Two Chickens Break up Bunny Fight

This is funny. Two bunnies are fighting when two chickens run up and break it up. Hat tip to The Daily Bunny for that piece of fun.

Still Trying to Get that Elephant in a Bubble

This stupid trick is still being planned. It's the one where some idiot is going to encase an elephant in a bubble. Now, it will be held in an undisclosed location because of "animal rights extremists."

Bubble artist Fan Yang's earlier plan to perform the world-record-setting feat at the Santa Ana Discovery Science Center's Bubblefest fell apart when the science institution came under fire from animal-rights groups for using a critically endangered species in a "trivial and sensationalist manner...."

"We didn't think it was fair that a group of animal-rights extremists were using this to push their agenda of taking elephants out of human care," Johnson {the owner} said. "Nothing about putting Tai in the bubble would cause her any harm. The elephants like the bubbles, especially the babies they touch and walk after them."

The elephant Tai is a stunt elephant. 'Nuff said. We see how her owners earn their living.

Photo by oddharmonic.

Lambs Still Sacrificed for Passover

If you wondered whether this kind of thing still goes on for Passover...well, it sure does. But in this century, animal rights advocates can raise their voices in protest.

If he exists, what satisfaction would God really get from the sacrifice of a lamb? Wouldn't world peace or even an act of kindness carry more weight?

Anybody?

Photo by Mountain Mike.

Update on Charlotte the Cat

Our cat Charlotte has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Essentially, she has a mixture of cancer, abnormal pneumonia, scar tissue in her lungs resulting from pyothorax, and a collapsing lung.

She's home now and we'll keep her comfortable until the end comes.

Duck Gets Restraining Order

How cool is this!

A pet duck named Circles, shot and wounded by a neighbor with a pellet gun, has received an order of protection to keep it safe, the first duck in New York state's Suffolk County to benefit from such an order.

Circles was in its owner's backyard on Long Island -- long known as a habitat for wild waterfowl -- when it was shot by a neighbor through the neck, said Michelle Auletta, prosecutor at the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.

In 2006, former New York Governor George Pataki signed into law a provision to include pets in orders of protection.

Photo by busymonster.

CATA Says Air Canada Has to Allow Pets to Fly With Passengers

The Canadian Air Transportation Agency says that Air Canada can no longer force passengers to ship their pets on cargo planes.

In its decision, the agency called Air Canada's policy unreasonable because it favours the air carrier while exposing pets to harm.

The airline has until May 5 to comply with the ruling and allow animals and their crates, with a combined weight of less than 31 kilograms, to be transported on all flights.

Photo by WestendRaider

Posting Today

Well, we found out today that our cat Charlotte may have cancer. So, I don't feel like posting today.

Irish Animals Sent Abroad for New Homes

This is too bad. Almost 40 per cent of rescued animals in Ireland are being sent overseas because Irish animal sanctuaries cannot find homes for them. They are going to European countries such as Italy, Sweden, the Czech Republic and England.

Miriam Anderson, the spokesperson for {the animal rights group} Anvil, which was set up to ensure the protection of animals under Irish law, has said the findings highlight the need for proper legislation to control the production and care of animals in Ireland.

"Without the UK we would be absolutely paralysed but it's not a long-term solution to the problem. Since 2005 we've been waiting for the introduction of legislation to control kennelling establishments."

"There also needs to be greater owner responsibility. It is irresponsible owners and the Irish attitude to companion animals that is contributing to the problem," added Ms Anderson.

Photo by cutestmidget.

84 Cows Put Down in West Virginia due to Rabies

Cows that were infected by a rabid skunk had to be put down due to the spread of rabies.

"This many cattle is abnormal, but it just so happens all of these animals were in close confinement on feed,” said Douglass. "The skunk did get in and went through every one of the pens. I guess it was quite a smell they had kicked up there."

Douglass says there has been an alarming rise in the number of wildlife cases of rabies in the region. He's advising all pet owners to make sure vaccinations are up to date on dogs and cats. There is also a vaccination available to protect livestock herds.

Quote of the Week

There is no fundamental difference between man and the higher animals in their mental faculties... The lower animals, like man, manifestly feel pleasure and pain, happiness, and misery.

-- Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

British Circus Industry is Struggling?

Interesting article about how the circus industry is supposedly struggling in Britain. The article claims that rising costs, complex licensing and animal rights campaigns have contributed to its decline.

I'm skeptical though. According to the article, the number of circuses have declined by only 5, falling from 32 to 27 over the past 30 years or so. Seems like it is merely natural attrition in a technological world where video games and tv are more immediately gratifying.

Either way, if circuses insist on wild animal acts, then I have no problem seeing them go.

Photo by peta2flickr.

The War on Animal Research From a Researcher's Perspective

Here is an interesting article by an animal researcher about what it is like to have groups like ALF after you. It's long, but is an interesting read (even if you oppose this type of research).

Vick's Dogs Enjoying Life at Best Friends

Twenty-two of the rescued Michael Vick pitbulls (now known as the Vick-tory dogs) are enjoying life at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. For an update on their adventures, check out the website of this wonderful organization and its blog.

PETA did not agree with the rescue of these animals.

PETA argued that dogs trained for fighting should be destroyed because they are unsafe and unserviceable. PETA said the Vick money would have been better spent spaying and neutering, as well as providing care for more suitable and less well-known adoption candidates.

Being a pragmatic accountant, I can understand the cost-benefit argument that PETA makes. But I've seen the pictures that Best Friends has posted on their web site. In my honest opinion, these pictures are a powerful testament that PETA is wrong on this one.

Canada's Weak Animal Protection Law to Get Slightly Less Weak

I would think that Canada would be a little more enlightened when it comes to something as basic as animal welfare. But, they aren't.

There is a proposal to strengthen the animal cruelty law, but it is still weak.

They said the legislation simply raises the penalties in cruelty cases, but doesn't tighten up the laws.

"Bill S-203 is merely 1892 legislation adjusted for inflation," said Shelagh MacDonald, program director for the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. "It leaves all the gaping loopholes and the offences unchanged.

"There is really very little value in increasing penalties when less than one per cent of animal abuse investigations result in a conviction."

For example, she said, the law requires proof of "wilful neglect" and that wording makes convictions extremely difficult.

She said Michael Vick, the disgraced NFL quarterback jailed in connection with a dog fighting scandal in Virginia, might have gone scot free in Canada.

Well, maybe I was wrong. Maybe Vick will be playing for the Grey Cup in a year or two...

Mulesing From a Farmer's Perspective

Australia has faced boycotts of wool products over a practice called Mulesing, which involves cutting a patch of skin on lambs to prevent flystrike.

Here is a site from an Australian farmer that explains why they do what they do, and what the alternatives can be. Faced with boycotts, farmers will have a tougher time going with the more expensive alternatives to the practice.