Animal Breeding

Care 2 is asking citizens to sign an online petition to stop irresponsible animal breeding.

"Something needs to be done," said Emily of The Petition Site team. "Of course, some breeders are legitimate and treat the animals well, but there are others who breed animals for a certain look, or worse, for fighting. Many of these breeds live uncomfortable or tragic lives because their bodily function, comfort, and/or brain function are inhibited. Irresponsible animal breeding is cruel and should be regulated by the government."

To sign the petition, go to http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/451222075 online.

In unrelated animal news, Yvette Tapia, who works for Albuquerque, NM City Attorney Bob White, has been put on paid administrative leave after she was caught on tape by her neighbor kicking, hitting, tossing, and abusing her puppy. The dog is at the local animal shelter until the outcome of the case. (Source: White Settlement Animal League).

One animal activist said on July 16, the day before Tapia was put on leave, when learning of the video: "I'm spreading this video and story far and wide as I possibly can. When I saw the video the first time I just screamed when I saw her throw the puppy on the cement!"

The activist, who posted the information on her My Space page among other sites, sent out a mass email before Tapia received disciplinary action, urging all citizens to contact Tapia's boss, along with his phone, fax, address, and email information, to demand that she be fired immediately for her actions.

In other animal news, Alley Cat Allies is sponsoring a piece of legislation stating there is "secrecy and killing" in animal shelters.

"A staggering number of cats are killed in shelters each year," organization literature states. "You have a right to know what is happening to the animals in your shelters and how your tax dollars and donations are being spent. A revolutionary change in shelter practice and policy is needed."

You can track animal cruelty at the Department of Justice, according to the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS).

"Research clearly demonstrates that there is a close association between animal abuse and family violence, as well as other crimes," according to HSUS' website. "This important bill would insure that law enforcement officials have a necessary tool for combating animal cruelty and preventing violent crime by requiring the Department of Justice to collect data on all animal cruelty crimes."

The organization is requesting people make brief, polite phone calls to their legislator in the U.S. House of Representatives urging co-sponsorship and support for the Animal Cruelty Statistics Act.

For more information and to sign a follow-up petition to the calls, access https://community.hsus.org/campaign/FED_2008_DOJ_animalcruelty on the Net.