoo.com"

Sent: Thu, August 26, 2010 12:10:25 PM

Subject: Carrollton,KY~3 Legged Kitty came in with duct tape on his claws

~ now needs his own home

--- On Sat, 8/21/10, Tamisakita@yahoo.com wrote:

From: Tamisakita@yahoo.com

Subject: 3 Legged Kitty needs his own home

Date: Saturday, August 21, 2010, 9:15 PM

Trey is approx 3 yrs old and would love to have a home w/o dogs. He does

ok with them but would prefer a home w/o them. He came to us with duct

tape on his paw. Come to find out his foot had no feeling and his hind leg had

to be removed. It does not slow him down one bit. He is fully vetted and

ready for a new home.

Permission to cross post.

NO POSTING TO CRAIGSLIST or FACEBOOK PLEASE.

Contact Tammie at Tamisakita@yahoo.com or 502-732-6040.

No calls after 10 pm EST.

$20.00 pull fee for approved rescues.

Tammie Crawford

Carroll Co Animal Support, Inc.

Get Kodak prints of this picture, and all your other favorites, at

_www.kodakgallery.com_ (http://www.kodakgallery.com/kesmail
) !

Phoenix's Song

2010-08-29T12:34:00.000-04:00

Crossposting for Phoenix and all sick, starving, suffering abused and neglected animals;

Dear all,

Sharing our song for Phoenix which we finished last night, it took us several months to get around to recording it as we are always a few songs behind and have a list of music to write for animal issues. This song was requested by Zara who has been following the case, part of the email that she wrote to us is below. I never forgot this letter or the kindness of the medical staff who gave Phoenix precious time to just be a dog, even for a few minutes, before she sadly had to be euthanized becaue of her injuries.

So Phoenix now has her song, she rests in peace and I hope her story will help to raise awareness of animal abuse so that we can help other dogs at risk in the future. Please feel free to share and if there are any updates about the court case I'll add them to Phoenix's page on our website. If anyone would like a copy of the song just let me know & I'll send it through.

From Zara's email -

''Phoenix, a 2 year old pit bull. She survived but they did put her to sleep after a while because her kidneys were failing due to her injuries and her pain. I am told by a friend in Baltimore, where it happened that they took her outside and let her see the grass and the sky before they sent her on her final journey. She was giving kisses and wagging her tail right up to the end of her life.

When she closed her eyes for the last time I pray she knew love and her pain ended. I can't stop crying and I can't write anymore sorry my friend.''

Phoenix's song -

http://www.maria-daines.com/music-110.html

Phoenix's story -
http://www.wbaltv.com/r/19583287/detail.html

Best wishes

Maria & Paul xx
http://www.maria-daines.com/
http://www.ddawatch.co.uk/

'Compassion is the vital link that makes life bearable when all else fails'

Maria Daines

2009

CRUEL RODEO

2010-08-28T22:07:00.007-04:00

Anti-Fur Demos in Japan

2010-08-28T12:20:00.001-04:00

Forwarding for the Anti-Fur Society; FYI:

On this coming Sunday members of Animal Rights Center of Japan from Kansai area, the West of Japan, will be demonstrating against fur at "Kobe Collection", from 10 am - 8 pm.

If some of you are in Japan and interested in joining them, please contact Japans ARC for more info. Japan; http://www.arcj.info/

Thank you.

Miwa
-------- Original-Nachricht --------

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Datum: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:10:29 -0000

Von: animalrightscenter

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Capital Region: ADK-AR Events This Weekend

2010-08-28T09:34:00.000-04:00

Posted by: "Adirondack Animal Rights" adkanimalrights@gmail.com

Fri Aug 27, 2010 12:01 pm (PDT)

Hi all! Don't forget about this weekend's events:

Saturday, August 28th 5:00PM: Vegan Potluck with Special Guest Anthony Marr

X's to O's Vegan Bakery

97 4th Street, Troy

Please bring a vegan dish to share, as well a drink and your own place setting.

This event is free, however a $5 donation for Anthony's travel

expenses would be greatly appreciated! Come eat a bunch of food,

listen to Anthony's presentation, get yourself an ADK-AR shirt and a

VegCap Vegan Dining Guide, sign a petition against the construction of

the Oswego slaughterhouse, get some AMAZING X's to O's Vegan Bakery

goodies for dessert and have an all around awesome time! Hope to see

you there!

Sunday, August 29th 12:00PM: Anti-Vivisection Demonstration at Albany

Medical College

Corner of New Scotland and Holland Avenues, Albany

In 2008, Albany Med killed 12 dogs, 13 rabbits, 8 non-human primates,

38 pigs, 2 goats and 116 chinchillas. They claim that 99% of their

research is done on mice and rats. Mice and rats are not included in

the Animal Welfare Act and therefore do not have to be reported.

Therefore the 189 animals that Albany Med reported to have killed in

2008 represent only 1% of the total number of lives taken.

After some simple math, the actual number of lives taken in 2008 is

closer to 19,000. That's Nineteen Thousand.

We do no accept this number. We do not accept Albany Med's "excuses"

that this cruelty is necessary. It is not, and we will continue to

remind them of this on the fourth Sunday of each month.
--

Jessica Ryle

Adirondack Animal Rights

Glens Falls, NY

adkanimalrights@gmail.com

http://www.adirondackanimalrights.org/

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=260512472314&ref=ts

http://www.meetup.com/Upstate-NY-Animal-Rights-Meetup/

SOS for Canadian Geese

2010-08-24T23:20:00.002-04:00

Dear friends of Canada geese:

NYC Audubon is trying to reach a goal of having 1,000 people register formal complaints with the City about the rampant killings of Canada geese. All you have to do is call 311 (or 212-NEW-YORK from outside of NYC) and register a complaint. There are several important things to remember when phoning 311 with your complaint:

When registering a complaint, its important to say that you would like to "register an opinion with the Mayor." 311 may encourage you to submit the complaint through an email address or via mail, but it is possible to register an opinion through 311, and NYC Audubon has confirmed this several times with 311 supervisors. The more people who phone to register a complaint, the more familiar 311 operators will likely become handling this type of complaint.

It's possible that 311 operators will attempt to categorize your complaint. The appropriate category for this type of issue is "Environment."

It's possible that 311 operators will ask you about the date and time of the incident. Its ok to say you're not exactly sure, and to ask that they use today's date and time for their form.

Please e-mail us your tracking number so we can follow up on it later. Emails can be sent to info@nycaudubon.org

If you encounter any challenges registering your complaint, please phone Jeff Friedrich at 212-691-7483

With your support, NYC Audubon can encourage City officials to engage with us in drafting a better plan for managing Canada geese in New York City.

Link to their web page:

http://www.nycaudubon.org/home/home/goose2010.shtml

Choo and Earl

Elk Birth / Yellowstone Pk.

2010-08-23T17:40:00.000-04:00

Iowa Farm Traced as Source of Bad Eggs (Re-call)

2010-08-22T22:38:00.003-04:00

SALMONELLOSIS, SEROTYPE ENTERITIDIS - USA (03): EGGS, RECALL
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: Fri 20 Aug 2010
Source: Dayton (OH) Business Journal [edited]

An egg recall has expanded to more than half a billion eggs, and
federal officials say 2000 illnesses have been reported connected to
the salmonellosis outbreak.

Eggs from an Iowa producer linked to an outbreak of salmonellosis had
sparked a nationwide egg recall this past week. That has expanded to
a 2nd egg producer, Hillandale Farms. The firms sold eggs to
wholesalers and distributors in numerous states, and the eggs were
distributed nationwide.

The CDC issued the following guidelines for consumers:
-Don't eat recalled eggs or products containing recalled eggs.
Recalled eggs might still be in grocery stores, restaurants, and
consumers' homes.
-Consumers who have recalled eggs should discard them or return them
to their retailer for a refund.
-Individuals who think they might have become ill from eating
recalled eggs should consult their health care providers.
-Keep eggs refrigerated at all times.
-Discard cracked or dirty eggs.
-Wash hands, cooking utensils, and food preparation surfaces with
soap and water after contact with raw eggs.
-Eggs should be cooked until both the white and the yolk are firm and
eaten promptly after cooking.
-Do not keep eggs warm or at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
-Refrigerate unused or leftover egg-containing foods promptly.
-Avoid eating raw eggs.
-Avoid restaurant dishes made with raw or undercooked, unpasteurized
eggs. Restaurants should use pasteurized eggs in any recipe (such as
Hollandaise sauce or Caesar salad dressing) that calls for raw eggs.
-Consumption of raw or undercooked eggs should be avoided, especially
by young children, elderly persons, and persons with weakened immune
systems or debilitating illness.

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail

[The scope of this outbreak is increasing. ProMED awaits more
information regarding better diagnostic studies of the outbreak
strain. Again, it cannot be stressed enough -- in parallel to _E.
coli_ O157:H7 Salmonellosis, serotype Enteritidis - USA (02): eggs,
recall in ground beef -- that almost all cases can be avoided with
proper cooking and kitchen hygiene. - Mod.LL]

[see also:
Salmonellosis, serotype Enteritidis - USA (02): eggs, recall 20100820.2903
Salmonellosis, serotype Enteritidis - USA: eggs, alert, recall 20100817.2846
Salmonellosis, reptile feed - UK, USA (02) 20100806.2662
Salmonellosis, ST Hartford, Baildon - USA: fast food chain 20100806.2661
Salmonellosis, restaurant - USA: (CO), undercooked eggs 20100805.2653
Salmonellosis, reptile feed - UK, USA: st Typhimurium DT 191A 20100730.2555
Salmonellosis, reptile feed - USA: recall 20100729.2545
Salmonellosis - Canada: (ON, BC) headcheese, alert 20100726.2499
Salmonellosis, unpasteurized milk - USA (02): (UT) serotype Newport
20100709.2287
Salmonellosis, unpasteurized milk - USA: (UT) 20100517.1616
Salmonellosis, serotype Hvittingfoss - USA: (IL) restaurant chain 20100609.1932
Salmonellosis, serotype Newport - USA (02): sprouts, alert, recall
20100604.1855
Salmonellosis, serotype Newport - USA: sprouts, alert, recall 20100522.1701
Salmonellosis, salami - USA (07): black & red pepper 20100313.0804
Salmonellosis, salami - USA: alert, recall 20100124.0270]
........................................................sb/ll/msp/dk

*##########################################################*
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information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
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40 Cats Need Rescue in Hudson Co., NJ

2010-08-21T15:57:00.000-04:00

Please conatct

Adrienne

squeezycat2005@aol.com

Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:43:10 -0400

Subject: URGENT! 40 CATS TO BE PTS IN WOMAN'S HOME TUESDAY, HUDSON COUNTY,
NJ

Hello animal rescue friends!!! If anyone knows ANYONE who can help me, I'm
so desperate to find these cats somewhere to go! :(

PERMISSION TO CROSS POST WIDELY!!!

40 cats in a woman's home are going to put to sleep this Tuesday by the
ASPCA, Associated Humane of Newark. I am the head technician at the
Secaucus Animal Hospital in Hudson County. We have a client who for many
years has been trapping cats, neutering them, and releasing them into her
home. Some of the cats are very friendly and some are wild. She started
out with 6 cats and had a little group of cats that she would feed on her
porch, but she lived on a busy street and was seeing so many of them killed
as they crossed to get to her house. She began taking them in, and although
we didn't think it was the best for the cats, we knew she was taking good
care of them medically. Years passed and before we knew it, she had more
than 40 cats in her home. A few years ago, she lost her job, and due to
health reasons was unable to find work. She was in danger of losing her
home because she could not afford the taxes, when someone made her a deal
that they would pay her taxes if she got rid of all the cats.
Unfortunately,a few years back, one of the cats tested positive for FELV
even though we were testing all the kitties before she was bringing them
in...he was very sick and we had to put him down, and another cat died of
what we think may have been FIP. Because she told this to the Humane
Society, they told her that they had to euthanize ALL the cats because they
did not have the finances to test any of them. Since that cat tested
positive for FELV, we have tested every cat that has come in to our hospital
and they have all been negative. We are willing to test ALL the cats prior
to adoption for anyone who may be able to rescue them.

Our rescue is going to foster 6 of the cats...it's all the room we have!
That leaves 34!

I'm sending out a plea for anyone who can take just ONE cat...or anyone who
has property where at least one or BEST two of the wild ones can be
released...

She is a nice lady whose love of these cats just got out of control...I hate
to see these poor guys suffer...alot of these cats I know and love and have
worked with for years!!!

Please help me help her! I am willing to transport in the tri-state area!

Thank you soooooo much,

Adrienne

squeezycat2005@aol.com

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
- Martin Luther King, Jr

"Anyone who has accustomed himself to regard the life of any living creature
as worthless is in danger of arriving also at the idea of worthless human
lives." - Albert Schweitzer

PNEUMONIA, OVINE - USA (09): (MONTANA) BIGHORN SHEEP

2010-08-15T10:02:00.001-04:00

****************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: Sat 14 Aug 2010
From: Anne Justice-Allen [edited]

[re: ProMED-mail: Pneumonia, ovine - USA (08): (MT) bighorn sheep
20100814.2794]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Regarding the comment by the moderator, while _Mannheimia haemolytica_ and
_Pasteurella multocida_ have both been identified in bighorn sheep with
pneumonia, _Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae_ was also isolated from many of the
sheep in the outbreaks in 2010 (in some instances, from 100 per cent of the
animals sampled). To date, no viruses have been positively linked to the
outbreaks but many wild sheep herds have titers to parainfluenza 3 and
(bovine) respiratory syncytial viruses and one report detected a 4-fold
increase in titers to these viruses. Researchers have had difficulty
reproducing the severe pneumonia that occurs in the bighorns with _M.
ovipneumoniae_ alone. It could be that like _M. dispar_ in calves, that
coinfection with a mycoplasma and pasteurella causes a more severe disease
syndrome. In addition, it has been determined that a leukotoxin produced by
_M. haemolytica_ serotype A1 is virulence factor for bighorn sheep.

References
----------
1. Besser TE, Cassirer EF, Potter KA, VanderSchalie J, et al. Association
of _Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae_ infection with population-limiting
respiratory disease in free-ranging Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (_Ovis
canadensis canadensis_). J Clin Microbiol. 2008; 46(2): 423-30 [available
at ].
2. Dassanayake RP, Shanthalingam S, Herndon CN, Lawrence PK, et al.
_Mannheimia haemolytica_ serotype A1 exhibits differential pathogenicity in
two related species, _Ovis canadensis _and _Ovis aries_. Vet Microbiol.
2009; 133(4): 366-71 [abstract available at
].
3. Rudolph KM, Hunter DL, Rimler RB, Cassirer EF, et al. Microorganisms
associated with a pneumonic epizootic in Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep
(_Ovis canadensis canadensis_). J Zoo Wildl Med. 2007; 38(4):548-58
[abstract available at ].

--
Anne Justice-Allen, DVM
Wildlife Health Specialist
Arizona Game and Fish Department
USA

[Dr Justice-Allen's comments are appreciated by this moderator. - Mod.TG]

[see also:
Pneumonia, ovine - USA (08): (MT) bighorn sheep 20100814.2794]

.................tg/mj/sh

*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
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************************************************************
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For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.

Shut Down Huntington Life Sciences Campaign

2010-08-09T23:16:00.002-04:00

Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC) has received a number of leaked documents detailing the purchase of hundreds of monkeys from China by Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS) between 2006-2008.

The documents reveal, once again, how HLS, Primate Products, Inc and it's
customers are directly responsible for the horrible suffering of monkeys
trapped for the international primate slave trade.

The documents include contracts, invoices, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
import permits, animal health certicates issued by the People's Republic of
China, shipping routes, contact sheets, and miscellaneous e-mails (such as
correspondence about a December 2007 trip to Florida by three HLS employees to
tour Primate Products, Inc.'s quarantine facilty and breeding farm).

Without disgusting companies like Primate Products, Inc. who are an important
link in the chain of animal slavely and animal abuse. 10,000s of wild caught or
'cage bred' primates would not be used as mere experimental tools for the
vivisection industry. We call on every compassionate person to show their anger
and disgust at Primate Products, Inc. for their continued involvement in the
primate slave trade.

--
Dear Supporters

Please take the time to email Primate Products, Inc about their dealings with
HLS. Email alerts can be very effective if many people do them. Thank you for
your continued support. Until all are free. Lets show them the strength of
feeling against what they do.

--
Contact details for Primate Products, Inc

Primate Products, Inc.
PTLC & Equipment Div (HQ).
PO Box 1588
Immokalee, FL 34143
Tel: 239-867-2020
Toll Free at (866) 881-5444
Fax: 239-867-2030
mailto:ptlcequip@primateproducts.com

Primate Products, Inc.
Live Animal Division
7780 NW 53rd Street
Miami, FL 33166
305-471-9557
305-471-8983
mailto: lad@primateproducts.com

Primate Products, Inc.
PO Box 620415
Woodside, CA 94062
650-529-0419

PPI Behaviorist
Stefanie Haba Nelsen
(239)867-2020 ext. 2242 (Office)
(239)821-9006 (Cell)
Donald A. Bradford President mail to: DonBradford@primateproducts.com

also

JohnResuta@primateproducts.com
EileenSylvester@primateproducts.com

Other general emails:
catalog@primateproducts.com
sales@primateproducts.com
info@primateproducts.com
support@primateproducts.com

All emails in this email alert:
DonBradford@primateproducts.com
JohnResuta@primateproducts.com

PLAGUE, FELINE - USA: (MONTANA)

2010-08-08T01:05:00.000-04:00

*******************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: 7 Aug 2010
Source: West Yellowstone News [edited]

Plague reported contracted by area cat
--------------------------------------
Veterinarians at White and White Veterinary Hospital in Ennis,
Montana, have diagnosed the 1st case of plague this summer in an
indoor/outdoor pet cat. Over the years, veterinarians there have
diagnosed numerous cases of plague and tularemia, all in domestic
cats and in the summer months.

Cases have ranged from as far north as Norris to this most recent
case in the south, residing at Raynold's Pass.

A diagnosis of plague is confirmed either by growing the culprit
bacteria from a fine needle aspirate or by demonstrating an increase
in antibodies in the cat from the onset of the disease, compared to a
convalescent blood sample taken 3 to 4 weeks later. An independent
lab in Colorado confirmed the Raynold's Pass cat did have plague. The
cat has since made a full recovery.

Indoor/outdoor cats in rural areas that hunt rodents are the most
likely to encounter the 2 diseases.

Signs [in animals] include swollen lymph nodes, lethargy, anorexia
and a high fever.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail

[The causative bacterium, _Yersinia pestis_, is transmitted to people
through fleabites and direct contact with infected animals. Each
rodent species is host to one or more species of fleas which, when
infected, are carriers. These fleas generally do not infest other
animals unless their natural hosts are unavailable.

Domestic cats and dogs can also contract plague from infective fleas.
They may carry infected fleas home to their owners or, especially
cats, serve as a direct source of infection. There are many flea
treatments and repellents appropriate for pets and available. Some
products may be suitable for dogs but not cats or may be suitable for
an adult but not a younger animal. Be sure to consult your
veterinarian, as some products may be toxic to cats, kittens, and
puppies, even resulting in fatalities.

Clinical signs in pets involve a localized swelling, such as under
the jaw in cats, but also in the inguinal region or under the front
leg (the armpit if you will), lethargy, anorexia and fever. Please
take your pet to a veterinarian if you notice any abnormalities in
your pet. Veterinarians should protect themselves by wearing gloves
when examining these swellings. A bubo that ruptures may infect the
veterinarian or even the pet owner if the pet owner is the one
palpating the swelling.

You should also be aware that the fleas that hitchhike into your home
via a pet vehicle and can also transmit disease to you, the owner or
caretaker of the pet. - Mod.TG]

[see also:
Plague - USA: (CA) ground squirrel 20100708.2275
Plague, canine - USA: (NM) 20100418.1259
Plague, cougar - USA (WY) 20100208.0429
2009
----
Plague, feline - USA (CA) 20091205.4150
Plague, fatal - USA (05): (IL) lab strain susp. RFI 20090921.3320
Plague, fatal - USA (04): (IL) lab strain susp. RFI 20090920.3298
Plague, fatal - USA (03): (NM) recovery 20090715.2530
Plague, tularemia, prairie dogs - USA (SD) 20090712.2494
Plague, fatal - USA (02): (NM) risk, prevention 20090611.2153
Plague, fatal - USA: (NM) bubonic 20090605.2080
Plague, rabbit - USA (NM) 20090415.1435
2008
----
Plague, human, prairie dogs - USA: (AZ) 20081012.3229
Plague, bubonic - USA: (CT ex WY) 20080827.2672
Plague, wildlife - USA: (CO) rabbit 20080727.2289
Plague, prairie dogs, ferrets - USA: (SD) (02) 20080722.2213
Plague, prairie dog, ferrets - USA: (SD) 20080708.2082
Plague, feline - USA (WY): mountain lion 20080522.1694
Plague, prairie dogs - USA: (CO), susp., RFI 20080506.1552
Plague, human, feline - USA (NM): early season cases 20080127.0340]
....................tg/ejp/mpp

*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
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************************************************************
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WHITE NOSE SYNDROME, BATS - USA (14)

2010-08-07T23:42:00.000-04:00

********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: 7 Aug 2010
From: H.J.Baker, BSc, DVM

If we can get enough money people excited about a solution, we could
mount an attempt, at least, at a treatment.

For example:

1) Do we know whether providing a food source for bats during the
winter would keep them going long enough to become immune to the
fungus? Bat caves could be supplied with trays of wax-worm larvae
that would pupate and become moths IN the cave to feed any bats that
wake up hungry mid-hibernation. It would not be possible to feed ALL
the caverns, but some is better than none.

2) Most anti-fungal drugs are fat-soluble. Could we feed larvae of
flying insects (supplied in the cave) substrate laced with
ketoconizole (as an example) so that the adults carry a therapeutic
dose of antifungal for any foraging bats?

3) Is it worth altering the environment in the cave to make it too
dry for easy fungal growth? Pictures I have seen from caves near
Denver show masses of white mycelium hanging from the cavern roof.

Research in a hurry is needful and will be expensive.

--
H.J.Baker, BSc, DVM
Etobicoke, Ontario
Canada

[I am unaware if any of these treatment methods have been tried.
There was a similar trial on spreading some antifungal on a few bats
and hoping it would spread through the colony by grooming. However,
that has been several months ago and there has been no follow up
published. So Dr. Baker is putting forward some thoughtful solutions. - Mod.TG]

[See also:
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (13): update 20100807.2678]
....................tg/ejp/mpp

*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
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************************************************************
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Louis Vuitton's Case

2010-08-07T00:24:00.002-04:00

PLEASE CROSS POST!!

Read below and take a second to send a letter to keep this MONSTER in
prison!!!

You tube video links of Louis Viutton are at bottom of email.

From: Koerner, Richard Richard.Koerner@mh.alabama.gov

Date: Mon, Aug 2, 2010 at 2:13 PM
Please write to keep this monster in prison

Most of you will probably remember (especially if you are in Alabama) the
horrific and cruel case of the Pitt Bull in Montgomery, "Louie Vuitton" that
was savagely beaten with a shovel and then doused with lighter fluid and set
on fire. The monster who perpetrated this vicious act of cruelty is Juan
Daniels of Montgomery.

The reason he committed this horrendous act: He asked to use the family car
and was denied, so he took his anger out on his loyal dog. He was convicted
of felony animal cruelty and received a sentence of 9 years. Well, this man
is up for parole and the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles will consider
his case on 08/24/2010.

Louie Vuitton suffered terrible injuries including being burned over 60% of
his body. Louie now lives in a loving and caring home with his adoptive
human parents, William and Dee Hartley.

We are asking that you take just a few minutes and write the Board urging
them to deny this parole. I have attached a copy of the letter I have
written because it details some of Louie's terrible injuries. However,
there are two short and inspiring videos on You Tube which give the history
of this abuse case and Louie's life now. I would urge you to take a few
moments and watch these videos and then write a letter.

The videos are entitled "Meet Louis Vuitton" and "Louie Viutton, A Life
Defined". The Board reads all letters sent to them concerning these cases.

The letters should be sent to:

The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, Post Office Box 302405,
Montgomery, Alabama 36130. The letter should reference: "Juan Daniels,
AIS#263875".

This man does not deserve a parole in my opinion. I went to visit Louie
while he was undergoing his long and painful treatment and recovery at the
vet clinic. Even though he was in so much pain, he could not even stand,
(his foot pads were completely burned off) he wagged his tail and responded
even though he was tortured by another human being.

Thank you and please advocate for Louie who cannot speak for himself.

Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJItdoliW2Y

UNDIAGNOSED DEATHS, DEER - SPAIN: (ZAMORA), REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

2010-08-06T22:22:00.000-04:00

*******************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: Fri 6 Aug 2010
Source: Publico.es [in Spanish, Trans. Corr.SB, edited]

Farmers fear spread of unknown disease from deer
------------------------------------------------
The Junta (Provincial government) confirmed 42 deer cadavers in
Zamora, while the number of deer cadavers claimed by COAG
(Coordinadora de Organizaciones de Agricultores y Ganaderos,
Coordinated Farmers and Ranchers Organizations) is about 100.

The deer have died in the protected area of the Sierra del Culebra
(Zamora). So far, the authorities have failed to identify the cause
of these mortalities.

The 1st 2 dead deer were found on 28 Jul 2010 in the municipality of
Villadeciervos. Since poisoning was ruled out, an infectious disease
was suspected; autopsies results are not yet disclosed.

According to COAG, mouth lesion are suggestive of a hemorrhagic
disease. They fear a spread of the disease to cattle and other
domestic ruminants, criticizing the secrecy of the regional
government concerning the cause of disease.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail

[Orbiviruses, such as bluetongue and epizootic haemorrhagic disease
(EHD) viruses, are the main suspects of the described event. EHD is
known to be particularly pathogenic in deer.

The season of BTV-vectors activity has restarted in Spain and
Portugal, similarly to other European countries, in June. So far, no
BTV circulation has been reported during 2010. However, 2 virus
serotypes, BTV-4 and BTV-1, are known to be circulating in the
Maghreb countries. EHD was recorded there in 2006.

Details of the changes observed in the dead deer in Zamora, and
results of the their laboratory investigations are requested. In case
an orbivirus involvement is confirmed, the situation in Portugal,
bordering Zamora on its south, deserves to be investigated as well. - Mod.AS]

[see also:
Bluetongue, ovine - Morocco: BTV-4, BTV-1, OIE 20100723.2466
Bluetongue - Europe (02): EU, update 20100605.1872
Bluetongue, bovine - Algeria: (EB), OIE, BTV-4 20100205.0396]
....................sb/arn/ejp/mpp

*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
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************************************************************
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SEWAGE SPILL, FISH KILL - USA: (TENNESSEE)

2010-08-06T13:16:00.001-04:00

******************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: Wed 4 Aug 2010
Source: The Tennessean [edited]

A weekend [1 Aug 2010] sewage leak killed thousands of fish and other
wildlife in the Stones River West Fork and may lead to the state
fining the city of Murfreesboro, an official said.

"You will probably have many hundreds to thousands of dead fish from
a 1.25 mi [2 km] stretch," said Doug Markham, an information officer
for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency in the Middle Tennessee
region. "Wildlife belongs to the state. We try to recoup some of the
value. The river will replenish. It will recover. But some kind of
assessment will be done as to the loss of value of wildlife to the
Stones River."

As a precaution, city officials are asking residents to stay out of a
portion of the Stones River after the sanitary sewer overflow on
Sunday [1 Aug 2010] caused raw sewage to enter the West Fork Stones
River just south of the bridge over Bridge Avenue.

The city has posted warning signs along the Stones River Greenway
from the Bridge Avenue area to the Searcy Street Trailhead off
Medical Center Parkway. The city is even advising people to stay out
of the river as far downstream as the Thompson Lane Trailhead to the greenway.

The city learned Sunday afternoon [1 Aug 2010] around 1:30 pm that an
Old Fort Park Pumping Station for its sewer line failed sometime the
day before near the Old Fort Golf Club by the No. 3 green. Golfers
dealt with the stench before city workers by 3:30 p.m. stopped the
overflow oozing out of manhole cover on Molloy Lane on the south side
of Bridge Avenue, Water and Sewer Director Joe Kirchner said.

Kirchner said a lightning strike around 3 or 4 pm Saturday [31 Jul
2010] caused the pump station failure and probably contributed to
sensors failing to recognize something was wrong. A resident called
sewer system staff the next day to alert the department after
noticing dead fish and gray water near the bridge.

Kirchner, a 27-year city veteran, hopes the affected river area will
be safe again by this weekend [7-8 Aug 2010]. The city is still
trying to figure out how much sewage went into the river.

"This hot water doesn't help us any," he said. "Water doesn't hold as
much oxygen when it's hotter. The stream is naturally trying to clean
itself up right now."

Full enjoyment of the river, though, may take longer, said Markham,
the wildlife resources officer. "I probably wouldn't go fishing in
that particular spot for a couple of months," Markham said.

Both of his department's assigned officers have looked into the leak,
and TWRA [Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency] biologist David Sims
counted the dead river wildlife, Markham said. This includes fish,
salamanders, crawfish, mussels, small clams, and many other aquatic
wildlife. Sims' assessment should be done soon.

The city could face fines that vary on the value of the wildlife
killed. Largemouth bass, for example, will have a greater value
because they're more popular for fishermen than crawfish. Any fines
will be up to the Tennessee Department of Environment and
Conservation, TDEC spokeswoman Tisha Calabrese-Benton said. Her
department was contacted by the city about the problem and sent staff
to examine the leak.

The problem will not impact the city's drinking water, which is
processed at the city's water treatment plant by the Stones River
East Fork on the far north side of the city.

To help the damaged river area recover, the city has added repurified
water to the stream that has a higher degree of devolved oxygen in it
to replenish what was depleted as a result of the raw sewage
overflow, Kirchner said.

[Byline: Scott Broden]

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail

[Interesting dilemma. First of all, how does a state value its
wildlife? Is it an arbitrary figure? It cannot be based on fishing
licenses as those same licenses can be used elsewhere in the state.
While there are swap meets and trade days, there is not that high a
traffic selling some of these animals, and generally those markets
are breeding or pet quality, and wildlife may be neither of those.
So, how does the TWRA establish a 'cost'?

While no one is happy about the stench and the ramifications, the
river will recover, as dilution is the solution to pollution. Trite
though it may be, it is nevertheless true. Adding purified water will
help the river flush itself and restore cooler waters and more oxygen
to the water.

The determination of how much sewage spilled may not be as important
as how it happened in the first place. Determining that may help
prevent a 2nd spill.

Likely many of the fish were oxygen depleted and heat stressed to
start with, so the environment was fragile before the incident.

Although the potable water processing plant may be on the other side
of town, it is not clear if the plant is upstream or downstream of
the spill. The other side of town does not answer that question. I
cannot help but wonder if we will be seeing a 'boil water order' in
the next week or so when the filters of the water processing plant
are plugged up, unless of course the drinking water plant is upstream
from the spill. - Mod.TG]

[As stated above, it is not clear what the geography of the water
supply intake and the plant sewage output is. A large number of human
enteric pathogens could contaminate a water supply downstream from a
sewage leak including bacteria such as _E. coli_, _Salmonella
enterica_, and _Campylobacter_ and a host of viruses. - Mod.LL]

[The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Tennessee is available
at . - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[see also:
1996
----
Sewage sludge (2) 19960716.1270
Sewage sludge - RFI 19960715.1263
BSE Slaughterhouse sewage 19960702.1205]
...................................sb/tg/ll/mj/mpp

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using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
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or archived material.
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SALMONELLOSIS, REPTILE FEED - UK, USA (02)

2010-08-06T12:48:00.000-04:00

******************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: Mon 2 Aug 2010
Source: CDC, Salmonella Outbreak Investigations [edited]

CDC is collaborating with public health officials in many states and
the FDA to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infection,
serotype I 4,[5],12:i:-. Investigators are using DNA analysis of
_Salmonella_ bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing to identify
cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak.

As of 9 pm EDT on 29 Jul 2010, a total of 34 individuals infected
with a matching strain of _Salmonella_ serotype I 4,[5],12:i:- have
been reported from 17 states since 1 Jan 2010. The number of ill
persons identified in each state with this strain is as follows: AL
(1), AZ (1), CO (1), GA (7), IA (1), IL (3), MA (3), MI (1), MO (3),
NC (3), NV (1), NY (2), SC (1), TN (1), VA (1), WI (3), and WY (1).

Among the persons with reported illness onset dates available,
illnesses began between 4 Dec 2009, and 9 Jun 2010. Infected
individuals range in age from less than 1 to 57 years old and the
median age is 12 years. 53 percent of patients are male. Among the 17
patients with available information, 1 (6 percent) was hospitalized.
As of 29 Jul 2010, no deaths attributed to this infection have been reported.

CDC and public health officials in multiple states are conducting an
epidemiologic study. Preliminary analysis of this study has suggested
an association with frozen rodents used for reptile feed. Ill persons
(61 percent) were significantly more likely than well persons (0
percent) to report any exposure to rodents in the week before
illness. Additionally, ill persons (26 percent) were significantly
more likely than well persons (0 percent) to report using frozen
rodents for reptile feed in the week before illness. An environmental
investigation was conducted by the FDA, and culture of samples
collected yielded Salmonella that matched the human outbreak strain.

Although referred to differently in the USA and UK, the strain in the
USA investigation is indistinguishable from the strain that caused an
outbreak in the United Kingdom in 2009. The outbreak investigation by
the Health Protection Agency of the UK implicated frozen mice
imported from the USA as food for pet reptiles as the source of human illness.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail

[As noted in the CDC report the _S. enterica_ isolates I 4,[5],12:i:-
and DT191A are identical.

As a review, discussed by Ana Paccagnella (supervisor of the Enteric
Bacteriology Section at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control),
:

_Salmonella_ as a genus has 2 species, _enterica_ and _bongori_. _S.
enterica_ is divided into 6 subspecies: _enterica_, _salamae_,
_arizonae_, _diarizonae_, _houtenae_, and _indica_. _S. enterica_
subspecies _enterica_ (or subspecies I) strains are the ones usually
isolated from humans or warm-blooded animals and represent a majority
of the salmonellas that are clinically important.

The designation _Salmonella_ I 4,[5],12:i:- means:
- the "I" reflects subspecies _enterica_;
- the "4, [5], 12" are the O (or somatic) antigens associated with
the organism; It should be noted that serotype Typhimurium carries
somatic antigens 4, 5 and 12 (the Group B antigens). Paccagnella
pointed out to me in an e-mail that an O antigen underscored or
placed in [ ] can refer to whether the antigen is related to phage
conversion or not.
- the nomenclature after the colon, in this case i:-, reflects the
flagellar or H antigens. It is these H antigens that define the
serotype identity within an individual group of salmonellas.

Almost all of these organisms are biphasic in regard to the H
antigens, that is, they can switch from 1 flagellar antigen to
another. As an example, _S._ Typhimurium is I 4, 5, 12:i:1,2. The
outbreak organism here, however, is monophasic. This monophasic
strain appears to be such due to the absence of the _flj_B gene which
is involved in the H antigen switching mechanism.

According to Paccagnella, around 1903 Smith and Reagh reported on the
different behavior of the flagellar and somatic antigens of
salmonella strains. Their work was mostly ignored until Weil and
Felix, working on _Proteus_ cultures, noted 2 forms, the swarming
form called the H form (_mit Hauch_, in English: with breath] and the
non-swarming form, called the O form (_ohne Hauch_, in English:
without breath). The H form contained both O and H antigens
(correctly termed the OH form). These parallels were transposed to
the salmonella antigens.

If O antiserum is added to a culture, motility is preserved whereas
if H antiserum is added the culture does not move. Therefore, H
antigen was involved with swarming in the agar plate (breathing might
have been used to imply the ability to move). (Salmonellas, of
course, do not swarm on certain agar plates like _Proteus_ do.) - Mod.LL]

[see also:
Salmonellosis, reptile feed - UK, USA: st Typhimurium DT 191A 20100730.2555
Salmonellosis, reptile feed - USA: recall 20100729.2545
Salmonellosis, serotype 4,[5],12:i:- - EU 20100606.1888]
...................................ll/mj/mpp

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using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
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Hundreds of Dead Penguins Wash Up on Shore in Brazil

2010-08-01T02:59:00.001-04:00

http://www.newser.com/story/96052/hundreds-of-penguins-wash-up-in-brazil.html

UNDIAGNOSED DIE OFF, FISH - USA: (MINNESOTA) CATFISH

2010-07-31T20:06:00.001-04:00

****************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: Wed 28 Jul 2010
Source: The Post-Bulletin [edited]

Only one Lake Zumbro channel catfish was found in good enough
condition Tuesday [27 Jul 2010] to be tested for what killed many
hundreds of other catfish there.

The Department of Natural Resources received several calls Monday [26
Jul 2010] about dead catfish, said Kevin Stauffer, area fisheries
supervisor. But a sampling crew couldn't find any fish fresh enough
for toxicology tests. On Tuesday, one was found, and it was to be sent
to a lab.

The DNR estimated that it found about 500 dead fish along the shore
Tuesday, but many more could have sunk, gone over the dam, or been
eaten by predators, Stauffer said.

Though it's a lot of fish, "this probably is not a huge percentage of
the population," he said. Dead fish ranged from 8 inches to 26 inches
[20-66 cm].

Because the only fish found dead in large amounts were channel
catfish, it would appear the source wasn't a chemical but some natural
disease or bacteria. They are always present, but sometimes warm water
or other factors will trigger them to begin killing fish, he said.
Such outbreaks are not uncommon, Stauffer said. One in 2007 killed
about 3000 white bass. The source was never found.

He said people who see a kill happening should call a DNR fisheries
office. Especially in summer, "time is important," Stauffer said. "The
sooner we get there, the more options we have to determine the cause."

The phone number for the Lake City DNR fisheries office is (651)
345-3365. The phone number for the Lanesboro office, which covers the
southern part of the region, is (507) 467-2442.

[Byline: John Weiss]

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail

[If only channel catfish are dying, then there is possibly a disease
affecting this particular species. If it were a toxin, it would affect
more species than just channel catfish. Also unusual warm waters would
affect more than just one species. Hopefully the cleanup crew will
soon find something fresh enough to test. - Mod.TG]

[For photo of a 19.5 pound channel catfish, see:

- Mod.JW]

[Lake Zumbro, in south eastern Minnesota can be seen via the
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map at
. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[see also:
Undiagnosed die-off, fish - USA: (NC) 20100728.2532
Undiagnosed die-off, fish - USA: (PA, ID) corr. 20100718.2410
Undiagnosed die-off, fish - USA: (PA, ID) corr. 20100718.2409
Undiagnosed die-off, fish - USA (WA) natural causes 20100718.2408
Undiagnosed die-off, fish - USA: (HI) puffer fish 20100716.2384
Undiagnosed die-off, fish - USA: (PA, ID) 20100716.2373]
........................................tg/mj/jw
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and its associated service providers shall not be held
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or archived material.
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WHITE NOSE SYNDROME, BATS - USA (12): CONTROL

2010-07-26T20:12:00.000-04:00

*********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: Sat 24 Jul 2010
Source: The Statesman, Bloomberg News report [edited]

Hikers may be locked out of hundreds of caves and 30 000 abandoned
mines in the West and Midwest in a government plan to protect bats
from man.

The cave closings may come within the week, said Forest Service
spokeswoman Janelle Smith, and are the latest efforts to combat a
disease called white nose syndrome that has devastated bat communities
in 13 states and 2 Canadian provinces. The disease, perhaps caused by
a fungus, may spread to more states as hikers and tourists
inadvertently carry spores on their clothing, Smith said.

The loss of swaths of the bat population may threaten corn and soybean
crops and other parts of the agriculture and timber industries, said
Mollie Matteson, a conservation advocate at the Center for Biological
Diversity in Tucson, Arizona. Bats help control insect pests, eating
as much as two-thirds of their body weight per night, said Holly Ober,
assistant professor at the University of Florida in Quincy, Florida,
in a 2008 Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation document.

"It's a catastrophic situation for bats," said Jeremy Coleman, a
biologist with the Fish and Wildlife Service who studies white nose
syndrome in Cortland, New York. "We don't have any tools at our ready
to treat them or to control the spread, other than closing access to
humans," he said. "There are just too many unknowns," Coleman said.

The big brown bat, a species widely distributed in North America,
feasts on insects that destroy corn, soybean, and cotton crops,
according to the report by Ober.

The fungus thought to cause the disease was first detected in New York
in 2006 and may have killed more than 1 million bats, according to a
May [2010] report from the Fish and Wildlife Service. The agency
called the disease "the worst wildlife health crisis in memory."

The disease only affects hibernating bat species, which account for a
little over half of the 45 varieties in North America, said Matteson.
So far 9 species, including the big brown bat, are known to be
affected. Some of them are now threatened with extinction, the May
report said.

In a May [2010] news release, Austin-based Bat Conservation
International said the potential impact of white nose syndrome on the
local Mexican free-tail colony was still not known. "These bats share
their winter and summer ranges with many hibernating species," the
group said. "Biologists fear that migrating free-tails, even if they
are not themselves battered by the disease, may prove to be carriers
that spread the fungus."

[Byline: Arielle Fridson]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail

[In addition to the suffering of bats caused by this syndrome, which
essentially starves bats to death, this disease is also very
concerning because of its impact on ecosystem health. Bats eat a
tremendous number of insects such as mosquitoes, moths, beetles, and
flies, which help to control insect populations naturally in a
sustainable fashion. However, with the loss of over a million bats in
North America since the disease first surfaced in 2006 and the
prospect of further spread to other states and/or provinces, control
measures such as preventing human traffic in bat caves are being
considered and in some places apparently instituted.

The white nose syndrome is named for the white appearance on the nose
and muzzle of hibernating bats that appears when they are infected
with a fungus, _Geomyces destructans_.

Further details of the disease and a map of infected areas as of July
2009 can be found at the Wildlife National Health Center, United
States Geological Service (USGS) website at
-
Mod.PC]

[The fungus is often not confined to the muzzle but may spread to the
wings and all over the body. It depletes the bats' body fat and
awakens them so that they get hungry, fly out of their caves looking
for insects and, not finding any, starve to death. See images at:

- Mod.JW]

[see also:
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (11) 20100617.2033
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (10): (OK) 20100525.1732
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (09): (OK, MO) 20100518.1635
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (08): (TN) 20100518.1630
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (07): (DE) 20100502.1421
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (06): (MO, TN) 20100422.1300
White nose syndrome bats - USA (05): (NY) poss. treatment 20100325.0949
White nose syndrome - Canada: (ON) 1st report 20100322.0905
White nose syndrome bats - USA (04): (MD) 20100321.0896
White nose syndrome bats - USA (03): (WV) 20100225.0626
White nose syndrome bats - USA (02): (TN) 20100219.0570
White nose syndrome, bats - USA: (VT) 20100209.0438
2009
----
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (14) 20091014.3538
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (13): (NJ) 20090712.2495
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (12) 20090510.1750
White nose syndrome, bats - USA (11) 20090510.1743
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (10): cave closings 20090507.1703
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (09): (VA) susp. 20090427.1590
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (08): (MA) 20090414.1413
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (07) 20090320.1110
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (06): (PA) RFI 20090311.1011
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (05): (PA) 20090309.0975
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (04): (PA) 20090306.0931
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (03): (WV) susp 20090220.0711
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (02): (northeast) 20090208.0578
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA: (Northeast) 20090129.0401
2008
----
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (07): (Northeast) 20081102.3448
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (06): (Northeast) 20080331.1195
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (05): (Northeast) 20080304.0898
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (04): (Northeast) 20080304.0880
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (03): 2004 Dorset bat colony gate
20080221.0709
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA (02): (Northeast) 20080220.0687
White-nose syndrome, bats - USA: (Northeast) 20080219.0675]
........................................sb/pc/mj/jw
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information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
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Tell USDA Stop Killing Canada Geese

2010-07-26T05:59:00.001-04:00

Dear friends of Canada geese:

As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services continue to systematically round up and exterminate entire flocks of resident Canada geese all over the country, IDA is calling on every one of our supporters to get involved to stop this needless killing. In 2010, thousands of innocent Canada geese across the country have been or will be gassed to death or sent to slaughterhouses if we do not take action to stop it. Since non-lethal population control programs for resident Canada geese have proven successful throughout the country, the USDA must change course and switch to non-lethal, humane, and progressive population control.
Every person I have spoken with, whether they be in New Jersey or New York, has been outraged, horrified or saddened by the eradication of geese in their communities. Many are sickened that the slaughter occurred despite public protest or without considering the interests of the vast number of residents who enjoy the presence of the geese in the parks. Of course, the lack of consideration of the interests of the geese themselves is even more disturbing.
Please click on the link below to watch IDA's (In Defense of Animals) videoclip:
http://www.idablog.org/featured/urge-the-usda-to-stop-exterminating-canada-geese-today/

Please click on the link below to tell the USDA to stop exterminating Canada geese:
https://secure2.convio.net/ida/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1555

Thank you.

Choo and Earl Rosenbloom

KY Shelter Mistakes Pet Dog for Coyote, Releases into the Wild

2010-07-25T10:08:00.003-04:00

Terrible treatment of animal in KY Capital by local shelter and
"officials"

Beloved pet called a coyote, sent into the wild
By Kay Harrod

Copper, a female Shebu Inu, is still missing after being released behind Home
Depot off U.S. 127, after the Humane Society mistook her for a coyote.
A little lost dog named Copper is in the middle of a bureaucratic snafu stemming
from a mistaken identity that involves city and county governments, Frankfort
police and others.
"We don"t take coyotes," a Frankfort Humane Society employee told a Frankfort
police officer, who brought an animal later identified as Copper to the Kentucky
Avenue shelter.
"If it's a coyote, either shoot it or release it back to the wild," Wildlife
Solutions told a police sergeant who called the business for advice after Copper
was turned away.
Animal activist Trudi Johnson summed up Copper"s dilemma: "This story just goes
downhill and at the bottom of that hill lays the Humane Society's inability to
recognize a dog from a coyote."

"People would say when Copper was young, she looked like a fox with her pointy
ears and red coloring," said Copper's owner, Lori Goodlett, about her Sheba Inu,
a female officially registered with the AKC.
"But no one has ever mistaken her for a coyote."
The debacle, which could end badly, began Saturday, July 3.
Goodlett said she returned to her Cloverdale home around 3 p.m. after being away
for the night to find Copper gone from her fenced yard. A veterinarian friend
told her to call the Humane Society to see if Copper had been turned in.
Goodlett says the person who answered said, "We haven't gotten a stray dog
today," and that ended the conversation.
Goodlett phoned again to leave her name, number and Copper's breed.
"I was able to get out the breed of the dog, but the person reiterated they
didn't have one and once again hung up."
Goodlett says she's unsure how Copper could have escaped since the gate of the
chain-link fence has a clip that has to be released to open it. She also checked
to see if Copper had wiggled under the fence but found nothing.
"I've had her 11 years, and she has never jumped the fence."
On Sunday, Goodlett posted missing signs along with Copper's picture around the
west Frankfort neighborhood.
Monday, Goodlett said she was gone with her children to King's Island for most
of the day.
A Frankfort Police officer patrolling Cloverdale saw Goodlett's posted signs and
took one to the downtown station.
According to Maj. Fred Deaton, Copper was indeed the dog picked up by a police
officer.
The veteran officer and his captain drove to the Goodlett home and related the
chain of events.
"Honestly, if the police had not come to my house I would have not known any of
the events," Goodlett said. "They have been so forthcoming and offered so much
help."
A Frankfort police officer had been summoned to a Gramma Drive address on
Saturday morning to take a dog from a woman's yard. The officer put the dog in
his car and waited until after noon when the humane society opened and took the
dog there.
According to Deaton, the dog did not wear any identification or a collar.
However, he said he doubted if the animal were a coyote it would have gone
peacefully with the officer.
Animal Control Officer Mark Pardi, who normally responds to calls, was on
vacation that weekend.
The officer left the dog at the Humane Society only to be called back and told
the animal had to be removed from the shelter because it was against the law to
shelter a coyote.
The police officer, currently on military leave, refused to take the dog back.
His captain, Ray Kinney, was called and was told by the Humane Society Director
Regina McDaniel that the coyote had to go, according to Deaton.
In the meantime the police, since the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife
Resources was closed, contacted Wildlife Solutions, a private business, and were
told a coyote was considered a nuisance and could be shot or returned to the
wild.
The officer took Copper to the open fields behind Home Depot, removed her from
her carrier and let him go.
According to Goodlett, the captain and the veteran officer at her door were
upset with the chain of events.
"They continuously apologized, and they gave me a computer disc with all the
pictures that had been taken to document the event."
"Fortunately," Deaton said, "The officer had the foresight to photograph the
dog."
On Tuesday, Goodlett was joined by several police officers in a field search
behind Home Depot. Pardi, back from his vacation, also went looking for Copper
and set cages in hopes of capturing him.
Deaton says Kinney returned a second time "off the clock" to continue looking
for Copper.
"I in no way blame neither the officer nor the city police," Goodlett said. "The
officer tried to do the right thing. Throughout this whole matter, the police
department has been forthcoming, honest and deeply apologetic."
Goodlett does blame the Humane Society.
"How anyone there could have mistaken Copper for a coyote is beyond me. If
nothing else every employee needs training in breed recognition. They also need
training in responding to the public; the handling of my two phone calls was
totally unprofessional and inappropriate."
Goodlett said she has also made a trip to the Humane Society in hopes of at
least getting an apology.
"That visit went about as badly as my phone calls."
As it turns out, according to a police report on the matter, Goodlett's calls to
the shelter looking for Copper fell into the same time frame that the police
officer was there with her.
There's another dimension to the story. Copper was purchased years ago as a
friend to Goodlett's other Sheba Inu, Trigger. He's now 15, with a serious heart
murmur and, according to Goodlett, mourns for his little lost friend.
"Both dogs split time between being inside and outside. But when I leave for
just an overnight, they remain outside, since Trigger has grown incontinent.
Neither of them has ever left the fence unless a gate has been left open."
Goodlett has since talked with the woman on nearby Gramma Drive who called the
police. She told Goodlett she had no idea how the dog wound up inside her fence.
She also told Goodlett because she too was leaving town, she did not want to
leave Copper fenced in her yard.
Second District Magistrate Phillip Kring says there's a breakdown in the
system.
"Normally if Mark (Pardi) is out of town, the county's animal control officer is
called," Kring said.
According to Kring that officer is attached to the sheriff's office.
"Plus we (Fiscal Court) pay an assistant. Someone had to be on call."
Kring said to his knowledge Fiscal Court does not have any oversight of the
shelter nor does it require accountability from it.
"We pay the animal control officers and give the Humane Society roughly $50,000
a year to take the animals that are picked up in the county."
Otherwise, according to Kring, the Humane Society is a private non-profit that
has its own board of directors and hires its own manager.
City Commissioner Sellus Wilder said the city provides $55,000 to the Humane
Society out of its police budget.
"The city needs to hold the Humane Society more accountable for the public funds
they receive," Wilder said.
According to Joe Johnson, a board member of the Humane Society, to his knowledge
the board is totally unaware of the situation that occurred in early July.
"We just held a board meeting Saturday and none of this was brought to our
attention."
John Forbes, board president, said he stands behind the decision made by the
manager.
"If our manager (McDaniel) assessed the animal to be a coyote, then it is
against the law for it to be at the shelter. We rely on the people who work
there," Forbes said.
Trudi Johnson, the animal activist, sent a letter to the county judge, fiscal
court members, mayor and city commissioners advocating that both bodies request
a designee be placed on the Humane Society board to provide accountability.
"I advised them of the latest incident that has occurred and hope they will be
responsive to this latest situation," Trudi Johnson said.
"There was no reason for this situation to occur, except someone did not
recognize a dog from a coyote. That is a stretch for people who are supposed to
be professionals."
Johnson said there is a local group organizing who will do another search in the
area behind Home Depot.
"I know in my head Copper is gone for good, but in my heart I would like to
think some nice family found her and took her in," Goodlett said.
Anyone who might have any information about Copper may call Goodlett at (502)
226-2580 or Frankfort Police.
>
>
>
Outrage must be voiced to/demonstrated in Frankfort/Franklin County KY!
Franklin County officials -

http://franklincounty.ky.gov/about/judgeexec.htm

(502-875-8751)
Frankfort City officials -
http://www.frankfort.ky.gov/city-government.html
(502-875-8500)
Franklin County Humane Society President: John Forbes -

jjfrankfort@fewpb.net
Franklin County Humane Society Shelter Director "Regina McDaniel -
rmcdaniel@franklincountyhumanesociety.net

State officials (they live here, too!) -
Governor - http://governor.ky.gov/contact/contact.htm

(502-564-2611)
First Lady - http://firstlady.ky.gov/contact/ - (502-564-2611)
KY Dept Ag Comm - http://www.kyagr.com/ (502-564-5126)

JoAnn Dimon
A.R.W.N.Y
www.akitarescuewny.com
"It's better to live one day as a lion, than a thousand years as a
lamb."
Zack de la Rocha

Louisiana Parish Shelter to Euth 113 Pets!

2010-07-24T10:27:00.002-04:00

SOS -113 dogs will be PTS---Kaplan Pound, Vermilion Parish, So Louis
Posted by: "Hedy Litke" hlitke@optonline.net hedylitke2004
Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:22 am (PDT)

My friend predicted there will be a massacre in LA of animals from the BP
spill. Here it comes, PLEASE HELP

4 days to live, then GASSED. No adoptions. Not rescue friendly.
Kaplan Pound, Vermilion Parish, South Louisiana.

http://animalnewsinfo.posterous.com/vermilion-parish-la-cats-and-kittens-looking

http://animalnewsinfo.posterous.com/kaplan-la-shelter-full-will-gas-cats-and-dogs

113 dogs there now.
Only 501 (c)3 rescue groups can take dogs from the pound.
Phone: 337-643-3160 Fax: 337- 643-3161

CHYTRID FUNGUS, FROG - PANAMA: (COCLE) FROG EXTINCTION

2010-07-21T16:51:00.001-04:00

*****************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: Tue 20 Jul 2010
Source: National Geographic News [edited]

30 amphibian species wiped out in Panama forest
-----------------------------------------------
A "catastrophic" epidemic has made 30 amphibian
species locally extinct in a region of Panama --
including 5 species that were lost before they
were even formally identified, a new study says.

The species are the latest victims of the deadly
chytrid fungus, which has caused major amphibian
declines in Central and South America as well as
in Australia since the late 1980s. The fungus
infects an amphibian's skin, sloughing off the
skin's layers, and causing lethargy, weight loss,
and eventual death.

Suspecting the imminent arrival of chytrid,
researchers had visited the forests of El Cope
[Cocle province] between 1998 and 2004 to record
genetic information from the region's frog and
salamander species. Chytrid swept through El Cope
in 2004, wiping out amphibians so quickly that
dead frogs littered the forest floor, according
to study leader Andrew Crawford, an evolutionary
biologist at the University of the Andes in
Bogotá, Colombia.

The mysterious fungus acts so rapidly that
scientists are rarely able to track its
destruction. But armed with the genetic database,
the El Cope team was able to make the 1st
before-and-after comparisons to pinpoint the
exact species lost to the fast-moving fungus --
including a handful of species that proved to be
new to science.

"We're discovering species and losing species at
the same time -- these 2 conflicting trends have
to clash at some point," Crawford said.

Species not gone globally, but hope dim
---------------------------------------
Before chytrid hit El Cope, Crawford and
colleagues had collected DNA samples from 63 frog
and salamander species in a 1.5-square-mile
(4-square-kilometer) tract of forest. The
information was added to a larger genetic
database of known amphibians. By matching unknown
specimens with existing genetic lineages, the
team discovered 11 unnamed species among those
collected in the forest before the outbreak.

A post-epidemic survey conducted between 2006 and
2008 showed that 25 of the 63 species had been
lost. 5 of the missing species were among the 11
that were new to science.

Another 9 species had seen population declines
between 85 and 99 percent since the earlier
survey, according to the study. Though the
species aren't globally extinct, there's "not
much optimism" that amphibians from unaffected
areas will recolonize El Cope, Crawford said.
Past experiments -- such as in Costa Rica -- show
that frogs don't bounce back after a chytrid wave
comes through.

A frogless forest could have reverberations
throughout the ecosystem, Crawford added. For one
thing, tadpoles are crucial to stream
environments, because they munch on moss and
algae along stream beds, taking in protein and
other nutrients needed by animals higher up the
food chain.

Frog fungus a hint of what's to come?
-------------------------------------
No one knows what sparked the spread of chytrid,
but it's possible that globalization -- with
people and goods becoming more interconnected --
is a key factor, Crawford said.

In general, the outbreak is an "alarming"
reminder of how such emerging pathogens can
devastate whole ecosystems. For instance, chytrid
is so potent that it's killing off distantly
related species of frogs that are as genetically
different from each other as rats are from
whales, he said. "Hopefully we don't get
pathogens like that that hit mammals," he said.
"This could be just one example of what's coming."

The amphibian die-off findings appear this week
[week of 19 Jul 2010] in the journal Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences.

[Byline: Christine Dell'Amore]

--
Communicated by:
James M Wilson V, MD
Executive Director
Praecipio International

[A map of the affected region may be viewed at
.
The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Panama is available at
.

The amphibian chytrid fungus (_Batrachochytrium
dendrobatidis_) lives on the skin of frogs,
making it difficult for them to breathe through
their skin or adjust their body temperatures. If
frogs are infected with the disease, the signs
may include lack of movement or spastic jerking
in their legs, especially the hind ones, and
anemia. Species that are nocturnal or live in
trees sit out in the open throughout the day;
they show little movement or do not react or
blink at all if touched by humans, and when
turned over, they cannot return to their original
positions. - Mod.TG]

[see also:
Chytrid fungus, frogs - worldwide: review article 20100130.0323
2009
----
Chytrid fungus, frog - South Korea 20090920.3301
Chytrid fungus, frog - Philippines: (Luzon) 20090527.1976
2008
----
Chytrid fungus, frogs - Panama 20081014.3246
Chytrid fungus, frogs - Spain (Majorca) 20080928.3065
2007
----
Chytrid fungus, frogs - Japan (02): wild frogs 20070613.1924
Chytrid fungus, frogs - Japan 20070113.0176
2006
----
Chytrid fungus, frogs - worldwide: possible source 20060524.1463
Chytrid fungus, frogs - South Africa 20060203.0344
2005
----
Chytrid fungus, frogs - UK (England) 20050916.2741
2004
----
Red leg disease, frogs, fatal - UK (02) 20040914.2560
Red leg disease, frogs, fatal - UK 20040912.2542
2002
----
Frog deformities - USA (02) 20020425.4030
Frog deformities - USA 20020422.4012
Frog mortality, virus - UK 20020201.3458
2001
----
Chytrid fungus, frogs: background 20001201.2096
2000
----
Frog deformities - USA (Northeast) 20000420.0579]
...................................tg/mj/lm

*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
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************************************************************
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For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.

DIE-OFF, RIGHT WHALE - ARGENTINA (02): (CHUBUT)

2010-07-14T10:33:00.002-04:00

This report coming out of Argentina concerning a whale die-off would be laughable if not so tragic a subject. Seems they are wanting us to believe that "blunt force trauma" from "boat collisions" and/or sea-gull attacks" may be to blame! Read carefully and you will see, that of the over 300 deaths, only limited testing has been done on a few of the deceased whales.....apparenlty they dont want to find the truth,....that its our TOXIC OCEANS killing them off.

***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: Wed 30 Jun 2010
From: Marcela Uhart [edited]

[Re: ProMED-mail Die-off, right whale - Argentina: (CH) RFI 20100630.2179]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Since 2003, when the Southern Right Whale Health Monitoring Program
(SWRHMP) was established by a consortium of local NGOs, a total of
366 right whale deaths has been recorded, with peaks in 2007 (83),
2008 (95), and 2009 (79). Most (91 percent) of the dead animals have
been 1st-year calves. Necropsies conducted on dead whales have been
performed following internationally recognized standard protocols.
Samples for histopathology, serology, nutritional status,
contaminants, infectious disease and biotoxin diagnostics, genetics,
stable isotopes and fatty acid composition analysis, have been
collected, archived, and distributed to analytical laboratories.
Since 2003, nearly 3500 samples have been collected by the SRWHMP.

Over the past 7 years, gross necropsy examinations have provided
information on the cause of death for only 7 animals. This has
included blunt-force trauma (that is, rough-surf injury, boat
strikes, blows from whales), chronic degenerative lesions of the
spine, and dystocia. Given rapid decomposition of dead whales and the
fact that they come to shore at variable times after death, good
samples for histopathology have been collected on a limited number of
carcasses (approximately 20 percent of total dead whales each year).
Histologic examination has been performed on 53 of the 366 (14
percent) right whales (majority condition code 3 or 4). In these
animals, establishing a cause of death has been variably limited by
tissue preservation and availability. A variety of histologic lesions
(typically mild) have been identified in examined tissues; however,
common significant lesions or pathologic processes (such as,
infectious disease) to explain the yearly or recurrent strandings
have not been identified.

Scars and wounds from gull attacks have become an increasingly common
finding on the backs of right whales at Peninsula Valdes and are seen
in approximately 80 percent of calves. Gulls could potentially act as
vectors for infectious disease transmission or bacterial toxin
transfer. Samples of gull peck lesions have been available for
histological examination from 6 dead calves. Of those 6 samples,
wounds in 3 of the animals were associated with local inflammation
and a disseminated process, possibly related to gull peck wounds, was
present in one of these 3 animals.

Blood suitable for infectious disease serology was available from 4
calves sampled between 2004-2009. These samples were negative for
brucellosis, leptospirosis (18 serovars), influenza type A,
morbillivirus panel, and seal herpesvirus (only tested on animals
stranded in 2009). Two calves sampled in 2004 and 2005 were
serologically positive for canine herpesvirus. Mass tag (respiratory
and pan viral panels) was run on serum from 2 animals from 2009 with
negative results. Pathogens included in the respiratory panel were:
_Haemophilus influenzae_, _Chlamydophila pneumoniae_, _Neisseria
meningitis_, _Streptococcus pneumoniae_, _Legionella pneumoniae_, and
_Mycoplasma pneumoniae_. Those included in the pan-viral panel were:
adenovirus, influenza A & B, RSV [respiratory syncytial virus] A and
B, coronavirus, HPIV [human parainfluenza viruses] 1 to 4,
metapneumovirus, enterovirus. PCR for _Brucella_ sp. on ovary,
spleen, testicle, and lymph nodes was negative for 26 whales examined.

Although a limited number of samples have been tested for heavy
metals and other pollutants like organochlorines, these are likely to
be of little significance given the low trophic level and
predominantly offshore feeding habits of southern right whales.

Biotoxins from harmful algal blooms have also been considered
potential causative or contributing factors in the whale mortalities.
Blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate _Alexandrium tamarense_ and the
diatom _Pseudonitzschia_ sp. have occurred at Peninsula Valdes from
2005 through 2009; however, they have not been temporally associated
with the highest peaks in whale mortality in any year and there were
no observed die-offs of other marine mammals, marine birds, or fish
during these times. Also, although traces of domoic acid were found
in the blood of one adult female and one calf in 2005, an additional
90 samples collected from 28 dead whales since 2007 tested negative
for domoic acid and paralytic shellfish poison.

While many samples and much information has been gathered to date,
additional data are needed to determine the causes for the recent
deaths. Ongoing monitoring for independent,
multifactorial/interrelated, or concurrent disease processes,
including infectious, toxic or nutritional disease, genetic or
environmental factors including food availability, and maternal and
calf fitness are critical for establishing the cause(s) of the recent
recurrent, significant mortality of young right whales at Peninsula Valdes

A full report on the southern right whale die-offs can be found at
the International Whaling Commission website,
.

Note: The Southern Right Whale Health Monitoring Program (SRWHMP) is
a collaborative effort of the following NGOs: Wildlife Conservation
Society, Whale Conservation Institute, Instituto de Conservacion de
Ballenas, Fundacion Patagonia Natural, and Fundacion Ecocentro.

--
Marcela Uhart

Wildlife Conservation Society, Associate
Director Global Health Program,
Latin America. Supervisor
Southern Right
Whale Health Monitoring Program

[This is a very thorough response regarding the situation of the
right whales. Dr Uhart has presented their findings and it clearly
represents an extensive investigation into a situation that is still
baffling to everyone.

ProMED-mail wishes to apologize to our readers as this email has only
recently been brought to the attention of this moderator. ProMED-mail
also wishes to thank Dr Uhart for the continued diligence to get this
report to us. - Mod.TG]

[see also:
Die-off, right whale - Argentina: (CH) RFI 20100630.2179]
...................................tg/mj/dk

*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:

************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to
an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name
name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-
scribe at .
For assistance from a human being, send mail to:
.

Poultry: Industry Watchers Optimistic

2010-07-14T09:16:00.003-04:00

The poultry industry’s ‘new normal’
14 Jul 2010

Although the financial position for the poultry industry has improved considerably, challenges remain as the volatility surrounding the industry seems to increase at a faster and faster pace, according to Mike Donohue of Agri Stats.
Donohue was speaking at the 2010 Financial Management Seminar, sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association's Poultry & Egg Institute.

Donohue examined current trends in the broiler, turkey and egg industries, reminding the group that his theme ‘A time of Challenges for the Poultry Industry' was essentially a continuation of the past 2 years. "The industry must recognise that these changes have created a ‘new normal' and adjust accordingly. As an example, we need to expect corn prices at $4.20-$4.40 per bushel. Corn may never return to what were traditional levels of $2.50, since so much of the crop is being diverted to ethanol production and the price is now driven more by speculation than at any time in the past," he said.

Carl Blackham of BMO Capital Markets and Anthony Bahr of CoBank discussed bank lending trends. Bahr's statement ‘what a difference a year makes' reflected on what he considers improved credit markets for borrowers. Bahr also said "the U.S. appears to have emerged from recession, but economic growth still is somewhat subdued for this point in the cycle. However, the U.S. is ahead of the EU and Japan in recovery cycle and is poised to lead a global recovery," he added.

Blackham acknowledged that 2009 "was the worst credit market in many years, perhaps in our lifetime, but things are showing improvement." He said that merger and acquisition activity, which was at a 15-year low in 2009, has turned the corner in 2010, although the majority of the recent deals are much smaller than in the past.

"With cash shown on the balance sheets of investment grade companies currently at 60 year highs, many firms appear to be sitting on the sidelines waiting for just the right deal or waiting for the European financial crisis to be resolved," Blackham said. He noted that markets are generally improving for borrowers and that refinancing opportunities are available, but borrowers should consider refinancing sooner than later.

The program, developed by a committee of experienced industry professionals, also featured updates on domestic and global poultry markets, taxes, an economic outlook, and provided detailed guidance on other industry-specific financial topics.

* Photo: Alan Duncan (center), Mountaire Farms, and program committee chairman, reviewed the agenda with speakers Bob Childress (right) and Rob Gunther, both of Frazer Frost LLP, who presented a "Tax Update".

Source: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association;

http://worldpoultry.net/news/the-poultry-industryE28099s-E28098new-normalE28099-7694.html

Slaughter Business Thriving in Up-State New York

2010-07-14T08:56:00.003-04:00

Unfortunately, all of these places mentioned in the article below are within a 50 mi radius of my home.

-------------------------

When the owners of Eagle Bridge Custom Meat & Smokehouse opened the
doors of their new slaughtering facility in November, they expected to
kill no more than 1,200 animals by the end of their first year in
business. Just over eight months later, they’ve easily surpassed 2,000 animals —
including pigs, sheep, goats and cattle — and are booked solid through
December. Calls for appointments from small and mid-sized farmers within a
300-mile radius show little sign of abating.

"We’ve had enough requests that, if we weren’t careful with our
schedule, we’d become overwhelmed pretty quickly," said Debra Bell,
operations manager at the slaughterhouse, located in southern
Washington County.

Eagle Bridge’s tight schedule highlights what many who raise animals
in the area say is a pressing need: access to a safe, clean and
dependable slaughterhouse where dignity and quality are paramount.
Across the country, and in the Northeast in particular, demand for
locally raised meat is growing, and producers are multiplying. As the
market has grown, though, producers say a vital link in the chain
between farm and table — the slaughterhouse — is lacking.
Federal statistics underscore the point. The number of federally
certified slaughterhouses has steadily waned over the years, as large
producers took hold and consolidation occurred.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest statistics,
there are now just 13 federally certified poultry slaughterhouses and
35 federally certified livestock slaughterhouses in the state. That’s
half the number that existed two decades ago.

Federal certification is required for any slaughterhouse that produces
meat to be sold at markets or to restaurants. Farmers in the area who raise animals for sale say the lack of certified facilities has forced them to make appointments with
slaughterhouses months, if not a year, in advance. It’s a timetable
that can make raising the animals difficult.

The lack of facilities can also lead to more time away from the farm
for farmers who have to transport animals to a slaughterhouse. The
transportation itself increases costs and diminishes the end product,
farmers said.

Still, farmers who raise animals in the area say they are better off
than most of their peers across the country. In addition to Eagle Bridge, Washington County is also home to Locust Grove slaughterhouse in Argyle, which has been open since 1972. Both
facilities are federally certified. Several state-certified slaughterhouses also exist in the area, though meat processed at those businesses cannot be commercially sold.
There is also a slaughterhouse in Greenwich that specializes in
chicken, ducks and turkey and can process up to 20,000 birds a year.
"For some people, it’s two hours both ways, and I don’t think we could
afford to do that," said Karen Christensen, who operates Mack Brook
Farm in Argyle, a certified humane farm that sent more than a dozen
grass-fed bovines to Locust Grove last year.

"It’s a huge concern for a lot of people in this business, so we feel
very fortunate to be within 10 miles of a slaughterhouse," she said.
"We’re the envy of most people we talk to."

Mike Yazzi, of Flying Pigs Farm in Shushan, knows what it’s like to
travel long distances to find a slaughterhouse. When his farm opened in 2001, he transported pigs to Connecticut for slaughter. As the operation grew and slaughter services were needed on
a weekly basis, though, Yazzi said it became clear the model wasn’t sustainable.
With 300 to 400 pigs slaughtered each year, having a location like Eagle Bridge close at hand, he said, probably trims around $25,000 from his annual costs.
"That’s a big number for me," said Yazzi, whose pork products are
largely sent to restaurants and markets in New York City.

Slaughterhouse numbers have been falling for several reasons, industry
experts say. The lack of a stable work force and strict federal safety
and health guidelines are among them.

At Locust Grove, for example, a federal inspector is on site eight
hours a day every day. Reams of paperwork have to be filed for every
animal slaughtered, and tests occur at nearly every step in the
process.

"It’s a whole new industry now," said Bill Tripp, who said his Locust
Grove facility originally catered only to farmers looking to get meat
for their own families.

Large start-up costs are also a barrier. At Eagle Bridge, family
savings had to be used to turn what was a processing facility into a
full-service, animal-welfare approved slaughterhouse.
Pens, additional cooler space, a 45-foot trailer to hold and transport
rendered product, a scalder and additional staff were among the
investments that had to be made to grow the business. Previously,
Eagle Bridge offered only processed and smoked meats.
Eagle Bridge’s owners say they were confident they were making a wise
investment. After raising animals of their own, they experienced
firsthand how difficult it was to find a slaughtering facility.
"We knew the business was there," said Stephen Farrara, Eagle Bridge’s
manager, during a tour of the facility recently. "We realized there
was a niche."

The stresses are particularly acute in the livestock and pork trades
because those products are more often purchased rather than homegrown.
People who raise chickens, ducks or other birds in their back yards,
by contrast, are more apt to slaughter and process the animals
themselves. Still, the Garden of Spices farm in Greenwich, a poultry
slaughterhouse run by Ben Shaw, is busy. Demand has steadily grown in
the five years the farm has been open, as more people begin to raise
their own birds, he said. Shaw said he expects to process around 20,000 birds a year for farmers
from the Canadian border to the Catskill Mountains.
"When someone comes in and says they’re thinking about opening a (meat
processing) facility, I try to encourage them," he said. "The main
reason we opened was that we wanted to raise birds ourselves on a
large scale, and there was no facility around."

Interest in local meat isn’t likely to abate any time soon.
Farmers and slaughterhouse operators say they think concerns over food
safety, along with new emphasis on local foods, will only increase
over time.

Restaurateurs like Jason Baker are driving the demand.
Baker owns Black Watch, a Glens Falls-based steakhouse, and he raises
cattle on a farm in Easton and has them slaughtered and butchered at
Eagle Bridge. The process typically yields around 600 pounds of beef
every two weeks. On the menu, it’s sold as the ‘Farm du Jour,’ a meat that Baker said
has unique marbling and a "delicate floral flavor," honed through a
carefully controlled diet. Having a local slaughterhouse to help make the dish possible, he said,
is "huge," and helps patrons, chefs and servers at his restaurant gain
a better understanding of where food comes from.
"I think it’s really important to have a relationship with your food
and to have a respect for an animal who gives its life," he said.
"Just to realize that food doesn’t come out of a vacuum, people can
take that for granted."

Posted in Local on Monday, July 12, 2010 1:00 am Updated: 12:08 pm.

http://poststar.com/news/local/article_aa5835f6-8d53-11df-8fa0-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=story

Tags: Slaughterhouse, Farming, Eagle Bridge

Warning! Fort Dodge's Fel-O-Vax-Lv-K vaccine

2010-07-13T08:24:00.000-04:00

Received this warning from Furkids Rescue:

Date: Sunday, July 11, 2010, 3:43 PM

Dear Colleagues,

Furkids had an experience this week with Fort Dodge Leukemia vaccines that we want to share with you in hopes that no one else has this happen to their animals.

On July 7, we vaccinated 20 cats with Fort Dodge's Fel-O-Vax-Lv-K vaccine (167346B, exp. 2/20/11).

ALL 20 cats spiked high temperatures within a few hours of receiving the vaccine. We recorded temps over 105. We had to send six cats to emergency (one with seizures). We administered fluids and metacam and benadryl. Thankfully, the cats seem to be rebounding today. In our eight years, we have never seen anything like this.

Fort Dodge has offered no explanation. We will no longer be using the Fort Dodge products and wanted to pass along our experience with their vaccine in case any of you have the same lot. If you do, you should contact your rep and return them immediately.

Thanks,

Sam

Samantha Shelton
Executive Director & Founder Furkids, Inc.
770-613-0880
www.furkids.org

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

San Francisco to Consider Pet-Sale Ban

2010-07-09T18:19:00.001-04:00

http://www.11alive.com/rss/rss_story.aspx?storyid=146170

PLAGUE - USA: (CALIFORNIA) GROUND SQUIRREL

2010-07-09T00:15:00.001-04:00

******************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

Date: Sun 4 Jul 2010
Source: Los Angeles Times [edited]

Campground closed after ground squirrel tests positive for plague
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Los Angeles County public health and US Forest Service officials have
closed the Los Alamos Campground in the Angeles National Forest after
a California ground squirrel captured 2 weeks ago tested positive for
plague.

The camp, between Gorman and Pyramid Lake, was closed Saturday
afternoon [3 Jul 2010] and will remain closed for at least 10 days,
said Jonathan Fielding, the county's public health director. Squirrel
burrows in the area will be dusted for fleas, and further testing
will be conducted before the campground is reopened.

[Byline: Ruben Vives]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail

[The causative bacterium _Yersinia pestis_ is transmitted to people
through fleabite and direct contact with infected animals. Each
rodent species is host to one or more species of fleas which, when
infected, are carriers. These fleas generally do not infest other
animals unless their natural hosts are unavailable.

Domestic cats and dogs can also contract plague from infective fleas.
They may carry infected fleas home to their owners or, especially
cats, serve as a direct source of infection. There are many flea
treatments and repellents appropriate for pets and available. Some
products may be suitable for dogs but not cats or may be suitable for
an adult but not a younger animal. Be sure to consult your
veterinarian, as some products may be toxic to cats, kittens, and
puppies, even resulting in fatalities.

[see also:
Plague, canine - USA: (NM) 20100418.1259
Plague, cougar - USA (WY) 20100208.0429
2009
----
Plague, feline - USA (CA) 20091205.4150
Plague, fatal - USA (05): (IL) lab strain susp. RFI 20090921.3320
Plague, fatal - USA (04): (IL) lab strain susp. RFI 20090920.3298
Plague, fatal - USA (03): (NM) recovery 20090715.2530
Plague, tularemia, prairie dogs - USA (SD) 20090712.2494
Plague, fatal - USA (02): (NM) risk, prevention 20090611.2153
Plague, fatal - USA: (NM) bubonic 20090605.2080
Plague, rabbit - USA (NM) 20090415.1435
2008
----
Plague, human, prairie dogs - USA: (AZ) 20081012.3229
Plague, bubonic - USA: (CT ex WY) 20080827.2672
Plague, wildlife - USA: (CO) rabbit 20080727.2289
Plague, prairie dogs, ferrets - USA: (SD) (02) 20080722.2213
Plague, prairie dog, ferrets - USA: (SD) 20080708.2082
Plague, feline - USA (WY): mountain lion 20080522.1694
Plague, prairie dogs - USA: (CO), susp., RFI 20080506.1552
Plague, human, feline - USA (NM): early season cases 20080127.0340]
...................................sb/tg/mj/lm

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