Talkin Pets

California legislature passes SB 1221 prohibiting the cruel use of dogs in hunting bears, bobcats

NEW YORK— The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) applauds California legislators for passing Senate Bill 1221 to ban the cruel and unsporting practice of “hounding” bears and bobcats, and urges Gov. Jerry Brown to swiftly sign the bill into law. Sponsored by Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), the state Senate passed the bill on a 22-13 concurrence vote yesterday, approving amendments to enable wildlife research, nuisance wildlife control, and unintentional wildlife and dog encounters on private property.

“Hounding is not fair sport, it is blatant animal cruelty,” said Nancy Perry, senior vice president of ASPCA Government Relations. “Although SB 1221 faced strong opposition from the hound hunting lobby, California legislators listened to their constituents and have once again demonstrated their commitment to passing laws to prevent the suffering of animals. We encourage Governor Brown to sign this important measure into law.”

Hounding involves fitting dogs with radio devices that allow bear and bobcat hunters to monitor the dogs' movements remotely. Dogs are released to chase a frightened wild animal for miles until the animal is exhausted and typically seeks refuge in a tree. At that point, the hunter approaches the cornered animal and shoots the bear or bobcat down from a limb.

In addition to the fatally injured bears and bobcats, the dogs suffer, too. In the course of defending themselves, bears have inflicted fatal injuries to dogs. Often times, when a dog becomes injured or is perceived as being too timid or slow, the dog is abandoned and left to starve to death. Due to this type of hunting, animal shelters are often inundated with abandoned or injured hunting dogs who are no longer wanted by their owners.

“California should lead the nation in animal welfare, but the barbaric practice of hound hunting is out-of-step with citizens' strong desire for humane laws,” added Perry. “More than 30 states have already banned this practice, including states where hunting is still a popular practice, and California should join the growing list by enacting SB 1221.”

For more information on the ASPCA and to join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade, please visit www.aspca.org.

About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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Born Free USA initiative signals strong step toward protecting bears globally

Washington D.C., July 19, 2012 -- Hawaii made great strides to protect bears when Governor Neil Abercrombie signed SB 2232/HB 2296 into law last Friday. The bill was spearheaded by Born Free USA and introduced by state Senator Clayton Hee (D- Kahuku, Laie, Kaaawa and Kaneohe) and Representatives Wooley, Lee, Nishimoto, Rhoads, and Keith-Agaran. SB 2322/HB 2296 makes it illegal to purchase, sell, transport or deliver bear gallbladders or bile, or any product, item or substance containing, labeled or advertised as containing bear gallbladder or bile.

According to Adam Roberts, Executive Vice President of Born Free USA, “Hawaii was one of only five states that lacked comprehensive legislation to limit the trade in bear parts. Overexploitation of wildlife through national and global trade is a major concern. Thanks to the leadership of Sen. Hee and Rep. Wooley, an important bill to combat what continues to be one of the most dangerous threats to bears on the mainland, has passed. This signals a strong step toward protecting bears on a global level.”

Hundreds of bears suffer every year to supply the market for bear gall bladders and bile, which are part of some traditional Chinese medicine practices. Although more than 54 alternatives to bear bile exist for Chinese medicinal use, they are underutilized. In China and other Asian countries, bears are kept in cramped cages with tubes inserted directly into their gallbladders to extract bile continuously. The bears suffer as a result of malnutrition, a lack of veterinary care, and infections at the site of insertion. As Asiatic bears become more endangered, poachers increasingly turn to North American bear populations to supply the demand for bear bile.

Roberts further explains, “Both of these practices are perpetuated as more Americans purchase bear part products. By banning the trade of bear products, Hawaii has helped to reduce this market significantly.”

Although there are no bear populations on the islands of Hawaii, this bill provides important protection for mainland and foreign bear populations. By becoming the 46^th state to enact a ban on the trade in bear parts, Hawaii is bringing the U.S. one step closer to eliminating the trade completely in the U.S. and significantly reducing the suffering of bears.

Born Free USA is a nationally recognized leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation” -- the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son Will Travers, now CEO of both organizations. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at: www.bornfreeusa.org; twitter http://twitter.com/bornfreeusa; Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BornFreeUSA.

Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios present a PG, action, adventure, animated, approximately 105 minute 3D film, directed by Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell and written by all three directors along with Irene Mecchi with a theatre release date of June 22, 2012.

Washington D.C., February 22, 2012, 2012 -- Born Free USA, a leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, is urging Hawaii lawmakers to join the majority of U.S. states that fully prohibit the trade in bear gallbladders. Yesterday, House Bill 2296 passed the House Judiciary Committee with a unanimous vote (14 Y, 0 N, 1 absent). On February 10, Senate Bill 2232 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee with a unanimous vote (3Y, 0N, 2 absent). Both bills now head to the floor of each chamber.

According to Adam Roberts, Executive Vice President of Born Free USA, “A huge hurdle has been overcome. We urge the Hawaii legislature to act swiftly to close this loophole and combat what continues to be one of the most dangerous threats to bears on the mainland and globally."

Throughout the U.S. mainland, bears are killed for their gallbladders and bile.  Hawaii is one of the few states that still allow trade of bear gallbladders.  Although Hawaii lacks a wild bear population, this allowance -- and the state’s location – could encourage bear poaching globally; compromises bans already in place on the mainland; and puts bears everywhere at risk.

Born Free USA helped draft this landmark bill that would protect bears by prohibiting the commercial trade in bear gallbladders and bile in Hawaii.

Roberts further explains, “The bear gallbladder trade is a global problem that not only affects North American bears, but also the highly endangered Asiatic black bear and other imperiled species. The Hawaii Legislature should act responsibly and without delay to protect bears and help wildlife law enforcement across the nation.”

Sponsored by Senator Clayton Hee (D- Kahuku, Laie, Kaaawa, and Kaneohe Kahuku, Laie, Kaaawa, and Kaneohe), and Representative Jessica Wooley (D- Laie, Hauula, Kahaluu, Kaneoh), the bill would make it illegal to purchase, sell, transport or deliver bear gallbladders or bile, or any product, item, or substance containing, labeled, or advertised as containing bear gallbladder or bile.

Because the Asiatic bear is endangered, poachers turn to the U.S. to supply market demand. Bear gallbladders and bear bile are used in Asia and Asian communities in the U.S. to create medicines and luxury cosmetic items and toiletries such as shampoos and even hemorrhoid creams. While American black bears are poached in the wild to supply the gallbladder trade, Asiatic black bears are kept in coffin-like cages, constantly “milked” for their bile. There are reportedly as many as 54 known herbal substitutes to the use of bear gallbladders and bile that still conform to traditional medicinal applications.

Born Free USA is a nationally recognized leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade.  Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation” -- the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son Will Travers, now CEO of both organizations. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally.  More at: www.bornfreeusa.org; twitter http://twitter.com/bornfreeusa; Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BornFreeUSA.

Oakland, CA, November 17, 2010…Halloween is over but there’s a surplus amount of pumpkins at the Oakland Zoo to keep the celebration going. Hundreds of the orange edibles are becoming lunch for animals. Truckloads of orange vegetables were donated by Bay Area businesses, and for the next few weeks, the public can watch elephants eat plump pumpkins, tigers chew apart jack-o-lanterns, sun bears get their claws full of seeds, and baboons unwrap goodies stuck inside gourds. “Pumpkins are a great seasonal enrichment for all of the animals at the Oakland Zoo, said Colleen Kinzley, Director of Animal Care, Conservation, and Research.” “Many of the animals such as elephants, chimpanzees, baboons, goats, parrots and camels enjoy eating and playing with the pumpkins. In the case of others like the tigers, bears, otters and meerkats, we use the pumpkins as feeding devices by caving holes into the pumpkins and hiding treats inside; bears may tear them open while meerkats might burrow inside.”  

Thanks to the generous donation of hundreds of pumpkins from Johnnie Moore’s Pumpkins, Holly Prinz of Pick of the Patch Pumpkins, and Tommy Speer of Speer Family Farm, the Oakland Zoo has pumpkin treats for several months!   

ABOUT OAKLAND ZOO:

The Bay Area’s award-winning Oakland Zoo is home to more than 660 native and exotic animals. The Zoo offers many educational programs and kid’s activities perfect for science field trips, family day trips and exciting birthday parties. Nestled in the Oakland Hills, in 500-acre Knowland Park, the Zoo is located at 9777 Golf Links Road, off Highway 580. The East Bay Zoological Society (Oakland Zoo) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization supported in part by members, contributions, the City of Oakland and the East Bay Regional Parks. For more information please visit our website at www.oaklandzoo.org.

The East Bay Zoological Society EBZS is celebrating 75 years. The society has managed and operated both the Zoo and surrounding Knowland Park for the City of Oakland since 1982. Under its management, the Oakland Zoo presents an award-winning experience for visitors, fosters knowledge and understanding of animals and the environment through educational programs, and has earned national awards and international acclaim for its animal management and endangered species programs.  Over the years, exhibit by exhibit, the Oakland Zoo has been reinvigorated and revitalized, making it a place where animals thrive and visitors enjoy. For more information, please visit our website at www.oaklandzoo.org.