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Serbia: Governments Attitude to Ineffectively Trying to Reduce Stray Dog Numbers by Mass Killing, Results in Politician Being Attacked by ….. Stray Dogs who Have Avoided the Killings and Produced Yet More Strays !

Posted on August 9, 2009 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

A senior member of Serbian president Boris Tadic’s party was
hospitalized after being attacked by a pack of stray dogs
outside parliament, reports said Friday.

Jelena Trivan, a parliamentary deputy and spokeswoman for Tadic’s ruling
Democratic Party, was rushed to hospital late Thursday after being attacked while walking to her car. after being treated for deep leg wounds, Trivan was described as “stable.”

Animal rights activists said the city was to blame for failing to solve the problem of Belgrade’s thousands of stray dogs.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Pack+stray+dogs+maul+Serb+politician/1872062/story.html***

SAV Comment: ***

This attack is a direct consequence of Serbian authorities refusing to properly address the situation of stray (unowned) and roaming (owned) dogs using a No Kill strategy.

It is also proof that the current and past policy of the Serbian government to simply kill all animals in some futile attempt to try and reduce animal numbers is obviously not working. If animal numbers were reduced by the (government / authorities) mass kill policy, then in effect, attacks on people by packs of stray dogs would be a thing of the past.

As there are still packs of stray dogs on the streets as this situation shows, then the current government policy is obviously not working, as we have always declared.

One thing which does work, which has been told to the Serbian government time and time again, with no effect, is for a national programme of no kill sterilisation for both stray (unowned) and roaming (owned) dogs. As we have always said, sterilised animals cannot produce more offspring; unsterilised animals can.

We have asked for a programme where all owned pet animals are also sterilised, so that if these same animals go walkabout during the day, or are turned out daily as is often the case, they cannot mate with other animals and produce yet more stray dogs !

This is basic intelligence, but somehow the Serbian government do not seem able to grasp it.

The Serbian government needs to act now in light of this situation and introduce legislation which ensures that all stray (unowned) and roaming (owned) dogs are sterilised. This is the only way that dog population numbers will reduce and that future attacks such as this do not happen again.

Things could now go one of two ways:

1) the Serbian government see sense and introduce no kill sterilisation for all dogs, thus resulting in reduced animal numbers in the long term; or

2) they decide on a mass kill policy for all stray and roaming animals, much as they have done in the past and at present, which given the attack now in the news by stray animals, actually does nothing in the way of reducing dog numbers.

One could say that this attack is a message to the politicians that their current policy of mass kill is wrong and that they are effectively reaping what they have sowed !

The attack was something which could have been avoided with some common sense, future thought and planning by the Serbian government. They have not done it and this is the result.

NO KILL STERILISATION – the only way to go for reducing stray and roaming animal numbers.

And the proof yet again to the Serbian government is detailed in the evidence below:

The following is a link to a Serbian newspaper article on this incident and includes a picture of the politician who does nothing to address the stray dog problem.

http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2009&mm=08&dd=07&nav_category=16&nav_id=375224

The article is a good one in general, because it declares that Mr. Dragan Djilas, Belgrade City Mayor, has declared that all the time he is the Mayor, nobody will kill dogs in Belgrade. Instead they will build shelters, undertake sterilisations, and insist on responsible animal ownership.

This was fully supported by Elvir Burazerovic, the President of ORCA.

At last it may becoming clear to everyone that simply building animal shelters alone is the not the way to reduce animal numbers. We thank Mayor Djilas who is the first politician bold enough to come forward and declare that simply killing animals is not the way to solve the population problem. Mayor Djilas states that both responsible (owned) animal ownership and the control on the reproduction ability, ie. sterilisation, is the way to move forward.

Mayor Djilas would appear to echo our thoughts and declarations on animal numbers control in Serbia. But at the moment it would appear that words are all that is coming from Mayor Djilas; the actual putting into practice of the words has not yet been seen.

For example, we are informed that at this time, there are two Shinter teams out on the streets trying to find the dogs which attacked Jelena Trivan; and we all know what Shinter teams are about ! – teams which WILL KILL dogs in Belgrade; in direct opposition to the words of Mayor Djilas !

If the shinters do find the dogs responsible for the attack, then the dogs will be put into the terrible OVCHA shelter.

Many people have commented in the newspaper that their children come first and that there is a need for the extermination of the dogs in Belgrade. What these same people fail to realise is that there has been a policy of mass extermination of dogs in Serbian cities being attempted for many years. And where are things now ? – judging by the fact that a politician has been attacked by stray dogs, who still exist, is it not fair to say that a policy of mass extermination to resolve the ‘problem’ is simply a pipe dream !

A policy of mass sterilisation and vaccination of dogs will see a reduction / eventual elimination of stray dog numbers, but until the Serbian government accepts this, and more importantly, puts a programme into place, nothing will ever change.

We have asked the Serbian government many times in the past for actual data showing how effective their policy of mass killing is in relation to reducing stray animal numbers. We have never ever been provided with any data.

Does this not say something in itself ?????

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, SERBIA (Central Serbia: Capital - Belgrade) and (Serbia | Leave a comment »

Serbia: More Major Environmental Destruction Planned – Your Help Needed to Raise Global Awareness

Posted on August 9, 2009 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

As you, our campaigner friends may be aware, on previous SAV posts we have attempted to raise awareness globally of the environmental destruction being undertaken within Serbia, with the full support of the Serbian government.

Here are links to our previous post relating to ‘Stara Planina’ and to the river Rzav campaigns; both regions of outstanding natural environmental beauty, and which are now scheduled for complete devastation due to the governments own interests:

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/serbia-beautiful-environmental-region-of-serbia-to-become-ski-centre-please-read-and-take-action/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2009/06/24/serbia-please-give-your-petition-support-to-save-serbian-beautiful-river-rzav-from-government-and-industry-abuse/

Although an animal welfare NGO, we at SAV wish to give our full support to any campaigns within Serbia which is doing whatever it can to save flora and fauna from government destruction. We have been contacted again asking for support, and the information given below is a direct repeat of the data we have been provided with.

As we have a global network of supporters, we ask you please to crosspost this information to as many media and environmental organisations as possible within your own country. As Serbia wishes to become an EU member state in the near future, it is especially important that EU MEPs from across the entire union are given a summary of what destruction the Serbian government are supporting, which appears to be in direct opposition to the Ramsar convention on wetlands protection, which Serbia signed up to.

Some Serbian politicians are now prepared to annihilate one of the last remaining peat bogs in Serbia as well as this region of the Balkans.

JR4

We are fully aware that this information provided to us (below) has already been provided to Green Party Uk Members of the European Parliament. We ask that the information be provided to all MEPs across the union, and that based on this policy, should EU accession to the EU even be considered, let allowed ?

Maybe some politicians are only interested in their own personal financial gain rather than in doing what is right for the environment; please see the following:

http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1234444626.4

http://www.rferl.org/content/EU_Censures_Romania_Bulgaria_For_Corruption/1185730.html

Whatever, word about the environmental destruction being approved by some members of the Serbian government needs to be told to the world. Please join us in doing this.

Part of the wording below from our campaigner friends attempting to save the environment in Serbia declares:

“Currently we are preparing our material for the relevant courts in Serbia, some of the material has already been forwarded. We wish to do all we can by ourselves, but are not sure in our success”.

Lets work together and do what we can to inform the world of a potential environmental timebomb happening within Europe.

SAV.

Stara Planina PETITION:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-staraplanina-petition

Planina

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

Message as supplied to us:

(Note – Bold added by SAV)

As we have contacted You dear Mark , and You dear Caroline ,at the beginning of this year concerning the ski resort on “Stara Planina” in Serbia and the devastating effects in this officially proclaimed Park of Nature, we are free to inform You on the recent developments which are further devastating this region.

Just to mention, new ski resorts are planned on other mountains in Serbia, turning the country into a playground, all accelarated thanks to a minor coallition party in the Serbian Parliament.,while the countrys’ financial situation is on the verge of collapse and the country lives on credits and donations (100 million EUR promised during the last few days by the EU). All this will not be further elaborated, we hope to make a further analysis of this soon.

Concentrating on the place called “Jabucko Ravniste” (pronounced:Yabuchko Ravnyshtae, meaning Apple Plateau) part of the Nature Park «Stara Planina», we wish to elaborate on this and ask for You further help and possible influence.

“Jabucko Ravniste” is one of the three larger peat bogs left in Serbia on which the protected insectivorous plant Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) grows (the other two peat bogs are on Mt. Kopaonik, already devastated by ski resorts although also a National Park and region of artificial lake “Vlasina:, this bog although protected is threatend by the drainage from adjacent agricultural land, bringing in artificial fertilizer and pesticides).

“Jabucko Ravniste” is in the second zone of protection where no building should be allowed, but a tender was announced for this place in the “Financial Times” May 5th, 2008, p. 5, as well as in domestic newspapers. This call for investors was written by the Ministry of Econom,y and Regional Development led by the parliamentery group which intends to devastate ecologically the whole country.

As far as we know, this call for investors from abroad failed, but works are on the way as witnessed by members of our group in July of this year.

The devastating effects of the ski slopes may be seen on GOOGLE EARTH

coordinates N 43º 22′ 28.51” E 22º 32′ 20.32” .

After the runways have eroded the deforested area, now plastic nets cover the ground called «Gabions». What is seen on GOOGLE EARTH is only about one fith of what is planned.

The hotel complex is to be built about 3 km from here on the mentioned peat bog in the region approx.

In coordinates on GOOGLE EARTH N 43º 21′ 56.19” E 22º 37′ 17.12” .

Serbia signed the Ramsar convention on wetlands and is now prepared to annihilate one of the last remaining peat bogs in Serbia as well as this Balkan region. What impact will all this have on the water rersources in Serbia one must not think.

It is a fact that almost all flowing and still waters in Serbia are totally polluted, epidemics appear locally, but it is a question of time when the whole country will suffer from lack of water.

Much of the water is not suitable even for livestock.

The Government is not agile in the prevention of pollution but does support these playgrounds. Lower down from this peat bog, along the road leading to the first village under the mountain, a small river had a dam rcently constructed on it and along this road,

pipes are placed to carry water all the way up the mountains, presumably for producing artficial snow !!!!

Currently we are preparing our material for the relevant courts in Serbia, some of the material has already been forwarded. We wish to do all we can by ourselves, but are not sure in our success.

We ask You to support us in our quest to save Serbia from the ecological disaster planned by a minority.

All negative effects on the environment in Serbia will in the future effect the EU. At Your doorstep You will have a large hungry and thirsty population living in a semi-desert environment. You will either have to move these citizens to other places or let them starve or spend huge amounts of EU tax payers funds for rescue.

We hope You understand the urgency of strong action and sincerely hope You will help us to avoid the dark consequences.

Please help us and stop them as soon as is possible.

*** Please Click on the following image: ****

Thanks.

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, GLOBAL PETITIONS - Anything Animal, Anywhere !, SERBIA (Central Serbia: Capital - Belgrade) and (Serbia | Leave a comment »

Jamaica: Petition to Prime Minister Golding – Please Get Water Supplies Back On for the Dogs at The Animal House

Posted on August 8, 2009 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

Help Get Water back at The Animal House,

Jamaica

Target:

Honourable Bruce Golding, Prime Minister of Jamaica.

Uk: British Government Rejects Army Mascot Dog ‘Sandbag’ Coming back to Uk

Posted on August 8, 2009 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

SO NOW, A UK ANIMAL WELFARE CHARITY STEPS IN TO TAKE UP THE CASE !

Subject:

UK – An animal rescue charity ( Society for Welfare of Horses and Ponies )

http://www.swhp.co.uk/

has offered to bring Sandbag ( mascot dog ) to the UK from Iraq. (and what about the kitty??? doesn’t any group want to step forward to bring Hesco to the UK????)

Over 33,000 people have joined a Facebook group supporting the ‘hero’ Iraqi dog

A petition to save the ‘hero’ dog was rejected by Downing Street yesterday but a ‘disgusted’ charity worker has vowed to defy the Government.

Sandbag the dog has been living with British soldiers at their base in Um Qasa, near Basra, and is credited with bringing them good luck.

When the base was handed over to US forces in May, authorities said Sandbag – and fellow mascot Hesco the cat – would not be returning with the British troops.

But now Emma Simpson of the Society for Welfare of Horses and Ponies has begun work to give the dog a home.

The charity will cover the initial £5,000 cost before launching a new foundation to raise the money.

She told Sky News Online: “As soon as I heard the plea was rejected, I thought: ‘God damn it! He’s not bloody staying – he’s coming here!’ ”

Emma Simpson was alerted to Sandbag’s plight on Facebook

Sandbag gained his name because of his golden coat and his ability to protect troops.

The Iraqi dog rumoured to have survived being shot five times.

More than 6,000 (just British) people signed a petition on the Number 10 website to ‘Save Sandbag the Dog’ – only for the plea to be turned down.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman was unable to say whether the offer of funding would change the decision, but said it was clear the dog would be well cared for in Iraq.

“Calls for Sandbag to be brought back to the UK were on the basis of fears that he might be put down, but American forces based at Um Qasa have promised to look after him, so he is in very safe hands,” he said.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Sandbag-The-British-army-hero-dog-has-been-offered-a-lifeline-by-a-UK-animal-charity/Article/200908115356172?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_4&lid=ARTICLE_15356172_Sandbag%3A_The_British_army_hero_dog_has_been_offered_a_lifeline_by_a_UK_animal_charity_

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

The response from the British Government is as follows.

As with British politics today, animal welfare comes very low on their list of priorities. Everyone and anyone can enter the Uk; but animals from Iraq ? – definite ‘No’.

Still, we all vote, and the British elections are soon; maybe time for a Green, non Labour, non Conservative government in the Uk.

http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page20246

SAV.

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

Thursday 6 August 2009

Sandbag – epetition response

We received a petition asking:

“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to save Sandbag the Dog.”

Details of Petition:

“There is a dog that has been helping the Military in Basra and when the troops pull out he will be left there,probably to die! He must be allowed to return to the UK with the Troops he has served alongside.”

· Read the petition
· Petitions homepage

Read the Government’s response

Thank you for the e-petition regarding Sandbag the dog who has been one of two mascot animals, along with Hesco the cat, living with our troops at the port of Umm Quasar, near Basra, in Iraq.

The Prime Minister visited Umm Quasar last December and announced that British combat troops would be withdrawing from Iraq in the first half of 2009. This means that the base in Umm Quasar where Sandbag and Hesco were living has now been handed over to American forces.

Our US colleagues have assured us that both Sandbag and Hesco will be well cared for. Both are currently fit and healthy. As they had lived on the base since birth, British forces felt that staying there would be best for Sandbag and Hesco.

Commanders on the ground always take decisions on the future of mascot animals on a case by case basis. The Government supports the decision taken in this case.

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional | Leave a comment »

USA: 30 Month Investigation Reveals Worst Levels of Treatment for Horses Sold for Slaughter

Posted on August 6, 2009 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

For Immediate Release – August 6, 2009

Animals’ Angels

phone: 410-848-3153

fax: 410-848-0213

www.animals-angels.com

Undercover Investigation Underscores USDA-documented Brutality

30 month long investigation proves worst-case scenario is ongoing A thirty month long investigation into the plight of horses who have been sold for slaughter has revealed the worst levels of inhumane treatment. The abuse and neglect of these horses, sometimes referred to as “kill horses,” was uncovered during the investigation and is consistent with findings and photographs contained in a 906 page document released by the USDA last year. The investigation and report by Animals’ Angels, a Maryland based animal welfare organization, confirmed that injuries and inhumane treatment documented by the USDA during 2005 continue. Both USDA and Animals’ Angels (AA) documents show horses severely injured, left medically untreated, ill, trampled to death and worse on their way to and at slaughter.
Executive Director of Animals’ Angels, Sonja Meadows said their investigations quickly revealed that, “Both government records and our report show that being on U.S.soil was not then and is not now the slightest guarantee of humane treatment.”

The slaughter of horses in the U.S., which stopped with plant closures in 2007, continues in Canada and Mexico. Groups advocating the slaughter of American horses have called for the reopening of U.S. horse slaughter plants, saying horses are better protected by U.S. humane laws than by laws in Canada and Mexico. However, during the 30 month long investigation that included repeated visits to auctions, feedlots and slaughter plants, AA investigators concluded abuse and inhumane treatment are inherent to the horse slaughter industry.

“It takes inhumane treatment to make the economics work,” said Meadows. “We found the cruelty starts well before horses arrive at the slaughter plant.”

The AA report documents available veterinary care withheld from horses severely injured or near death. Undercover investigators were routinely told, ‘That horse is going to slaughter anyway,’ or the horses are ‘just passing through.’Treatment of horses designated for slaughter ranged from beating horses and jabbing them in the eyes, to using a cable winch to drag downed horses with a wire wrapped around a back leg. Investigators observed horses being injured or killed after being forced into dangerously crowded pens where they were kicked or trampled. Others were found frozen to the ground after overnight temperatures dropped well below freezing. Young and small horses, as well as horses injured or weak were trampled to death in trailers crowded with 40 horses. Workers failed to separate stallions, ensuring fierce fighting in close quarters during transport.Making conditions worse is the issue of stolen horses, according to Debi Metcalfe, founder of Stolen Horse International, Inc., a non profit that operates www.NetPosse.com, a horse theft recovery network that averages 80,000 unique visitors per month. “We have dealt with cases where horses were stolen,” said Metcalf. “We later found out that these innocent pets had been slaughtered.”
At both Canadian and Mexican slaughter plants investigators discovered horses left in bloody “kill boxes”, used to restrain horses as they are being killed, during lunch breaks. According to the report, the horses were “shaking violently as if [they] might fall down.” Plant management told investigators the horses ‘aren’t bothered by it.’

AA investigators documented injured and dead horses at every stop along the horse slaughter pipeline. At feedlots and export pens horses had no food and water troughs were empty. An export facility veterinarian informed investigators horses too weak for transport would be left behind to die in the pens.“The public has been duped into thinking horse slaughter has ended, but it just moved a few hours further down the road,” Meadows pointed out. “It hasn’t somehow changed it into something it is not. It is the same terrible suffering it was in 2005.”

“By the time the horse finally stands in the kill box at the slaughter plant, it is often not the worst thing that has happened to it since this dreadful journey began,” said Meadows

For a copy of the investigative report, click here.

For the PR WEB PRESS RELEASE, click her.

To review the USDA documents, click here.

What can you do?

Please urge your representatives and senators to support the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act H.R.503 / S.727!

Animals’ Angels is a 501 (c)(3) non profit organization incorporated in Maryland with fulltime investigators working in the United States and Canada. We work with law enforcement and government agencies to end animal cruelty and to improve conditions for farm animals. We are in the field every week, trailing livestock trucks, visiting markets, collecting stations and slaughter plants.

Contact:

Sonja Meadows

Executive Director

Animals’ Angels USA

410-848-3153

info@animals-angels.com

For further information on horse slaughter investigations, go to

www.animals-angels.com

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional | Leave a comment »

Australia: Urge the Government, Protect Roos Instead of Encouraging Australians to EAT Them !

Posted on August 5, 2009 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

From – Animals Australia – http://www.animalsaustralia.org/

Queensland kangaroos are under threat from a state government plan to encourage Australians to eat our national icon. Please join me in voting against this cruel and unsustainable plan!

******

Dear friends,

You may have heard the recent good news that Russia has imposed a ban on the import of kangaroo meat, expressing a number of concerns including: ongoing meat contamination, animal cruelty, and the unsustainability of the industry.

Russia’s decision comes as a welcome relief to threatened kangaroo populations. Government data shows that Australia-wide kangaroo numbers are down 75% since 2003, with populations well below the accepted ‘sustainable ‘ level in most of the NSW, QLD, and SA commercial kangaroo shooting zones.

Unfortunately this good news from Russia may soon be counteracted by a Queensland Government plan to encourage more Australians to eat our national icon.

Australia holds the disgraceful record of having the largest commercial wildlife slaughter in the world, with around 4 million kangaroos killed each year. Orphaned joeys are amongst those who suffer most. Their fate is to be killed by decapitation or having their heads smashed against a hard object, such as a tow bar.

Please help us urge Premier Anna Bligh to protect roos instead of encouraging Australians to eat them.

Your Help Is Needed Today:

Take Action click here to send an instant campaign letter!

Spread the Word

Support the Campaign

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional | Leave a comment »

Uk: Petition to Ban the Sale of Kittens in Pet Shops – BUT FOR UK CITIZENS ONLY

Posted on August 5, 2009 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

Petition – BUT PLEASE NOTE;

As this is a petition to the Uk Government and has been set up by Uk citizens, it is only open for other Uk citizens to sign. Your Uk postcode needs to be given, and so signatures from elsewhere in the world will automatically be rejected.

Downing Street is working in partnership with the non-partisan charitable project mySociety to provide a service to allow citizens, charities and campaign groups to set up petitions that are hosted on the Downing Street website, enabling anyone to address and deliver a petition directly to the Prime Minister.

History of No.10 Downing Street, London:

http://www.number10.gov.uk/history-and-tour

SAV.

———————–

The petition calls for a ban on the sale of kittens from Pet Shops. The content of the petition is as follows:

We believe the buying and selling of kittens from pet shops and other retail outlets, and the keeping of such animals on these premises for the purpose of sale:
– is detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the animals concerned
– actively encourages backstreet breeding of kittens for financial gain
– has the very serious effect of ensuring that the many thousands of cats and kittens already in rescues up and down the country have less chance of being rehomed.
The petition link is:

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/petshopkittens/

Filed under: GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, GLOBAL PETITIONS - Anything Animal, Anywhere ! | Leave a comment »

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Serbia: Governments Attitude to Ineffectively Trying to Reduce Stray Dog Numbers by Mass Killing, Results in Politician Being Attacked by ….. Stray Dogs who Have Avoided the Killings and Produced Yet More Strays !

Serbia: More Major Environmental Destruction Planned – Your Help Needed to Raise Global Awareness

Jamaica: Petition to Prime Minister Golding – Please Get Water Supplies Back On for the Dogs at The Animal House

Help Get Water back at The Animal House,

Jamaica

Uk: British Government Rejects Army Mascot Dog ‘Sandbag’ Coming back to Uk

Sandbag – epetition response

Read the Government’s response

USA: 30 Month Investigation Reveals Worst Levels of Treatment for Horses Sold for Slaughter

Australia: Urge the Government, Protect Roos Instead of Encouraging Australians to EAT Them !

Uk: Petition to Ban the Sale of Kittens in Pet Shops – BUT FOR UK CITIZENS ONLY

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