It’s time for another edition of Hisses and Purrs. Each week Hissy Fit Jones and June Buggie run down the good, and the not-so-good, news about the welfare of animals around the world.
As always, Hissy Fit Jones will start us off. Take it away, Hissy!
Hisses to the people of the UK for the record number of animal cruelty cases since the recession. In 2012, 1024 people were convicted of animal cruelty, up from 589 in 2008. Only 10% of those convicted in 2012 served jail time. Dear people, if you cannot or will not care for your animal, do the honorable thing and surrender that animal to a shelter.
Hisses to the Astor shelter of Zagreb, Croatia, where police found 46 dead dogs. The cause of death has not yet been released, but local media speculates the dogs were poisoned. Police are investigating. I hope the perpetrator(s) are prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Hisses to the country of Bosnia for enacting a law allowing stray and homeless dogs to be euthanized. The law was enacted after numerous complaints of stray dogs biting people. It’s estimated that there are over 13,000 stray dogs in the capital Sarajevo. The law was amended to allow shelters 15 days to try to adopt out the dogs before they are euthanized. Ironically, in this deeply divided country of Serbs, Croats, and Muslims, all sides agree that this is a bad law.
Oh Dog! This is terrible! Those poor dogs! *sniff sniff*
June Buggie, I think we’re ready for some good news now!
Purrs to the KuzeyDoga Society and University of Utah, for their efforts to track wolves in Turkey. The latest in tracking collars is being used to follow the wolves. One sad discovery of the effort is to learn there are far fewer wolves in the country than was originally estimated. The study continues with the support of National Geographic Society, the Christensen Fund, the Whitley Fund, and Turkey’s Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks.
Purrs to Leonardo DiCaprio for recently donating $3 million to the World Wildlife Fund to increase the tiger population in Nepal. DiCaprio is a WWF board member, and has supported other efforts to increase tiger populations around the world. Dude, you are my new hero!
Purrs to Giddens Ko of Taiwan for his documentary, Twelve Nights, which exposes what happens to stray animals in his home country. The film follows dogs from the streets to shelters, where they are subjected to harsh treatment and are often exposed to diseases. Approximately half of the over 11,000 animals taken by Taiwan’s shelters last year were destroyed. Ko’s movie has taken in over $30 million Taiwan dollars so far; all of the film’s proceeds will go toward animal-protection awareness. Ko, you’re my hero too!
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Thanks Buggie! Now a couple of interesting tidbits to share with you.
This past week 35-year-old circus trainer Denny Gottani of Spain’s Gottani Circus was attacked by a tiger during a live performance. Gottani was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and the show went on. No word on what happened to the tiger.
Also this week, we report that the FBI’s most wanted “animal rights terrorist” Daniel Andreas San Diego has evaded capture for ten years now. San Diego is wanted for several bombings in 2003. He is a computer specialist, strict vegan, and evidently a smart dude. There’s a $250,000 reward for info leading to his capture.
Do YOU have any hisses or purrs to share this week?
Dogpaddling Through Life 
I’m so sad that Bosnia did the same like Romania with this law. What a shame. But many thanks to Leonardo Di Caprio, that was really GREAT!
Do you have any more info about the shelter in Croatia?
sadly not, our media not even had a news about the tiger and what happened.
probably not gory enough to make the news…. *sigh*
probably they have to spread the words about facebook and if Barbie is a shame for feminism or not ….urrrks
Well she is, but nothing new there. Humans care about women’s rights even less than animal rights!
That’s true, here sadly we have the same… but the mega-hype in the news is probably more to push the sales of Barbie and her clan.
*tears* 46 dead dogs….. How sad it is to hear….whoever did this….he/she won’t have a good life…..
Wow! DiCaprio! I didn’t know that he was animal lover! Since today, he is my hero, too!!! 🙂
I know! Seems he’s more than just a pretty face after all!
It is possible the UK story is not as bad as it seems. I am only speculating but more arrests could mean the police are cracking down on abusers which would be a good thing. I would say that 10% serving jail time should be higher but I don’t know what kind of punishment the other 90% received. Hopefully they were required to do community service at an animal shelter.
I hope you’re right.
Great post and info!
I was happy to hear what Leonardo has done, good for him!!!
((hugz)) from your Husky Pals!
Yeah, me too. Makes me see him in a different light.
Unfortunately, those were good hisses. You were right on target with those. We really were happy about the good news tho.
The good news does make it seem not so dreary, doesn’t it?
I have a big hiss. To my adopted country, Ireland – that considers ALL cats vermin. It sickens me: killing, poison, abuse – all are just fine with my government. A good blog link here: http://anatureblog.blogspot.ie/2012/02/cats-insight-into-their-lack-of.html
Yikes!!!!!
Yeah. There was a protest last year, but it failed. Our economy is so terrible no one has time or money here to try again – and the lawmakers are too busy making sure they keep making tons of money themselves to care about cats.
I think we should do something about that.
I’m hissing and spitting at this: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/16/italy-prosecutors-investigate-dolphin-meat-restaurants
Hisssssss!!!! I’m with ya there, kitty!
Whee only have purrs this wheek for Wagg/Harringtons Pet Food who heard about our sending secret santa presents to guinea pigs who will be in rescues over the festive period and sent a huge box of food and treats for us to send as part of our donations. It was furry generous and really in the Pigmas spirit!
Nacho, Noah, Buddy & Basil
xxxx
Oh wow! That is so wonderful!
Every extra Hiss can make a difference..and I must say, I’m good at it lately….so I’m hissing with ya, Hissy Fit Jones! Pawkisses 🙂
Show ’em what you’re made of! MEOW!
well we have always like DiCaprio’s acting…but now…he is on our “animal guardian” list too