WellBeing International WBI Studies Repository Fall 2003 NERO Fall 2003 Follow this and additional works at: https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/newengrn Recommended Citation "NERO Fall 2003" (2003). New England Regional Office. 18. https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/newengrn/18 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]. Teaching an Protecting Maineis't/\RY Old Swan New Tricks Black Bears at the apsized canoes, frightened boaters, Ballot Box and injured Canada geese are all on n November 2004, voters in Genghis Swan's rap sheet. Named by Maine will have the C opportunity to ban several residents for his aggressive nature, Genghis was about to be deported when cruel hunting methods, the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts, including the hunting of bears agreed to let The HSUS try to teach him withI bait, dogs, and leghold traps. some manners. Not familiar with these practices? On a rainy spring afternoon, NERO It takes only a brief description to Program Coordinator Linda Huebner see why animal advocates and accompanied Jessica Almy, wildlife advo­ ethical hunters decry these cate for HSUS's Cape Wildlife Center, on a techniques as unfair and mission to teach the overly aggressive unsporting. swan not to attack boats. The two canoed Bear baiting involves setting up down the Eel River, avoiding his mate's stations stocked with donuts and nest. When Genghis approached too close greasy foods before the hunting to the boat, Huebner sprayed him with season. Bears who become regular methyl anthranilate, a chemical used in visitors at these bait sites make grape-flavored soft drinks. It seems birds easy targets for hunters who shoot don't like fake grape, and will typically the animals at close range as they learn to avoid the stuff. feed. Many of these hunters come Almy has continued his training from other states and pay sessions, and so far, so good. The last few handsomely for local guides and Maine voters havea chance to protect black bears trips elicited no reaction from Genghis. outfittersto make their trophy from traps, hounds, and baiting. Support the He fathered six cygnets this season, hunting experience a successful initiative and vote to protect bears in November. which may have calmed him down. one. An average of 3,000 bears are Hopefully he'll continue to behave killed at bait stations in Maine each year. Of traps when necessary. And contrary to himself, and the community can continue the 27 states that still allow bear hunting, alarmist cries that the state's black bear to enjoy the river risk-free. two-thirds prohibit baiting. population will spiral out of control, similar Another popular method of pursuing initiatives passed in other states have bears involves the use of dogs fitted with demonstrated quite the opposite. Genghis (bottom) enjoys a quiet moment radio transmitter collars. Packs of dogs chase Importantly, it stands to reason that bait with his mate on Plymouth's Eel River. and corner their quarry, allowing the hunter stations habituate bears to human foods, to follow their signal, then drive in and shoot prompting an increase in human-wildlife the exhausted bear out of his tree. In conflicts as these animals lose their wariness addition, Maine is the only state that allows of people and search out such edibles in the use of leghold traps to kill bears. campgrounds, cabins, and trash cans. Opponents often claim that such ballot Polling shows that a strong majority of initiatives represent the end of state wildlife Maine citizens favor ending bear baiting, management and longtime hunting hounding, and trapping. In response, a traditions. In fact,the bear baiting initiative diverse coalition known as Maine Citizens allows exceptions for the Maine Department for Fair Bear Hunting, with support fromThe <fl of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to manage HSUS and other animal protection ::, <fl I problem animals using bait, hounds, and continued on page 2 THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES NERO Regional News FALL2003 Reservation Visit Fruitful Young Advo­ Legislative Update By NERO Program Coordinator Hillary cate Earns ERO actively works for greater legal well as higher licensing fees for research 79. The law also adds a prohibition against Twining Scholarship protections foranimals in each of our institutions, kennels, pet shops, and the intentional breeding of animals for states. Here is an update on just some shelters. fighting. line of people and animals stretched N ach year, NERO awards the $1,500 of the "animal bills" that we have been • A bill to ban hunting in enclosed areas beyond the crowded waiting area of Shaw-Worth Memorial Scholarship to following. If you would like more (also known as canned hunting) was Rhode Island the 4-H building and out into the A . a New England high school senior information about any of these bills, or struck down. Legislation to prohibit the • Bills to restrict the long-term chaining of bright sunshine. Five makeshift surgery who demonstrates exceptional commitment would like to join one of our state legislative use of snares was also defeated, despite dogs and provide stricter standards of care, suites awaited the firstanimal patients, while E to animal protection and the humane ethic. action alert teams, please contact NERO. overwhelming evidence that the state's and one to eliminate the income kennel teams of veterinary students hurried to This year's recipient, Alyssa Borowske of coyote snaring program causes great owners can collect from video lottery complete the initial health examinations of Barre, Vermont, has helped the Vermont Connecticut sufferingto trapped animals and threatens terminals at dog tracks both died in their canine and feline charges. Reservation school children enjoy an Department of Fish and Wildlife educate • The passage of H.B. 5530 will enable non-target and endangered species. committee. It was day one of the HSUS Rural Area HSVS humane education presentation. the public about the dangers of lead toxi­ courts to require psychiatric or psycho­ II The Rhode Island Animal Protection Act, Veterinary Services (RAYS) annual visit to city and the impact of lead sinkers on logical counseling, or participation in Massachusetts which would have increased the penalties the Rosebud Indian Reservation. I had left acres of flat prairie and rolling hills. The populations of the common loon. As the animal cruelty prevention and education Note: All of these bills are still pending. for animal cruelty and would have created the blustery March weather of New England human-animal bond is as strong here as it is organizer of a trade-in program, Alyssa programs if they exist, for adults and • H. 1252 allows students who have a cause of action for the intentional or to spend a week in the southwestern corner anywhere else, but because there are no vet­ collected more than eight pounds of lead children who commit animal abuse. religious or ethical objections to dissection negligent death of a pet, was also defeated. of South Dakota with stafffrom the HSUS erinary clinics or animal shelters the reserva­ sinkers. Her two-year project earned her • The passage of the first-ever state law to choose alternatives such as interactive Northern Rockies Regional Office,as well as tion can be a difficultplace to own a pet. the Girl Scout Silver Award, the Governor's addressing the inhumane practice of the computer simulations and models. Vermont several volunteers, two veterinarians, and Amid the hectic pace of the clinic, many Award for Excellence in Pollution Preven­ long-term tethering of dogs was realized in • S. 184 prohibits circuses from displaying • S.100 would make aggravated animal students from veterinary schools across the small dramas played out. There was the tion, and the Fish and Wildlife Depart­ H.B. 6038. The law imposes a series of primates, wild cats, bears, and elephants cruelty a felony even when the animal country: The purpose of this trip was to heavily matted cocker spaniel whose coat ment's Meritorious Service Award. Alyssa increasing fines for confining or tethering in any traveling show or circus. does not die. Animal welfareadvocates are provide freemedical care for animals on the was painstakingly clipped over the course of will be attending Cornell College in Mount a dog for an unreasonable period of time. • H. 200 changes the carefully constructed hoping that mandated psychological reservation and to present humane education an hour. There was the aging German shep­ Vernon, Iowa, in the fall,where she plans • The passage of H.B. 6066 allows animal wildlife protection act (originally passed in evaluation and treatment for juveniles programs at the local schools. herd whose owner brought him in for veter­ to study environmental science. control officersto have impounded ani­ 1996 as Question 1) and brings back convicted of animal cruelty and definitions By the end of the week, the RAYS staff inary care, only to decide that euthanasia was You can assist future recipients by mals spayed or neutered before adoption. unregulated use of the inhumane, for adequate food, water, and proper had sterilized 217 pets and provided rabies the most humane option. Then there were making a contribution to this scholarship. indiscriminate, body-gripping Conibear shelter for animals make it back into the and distemper vaccinations for 1,009 animals the firstand second graders at the O'Kreek Donations, Maine trap for recreational furtrapping. bill when the Legislature resumes. in the communities of Mission, Rosebud, and School who participated enthusiastically in payable to The • L.D. 327 requires that the state's Depart­ • A late-filed bill, House Docket 4306, Ill The passage of H.