MARO Spring 2005
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WellBeing International WBI Studies Repository Spring 2005 MARO Spring 2005 Follow this and additional works at: https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/midatlrn Recommended Citation "MARO Spring 2005" (2005). Mid-Atlantic Regional Office. 4. https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/midatlrn/4 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]. SPRING 2005 MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL OFFICE SERVING DELAWARE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, AND WEST VIRGINIA HUM�NE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED srnrrs LIBRARY Dogfighti111g reme OU igure Con '1V'IC""" t e.d · .. s ear unt he NewJersey Supreme Court voted unanimously ob Stevens, of Pittsville, Virginia, to cancel the black bear was convicted in a Pittsburgh, B hunt, scheduled for Decem Pennsylvania, courtroom for ber 6-11, 2004, just four sending videos depicting animal cruelty Tdays before it was to begin. MARO's across state lines, a federal offense. A jury Barbara Dyer said, "This is a victory deliberated less than an hour before not only for the bears, but for every rendering a guilty verdict against Stevens, one who took action on their behalf!" who had been served with a search i;i The relentless pressure by HSUS warrant in April 2003, the same date on s:� and its members, The Fund for whichJames Fricchione and Jack Kelly ; Animals, other animal protection MARO's BarbaraDyer (second from left) publisher and former publisher, organizations, and the public forced celebrates the canceled bear hunt with (from left) respectively, of "Sporting DogJournal" Gov.James McGreevey and Depart Bear Education and Resource Group's Lynda Smith were also served in a well-coordinated ment of Environmental Protection and New JerseyAnimal Rights Alliance'sAngi effortby state and federal authorities in (DEP) Commissioner Bradley Metler and TerryFritzges. New York, Virginia, and Georgia. Campbell to stop the hunt. Campbell The significance of the Stevens case ordered the Division of Fish and Wildlife to Conklin argued both cases for the state. She ccmli1111cci 011 page 2 withhold black bear hunting permits and contended that DEP did not have the closed all state land to black bear hunting. resources to conduct a bear hunt that could This dog, seized in a dogfighting bust in This was the first time that a DEP commis guarantee public safety. She also argued that Florida, has suffered the terrible sioner challenged the independent Fish and if a bear hunt was conducted, it would wounds of battle. Game Council, whose members-save for dominate DEP's resources so as to preclude Jack Schrier-all voted for the hunt. non-lethal bear management solutions such In November, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance as education, enforcement of the feeding Foundation and the NewJersey State Feder ban, and contraception research. ation of Sportsmen's Clubs joined two indivi The appellate court ruled against the duals to sue the DEP and the New Jersey commissioner over the permits, but ruled in Division of Fish and Wildlife, as well as the favor of the commissioner for closing all DEP commissioner and the Division director, lands owned, managed, or controlled by the for withholding bear hunting permits. Safari DEP to bear hunting, giving Campbell the Club International and the Safari Club Inter ultimate authority to determine whether to national Foundation also sued them separ open these lands to hunting. "The commis ately for closing state land to bear hunting. sioner has established the parks, forests, and Deputy Attorney General Barbara continucci on pc1gc 2 West Virginia: \'Vek�on1eto the Region! s of February 1, 2005, West Virginia joined the states covered by HSUS's Mid Atlantic Regional Office. Our staff looks forward to working with animal advocates in the Mountain State. You can reach our office at 270 Rt. 206, Bartley Sq., Flanders, NJ I A07836; 973-927-5611; www.hsus.org/maro. THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES MARO Regional News SPRING 2005 1 continued from "Bear Hunt," page 1 In the meantime, the Supreme Court re recreation areas under the DEP's jurisdiction versed the judgment of the appellate court Task Force Findings Released as sanctuaries in which bears may not be on the bear hunting applications, thereby fter nearly two years of meetings and would stand to reason that they be included canceling the hunt for 2004. "This court de- ( hunted this season," wrote the court. thousands of e-mails, the New Jersey under the same umbrella of accountability as cision does more than just protect black As the lawsuits were being argued, the Animal WelfareTask Force released animal shelters and pounds. U.S. Department of the Interior sent a letter bears from needless killing by trophy hunt- its nearly 200-page report, which is available With regard to the issue of proposed feral to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wild ers," says Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO A for download at www.state.nj. cat trap-neuter-release (TNR) programs, The lifethreatening to withhold $2 million in fed of The HSUS. "This case sets a precedent us/animalwelfaretaskforcereport.pdf. Gov. HSUS believes that for any such program to eral aid to a New Jersey Wildlife Restoration that the hunter-dominated Fish and Game James McGreevey created the task force to be successful, it is critical that planning, Council can no longer thumb its nose at the program if a bear hunt was not held. HSUS examine the current laws concerning animal infrastructure, and resources be in place brought this to the attention of Sen. Frank R. people of New Jersey and the commissioner abuse and neglect, animal population before any action is taken. We believe that Lautenberg, who immediately responded of the Department of Environmental Protec control, and animal welfare; examine the any recommendation of these programs with a strong letter to Interior Secretary Gale tion. The Council's reckless decision to push manner in which the anti-cruelty laws are should be strictly contingent on such an Norton, expressing his dismay over the threat ahead with a hunt has been thwarted by a enforced; examine the status of population infrastructure. We would similarly advise and demanding that it be withdrawn. unanimous Supreme Court." control and the animal shelter system in the that any such TNR programs be conducted state; and recommend changes to the laws on a trial basis to provide opportunities to Ul and regulations to protect animals from evaluate and revise the system before large :, Ul :i: Your Help is Still Needed to Protect Bears inhumane treatment, improve the scale operations are put in place. HSUS's Dr. Allen Rutberg (left) enforcement of anti-cruelty laws, and A number of commendable proposals in he Fish and Game Council will want another hunt for black bears in 2005. Watch for administers a contraceptive address the problem of unwanted and the report serve to expand or refine many of the 2005-2006 Game Code to be published in the "New Jersey Register" in May. There vaccine to an anesthetized bear at T euthanized animals in the state. the existing programs that have helped New will most likely be a hearing in June. Updates will be sent to those of you who have the Six Flags park in]ackson, Because of the sudden departure of Gov. Jersey to be known as the "humane state." Legislative Update New Jersey. signed up for our regional activist e-mail list. The ways to help bears are to: 1. Ask your state legislators to supportthese bills. McGreevey, the report was released before The task force carefully crafted recommend ew Yorkers, please support and 11 S. 700, sponsored by Sen. Joseph Vitale (D19), prohibits black bear hunting for five the entire task force could meet one last time ations to expand the state's pets-in-rental ask your state Senator and state housing legislation, while still respecting the Bear years, requires development of plan for bear population control, and appropriates to discuss the finaldraft in its entirety. While Assemblyperson to support the Contraception $95,000 to develop a plan. much of the report will serve as a model for rights of landlords and tenants who might following two bills. If you do not know other states, The HSUS had some serious prefer to live in pet-freeareas. Likewise, the N 11 A. 2452, sponsored by Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D15), prohibits black bear hunting who your representatives are, go to report encourages the enforcement of animal Project until completion of a report submitted by Rutgers University and appropriates $95,000. concerns that were expressed to the www.assembly.state.ny.us. cruelty laws and the exploration of the link To find out who represents you, call the New Jersey Officeof Legislative Services at governor through his staff. A number of our 111 A. 19 bans cruel methods of killing Underway suggestions were implemented, and it between animal cruelty and violence toward 1-800-792-8630, or go to www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/legsearch.asp. furbearing animals, including anal and appears that virtually all were at least humans. uring the week of October 18, 2. Join our e-mail activist list. You will be notified when action is needed to help animals. To genital electrocution. considered. The HSUS wishes to thank former Gov. 2004, a team of HSUS join, send an e-mail to [email protected] giving your name, city, and state. 111! A. 6212/S. 3330 and S. 2083, foie gras D 3. Contact acting Gov. Richard J. Codey. Let him know that you do not want a black bear One major omission in the report is the McGreevey for the opportunity to serve on bills, make it unlawful to force feed an scientists and technicians task force's refusal to address minimum the Animal Welfare Task Force.