October 2004

FROM THE "SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST" OF SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31


Letter to the Editor (scmplet@scmp.com) by Action Against Poisoning

Subject:
CHINA - "AMAZING SPAIN, SHANGHAI 2004" EVENT CLEARLY IS A FORERUNNER OF THE BEIJING 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES, THIS WILL REFLECT ON CHINA AS A COUNTRY THAT SUPPORTS OR EVEN EMBRACES ANIMAL CRUELTY

Action Against Poisoning

Ladies and gentlemen,

With Chinese friends we visited your beautiful country - and Shanghai - in 1999. As we do not master your language we were limited in our communications. However, with mutual respect and understanding for our cultural differences we had open discussions about our experiences in China including Hong Kong. In short, we were impressed by the technical progress and the friendliness we met in the different parts of China.

Last year we were informed on global efforts to stop the maltreatment of 'bile bears' in China. We expressed our appreciation to the Chinese authorities for their work towards eliminating bear farming. So we were happy that China was on the right animal protection track.

In August we were informed that a bullfight would be performed at the Shanghai Stadium as part of "Amazing Spain, Shanghai 2004". We think this is an unwise idea and we wonder whether this is a Chinese or a Spanish initiative. If this is a Spanish initiative it is indeed amazing that Spain is unable to present her cultural wealth in a civilized way. We cannot fathom the Spanish urge to export an embarrassing habit.
Our view on bullfights is as follows: We applaud the preservation of cultural heritage. However, we protest against existing folkloric festivities that involve any form of animal abuse. If torture and killing is culturally conceived as a joyful occasion, then animal abuse can be associated with fame and national pride. We should not teach our children that any form of animal torture is normal, let alone laudable. Although we do not seek to undermine feelings of national pride, torture is a violation of existing animal protection laws and an affront to the civilized countries. So in our point of view it is unacceptable to support activities that taunt the global opinion on animal welfare and the existing animal protection laws.

Since this "Amazing Spain, Shanghai 2004" event is a forerunner of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, this will reflect on China as a country that supports or even embraces animal cruelty. You may have noticed that the massive poisoning of stray animals in Athens before the opening of the Olympic Games 2004 caused violent protests against and a boycott of these games.

We wish you success with your games in 2008. We urge you to refrain from any (support of) animal abuse that will offend civilized citizens and taint the image of China.

Yours respectfully,

Action Against Poisoning

P.S.
For your information: We sent this letter to the relevant Chinese authorities on Sunday 29 August 2004 but received no reaction.

Action Against Poisoning fights animal poisoning in particular and supports the development of animal welfare in general. For an actual and concise general motivation for animal protectors we refer to "Spare a thought on our cruelty to animals" by Mohd Idris, at www.rense.com/general42/crueltu.htm



OCTOBER 3, 2004: CLERGYMEN'S ANIMALS-DAY


The Dutch Foundation Wakker Dier ("Animals Alert") declared on the 3rd October 2004, Animals' Day, a Clergymen's A-Day. This week all Dutch communities received a letter from Wakker Dier with the request to refer to the suffering of animals in the bio-industry in their sermon on the eve of Animals' Day.

The first positive reactions were received from vicar Bok, well known from his marathon sermon during the FMD-crisis, and vicar Bouma.

See their website at www.wakkerdier.nl
Accordingly, read our "Wish for 2003".



DR. CARLOS N…GRIER, VETERINARIAN SPEAKS OUT...(English)


"In our clinic we often receive animals that are deliberately poisoned with the intention to kill them.

We know that the same happens in all clinics in the Algarve because this is a common practice in this part of the country. We think that this is a cruelty and has to be end. Therefore we would be glad to be of assistance to all who could help to change this situation.

We would be pleased to co-operate with all persons, national and international public organisations to drastically reduce or even stop this barbaric custom.

It seems to me that it is essential to involve the municipalities, as they are responsible for the gathering and sheltering of abandoned dogs, a task they neglect altogether and consequently contribute to the uncontrolled growth of that population.

It is important to make the tourist industry aware of its responsibility, as it is often reported that at some times of the year in places like golf courses many animals are poisoned to avoid any "inconvenience" to the tourists. It is also important to request the G.N.R. and the Police to find and charge the culprits. Persons and organisations in the field of animal protection should be called upon to mobilize their contacts to better the situation.

Once again, we would like to state that we are willing to co-operate with anyone who can help change this situation radically in the Algarve and the rest of Portugal."



FALA O DR. CARLOS N…GRIER, VETERINˇRIO...(Portuguese)


Na nossa ClĚnica recebemos frequentemente animais que foram propositadamente envenenados com o claro propŰsito criminoso de os matar.

Sabemos que o mesmo acontece em todas as clĚnicas do Algarve, poĚs Č, pr·ctica comum nesta parte do PaĚs.

Pensamos que esta crueldade deve terminar, por esta raz„o, ficamos muito satisfeitos em colaborar com todos quantos possam ajudar a alterar este estado de coisas.

Gostaria de poder colaborar com todas as pessoas e entidades p˙blicas nacionais e estrangeiras, de modo a reduzir dr·sticamente ou mesmo anular esta b·rbara pr·ctica. Parece-me fundamental envolver as C‚maras Municipais, j· que s„o respons·veis pela recolha de canĚdeos abandonados, pr·tica que tem sido ˙ltimamente negligenciada, o que leva, ao aumento desta populaÁ„o totalmente descontrolada.

Seria importante sensibilizar as estruturas da ind˙stria hoteleira e t˙ristica, pois sempre correm rumores que em locais como os campos de golf Č frequente haver em certas alturas do ano muitos animais envenenados de modo, a evitar "incomodar" os turistas.

Seria ainda importante pedir o maior apoio das diversas policias de modo a obter dados mais seguros sobre as responsabilidades individuais dos autores destes crimes.

Parece me muito ˙til envolver as pessoas e organizaÁıes de caridade dirigada aos animais, pois poderam sensibilizar muitas pessoas no sentido de melhorar esta situaÁ„o.

Por ˙ltimo, e mais um vez, gostaria de informar que estamos ‡ vossa inteira disposiÁ„o para trabalhar em conjunto com todos os interessados que possam contribuir para alterar radicalmente esta situaÁ„o no Algarve e em Portugal.