ANIMAL ISSUES BULLETIN
April 18, 2011
** Easter Bunny Education From the Pulpit
** Toughen Local Anti-Cruelty Laws
** Help Tiger Confined at LA Truck Stop
** Congress Politicizes Wildlife Preservation
** 2011 Legislative Successes in Maryland
** Kentucky Denies Cat Killer's Parole
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-- Easter Message from 3bunnies.org –
3 Bunnies Rabbit Rescue wants church goers to ask their clergy to speak out against the purchase of live
rabbits at Easter time. According to 3 Bunnies' David Fisher, “90% of all bunnies given as Easter gifts are
euthanized within the year, after the children grow tired of them Many of the rest are abandoned or
surrendered to animal shelters.” Education of the public can help reduce this sad statistic. Recruiting
clergy to pay attention to this problem is one innovative way to help rabbits. Here is a sample letter
prepared by 3 Bunnies that can be used to alert clergy to rabbit rescue and explain why gifting bunnies
at Easter causes animal suffering and a huge expenditure of limited resources by shelters and rescues:
An open letter to the clergy regarding Easter:
To whomever this may concern:
I am writing in regard to the plight of rabbits that is the direct result of the Easter Bunny myth. Theirs is a story
of sadness, heartbreak, and ignorance. People get these animals on a whim, believing they are celebrating a part
of their faith. The results are almost invariably miserable lives of neglected animals once these people realize
that a rabbit is a living being that requires constant care.
Easter rabbits tend to live short, miserable lives. They are a fun novelty for the family for the first few days, but
then the cleaning and care-taking and feeding and everything else become too much of a problem for the family.
As a result, most rabbits tend to be neglected, sometimes they are condemned to living in outdoor hutches,
exposed to the elements and in constant fear from predators who try to get at them. Time and time again we
see these animals brought into shelters after living with too much neglect, and there is nothing we can do but
euithanize these wonderful animals, because someone else didn't care.
Private individuals have tried to educate the public on this matter. Rabbit rescue groups and shelters have tried
to educate the public. Pet stores, such as PetCo, have tried to educate the public. All to no avail. People still
believe that getting a baby rabbit for Easter is the thing to do, and in only a few weeks, shelters begin
overflowing with these poor animals who are no longer wanted.
I truly believe that it has come time for the clergy members to address this issue with their congregations. I feel
that only you can properly lead those people who would listen to you to a better decision as to what to do to
celebrate Easter, without creating suffering in the process.
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As I understand it, Easter is supposed to be a happy holiday full of celebration. Unfortunately, this is not the
case for everyone. Those of us who rescue unwanted/abandoned rabbits regard Easter as one of the most heartbreaking times of year. We wind up cleaning up the awful mess left behind by well-meaning but un-informed
celebrants, and in many cases, this means putting animals to sleep to end their suffering. Suffering that was the
direct result of a spur-of-the-moment choice to give a living being to someone as if it was no more than a book
or a picture frame or a piece of chocolate.
When properly cared for, rabbits have a lifespan of 8-10 years or more. When neglected, their lives usually end
within one year from improper nutrition, no veterinary care, and exposure to the elements (for those kept
outdoors). These are very intelligent and emotional creatures; they are as good a pet as a dog or cat and just as
popular, and most of the information available about them is out-dated. We have learned much about rabbits in
the last few years, enough to realize just how wonderful these animals really are, and just how sad their stories
are.
Among the campaigns currently instituted about Easter Rabbits, the best suggestions to give those considering
giving a live animal is - give a chocolate bunny instead, or perhaps a stuffed plush toy, or any number of
inanimate objects with likenesses of rabbits on them. These types of gifts tend to be more readily accepted, they
don't carry with them the responsibility of the recipient that taking care of a living animal does, and people tend
to get more pleasure from them anyway (and if they get tired of the gift, it doesn't mean that a living being
suffers).
Please help us help the rabbits. Please help us reduce the suffering of these wonderful creatures. Please help the
public understand enough that they don't inadvertently create suffering when their intentions are noble.
Sincerely,
###
To view an excellent 2009 video on Easter bunnies made by none other than Martha Stewart, go to:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRwZgVwn5SI
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DVmqx__BEg
For more information, go to http://www.3bunnies.org/easter.htm.
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-- Strengthen Local Cruelty Laws –
Bulletin readers have heard about the terrible cruelty case that was uncovered last month in West
Virginia. Jeffrey Nally, Jr. allegedly kidnapped his girlfriend and terrorized his captive by making her
watch him sadistically kill animals over a period of around 2 months. Nally evidently killed 29 animals,
mostly puppies. He faces charges of kidnapping, domestic battery, and 29 counts of felony animal
cruelty. West Virginia recently passed a new law to include animals in protective orders, and this case is
a horrific, but clear example of the link between animal cruelty and domestic violence.
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Tell your local lawmakers that you are worried about the impact of animal cruelty on your community by
sending a message through the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) website. Here is the text:
Alerted to a potentially violent situation in Hancock County, West Virginia on March 9, 2011, a SWAT team
brought an end to Jeffrey Nally, Jr.'s alleged months-long abuse of his ex-girlfriend. Nally allegedly terrorized the
woman by sadistically killing twenty-nine dogs -- mostly puppies which he reportedly obtained via classified ads
-- over an approximately two-month period during which he allegedly kept the woman captive at the property.
With Nally facing charges of kidnapping, domestic battery and 29 counts of felony animal cruelty, this case
provides a disturbing reminder of the link between cruelty to animals and domestic violence. As a voting
constituent, I am concerned about animal cruelty and its effects on our community -- effects which are not only
evident in the physical suffering these cases involve, but in the monetary costs which repeat offenders shift onto
taxpayers by over-burdening animal shelters and other community agencies.
Several academic studies have found a clear link between animal cruelty during youth and violence against
humans as an adult. It is imperative that our state encourages cross-reporting between agencies such as child
protective services and animal control. It is also imperative that mental health evaluation and treatment
requirements are mandated for animal abuse cases.
Please consider the Animal Legal Defense Fund's State Animal Protection Laws rankings report (found at
http://www.aldf.org/StateRankings) and contact ALDF at legislation@aldf.org for information on what
legislative improvements are needed in our state. Obviously, animal abuse is a heinous crime. But it can be
more than that. In many cases, it's a sign that people are also being abused -- or soon will be.
To take action on this case, just go to and submit your zip code to identity local lawmakers:
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5154/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6226
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-- Help Tony the Tiger –
Tony is a 10-year-old Siberian-Bengal tiger who has lived in dismal conditions at a truck stop in Louisiana
for his entire life. Noise, heat and diesel fumes are a constant for this animal, and no one would call
these “environmental enrichment.” On top of that, Tony is harassed and teased by visitors. The tiger’s
owner Michael Sandlin has been cited for violations of the Animal Welfare Act, and a veterinarian has
declared that Tony is in poor health and needs help. ALDF filed a lawsuit against the Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) complaining that the state should never have allowed
Sandlin a permit to keep this tiger on his property. A co-complainant is Louisiana Representative Warren
Triche who authored Act 715, the law which currently bans private ownership of big cats like Tony in
Louisiana.
Bottom line is that Tony is in constant discomfort and distress. For more information about his situation:
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5154/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6207. There you will also
find the petition to the LDWF urging them to revoke Sandlin’s permit immediately and end the tiger’s
inhumane confinement.
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-- Wolves Get Backhanded by the Feds –
Last week, in a rider attached to the FY2011 budget bill the U.S. Congress – with the consent of the
Obama administration -- removed wolves in Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Utah from the
Endangered Species List. This action by Congress was bipartisan and unprecedented in that Congress
have never before directly imposed its will on a species threatened with extinct. This Congressional
action is in opposition to a recent court decision which said that wolf management should be based on
science and not state boundaries. In fact, this rider also prevents any further judicial review f the Interior
Department plan to allow state wildlife agencies to manage wolves in Montana and Idaho. Needless to
say environmental groups are extremely disturbed by what has happened and fear that the fate of the
environment and wildlife is more in danger of political meddling rather than sound decision-making
based on science.
The result of this rider for wolves is most likely more hunting and more killing. Kieran Suckling of the
Center for Biological Diversity believes that the motive for the rider was to score political points in the
local 2012 elections. He said, “This is a dark day for wolves and for all species relying on federal
protections for their survival.” To sign a petition urging the Congress to respect the Endangered Species
Act and protect the Gray Wolf, go to: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/510/521/869/
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– Update on Maryland Legislation –
Here is the status of 2011 animal bills supported by Maryland Votes for Animals:
PASSED! Puppy Mills, H.B. 940/S.B. 839: Requiring a person to obtain a kennel license if the person
owns or has custody of 15 or more unspayed female dogs over the age of 6 months kept for the purpose
of breeding the dogs and selling their offspring and sells dogs from six or more litters in a year; requiring
each county to collect and maintain specified information for each kennel license issued; requiring each
county to report specified information to the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation on or
before January 15 each year.
PASSED! Animal Cruelty, H.B. 227/S.B. 115: Authorizing a court, as a condition of probation for specified
violations concerning animal abuse, neglect, or cruelty, to prohibit the defendant from owning,
possessing, or residing with an animal.
PASSED! Spay/Neuter Task Force, H.B. 339/S.B. 639: Establishing a Task Force on the Establishment of a
Statewide Spay/Neuter Fund; specifying the membership, chair, and staff of the Task Force; requiring
the Task Force to review specified spay/neuter programs, develop a specified spay/neuter program, and
make recommendations regarding a spay/neuter fund; requiring the Task Force to report its findings
and recommendations to the Governor and specified committees of the General Assembly on or before
January 1, 2012; terminating the Act at the end of June 30, 2012.
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PASSED! Pet Protective Orders, SB 747 & HB 407: Authorizing a District Court Commissioner, in a
specified interim protective order, and a judge, in a temporary protective order or final protective order,
to award temporary possession of any pet of a person eligible for relief or a respondent.
PASSED! Antifreeze Safety, HB 897, Prohibiting a person, after January 1, 2012, from selling or offering
for sale engine coolant or antifreeze that contains more than 10% ethylene glycol unless it contains not
less than 30 parts per million nor more than 50 parts per million denatonium benzoate; granting
immunity from liability to persons that manufacture, process, distribute, recycle, or sell engine coolant
or antifreeze with denatonium benzoate in concentrations required by the Act, except under specified
circumstances.
PASSED! Dogs in Restaurants, HB 941, Authorizing a restaurant with an outdoor dining area to allow a
patron's dog to accompany the patron in the outdoor dining area of the restaurant during specified
hours; requiring specified restaurant owners to give notice to local health departments under specified
circumstances; authorizing restaurant owners to make specified determinations and to limit the size and
type of dog that may accompany a patron into the outdoor dining area; requiring specified restaurant
owners to post a notice.
FAILED! Maryland Livestock and Poultry Care and Advisory Board, SB 254 & HB 676: Establishing the
Maryland Livestock and Poultry Care Advisory Board; establishing the membership and charge of the
Board; requiring the Board to elect the chair of the Board; providing for the terms of the members and
chair of the Board.
FAILED! Extended Sunday Hunting, SB 45 & HB 129: Repealing specified provisions of law authorizing a
person to hunt deer on private property in specified counties on specified Sundays under specified
circumstances; authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to allow a person to hunt deer on
private property in specified counties on specified Sundays under specified circumstances.
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– Cat Killer's Parole Denied -Bridgett Wright suffered the loss of her two cats, Mr. Frank and Piggy, when Russell Swigart, a former
co-worker, broke into her home back in 2008 and stabbed them to death. Mr. Swigart was found guilty
and sentenced to 12 years in prison thanks to “Romeo's Law” which toughened Kentucky's penalties for
felony animal cruelty. Romeo's Law makes it a Class D felony on the first and subsequent offenses to
torture a dog or cat. The law was passed after a Kentuckian was caught on tape beating his dog.
But after less than 3 years of his sentence served, cat killer Russell Swigart came up for parole. Ms.
Wright is now thanking a Kentucky Parole Board for listening to her and her supporters, including over
15,000 people who signed a change.org petition. Mr. Swigart's parole was denied and he will not be
eligible for parole again until 2013.
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