Zelda, zpenzel@nyc.rr.com

Send a letter to District Attorney Robert Morgenthau (and Cc Amy Miller, the Assistant District Attorney handling the case) regarding the prosecution of Cornelius Byrne, who has been charged with bribing an undercover investigator to overlook seven violations at his stables.

Press release from DOI: www.nyc.gov/html/doi/pdf/pr84dca_12132007.pdf
Explanation of legal process: manhattanda.org/officeoverview/arresttosentence/

1. Ask the DA to prosecute Byrne to the full extent of the law. It's extremely important for the DA to know that there is strong interest in this case.
The Honorable Robert M. Morgenthau
District Attorney, New York County
One Hogan Place • New York, NY 10013
Cc: Amy Miller, Assistant District Attorney

2. NEW YORKERS: Contact your NYC Councilmember. Ask your CM to sign on as co-sponsor of Tony
Avella's bill, Intro 658, to ban carriage horses in NYC.
NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL / CONTACT INFO: Council.NYC.Gov
COUNCIL MEMBERS: council.nyc.gov/html/members/members.shtml

Dear...
As you know Council Member Tony Avella recently introduced legislation into the City Council, that would ban the operation of horse-drawn carriages in NYC. This is the first time such a bill has been introduced and we need your help to make this become reality. To date, two other council members, Melissa Mark Viverito and Annabel Palma have joined Council Member Avella as co-sponsors. Now we need other council members to step up to the plate.

As my council member, I ask you to please CO-SPONSOR Intro 658, which would repeal all provisions of the Administrative Code that allow for the operation of horse drawn cabs. Many thousands of New Yorkers and visitors have signed petitions asking for such a ban.

I also ask you to NOT SUPPORT and to VOTE AGAINST Intro 652 and Intro 653 — both industry bills. Intro 652 increases rates for drivers. Intro 653 asks for more inspections and would create a situation where a non-governmental agency would do oversight. It is feared this would result in the industry regulating itself. It would also wind up costing the tax payers money.

As you undoubtedly know, this is an inherently inhumane industry and more rules and regulations will not change that. It is long past time for the cruelty, as well as risks posed to pedestrians and horses by an archaic "amusement," come to an end.

Your support of Intro 658, as co-sponsor, will be greatly appreciated by all your constituents who care and are concerned about the treatment of these animals. I look forward to a favorable reply.

Debra A. Barlow, Hopeful Haven Equine Rescue Organization: www.hopefulhaven.com • hopefulhaven@yahoo.com
22 Pit Bulls Seized in Louisiana Dogfighting Case: www.idausa.org/campaigns/sport/dog/feature_080102.html

From hopefulhaven@yahoo.com — Alleged Dogfighter Arraigned in Shreveport Louisiana / Letters demanding maximum penalty sought — On January 7, 2008 Jerry Wells, 45, of Shreveport, Louisiana [appeared] in court to face felony dog fighting charges. The public is being asked to send letters demanding the court impose the maximum penalty in this case.

Urge fire department to fire man facing dogfighting charges for second time: Caddo Animal Services officers who raided the Shreveport home of firefighter Eric Mosley seized 22 pit bulls and equipment used to train dogs for fighting. The dogs were confined by heavy chains, and had no food and only filthy water in their bowls. Mosley, 42, was arrested on one count of felony dogfighting and taken to jail, but soon released on $10,000 bond.

This is the second time Mosley has been charged with felony dogfighting. After a year-long undercover investigation, authorities raided Mosley's home in 2005 and seized a total of 37 dogs and dogfighting gear. However, the courts ultimately acquitted him of the charges.

The 22 pit bulls seized last month are being cared for at the Caddo Animal Services shelter. Meanwhile, Caddo Parish Animal Control and Shreveport Police Department are conducting a joint investigation of the crime. The Caddo Parish Fire Department has placed Mosley on paid leave while conducting their own internal investigation.

UPDATE, 1/7/08: Jerry Wells pled not guilty this morning in District Court at his arraignment. His next court date is February 7, 2008 I believe. Eric Moseley will be arraigned the first week of February. Keep letters coming!

Interim Fire Chief David Glass: 318-673-6655
Deputy Fire Chief Mack McCoy: 318-673-6658
Caddo Parish Fire Department
263 North Common • Shreveport LA 71101
Ask fire department to request Eric Moseley's resignation. Urge them to terminate any employees involved in dogfighting.

Attn: Paul Carmouche, District Attorney
Office of the District Attorney, Criminal Division
501 Texas Street • Shreveport, LA 71101
email: Pmouche@caddoda.com
Ask Shreveport's DA to seek the maximum legal penalty in prosecuting Mosley and others implicated in felony dogfighting.

SEND COPIES OF YOUR LETTER TO:
Debra Barlow, Animal Cruelty Investigator
12193 Providence Road • Shreveport, LA, 71129
ph: 318-286-3116; email: hopefulhaven@yahoo.com

NEED DONATED CAGES:
We need more large cages — 48" cages only — to house smaller dogs so we can use regular runs for pit bulls contained as evidence in dogfighting cases! Cages needed to stop the euthanasia of other dogs when we bring in these pit bulls.

Please donate the cages or $$ to Hopeful Haven Equine Rescue (tax deductible): www.hopefulhaven.com
You can order cages at: www.petcratesdirect.com

SledDogAC@aol.com • Sled Dog Action Coalition, www.helpsleddogs.org

GROUP TWO EMAIL ADDRESSES:
ptira@mcclatchy.com, pcandino@prismnetwork.com, concierge@travelwizard.com, vacations@countrytours.com, david.curtis-brignell@mill-cop.com, tmattia@na.ko.com, newsroom@alaskaair.com, sales@gitsat.com, crosbyk@kclibrary.org, rabello@hollandamerica.com, jbenson@princesscruises.com, greenbergr@us.panasonic.com, patrick.korten@kofc.org, brendan@alaskaaces.com, larrysr@searsandassociates.com, affeob@allenfamilyfoods.com, r.signer@appenzellerbier.ch, resumes@crowley.com, rcs@gci.com, Mayor@ci.anchorage.ak.us, bcartiff@jccpgh.org, travel@sunconnections.com, travel@kriegner.com, kate@gallantins.com, jim@NorthernOutfitters.com, lisa@coastalhelicopters.com, GregG@milldirecttextiles.com, info@penfieldusa.com, kathy@uphere.ca, theteam@clustrmaps.com, sales@distinctiveescapes.com, corporate@cabelas.com, pubaffmr@chevrontexaco.com, fhees@alaskanbeer.com, ircontact@simon.com, mayor@ci.wasilla.ak.us, kroger.investors@kroger.com, employment@providence.org, investor.relations@horizonlines.com, investor_relations@netapp.com, ssolomon@dixieline.com, manager@ci.nome.ak. info@penair.com, adsales@olntv.com, info@dekastanjeboom.be, brugge@krokodil.be, info@wegwijzer.be, larsn@capitalelec.com, enterprise.comments@exxonmobil.com, investor.relations@blockbuster.com

GROUP THREE EMAIL ADDRESSES:
info@workman.com, investor_relations@scholastic.com, jschrank@cclphoenix.org, peter.spiers@elderhostel.org, rdatz@educationworld.com, info@americansky.co.uk, agent@uniquetrav.com, reception@harveyworld.com.au, Wendi@Luxtravel.com, info@strongtravel.com, glainfo@hollandamerica.com, POlson@randomhouse.com, info@reisky-schlese.de, info@sahalesnacks.com, beaversports@beaversports.com, CustomerService@northlandservices. mail@trippodi.de, mbphotos@rockisland.com, info@pioneerlodgeak.com, h.weishaupt@freesurf.ch, contact@seapet.com, sales@pjoperating.com, jim@trailridgeair.com, iand@camelbacktravel.com, info@intrawld.com, sspilka@wiley.com, cech@dogcompany.at, kirtroger@ralik.net, info@nationaldogfood.com, jeffm@creagan.biz, abbietaylor@theblackdog.com, reservations@akalpinelodge.com, info@theoutdoorsource.com, sales@trekkerdesigns.com, info@pinkandblue.be, info@sportees.com, cblough@wccfcu.com, para@alaska.net, roger_millay@discovery.com, yum.investor@yum.com, richard.edwards@polarisind.com, jcondemi@mountainhardwear.com, feedback@laurelpubco.com, kathy@ziwipeak.com, dmcpherson@wned.org, websales@antonbauer.com, communications@girlscouts.org, wegerer@swbell.net, nwdunnings@msn.com, news12nj@news12.com

GROUP FOUR EMAIL ADDRESSES:
royaldutchshell.shareholders@shell.com, orders@riverboatdiscovery.com, AskMLP@muni.org, charlene@permafrost.com, msteele@eaglepack.com, Chancellor@uaa.alaska.edu, webmaster@cariboucreekgold.com, info@blackwoodpetfood.com, contact@redpawfeed.com, contact@propacpetfood.com, taplowf@firstmate.com, blanchard@macniderart.org, jsiegel@naturesbest.com, sledder1@pacbell.net, mead@unr.edu, sales@immunocorp.no, jbilitz@jjkeller.com, ryoung@altitudetraining.com, investor.relations@akzonobel.com, info@inlettower.com, spikealaska@earthlink.net, hsl@xyz.net, info@akdogtour.com, rodney.bolls@bglobal.us, info@ndindustries.com, qiviut@gci.net, traxak@clearwire.net, sales@kaladi.com, Macgellan@mac.com, info@westernplows.com, tchozes@pathwaynet.com, sales@ursawagon.com, gsipe@cogentsolutionsgroup.com, customersupport@batteriesplus.com, info@teckcominco.com, sales@edmundoptics.com, anni@visees.no, post@noraid.no, post@brynje.no, info@kamik.com, johnb@icicleseafoods.com, gene@motosolutions.com, reservations@krabloonik.com, alcansigns@alaska.net, dpowers@akserigraphics.com, tours@atlastravelweb.com, Greg@Harper-Street.com

Dear Iditarod Supporter:

Please end your organization's support of the Iditarod dog sled race. For the dogs, this event is a bottomless pit of suffering. What happens to dogs during the Iditarod includes death, paralysis, penile frostbite, bleeding ulcers, bloody diarrhea, lung damage, pneumonia, ruptured discs, viral diseases, broken bones, torn muscles and tendons, sprains, torn footpads and anemia. At least 133 dogs have died in the race. No one knows how many dogs die after this tortuous ordeal or during training. For more facts about the Iditarod, visit the Sled Dog Action Coalition website, www.helpsleddogs.org.

On average, 53% of dogs do not make it across the finish line. According to a report published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, of those who do finish, 81% have lung damage. A report published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine said 61% of the dogs who complete the Iditarod have ulcers versus zero percent pre-race.

Iditarod dog kennels are puppy mills. Mushers breed large numbers of dogs and routinely kill unwanted ones, including puppies. Many dogs who are permanently disabled in the Iditarod, or who are unwanted for any reason, including those who have outlived their usefulness, are killed with a shot to the head, dragged, drowned or clubbed to death. "Dogs are clubbed with baseball bats and if they don't pull are dragged to death in harnesses..." wrote former Iditarod dog handler Mike Cranford in an article for Alaska's Bush Blade Newspaper.

Dog beatings and whippings are common. During the 2007 Iditarod, eyewitnesses reported musher Ramy Brooks kicked, punched and beat his dogs with a ski pole and a chain. Jim Welch says in his book Speed Mushing Manual, "Nagging a dog team is cruel and ineffective...A training device such as a whip is not cruel at all but is effective." "It is a common training device in use among dog mushers..."

Jon Saraceno wrote in his March 3, 2000 column in USA Today, "He [Colonel Tom Classen] confirmed dog beatings and far worse. Like starving dogs to maintain their most advantageous racing weight. Skinning them to make mittens. Or dragging them to their death."

During the race, veterinarians do not give dogs physical exams at every checkpoint. Mushers speed through many check points, so dogs get brief visual checks, if that. Instead of pulling sick dogs from the race, veterinarians frequently give them massive doses of antibiotics to keep them running.

Most Iditarod dogs are forced to live at the end of a chain when they aren't hauling people around. It has been reported that dogs who don't make the main team are never taken off-chain. Chained dogs have been attacked by wolves, bears and other

Please end your organization's association with this horrific race.

Sincerely,

OIPA, International Organization for Animal Protection: international@oipa.org • www.oipa.org

Around the world most systems of animal factory farming — such as battery hen cages, foie gras production, mink fur farming — have been the subject of detailed scientific studies, campaigns by animal rights groups and even government bans. Meanwhile, factory farming of rabbits for their fur and flesh has received little attention...until now.

The Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade (CAFT) have infiltrated and exposed this hideous trade...where millions of rabbits are confined to bare wire cages, kept as breeding machines, their throats slit and their furs turned into boots, hats, gloves and trim for jackets. The killing of rabbits for their fur is the fastest growing part of the global fur trade...

For more info, visit and support: http://rabbitfur.org • www.RabbitWise.org/ • www.oipa.org/fur/alerts/rabbits.html

dhartig@arcor.de

An ACO at Neosho Animal Control Dept. (city pound) in Neosho, Missouri left town for a week and three dogs and two cats died at the shelter... Apparently the cops were in charge of food/water while [Ben] was on vacation from this city shelter. We need to get these dogs out. I cannot believe animals are dying in the city shelter from starvation. Please help.

We're trying to get the Westies out. There was a boxer starving to death (put down today). Transport assistance is available if rescues let the shelter know they can take some dogs off their hands. This is a crisis situation.

vetuprava@minpolj.sr.gov.yu
CC: rjtdz@BITSYU.NET, redakcija@blic.co.yu, redakcija@kurir-info.co.yu, redakcija@glas-javnosti.co.yu, redakcija@nin.co.yu, international@oipa.org, press-EN@europarl.europa.eu
BCC: epar@yunord.net, neilparishmep@btinternet.com, info@hsi.org

To Mrs. Sanja Celebicanin, Chief of Veterinary Inspection of Serbia

Dear Mrs. Celebicanin,
I've just been informed Mrs. Mila Scepovic has commenced to kill all the dogs in the shelter in Kraljevo by *BURNING THEM ALIVE IN STOVE-FURNACES.

According to article 269, paragraph 2, the Criminal Code of Serbia: "Anyone who uses cruelty towards animals or kills animals contrary to the Law of veterinary standards, must be punished for up to three years in prison."

This law is not being implemented — in fact it is being totally ignored, even by the authorities of Kraljevo.

All the dogs are healthy, very kind, and peaceful — but Mrs. Mila Scepovic wants them dead. This way of acting is barbaric, unconscionable and unacceptable by all civilized standards of the humane treatment of animals.

I can't understand that people do such horrible things. I'm extremely shocked. IMAGINE THOSE POOR DOGS BEING PUT IN A STOVE-FURNACE AND THEN BEING BURNED ALIVE! What pain, what suffering — and why?

PLEASE MRS.CELEBICANIN, STOP THIS SAVAGE DOG MASSACRE IN THE DOG SHELTER OF KRALJEVO and act according to the LAW OF YOUR COUNTRY, THE LAW OF GOD AND THE LAW OF CIVILISED PEOPLE.

Thank you for your time and attention,
Name/address/organisation

Zelda, zpenzel@nyc.rr.com

Congress.org - www.Congress.org
Project VoteSmart - www.vote-smart.org
USA Senate - www.senate.gov
USA House of Representatives - www.house.gov
Congressional Switchboard: 202-224-3121

SEND WEB AUTOMATED LETTER:
community.hsus.org/campaign/FED_2008_farmbill_amendments/u6ueinrr7736mmk?

Dear Representative... and Senators...

Help these pet protection provisions in the Farm Bill cross the finish line!

The House and Senate have both unanimously approved language in their respective versions of the Farm Bill to prohibit certain terrible practices that affect our domesticated pets. Even though we are in the 21st Century, we face a number of crises involving real cruelty to animals.

Here are just a few examples:
DOGFIGHTING: The Michael Vick case of dogfighting is just the tip of the iceberg. Dogs die horrific deaths every day by the hundreds if not thousands at the hands of barbarians. Others live lives of starvation, isolation, and confinement to the end of a chain except to fight. No civilized society can accept such brutality.

"CLASS B" DEALERS: Currently dogs and cats are often bought from random source Class B dealers for use in experiments. It's an open secret that a number of Class B dealers, or "bunchers," either 1. steal pets, 2. get them from public pounds that are supposed to be "caring" for abandoned pets, or 3. get them from "free to good home" ads, by fraudulently representing themselves as caring owners who will take great care of the pet.

That pet ends up isolated in a small cage for the rest of its short life, subjected to painful and invasive experiments, deprived of all contact, and killed without a backward glance when the experiment is over. Many of these animals are denied the most basic vet care and suffer horribly from everything from starvation to infection to intentionally inflicted wounds. This horrific "business" must be shut down.

The Senate version of the Farm Bill includes measures to 1. stop the import for commercial sale of very young puppies from foreign puppy mills, and 2. strengthen the federal law on dogfighting.

The House version includes provisions to 1. increase maximum fines for Animal Welfare Act (AWA) violations, 2. require USDA to resume annual reports to Congress on its AWA enforcement efforts.

I STRONGLY urge you to to ensure the final Farm Bill includes these all-important provisions to protect our pets. The Farm Bill has historically been a vehicle for animal protection measures. I care very much about pets and the inhumane, horrific things happening to them under our current laws. It is untenable that a civilized or modern society would legally accept such cruelty and inhumane treatment.

These issues are important to me. Thank you for your consideration.

For more info contact Win Animal Rights: centcom@war-online.org • 646-267-9934 • war-online.org

1/17/08, from centcom@war-online.org — BREAKING NEWS: SEA SHEPHERD CREW MEMBERS ON BOARD AUSTRALIAN SHIP— Just confirmed by Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, crew members Benjamin Potts and Giles Lane were released from the rogue Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru 2 and they are currently on board the Australian Oceanic Viking. Word is they will be transferred back to Sea Shepherd in the morning.

Thanks to everyone who called, wrote letters and protested at the Japanese Embassy in London, the New York Consulate Office and the Embassy in Washington DC. (Protest Reports, Pictures and Video will be available on our website on Friday). Sea Shepherd will resume their whale defense activities as soon as they get Potts and Giles back on board the Steve Irwin.

Contact Japanese Consulates and Embassies to demand an end to their illegal whaling activity in the Antarctic Sanctuary.

Ambassador and Consul General Motoatsu Sakurai
Japanese Consulate General
299 Park Avenue • New York, NY 10171
ph: 212-371-8222; fax: 212-371-1294
email: inquiry@ny.cgj.org, goikenbako@ny.cgj.org, visainfo@ny.cgj.org

Other staff members at Japanese Consulate Office: www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/en/a/05.html

Ambassador Ryozo Kato
Embassy of Japan in the USA
2520 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. • Washington, DC 20008
ph: 202-238-6700, 202-238-6900, 202-238-6773; fax: 202-328-2187

If you are not from greater New York area, protest at your local embassy or consulate office. To find nearest Japanese
Embassy or Consulate Office: www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/over/index.html
www.embassyworld.com/embassy/Japan/Japan.html

SledDogAC@aol.com

January 22, 2008: The Miami-Dade County Commission refused to vote on the tethering ban ordinance proposed by the County's Dept. of Animal Services. By refusing to vote, commissioners are allowing dogs to spend their lives on the end of a chain. Help the dogs by writing to Commissioners.

Write/fax Miami-Dade County Commissioners. Explain why chaining is cruel. Tell them to pass a humane ban that protects dogs. Other jurisdictions have enacted tethering ban ordinances. If you plan to boycott travel to Miami Beach and Miami until a good tethering ban is passed, say so.

COMMISSIONER EMAILS
district11@miamidade.gov, District4@miamidade.gov, District12@miamidade.gov, District3@miamidade.gov, District9@miamidade.gov, District6@miamidade.gov, district5@miamidade.gov, BMORRIS2@miamidade.gov, District1@miamidade.gov, District7@miamidade.gov, District7@miamidade.gov, District8@miamidade.gov

Commissioner Seijas has no email. Fax her: 305-375-2011
Board of County Commissioners website: www.miamidade.gov/commiss/

Continuous tethering makes dogs aggressive: 1994/Centers for Disease Control: Chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite. 2003/American Veterinary Medical Association: "Never tether or chain your dog because this can contribute to aggressive behavior." When threatened, dogs instinctively run or fight. A chained dog, unable to flee, often feels forced to fight, attacking any unfamiliar animal or person who comes into his or her territory. Children have been injured or killed after going into a chained dog's area, or encountering a dog who has broken free from a chain.

Continuous tethering is inhumane: 1996/United States Department of Agriculture: "Our experience in enforcing the Animal Welfare Act has led us to conclude that continuous confinement of dogs by a tether is inhumane."

Tethered dogs are easy targets for attacks by other animals. They're killed or injured by weather extremes, poisoned by humans, and made sick from animal feces or bird droppings. Often, necks of chained dogs grow raw and covered with sores from constant yanking and straining to escape confinement. Dogs have been found with collars embedded in their necks.

Dogs are social animals. Tethering forces them to live in solitary confinement, unable to interact normally. Lonely and isolated, chained dogs are known to bark excessively at all hours of the day and night.

Susan Trear, STrear@jdtplaw.com

social.contact@oecd.org; wh-info@unesco.org; F.Bandarin@unesco.org; A.Pedersen@unesco.org; n.sanz@unesco.org; arzobispado@arzobispadomexico.org.mx; benedictxvi@vatican.va; info@ap.org; info@cnbc.com; info@kpfk.org; info@wspa.de; info@wspa.nl; infor@rc.net

Honorable Officials, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is inconceivable that in the 21st century, letters such as this still need to be written; letters sent to protest one of the most inhumane and archaic celebrations that still takes place in what is surely one of the darkest and most uncivilized corners of the earth. I am speaking of the celebration of the Fiesta de la Candelaria, which will take place in Tlacotalpan, Veracruz, Mexico, in February; a "celebration" in which the lowest elements in society are permitted to express their savage sadism and primitive basic instincts, in the torture of the most innocent of creatures; a cruel spectacle that puts all of Mexico to shame!

People around the globe are aware of this barbaric Fiesta, one that diminishes all of us as members of an intelligent and compassionate species, and which is condoned by Church and Governmental officials who refuse to speak out against what can only be a hideous distortion of a religious celebration. That the gratuitous torture and dismemberment of Cebu bulls is allowed by authorities, is an indication of the hypocrisy and insanity the prevails in Mexico and the Church.

Thousands have written letters, signed petitions and pledged to boycott Mexico, yet officials and religious leaders refuse to condemn this modern-day Sodom and continue to ignore the pleas of compassionate people everywhere. There is no place for such wanton abuse of living beings that are capable of suffering and feeling pain in civilized society. I urge you to condemn this at once and put an end to this disgrace. Respectfully,