This may sound a bit off - a breed of rabbits may be placed on the endangered species list. One might ask - but rabbits breed like…rabbits! Why would some be considered endangered? But the Pygmy rabbit, a tiny rabbit weighing in at only 1.8 pounds when full grown, has found itself losing habitat, and unable to adapt. They are currently protected in Washington, however, the U.S. government is considering putting them on the Federal Endangered Species list.

Several rabbits were released into the wild, but they have been unable to adapt, falling prey to predators. These tiny lagomorphs need protection, and placing them on the Endangered Species list will hopefully give them the help they need, to prevent this tiny (and adorable!) rabbit from becoming extinct.

Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in Federal Prison for his role in the dogfighting business he had on his property. To me, this is such a sad story. He’s someone that is extremely talented, and has made something of himself. Now, he’s going to spend at least the next 20 months of his life (if he receives the maximum of 3 months off for good behavior) in prison, thinking about what he’s done.

To be honest, I hope that he is able to get his football career back on track. He’s talented, and he shouldn’t have to pay for the rest of his life, provided he has learned his lesson, and has done much good to right the many wrongs he’s done. Dogfighting is a serious and terribly disturbing crime. It’s not just the fights that are cruel - it’s what leads up to them and how the losers are treated that is sickening as well. Losing dogs are killed in terrible ways, and other smaller dogs are used as bait. The whole “sport” is barbaric, and it takes someone that is cold and has been hardened to be able to participate/enjoy such a bloody event.

I hope Michael Vick takes this lesson to heart, and I hope others involved with dogfighting will consider what they’re risking, and think about the cruelties they’re perpetuating. I hope Mr. Vick will donate money and time to caring for abused and neglected animals. He’ll be able to see how rewarding rescuing animals can be - how much more rewarding than winning money at the price of an animal’s life. I wish you all the best, Michael Vick. I hope that your apology is sincere, and that you will change for the better. Remember, you’re an example to so many. Be a man, do the right thing, and make up for your mistakes. You can do a lot of good - just do it.

I was reading the news today, and the more I read, the more disturbed I became. There were several stories about animal abuse or neglect, and it really made me sad reading about them.

One story was about a Utah animal control officer that picked up someone’s pet cat, and instead of bringing it to animal control, he released it into the wild. He said he didn’t want it to be euthanized, however, the owner is frantically looking for it because it was never brought to the shelter, and she has no idea where it could be. If the officer had brought the cat to the shelter, the owner would have had 3 days to claim it. Instead, she has no idea where it is. All this officer received was a reprimand. Shame on Utah Animal Control.

Any animal lover knows that releasing a domestic animal into the wild to “free it” knows that it is only being given a death sentence. Domestic animals do not have the skills needed to survive on their own - they don’t know how to battle the weather, predators, or anything else.

Another horrific story I read today was about a horse that was found by its owner - dead as a result of 50 gunshot wounds. It suffered horribly and died a terrible death, all because someone used it as target practice. This is a disturbing and disgusting occurrence, and the perpetrators should be punished by the maximum penalty.

One thing that bothers me, however, is the resistance of Utah lawmakers to pass Henry’s Law, which would impose a mandatory minimum sentence for first time animal abusers, and felonies for second time abusers. I don’t understand why this hasn’t gone through. Studies have shown a strong correlation between people that abuse animals and people that abuse other people. We need to put an end to this animal abuse for good. Utah - wake up. It’s time to help the helpless, and stop animal abuse.

Six years ago, and Oregon man stumbled upon a baby deer that had deformed feet. Instead of ignorning it, he did the humane thing, and took her to the vet and paid thousands of dollars to help get her better. She has become his pet, and he named her Snowball. She also gave birth to a baby, Bucky, and things seemed to be going along just fine until Oregon authorities stepped in.

They seized the animals and threatened to put them down, all because Jim Filipetti didn’t have one of 16 available wild animal rehabilitation licenses.

This story has outraged Oregon residents, as well it should. One man commented that people could get a license to kill deer, but heaven forbid if anyone tried to help one. Due to the pressure from citizens, the Fish & Wildlife division has decided not to euthenize the animals, and Filipetti could perhaps get Snowball back, however, it looks as if Bucky will be on his own - a decision as to his fate hasn’t been made yet.

I think this story is completely outrageous. Filipetti has done no harm in rescuing Snowball. Why punish someone for doing the right thing? Government needs to take a giant step back, admit to making a mistake with this, and give him Snowball and Bucky back. This is a pathetic case of government over-involvement. Why take animals away from the best home/care they’ll ever receive? Come on, Oregon. Do the right thing - let the deer go back to the only home they’ve ever known.

For more information, check out the story here.

I’ve put off writing about this topic because for me, it’s pretty difficult to talk about. The whole dogfighting industry is disturbing, disgusting, and completely outrageous. It sickens me to think about the cruelty that was perpetrated on Michael Vick’s property, and now that he has pled guilty, obviously under his direction.

I don’t think Michael Vick is an evil person - but I do think he is someone that is disturbed and severly misguided. The thoughts of what happened on his property over the past few years have caused an outrage throughout the country, and probably the world. Even the NFL stepped up, indefinitely suspending him without pay. The Falcons are looking to recoup $22 million in bonus money, which seems to be why they haven’t cut him from the team.

Vick offered an apology today, apologizing to his young fans, and calling himself “immature.” I’m glad that he apologized - a nation was hurt and disappointed by his actions. I’m saddened that he didn’t express more apologies for perpetuating animal cruelty, however, I’m glad he apologized. Animal cruelty is a terrible thing, and unfortunately, Vick had to learn the hard way.

I remember watching Michael Vick play when we was at Virginia Tech - he’s an extremely talented person, and I do hope to see him play football again, after he has paid the price for his actions. I don’t think he should be condemned forever. He made some terrible, horrible mistakes, and he will pay a very high price for them. He needs to be given the chance, however, to redeem himself, and make up for it. I hope that he becomes involved with animal shelters, perhaps donating time and money to help fight animal cruelty. I think that despite this horrible thing, something good should come of it. Vick needs to work to do everything he can to help put an end to all animal cruelty, dogfighting included. Then, I think, the United States and his fans will be willing to embrace him again.

The Humane Society has put together a video contenst to help combat dogfighting. There are three finalists, and you can vote on the one that you feel has the most impact. Warning - some are graphic, and they will make you cry.

Humane Society Knock Out Animal Cruelty Video

I just received this comment to my previous blog posts about Canada allowing the slaughter of baby seals. Apparently, some people believe the propaganda about the seals not being babies, simply because they have shed their white coats. 95% of the seals slaughtered each year are under the age of 3 months - how is that not a baby, Barry? Perhaps you and other Canadians are trying to soothe your conscience by saying, “well, it doesn’t have the white coat anymore, so it’s not a baby.” These seals are still nursing, and few have eaten solid food yet. Last time I checked…that is a baby.

At any rate, why is it ok to slaughter these animals anyway, simply for their fur? It is a disgusting practice that contributes little to the Canadian economy. I have yet to hear a good argument about why this practice should continue. I, for one, will continue to boycott Canadian seafood.

As far as your argument goes in regards to using old footage - that simply is not the case. There are RECENT pictures of people killing these animals. Nice try.

Barry Says:

March 30th, 2007 at 3:33 am e The Seal hunt that takes place on the East Coast of Canada Do NoT Kill Baby Seals.The seals that are killed are older seals. The Killing of Baby seals took place years ago and was banded on the East Coast. The IFAW are still using old footage with White Baby Seals,Big Black Eyes and Red Blood and a Mother Seal. This is a good tool for the IFAW to use . In the East Coast Hunt we….. Shoot Older Seals Not Baby White Seals . The Law do not permit you to kill white coats. Your Blog would be ok years ago, But is now out of date. Next time please get your facts from a good sourse . Not the IFAW or other groups. They will post false facts to make a point.
.Try the Goverment of Canada and ask for the facts about the seal hunt.
When you do this please make the correction in your opening Blog and post it again……………
Barry
Every March, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, the seal hunters gather to slaughter baby seals for their fur pelts…………. “

So Barry, YOU are the one that needs to do some research. This is a disgusting out-of-date practice that needs to be abolished. Killing baby animals to sell their fur is barbaric, and so are the ones slaughtering them.

This morning, we heard the sad news of the untimely death of Steve Irwin, an Australian animal lover and conservationist, better known as “The Crocodile Hunter.”

Steve Irwin was known for his daring, yet controlled encounters with wild animals of all sorts, ranging from crocodiles and snakes, to kangaroos, and just about anything in-between. I was sad to hear the news of his death - I always enjoyed watching his shows on Animal Planet, a cable channel devoted to animals. Irwin had many shows, including Croc Files and The Crocodile Hunter. He was always funny and entertaining, and yet his shows had a point. He always wanted to stress the importance of taking care of nature, and preserving the habitats of the animals he worked with, and loved. Irwin took calculated risks with the animals; he knew they were dangerous, but he was well trained in how to handle them. His death was the result of a freak accident, not because of any carelessness on his part.

According to reports, he was swimming and working on an underwater documentary. He swam over a sting ray, and the animal’s tail snapped up, and the barb pierced Irwin’s chest, puncturing his heart. He died almost immediately.

I hope that Irwin will be remembered for all the good he did for the world of animals and nature. He worked to protect and preserve the animals he loved so much. He was not careless or reckless. He was quite the opposite. He was very careful, and knew what he was doing. I hope people are not critical of him as a result of his tragic death. He was doing something he loved, and something he was good at. God bless him and his family. His death is a loss to us all, whether we are human or not.

Susan McKay is a Professor at Weber State University who also owns land and many animals. Today a story was done on KSL, the local NBC affiliate news station. This woman owns many, many sheep, and apparently refuses to care for the animals she owns. There were dead sheep found everywhere, and the live ones were in atrocious condition. They appeared ragged and dirty. The KSL story can be found here. It is quite pathetic that someone that is so “educated” can be so lacking in common sense and decency. Anyone with a heart can simply look at the animals and see that they are suffering. This woman claims that it is a temporary problem, and that because she has a broken arm, she cannot care for the animals. According to neighbors, this is a problem that has been going on for years. Unless her arm has been broken for years, that is a lame excuse. It can’t explain the problem, either. She could easily hire someone to care for the animals. It is disgusting to me that she simply does not care enough to do something.

The laws in Utah protecting animals need to be changed. Several complaints have been filed over several years, but the laws are simply not strong enough to protect the defenseless animals. Domestic animals are helpless, and completely dependent upon their owners. If the humans are not intelligent enough to care for the animal’s most basic needs, they should not be allowed to own animals.

The cruel hunt of baby seals has once again started in Canada. Hundreds of thousands of the baby seals will be beaten to death until the hunters reach their quota set (and approved) by the Canadian government. It is a practice that is barbaric and sick, and does not contribute much to the Canadian economy. For video and information on the hunt, you can go to the website of the Humane Society of the United States here. (http://www.hsus.org/)

I have vowed to boycott Canadian seafood until they vote to end this practice, including eating at Red Lobster. Thee United States has banned the import of the seal skins - it is only the European and Asian market that imports them.

I have written letters to Prime Minster Harper (quite an ironic name - the seals being killed are “Harp” seals) respectfully requesting him to ban this horrible practice. If you would like to do the same, I’m including the link HERE.

I truly believe that if enough people speak loud enough, and show their displeasure by boycotting Canadian seafood, changes will be made. Please do what you can to make a difference.

In reference to the above article I wrote, I’m including a link here where you can send a letter (email) to your Congressman/woman and the US Department of Agriculture to encourage protection of our horses. It is very simple, and if we all contact our Senators/Representatives and the USDA, we can make a difference to protect the horses from the slaughterhouse.

The link is here, and it is very quick and simple. I hope you will all help protect our horses!