Author: Kristin Stone

MEDIA DOWNLOADS

Last week, China Animal Protection Power, a coalition of Chinese animal protection groups based in Beijing, uncovered and closed an illegal dog collection depot in Changping, a suburban township of Beijing. The rescuers representing the Capital Animal Welfare Association, Vshine, Yshine, Beijing Adoption Day, Beijing Pure Heart Rescue and others worked with law enforcement authorities to rescue 26 dogs, including four newborn puppies, from an abandoned vegetable warehouse.

Beijing’s Capital Animal Welfare Association, a CAPP member and long-time partner of Humane Society International, reported the warehouse to authorities, who quickly intervened and confiscated the animals on August 12. About 20 CAPP activists participated in the rescue. The dogs spent the night at a police animal shelter, but are now in a rehabilitation facility that HSI built in 2016. They will receive veterinary care and be placed for adoption or, when possible, will be reunited with their families.

The rundown vegetable greenhouse is believed to be a dog collecting depot that dog meat traders use as a transit and temporary holding facility. According to activists, the traders snatch the dogs from the street and put them in these facilities until they have enough dogs to be loaded onto trucks bound for the country’s three major dog meat markets in South, Central and Northeast China. Up to a thousand dogs can be transported illegally in each of these trucks.

Peter Li, HSI’s China specialist, said: “These dogs were found just in time inside the decrepit, filthy shed. Traders kept the dogs chained up before they transported the animals to dog meat markets well outside the city, where the dogs meet a horrendous death at the hands of butchers. Humane Society International applauds these brave animal activists for cutting off yet another supply line for the dog meat trade industry. Their new approach of working with the authorities to thwart the dog meat traders and their largely illegal industry has been successful, with more than 4,000 dogs rescued to date across the country.”

Dog meat consumption is rare in Beijing, thanks to the strong campaigning by animal activists and widespread local support to close dog meat markets and restaurants in China’s capital.

Mdm Qin, director of Capital Animal Welfare Association, said: “Dog theft is a crime that also has an adverse social stability impact in our country. Beijing is the capital of the country. We cannot allow this lawless act to tarnish the reputation of law enforcement in the nation’s capital. The outskirts of the city cannot be allowed to be the hot bed for illegal operations that violate people’s property rights, the state’s animal disease control policies, and the country’s food safety laws.”

On July 6, CAPP assisted local authorities with the rescue of more than 200 dogs and more than 140 cats from a truck in Hunan bound for the dog meat trade. Thanks to the new spirit of cooperation between the activists and the authorities, local law enforcement penalized the dog meat traders and handed all the rescued animals to the care of the activists. This weekend’s rescue in Changping was a continuation of this new approach of working more closely with the authorities to combat the dog meat trade.

Media contact: Raul Arce-Contreras, rcontreras@humanesociety.org

MONTREAL—The government of British Columbia has prohibited the trophy hunting of grizzly bears throughout the province and all hunting of grizzlies within the Great Bear Rainforest. The announcement, made Monday, follows a commitment by the BC New Democratic Party late last year to stop all trophy hunting of grizzlies if elected.

Rebecca Aldworth, executive director of Humane Society International/Canada, issued the following statement applauding the ban:

“Trophy hunting is a disgraceful blood sport that flies in the face of Canadian values. Monday’s announcement that the BC government has prohibited trophy hunting of grizzlies is a crucial step forward in protecting these majestic animals from senseless cruelty. The decision is also in line with the views of the overwhelming majority of BC residents, including Coastal First Nations. Much remains to be clarified about the measure, and we welcome the opportunity to work with the provincial government to ensure grizzlies are truly protected from all forms of trophy hunting. The pending fall hunting season speaks to the urgency of enacting this prohibition swiftly.”

Support the efforts of HSI/Canada to prevent cruelty and save lives.

HSI/Canada has campaigned to end the trophy hunt for grizzlies in BC for more than a decade. Globally, HSI has been at the forefront of a powerful movement to stop trophy hunting for good by blocking the trade in wildlife trophies, strengthening legal protections for wild animals and educating the public about the devastating impacts of trophy hunting.

FACTS

• Trophy hunters kill hundreds of grizzlies each year in British Columbia.
• Trophy hunting results in high wounding rates, with wild animals routinely left to suffer for extended periods of time before hunters retrieve them.
• Public opinion polling reveals that more than 90 percent of BC residents oppose trophy hunting.
• Grizzlies are listed as a species of “Special Concern” by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.
• A 2013 study published in the Public Library of Science found that trophy hunting may be causing declines in bear populations, and that hunters were exceeding government quotas in half of the populations studied.
• Further independent studies have found that former government estimates of bear populations in BC are inaccurately high and, in reality, populations are too low to sustain current hunting levels.
• A 2012 study by the Center for Responsible Travel and Stanford University found that bear-viewing businesses in BC’s Great Bear Rainforest generated 12 times more visitor spending than bear hunting.

Media Contact: Christopher Paré, 514 395-2914, cpare@hsi.org

The governor of Veracruz, Mexico, Miguel Ángel Yunes, is being applauded for his recent veto of a change to the state’s animal protection law that would have legalized animal fighting, including cockfights and other cruel spectacles like vaquilladas, which are similar to bullfights.

The following is a statement from Anton Aguilar, executive director of Humane Society International/Mexico, praising the governor’s veto and urging the state’s lawmakers to keep the ban in place.

“We applaud Governor Yunes’ courageous stance against cruelty in Veracruz. Cruel spectacles like cockfighting and vaquilladas have no place in modern society and can  contribute to violent and criminal behavior. There is a strong correlation between animal abuse and human violence – those who intentionally abuse animals are more likely to exhibit violent behavior towards others. Veracruz already has a high violence and crime rate, so it’s all the more important that the state’s lawmakers prevent cruel and abusive cockfighting and vaquilladas from further staining the state’s reputation.”

HSI/Mexico will work with local animal protection organizations and Veracruz representatives to oppose any further attempts to legalize cockfighting and other forms of animal cruelty in the state.

Facts:

• Veracruz is one of the few Mexican states that ban cockfighting.
• Despite the ban, the birds are widely bred in Veracruz, with more fighting gamecocks being bred in Veracruz than in any other state.
• If the local congress passes the measure to legalize cockfighting a second time (it was originally passed last month), the governor will no longer be able to veto the bill.
• The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented. Studies show a correlation between animal cruelty and all manner of other crimes, from narcotics and firearms violations to battery and sexual assault.

Media contact: Raúl Arce-Contreras, rcontreras@humanesociety.org, +1-301-721-6440

KERALA—On the occasion of World Elephant Day, in the wake of frequent deaths of wild elephants due to electrocution from electric fences, the most recent being in Munnar, Humane Society International/India has launched a tip-line at +91 7674-922044 to report information on illegal high voltage (220V) electric fencing. The organisation is offering a cash reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the people involved in setting up these fences throughout Kerala.

Recent media reports show the gruesome deaths of three Asian elephants within the past month because of contact with live, high voltage electric fences in Kerala. The Asian elephant is a protected species listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Despite numerous instances of elephant electrocution in Kerala, the government has failed to take any serious action against their illegal installation. While erection of solar powered fencing to ward off wild animals from agricultural estates with a mild jolt is permitted, protection of estates and farms with 220V of electricity is prohibited as it has the potential to kill any animal or human who comes in contact with the live wire.

Sumanth Bindumadhav, wildlife campaign manager of HSI/India said, “Elephants as a species face enough threats as it is with shrinking habitat, competition for resources and poaching for ivory. The last thing they need is to be fatally electrocuted by illegally installed fencing. We can address elephant electrocution by ensuring fencing meets the legal guidelines and does not pose a threat to elephants and other wildlife. We also call on the Forest Department to team up with wildlife researchers and conservationists, to come up with a plethora of effective and proactive solutions in their armoury, to help resolve elephant conflicts with farmers.”

HSI supports the limited use of electric fencing in certain human-animal conflict situations, but only as long as the fence is professionally installed, maintained, monitored and the voltage is low enough to prevent harm to wildlife.

Thanks to its tip lines and rewards, HSI/India has been successful in identifying and arresting the culprit of Kerala dog bestiality, New Delhi Green park dog stabbing case, puppies burnt alive in Hyderabad and others.

Media Contact: Alokparna Sengupta, asengupta@hsi.org, +91 9849094113

Warning: This statement includes a graphic description of fatal injuries

Humane Society International is offering a reward of up to R5,000.00 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in an act of alleged bestiality (sex with an animal) in Struisbaai North, Western Cape.

The Case: Local authorities believe the perpetrator/s committed the act on or around 2 or 3 August, 2017. The person or people involved in the crime had tied the dog to a tree from his neck, presumably to restrain him during the act. The dog was left hanging on the tree, and he succumbed to his injuries. Under the instruction of the Animal Anti-Cruelty League, local authorities removed the animal’s body and documented evidence. The Struisbaai SAPS has opened a cruelty case and this brutal crime is now under active investigation.

Animal Cruelty: Getting the serious attention of law enforcement, prosecutors and the community in cases involving allegations of cruelty to animals is an essential step in protecting the public. The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented. Studies show a correlation between animal cruelty and all manner of other crimes, from narcotics and firearms violations to battery and sexual assault. The rape of a dog by humans is a particularly heinous example of cruelty to animals and law enforcement must aggressively investigate and prosecute such a crime.  

Audrey Delsink, HSI/Africa executive director, said: “We ask people with any kind of information about this case to please come forward. This horrific act of animal cruelty must not go unpunished. It is important to catch the individual or individuals responsible for this crime before this behaviour escalates to more crimes involving animals and people.” 

People with information on the case should contact the Struisbaai South African Police Service at (028) 435 7367, using Reference Number CAS 19/8/2017. Sergeant FP Gabriels is leading the investigation.

Media contact: Raúl Arce-Contreras, rcontreras@humanesociety.org, +1-301-721-6440

Note: this version was edited from its original.

Humane Society International/Latin America applauds the passing of the regulations for the Wildlife Conservation Law in Costa Rica. The new regulations allows Costa Rica’s Ministry of Environment and Energy and its conservation agency, SINAC, to help establish important provisions to protect wildlife from trafficking and support wildlife rehabilitation programs. HSI/LA played an active role in drafting the regulations as part of the National Wildlife Commission.

The new regulations include necessary instruments to support the work of wildlife rescue centers, facilitate collaboration in the fight against illegal trafficking as well as implementing provisions for wild animals and plants. The regulations also establish the National Wildlife Commission as an advisory body to Costa Rica’s environment and conservation agencies. Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solís celebrated the regulation’s signing in Caño Negro during an event that also marked the inauguration of the new facilities of the Natural Wildlife Refuge of Caño Negro.

Andrea Borel, executive director of HSI/LA, who attended the ceremony, said: “These regulations are not only an undisputed victory for wildlife, but also ratify Costa Rica’s commitment to animal welfare. We will continue working together with MINAE, SINAC and other government institutions involved to achieve and implement the law, and ensure more humane treatment of wildlife throughout the country.”

Sign the “Don’t Buy Wild” Pledge.

Although the new statutes go a long way in ensuring animal protection under the law, HSI/LA also hopes it encourages Costa Ricans to show sensitivity, empathy and respect for wildlife, in alignment with the country’s respect for all forms of life.

HSI/LA congratulates President Solís and Minister of Environment and Energy, Édgar Gutiérrez for signing the new regulation. The organization also praises the members of the National Commission of Wildlife for their work in the writing of the regulations.

Background

• HSI/LA and SINAC signed a cooperation agreement this year to promote initiatives on the protection and conservation of wildlife in Costa Rica.
• The illegal wildlife trade is one of the largest criminal trades in the world and is linked to violence, drugs and human trafficking. Wildlife trafficking threatens the survival of many species and results in the inhumane treatment of billions of animals each year worldwide.

Media contact: Raúl Arce-Contreras: + 1-301-721-6440; rcontreras@humanesociety.org

The Czech Republic has today become the 14th country globally to completely ban fur farming, sparing around 20,000 foxes and minks every year who would otherwise spend their lives in cramped, barren cages and suffer painful deaths by gassing or electrocution. Humane Society International, which campaigns globally to end the cruel fur trade, has enthusiastically welcomed the ban, which will be phased in over the next 18 months.
 
President Milos Zeman signed the fur farming bill into law after huge majorities in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate passed the measure. The law stipulates that the country’s nine fur farms must close by 31st January 2019. 
 
Joanna Swabe, senior director of public affairs for HSI/Europe, says: “The Czech Republic’s decision to ban cruel fur farming is an immense victory for animals, sparing tens of thousands of them every year from short miserable lives in small wire cages, ending in horrible deaths. This ban strikes yet another blow to the fur industry, and we hope to see other countries follow the Czech Republic’s example by joining the fast-growing list of compassionate nations refusing to allow cruel fur farming within their borders.”

The ban has enjoyed wide public support from across the Czech Republic. A 2017 opinion poll showed that 83 per cent of Czechs back the law to close fur farms.
 
Lucie Moravcová from Czech animal charity Svoboda zvířat says: “We are thrilled by today’s decision. We believe that this is a result of a development of values across Europe where society is becoming more conscious and considerate towards those who cannot defend themselves. Passing the law that bans fur farming represents an historical milestone in animal protection in the Czech Republic. Our society has come to an agreement that animals are sentient beings whose lives have value and that this value is more important than the frivolous wants of the fashion industry.”
 
The Czech Republic joins Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, the Netherlands, Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and five other countries in banning fur farms, with bans also being considered in Belgium and Luxembourg. Germany and Switzerland have regulations requiring such high welfare standards that they effectively make it impossible to continue farming animals for fur. 
 
Media contact:
 
HSI UK: Harriet Barclay, HBarclay@HSI.org, +447794 354 596

CHIHUAHUA, Mexico — Humane Society International welcomes the introduction of a bill to penalize a host of activities related to dogfighting in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. Congresswoman Nadia Xóchitl Siqueiros Loera introduced the bill during a ceremony attended by HSI.

Dogfighting became a federal offence on June 22, thanks in part to HSI’s efforts to convince legislators that the activity is not only immensely cruel to the animals involved it’s also surrounded by other criminal activities and violent behavior. Dogs subjected to the crime are trained to fight to the death and even the ‘winners’ often succumb to their terrible injuries. While the country’s criminal code now includes dogfighting, it is also important that each state penalize it in their respective criminal codes.

Claudia Edwards, DVM, program director of HSI/Mexico, who was present at a press conference to mark the bill’s introduction, said: “With dogfighting already a federal crime, it’s time for Chihuahua to establish strong penalties against this cruel activity in the state. If passed, this initiative would send a message to dogfighters — your crime will be punished to the fullest extent of Chihuahua’s criminal code.”

Dr. Edwards presented a lecture to local government officials and animal activists about dogfighting, including identifying the different types of fights and ways to organize raids against them. HSI/Mexico has conducted various trainings to Chihuahua officials on responding to extreme cases animal cruelty.

Legislators from other state congresses have presented similar initiatives to punish dogfighting. They include Xavier López Adame, a member of the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico, who is president of the Commission for the Preservation of the Environment, Ecological Protection and Climate Change in the Legislative Assembly of Mexico City. López Adame presented an initiative to reform Mexico City’s Animal Protection Act and the Criminal Code to penalize and eradicate dogfights.

Media contacts: Mexico: Magaly Garibay, mgaribay@ideeconsulting.com, (55) 5211 8731 ext. 104/U.S.: Raúl Arce-Contreras, rcontreras@humanesociety.org, +1-301-721-6440