Is Ritual Slaughter Really Humane?
WellBeing International WBI Studies Repository
6-1974
(No. 28) -- Is Ritual Slaughter Really Humane?
Humane Information Services, Inc.
Follow this and additional works at: https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/rephum
Recommended Citation Humane Information Services, Inc., "(No. 28) -- Is Ritual Slaughter Really Humane?" (1974). Report to Humanitarians. 20. https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/rephum/20
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]. REPORT TO HUMANITARIANS Number 28 - June, 1974 published quarterly by 4521 - 4th Street South EDI TORS: J-/,,,-ue duf�'::!�" c£etviw St..Petersburg, Florida 33705 Frederick L. Thomsen, Ph.D. A NON-PROFIT NATI_ONAL HUMANE SOCIETY Miss Emily F. Gleockler FOR THE PREVENTION OF ANIMAL SUFFERING Dues and Contributions Tax Deductible
. d\0humane problem is more important ter of the animal is kosher, because it is well-planned and executed project leading than the slaughter of food ani easier and less costly to devein that part to the development of such equipment and mals. This involves more potential suf of the carcass. This leaves the rear half methods has been under way at the Connec fering by more millions of animals than of the animal for consumption only by gen ticut Agricultural Experiment Station, un any other single treatment or mistreatment tiles. In addition, kosher inspectors re der the auspices of the Council. of animals. ject a relatively high percentage of the Some other humanitarians and humane or The.wisdom of our choices of alterna beef carcasses after slaughter, and this ganizations in this country, although they tive approaches to th;is probl1':111 and have never to our knowledge attempt the success achieved in implementing ed to scientifically refute claims the programs selected depends on that carotid section while the ani mal is conscious is itself humane, having adequate factual information - about this highly technical process. I S- R aI t U I I U g h t appear to believe that the only sat a . s a _ · -e r- For far too long we have been ac- isfactory approach to the problem of cepting the "conventional wisdom" in kosher slaughter is to repeal or our inadequate and frequently futile ? have declared unconstitutional the efforts to deal with slaughter prob- R- ea I I y H -umane . ritual slaughter exemption in the lems. This has led to differences' - i..-----·------....1 present state and federal humane among humane societies and humanitarians meat must be sold to the gentile trade. slaughter laws, and to pass laws in other about what should be done. This is a These conditions combined res!..llt in a states requiring that all animals be made field of humane work, above all others, volume of kosher slaughter much larger unconscious before shackling, hoisting and where we should stick together in meeting than otherwise would be required to satis cutting. That is a big order! the formidable array of opposition to fy the demand for 'kosher meat by the Jew If carotid section itself does produce slaughter improvement. But we can't do ish population. The humaneness of kosher substantial pain and suffering, ·regardless that unless we obtain and agree on the slaughter hence is a matter of rightful of how the animal is positioned for the facts. What is needed, above all else, is concern to�fles-as well asJews. "Re cut, the development of proper positioning more factual light on the subject. We ligious freedom" thatpermitsfollowers of equipment would not make kosher slaughter can't make intelligent decisions without one religion to observe its customs but humane. It will be better to find that adequate facts. denies those belonging to another the same out now than later, after more money has To many humanitarians, details about a_ privilege is not freedom, but tyranny. been spent on the assumption that carotid disagreeable subject like slaughtering For any Jew to say that gentiles have no section is painless. It would be putting methods are best swept under the rug. The right to question the humaneness of the the cart before the·horse to plan a pro average humanitarian is likely to say, method of-slaughtering the meat they are gram based entirely upon an untested as "Oh, I just can't bear to hear about such forced to buy is like a gentile saying the sumption. things." And that is a principal reason Jew should not be allowed to buy kosher If, on the other hand, examination of why so !!'Uch slaughter still is inhumane. meat. Sticklers for religious freedom the basic question provides reasonable as If we do not understand the problem, we cannot have their cake and eat it, too. surance that carotid section while · the an· will not take effective action to solve Humane Information Services is as free imal is conscious does not cause signifi it. It is not enough that a few officers of religious prejudices as it is practi cant pain, then any who have been holding of humane.societies understand; the indi cally possible to be, and there is no re back their support of the Council's pro vidual members also must understand if ligious purpose in offering this article. gram or advocating alternative approaches they are to make intelligent choices of We have leaned over backwards to present because of their doubts of this ba$ic as -9,l!:@.f:Il?t¾,Ye p,rog,raI!ls offered by the dif- the Jewish viewpoint of Shechita slaughter sumption, could get behind the Council's -- fe:rent societies •. in the words of. a Jewisii' authority. Any · p1-cgrwt: wiw:ehea:r.C: .::,2ily. _____, ;-·--- one who thinks he detects religious preju But there is still another reasod for RITUAL SLAUGHTER dice or anti-Semitism in this article is pursuing the point at this time. The so prejudiced himself. called humane methods of rendering the an The slaughtering of food animals to imal unconscious before shackling and· produce meat religiously acceptable for hoisting in many cases may be far from consumption by Jews and Muslims is by what ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES painless. Examination of the central is technically known as "carotid section",. In R�poltt to Human.,L:t,aJuano No. 27, is question of the humaneness of the carotid the severing of the carotid arteries. The sued in March of 1974, there appeared an section itself may throw much-needed light Jews call it Shechita, or Shehita. The article entitled "Pre-Slaughter Handling on these aspects of conventional "humane" revealed holy book of the Muslims, QWta.n, for Ritual Slaughter". In this article it slaughter. describes the process by two technical was shown that there are two alternative And, if the evidence supports the Jew terms, Zabah and Zokak {cutting and drain ways of approaching the problem of ritual ish claims that carotid section is pain ing the blood). It is Conrrnonly referred slaughter. The first is to assume that less, it might be that the positioning to as "ritual slaughter" and "kosher the ritual cut itself is painless, and equipment developed for use in connection slaughter". that the ensuing rapid loss of blood from with the ritual cut could also be suitable "Kosher" literally means "fit", .and ap the severed carotid arteries produces al for use for non-ritual slaughter in plants plies to any food including meat processed most instantaneous unconsciousness. This and states where ritual slaughter is im :i.n conformance with the Jewish dietary is the claim made by Jews and Muslims who portant, and hence facilitate the passage laws. have attempted to explain and justify of humane slaughter legislation in these The slaughter methods used by the Jews their method of slaughter. states. and Muslims are similar, although the Mus If this claim is correct� then the only {See RITUAL SLAUGHTER, page 2, column 1) lim method uses several cuts in severing problem involved in making ritual slaugh the vessels in the neck of the animal in ter humane is to invent and obtain the use stead.of the single clean cut under the of humane equipment for positioning the Jewish method•. Muslims in the United ,.::i animals for slaughter. At present, in ko lfl States are said to accept kosher meat. t,'I. Q) r,.. sher s1aughtering plants the animals are M t,'I .. I.O Although slaughter by Muslims is not im 0 Ill Ill shackled and hoisted while conscious, and .µ °'M portant in this country, in the world as a .µ Cl] ::I • the throats of the suspended animals then ·r-1 0 Q..Q 0 whole it is more commonly practiced than ll< - Cl] z are brought into position for the ritual 0
We believe in maximum practicable con HUMANITARIANS ENTER THE LIONS' DEN sultation and communication between veter The National.. Con6eJtenc.e on the inarians and humanitarians, between veter Ee.a.logy 06 the SuJtp.R.U6 Vog and Cat PJz.oblem inarians' associations and humane socie Chlc.ago, May 21-23, 1974 ties. But to be most effective this must be in the spirit of give and take, not When humanitarians met with veterinarians, some of whom advocate pound seizure and that of doctor and patient, of teacher and oppose low-cost public spay clinics, not to mention with American Kennel Club (AKC) of student. Both groups must be willing to ficials who defend registering puppies produced by the puppy mills, they were figura listen objectively and open-mindedly to tively entering the lions' den. And the rather surprising thing is that they came out the facts and viewpoints presented by the of the melee unscathed. In fact, one prominent national humane society officer called other, and not get "mad" if the discussion it one of the most inspiring experiences of her life! sometimes becomes heated. Above all, it For decades a sort of undeclared war has been waged between significant elements of must be based on respect for each other's the humane movement and of the veterinary profession. viewpoints, even though obviously in some One of the first and greatest causes of this friction between veterinarians and hu cases influenced by different self-inter manitarians was a spin-off of the antivivisection movement. Veterinarians have been ests. unable to understand the complete and total opposition of so many humanitarians to what We believe that HIS does, and we will has come to be known as "pound seizure". The vets, like medical doctors, see the mil continue to indulge in much more frank lions of dogs and cats being destroyed in shelters and pounds, the while medical and discussion of these interdisciplinary re veterinary schools and laboratories have been forced to buy pet animals from dealers lationships than the other societies in who may have stolen them from loving owners, or from specialized breeders supplying the this middle group. We do not get mad when laboratories. Proposals for "pound seizure" have given rise to some of the greatest some veterinarian refers condescendingly upheavals in humane circles, turning mutu- to our "layman's" analysis of the decom al concern for animal welfare into bitter the latter is placed on the board of di pression chamber, which we believe is far enmity among humane society directors who rectors, and some occupy the position of more scientific than any pronouncement on differ in their viewpoint on this subject, president. This gives the practicing vet the subject by the American Veterinary and between humanitarians and the medical erinarians of the community an excellent Medical Association (AVMA). Likewise, we and veterinary professions. vantage point from which to head off such hope the veterinarians will not get mad if Recently this enmity again has been distasteful things as demands for the es we occasionally seem reluctant to salaam brought to a head, or at least to the tablishment of public or humane-society in their presence. point of another confrontation, by the shelter spay and neuter facilities. Veterinarians, like humanitarians, seem wave of enthusiastic support by humanitar There is another considerable segment to differ greatly among themselves in ians for so-called low-cost public spay of the humane movement, not necessarily a their attitudes toward humane societies, clinics, which most of the veterinary pro part of the "big-city machines", which is humanitarians and humane problems. We fession opposes with equal determination. highly supportive of the veterinary pro have talked with some who are so lacking The veterinarians view any· publicly or hu fession. This is composed of .the fond pet in knowledge and perception of the pet mane-society-supported animal surgery or animal owners who take their Fidos and surplus problem to claim that it would treatment facilities as a threat to the Pootie Cats to the vets whenever they so cease to exist if the humane society shel private practice of veterinary medicine, much as sneeze, and look up to their vets ters would turn over all their unwanted an entering wedge for socialized veteri as animal medicine men whose every word on animals to the medical laboratories. We nary medicine. Many humanitarians consid any subject dealing with animals is law. know others who are just as dedicated and er this to be a narrow, selfish policy They venerate their vets as does the neu knowledgeable humanitarians as anyone we which ignores the great need for control rotic hypochondriac her ''personal" physi have met in the humane movement. ling the surplus production of puppies and cian. To these people the vet becomes an Obviously, many of these highly diverse kittens, a placing of money above public authority on any animal welfare problem elements in both the humane movement and humanitarian needs. from the choice of a remedy for fleas to the veterinary profession are sadly lack Many humanitarians look upon veterinar the replacement of laboratory animals by ing in the willingness, ability and facil ians as money-grubbing, commercially-mind mathematical models, although in reality ities to communicate with each other. ed parasites preying upon the gullibility the vet may have no more idea of what a Without communication there can be no of pet-owning animal lovers. Because of mathematical model is than his adoring meeting of the minds. The amount of good the lucrative private practice of treating customer. that is being done in behalf of animal pec-·an.imal:s, which any veterinarian seems Among the national hUIJ;tane societies, welfare could be substantially greater if able to build up in a short time, farmers attitudes toward these veterinary-humane all of these groups and intra-·groups could are said to encounter great difficulty in relationships are as varied as their prin meet together frequently for frank discus obtaining the services of veterinarians cipal constituents. The antivivisection sions of their mutual problems and possi for the treatment of livestock on farms. ist and nee-antivivisectionist societies ble solutions. This would benefit not on Some humane society offic�rs and directors are likely to view with great suspicion ly the animals, but also the vets and report great reluctance on the part of anything emanating from the evil "veteri their organizations and the humane socie veterinarians to offer occasional or part nary experimenters''. They feel no need ties. time services in filling the needs of ani for communication or sharing of knowledge Another group which has seemed to stand mal shelters to care for badly injured an and programs with the vets. At the other even more aloof from humanitarians and hu imals which are brought in by their ambu end of the rainbow, as would be expected, mane societies than most veterinarians, lances, inspect animals ·for disease when has been one of the large national socie and to address themselves almost entirely received or made ready for adoption, and ties, supported and perhaps controlled in to their own rather narrow (at least to provide technical guidance to improve great part by the big-city societies, and humanitarians) interests, is composed of shelter sanitation, euthanasia and other the state federations of local societies the breed societies and kennel clubs for operating conditions and practices. frequently associated with it formally or dogs and cats. The strongly adverse reac By and large, these antagonisms have in spirit. tions of humanitarians fighting the battle been most evident among the members of the In the middle have been a considerable to reduce the numbers of surplus or un smaller societies operating animal shel number of.local, regional, state and na wanted pets to the activities of puppy ters, and the officers and members of na tional societies which believe that there mills, pet shops and backyard breeders tional and regional humane societies hav are areas of mutual concern among veteri seem to have finally elicited a cbnstruc ing strong antivivisectionist leanings. narians and humanitarians, which can best tive response on the part of some elements The big-city societies, particularly be approached in a genuinely cooperative in the purebred trade who may or may not those operating animal control programs spirit, yet without genuflecting to the have been moved by the fear of legislation for municipalities and counties, have suf opposite side in dealing with those prob and other restrictions on their opera ficient income to employ full-time veteri lems where there are obvious conflicts of tions. narians, so find less need for volunteer interest. If we can't agree on every In any event, and regardless of possi services by private-practice veterinarians thing, we should be able to agree on many ble motivatibns, the American Kennel Club, in the community. Their boards of direc important matters of mutual interest, and a federated organization of local clubs tors frequently are composed in large part work together for the improvement of ani representing indirectly a total number of of businessmen and community leaders and mal welfare. breeders, fanciers and showers of dogs fat-cat contributors who have little real Humane Information Services (HIS) is which dwarfs the membership of humane so identification with the humane movement; one of these in-between organizations. We cieties by comparison, has undertaken con rather, they are more closely identified bow to no veterinarian or veterinarians' structive steps designed to meet the bar with the professional element of the com organization as being the ultimate author rage of criticism directed particularly at munity, which includes the veterinarians. ity on any animal welfare problem merely what many consider to be the too indis This lack of knowledge of humane problems because it involves some "technical" as criminate registration of purebred dogs and inability or unwillingness of direc pects. We recognize that there are some entering the pet trade. It seems design tors to give more than perfunctory atten inevitable conflicts of interests between ed, also, to bring improvement in breed tion to the real problems of the society veterinarians and humanitarians, between ing, sanitation, protection against dis places the manager or executive director humane societies and veterinarians' asso ease, and unsatisfactory merchandising in a position to run things pretty much as ciations. For this reason we oppose hav practices. HIS intends to have an article he pleases, so long as he can avoid con ing veterinarians on the policy-making about this program in Repo"Jtt to Hwnaru.tcvr.. troversy and the highly emotional public boards of directors of humane societies, ia.nJ.i as soon as the needed facts become discussion of complaints which occasional just as we would object to giving such au available. ly surfaces. Above all, he wishes to thority to pet supply merchandisers or Even the pet food industry has not been avoid "rocking the boat". Since veteri manufacturers of veterinary pharmaceuti free of criticism by humanitarians, in narians generally constitute a significant cals. We know of no humanitarians, per part based on claimed deficiencies of the public and political influence in the com se, on the boards of veterinary societies. products sold to pet owners by means of munity, and may serve as vital supporters But that does not mean that the factual hard-sell TV advertising which some con �nowledge and opinions of veterinarians and in part in case trouble should arise, the manager '-----=------� ... -.r=' -1-1--.- ,...__ .;L'.'l,+-'(,,.•� ,...,'r'lo.,....::11+-inrr sider to be•• farr ,, __from ,_ i_,_.!. truthful, __.-3 _____ .1...: _.: __ .._ __ .,:a_ Page 4 - Report to Humanitarians No. 28 - June, 1974 Humane Information Services, Inc., St. PetersQ'urg, Florida
tage of the preoccupation of ·the medj HUMANE LEGISLATION DIGEST the public to move some special-inte1 F UflJU..6he.d by OWl. J.:i,tJ.;,:teJt M c.le.:ty legislation through the channels witr National Association for Humane Legislation, Inc. fanfare but slick success. One of tl 675 Pinel las Point Drive South is H.R. 11537, which would in effect St. Petersburg , Florida 33705 transfer veto power over wildlife pre on federal lands to state game and fj 01 The truth of the oft-reiterated contention of the National Association for Humane commissions and their friends, the Legislation (NAHL) that frustratingly little progress will be made in obtaining impor nized hunting lobby . This bill, altl .tant humane legislation until the humane movement completely revises its approach has opposed by the federal departments cc again been demonstrated in the current Congress . cerned with the administration of thE The humane societies, including their legislative arms, continue to go their indi ernment ' s vast land holdings in the � vidual ways in formulating the legislation proposed to the Congress and in their ef and by environmental groups, went fl� forts to obtain passage of the bills after they are introduced. The humane movement through the same House of Representa1 simply is not large enough for such a division of effort to be successful. Much of the whose members have been saying that 1 desired humane legislation is anathema to politically-important groups, or appears to seems to be little hope, for the Gunt• �e of little consequence to the members of Congress. To overcome this opposition and bill because it is opposed by the U. apathy requires that the entire humane movement must agree on legislative priorities, Department of Agriculture ! Then it c and then conduct a united, coordinated and all-out program to obtain passage of the ed the Senate Corranerce Corranittee witl bills decided on. The only exceptions to this rule are minor bills to which there is dissenting vote. Soon it will come , no significant opposition from outside groups, which will involve no consequential ap- _ a vote in the full Senate. Unless tl propriations, and which the Congress may decide to pass as a sop to those seeking more Senators quickly are flooded with ma: controversial legislation. But passage of such minor legislation will not accomplish from their home states asking them ti our important humane purposes. the bill by sending it back to Commi· A good example of how these principles on H. J.R. 204 and related measures design- the bill soon will be law, a monumen· work in practice is furnished by the Bayh- ed to establish a wildlife refuge for tule the large numbers of people who will Anderson trapping bill, and the Gunter elk. Last September the House Subcommit- actively to promote hunting, and the bill which would require the use of humane tee on Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation pertise of their organized lobbies. handling and slaughtering practices in held hearings, but we have heard nothing parently humanitarians would rather , foreign plants which export meat to the about any subsequent action. When even excitedly about things which are comJ United States. The G�nter bill was intro- such a harmless and desirable measure be- ly unattainable than to take intelli• duced at the request of NAHL. These are comes lost in the shuffle, humane legisla- action with respect to things that c, by far the two most important humane bills tion has come to a pretty pass, indeed. done now. Perhaps we simply have not run across any which have been before the present Con- FLORIDA GREYHOUND TRAINING B gress . subsequent action taken. NAHL receives and reads daily the Con.glLe.J.:iJ.:ilona.l Re.c.011.d, At the instigation of the Nationa At a meeting of humane society repre- sociation for Humane Legislation, ca sentatives called by the National Associa- not an easy task when you are as busy as we are, so it might have missed something. ion bills were introduced in the Flo tion for Humane Legislation early last Senate by Senator William M. Gillesp year , it appeared to have been unanimously If so, NAHL will appreciate word from some member. New Smyrna Beach , and in the House b agreed that priority would be given to resentative Roger H. Wilson, of Pine these two bills, and that a united effort BEAGLES IN DEFENSE EXPERIMENTS County. These bills would ban the u would be made to. get them passed by the live animals , including rabbits, in 93rd Congress. But subsequent to that The Senate voted June 4 to bar the Army from using beagle puppies in chemical war training of racing greyhounds . meeting some of the society representa A representative of NAHL attended tives who had been present maintained that fare tests . "There are plenty of other corranittee hearings in both the Senat they did not understand that this action animals they can use, " said the sponsor of House. The Senate Committee approve carried any commitment to concentrate on this measure, Senator Hubert H. Humphrey. bill without change , and it subseque these bills. There has been very little A bill in+..roduced in the House by Repre was passed by the Senate. .The House subsequent communication among the socie sentative Les Aspin, -of Wisconsin, would mitte� amended the bill to give more ties present at that meeting, much less prohibit the use of dogs in experiments those who fail.ed to attend it, with re involving chemical and biological weapons. for greyhound trainers to learn how spect to a continuing promotional program But the experiments against which all the compiy, and further weakened the .bil in behalf of the bills. The Gunter humane fuss was raised were to test gases result Both the Senate and House bills were slaughter bill, for example, has been men ing from airplane fires and accidents, placed on the crowded House calendar tioned a few times by the societies that which may not be banned by any of these which they were not brought up for v participated in the meeting , but with no measures . and possible amendments from the flc So, the bills died on the House cale aggressive backing from most of them. MARINE MAMMALS * * * * * THE GUNTER The Marine Mammal Protection Act, so other bills passed or defeated a� HUMANE SLAUGHTER BILL widely heralded when passed, is turning the 1974 session of the Florida legj In the course of these events it became into another poop-out . To NAHL, its most ture, which has just ended, (1) pror quite apparent that the big stumbling important feature was designed to end the actual or attempted killing, maimin� block in the way of passage of H. R. 8055 annual slaughter of hundreds of thousands saning or disfiguring livestock (pat (and its companion bills in the House, of porpoises, possibly the most intelli (2) prohibit taking, killing, molest H •. R. 10755 and H. R. 11473) is the posi gent and one of the most cooperative of mutilating or destroying marine tur1 tion taken by the U. s. Department of Ag all animals. These porpoises die when land (passed) ; (3) prohibit the impc riculture that the proposed Act would con they become entangled in tuna nets. In tion, for sale or use, of certain s1 stitute unfair trade discrimination order to allow time for the development primates without a permit (passed) ; against foreign countries exporting meat and adoption of new types of nets and provide for appointment of animal h, to the U. S. methods of fishing which would end this councils by boards of county cormnisi The National Association for Humane unnecessary slaughter, West coast tuna and for custody, care and disposal < Legislation has researched the wording of fishermen were exempted from the provi glected animals (withdrawn); (5) pre the various laws relating to this problem, sions of the law for a period of two release of captured birds to be sho, and presented to Congressman Gunter what years. As the deadline of next October passed); (6) increase penalty for e: it believes any reasonable person would approaches, the Secretary of Commerce has poison in street or yard (not passec accept as evidence that the USDA's claim devised an interpretation of the law that prohibit abandoning a domestic anim, is lacking in merit. N,AHL later will pub would completely nullify its original in die (not passed) ; (8) broaden ·the p: lish a complete refutation of the USDA's tent. This is only one of several efforts tion against killing or injuring th• position. But in any event, bills disap to weaken this very desirable law. If you mal of another · (not passed) ; (9) fa• proved by federal government agencies are wish to protest these proposed new regula tate painless destruction of injurec passed in every session of Congress. One tions, you may write to Robert M. White, mals (died on House calendar); (10) of these was passed a few weeks ago. Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmos late animal euthanasia (withdrawn ; : The point we wish to make here is that pheric Administration, 6001 Executive Bou 'page 5, column 1, of this Re.po/it) ; no other society of which we are aware has levard, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Repre prohibit cockfighting (passed by Ho, made any effort to deal with this stum sentative Louis Frey, Jr ., of Florida, died on Senate calendar). bling block to · passage of the Gunter bill, says he will introduce a bill to block The National Association for HUllli and in fact most of the other societies adoption of these new regulations. Ex Legislation is confident that sever, seem to have taken for granted that the pressions of opinion on this would be use the bills that died on the calendar bill has no chance for passage and recent ful to Representative Frey. this typical last-minute legislativ, ly have made no effort of any kind with fle could have been saved by effect which we are familiar. ANIMAL BIRTH CONTROL RESEARCH lobbying during the last few weeks , The controversial bill which includes legislature. NAHL is a national so, BAYH-ANDERSON TRAPPING BILL authorization for funds for animal control and cannot devote sufficient time t, Like the Gunter bill, the Bayh-Anderson research,_ H.R. 11873, was- amended and bying in any one state to be effect trapping bill has languished in Committee passed by the Senate and has been sent to there is real opposition to a bill . while environmental and humane organiza- conference with the House, which acted state humane organizations have lit . tions have been arguing with wool growers earlier, according to the Society for Ani knowledge of lobbying methods. Lab and Western Congressmen about proposed mal Protective Legislation. unions and all kinds of business an, predator control reform legislation. * * * * * nancial interests have the money to But while the Congress has been too oc- professional lobbyists. Humane soc THE TULE ELK BILL - --� ..! - _., __..!.L. 1- T'-"'--'-----�- --...::J: __ , _,1-.....� ,..,;._..,..,_,.. __ r- rln nn+- - 1-.n +- r,;a n ru:, rfnnn +-h"'"'"' ,:,,:,r,Ti , Hwnane Information Services, Inc . , St. Petersburg, Florida 33705 Report to Humanitarians No. 28 - June, 1974 - Page 5 Euthanasia Survey Develops Appalling Facts When Humane Information Services began sister society which is not tax exempt and interfere with improvement in euthanasia. its survey of eutha�asia methods, we were hence can engage in legislative activity, Work in this field is at best disagree motivated by the growing difficulties in persuaded the sponsors of this bill in able, and gets any individual or organiza volved in obtaining supplies of sodium both the House and the Senate to withdraw tion doing it more brickbats than praise pentobarbital and by the frequent requests it . As soon as we can reach some more de or contributions! For decades prior to received for more definitive information finitive conclusions regarding euthanasia, the time when Humane Information Services about the effects of the decompression NAHL will be glad to work .with these pro began its work in this field the subject chamber . But as we have gone deeper and gressive members of the legislature in de of euthanasia was swept under the rug by deeper into the facts relating to these veloping legislation which would be help humane societies generally . There was different methods of euthanasia, and have ful . little or no mention of it in the news had more opportunity to observe the vari One of the most frequently-encountered bulletins and other publications of either ous methods as they are used in different obstacles to improvement in euthanasia,is local or national societies. The only shelters and pounds, we have been appalled the extreme emotionalism which any discus real study of the subject apparently was at how little is really known about them, sion of this subject seems to arouse. The that made in 1962 by a committee of the and how ineptly the methods are applied in very thought of killing many millions of American Veterinary Medical Association actual practice. dogs and cats each year is enough to hor for the Mary Mitchell Humane Fund, of Bos We have asked different veterinarians rify any but the most hardened. The natu ton, which was seldom heard of again in and physiologists pertinent questions ral reaction is to "strike back" at any humane society circles. Since HIS began about the effects of different euthanasia thing and anyone concerned with the its series of articles on different meth methods, rarely receiving satisfactory an slaughter . The writer was attending a ods of euthanasia, other societies have swers. The plain fact of the matter.. is convention, and took the hotel elevator to been giving increasing attention to the that nobody knows what we really need to the floor where the meeting was held. The subject. We are not trying to claim cred know in order to insure that the millions elevator operator observed the convention it for any of this much-needed activity, of dogs and cats that are "put to sleep" badge on his lapel and could not restrain but we do ask the forbearance of our mem in shelters and pounds throughout the herself from literally hissing, "So you 're bers, such as the lady who wrote that we country each year really receive a humane one of those hypocrites who claim to love seemed to be too much preoccupied with death. We have uncovered materials in the dogs and cats and then kill them by the death, and asked why we couldn't devote musty files of the professional journals hundreds!" our energies to less disagreeable and de which apparently have not been taken into People who feel so strongly against pressing subjects than euthanasia and account by veterinarians in making very killing are likely to be against any meth slaughter. We can only say that much of positive pronouncements about some of the od, and specifically the one actually be the cruelty to animals in this world is methods . Humanitarians have been even ing used in their local shelter or pound . found in connection with the death of the more guilty of reaching positive conclu Anyone trying to find a better method may animal, and our purpose is the prevention sions and making very assertive statements be viewed as an "anm.al experimenter", of cruelty, not making people happy by about methods which even the best informed particularly if the indignant person is an feeding them a lot of sentimental tripe find difficulty in appraising. antivivisectionist . about animals which makes enjoyable read In view of this condition, Humane In HIS walked right into a situation of ing. formation Services has been very chary of this kind during a test of nitrous oxide, making any recommendations regarding the which had been suggested as most' humane by best methods of euthanasia. We do not yet a prominent and very dedicated humanitari PET SURVEY know enough about the subject, and we do an in New York. She had tried this gas, not believe that anyone else does, either ! which is commonly used for anaesthesia by EVOKES INTEREST Once established, such a recommendation by dentists and in surgery, and reported to The pet ownership survey reported in a leading humane society is hard to with HIS that it is apparently very humane. our last issue was the object of approving draw or override. Although the gas is expensive, HIS always connnents from more readers than we had ex The way in which a given method or has taken the position that cost should be pected . A number expressed interest in agent is used for euthanasia may be even · given a very low priority in evaluating conducting such a survey in their own com more important than the relative merits of alternative methods of euthanasia. So, we munities, and requested the forms and in the method or agent itself. Properly transported our portable box to a Florida structions . administe+ed injections of sodium pento shelter, obtained a donation of a large Before running these off on our offset barbital are generally taken to: be the cylinder of the nitrous oxide gas from a press we would like to be sure that no most humane method of euthanasia, but we distributor for Chemetron Corporation, and other requests will be coming along later . have seen this method used so ineptly as expected to test the gas for euthanasia to In any event; we have been too busy on to be much worse than knocking the animal see if the results were similar to those emergency projects to prepare and mail in the head with a mallet . Advocates of reported to us. · This was not an experi these kits. So, you now have time to let rapid decompression gravely aver that it, ment, since we already knew the properties us know if you want in on' this survey. too, can be inhumane if the equipment is of the gas, its effects on animals, etc . And to those who already have written, not working properly to produce a very What we wished to find out was how11 long it please be patient . We will get to it just rapid reduction in ambient air pressure. took for the animal to "go do'm1 , whether as soon as possible. And thank you very But we have concluded that perhaps the de there were any untoward manifestations as much for your interest and willingness to ficiencies of this method are due partly are experienced with other gases used for cooperate. to a too-rapid reduction in pressure, and this purpose, how much gas would be re have found 9ome veterinarians who agree quired, the loss of gas incurred when ani PLEASE FORGIVE US! with this. No work has been done which mais were put into and removed from the Our unanswered letter file has grown can furnish satisfactory evidence of how box, etc . The physiological effects of and grown and grown, to become almost an the decompression chamber should be oper the gas have been determined in countless apparition of nightmare proportions. It ated to produce best results. And we con medical experiments which we were not haunts us constantly . Every day we re tinue to obtain evidence in the field of seeking to duplicate, being ·concerned only solve to get at it without fail the next misapplication of other methods . A method with the practical problems involved in day--then some emergency arises which this specific application. may be good in itself, but be unsuitable takes all of our time until our next good At this particular shelter, euthanasia for general recommendation or adoption if resolution ! it encourages inept administration. is performed by injection of sodium pento The trouble is, we receive so many let · Our conclusion from all of this study barbital, which is done by a peace officer and field observation is that nobody real who comes to the shelter several times per ters asking questions or requesting help ly knows what is needed to be known about week and is paid so much per animal. Our or making suggestions which cannot be an swered just by anybody. Since we do not this subject . We intend to continue to observation of the performance of this give it intensive study. We ask our mem part-time shelter worker indicates that it have a flock of technical experts running around the office, these letters generally bers to be patient, and not expect us to is far from up to our humane standards. send them brief instructions on how to But the peace officer, when he found what wind up in poor old Doc's incoming file, best put animals to sleep. As soon as we we planned to do, ordered the box off the where they may stay for long periods while he is away on a field trip or working on really know what we are talking about we premises and threatened to put in jail some non-postponable project. Then when will issue detailed descriptions and in anyone conducting any euthanasia "experi he gets to the mail, he may select letters structions . ments" in the county. So, arrangements having a time priority, and the remainder The · foregoing facts explain why Humane were made with a shelter in another coun may be left in the box until the next Information Services did not approve of a ty. time, moving farther toward the bottom on bill which was introduced in the Florida The tests were nearly ready to begin legislature, both Senate and House, making when certain ladies who are members of the each such occurrence. All very ineffi illegal the use of any method of euthana second society , alerted by members of the cient, we'll grant you--but necessary if sia in shelters and pounds not approved by other society who had in turn been fed you are to receive a reply from someone the Panel of the American Veterinary Medi misinformation by the peace officer, who knows the answer. Emily answers a cal Association, which published its re threatened the manager with loss of his great deal of mail relating to her depart port in 1972, or by another national hu job if he permitted the tests to continue. ments, but does not attempt to keep fully up to date on questions such as animal mane society, or by the Florida State Fortunately, the manager stood his ground, control ordinances and euthanasia . Board of Veterinary Medicine. This bill, . and the tests proceeded. No animals suf So, please be patient. We 'll get to if it had become law, would have prevented fered because of the tests. The results that letter yet ! And we always read the the testing or use of new methods which will be reported later as a part of our incoming mail promptly and carefully--what may be developed that would be superior to series on euthanasia. ·un1 1 c:;::::i,T ·1,�c �+-+-onf--;.nn n;:ii ;,:f t-n ;+- o,:7on ;ir J.J.\.LllLQ.J.J.'I;;; ..,LJ..L.'-'"'-.L il.1-4 V�-...... --- " ---- , .-..,._ •, --• ------::, , Page b - Report to Humanitarians No. �ti - �une, i� 1q
RITUAL SLAUGHTER-FROM 2- consciousness. Only EEG recordings can do distinctly separate issues. Any attemp· PAGE this. So, such personal observations are to treat them · as a single religious iss, University, Ithaca, New York. (We ¥"e in meaningless. If we at HIS are to gain any is itself direct evidence of insinceri t: debted to Argus Archives for a copy of acceptance for our own conclusions, we and a desire to obfuscate the problem . _this report.) must present at least a brief summation of Pre-slaughter handling is not in any se: the scientific facts on which they are mi EEG recordings prior to and following a religious matter, and humanitarians based. carotid section were made on four rams, resist vigorously any attempt to confus, These conclusions are : five calves and two goats. For the rams, the issue by making it appear to be a_p, unconsciousness was apparently complete in (1) Any method of slaughter other than of religious freedom, as was done when from 3.3 to 6.2 seconds following the cut. shooting cannot be entirely humane. Elec ritual exemption was written into the f The five calves became unconscious in from trical stunners must be accurately placed eral Humane Slaughter Act. 4.4 to 6.9 seconds. and be of sufficient voltage to produce a The prejudice, ignorance and intrans However, the high degree of variability strong current through the brain. Yet, gence so well described by Dr. Homa as among these individual animals in the slaughtermen have been observed in many quoted in a previous section has not be length of time required for unconscious cases misapplying the electrodes. Dr. solely on the part of gentile critics o ness to ensue, in relation to the very Greenwood Wilson at the UFAW symposium es Shechita. Orthodox Jews, in their natu: small number of animals tested, points to timated that about 30 percent of the hogs sensitivity to anything which they take the probability that the true range of slaughtered in the United Kingdom after be religious persecution or anti-Semiti elapsed time for these species is consid presumably being made unconscious by elec have resisted any objective suggestions erably greater. Since, from a humane tricity actually had the electrodes ap for the improvement of pre-slaughter ha: standpoint, we are concerned mostly with plied in the wrong way. And the electri ling practices. In defending Shechita the upper part of the range, it appears cal method of -making the animal uncon self they have defended with equal .ferv safe to say that for some animals it would scious may not work well in connection everything connected with it, accusing with sheep, because the electrodes may not require ten or more seconds following the critics of the pre-slaughter handling o fully penetrate the long thick wool. It cut for unconsciousness to ensue. This being anti-Semitic, even though it has is used, rather than the captive bolt pis appears to be in not too great disagree nothing to do with religion and has no tol, because of its greater speed and low ment with findings of British scientists semblance of justification on humane er cost. elsewhere referred to in this article. 3) grounds, as does Shechita itself. This is only one of the methods used in That leaves the Jewish defenders of 3)Baldwin, B. A. , Ph.D., B.Vet.Med., this and other countries which have humane Shechita as now practiced in kosher pla M. R.C.V.S., Agricultural Research Council, slaughter requirements which actually may in this country in exactly the same pas Institute of Animal Physiology, Babraham, be considerably less than humane. tion .as those gentile humanitarians who Cambridge , in a paper entitled "Anatomical In short , the use of these "humane" have refused to consider objectively th and Physiological Factors Involved in methods represents as a whole a great im scientific facts about the relative hu Slaughter by Section of the Carotid Arte provement over the old systems in use be maneness of the Shechita cut itself. A ries", which was presented at the ·l971 fore the humane requirements became law, it is an indefensible position. To at Universities Federation for Animal Welfare but they are still far from perfect. The tempt to counter proposals for improvem symposium on humane slaughter. term "humane" as applied to slaughter in of non-religious slaughtering practices commercial plants is a relative term. claiming religious prejudice is an admi DOES ANIMAL SUFFER PAIN Much more work needs .to be done to reduce sion of guilt to the same kind of preju WHILE CONSC IOUS? the degree of suffering involved even in dice of which the humanitarians are ac As Dr. Baldwin (see previous citation) "humane" slaughter. cused. observed, "The question of whether the an (2) Although it is not completely pain Dr. Homa said in his paper given at imal is suffering pain during the period less and humane, as claimed, the method of UFAW symposium : "It is inconceivable t of consciousness (during and following the Shechita used in Jewish slaughter probably Judaism, in which kindness to animals i cut ) is not so readily appropriate to ob is no more inhumane, on the average , than basic teaching, would sanction anything jective experimental investigation. " the methods used in non-kosher slaughter that is not humane•• • So the Jews do not The mere fact that the animal may be ing, if the animals are in an upright po require instruction about animal welfar, conscious does not necessarily mean that sition when the Shechita cut is made, and from animal protection societies." it is suffering pain. Observations made if they are positioned in a manner to No, they do not require "instruction of sheep subjected to carotid section avoid the creation of undue stress. but they can certainly benefit by liste. while standing; and which did not collapse (3) As actually · practiced now in kosher ing with an open mind to those who have for eight to ten seconds, indicated no slaughtering plants in this country (see been trying to eliminate the pain and s· struggling or obvious signs of pain pre Repoll.t :to Humani:talu.a.n.o No. 15, March, fering experienced by animals as a resu ceding the collapse. Only three of the 1971), the pre-slaughter handling and po of non-religious handling practices in eleven animals used in the Cornell experi sitioning methods are extremely inhumane, sher slaughterhouses . We should be abl ment struggled immediately following the causing great stress and suffering. to sit down together and reach mutually cut. (4) It would appear from the informa acceptable agreements on how to deal wi At the UFAW symposium, Dr. Linzell took tion available regarding the Connecticut the problem, without the kind of rancor exception to Dr. Homa's statement that a research project sponsored by the Council oversensitivity and disputation about v large cut with a very sharp knife would for Livestock Protection that the major ifiable facts which have featured previ not be painful. He had experienced such a equipment which has been tentatively de attempts to get something done in this cut from an instrument called a microtome signed would provide relatively humane po field. which was "very painful". He said that he sitioning of the animal . This equipment, Some humanitarians who have been wor frequently had to place catheters in the it appears, would keep the animal in an ing to make all slaughter humane have b carotid artery and jugular vein of animals upright position until cut, thus reducing overly fearful of offending the Jewish and had great experience of the distribu stress in pre-slaughter handling, the community, to the point of frowning on tion of nerve endings in the skin of the length of time intervening between the cut statements such as the foregoing. In t neck of goats, sheep, cattle and pigs. and loss of consciousness, and the likeli opinion of HIS, such pussyfooting has n Dr . Linzell said that if a local anaes hood that the edges of the wound will rub accomplished its purposes, and leads to thetic was not used, animals gave every together. continuation of the same uninformed, em evidence of feeling pain anywhere in the Use of this equipment would eliminate tional atmosphere that has impeded prog neck. the major objection to the method of ress in the past. We should meet the J Since the EEG recording measures con Shechita. The Council for Livestock Pro ish community as equals, able to engage sciousness, not pain perception, it and tection is to be commended for the excel t9e give and take of vigorous discussio other methods that have been used in at lent work done on this program to date, as groups having normal relations, not tempts to measure stress in animals proba and deserves the moral and financial sup hypersensitive fanatics unwilling to de bly cannot furnish any definitive evidence port of humanitarians for the completion objectively with a mutual problem. about pain during and following the of this program. And it is a mutual problem, first be Shechita cut. It may be that in the fu (5) We recommend to the Council and the cause both groups are humane and anxiou ture recordings of nerve cell activity Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Sta to spare animals unnecessary suffering , would make this possible. tion that particular attention be given to and, second, because gentiles in the ar the elapsed time between the station on of the country where kosher slaughter i H,I,S, CONCLUSIONS the conveyor where the Shechita cut is important are forced to eat kosher-slau made and that in which the animal is tered meat, as previously explained. We fully realize that the lay reader shackled and hoisted. This should give Since Jews and gentiles share about hal who has managed to wade through this bar sufficient time to be sure that the loss and half the kosher-slaughtered meat, t rage of conflicting religious belief and of blood has produced unconsciousness. have an equal interest in how it is der physiological findings may well ask, "Why We also recommend to the Council and ed. Humane organizations, representing does HIS subject us to this mental and the Connecticut Station that EEG studies these gentile consumers forced to eat k emotional ordeal? Why not just tell us of heavy beef animals be made before mea sher-slaughtered meat, have as much rig its conclusions?" surements of the conveyor are finally de to seek the cooperation of Jews in elirr The answer is that if we did that, we termined, if it is proposed to use the nating the non-humane features of pre� would merely be adding our conclusions to conveyor for larger beef animals. Such slaughter handling as the Jews do to se those of a great many others who have been studies would be advisable in any event, the understanding and compliance of gen making very positive statements on a sub · since the positioning equipment for large tiles in preserving religious freedom. ject about which they know little and have animals already available and now in use There is no barrier between Christia no objective evidence. One person who is in some plants would be an integral .part ty and Judaism in this matter, but only experienced in packinghouse operations, in of any plan to make kosher plants humane. between some prejudiced and intransiger. reviewing a draft of this article, stated : Without the EEG records for mature beef Christians and Jews. The only way to z "I am firmly of the opinion that ischemia animals the necessary determinations on a ourselves of these debilitating prejudi of the brain occurs within four seconds." is to discuss them frankly and honestly -- -_I_. .!_1_. .!. - .!. ______.!,,._, - .L..- ...:2-.&..--.: -- t-... ---- number of points cannot be· made. m1-. -.L �- ...1...-.&.. ···- 1,....,..,,._ +--.: -..:r ., IMPROVEMENTS MADE AT JACKSON POUND CHI CAGO CONFERENCE-FROM COLUMN 2- and euthanasia, can be successful. The Subsequent to preparation of the arti sissippi and the City of Jackson are far result is likely to be a highly superfi cle on the Jackson , Mississippi, pound behind the rest of the country in nearly cial smattering of personal beliefs by which appeared in RepoJr...t to Huma.n,,i.;taJu.an6 all aspects of animal welfare . But a people generally having little or no ex No . 27, the Mississippi Animal Rescue start is being made . A humane society has pertise or specialized knowledge and seem League has conducted a campaign to obtain been organized in Greenwood which has tak ingly most interested in getting something further improvements in the operation of en over operation of the municipal pound down on paper which is not too controver the pound , with encouraging success. The there and hopes to be able to build a sial and does not tread upon any of the aid of the Jackson Veterinarians Associa shelter soon . cherished beliefs of the majority of those tion was enlisted, and the Association Many other communities are faced with a in attendance. made recommendations to the City Council similar problem with respect to the city The writer fears that he may have be about improvements needed . The League in or county pound. There are at least two come a nuisance to some members of the augurated a publicity campaign to get the alternative approaches in ,trying to recti workshops he attended , as, for example , City Council 's attention to the situation. fy these deplorable conditions. The first when one veterinarian present expressed These efforts seem to be finally succeed is the use of public education and pres doubts that succinylcholine chloride con ing. The Jackson City Council. announced sure on city or county commissions and of tinues to be in use for "euthanasia". that the pound will be taken out of the ficials. This is the method being follow "Surely ., no veterinarian, knowing how un hands of the City Police Department and ed in Jackson. Humane Information Ser suitable this drug is for such a purpose , placed under the control of the Sanitation vices would like to hear from humanitari would advocate or even permit its use Department and a Commissioner sympathetic ans in any communities where similar at without protest ." Old Doc had to inform to the League's program . Just this change tempts have been made to rectify condi the gentleman that no less an organization of departmental authority and responsibil tions in the public pound . Please give as of veterinarians than the U. s. Department ity should help to improve conditions . many details as possible. of Agriculture, represented right there in The new director of the pound seems to be The second approach is to bring suit the workshop , was using this drug to kill a compassionate man with concern for ani against city and county officials seeking hundreds of thousands of condemned swine , mals . an injunction ·to force compliance with the and that a state department of agriculture Although much remains to be done , the law. Sometimes this is the only recourse , veterinarian has been visiting shelters fact th�t progress is being made indicates but legal action of this kind is very ex and pounds and advocating the use for "eu that the situation will be radically im pensive and not always effective . Humane thanasia" of this very cruel drug . Just proved. Another encouraging development Information Services believes that it is recently we heard of a veterinarian in is the progress made in construction of a · always best first to conduct a vigorous Maine who had purchased and recommendad it shelter for the Mississippi Animal Rescue educational campaign to inform the public for use by a dog warden. The workshops League . Probably it will be several more and bring pressure to bear on city and were replete with similar instances of years before it will be possible for the county officials . Such campaigns also lack of infonn�tion and also the drawing League to have a complete shelter adequate serve another purpose, to alert the people of conclusions reflecting the one-sided for the size of the area to be covered, of the community to ·animal welfare prob policies of certain groups, some of whose_ and to have a paid staff able to take over lems and obtain new members for the local members seemed more intent upon protecting from the present volunteer workers. Mis- society. their own business interests than in set ting forth the truth about the humane CHI CAGO CONFERENCE-FROM PAGE 3- anyone takes offense we are sorry, but problems covered. to attract to pet ownership many who are still resolved to follow our well-known Despite strenuous objections from some not in a position or do not have the in and accepted policy of telling it like it veterinarians and others, we urged a rec clination to provide good homes for the is. ommendation to the AVMA that it "reacti animals . The Pet Food Institute , repre The latest effort to bring these groups vate or appoint a new continuing committee senting this multi-billion-dollar indus together fo_r a better understanding of mu on euthanasia to consider new methods de try, whose success. depends upon capturing tual problems was the National Conference veloped subsequent to preparation of its and maintaining the confidence not only of on the Ecology of the Surplus Dog and Cat 1972 report and to continually review its pet owners but also to some extent the hu Problem, held in Chicago on May 21-23 , past recommendations regarding currently mane movement , long has sought communica 1974, under the sponsorship of the Ameri used methods." We do not know if this tion with the latter, through educational can Humane Association, the American Ken� recommendation will survive the steering publications for pet owners and services nel Club , the American-veterinary Medical committee's gentle hands. to animal shelters. Association, the Humane Society of the But if these differences in viewpoint Obviously, it is greatly to the inter United States , and the Pet Food Institute . and interests did not exist, there would est of all of these diverse groups to im Participation was by invitation only . Dr . have been no need for this conference and prove communication among them and attempt Frederick L. Thomsen represented Humane others , hopefully , to follow . Humane In to find common grounds for constructive Information Services. Veterinarians ap formation Services hopes that this will action in behalf of the animals upon which peared to make up the bulk of the partici turn out to be only the first of many such all depend for their existence. Only in pants , and the mechanics of the conference efforts to improve communications between the last few years has this effort seemed appeared to have been handled mostly by and among these groups , both national and to really get under way , spurred in some the AVMA . We wish to acknowledge that the local , and to bring a greater adherence on or possibly most instances by a desire to AVMA knows how to manage a conference. the part of all to objective consideration avoid what the groups consider to be ac Everything ran smoothly and on time. of all available facts subjected to con tions deleterious to their own interests, Those in attendance expressed practically structive analysis. We wish to congratu or to use one or more of the other groups unanimous agreement that it was a very late the five sponsoring organizations on to gain some benefit . Humane Information successful conference . a successful and highly useful conference. Services receives letters from members in We have attended many professional and dicating that strong suspicions of this humane conferences , but cannot recall one sort exist. But we believe that it gains which offered a better array of well-pre ANIMAL CONTROL SURVEY nothing to look a gift horse in the mouth. pared experts to lead off the discussions Humanitarians and humane societies, for of various subjects. Their papers covered One of the projects being conducted by the benefit of the animals, should welcome a number of subjects of great interest to our director of field services is a survey the opportunities presented by these de humanitarians , such as the latest avail of animal control organizations in each velopments to est�blish a more frequent able information about alternatives to county visited. No statistical informa and effective dialogue among the groups . surgical sterilization. We will use these tion obtained for any one society will be By doing so we will find opportunities for papers in preparing future articles in released in a way which would identify it. furthering our own programs for animal depth on the subjects covered , and are The figures will be treated as confiden welfare. Our objectives can be just as sure that our readers will find these very tial , and used only in county, city or self-serving as those of the other groups . interesting. The combined papers repre state totals or averages. Possibly by learning more about each other sent, in fact , a compendium of up-to-date We seem to receive more cooperation we will gain understandings which will en information vital for use in humane pro from public than from humane society shel able us to see that there may be some mer grams. ters . The latter sometimes are suspicious it in the other fellows' positions which Half of- the time of the conference was and unresponsive , fearing that the infor we have not hitherto been able to under devoted to presentation of these papers, mation might be used against them if it stand . Although we all have sometimes and the other half to a series of work fell into the hands of some splinter group sharply different goals and ideologies, we shops intended to examine and define the of humanitarians , of which there always do have a common bond in that we all are problems in greater detail and suggest seems to be at least one in the community . working for the· animals , although in dif possible solutions. The workshop summa HIS is not interested in taking sides fering ways . ries and recommendations have been taken where such internecine warfare exists. Humane Information Services, of course , under advisement by the steering commit All we want are the facts necessary to im cannot presume to speak for any of these tee of the conference, and one can safely plement our animal control programs . groups, who might not always recognize bet that nothing will be allowed to appear Please cooperate with our field repre their own motivations for taking a desir- in print which is likely to rock the boat. sentative if he visits your shelter . He able action. We have discussed those pos Meanwhile, participants have been request is not a public relations man , but .has sible motivations not for the purpose of ed to treat the workshop reports as confi much practical experience in shelter and throwing a monkey wrench into the machine dential , and we shall observe that admoni pound operation. Our aim is only to help ry, but to let the doubting Thomases among tion. solve problems , not create them . We have our own members know that in expressing We must confess disappointment in the only goodwill toward any local humane so approval of these efforts at greater com results_ of -some of these workshops . No ciety , even if you are usinq succinylcho munication among the groups we are not be attempt to cover in one afternoon compli line chloride for "euthanasia"! We may ing ideologically kidnapped or led down a cated questions coming under the general try to persuade you to use a humane meth blind alley . We strongly believe in can- heading , for example, of adoption policies od , but not in an antagonistic spirit. We Page 8 - Report to Humanitarians No. 28 - June, 1974 Humane Information Services, Inc. , St. Petersburg, Florida LETTERS TO • THE EDITOR .... LETTER WR ITING "Re Re.pant No . '2.7 about letter writing ••• writing a letter An.othvr. a.nJmal. onga.n.lzilion.--wluc.h appe.a,,u, to be. a R.i:ttte. not always necessary; just a card or note saying 'I am for o jeaiou.J.i 06 ouJL .6u.c.c.v.,.6- -pu.bUc.ly e.x.pnv.,.6e.6 .6U!LpW e. that we. against' •••I think it is better not to write letters which a .6hould ne.c.uve. 6,[nane,,i__al_ .6uppoti ,, ton doing nothing but get out a too time consuming for them to read and therefore discouragi quall.teJli,y ne.pont" . --Miss Corey Linden, Middlesex, New Jersey. Be.c.aU.6e. we. do not bJtag about e.veJr.y Li..:tti e. ac.c.ompw hme.n.t in. each .l6J.iue 06 Re.pant to Hwnaru.talu.a.n..6, wluc.h we. nuvr.ve /;on C:on. REPLY : .6bt.uc.tive. a.no.1.y.6.l6 06 hwnan.e. pJt.oblem.o, e.ve.n. Mme. 06 oun membeJl..6. Sonny we. c.a.n. 't agne.e.. Ye e.dlion ·ha..6 .6tood bv.,lde. the. dv., may g e:t the. J.mpnv.,.6fo n. that we. ane. j Mt e.dftofl.J_a£_ wwe.M, te,U .6ec.n e:to.Jr1.,v., to le.g.l6futon.o while. the.y ope.n.e.d the monru.n.g ma.l -<-n.g otheJt.6 how they .6hould nun. the-<-n bU.6-<-n.eJ.i.6 and not ac.c.ompwh th!t..e.w the. poJ.i:tc.and6 tu..ght in.to :the. wcv.,te.bMke.:t wi.:thout ne.acU. ing an.ytlun.g oun.oetvu . We. would be. glad to c.ompane. ac.tu.a.f ac. .them. Some. le.g.l6futoM 6e.ei. :that i6 a pe.Mon. .l6 not .t.u.66ic.i c..ompw hme.n.t.6 wli h any othvr. anJmal. Mc.ie.:ty, lange. an .t.mal...e.. , Bed: ln.tvr.v.,ted to wwe. a. le.:tten, he. .l6 no:t 1.iu6Mc.ie.n.ily c.onc.vr.n we. pne.6vr. to .f.et oun membe.M pat U.6 on. the. bac.k. It' .t. mane. ob have. h.l6 vote. in.6fuen.c.e.d by what the. leg.l6futon dov., . AR.l,o, jective.. I6 you. get 6e.d u.p wlih the. c.ompf.J.men.t.6 in thv., e. le.:t poM�c.and.6 may Jc.e.6le.c.t c.a.mpaig n..6 · by ongaru.zilio n..o, wli h the. w :te.M :to the. e.dlion, we. 'ne. MtcJLy. But we. n.evvr. get :U!r.e.d 06 ne. e.M not neally k.n.owln.g what the. .l6.t.ue. .l6 ill about. The. e.x:t c.uvin.g the.m! On.c.e. in. a while. we. giv e. you. :the. e.x.c.e.ption.al. f..e.:t c.Mt 06 a. le.:tt.en oven a po.6:tc.cur.d .l6 too 1.imal...e. :t.o make. any cU. te.M :tha:t de.mon..6:tna:te. youn appnoval. .l6 n.o:t un.an.J.moU.6 . Von.' :t hv., e.n.c.e.. The. letten c.an. be. btc.ie.6, but J.ihould but g,lv e. ne.a.oon..6 liate. to le.:t u.,!, have. ,U wlih both bannw! You c.an.'t make. U.6 not appe.a.tr. to be. a 6 onm le.:tteJr. on Mmdlun.g motivated by a n. mad, even. though we. may fuagne.e.. papeJr. adve.ti.l6e.me.n.t. Le.g.l6futoM ' a.n.d bU.6inv.,.6me.n. '.6 .6:taoo.6 lutr.e.d to handle. :the. le:tteJt.6, a.n.d don 't tc.e..oe.n.t :t.hem. So, how THANK YOU ! a.bout a.n.o:th�t noun.d of; le.tte.tr..6 on the. Gun.ten bill., H.R. 8055 "You people are doing a darn good job down there, and I don't c.lu.ding one. :t.o the. Se.c.netany 06 Agtu..c.ultune. (.6e.e Hu.mane. Le.gl know any organization anywhere that is doing any better or as lion V,Lgv.,t, :th.l6 a.n.d pMt .l61.iuv., ). good . I hope you have many more years to go of good work like that."--Mrs. Muriel Verizzi, West Hartford, Connecticut. THAT GREAT OLD MATCHING FUND ! "The enclosed check for $500 is intended for the matching "Your organization appears to be one of the few, if not the started by a contributor, mentioned in your March Re.pant, wh only, humane group with an intellectual appeal. I think this you intend to use (to improve) euthanasia. "-- (Name withheld : practical and intelligent approach is essential to influencing request) . other people." --Mrs. Dean M. Hasseman, Wayne, . Pennsylvania. "Thank you for your excellent publication . I always read ev REPLY : A don.ilion. 6otr. humane. wonk n.e.ve.n we.n.t :t.o me.et a gne.ate.n n. ery word of it . It seems to me the most thorough and comprehen (.t.ee. btc.ie.6 antic.le. on. eutha.n.a.6,La we.whene. in. thi.6 Re.pant) . sive of any report that I receive."--Mrs. Francis C. Rogers, W-i..il. fialihf;u.ily 6oUow youn w.l6hv., . And we. ane. M vvr.y gnat. Duxbury, Massachusetts. to both6 you. a.n.d the. otu..gln.o.£ eon.t!r.-<-bu.ton who .t.tatie.d th.l6 m� NOT HER CUP OF TEA in.g u.n.d• MEMORIAL FUND "I enjoy HIS as is, no expensive format but solid information . The 'folksy' aspect is not my cup of tea, but since spreading in_; "I like very much the idea of a field man to locate the p< formation is the purpose, spread information, not a course in U§ing cruel methods of animal disposal as particularly preva: literature. Congratulations, best wishes and deep appreciation." in the southern United States--so long as in each area where --Mrs . Matthew Griswold, Old Lyme, Connecticut. devices are discovered there is immediate effort made to let munity leaders know what is going on and have such situation: REPLY : corrected. More important , my mother, the late Ruth BeardsW< You. wi.li have. to blame. old "Voe." 6otr. the 6olk.6.ln.v.,.t.. EmU..y .l6 Curtis, would have been enthusiastic. I wish to enclose a cl a1...e. bCL6in.v.,.6 . MM:t ne.ade.M 1.ie.em :ta Uk.e. oun old-.6ho e. .6tyle., but, for $50 to assist as a gift in her memory and . would suggest , 1 a.6 Emily 1.iay.t., peJr.ha.p.6 we. don't he.an 6tr.om tha.t.e who don. ':t. At along with the idea of matching funds this kind of memorial h.l6 age. Voe. .l6 w11.ikety to c.ha.n.g e, .60 pie.M e. /;onglve. him 6otr. jMt serves to lessen the misery of the world should everywhere r1 bung n.atu.Jtal. place the senseless, often tasteless, displays of expiring f: ers which often send the ones we love into the life beyond. THOSE FLEAS AGAIN! "Why don't you include a listing of those to whom memoria: "That info about brewer's yeast and fleas was worth the dues gifts are dedicated, whether animal or human friends."--Mrs. Melvin A. Horton, Pasadena, California. for a.whole year ! I have six spayed poodles and a blind cocker, and really need help! Trouble is, they won 't eat it in their ,REPLY : food. 11 --Mrs. Carl E. Barron, Ocala, Florida. While. we. ane. on. the. 1.>u.bjec.t 06 6un.d na.l6ing, we. would Uk( 6oUow u.p on. youn e.xc.elle.nt .lde.a.. 16 ouJL me.mbeJl..6 agne.e., we. t REPLY : in.c.fude. ,ln. .6ub.6 e.que.n.t ,<-61.)Ue..6, a.6 a. ne.gu..f.afr. {ie.a:tv.ll.e., a wt 01 16 any o:thvr. tc,ea.de.M have. :tn,[ed u..o,i.n.g bne.weJL ' .6 ye.M:t 6otr. .6u.c.h memofl.J_a£_ gi6t.6 made. dunin.g :the. qua.tr.ten pne.c.e.cU.ng . . Why J 6£.ea.6, we. would like. to he.an /;nom :them. EmU.y now give.6 ,i.;t to help CL6 :to get th.l6 J.ipec.io.1. 6e.atune. 066 :to a good .6tati by .61 Teddy by placing a. :tablet 06 the. ye.Mt in. hi.6 th!t..oat. Teddy .l6 a ,i.n.g U.6 youJL me.motcJ.al. c.on:tlubu.tion..6. The.y don.'t have. to be. 01 good dog, and 1.iwa.U.oW.6 li wi.:thout /;U.6.6 . Why not :tJLy that me.:thod 6otr. loved on.v., who ne.c.en.ily pa.Med away. Any an.J.mal-lo veJr. 6• W.Uh youn pe.t.6 ? membe.tr. 06 :the. 6a.mily ate, 6tu..e.n.d c.ould we,U be. .60 hon.otc.e.d. WHAT INDIVIDUAL H. UMANITARIANS CAN DO The millions of small turtles sold annually as pets for children are not miniatures, but are the young of animals that can reach a length of nearly a foot when mature. Nearly all of them die slowly of starvation, abuse and lack of care •. But they have time during their short life span to transmit salmonella and the Arizona· organism to the children who handle them. This is an impor tant public health hazard. Consumers Union has led humane organizations in a move to have the sale of these pet turtles banned altogether in the United States. This ban would replace a system of certification by public health agencies in the states of origin of the turtles ·that they are free · of these organisms, which has not worked. The Food and Drug Administration of the Depart ment of Health, Education and Welfare, Washington, D. C., is considering a complete ban on the sale of turtles as one proposal, and a second proposal that the certification system be improved. Humane Information Services believes that the second of these alternatives would be inexfective in pro tecting the children's health, and completely ig nores the humane aspects of the problem • . We therefore urge our members to write the Food and Drug Administration, stating that you strongly favor the first of the two alternative means of dealing with the public health problem presented by the sale of baby turtles, as set forth in the Federal Register for Tuesday, May 28 , 1974. In We have been asked by several members to print a picture of the other words , you favor a complete ban on the sale editor. We finally had one taken which does us justice ! of these turtles� Also ask members of your family, relatives and (Photograph ·from PREGON e.n. de.6e.n..oa de lo.t. an.lmo.1.u, No . 76; ...___ _._ --- - "I _ _.__.____ ---- - _____ ,.?__ ,_ Julu-Au.aU.6:t. 1971; BaJLc.e.lona. Sr.xun.. This Publication has about