WellBeing International WBI Studies Repository

Fall 1993

WCRO Fall 1993

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Recommended Citation "WCRO Fall 1993" (1993). West Coast Regional Office. 13. https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/wescoarn/13

This material is brought to you for free and open access by WellBeing International. It has been accepted for inclusion by an authorized administrator of the WBI Studies Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES • FALL 1993

HSUS Opposes Bear Hunting INSIDE • EGG-stra Good News For Last November, The HSUS helped to Earlier this year, Senator Nick Petris Laying Hens and Consumers pass a ballot initiative in Colorado which introduced SB 67, which would outlaw banned the use of dogs and bait in the the use of dogs in hunting bears. The • Animal Sacrifice Ordinance hunting of bears, and ended the spring HSUS and other groups strongly support Cut Down by U.S. Supreme bear hunt. The measure passed by an this bill. Even California Department of inspiring 70 percent margin. Many Fish and Game Director Boyd Gibbon Court Colorado hunters supported the initiative, has stated publicly that while he is a • Fast Pace For WCRO Staff saying it was unsporting to hunt bears hunter, he opposes such unsportsmanlike with hounds outfitted with radio teleme­ events. SB 67 has come up against intense • Year of the Cat Seminar try collars. Incredibly, this method of pressure from the NRA and other pro­ hunting is still allowed in California! hunting groups. After two attempts to • San Diego is Site for For those unfamiliar with how this pass the Senate Natural Resources Animal Care EXPO '94 "sport" is conducted, consider the follow­ Committee, SB 67 was made into a two­ ing. A bunch of bear-hunting buddies year bill. It could be heard as soon as releases a pack of hounds wearing teleme­ January, but there are no plans to bring it try collars to locate and chase a black back at this time. bear through the woods, sometimes for HSUS members who are interested in Another Chance hours. The collar emits a "beep" sent to a banning the use of dogs to hunt bears receiver that allows the hunters to sit in should send a card (with their address) to For Yogi their truck and follow the chase. the WCRO asking to receive special legis­ The exhausted bear eventually climbs lative updates on this issue. To receive a In August 1992, The HSUS Great a tree to escape the dogs. Hiding in the fact sheet on bear hunting in California, Lakes Regional Office (GLRO) and the refuge, it is shot and killed by the "sports­ send a self-addressed, stamped envelope Wood County Sheriff's Office in Bowling men" once they arrive on the scene. to: BEAR FACT SHEET, HSUS/ WCRO, Green, Ohio, rescued a one-and-a-half­ Frequently, a bear will turn to fight the P.O. Box 417220, Sacramento, CA year-old, two-hundred-pound American pursuing dogs - resulting in severe injuries 95841-7220. • black bear from a miserable existence. or death to the dogs. The bear, named Yogi, had been pur­ chased as a pet from one of the many exotic animal auctions in the midwest. He had spent that summer chained to a junked automobile without protection from the sun. Yogi's diet consisted of mostly surplus baked goods, and it was reported that he was frequently given whiskey and beer. After receiving complaints from wit­ nesses, the GLRO worked with local law enforcement officers and succeeded in getting Yogi confiscated. Yogi's owner, who was charged with three counts of animal cruelty, accepted a conviction on one count in a pretrial settlement ensur­ ing Yogi would never be returned to him. A ninety-day jail sentence and $500 fine were suspended, subject to the terms of a strict four-year probationary period. The next difficult task facing GLRO Once a bear is treed by dogs, it becomes a sitting duck for hunters armed with high staff was where to place Yogi. Their search powered rifles, handguns, or archery equipment. continued on page 2 Yogi This procedure has been in use several EGG-stra Good News For DIRECTOR'S places for up to 18 years. However, it STAFF TRACKS ... continued from page 1 COMMENT wasn't until the American Veterinary Laying Hens and Consumers Medical Association (AVMA) and the Shelter visits California Veterinary Medical Associa­ by Charlene Drennon In May and June, WCRO investigator Until recently, approximately 98 per­ a growing list of supermarkets are now tion (CVMA) addressed this issue in Kurt Lapham visited a number of Northern cent of all eggs produced in the U.S. and selling eggs that come from uncaged 1992 and early 1993, that the practice of Year of the Cat California animal shelters operated by virtually all eggs sold in supermarkets hens. Hens that are able to scratch, dust early spay/neuter began to flourish. The CVMA and The HSUS have endorsed local humane societies and animal control came from hens crowded together in wire bathe, lay their eggs in nests, exercise, Seminar agencies including Dunsmuir Animal "battery" cages. These hens spend their and even fly. And these eggs cost only early spay/neuter as another way to keep On June 18, 1993, 200 people attended animals from unnecessarily breeding and Control, the Siskiyou Humane Society, entire adult lives of up to two years con­ pennies more than eggs from battery­ our Year of the Cat Seminar in Sacra­ Eureka Animal Control, the Haven Humane fined in cages so small they cannot even caged hens. Safeway Stores already stock being killed when there are no homes. mento, California. According to audience Cat rabies inoculation and licensing Society in Redding, the Monterey County spread their wings, scratch for food, preen, these eggs in its San Francisco locations written evaluations, it was a great success. SPCA, and Salinas Animal Control. or escape from more aggressive cage­ and in 70 stores along the front range of were explained by Dr. Larry Barrett of The meeting was kicked off with a the California State Health Department Lapham also completed an in-depth eval­ mates. Hens confined in this manner also Colorado. More farmers would like to be rousing keynote, "A Cat Is Not A Dog" and Dr. Bruno Charnel, UC Davis. uation of the overall operation and facili­ suffer from bone problems due to a com­ able to raise birds this way too, but they by Dr. Randy Lockwood HSUS Vice Most animal control and humane soci­ ties for the City of Marina Department of plete lack of exercise, and damage to need help letting supermarkets know that President of Educational Initiatives. The ety shelters handle more cats than dogs. Public Safety/ Animal Services at the their feet and feathers from the wire consumers care. This will give consumers main thrust of the day was to address A recent California survey on animal request of the Public Safety Director. His cages. There is nothing natural about con­ a voice in how laying hens are treated three major cat issues. Becky Robinson control reported that, due to lack of iden­ report of findings with recommendations fining hens in such a manner. It is done and will allow other farmers to begin pro­ of Alley Cat Allies debated the value of tification, only 1% of cats were redeemed was forwarded to the requesting authority strictly to obtain the greatest number of ducing eggs more humanely. maintaining feral cat colonies. Opposing by their owners, whereas, 50-60% of in July. eggs from the smallest number of birds Whether you live in the San Francisco her was Dr. Dale Brooks of UC Davis. dogs were redeemed. with all the convenience for the producer Bay area or not, you can help by letting The early spay/neuter segment by Dr. Our office has been receiving calls Calgary, and little or no consideration for the hens' your grocer know that you want eggs John Hamil, President of the California from animal control agencies in Cali­ social and behavioral requirements. from uncaged hens carried in your local Veterinary Medical Association was the fornia that indicate some may stop han­ Alberta, Canada hit of the meeting. Dan Morrison, Cali­ Getting the most for the least may be a supermarket, and by thanking them if dling cats since their budgets have been fornia Animal Control Directors Associa­ At the request of Crown's Assistant basic tenet of doing business, but consci­ they already do. Do the same with your slashed. State law doesn't mandate im­ tion and Ed Cubrda, Los Angeles SPCA, Prosecutor Darlene Oko and the Calgary entious consumers are helping to send the local bakery and favorite restaurants. And poundment or licensing, therefore cats Humane Society, WCRO investigator described how their agencies have been bring in no license revenue. message that convenience and profit please let us know if your local grocer or Before he was rescued by The HSUS, spaying and neutering dogs and cats as Eric Sakach traveled to Canada to pro­ needn't be sacrificed for a more humanely­ other food establishments stock or use Yogi lived a miserable existence chained All of us who want to see cats given vide expert witness testimony in the pros­ young as 8 weeks. With the use of early the care and respect they deserve will produced product thanks to a consumer eggs from uncaged hens. To receive our to a junked car. spay/neuter operations agencies need not ecution of a cockfighting case. While in continue to address these issues. • education campaign by The HSUS. The special action packet which describes allow puppies and kittens to leave their Canada, he also conducted a one-day campaign is currently being conducted in how you can start an egg effort in your agency unneutered, thereby preventing seminar on the investigation of illegal the San Francisco Bay area and several community, write to: EGGS, The Humane was answered by the WCRO and Dave many unwanted litters. animal fighting ventures for various other major cities across the U.S. Society of the United States, 2100 L Siddon's Wildlife Images, a wildlife reha­ Canadian law enforcement groups includ­ In response to the increasing demand, Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037. • bilitation facility in Grants Pass, Oregon. ing the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The non-profit Wildlife Images also Animal Sacrifice Ordinance serves as a sanctuary for some wild ani­ St. Helens, Oregon mals that, like Yogi, can never be Cut Down by Supreme Court In June, the West Coast Regional released back to the wild. Yogi had been Office received word and thanks from declawed by his earlier owners so his fate The United States Supreme Court came and San Francisco. Since the Supreme Columbia County Deputy District Attorney was either euthanasia or a place where down with a decision in the "Church of the Court opinion was narrowly drawn, it is Stephen Atchison after the Oregon Supreme there was no chance of his being resold to Lukumi Babalu Aye, Inc., et al. v. City of not clear whether these two ordinances Court affirmed lower court decisions someone with less than humane motives. Hialeah," Florida which we found astound­ would be affected. upholding the convictions of the appel­ Cases involving seized wildlife that have ing. According to this ruling, animal sacri­ Meanwhile, The HSUS has offered its lants for their involvement in illegal ani­ been kept as pets usually do not have mal fighting. The cases stemmed from a fice is a protected religious practice. help in writing a new ordinance in Florida, happy endings. May 1989 cockfight raided by the Oregon The HSUS has long been involved in which could be found constitutionally In May, WCRO investigators Kurt State Police with assistance from The the issue of animal sacrifice. The HSUS sound. Lapham and Eric Sakach took delivery of HSUS. • testified and provided supporting briefs in According to Justice Blackmun's Most hens spend their Yogi at San Francisco International Air­ the original case as well as in the appellate case. opinion, this ruling should not stop entire lives in crowded port. Peninsula Humane Society's wild­ Santeria, a religious sect that is a blend enforcing state anticruelty statutes. Roger "battery" cages so small life director Sandi Stadler examined Yogi of Catholicism and ancient tribal reli­ Kindler, General Counsel for The HSUS Good-bye and they can't spread their before declaring him fit to take the trip by gions, involves sacrificing animals during said, "The ruling invites regulation. There wings. Consumers can truck to his new home in Oregon, where Best Wishes religious ceremonies. are a number of ways to approach the help spread the message he now resides with several other black Following passage of the Florida ordi­ regulation of this practice with general We wish Kurt Lapham, who was that it doesn't have to be bears under Siddon's watchful eye. • this way. nance, the WCRO was involved in similar state and federal legislation." • WCRO field investigator for six ordinances still in effect in Los Angeles years, good luck in his new posi­ tion of Animal Control Director for the City of Austin, Texas. San Diego is Site for Animal Care EXPO '94

If the attendance records set by past Expos are any indication, then Animal Care EXPO '94, to be held March 16-19, 1994, in beautiful San Diego, California, promises to be the biggest, most exciting, valuable, and talked-about event of the year for animal care and protection pro­ fessionals everywhere. SanOiego EXPO '94 will offer a world class show­ case of products and services for humane March 16-19 animal sheltering and control agencies, by Animal Care Equipment and Services. r------, featuring over 100 exhibitors, more than Two important organizations are holding 25 workshops, a choice of six day-long their annual meetings in conjunction with Reflect for a certificate courses, and an opportunity to EXPO '94, the California Animal Control enroll for further training credit in The Directors Association (CACDA) and the moment ... HSUS Learning Track System (LTS). Society of Animal Welfare Administrators The LTS consists of four categories of (SAWA). In addition, the Western Humane How Can I Help Animals workshops from beginning to advanced Education and Environment Association Even When I No Longer (WHEEA) will hold a one-day seminar levels with the opportunity to gain pro­ Share Their World? fessional credits and materials in the on March 15 to help humane society and areas of: 1) Animal Handling and Control; animal control personnel reach out to By your bequest for animal pro­ 2) Animal Care and Placement; 3) Com­ their communities and into local schools. tection to The Humane Society of the munity Relations; and 4) Supervision/ Char Drennon, WCRO director, was a United States, your will can provide Management and Board Development. founding member of WHEEA. for animals after you're gone. Naming Day-long Pre-EXPO certificate courses Animal Care EXPO '94 will be held at The HSUS demonstrates your lasting will be offered on March 16 in such areas the Town and Country Hotel and Conven­ commitment to animal welfare and · as shelter design, animal behavior prob­ tion Center, which is convenient to all San strengthens the society for this task. lems, chemical capture, euthanasia, disas­ Diego area attractions. EXPO-goers will We will be happy to send information ter planning/management, and board be especially pleased by the reasonable about our animal programs and development. room rates. For more information and material that will assist in planning a There will also be a number of special details, calll-800-248-EXPO (3976). • will. events including a luncheon sponsored by Please send will information to: ~E~~:~~~~~, "t~,~s~ Name Address

p\.At-lS~'- c.A\\£ City Al-l~)tp0'94 State Zip Code Mail in confidence to Murdaugh S. Madden, Vice President/Senior Counsel, The Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L St., NW, Washington, DC 20037. L------

The Regional Report is a publication of The Humane Society of the United States, West Coast Regional Office, 5301 Madison Ave., Ste. 202, P.O. Box 417220, Sacramento, CA 95841; (916) 344-1710. Charlene Drennon, Director. The HSUS West Coast Regional Office serves California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., and is closed on federal holidays. All contributions made to The HSUS are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. © 1993 by The Humane Society of the United States. All rights reserved.