IDA eNews: 6/13/07

IDA ACTION ALERTS
1. IDA Online - New Technology Advances Animal Advocacy
2. Bounty for California Goat Killer Up to $21,000
3. Korean Political Protesters Torture and Kill Pig as "Performance"

CAMPAIGN NEWS & UPDATES
1. Unchained: IDA Battles Dog Fighters over Anti-Tethering Law
2. IDA Rescues 11 Neglected Horses
3. New Episodes of Undercover TV Expose Animal Abuse


IDA ACTION ALERTS

1. IDA Online - New Technology Advances Animal Advocacy
Join IDA's social network, watch videos, and get your friends involved!

As an animal rights organization that has been active for nearly 25 years, IDA is all too familiar with the benefits of using new media to communicate with our members and supporters. Whereas once we primarily used newsletters, phone calls, and door-to-door canvassing to spread our message, the development of revolutionary technology now provides unprecedented opportunities for animal advocacy.

As a forerunner in the animal protection movement, IDA is committed to taking full advantage of new tools that enable us to reach millions more individuals with our important campaigns to help animals. For example, you can now find us on a host of social networking Web sites, including MySpace ( http://www.myspace.com ), Facebook ( http://www.facebook.com ), Photobucket ( http://www.photobucket.com ), Flickr ( http://www.flickr.com ), YouTube ( http://www.youtube.com ), CrueltyFree.com ( http://www.crueltyfree.com ), and Meetup.com ( http://www.meetup.com ) to name just a few. With the rapid growth of the online world, the popularity of these sites continues to rise dramatically.

IDA has over 5,000 "friends" on MySpace alone where they can view videos, read our daily blog, and learn about our campaigns and upcoming events. While IDA is getting our message out to an important audience -- the youth -- MySpace and other sites are not just for teens and twentysomethings. Consider, for instance, that half of the users of MySpace are over 35 years old. If you aren't already a regular surfer of the Net, it's never too late to learn, and connecting with IDA online has never been easier.

So, we ask you…will you be our friend? Check us out online at:

- MySpace ( http://www.myspace.com/idausa )

- Facebook ( http://www.idausa.org/facebook )

- YouTube ( http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=InDefenseofAnimals )

You can also access these sites from our homepage at http://www.idausa.org . If you do not already have an online account with MySpace, YouTube, CrueltyFree.com, or Facebook, get one today. These sites make it easy and fun to share with millions of others the issues that are important to you and meet others that share your interests.

If you have any questions or to submit ideas for bettering our social networking pages, contact Jillian Hacker at (415) 388-9641, ext. 209 or jillian [at] idausa.org . We'll see you in cyberspace!


2. Bounty for California Goat Killer Up to $21,000
IDA adds $2,500 to reward for information leading to killer's conviction

IDA is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for killing fifteen goats in the Oakland hills recently. Added to the existing bounty for the killer's capture, this brings the total reward up to $21,000.

According to authorities, the perpetrator(s) used a .22 caliber gun to shoot and kill the goats, who were part of a herd of 3,000 that are used to graze on fire-hazardous underbrush and weeds in the hills. They were separated from the herd in a pen near an elementary school when they were shot in the middle of the night. When the goats were discovered the next morning, their bodies had been partially eaten by wild animals.

Sergeant Dave Cronin, chief of Oakland's Animal Services department, suspects that the perpetrator is someone who lives nearby, since they would have had to know the remote area well enough to walk up to the pen in the dark. Cronin, emphasizing the deliberate and premeditated nature of the crime, has expressed strong concerns that the killer will strike again, and that he could victimize humans next if he is not apprehended quickly. "This is a violent person, and they are likely to do other weird things," Cronin said. "We need to find this person."

Interviewed for an article in the San Mateo County Times ( http://www.insidebayarea.com/sanmateocountytimes/ci_6005163 ), IDA president Dr. Elliot M. Katz, also drew the connection between abusing animals and assaults on people. "Cruelty to animals is a precursor to violence against humans," Katz stated. "When people report animal cruelty, they help the police and the local humane society protect animals and people from intensified violence. The person responsible for these killings is a danger to animals and society."

Studies by the F.B.I. and U.S. Department of Justice have proven the connection between animal abuse, child abuse and domestic violence. Violent acts toward animals, when left unaddressed, have been linked to intensified violence and neglect and/or expansion to human victims. The FBI investigates cases of animal cruelty when profiling serial killers, and many of the world's most notorious mass-murderers -- including Jeffrey Dahmer ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Dahmer ), Ted Bundy ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Bundy ), Eric Harris, and Dylan Klebold ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Harris_and_Dylan_Klebold ) -- are known to have tortured and killed animals before moving on to human victims.

What You Can Do:

Information provided by the public may be the only hope for finding the person or persons responsible for this reprehensible act. IDA urges anyone with information that may be relevant to this case to contact the Oakland Animal Services at (510) 535-5640 or Voices for Pets at (925) 685-5388.


3. S. Korean Political Protesters Torture and Kill Pig as "Performance"
Urge Korean officials to prohibit animal abuse

WARNING: The following contains graphic descriptions of animal mutilation which some readers may find objectionable and revolting.

Our members know that IDA has long led the fight against the brutal practice of eating dog and cat meat in South Korea ( http://www.idausa.org/campaigns/korea/index.html ). Unfortunately, this is just one of the abuses taking place in a country that has lax laws regulating the treatment of animals slaughtered for food. Recently, this lack of protection left one young piglet the helpless victim of a revolting public spectacle, as she was bound, stabbed, and gutted while fully conscious for symbolic purposes at a political protest.

Hundreds of demonstrators organized by the Icheon City Committee assembled in front of city hall in opposition to a plan by the Ministry of National Defense to build military bases in the area. To represent the protesters' outrage, self-styled "performance artists" tied a two-month-old piglet by all four limbs and stretched her out in the air on a stage. Men wielding knives then ritualistically sliced the pig's skin and eviscerated her as she screamed and struggled in agony. National and local officials attending the event cheered and applauded, some waving Korean flags. By the end, men pulled like a tug-of-war on the ropes tied to pig's limbs, tearing her body to shreds.

Several days after the protest, two animal protection organizations -- Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE) and Korean Association for Animal Protection (KAAP) -- held mourning rites for the pig. At the second vigil, they were attacked by members of the Icheon City Committee, who hurled insults at mourners over loudspeakers and destroyed the shrines they had constructed out of flowers, hanging banners, and framed photos of the sacrificed pig. One female animal advocate was severely beaten.

CARE and KAAP soon joined up with another group, Urging Punishment for the Pig Slaughterers, to gather signatures against the Icheon City Committee's cruel "performance." Though the South Korean government does little to protect animals from abuse, many South Koreans are concerned about animal welfare, and many people signed the petition.

With the country's growing economic prosperity and power, there is a cultural shift toward greater awareness of animal suffering. We are all members of the global community, so no matter what country you live in, you can support efforts for animals in South Korea by adding your voice to those of activists fighting the abuse within their own borders.

What You Can Do:

Please "Take Action" to ask South Korean officials to ban public displays of animal abuse ( %takeaction-koreanpig% ), and to enforce laws protecting the welfare of animals.


CAMPAIGN NEWS & UPDATES

1. Unchained: IDA Battles Dog Fighters over Anti-Tethering Law
Efforts to limit chaining in North Carolina gain momentum

In our February eNews ( http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=6635284 ), we reported that IDA Program Director Suzanne Roy rescued a neglected dog whose whole life consisted of her doghouse and the area she could reach on a six-foot chain. "Henry" (who was actually a female) had never been spayed or given any veterinary care and was severely malnourished, but thanks to Suzanne, who visited her daily and finally convinced Henry's "owner" to turn her over, the long-suffering dog was adopted by Dietrich von Haugwitz, her loving new guardian. Renamed Bessie, she now shares a Chapel Hill home and 12-acre yard with his other dog.

The case has set in motion a chain of events that may lead to a new law in Orange County, N.C. banning the cruel practice of tethering dogs as a primary method of containment. Keeping dogs on chains for extended times is extremely cruel to this naturally social species that craves and needs socialization and companionship. As was the case with Bessie, chained dogs typically lack adequate veterinary care, food, water or shelter, and are often deprived of exercise and interaction with their families.

Roy serves on the Orange County Animal Tethering Committee, which will be making a recommendation to local leaders in support of the anti-chaining ordinance. While the humane law has widespread support in the community, there is one small group of people who strongly oppose it: those who breed dogs for fighting.

Though dog fighting ( http://www.idausa.org/facts/fighting.html ) is illegal in the U.S. and considered a felony in 47 states, this deadly activity continues in many areas of the country. Fighting dog breeders are against anti-tethering laws because it would make their job harder. Dogs bred and trained for fighting (mostly pit bulls) would kill one another if they were housed together, and since kenneling dogs individually is costly, most breeders simply separate fighting dogs by tethering them with heavy chains to the ground or a stationary object.

One of Roy's fellow committee members, Alane Koki, resigned after a local newspaper exposed her as being a well-known breeder of pit bulls used in fighting. After Koki's departure, the committee heard several hours of public testimony on the proposed anti-tethering law. A final decision is still pending. Clearly, banning or regulating chaining practices would take a huge bite out of the blood sport of dog fighting.


2. IDA Rescues 11 Neglected Horses
Removed from squalor, horses now have new homes

In early April, IDA received an email from a Colorado resident describing the horrific neglect of a group of 15 horses in Boulder County and asking for immediate help. After seeing a photo of an emaciated horse in a filthy stall, IDA's Rita Anderson immediately went out to the farm to investigate.

What she found was shocking. For at least three years, seven stallions had been living in a dark barn, day in and day out, with no fresh air and little exercise. The floors of their small cinderblock stalls were layered with manure and urine in which the horses were forced to lie when they needed rest. Based on their prominent ribs and hipbones, it was immediately clear they were malnourished. Since the guardian, Mike Murphy, had spent so little time with them, some were nearly wild.

The horses' hooves were also in desperate need of trimming. Although most horses have their hooves trimmed every few weeks, Rita later learned that at least one six-year-old stallion had never had his feet touched. This can be very serious and cause lifelong damage if not corrected.

It might seem that the eight mares fared better, since they were allowed to "graze" outside. However, their only source of food was bits of sparse grass and weeds in a dry field. During the brutal Colorado winters and the intensely hot summers, they had no shelter from the elements.

Although Murphy had been arrested and later placed on unsupervised probation for improper care of animals, authorities had failed to adequately follow up on this case. Completely disregarding the law, Murphy made virtually no change in his lack of care for the animals.

While IDA doesn't condone the purchase of animals, we ultimately decided to pay an adoption fee for these horses, as it was the only way to save them without the support of the Boulder County authorities. We received assistance from compassionate citizens who generously donated money for the adoption of 11 of the horses and provided unlimited quantities of free hay. Dr. Pat Haight, of the Conquistador Equine Advocacy and Rescue Program in Arizona, worked diligently to secure a grant from PetSmart Charities and Best Friends to pay for supplies, veterinary care, and a portion of transportation costs to their new homes.

Rita and several dedicated volunteers spent the next five weeks working at the barn daily to care for the horses who were given all the hay they could eat. Their appetites were insatiable. The most difficult task was cleaning the filth from the stalls. It was so intense they were forced to wear facemasks for protection. However, the putrid smell was still able to penetrate their masks and bring tears to their eyes. Rita is incredibly thankful for the volunteers who worked so tirelessly on this unpleasant but necessary work, as it would have been impossible to do it alone.

After Rita complained several times to authorities that Murphy had violated his probation by moving the four remaining horses to another county and by continually failing to provide proper care, he was ordered to return to court on June 28. IDA is asking the court to permanently remove the four remaining horses from Murphy's possession and to prohibit him from having any animals during the remainder of his probation. We are also asking the court to serve Murphy an appropriate punishment for endangering the horses, including jail time, fines, and community service hours in an animal care facility. We are prepared to take the remaining horses should the court see fit to award them to us.

We're happy to report that the 11 horses we adopted have arrived safely at their new homes in Arizona. Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Haight, they have each been placed with people who know and love Peruvian Paso horses. Three of them will be used in a therapy riding program at Hacienda de los Milagros Sanctuary. Another horse, who was initially considered too wild and difficult to handle, is now losing his fear of humans and has turned out to be quite gentle.

When Rita talks about the horses' progress, she radiates. That one woman's determination saved 11 horses goes to show that we can all make a difference in the lives of animals.


3. New Episodes of Undercover TV Expose Animal Abuse
IDA's groundbreaking animal rights program airs on over 100 stations

With today's network "news" programs giving more air time to celebrity scandals and "reality" shows than actual news or reality, the truly important issues that affect our world are often marginalized and ignored. In the rare instance that the mainstream media does cover an animal rights story, they typically either sensationalize it (thereby distorting the message) to boost ratings, or water it down for fear of shocking their viewers and alienating advertisers.

That is why, for two and a half years, IDA's Undercover TV (UTV) ( http://undercovertv.org ) has filled the vacuum left empty by media silence regarding the use and abuse of animals by industries around the world. In that time, UTV has become the most widely-distributed and most accessible animal rights program on television, as well as one of the most widely-distributed public access TV shows of any kind. More than 110 community access stations air UTV, and several new cities -- Albany, N.Y., Corpus Christi, Tex., and Asheville and Charlotte, N.C. -- have been added in just the last few weeks.

So far, IDA has produced 62 half-hour episodes of UTV, with many more to come. The installments are comprised of animal rights documentaries, exposés, and undercover videos created by professional film production studios, animal advocacy organizations, and enterprising individuals. They cover a broad range of animal rights issues, showing what is really happening to animals on factory farms and fur farms, in laboratories and circuses, and other places where cruelty is intentionally hidden from the public. Many of the images are graphic -- often far more violent and disturbing than any network would ever dare show -- but they must be seen, because they accurately represent the suffering that billions of animals used for food, clothing, "entertainment," and research endure, day in day out, year after year.

The latest episodes of UTV are some of the strongest yet. Episodes 55 and 56 feature the documentary "Knor," an award-winning Dutch film depicting the life of a pig, from birth to factory farm to slaughterhouse. Episodes 57 and 58 show the documentary "Chattel," a film that exposes the conditions of animals in vivisection labs and highlights the efforts of activists working to end their abuse.

Based on feedback we consistently get from viewers, UTV seems to be very effective at opening people's eyes to the suffering of animals. "Many people have written in saying that UTV was their first exposure to the horrors of institutionalized animal exploitation," says Gabe Quash, the show's producer. "It is gratifying to hear from many viewers who have been awakened to the truth about the mistreatment of animals and want to make a difference by showing videos to their family and friends and getting involved in animal advocacy."

IDA is proud of what we have accomplished with UTV so far, and we will continue to pursue its limitless potential as a tool for awakening people to animal concerns. As one viewer recently wrote, "(UTV) is all the motivation a person needs to stop eating meat for good. Thank you so much for getting the word out about the despicable way people treat animals...the more people who see the truth, the better. Ignorance is definitely not bliss in the case of animal cruelty."

What You Can Do:

- Watch UTV on your local public access station. Find channels, air dates, and times in your community ( http://www.idausa.org/undercover_tv.html ). You can also watch some videos online ( http://www.undercovertv.org/WatchVideos.php ) and order the UTV compilation DVD ( http://www.idausa.org/marketplace/dvd_video.html ), which includes four exciting episodes of the show.

- If UTV does not yet air on the public access station in your community, volunteer for UTV's nationwide distribution network. As a resident of any city, you can submit episodes of UTV to your local public access station simply by dropping off a box of tapes every few weeks. Contact undercover [at] idausa.org for more information.

- UTV is seeking undercover and investigative video footage to show on the air. If you have video footage that exposes violence against animals, please e-mail undercover [at] idausa.org or send a copy to In Defense of Animals, 3010 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94901. Please specify if you would like to remain anonymous.


Use GoodSearch Web Browser and Earn Money for IDA

What if you could help IDA earn money every time you searched the Internet without spending a cent? Well, now you can!

GoodSearch ( http://www.goodsearch.com ) is a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to nonprofit charities selected by its users. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it's powered by Yahoo!, so you get great results. To start, go to http://www.goodsearch.com and enter In Defense of Animals as the charity you want to support. Just 500 people doing four searches a day will raise about $7,300 a year for IDA, all without costing you—our supporters—any money at all!

Also please help IDA spread the word about this amazing fundraising opportunity! For example:

- Send an email out to all of your friends and family and supporters asking them to use GoodSearch and choose IDA as their favorite charity ( http://ga0.org/campaign/GoodsearchIDA/forward )

- Put a logo and link to GoodSearch on your website ( http://www.goodsearch.com/Logo.aspx )

- Download the GoodSearch toolbar and encourage other to do so as well ( http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar )

- Make GoodSearch the homepage on all of the computers in your company or school ( http://www.goodsearch.com/MakeHomepage.aspx )

Thank you for supporting IDA's important work for animals!


The Cat Therapist

Once a month, Carole Wilbourn, the Cat Therapist, answers questions and offers advice on how guardians can enrich their relationships with their beloved feline companions. Read her latest Cats on the Couch column ( http://idausa.org/cat_therapist/index.html ). Also visit Carole's Cat Store ( http://www.thecattherapist.com/cat_store.htm ) to purchase a copy of her classic book, "Cat Talk: What Your Cat is Trying to Tell You."