Posted on May 29, 2018 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
Japan Slaughtered Over 120 Pregnant Whales in Annual Antarctica Summer Hunt
A prominent animal rights group has expressed outrage at Japan’s controversial whaling program after it emerged that more than 120 pregnant whales were slaughtered last year during the country’s annual hunt in the Antarctic Ocean.
Latest figures show that 333 minke Antarctic whales were killed last summer, 181 of which were females and 122 of which were pregnant.
The annual summer hunt, which lasted 143 days, killed 61 immature males and 53 immature females or 114 in total, according to meeting papers from the International Whaling Commission’s scientific committee.
Humane Society International senior program manager Alexia Wellbelove criticized the “cruelty of Japan’s whale hunt.”
Posted on May 29, 2018 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
We recently published and appeal regarding a horrific kill facility located in Ruma which is in Serbia. The words from activists who visited are as follows:
This so called shelter, has no rules, no regulations, every animal care law flouted in every possible way and nobody in in authority gives a damn.
We can’t even begin to tell you what we’ve seen here. It left us without words. Our souls hurt from the gruesome suffering we experienced when we entered here.
This is worse than anything we have ever seen in Serbia, ever. It has disturbed us forever. The horrors we witnessed in here when we visited was almost beyond comprehension as a human. Rotting dogs slowly dying. Sick, injured, just left rotting in pain. Dead dogs hacked up being used as food for the dying ones.
Today (29/5) we have been in contact with the activists who first attempted to enter the facility on 21/5 – they were stopped. But we have been given an update; and on 23/5 activists did actually enter the facility.
They say:
We entered Ruma kill station on 23rd, after filling written complains to the authorities.
On that day 15 lives are saved, 10 are reserved and we announced going back.
After our complains, we were accompanied with the Head man of Municipity of Ruma during our rescue. We were determined to open this horrible place and we made it!!!
Posted on May 29, 2018 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
As Yulin festival approaches, crowdsourced reporting of dog and cat meat illegality has saved dog lives across China
Thousands of dogs in cities all over China are estimated to have been saved as public outrage over illegality puts pressure on dog meat sellers.
China’s infamous Yulin dog meat festival will once again coincide with the summer solstice on June 21. Historically, the festival was believed to see the deaths of an estimated 10,000 dogs annually, and in recent years the number was reported to have dropped significantly to an estimated 1,000 canines losing their lives. However, throughout China, an estimated 10,000,000 dogs are killed annually as part of the dog meat industry.
In an effort to combat the massive number of dogs lost to the meat industry throughout China, global animal welfare non-profit Animals Asia has turned its focus to combatting the larger year-round dog meat industry that sees millions of dogs killed, rather than the isolated Yulin event that lasts just a couple of days and is responsible for a fraction of that number. The organisation’s philosophy is to empower concerned Chinese citizens to act against the illegality prevalent in the dog meat industry.
Only four months after Animals Asia launched an online platform empowering the Chinese public to report suspected illegal activities by restaurants serving dog and cat meat in their communities, the impact has potentially saved thousands of lives.
200 dog meat restaurants in 101 cities reported to local government
19 restaurants closed down
16 given official warnings from the government
Thousands of dogs estimated to have been saved
Animals Asia’s Cat and Dog Welfare Director, Irene Feng said:
“Not only has the public been given a tool with which to defend their communities from the cruelty, theft and health risks associated with dog meat, the government has been given a helping hand in identifying the criminals, too. Whole communities have been empowered and animal lives have been saved.
“Now we want this to be a model for how the authorities in Yulin can deal with illegality during the summer solstice period of increased dog meat consumption. While the authorities have no power to stop the public from eating dog meat, they have a duty to apprehend those bringing illegally sourced dogs into the city without the required paperwork and health certificates, and they must also ensure all slaughter is carried out according to Chinese laws.”
Animals Asia’s online reporting service is available to users all over the country, including Yulin and surrounding areas. In the build up to the festival period, the platform will be pushed on Chinese social media while Animals Asia has once again written to the Yulin authorities urging them to crack down on dog meat-related illegality.
Animals Asia began reporting dog and cat meat restaurants suspected of operating illegally via a network of volunteers in 2016, before launching the online portal for public reports at the start of 2018.
Since 2016, the reports have resulted in a total of 204 restaurants either closing, ending dog meat sales or being given an official warning.
Feng said:
“While the Yulin event is deeply upsetting to all animal lovers, it nevertheless represents a tiny fraction of the annual dog meat consumption in China. Yet it takes up the vast majority of media attention and international concern. The success of our campaign shows how much more can be achieved when we redirect our resources strategically to the wider trade”
The city of Yulin authorities withdrew their endorsement of the Yulin festival in 2014 and today, no official event takes place in the city during the summer solstice. However increased levels of dog meat consumption continue as the public gathers to eat dog meat.
Animals Asia Founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE said:
“Vital campaign work has been done in previous years to reduce consumption of dog meat during the festival and key strategic lobbying has also seen local authorities remove their backing. Now it continues unofficially – without government sanction – as friends come together to eat dog meat. The images of dogs crammed into cages are utterly horrifying, but it is happening every day of the year all over the country in hundreds of cities.
“Animals Asia will continue to focus holistically on the year-round trade: working with government, local charities and the public to increase awareness of the illegality and brutality inherent to the industry.
“To those who do continue to focus solely on Yulin, we say please do so without engaging in behaviours which damage the wider movement to end the dog meat trade country-wide.”
Targeting illegality
An in-depth report compiled in 2015 by Animals Asia, revealed illegality at every stage of the dog meat supply chain including widespread theft of dogs, flouting of the vaccinations requirement, a lack of health and proof of origin certificates, illegal transports and unsanitary slaughter.
The country has a recent and growing history of opposition to the dog meat trade, with the keeping of companion dogs gaining in popularity. As of 2017, there were reportedly 62 million registered dogs kept as companion animals in China.
Even in the areas where dog meat eating is most common – such as Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou and various locations in the northeast – an Animals Asia survey further revealed almost half of respondents had not eaten cats or dogs in the past two years. Of those who had, half again had eaten it only once or twice a year.
Outside of these “hotspots”, just 20% of people had eaten dogs in the last two years, with just 1.7% admitting to eating cats.
In 2016, proposed legislation to outlaw the industry received overwhelming support, with nearly nine million people voting for the proposal online, while an online poll in 2017 by China National Radio revealed 69% agree the dog and cat meat industries should be banned.
Posted on May 22, 2018 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
You only have to read this, our recent post; to see the reality of animal ‘welfare’ in the EU – EU politicians who care nothing; and simply carry on as usual, despite the evidence:
The recent uproar over the ability of animals to feel pain has created a grossly inaccurate discussion. Beneath all the bluster and posturing from those claiming to be concerned by animal welfare was an underlying implication: without the EU, British animals would suffer horrific cruelty at the hands of a pig-hating, cattle-loathing domestic government.
Of course such a belief borders on hysterical paranoia. Britons are a nation of animal lovers. We have a proud history of global leadership in the field of animal welfare. Removing ourselves from the inept EU presents us with an exciting opportunity to once again become a pioneer in improving animal welfare standards internationally. This can be done through trade deals and by discussions in international arenas. Despite the idyllic face given to this by many, the EU is guilty of holding back British ambitions for improved standards. In some cases the EU actively prevents us from taking action to improve animal conditions which could stop the unnecessary pain and suffering endured by animals.
Take, for instance, the matter of transporting livestock for slaughter across long distances. The images of cattle, sheep and pigs horrifically crammed into the back of lorries, suffering from severe health conditions, exhaustion and dehydration, rightly provokes outcry from the Great British Public. Parliament, when discussing the matter, finds itself in almost complete cross-party unanimity. There is a strong consensus for banning the barbaric export of live animals.
Above – England – Live Animal Export Demonstrations
However, this robust current of objection – displaying our credentials as an animal loving nation – is in vain. Our membership of the EU and the principle of free movement reduces our concerns to irrelevance. The Treaties are clear. The free movement of goods – clearly also including animals which even the EU admits can feel pain – must not be impeded in any way.
Once we are outside the EU, any Bill advocating the end of this torture will be passed in a blink of an eye, but until then, nothing can be done!
The disconnect between intentions and ability is mind-numbingly infuriating, especially as there is such a simple solution. However, this lays bare just one way in which the EU impedes Britain’s desire to reduce the suffering of animals.
Even where European legislation exists to prevent suffering, the protectionist fervour with which the agricultural sector is shielded means most breaches of welfare practice are overlooked. The EU Commission fails to enforce the rules in order to maintain and satisfy European farmers’ market advantage and competitiveness. The Commission also actively discourages the use of CCTV in abattoirs and opts to ignore laws maintaining the dignity of pregnant pigs. This allows those that fail to uphold even basic animal rights to continue, massively reducing their expenditure in the process in order to maximise profits.
The fact that British farmers consistently maintain high standards despite the rules not being enforced is therefore testament to their own credential as guarantors of animal well-being rather than the result of EU influence.
Law-abiding British farmers who take every effort and cost to minimise suffering for livestock are at a systemic disadvantage. They face competition with an influx of cheaply produced meat (mainly from eastern EU countries) – reared and slaughtered on a policy of minimum expenditure – with little thought for animal suffering. Once we are outside the EU, British farmers will not have to choose between maintaining high standards or market competitiveness, but they will be able to meet both requirements satisfactorily.
As we can see from Michael Gove’s (photo above) enthusiastic tenure as Environment Secretary, British welfare standards are already on the rise. The draft Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Recognition of Sentience) Bill goes further than its EU equivalent, banning medieval practices (such as bullfighting in Spain and other EU countries), which are permitted by Article 13 of the Lisbon Treaty on account of them being so-called ‘cultural traditions’.
This, in addition to a toughening of prison sentences for the most serious offences, and moves to improve surveillance in slaughterhouses, shows a strong intent by Britain to make improvements where needed.
In the pet industry, moves are being made to clamp down on puppy smuggling and the illegal transportation of other domestic animals, which is facilitated by the EU’s ‘pet passport’ scheme: a problem which has, until now, remained out of Parliament’s jurisdiction. These proposals provide a small taste of post-EU Britain’s desire to go beyond European mediocrity.
Excitingly, once we are outside the Customs Union, the free-trading role Britain will craft for itself, once free of the EU’s stranglehold, will create a multitude of opportunities to engage with other countries. This will allow us to spread the values of animal welfare which are so important to us as a nation.
By taking part in bilateral trade deals, British negotiators will be able to install minimum standards which must be met before produce can enter the United Kingdom. Not only will this ensure British consumers are protected from unethically reared meat, but will force nations seeking access to the UK market to meet our set standards of welfare.
Once we Get Britain Out of the EU, we (UK) will be in full control to pursue the highest possible standards of animal welfare. Free trade agreements will provide the perfect platform of interaction from which we can spread these values for animal welfare to other countries.
Posted on May 22, 2018 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
EU Commission assesses the “El Pozo scandal” as an isolated case and does not initiate punitive measures!
(Well-com again to the “Do Nothing” Factory from EU!!)
At the end of February, MEP Stefan Bernhard Eck put a written question to the Commission to draw attention to the horrific events revealed by the Animal Equality animal welfare organization in a pig farm in Spain that owns the meat group EL Pozo supplies. He asked whether the Commission would sanction non-compliance with EU regulations, or at least request clarification from the Spanish authorities.
On 15.05.2018, almost three months later, Eck’s office finally received the Commission’s response: they had learned from the media about the case of El Pozo and had turned to the competent authorities. These would have to “promise to remedy the situation”. However, the Commission considered that it was a “case-by-case”, so that sanctions under the Regulation on official controls, in which Stefan Eck had worked as shadow rapporteur, were not considered, and only systematic failure to comply with the relevant EU rules would justify such measures.
Conclusion: Once again, an animal welfare and food scandal is not sufficiently addressed and taken as an isolated case, although the Commission is aware, that violations of EU animal welfare regulations in all Member States are the rule!
For those who do not know, what the “El Pozo scandal” is!
Animal Equality published shocking footage from a pig farm in Alhama de Murcia, Spain in early February 2018. The company is part of a company that supplies the meat producer El Pozo. The sausages from El Pozo are also sold in German supermarkets such as Edeka and Rewe as well as in the online marketplace of Amazon.de.
The research was done in collaboration with the prestigious Spanish TV program Salvados, presented by the well-known presenter Jordi Évole. On Sunday, February 4, the research was first broadcast on Spanish television and nationwide followed by a huge number of viewers. The cruel conditions in the factory have shocked even the experienced investigators of Animal Equality. The pictures show, among others:
-sick pigs with huge pus-bumps and severe cases of intestinal breakages, which do not receive any veterinary care,
-dying and dead animals in some advanced state of asphyxiation lying between the surviving ones,
-Animals that can barely move due to their weaknesses and are injured by conspecifics after days without food or even eaten alive,
-sick and injured pork babies suffering torment without veterinary care,
-Pigs that have to live in catastrophic hygienic conditions in their own excrements,
– Containers overflowing with dead animals and fly maggots.
Experts are horrified
Animal Equality presented the recordings to Ignacio Arija, director of the Institute of Animal Husbandry at the Complutense University of Madrid. The livestock expert was appalled: “If you had told me that these scenes came from a country without any animal welfare legislation, I would have believed it, but not in the European Union, there should not be anything like that here, just like us there is something like that. […] Something like that has to be reported. “
Veterinarian Ignacio Mercadal, who has analyzed the video material and authored a veterinary report, concludes: “The magnitude and severity of the injuries suggest that the pigs have not been treated by veterinarians for an extended period of time.”
Posted on May 17, 2018 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
ACT NOW: Stop Bloody Boar Fights in Vietnam!
Shocking footage has emerged of a pack of dogs ripping a terrified boar limb from limb, as part of a LEGAL organised dog fight. Urgent animal protection laws are needed to end this savage cruelty. Sign the petition now!
Devastating footage on social media shows crowds cheering as an exhausted boar runs for his life. His screams of pain and fear can be heard as he is set upon by a pack of baying dogs… trained to kill.
The footage has sparked outrage in Vietnam, but these organised ‘death battles’ – between dogs and boars fleeing for their lives are nothing new in Vietnam. One crowd member even commented, “We will continue doing it because it isn’t illegal.”
And boar aren’t the only victims of this vicious blood sport…
Dogs used as killing-machines are treated as nothing more than sporting equipment. Often chained, mutilated, and treated cruelly to make them more aggressive.
Two years ago, the Vietnamese government passed its first Animal Health Law. Yet, there are currently no laws to protect animals from harm, or punish animal abusers.
When barbaric cruelty like these sick organised dog fights can go unpunished, and leave authorities powerless to act, urgent changes are needed…
Please, join us in calling on the Vietnam Government to update the law to include animal protection regulations, and strong punishments for those who commit acts of violence against animals.
Act now, call for urgent animal welfare laws in Vietnam. Please, sign the petition now…
The European Commission is currently complicit in an appalling trade in live farm animals to Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa. Please tell the Commissioners to take action.
Animals exported from Europe may face extreme dehydration, exhaustion and hunger. Some collapse onto floors that are covered in faeces and urine, and risk being trampled by their companions. Those that survive may then face unimaginably horrific slaughter.
It is within the power of the European Commission – and the Commission alone – to propose legislation to end this suffering. Please call for an end to EU live exports today.
Take a stand on 14th June!
Thanks to a recent investigation by Animals Australia, the cruelty of live transport is making global headlines. Video footage of sheep in the belly of a transport ship, covered in blankets of faeces, or being cooked alive by sweltering temperatures, has shocked the world.
No event near you? Why not organise your own! A candlelight vigil, a peaceful street rally or even an online demonstration – anything you can do will raise awareness of the cruelty of long distance transport.
Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) 