Friday, May 16th, 2003
PAWS
Actionline
A weekly opportunity
to make a difference
for animals
PAWS Campaign Against Circuses That Use Performing Animals
Important Links
PAWS Animal Cruelty Resources and Links
Legislative Links
Washington State- House of Representatives
- Senate
Federal
- House of Representatives
- Senator Maria Cantwell
- Senator Patty Murray
Vote Smart is an excellent resource for all sorts of legislation.
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Progressive Animal
Welfare Society
PO Box 1037
Lynnwood WA, 98046
Annual City of Seattle Goose Kill Just Around the Corner
Despite several years of public pressure, scores of emails, calls and letters of protest and countless offers of inexpensive, non-lethal and effective alternatives, the City of Seattle will go forward (most likely in less than 1 month) with their annual killing of the geese in Seattle’s City parks. In an effort to “control” the Canada Goose population in the Seattle parks, the City of Seattle plans once again to contract with USDA Wildlife Services to round up and gas to death hundreds, perhaps thousands of Canada geese.
Please contact Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels at www.cityofseattle.net/mayor/citizen_response.htm. Ask that Mayor Nickels immediately halt the killing of geese and instead utilize the skill and knowledge of trained volunteers that have offered humane, effective and less expensive alternatives! You can cut and paste this message into the comment box!
Please contact Seattle Parks Superintendent Ken Bounds at: ken.bounds@ci.seattle.wa.us or 206-684-8022 with the same message!
If you are interested in getting involved with volunteering to help stop this year’s goose kill, we need volunteers to help gather signatures on a petition to the Mayor’s office as well as various other tasks! If you can help, please email Denise at denise@paws.org. Thanks!
Please act immediately to stop killing of cormorants in 24 states – comments due TODAY!
In yet another attempt to use wildlife as a scapegoat, the US Fish and Wildlife Service will allow the killing of hundreds of thousands of Double-crested Cormorants, saying that they are responsible for the decline in sport fishing resources and aquaculture stocks. This proposal is clearly despite the science provided by leading biologists showing that once again, over-fishing, pollution, habitat destruction and dams are the real cause for this decline.
This rule would not only be devastating to the cormorant population, but would also set a dangerous precedent for allowing the killing of other birds such as the Caspian Terns, Great Blue Herons, mergansers and kingfishers. The Caspian Terns are already being shot under F & W permits right here in the Pacific Northwest as they have been wrongly blamed for the continued decline of salmon.
Please go immediately to: www.saveourbirds.org and send an automatic message voicing your opposition to this proposal! The deadline is today, May 16th, so please take a quick second now!
Update on Seattle's Proposed Animal Control Legislation
Seattle City Council's Finance, Budget, Business and Labor Committee heard public testimony on May 6th, regarding proposed amendments to the City's animal control code. PAWS opposes many of the amendments, such as definitions relating to dangerous dogs that are vague and subjective. In addition, the proposed ordinance does not include a prohibition against the auctioning of companion animals at fundraising events. The decision to adopt an animal should not be made in haste or under the influence of alcohol. And most companion animals who are auctioned are purchased from breeders and are not spayed and neutered, adding to the overpopulation problem in our state.
The Committee will vote on the draft legislation May 29; the full City Council will vote on June 9. Please contact Seattle City Council members regarding this proposed legislation. If you would like more information about the proposed amendments, please visit the Dangerous Ordinance Group (D.O.G.) website at www.ilovemydog.org.
City Councilmember e-mail addresses:
jan.drago@seattle.gov, peter.steinbrueck@seattle.gov, heidi.wills@seattle.gov, jim.compton@seattle.gov, judy.nicastro@seattle.gov, margaret.pageler@seattle.gov, richard.mciver@seattle.gov, richard.conlin@seattle.gov, nick.licata@seattle.gov
Dog Bite Prevention Week
Please join PAWS in recognizing "National Dog Bite Prevention Week", May 18-24, 2003, aimed at reducing the number of dog bite injuries through public education.
If you have a dog, take this quick test to see if you are doing everything you can to help reduce the possibility of an accidental dog bite:
- Make sure your dog is spayed or neutered ~ dogs who are not spayed or neutered are three times more likely to bite.
- Train and socialize your dog ~ a dog with good manners and who is comfortable around people is less likely to bite.
- Keep your dog properly confined ~ an indoor dog feels safe and comfortable and is less likely to escape and harm someone. While walking your dog, always keep her on a leash.
