Friday, July 11th, 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
Tell city of Spokane to say no to the circus
PAWS has recently learned that the Spokane Arena is right now working to try to bring Ringling Brothers circus to Spokane in October. At this time, it has been confirmed to us that Ringling Brothers has not booked performances at either the Key Arena at Seattle Center or at the Tacoma Dome (however, we will keep you posted if this changes). This is great news and is just more evidence that the circus industry is struggling and that the people of Washington do not want animal circuses to perform in our state! We must get this message out in Spokane right away. If you live in the Spokane area, or even East of the Cascades, we need your help to keep Ringling from bringing their cruel show to the Spokane Arena. Please forward this email onto friends and family who live in Eastern Washington too!
Contact the following:
Kevin Twohig, Spokane Arena General Manager
kjt@spokanearena.com
Andy Leitheiser, Spokane Arena Events Supervisor
awl@spokanearena.com
Michael Scaringella, Spokane Arena Events Supervisor
mas@spokanearena.com
Spokane City Council
citycouncil@spokanecity.org
Spokane Arena
720 West Mallon
Spokane, WA 99201
Tel: 509-324-7000
Fax: 509-324-7050
Tell them that: You are disappointed that Spokane would consider hosting such an outdated and cruel form of “entertainment”. Remind them that Ringling Brothers has, since 1993, been cited for more than 100 deficiencies in animal care during inspections conducted by the USDA. They have been investigated by the USDA as a result of allegations of animal cruelty by former circus employees and trainers have been charged with animal cruelty. Wild animals belong in the wild, not kept in circuses. Spokane should say no to Ringling Brothers - tell them that you will avoid all other events hosted by the Spokane Arena unless they do!
The Gatti circus is coming to Tacoma
The Gatti Circus will be performing at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma July 17th and 18th. The Afifi Shriners will sponsor the event.
Rebecca Jeffery, a local animal advocate, is organizing a protest against the Gatti circus and she needs your help! The Cheney Stadium has two entrances so protesting at this venue will be tricky so Rebecca is hoping to organize as many volunteers as possible.
Show times are 2:00pm and 7:00pm both days.
Protest activities will take place at the Cheney Stadium located at:
2502 S. Tyler Street
Tacoma, WA
If you are interested in getting involved please contact Rebecca Jeffery directly at: rajeffery@earthlink.net.
Say no to the rodeo
July 18th and 19th the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) will be performing at the King County Fair in Enumclaw. Events include bull riding, saddle bronc, team roping, steer wrestling, and calf roping which all aim to incite normally easygoing animals into violent and aggressive behavior.
Animals used in rodeo events, such as bull riding, are subjected to cruel and inhumane treatment. Flank or bucking straps are frequently used tools that scare and badger animals into performing. These leather straps are cinched tightly around the abdomen of a horse or bull causing a great deal of pain and discomfort and the animal tries to rid itself of the pain by bucking. Prior to being released into the ring, animals are often tormented with the use of electric prods, spurs and caustic ointments all in an attempt to provoke wild behavior. During steer wrestling and roping events, the animals often endure broken bones and internal injuries while being flipped and slammed to the ground.
These animals not only sustain painful and often significant injuries during shows, but also are sent to slaughter when they are rendered useless.
Please go to the King County Parks and Recreation web site: http://apps01.metrokc.gov/www/go/comment.cfm and discourage them from sponsoring such events in the future. Let them know that rodeos are a cruel form of entertainment and that these animals can feel pain.
Help stop the brutal killing of Alaska’s wolves
The Alaska Legislature has once again re-introduced Senate Bill 155 and House Bill 208 in a renewed effort toward controlling the prey population in central Alaska. This so-called “land and shoot” program allows private citizens to take part in an aerial hunt of Alaska’s wolves. Hunters search for wolves in airplanes and either shoot them from the airplane or on land. Twice now, once in 1996 and again in 2000, the Alaskan public has voted to make land and shoot practices illegal.
The current law states that the board must first establish whether the prey population is below the previously established minimum before carrying out a predator control program. However, under the new law, the board could act and initiate a wolf hunt regardless of the prey population level.
Predator control is not acceptable wildlife management when prey populations are stable or increasing. The practice of killing wolves only serves to improve hunting success.
Please contact Governor Frank Murkowski and let him know you are disappointed with his decision to re-instate the land and shoot practice in Alaska. The wolves are a symbol of Alaska’s wilderness and need to be protected.
Please go to the following web sites to send a message to Governor Murkowski:
Save Alaska Wolves
www.savealaskawolves.org
and
Defenders of Wildlife
http://defenders.spacely.com/petitions/Petition.cfm?petitionID=2&ORGID=w%0D%0Adn3
