Posted on April 24, 2015 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
A comment left on the site today – Thank You.
We think these words represent how very many people (campaigners) feel about the EU at this time.
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April 24, 2015 at 12:32 am said:
“Animal Welfare advocates across the globe condemn the EU for its negligent lack of follow through pertaining to the egregious acts of animal violence taking place in EU member nations.
The EU’s tacit refusal to uphold it’s own laws and provide oversight and accountability for those EU nations who continually and habitually perpetuate unnecessary acts of violence against animals renders it little more than a shadow organization at best….A JOKE.
Serbia has no business even petitioning for EU membership, but then again, neither did Romania or Spain. The EU has no interest in animal welfare, and little to no interest in human—read HUMANE—progress.
I encourage Mark and other animal welfare advocates in Serbia and regions around the world dealing with the double-speak and corruption of the EU NOT GIVE UP.
We will sign petitions. Make phone calls. Create a human chain of reaction to this ongoing EU madness that they cannot ignore. Please forward all actions necessary.
I speak for tens of thousands—likely MILLIONS of people around the world who are FED UP WITH THE EU AND THEIR LIES”.
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, SERBIA (Central Serbia: Capital - Belgrade) and (Serbia, SUPPORTERS | Leave a comment »
Posted on April 22, 2015 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
There is an animal welfare meeting entitled Animal Populations – World Resources and Animal Welfare taking place in Croatia during July 2015. http://www.ufaw.org.uk/zagreb2015.php
SAV have contributed to this by supplying information to the (UK) RSPCA for further consideration. In our opinion; the EU should be enforcing much tighter and better legislation for the control of stray animals throughout Europe rather than simply saying it is the problem of each member state to make up its own rules on how it deals with the issue.
There should be EU wide formal legislation on the control and management of stray animals – something which EU animal welfare organisations have been calling for, campaigning for, and asking for over many years. To date they have been ignored by the EU.
As we have pointed out, with Serbia seeking EU accession, combined with its treatment of stray animals; combined with lukewarm interest from the EU Enlargement Commission, there is the possibility that the EU, once it allows Serbia into the EU as a member state, will see another Romanian situation for strays – a “Romania 2”. EU animal welfare organisations will go crazy at this attitude of carefree neglect by the EU, which may result in the deaths of thousands of Serbian animals as we have been witnessing for many years; despite otherwise official ‘rules of law’ which the Serbian government completely ignore.
In the EU there is a simple rule – farm animals make money for member states; stray animals don’t. That is the pitiful way in which the EU looks at stray animals – legislate for those on the farm; forget the rest !
Here is the link which should provide you with the information supplied by SAV.
Alternatively, A full transcript of the very hastily produced document can be read in full as follows. We were instructed to complete the task within days – so we did !
We have always pledged that we are a voluntary organisation doing free work that defends the rights and welfare of stray animals. This does not and will never change as long as we exist.
In many international institutions there are many people who are paid thousands of their national currency to take action for animals. But do we ever see any real benefit or results ? – do we see any legislation coming out of the EU regarding the control, management and future reductions of stray animals throughout the EU ? – NO; the EU does not want to get involved; it simply wants to pass the buck back to each individual member state to act as they wish for stray animals; whilst ensuring the cash cows, pigs and chickens that bring in the money and are transported all over the EU are given full ‘protective’ legislation (we still very much question this and the adherence to the ‘rules’ !!) which is created and updated regularly by the EU. As we say; farm animals make money for member states; stray animals don’t.
Very sad but very true; and an even sadder reflection on how the EU actually looks at live, sentient beings, be they a stray, un-sterilised or un fed dog in Romania; or a factory chicken, growing so quickly through by the use of growth promoters and cruelly held behind ‘now bigger and better’ bars on a Dutch intensive farm.
We have been the animals voice – we will continue to be the animals voice; and we will continue to fight for better NO KILL welfare for all stray animals throughout the EU; with or without the help of the high paids. We will not ‘button our lip and bend to say the things that some politicians wish us to say – we will expose the reality !’
All the time the EU dismisses EU wide regulations on stray animal legislation; the EU has NO right to describe itself as an organisation which cares for animals. Some animals yes; maybe cared for a bit more, but then EU politicians are not following livestock transporters across the EU; they simply quote the rules and usually ignore the real cruelty presented to them.
As for strays; it is not an EU issue; sweep it under the ‘member state control’ carpet and then we in the EU mighty towers can go home and sleep safe each night; unlike the strays they leave at the mercy of individual EU member states.
We will never give up until the EU does the right thing and introduces stray animal legislation. Until it does, we will continue to have ‘Romania 2’, ‘Romania 3’ etc as more and more nations with the Serbian views on so called animal ‘welfare’ are welcomed into the EU club by those at the Enlargement Commission.
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FULL SAV TRANSCRIPT:
A Dire Situation for Serbian animals
– as it has been for many years.
Overview – APRIL 2015
And now are we to witness one of the biggest crimes of the decade ?
As of the end of March 2015 – the Serbian government now appear to be happily making up new regulations under the blinkered eyes of the EU Enlargement Commission and others which will allow them to kill yet more stray animals !!
A draft version of Ministry of Agriculture working group’s proposals for the amendments to the existing Animal Welfare Act in Serbia has leaked to welfare groups who have concerns – It introduced the concept of “quarantine for a lost and abandoned animals,” which lasts ONLY 15 days, after which the animals can be “killed humanely”, if there is such a thing as humane killing.
We at SAV believe that the newly proposed amendments to the existing Serbian Law – which were never fully implemented by the Serbian government and regional authorities in the first place, and which has not been adhered to for the last 10 years; are both counter-productive and unacceptable; and that in no way it will solve the problem of abandoned animals whilst killing thousands of healthy animals so ‘humanely’.
Any process, such as the way positively forward should include representatives of civil society from the beginning, as enforced by the “Guidelines for the involvement of civil society in the process of adopting regulations” allegedly adopted by the Government of the Republic of Serbia on 26 August 2014. Why are they not enforcing the rule of Serbian law ?
If these proposed government only policy amendments do get accepted; it would allow dog catchers to kill all dogs that have no individual owner within 15 days of catching them. This will include all dogs and cats in PRIVATE shelters, even those who have been offered homes. This legislation being proposed is a complete and utter farce.
We, along with many others within the animal welfare movement, believe the Government of Serbia is using these proposed amendments to literally try and quickly ‘clean-up’ the streets of Serbia to make them look more favorable as candidates for EU membership.
To suit their own benefit, they (the government) keep conveniently forgetting that they have other globally proven methods of actually successful stray animal population management that is NOT detrimental to animals. The government will not take any advice from those that know better than them – animal welfare organisations – we wonder why ? – is money the root of all evil in this case ?.
What could be the reasons for more and quicker killing times you might ask yourselves – well the obvious reason for this newly proposed ‘kill policy’ being presented by the government is because dogcatchers, local government officials, veterinarians and many politicians, all currently take money from the public purse by being involved with an animal killing strategy.
They do not want to enter into anything that will gradually and effectively reduce stray animal numbers over time. This proposed (and big money making) amendment is yet a further, long term future guarantee of additional income for them that will continue to take money; putting it higher up the pyramid than ensuring effective animal welfare and a strategy plan that effectively deals with strays.
Existing EU citizens do not want this kind of mafia government in the EU. The EU Enlargement Commission should be representing the people of the EU, ie. those who are financially supporting Serbia via their taxes being paid (nationally) into the EU club. But the EU Enlargement Commission; through its lack of information to welfare groups; combined with its failing to address the animal welfare requirements of existing and concerned EU citizens; makes it seem as if the whole system is very biased in one direction – to get Serbia into the EU come what may ! .
Letters and supportive information to the EU Enlargement Commission
– and the complete lack of response to date.
– Many video links are included in this letter from SAV on the 22nd; a few of which are copied here below; regarding issues on which the Serbian government and police have taken NO action; despite the clear evidence and information provided. The Serbian government and police are NOT enforcing the (Serbian) rule of law.
Questions which should be addressed by the Serbian government and the EU Enlargement Commission
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So the following question has to be asked of the Serbian government / authorities:
Why are the above animal abuses (the 4 youtube video links given above) still not being addressed by the Serbian government and police ? – all the links to people and their names are provided – why are things not happening ?
As of 2/10/2005; some TEN (10) years earlier, the Constitutional Court of Serbia says the killing of stray dogs and cats in Serbia is forbidden from 02/10/2005.
Unfortunately, the Serbian government appears to be doing nothing to address the resolutions expressed by the Constitutional Court in 2005; or making any attempt to investigate and take action on those who promote animal suffering as per the above videos, for example. We repeat, the Serbian government is NOT enforcing the Serbian rule of law. It appears happy to take very large sums of money from the EU, whilst at the same time NOT enforcing the ‘rules of law’ which are very much promoted and said to be ‘a fundamental requirement of the EU Enlargement Commission for Serbia and any other nation seeking EU Accession !! – a take with one hand and give the two fingers with the other one could argue.
Questions in the SAV letter of 22nd February asked of the EU Enlargement Commission / Commissioner Hanh, as to why:
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the EU is investing millions of Euros into pre – accession funding for Serbia – for example – €208.3 million (Euros) for the year 2013 alone; and yet very little, if anything, appears to be being done for animal welfare within Serbia using some of this money and despite a Serbian (Constitutional) Court ruling in favour of animals made some 10 (ten) years ago which is still being ignored.
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Does the existing EU citizen not have any say in how all ‘their’ money (taxes) are being spent by EU Enlargement Commission / Commissioner Hahn with regard to alleged ‘improvements’ in Serbia ?
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What exactly are the ‘improvements’ that we are supposed to be witnessing in Serbia for the stray animals of Serbia as a result of all this EU funding pumping into the Serbian government ?
EU Document – Reference – INSTRUMENT FOR PRE-ACCESSION ASSISTANCE (IPA II)
This details where, and on what, the EU money provided to (pre-accession) Serbia should be spent is detailed in:
It includes the statements:
“8.2. Objectives, results, actions and indicators
The objective of EU assistance is to support gradual alignment of the Serbian agricultural policy with the (EU) Common Agricultural Policy (CAP),.
The expected results are the following:
Veterinary and phytosanitary services and controls are implemented in line with the EU requirements; and,
Animal health is improved
So we ask the simple question once again – why is the issue of stray (Serbian) animal welfare being ignored by both the EU Enlargement Commission and also the Serbian government when animal health is supposed to be ‘improved’ according to the EU itself ? – is a proposal to quicken animal killing times as being presented by the Serbian government producing a situation where animal health is being improved ? – we think not ! – maybe someone can inform us where we have misinterpreted what is meant in this statement within the EU documentation as to ‘improvements in animal health’ ?
Do the Serbian government insist that ‘improved’ (animal health) actually means an increased ‘kill rate’ as per the new proposals currently being put forward by them ?
Is the EU Enlargement Commission going to come out of what appears to be animal welfare hibernation and actually raise concerns with the Serbian government about what the EU says in its own document and what is actually being currently proposed for so-called ‘improvements to animal health’ by killing them all quicker and in less time ?
In reality – the Serbian Constitutional Court (back in 2005) established a national (Serbian) ‘rule of law’ protecting stray animals; and now the EU is currently pumping endless millions of Euros into Serbia to ensure the much needed EU pre-accession requirement of new member states seeking membership is doing nothing but supposedly ensuring the application of ‘the rule of law’, when it is blatantly clear to all (except the EU Commission possibly) that Serbia is completely ignoring the requirements of the ‘rules of law’ in its EU accession when related to animal welfare improvements.
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For SAV, this is further supported by the fact that:
No response has ever been provided to SAV by the EU Enlargement Commission regarding the SAV letter of 22nd February which is referenced earlier. By 9th April 2015, Brussels was contacted by telephone by MJ (SAV) to ask if response to the SAV letter of 22nd February is ever going to be supplied by the Enlargement Commission. He is verbally informed that it is being prepared and will be sent shortly. See our very other recent post to get the full story and that actually, a letter was never intended to be sent out to SAV in response to their questions and video footage supplied.
By 21st April, there is still no response in any format supplied directly to SAV. There never will be; we are to take the response given to Keith Taylor MEP as ‘our’ response also. Hence prior to knowing this, as of 21st April; another phone call was made to EU Enlargement Commission (Emma Udwin – emma.udwin@ec.europa.eu+32 (0) 2 29 59577 ) to ask what is happening; if anything. She verbally informs SAV that ‘Serbia’ is responsibility of Kyriacos Charalambous – a member of the EU Enlargement cabinet; who to date has never taken any of the many attempted phone calls made to him re Serbian animal welfare. kyriacos.charalambous@ec.europa.eu+32 (0) 2 29 97712
Whilst on the phone to SAV on 21/4; Emma Udwin sends e mail to Kyriacos Charalambous to ask him to telephone SAV and inform ‘what is going on’. Confirmed by SAV as the mail was dictated on the telephone; although any such e mail not seen or copied to SAV as a consequence. By end of 21/4; SAV had still not been contacted. Hence our phone call to him on 22/4.
From the experiences of SAV with the EU Enlargement Commission to date, it would appear that those at the EU Enlargement Commission regard themselves much higher above the ‘normal’ EU citizen who is providing all the EU pre-accession funding to Serbia. This was very apparent with the way in which SAV were dealt with during their phone call of 21st April. Despite supposedly working for us, the existing EU citizen; the Commission does not seem able to provide responses to letters asking them to justify their actions or inactions. They certainly never provide updates to anyone (the normal EU man – NGO’s); of what is going on. It appears to be a very closed ‘cash cow’ loop with one and one only eventual aim – to get Serbia into the EU regardless of evidence to the contrary over the rule of law enforcement being provided by NGO’s; and also regardless of the cost to the EU citizen who is CURRENTLY funding the entire process and thus really should have a right to an answer !!.
EU citizens deserve answers from ‘their’ EU Commissions, and they deserve them now despite the catastrophic failures of the EU Enlargement Commission regarding Serbian animal welfare issues for Serbian strays. As of the 22/4; we are also informed that we should be sharing responses to letters from the EU with our supportive MEP !!
If there is one thing that the EU should have learned about from the fairly recent past; then it is regarding Romania and what their ignorance of stray animal welfare by the EU has done there to drag itself and its animal welfare reputation into the gutter. Many EU citizens now consider the un-elected EU Commissions with utter contempt because they only do what they want – they say one thing on the ‘europa’ web site, whilst turning blind eyes to such ‘essential’ EU membership requirements as applying ‘the rule of law’; which it is claimed is a fundamental EU requirement. If it is being done, why has Serbia NOT acted to enforce the pro-animal legislation of its own Constitutional Court for the LAST 10 YEARS ? – somebody, somewhere, answer us and explain what we misunderstand, please – even if we have to share the letter with others who ask !!
WHY IS THE EU ENLARGEMENT COMMISSION NOT MAKING A REAL ISSUE OF SERBIAN ANIMAL WELFARE LAWS (especially for stray animals) AND ENSURING THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT ACTUALLY ENFORCES THE ‘RULE OF LAW WITHIN SERBIA’ as supposedly required so much by the EU as a fundamental requirement by future member states ?
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And why does the EU Enlargement Commission simply ignore its own EU citizens who ask them to justify their actions / inactions, yet whilst expecting them to pump endless amounts of EU cash into Serbia ?
As we have made clear in our post:
Does the Serbian government and EU Enlargement Commission actually know the law ? – with their failures relating to the Constitutional Court and the ruling of 2005 for stray animals; it would appear not.
Conclusion
Serbia will most probably be allowed to join the EU despite the EU Enlargement Commission not taking the hard stance it should be taking with the Serbian government regarding stray animal welfare controls and management.
One therefore has to ask – Does the EU dog wag the Serbian tail; or the Serbian tail wag the EU dog ? one has to ask.
Guaranteed and one very much to remember and quote to the EU for the future – Serbia will become ‘Romania 2’ when it is allowed to join the EU without taking positive action for animals; which should include a stray animal ‘no kill’ management policy. Romania 2 is probably the only thing that can be guaranteed regarding current EU Enlargement / Serbian government actions and policy for animal ‘welfare’. Thus, the Serbian tail probably does wag the EU dog.
Where is the ‘welfare’ in Serbian animal ‘welfare’ ? – and where is the EU Enlargement Commission that the good EU citizen is supposed to have faith in to ensure / guarantee that all the EU standards and requirements such as the application of the rule of law are being met ! ? !
Other links and petitions re Serbian animal issues
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Petition – Serbia is currently undertaking the process of applying for EU membership (called ‘accession’). Existing animal welfare legislation in Serbia is good, but in the vast majority of cases it is not regularly / ever being enforced by:
• Serbian government, regional authorities or the national police.
By the EU Commission’s own admission; ‘there is legislation in place (Serbian Animal Welfare Laws), but this is not fully implemented’.
By not implementing its own existing national laws; which include those relating to animal welfare; Serbia is NOT upholding a fundamental principle required by any nation to gain EU accession; which include:
• ensuring the implementation of all the nation’s own “Rules of Law” national legislations
• “paying full regard to the welfare requirements of animals” in accordance with the key principles required for all EU member states as defined in Article 13 of the EU Lisbon Treaty (TFEU).
Serbia is currently failing in this and its own national animal welfare legislations. As a consequence, it should NOT currently be considered for EU accession until it fully implements and proves to the EU Commissions, EU animal welfare NGO’s and the EU Animal Welfare Intergroup / Eurogroup, that it IS actually fully implementing ALL existing Serbian animal welfare legislations. It is not time for the government to change the rules to their advantage when they cannot even enforce the rules which were set some 10 years ago in Serbia !!
EU Commissioner J. Hahn is allegedly responsible for EU Enlargement Negotiations which at this current time include Serbian accession. Within his responsibilities, he must ensure that a PRE- EU membership Serbia enforces the rules of law. Currently it does not.:
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Petition – After examining the working version of the Amendment of the Animal Welfare Act of the Republic of Serbia, it introduced the concept of “quarantine for a lost and abandoned animals,” which lasts 15 days, after which the animals can be “killed humanely.” We want a solution to the problem of abandoned animals in a humane and sustainable manner.
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Petition – 4/3/15 – Where have all the Svilajnac City dogs gone ?
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Petition – I invite all who are against euthanasia and animal cruelty to be involved in this action and support this petition in order to prevent violence against animals because of animal cruelty is often an indicator of violence towards people, psychologists think. Anyone who abuses animals, abusers and people so it is important to exclude any form of violence in society to the violence that often ends in death minimize the society. Applying your comment and we want to be the President of the Republic of Serbia to the attention of all of us as citizens of the Republic of Serbia, because we all have the right to protect and defend our order and animal rights and what guarantees us the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia.
· Keith Taylor MEP (for SE England) who has now helped us as always by writing to the current EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn, the top man who is responsible for the enlargement of the EU by application (accession) nations, such as Serbia.
In his letter, Keith has helped us by generally dealing with the issue of the terrible treatment of strays in both Serbia and Bosnia – Herzegovina.
As we have pointed out several times on our posts in the past, Keith has again backed us and stated that as EU Accession countries, both Serbia and B-H are NOT currently upholding the EU principle of the rule of law, as well as the need that accession countries are required to fully implement EU laws into their national laws as a requirement of membership.
Note – the following videos may be removed at source, but hard copies have already been taken and are now being held as evidence where required. We call on the Serbian government and police to actually take some positive action concerning these.
And so, as far as we are concerned as an EU animal welfare NGO, Serbia is NOT enforcing its own rules of law.
We see the EU Enlargement Commission making it clear that it has responsibilities for ensuring that new member states DO uphold the rule of law; whilst we, a simple EU animal welfare NGO, continue yet again to provide the clear evidence to everyone at the EU Enlargement regarding animal abuse and cruelty within Serbia; for which very little seems to be happening as a result !
Mark Johnson
Founder SAV – Kent England (UK / EU)
21st April 2015.
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, LETTERS, SERBIA (Central Serbia: Capital - Belgrade) and (Serbia, SHELTER - Information, The "Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) ALLIANCE | Leave a comment »
Posted on April 22, 2015 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
22/4/15 – Serbian situation update.
The situation regarding the ‘new kill’ proposals being put forward by the Serbian government, which they have been hoping to introduce during May; is obviously changing and updating on an almost daily basis.
Today (22/4), Mark made a telephone conversation to the EU Enlargement Commission (one of many over the past few months) in Brussels to ask when, if ever, he will be getting a written response to his letter of 22nd February 2015. Read the original letter via this ref:
Mark was in conversation with the Commission Member of Cabinet, Mr. Kyriacos Charalambous, who is partly responsible for Serbian EU membership.
were, in their opinion, basically the same thing; and as such needed just one response from them.
This response from Commissioner Hahn was thus sent directly to Keith Taylor MEP, and titled ‘Honorable Member’; addressed only to Keith himself and nobody else, the content of which you can see directly below.
We would always argue that in no way were the letters of Keith and Mark identical, and we still feel that each letter should have been acted on and responded to as individual issues by the EU Commission. Commissioner Hahn and the Enlargement Commission for example; did not even touch on the many animal fighting video links which were provided in Mark’s letter and Mark’s letter only. Video evidence that the Serbian government and police should have acted on years or months ago – and here we are now with the EU Commission further supporting the Serbian government with their utter ignorance and disrespect of what the videos actually show. The Commission should run the issues, not give in and do what the Serbian government does and does not want to do.
Just for the record, as this link is being sent back to the EU Head of Cabinet; we repeat a few of the video links which were supplied ONLY in Mark’s original letter; not that of Keith Taylors.
People involved in this animal abuse can be clearly seen in the videos; along with the name of the person who posted them onto Youtube in the first place – Jovica Vidovic.
So why has no action been taken by the Serbian government and police to enforce ‘the rule of law’ we ask ? – something the EU Commission seems unable to pick up on; and also, why are the EU Enlargement Commission waffling on with excuses to us that they have fully responded about things in the reply to Keith Taylor, when the actual reality is that the issues of the videos raised by Mark specifically do not even get a hearing at the EU Commission !!
So we are now left in the situation where the EU Enlargement Commission have failed to respond directly back to Mark regarding his letter to them of 22nd of February 2015. In the telephone conversation on 22/4, Mark did point out to the Member of Cabinet that a fundamental requirement of any EU accession state is ensuring that any new state seeking EU membership should be fully enforcing ‘the rule of law’ within its own country – and this should be proven to the EU. So we ask again, where is the action being taken by either serbia or the EU Commission regarding the videos above ?
Mark also pointed out to the Commission that despite rulings from the Serbian Constitutional Court in 2005 saying that stray animals must not be killed; but instead controlled by other means, https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2010/01/25/serbia-constitutional-court-of-serbia-says-that-the-killing-of-stray-dogs-and-cats-in-serbia-is-forbidden-from-02102005/ the Serbian government has ignored the rulings of its own national Constitutional Court and continued to round up and kill stray animals for at least the last 10 years.
In the opinion of SAV and many others, it was made clear by Mark today (22/4) to the EU Commission that the Serbian government has been ignoring the requirements of the Serbian Constitutional Court for the past 10 years is not enforcing the rule of law within Serbia.
Mark was ‘verbally assured’ by the EU member of Cabinet, that the EU is working hard to ensure that the ‘rules of law’ are enforced throughout Serbia before it is given EU membership. Mark pointed out that in his opinion and that of many others involved with animal welfare in Serbia, that these new proposals for ‘quicker killings’ of stray animals which are currently being presented by the Serbian government are simply a way of (as it has been said) “cleaning up the streets in order to Fast Track Serbia’s EU membership”. This was denied by the EU Commission when suggested to them.
Fed up with no action from the EU; Mark closed the conversation with the EU by informing them he had little faith in their current actions; asking them to ensure that the Serbian government did NOT continue with their new kill proposals for May 2015, and reminded the EU that we (and many other EU animal welfare groups) will be watching and reporting on every event which takes place for Serbian animals over the coming months.
If the Member of Cabinet at the EU did not get the message today that they need to act; and act positively and quickly in the next few weeks; then it has to be asked exactly what one has to do with the EU to simply get a message through to them !!
And then we wonder why so many people in the UK (for example) want to get out of the EU ! – with actions like theirs is it any wonder people want to move to an authority that does not continually drag its heels.
So, we have been busy behind the scenes. This is the latest of all the events but we will continue to keep you updated as always when we feel it is time to do so. And EU Commission; we are watching your actions (or lack of) very closely.
We dont want a ‘Romania 2’ when Serbia is allowed into the EU. Sort It Now.
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, DOCUMENTS, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, LETTERS, PHOTOGRAPHS - **WARNING** (Animal Suffering), SERBIA (Central Serbia: Capital - Belgrade) and (Serbia, The "Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) ALLIANCE | Leave a comment »
Posted on April 19, 2015 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
The Canadian seal pup killers have just realised that the world hates them and what they do – and they have just announced the following (on 17/4/15):
Important Notice: CSA Operations
For immediate release: April 17, 2015
The Canadian Sealers Association is facing challenging times in light of restrictive market opportunities worldwide for our sealers and producers to sell their product.
The CSA will be seeking open discussions with any industry stakeholders with ideas how to best advance the sealing industry for the future.
We want current members and supporters to know that we plan to continue operations in a scaled down mode.
Our head office in St. John’s will be closed temporarily till the executive board meet in the summer and decide on a new executive director.
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Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, HUNTING - Primarily UK and Germany | Leave a comment »
Posted on April 17, 2015 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
Well things have got off a truly brilliant start – thank you to everyone who has given; big or small donations – they all add up !!.
Please also remember that there are dozens of other small animal shelters throughout Serbia doing what they can to help animals in distress and need.
We try to sometimes show the odd appeal on this (SAV) site; but if you sign up to Facebook ‘Serbian Animals Voice’ then you can see all the works and efforts made by these other shelters.
It costs nothing and is very easy to become a member.
We currently have1,157 members; but are always happy to get a lot more !
Fingers crossed this link below will take you to the site where you can see some of the work by all these small groups who are calling for help.
Excellent people; excellent causes – they just need some help in reaching their dreams.
Filed under: Animals Requiring Adoption or Homes - Worldwide, CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, SERBIA (Central Serbia: Capital - Belgrade) and (Serbia, SHELTER - Information, The "Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) ALLIANCE | Leave a comment »
Posted on April 16, 2015 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
SAV – we are just putting this out quickly tonight; but will tidy the appeal up tomorrow. Please give anything you can – thank you.
Please share and help if you can!
Our debt at the vet’s is up around 400 euros already and will get larger as the additional cost of de-worming and de-fleaing all of the shelter kitties is awaiting us next week. The even more serious problems are our expenses for food (which are always high) are becoming literally frighteningly high during the transitional season, when the temperature differences between day and night are vast and even the toughest kitties easily get sick if they’re not fed properly and abundantly.
Honestly, we don’t feel comfortable asking for help over and over again but the truth is we can’t do much without your support. Is there anything more heartwarming than the sight of content, happy kitties which don’t have to wonder where their next meal will come from? All of the Felix cats know what hunger feels like, they’re all familiar with neglect and the danger of life on the streets and when they found their safe haven, their first and only home, can we possibly all gather together to provide them with what they need most?
If you’re able to donate any amount please do so, as everything adds up and keeps these wonderful creatures’ eyes bright and their purrs loud! If you’re ever questioned if and how much the kitties appreciate your kindness and generosity, just look at them!
As to us, their staff, we are grateful beyond words for all of the help we get!
Filed under: Animals Requiring Adoption or Homes - Worldwide, CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, SERBIA (Central Serbia: Capital - Belgrade) and (Serbia, SHELTER - Information, The "Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) ALLIANCE | Leave a comment »
Posted on April 16, 2015 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
UK (England) Hunting News
Photos – Mark Johnson – SAV. Ban ALL Hunting !
Hunt Saboteurs praised by judge
On 25th March 4 hunt saboteurs were found not-guilty of committing aggravated trespass after a 2 day trial at Reading magistrates.
The trial took place following their arrest at a meet of the Surrey Union Hunt near Ewhurst in Oct last year. The saboteurs were trying to come to the aid of a deer that had been chased and injured by the hunt.
Instead of allowing the sabs, who had years of animal sanctuary experience, to help the animal; Surrey Police arrested them for failing to leave private land. They left the deer with the hunt terrier men who shot it.
During the trial a leading vet, Professor Andrew Knight, criticised the way the terrier men had treated the animal as they dragged it around by a broken leg and said it was almost certain its injuries had been caused by a pack of hounds.
It became clear from video footage that the police had lied about the events of the day and the district judge in his summing up said that the hunt and police had caused unnecessary suffering to the deer due to their handling of the situation and that if the sabs had been allowed to help the animal they would have been able to reduce it’s suffering.
He also praised the saboteurs saying: “All of you contribute immensely to society not only in your working lives but in your free time. You deserve high praise for managing yourselves and your behaviour.”
Lee Moon, press spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, stated: “Surrey police have a history of acting as private security for the Surrey Union Hunt. In this case they allowed their bias to lead to the unnecessary suffering of an animal. Despite the saboteurs informing the police that a crime had occurred they allowed the hunt to take the deer’s body and dispose of it and arrested the saboteurs who were trying to minimise the animals suffering.
We hope that the Surrey Union hunt will now be investigated for illegal hunting and that there will be an independent investigation into the actions of Surrey Police. Whilst we are pleased at the not-guilty verdict it is disgusting that this case ever came to trial.”
Paramedic sab helps huntsman
At a meet on Sat 7th March of the Old Surrey, Burstow and W. Kent Fox Hunt near Cowden, Kent, hunt master Ian Hamson lost consciousness after his horse fell and rolled on top of him.
A member of Croydon Hunt saboteurs who is also a trained paramedic provided critical medical treatment to the injured man until other paramedics arrived.
Despite initially stating that “he’d rather die” than receive help from a saboteur, Hamson, a crew manager at Dartford Fire Station, reluctantly accepted treatment when he realised there was a trained paramedic present. The saboteur assessed his injuries then stabilised him until the on-duty paramedics arrived having been called by other members of the sab group.
The saboteurs tried to move their vehicle to the top of a farm track to identify the access point for the arriving ambulance but were repeatedly blocked from doing so by hunt supporters, even after explaining their intentions. Other members of the hunt later apologised for this behaviour and thanked the saboteurs for their actions.
Lee Moon, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, stated: “Well done to the sab who put his differences aside to act so compassionately, even in the face of hostility from the injured huntsman. His actions prove once again that saboteurs are compassionate not only towards animals but humans as well. This is another nail in the coffin of the Countryside Alliance’s campaign to portray us in a negative light and it would be interesting to see what would have happened if the roles had been reversed.”
Woman trampled – case re-examined
A decision not to prosecute a rider whose horse trampled a hunt saboteur, leaving her with 7 broken ribs and a collapsed lung, is to be re-examined.
The woman was hurt during the Blackmore & Sparkford Vale Hunt on the border of Somerset and Dorset in August. The huntsman was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided not to proceed with bringing charges.
The CPS is now reviewing the case under the Victims’ Right to Review Scheme. The CPS said it originally decided not to bring the case to court as there was “insufficient evidence that the incident could have been foreseen”. The victim, a medical professional who asked not to be identified, said: “As I lay in hospital the only thing on my mind was ‘have they got this on video?’ Because I wanted to ensure it was looked at properly.
“If you ride at speed through a narrow gap where there are clearly people standing, there must be a risk of hitting them. “I’m a victim of crime and feel absolutely abandoned by a system that’s supposed to protect me.”
The master of the Blackmore & Sparkford Vale Hunt, Rupert Nuttall, said he was “clearly sorry that the accident happened in the first place”. “It’s up to them [the CPS], whether to bring charges – it’s nothing to do with us.”
A petition calling on the CPS to reverse its decision not to prosecute has gathered almost 12,000 signatures since Feb. Campaigners from the International Fund for Animal Welfare believe the decision not to proceed with the case was “legally flawed”. They argued because the incident and the injuries “were so serious” that “a court of law with a jury should have made the decision and not someone in a CPS office”.
Hounds rampage at RSPCA centre
Police are investigating reports from the RSPCA rescue centre at Godshill, IoW being overrun with up to 20 out of control hounds from the IoW Hunt.
Staff were forced to put the centre into lockdown and they were especially concerned for the welfare of terrified rescue badgers.
RSPCA Inspector Buggie said it took him 20 minutes to drive to the centre after being called by staff and the hounds were still running wild. They were out of control. He said it was the 2nd year it had happened and the arrogance of the hunt took his breath away.
Hounds in nearby roads were witnessed by Joan & Julian Tisdale from the League Against Cruel Sports who said it was one of a number of such incidents. A bus was amongst vehicles forced to stop for safety reasons.
Joint Master Anthony Blest said they were welcomed by landowners all around the RSPCA centre and for them not to use land within miles of the RSPCA would sterilise a large area. He said he was reasonably satisfied the hounds were under control as the huntsman is experienced.
Fox killed on Sam Cameron’s dad’s estate
Police are investigating claims that a fox was killed in a hunt hosted by David Cameron’s father-in-law.
Hunt protesters clashed with the York & Ainsty South Hunt amid claims that 8 hounds chased and killed the fox after setting off from the 18th Century country estate of Sutton Park, in N. Yorkshire, owned by Samantha Cameron’s father Sir Reginald Sheffield.
Samantha Cameron – or ‘SamCam’ as she is known.
The hunt saboteurs allege that a member of the hunt – the ‘whipper-in’ whose job it is to keep the pack of hounds together – tried to take the animal’s lifeless body away but fled when a protester came across the scene. Afterwards, the Hunt Saboteurs Association, who had been monitoring the hunt on Feb 21, posted gruesome photos of a dead fox dripping with blood on social media.
The hunt had met at the home in the village of Sutton-on-the-Forest, before setting off on a legal ‘trail hunt’. A spokesman for the hunt claimed the fox had not been killed by its hounds. But hunt saboteur Jay Gillette said: ‘We were following the huntsmen through a woodland, and then the hounds started to cry, which means they were on the scent of a fox. ‘We did our best to put them off – we used horn calls to try and stop them chasing the fox. We use the same horn that a huntsman would use. ‘I then saw a fox bolt along the edge of the woodland so I raced over that way.
The best way to stop the hounds is to get in between them and the fox. Once I got to the fence where I saw the fox run past, I saw about 8 to 10 of the hounds in a semi-circle and a whipper-in. ‘She was in the semi-circle with the hounds. I couldn’t see what she was doing but I believe she was trying to pick up the fox and take it away so we couldn’t see it. ‘The whipper-in then took the hounds away as soon as I got there, leaving the fox. ‘After that, none of the huntsman would talk to us.
They went quiet and just carried on – moved off with the hounds to the next woodlands. ‘I could see the fox’s intestines. The hounds had opened up its stomach. I believe it was still alive when the hounds left and I came to it. When I carried it back to our van I could still hear short breaths from its mouth. We then gave it to the police for evidence. I was pretty distraught.’
A spokesman for the hunt said: ‘The York & Ainsty South Hunt were involved in legal trail hunting and were afterwards asked by police whether a fox had been killed by hounds. The answer to that was no.
It’s not unusual for hunt saboteurs, who’ve been harassing the legal activity on regular occasions, to make up such stories. From looking at the photos of the animal there was no indication of how it was killed.’ A spokesman for N. Yorkshire Police said: ‘We are aware of reports a fox was hunted illegally in the Sutton-on-the-Forest area. We take any allegation of wildlife crime seriously, and our enquiries into this incident are ongoing.’ Sir Reginald Sheffield was not available for comment.
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