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

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

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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.

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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

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Message as supplied to us:

(Note – Bold added by SAV)

JR2

JR3

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”  .

GoogleEarth_Image

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.

JR1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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:  ****

save stara planina

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)

Jamaica

Help Get Water back at The Animal House,

Jamaica

Target:

Honourable Bruce Golding, Prime Minister of Jamaica.

Sponsored by: 

Maureen Sheridan & Yvette Rubery

Petition link:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Water-For-Animal-House-Jamaica
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Dogs waiting at The Animal House

The Animal House, the only no-kill animal shelter on the island of Jamaica located just outside of Ocho Rios, leases their premises from the Jamaican Bauxite Mining Company (JBM), which is government owned.  Up until recently JBM supplied them with both power and water.  The Animal House was advised that JBM would be closing its operations and the public utility companies would continue to provide these vital services going forward.  Animal House was never informed that there would be a disruption to the shelter’s vital power and water service, yet both services were cut off without notice.  Using a borrowed generator  they managed to keep operating while the power was disrupted.  Power was restored after several months, however the Animal House continues it’s work with no running water!  The Animal House staff and volunteers have been forced to carrying water in by hand and when possible trucking in water.  The shelter cares for over 150 animals, but they are still without water for the animals in this extreme tropical environment.  Upon further investigation of the water supply, the  Animal House found that a private company, National Meats, now leases the property formerly referred to as JBM.  National Meats has taken over the water line which they share with Animal House and decided to turn off the valve that supplies water to the Animal House.  National Meats was concerned they might incur additional expense maintaining the water line.  Animal House has also learned that the National Water Commission which was expected to take over the water supply no longer has intentions to do so.  Animal House has appealed to everyone possible including the Jamaican Prime Minister’s office.  A meeting was arranged between The Animal House, National Meats and the NWC neither National Meats nor the National Water Commission was willing to corrcet the situation.  The Animal House was told that they should collect rain water or pay for the installation of a new pipeline (US$15,000) after which the NWC would give them a water meter.  They are being forced to truck in water.  The situation is appalling and no one cares enough to rectify the situation. Animal House is grateful that after 5 months the power is back, which is truly a blessing, but adds “now if only we could get the water turned back on”.

Please help by signing this petition  and forwarding it to everyone you know and lets get the water turned back on for all those poor animals!  Thanks for caring.

Please help by signing this petition  and forwarding it to everyone you know and lets get the water turned back on for all those poor animals!  Thanks for caring. 

As a non-profit organization and one of a very few animal shelters on the island survival is difficult enough, but with no running water for the people who work there and the animals under the organizations care it is near impossible.  We know Jamaica has a big heart, can you please help?

Thank you for you time and attention to this matter.

Petition link:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Water-For-Animal-House-Jamaica

 

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

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

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

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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

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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.

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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_

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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.

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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)
 USA 

For Immediate Release  – August 6, 2009  

Animals’ Angels

phone: 410-848-3153

fax: 410-848-0213

www.animals-angels.com 

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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)

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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!

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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 »

Korea: Petition – Eating of Dogs and Cats – Please Sign

Posted on August 3, 2009 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

South Kores

 

 

 

 

BOK-days are the hottets day of the year in Korea.

They are also the days in which the greatest number of dogs are consumed. Many Koreans belive that eating dog meat will alleviate the the summer heat and increase a mans sexual prowess.

BOK-days this summer are: 14. and 24. of July and 13. august.

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Photo – Dogs Going For Slaughter

The Korean government has not yet baned the slaughter and consumption of companion animals. The Korean government is much responsible for continuing cruelty to and abuse of Korean animals. As long as the consumption of dogs and cats continues, so does cruelty to animals. Therefore the government must establish the law that prohibits the slaughter and consumption of dogs and cats for meat.

You can help! – let us continue to pressurize the Korean government to make a law that prohibits the consumption of dogs and cats, please sign the petition: Animal abuse in Korea and forward.  

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/18/animal-abuse-in-korea

Sincerely

Hanne Stajner

See more pictures on this site: http://www.koreananimals.or.kr/english/ 

it belongs to:  Korean Animal Protection Society (KAPS)

 

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

Turkey (Again !): Terrible Animal Suffering at Altindag Municipality in Ankara – Deluge the Mayor With e Mails; Demand He takes Action Now !!

Posted on August 3, 2009 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

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Turkey Discover

Dead dogs, prison style cages, puppies with more ticks than you can count on them: there goes the Altindag Stray Animal Rehabilitation Center in Ankara….

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=142048&id=601330489&l=df61a0c263

(warning: very disturbing images).

There are no words to describe the suffering of these dogs.

‘Well – thought decisions, right steps’.  

– That is the motto of the Altindag Municipality in Ankara.

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Now, we invite Mayor Veysel Tiryaki to take the right steps; and correct the disastrous conditions at this particular facility.Please join us and write to the Altindag Municipality yourself:

Mayor Veysel Tiryaki
vtiryaki@altindag.bel.tr

Location: Altındağ,Ankara

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Turkey Discover

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, PHOTOGRAPHS - **WARNING** (Animal Suffering), SHELTER - Information | Leave a comment »

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