NEWSLETTER - Live Export Shame

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Speaking up for animal rights
A FORTNIGHTLY PUBLICATION
Open the cages
Three ALV women
were assaulted by male
workers at the ‘Happy
Hens’ Egg farm while
trying to expose the
neglect of battery hens.
Pages 1-3
Media talk by Laurie
Levy
Laurie is well known
in the Australian
Animal Rights
Movement ..read more
Page 4
OPEN THE
CAGES!
On Thursday 28 July, Three ALV women
were assaulted by male workers at the
‘Happy Hens’ Egg farm. Trying to expose
the filth and neglect inside the sheds, one of
the activists was sexually assaulted then
dragged along the floor by her feet. ‘Happy
Hens’ has a long history of profiting from
defeathered, debeaked, debilitated hens
living in tiny crowded cages – as
documented by ALV. Now it seems “Happy
Hens” is happy to show an attitude of
violence towards females, whether hen or
human.
Patty later said “…It was so dreadful today,
especially for dear Deb. She’s such a strong
woman and I hated what happened to her.
We were both being pushed and shoved so
hard when all of a sudden I heard her scream
so loud and then I saw her go down to the
floor, I didn’t realise she was also sexually
assaulted until we were thrown out of the
shed. The poor little hens just watched on
from their tiny little prisons. No matter what
happened though, today, I was very grateful
to have the few minutes I did with them…”
Please read the Geelong Advertiser Article
published on 29 July 2005. (A similar one
appeared in The Courier)
ALV Writers Group Newsletter #9
ISSUE #9 - July 30, 2005
Aussie Fur Shame
Ten years ago Elle
MacPherson shunned
fur - but now
‘The Body’ has agreed
to be the face for
Blackglama furs.
Australian Masters of
Fashion host, Guy
Barton, says “Don’t
like real fur? get over
it.” Page 4
Charlotte the pig
Other Letters
Lots of issues...
Lots of letters...
See our writers in
action.
Pages 7-9
Last Word
Dogs that need loving
homes. Page 9
Letters of support
flooded in...
Pages 5-7
Mad scramble at egg farm ‘rescue’
By Peter Begg.
ASSAULT CLAIM: A distraught Patty Mark and Deb
Tranter leave the Happy Hens Egg Farm after the
animal liberation raid. Photo: MIKE DUGDALE
AN attempt to “rescue” birds from Happy
Hens egg farm at Meredith turned nasty
yesterday, with three female Animal
Liberation members claiming they were
assaulted.
Animal Liberation Victoria president Patty
Mark claimed the three were manhandled,
and someone at the egg farm had grabbed
one of the protesters on the breasts.
The three activists were dropped off outside
the egg farm in Taylor’s Road at 2pm, and
were sighted by workers as they ran into
sheds on the opposite side of the road.
Soon after the activists disappeared into the
shed, egg farm workers on foot and in
vehicles converged on the building.
At one stage Ms Mark telephoned the
Advertiser from inside the shed: “You better
get over here ‘cause it’s getting ugly.’’
The three protesters emerged from the shed
after only a few minutes, but were unable to
“rescue” any birds.
They were in the process of leaving the
property when a police officer arrived from
Meredith.
A hysterical Ms Mark tried to describe events
in shed when she returned to the road.
“We were going, we just stopped to get our
breath and get some water and all of a
sudden poor Deb screamed,” Ms Mark
sobbed. “I didn’t know what had happened,
but he assaulted her.”
Deb Tranter repeated the accusation: “We
were leaving and he assaulted me,” she said.
“He grabbed both breasts from behind and
he just squeezed.”
Ms Mark, 56, said she had a “crook knee”
and she was repeatedly pushed.
The third protester, Ivana Moretti, said that
of all the rescues Animal Liberation had
done, she had never seen protesters
manhandled as they were yesterday.
Ms Moretti said later, after being interviewed
by police about the incident, that there had
been seven men in the shed at the time.
Ms Mark, who said she expected to be jailed
in September for non payment of fines for
similar incidents at the same egg farm, said it
was her first raid at Happy Hens for five
years.
Happy Hens partner Guido Colla said after
the raid it was the first time protesters had
raided his property in broad daylight.
He said previous raids had taken place after
dark, but the presence of dogs and an
electrified fence appeared to have acted as a
deterrent.
1
“We hurried them out of the shed and called
the police and let them take care of it,” Mr
Colla said.
Ms Mark said yesterday’s rescue was
necessary because protesters had not been
able to get in for an inspection because of the
trained guard dogs and a high electrified
fence.
“We’re just going to get really cheeky and
when the coast is clear we’re just going to do
a runner with the gates open,” she said
before the attempted rescue.
The Animal Liberation protesters later
attended a meeting of Golden Plains Shire
council, which was scheduled to discuss
applications for broiler sheds at Lethbridge
and Rokewood.
Ms Mark said she had never heard of such
huge broiler sheds, each of which would
hold 320,000 birds.
Letter sent to Dr Wirth, RSPCA 29 July 2005, by
ALV President Patty Mark
Dear Dr Wirth,
I am writing to you concerning a couple of
matters. First and foremost:
1) Cruelty Complaint regarding Happy
Hens in Taylors Road, Meredith
Following (in navy-blue)is a brief account of
a very stressful incident yesterday at Happy
Hens Battery Hen Factory. The most stressful
partwas seeing (after an absence of five
years inside these sheds) that conditions
remain dreadfulfor these birds. The shed
was stillfilthy dirty, cobwebs hung from the
ceiling and dust covered the floor. The birds
were overcrowded, they couldn’tstand at
full height, they suffered severe feather-loss
and hens were trapped in the manure pits
below. My heart brokeseeing them still like
this.Words cannot express my
disappointment in you for not acting to help
these small creatures. You are well aware of
the long-standing problems at this hen
factory farm, plus you would be aware of
thedisease outbreak they had a couple years
agowhen the entire flock of 220,000
birdshad to be killed (as well as birds in the
surrounding area). And the police informed
2
me yesterday that just two weeks ago they
lost a further70,000 birds after a mechanical
breakdown in a new shed just builton the
property (and a furtherfour more sheds are
to be built). Happy Hens has a bad
reputation in the area andAnimal Liberation
Victoria has given the RSPCArepeated
evidence ofserious breaches of the law inside
these sheds since 1994, yet the RSPCA does
nothing.
The women asked the men to please let
them go as they were happy to leave the
sheds. The violence escalated when one
young man approachedrescue team
memberDebra Tranter from behind and put
his arms around her, grabbing and squeezing
her breasts.Ms Tranterscreamed and fell to
the ground at which time she was grabbed
by both her ankles anddragged along the
filthy floor.
I feel almost stupid appealing to you to do
yet another inspection at this property, but as
you are the legal authority under Section 24
of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
(POCTAA), and the body referred to as ‘the
experts’by the other three authorities listed
under Sec 24 who areable to prosecute for
cruelty,I have no alternative. So, YES,
AGAIN, can I please ask you to conduct an
inspection throughout Happy Hens Egg
Farmincluding all 14 sheds currently in
operation on the property. Can you also let
me know whenthe RSPCA last inspected
Happy Hens? My concern for these animals
cannot be underestimated. I am haunted by
what I’ve seen inside those sheds. Canyou
please not ignoremy questions and also let
me know the outcome of theRSPCA
inspection. Thank you.
Police were called and took photographs of
the injuries sustained by therescue
teammembers, and took their statements.
Therescue teammembersare pressing for
charges of sexual and physical assault, in
addition to charges of cruelty to animals, to
be laid against the farm and its employees.
P.S.: Imust note here, that you advised
Happy Hensalmost ten years ago to increase
their security to keep us out. In my mind all
the trauma and stress so many people suffer
and have suffered during their rescues of the
sick and dying birds at Happy Hens would
not have occurred if the RSPCA was fulfilling
it’s legal responsibilities and moral duty to
these small birds in great peril.
ActivistsAssaulted During Battery Farm
Raid
Meredith, Victoria- Three Animal Liberation
Victoria (ALV) activists today conducted a
daring daylight raid at Happy Hens Egg
World, in Meredith. ALV have conducted 20
rescues at the property, each time exposing
horrific cruelty to animals. After about ten
rescues farm management began increasing
security, with electrified fences and trained
guard dogs patrolling the property, so that
the factory farm is now a Dachau style
concentration camp for the 220,000 battery
hens caged there. The electrified fence gate is
open during daylight hours for worker
access.
Prior to being assaulted, the three ALV
investigators observedbattery hens suffering
severe feather losscrammed into rusty old
cages. A number ofbirds were also observed
in the manure pits, without access to food or
water. After only five minutes
ofdocumenting these conditions, thewomen
were set upon by seven farm employees who
started physicallyassaulting them and
pushing them along the length of the dirty
shed covered in dust and cobwebs.
Debra Tranter, a trained nurse and
supervisorsaid outside the shed: “For eleven
years I’ve been coming to these sheds to
document the suffering of these birds. I’ve
never been treated so violently. I kept
pleading to these angry males to please let
me go as I was quite happy to leave the
sheds. I knew the hens were overcrowded
and tormented in their tiny cages. But the
aggressive treatment of me today bythose in
charge of these captivehenshas only made
me more determined to help them.”
Patty Mark, ALV President, added: “The
bruising and roughing up we received
today,highlights the extreme peril these
birds are in. Not only are they debeaked,
featherless, and dying in tiny cages, but the
only ones there for them day to day are
theseviolent and abusivemen. We’ve been
campaigning against Happy Hens for eleven
years and the sheds were worse than ever.
Today the police told us that two weeks ago
70,000 birds died after a mechanical
breakdown. This property requires urgent
attention by legal authorities.”
This photo (next page) was taken at Happy
Hens in 2000, note the sloping roof which
deflects the birds’ droppings from the cage
above(the cages are stacked four tiers high)
into the manure pit below.The overcrowded
debilitated birdscannot even everstand at
full height. Animal Liberation Victoria’s
rescue team has carried out 20 rescues at
Happy Hens (Victoria’s largest batteryegg
factory) between 1994-2000 saving the lives
of hundreds of hens. ALV President Patty
Mark has been ordered by the Magistrates
Court to spend 17 days in prison starting
September1, 2005 for her refusal to pay fines
for trespassing on the property and rescuing
the hens.
2) You donotneed bodyguards from ALV,
we are absolutely no threat to you
I would like to assure you, contrary to your
recent outrageous and defamatory
allegations of ALV being ‘terrorists’, that we
are peaceful and non-violent and under no
circumstances would we harm
ALV Writers Group Newsletter #9
their plight back on centre stage. The
original nine sheds at Happy Hens are
nowold anddilapidated but still hold
220,000 birds in thetiny cages. The walls
were still hanging in cobwebs, the birds were
frail and defeathered and many were
trapped in the manure pit below.
anyone,especially you. The red paint
incident, or anyother similiar type
action,will not be repeated. Theveterinary
student, an RSPCA volunteer, who tossed the
one third cup of water based paint your
way,sent you a written apology a day or two
after the incident. You know this as you
forwarded it to the police. Thisstudent had
recently been insidea broiler
chickenfactoryshed with our rescue team
and saw first hand the crippled young birds
slowly dying because they could not reach
food or water (the RSPCA ignored their
plight), he was also distressed to learn
aboutPACE FARM’s (Australia’s largest
battery egg producer)business arrangement
with RSPCA.I am sincerely very sorry for
any fear you may have felt from this
incident.
We were at theMillion Paws Walk to meet
and greet other animal lovers and tooffer
them a delicious alternative to eating animals
who had suffered greatly at the abattoirs.
Your perception of possibleproblems from
ALVduring this event or indeed any other
event, thus necessitating a bodyguard, can be
laid to rest.Our lovely lettuce lady was
simply waiting for you to come out of the
ring to offer you some delicious mock
chicken.
Animal Liberation Victoria will continue to
educate the public on animal cruelty
andwhat we believe are serious problems
with the failure of the RSPCA to uphold the
POCTAA (Sec 24), as well as the obvious
conflict of interest arising fromthe on-going
and increasing business arrangements the
RSPCA is entering into with animal based
industries where animals, inter alia,meet
brutal and terrifying deaths at abattoirs,
hatcheries or wherever. Perhaps you will join
me in requesting the Chief Commissioner to
ALV Writers Group Newsletter #9
set up a special police investigations unit to
administer Section 24 of POCTAA, thus
relieving the RSPCA,a non-profit
community organisationof the enormous
task at hand?
And, again,please rest assured, you are
absolutely in no danger from ALV, you never
have been and never will be. We exist to save
lives and stop suffering.
Sincerely yours,
Patty Mark, President, Animal Liberation
Victoria www.openrescue.org
Battery hens suffer from severe featherloss
from both rubbing on the wire of their cages
and also from calcium depletion from all the
eggs they lay. Battery hens lay on average
320 eggs a year, whereas their ancestors
We were shocked to find one of
fiveenormous new sheds planned for the
propertyalready built andin full production
at Happy Hens (we had been told they were
not going ahead, as the ‘historical’ creek in
the road wouldn’t take the heavy transport
trucks).Police informed us that two weeks
ago 70,000 birds died after a mechanical
breakdown in the new shed. They already
have a high electrified security fence in place
at this new compound, located just down the
road from the main site.
The public must be made aware of the
cruelty behind caged eggs and refuse to buy
them. The way with which these women
were treated is but a symptom of a larger
disease – the systematic ill treatment and
neglect of the feathered females caged at
Happy Hens and elsewhere in the “Assault
and Battery” hen business of producing
cheap eggs. Open the cages! If the RSPCA
can only investigate when there is a
complaint – how can a complaint be made if
no one but the people who profit from such
cruelty are allowed on the property. It is a
system set up to fail the animals and protect
those who profit. Give ALV $90 million a
year instead of the Royal Society for the
Protection of Industry.
Please write in response to this article
The Geelong Advertiser
Letters to the Editor
[email protected]
Or any other newspaper you can write to.
Call on the RSPCA to investigate:
Email: [email protected]
(Gallus Gallus) in the wild laid around 12-20
eggs a year.
Countdown to September 1st
Patty’s pending imprisonment on September
1 (for her refusal to pay fines associated with
prior battery hen rescues) is looming. Things
have never been worse in Australiafor
battery hens and we are determined to get
Call on the new Minister of Agriculture
Peter McGauran
[email protected]
Local Geelong council
Email: [email protected].
ong, 3220
(continued next page)
3
Christine Nixon: Police Commissioner
Victoria Police
Media and Corporate Communications
637 Flinders Street
Melbourne VIC 3005
AUSTRALIA
To win an issue - change the culture of the
public. Media is the most important way to
connect with public. The job is to inspire and
motivate. Basically it’s a ‘call to arms’ to help
the underdog. Aussies support the underdog
eg: Ned Kelly, Pharlap, etc.
(Polite letters pointing out that the current
system of the RSPCA investigating and
prosecuting animal cruelty is NOT
WORKING when it comes to factory farmed
animals (Section 24 Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals Act). It is vital tell her, that the
POLICE take a lead in this area and set up a
special police cruelty investigation unit,
because in reality farmed animals are totally
unprotected and the suffering is enormous.
(you can add that Patty Mark would not be
jail today if the RSPCA was doing it’s job for
these animals)
“…The Duck Campaign was based on two
images. One was the Duck Shooter dressed
as a soldier in camouflage gear carrying a
semi-automatic and shooting down small
defenceless birds. The other image was of a
rescuer coming out of the water with a
rescued bird. Now that second image was
one of kindness and compassion and that
will always beat an act of violence every
time…”
Media by Laurie Levy.
(In case you didn’t know, in the picture (left)
Laurie is the one with the moustache, and not the
one dressed like Rambo and holding a gun.)
Last Saturday I was able to attend a talk by
Laurie Levy about how to best utilize the
media. Laurie is well known in the
Australian Animal Rights Movement and is
the driving force behind The Coalition
Against Duck-Shooting and was a
cameraman for channel nine for several
years. It was a very inspiring talk, and while
it covered television media I noted some
points that were applicable to letter writers…
You need to capture the imagination of the
Australian public and inspire them. Use
words to paint an image.
Permanent change comes from changing the
culture. Otherwise next government can
overturn progress made. You don’t need
large numbers of people and lots of money to
win an issue – because in a media story you
and your opponent are 1 to 1. If go to court –
you can lose the case but still win public
relations.
The Sydney Morning Herald takes letters at
[email protected] and advises,
For more information go to
http://furisdead.com
You can write to a politician but you are
likely to get a pat on the head and sent on
your way. (We all know from the replies we
have received.) Perhaps another way is to
put your questions in an open letter to the
politician and send it to a newspaper. Then
the politician then has to take the issue more
seriously as your letter now has an audience.
It may even inspire a journalist to go and
interview the politician.)
Get over fur, Guy!
Bad news about Elle
Mac-Fur-son
See this article published in the Sydney Morning
Herald 26 July 2005, about Elle MacPherson
becoming the face of the US fur label Blackglama
after previously shunning fur for PETA.
Elle’s about face
Once best known for appearing naked or
There is a hierarchy of animals that the
semi-clad, Elle Macpherson is now being
public care about. To save a species, the job
contracted to cover up - as the autumn 2005
is to remove it from the bottom of the
face of the US fur label Blackglama.
hierarchy and place it at the top. The job is to
Macpherson will appear in its “What
change public opinion/attitude about that
becomes a legend most?” campaign and
animal. Get the public on side.
Fashion police predicts the animal rights
lobby will be taking note.
Eg: Duck shooting was seen as a tolerable
past time 20 years ago – now our society
In 1994 Macpherson joined fellow
views it as an antisocial and violent activity.
supermodels Cindy Crawford, Christy
Duck shooting numbers have reduced
Turlington and Naomi Campbell in a nude
dramatically since the use of media helped
billboard line-up for the animal rights group
chance public attitude. Whales were once
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
seen as sources of blubber and oil – now we
(PETA), with the tagline “I’d rather go naked
rescue them and are against the hunting of
than wear fur”. However, things got nasty
them.
last year when Crawford signed as
4
Blackglama’s autumn 2004 face. When
reminded of the 1994 campaign, Crawford
denied she had taken an anti-fur stand.
PETA then produced its Models of
Compassion petition, signed by Crawford,
and a 1994 PETA catalogue photograph of
Crawford wearing a fake fur Todd Oldham
hat and “no fur” badge, which PETA then
used to create a “SELL-OUT” poster, (see
below.) PETA also threatened to take the
protest to functions for Omega watches - for
whom Crawford models. It will be
interesting to see whether Macpherson and
her Elle Macpherson Intimates lingerie line,
which is doing well overseas, become similar
targets. In 2000 Elle was estimated to be
worth about $60 million.
2005 Australian Masters of Fashion
presentation (formerly known as the
Australian Gown of the Year) was held at the
historic Williamstown Town Hall on Friday
22 July. People wined and dined for $40 a
head, while watching a parade of designs by
Australian fashion designers and students
promoting their work and competing for
awards. Today I got this email:
“I went to the Masters of Fashion show last week
( I go every year with my Mum.) This year, for
the very first time, one of the outfits included real
fur. Unfortunately I don’t know who the designer
was) but the host, Guy Barton, flippantly said,
“if you don’t like real fur, get over it!”. I was
so annoyed at him and want to send something to
him in the mail. What should I send?” Karen
While I have forwarded his contact details to
ALV so that he can be mailed an anti-fur kit
(containing a DVD on the horrific nature of
fur farms) we can all send a message to Guy
that remarks like his are is not only ignorant
and dangerous they have no place in today’s
society. We will never ‘get over it.’ Ph: 0408
565 497 or email [email protected]
ALV Writers Group Newsletter #9
You may stand tall, Freeman and know in
your heart that you had the courage to speak
up for these defenceless, charming creatures.
Stay true to these ideals. You have done the
right thing and you have a mountain of
support. Please continue to spread the
message that animals have rights, feelings
and wonderful souls.
To Principal Heather McIntyre
“…Pigs can be so valuable as living
companions, as you can see from the
attached photo of our pet pigs with my
daughters.
With great admiration and respect…”
G Leven (VIC) 25.7.05
To The Age
“…I refer to an article in the Age newspaper
on the 14th July, 2005 regarding the slaughter
of a pig (Charlotte) and a cow raised by 16
students at Daylesford Secondary College.
Words fail me, however, I will collect them
and express to you, my horror and dismay
thatthis practice is sanctioned at theschool.
Clearly, the students have become attached
to these beings and to subject them to the
Our writers have been very active, with some slaughter of these trusting creatures would
regularly sending in story ideas. This is great surely be very traumatic for both the children
because it is impossible to monitor all
and the animals. I could not imagine that the
newspapers and happenings – and more
school would leave itself exposed to
‘eyes and ears’ make for better coverage of
litigation should any of these caring pupils
animal issues especially in rural areas.
suffer stress, anxiety or post trauma as a
result of this occurrence.
After reading stories in the last issue, one of
I am sure the school could find a fun, creative
our writers contacted Today Tonight and A
and enjoyable way for the students to take
Current Affair to alert them to the article in
The Age about Daylesford Secondary College part in “Young Gourmet.”
and Charlotte the pig. (Today Tonight did a
I hear that a few courageous students are
story.)
taking a stand against this idea and we
would be wise to applaud and support
Another writer suggested we contact ABC
them…”
radio national, apparent sponsors of the
G Leven (VIC) 16.7.05
gourmet competition. One writer offered to
Go Go
writers Go!
join in if a protest was to be held outside the
cat torture film at the Film festival.
To The Advocate
Charlottethe pig
Letters to Freeman Trebilcock (school vice
captain and founder of the ‘save our pig
and cow’ petition.
“Dear Freeman,
Bravo! I know I speak on behalf of a large
sector of our community who respect all
beings on earth. The positive slant that I can
see from this situation is that you now have a
magnificent opportunity to join many on the
planet in the fight for the rights of our
beloved animals. There is no way to lead an
animal to slaughter in a humane way. They
are highly intelligent beings who feel and
smell what is about to happen. You are the
hero of many and we applaud you and
support you in taking a stand against the
unnecessary and ill-conceived decision of
your school to slaughter the very animals
who grew to depend on you for food,
kindness and love.
ALV Writers Group Newsletter #9
“…I am both saddened and angered to read
of the intention, at Daylesford Secondary
College, to slaughter two beautiful animals, a
pig and a cow, in order to make sausages for
a food competition!
Gary Thomas, as president of the school
Council, you have an obligation to lead the
pupils of the college by example. The
barbaric practice of animal slaughter is not a
good example.
In the current climateof increasing war and
hatred throughout the world, shouldn’t we
be teaching our children kindness, love
andcompassion, toward both human and
non - human species?
Thank you Freeman Trebilcock and the other
students opposed to these murderous acts.It
is young people like you who give us hope
for the future…”
L Bristow (VIC) 20.7.05
Please be a compassionate role model and
spare Charlotte’s life…”
N Houghton (VIC) 22.7.05
“…Dear Principal and Staff
I am very saddened and disappointed about
the story of the animals that are destined for
slaughter, after raising them and gaining
their trust and allowing the students to get to
know them as individual animals. How sad
that the school should be so conservative and
narrow in its thinking. Why not think of
alternatives? There are more humane ways
ofresurrecting historic recipes and
demonstrating cultural foods. What values
does this teach the students? That a life can
be cruelly extinguished to satisfy their
culinary tastes? Let them explore ways to
promote the animals as living creatures, and
let them think laterally to find new ways of
creating profits. If this is not possible,keep
them as mascots, or school sponsored
animals. We live in a planet of finite
resources, so let them explore recipes that use
grains, legumes, nuts, vegetables and herbs,
thus saving the planet’s water and natural
resources. What about the food chain? If
humans go down lower on the food triangle,
more of our growing population can be fed.
Please, reconsider and think of
alternatives…”
V Ortega (VIC) 16.7.05
“…Dear Madam,
I read in The Age of July 13 that your school
plans to slaughter and subsequently eat a pig
and a cow that your students havenurtured.
I wish to protest this action. I believe that
other individuals have offered to care for the
animals, an offer which you appear to have
refused.
Surely part of every individual’s education is
the encouragement of a sense of compassion
for sentient beings. I believe that a number of
5
your students have cared for the animals in
yourcollege and will be distressed to see
them slaughtered. If you proceed with that
action the students will no doubt be
adversely affected psychologically and will
associate the school with cruelty rather than
compassion…”
R Drew (CANB) 16.7.05
(BA Hons Communication, MA
Communication (Canb))
Please, consider what has happened to your
students over the course of this program.
Notice the growth, as moral human beings,
and recognise the maturity they have taken
on. It would be unfair, and completely
inflexible, if you were to now go against their
wishes, only because the program said so…”
M Smith 22.7.05
It is hard to live up to high expectations all
the time -- never to swear, never to have bad
manners, and to always be “en garde.”
This is a situation that should never have
arisen in an enlightened environment such as
a school.
Pigs and cows are extremely intelligent,
gentle and sensitive creatures and they will
bond closely with their carers. It does not
surprise me that there are students, Freeman
Trebilcock, school vice captain, and others,
who have got together to organize the “Save
our pig and cow petition”.
I find it quite debasing to learn that children
are involved in such a project. To carry out
the slaughter of two innocent creatures that
know not what is in store for them, just to
win a competition, appears to me abhorrent
and shameful.
I understand that approaches have been
made to the school with respect to rehousing
the animals in a caring environment. I ask
that you please give up these animals to go
to a good home. They should not be
sacrificed for such a trifling and ignoble
cause...”
M Davies (VIC) 18.7.05
“…I am writing to you about the much
publicised issue of Charlotte and the cow
being slaughtered as part of your cooking
program. I can see the ‘education aspect’ of
your program, however, through the course
of caring for these animals, I can similarly see
that these students have grown to love the
animals. It would be careless of you to
ignore this very fact. These students have
matured and understood that it is not right
to slaughter animals just because humans
like the taste of them.
6
If you feel they need to know about the
reality of produce, especially meat,arrange
an excursion to an abattoir or chicken
processing plant. That would be a much
more courageousand confronting thing to
do. The reality of it would bea definite and
invaluablelearning experience.
Society looks to people like you to make a
stance, to set an example of the highest
order.I understand this dilemma. We are all
flawed, even teachers.
“…I have recently been sent details of the
intended slaughter of a pig (Charlotte) and a
young steer that the students have been
raising as part of a competition called
“Young Gourmet”. I am very saddened
disturbed and concerned about what I have
read and I am writing to ask that steps be
taken to prevent this from being carried out.
To kill these animals is a cruel, heartless and
uncaring act and I am somewhat surprised to
learn that a project of this nature is a part of
the school curriculum. As I have
understood, environmental and animal
caring projects have been part of school
curricula for some time now and school
children are instructed in more sensitive
perspectives towards the environment and
animals than they ever had in the past.
do this is confronting and unnecessary,in
order to further this learning.
Respect for the animals translates to respect
for oneself…”
L Weiner (VIC) 22.7.05
After receiving the standard email reply from
the school…
“…Obviously the arguments for humane
care and concern are irrelevant in your quest
for authenticity.
It isspecious to say that the project is
endorsed bythe majority of the community...
so what!
Published Herald Sun 27 July 2005 (above)
“…As an educated and responsible
individual in power you have the authority
with one word to abandon this abhorrent act
of killing these animals for the sake of
“culture.”
Using it as an excuse for an exercise in
learningis a facile and fatuous rationale.
That means in order to understand the
concept ofcruelty one must engage in the
torture of ananimal (or person) for the sake
of an experiment.
That is the only way to learn!?
As for thesake of a “local foodicon” based
on the good old days and its production,
there are other means by which to educate
vulnerable and sensitive children. Haven’t
we moved on from those days? Is not the art
of smocking, where a practical revival of it,
might still be useful and interesting.
OK, these young adults may have a
knowingawareness about them, but they are
still young. They are aware of the ways of the
world and some may lack experience, but to
Have you surveyed every singleperson in
the school community or just the vocal
powerful ones who supposedly “represent” a
group each?
If studying the topic of Euthanasia, are you
going to escort the children towatch
someone being euthanized?
For real authenticity are you going to get one
of the children to kill the animal and
everyone elsewill watch, including
allstaff?If not, why not? That is called hands
on, inclusive learning.
These are learning experiences which do not
need actuality. Your decision is based on a
flawed aspect of learning and growing.
Insteadof a pat political decision to save face
by endorsing the exercise -make a brave
moral and beneficial choice by eliminating
the abhorrent act of violence against a
sentient creature.
Perhaps this may also set a goodexample to
others, especially to young adults about how
to make conscientious decisions.
Do we need a gram more of this, alreadyin a
world of gross barbarity?...”
L Weiner (VIC) 23.7.05
ALV Writers Group Newsletter #9
“…Please, I can’t believe you are still seeking
a permit to execute these “pets” (which is
what they have become to your students).
Do you think this is the right thing to do or
are you merely digging in your heels in
defiance? If you feel that your students need
exposure to the realities of animal slaughter,
Animal Liberation have some excellent, real
life film of these procedures which I am sure
they would be very willing to come along
and show the school at your request. Having
said that, you may find television cameras
appear to document the slaughter at your
school…”
G Leven (VIC) 21.7.05
To Lynne Kosky
Minister for Education & Training
“…I am sure you are aware of the decision
of the Daylesford Secondary College to allow
the slaughter of a pig (Charlotte) and a cow
as part of a gourmet competition. The media
coverage (newspapers and television)
brought much attention to the plight of the
students who were encouraged to nurture
these creatures before their slaughter. I could
write much on how this saddens me, but will
simply say, please think very carefully before
such an idea would ever receive your
blessing in the future. Our schools are in
desperate need of a curriculum which
encompasses compassion, care, the nurturing
of all beings and environmental and global
responsibility. You may want to take the
time to sit quietly for a few moments and
imagine an animal in your care - lovingly
feeding, stroking and bonding with that
animal then having it taken to slaughter. I
would suggest that if 100 or so students were
against this idea, it would be called off
immediately. Should my child be part of
such practice, she would be removed from
this school immediately…”
G Leven (VIC) 25.7.05
Posted on PETA’s website at
www.ingridnewkirk.com
July 26, 2005
Meet the Kind of Kids This World Sorely
Needs
School vice captain Freeman Trebilcock led a
campaign to save a young steer and
Charlotte, a young pig, who were both handraised by students at Daylesford Secondary
College in Australia. One hundred students
signed Freeman’s petition and won the
animals a stay of execution. However, the
two friendly animals were lured onto a local
farmer’s truck with hay and transported to a
commercial slaughterhouse and killed this
week, even though the school knew that this
issue was causing trauma and distress to
many students and the wider community. A
school representative apparently watched as
the two animals met their bloody deaths.
ALV Writers Group Newsletter #9
If you would like to call on Lynne Kosky, the
Australian minister for education and
training, to change education policy to
ensure that no students will ever again have
to suffer what Freeman and his friends did,
you can e-mail her at
[email protected]. Australian
schools need humane educators to encourage
students to think critically about the plight of
animals in the world today and to encourage
compassion. As Patty Mark of Animal
Liberation Victoria said, “Our world is filled
with terrorism and our schools are filled with
bullying, making it more important than ever
to focus on compassion rather than killing.
The students, in this case, are the true
teachers.” Ingrid Newkirk (PETA)
Cat Film
The Melbourne International Film Festival
(MIFF) are showing a film for one night only
“Casuistry –The Art of Killng a Cat” about a
group of drug affected young men who
torture and then finally decapitate a cat –
MIFF’s Mary Delahuntly defends the film by
saying it present a “balanced view” about
whether this is art or not. Animal rights
groups say this subject wouldn’t even be
open for discussion had the film been about
“The Art of Killing a Child.” They also say it
gives a platform to cat killers and inspires
copy-cat acts..
To the Herald Sun
(Published as lead letter 20 July 2005)
“…Civilization is measured by the way it
treats its most helplesscreatures - children
and animals.
I am overwhelmingly sad not only that a
group ofCanadian psychopaths could make
a film of such cruelty to a cat but that my
own countrymen could allow it into
Australia and laud it as ‘art’.
And what kind of sick, sick people could sit
and watch this disgusting stuff?
As for our Ken Doll premier’s weak and
bloodless response - and the predictable
rubbish fromMary Delahunty- have they no
compassion at all?
H.Kennedy, (VIC) 19.7.05
“The Herald Sun ran (my letter) as lead letter
but censored me again - took out the word
psychopaths and also a description of Bracks as a
Ken doll..”
To the Directors of MIFF:
I have read articles regarding the above
named film, which I believe is to be screened
during the Melbourne Film Festival. I ask
that the Directors and other persons involved
in the selection of films for screening, to
reconsider screening this one. I am well read
in the area of cruelty to animals and nothing
much surprises me but with this, the film
society seems to have reached new standards
in stupidity and degradation. We are here
dealing with disturbed and psychopathically
deranged individuals who have found an
outlet to their frustrations in sadistic killing
of a defenceless animal, in this instance a
“stray” cat. They should be sent to prison.
It serves no good purpose to screen this film;
it certainly will not shed any light on the
nature of the psychological disturbance.
That should be left to another kind of film.
In all likelihood it could stir “copy-cat”
killers to carry out similar deeds on other
cats. Indeed this has happened in this
country recently where there have been a
number of episodes involving cruelty to cats
which have led to convictions and other
penalties on the persons involved in the acts.
Please do not screen this terrible film…”
M Davies (VIC) 25.7.05
“…I am ashamed and appalled regarding the
so-called “art” film re: killing the cat!! Would
you really support this rubbish? Animal
activists are constantly trying to make the
public aware of issues relating to cruelty and
animal welfare, andour governmentis
spending public money on animal welfare
organisations such as the RSPCA and animal
shelters, while at the same time financially
supporting such a film.This type of film,
even though not explicit,can potentially give
people with twisted, sick minds ideas that
torturing and killing an animal can be “art”.
How irresponsible can we get? Are we so
culturally bereft of ideas, so depraved, so evil
in intent, that this subject could possible be
labelled as entertaining or art?
Please, get real and responsible. This is NOT
art, or entertainment. Just animal cruelty on
7
film…”
V Ortega (VIC) 24.7.05
I am staggered that Premier Steve Bracks has
given his OK to the showing of the film
“Casuistry: The Art of Killing a Cat” on
Sunday July 24, and that it is part of the
MIFF.
Decent people around the world condemn
this documentary - saying it gives a platform
to cat killers, despite MIFF’s defence that it
provides insight into human behaviour.
Someone else asks would a film called “how
to abuse a child” be screened to provide the
same insights?
It is inexplicable that the Federal
Government and the Melbourne City
Council have refused to get the screening
cancelled.
Whilst this documentary doesn’t show the
rampage of the three men hanging the cat,
slitting its throat, kicking, beating, and
disemboweling the animal before skinning it
and cutting off its head, that is what these
men did. RSPCA president Dr Hugh Wirth
said any depiction of animal cruelty
encouraged others to commit similar crimes.
“It doesn’t matter whether you show the
cruelty or just describe it, it is the same
thing,” he said.
I place on record my disgust at the MIFF, and
Premier Bracks.
There is still time to take it off…”
E Spencer (NSW) 22.7.05
Published Herald Sun 25 July 2005 (above)
To Premier Bracks
“…I am ashamed and appalled regarding the
so-called “art” film re: killing the cat!! Would
you really support this rubbish? Animal
activists are constantly trying to make the
public aware of issues relating to cruelty and
animal welfare, andyour governmentis
spending public money on animal welfare
organisations such as the RSPCA and animal
shelters, while at the same time financially
supporting such a film.This type of film,
even though not explicit,can potentially give
people with twisted, sick minds ideas that
torturing and killing an animal can be “art”.
How irresponsible can we get?? Are we so
culturally bereft of ideas, so depraved, so evil
in intent that this subject could possible be
labelled as entertaining or art? What
message are our censorship rules (or lack of
them) sending to the public?...”
V Ortega (VIC) 24.7.05
Native animals for sale in Springvale
pet shop
To DSE
”…It has been brought to my attention that
there are native animals for sale in a pet shop
in Springvale South (The Australian Bird
Company, 578 Springvale Road). They have
reportedly started buying and selling native
animals, such as reptiles, amphibians and
Australian native mammals and birds! How
does this work that they can trade in these
animals? Surely they are not suitable as pets,
in suburban gardens! These animals are in
cages, and it is so inappropriate for a native
species. Please could somebody from your
department visit this shop and make sure the
animals go back to the bush where they
belong, and find out where the source is,so
that this can’t happen again…”
V Ortega (VIC) 28.7.05
“…I am writing to register my
condemnationat the blatant disregard The
Australian Bird Company @ 578 Springvale
Rd, Springvale South, Vic,is showing toward
the welfare of our native wildlife &
domesticated animals.
“…What are you doing screening this film
for? Yes, I can see that you are trying to
promote debate and also, perhaps,
controversy, but this display of the more
disgusting side of human behaviour is NOT
art. In another guise, another species, this
would not even be considered. For what
reason have you let it slip through onto your
screening list? Have you weighed up the
true benefits at all? Are there any?
Furthermore, this so called business has over
500 animalsin cramped conditions and is not
able to adequately care for them.
I think not…”
M Smith 22.7.05
Animals in enclosures without room to
move, withouta constant supply of fresh
8
To have reptiles, frogs, wallabies,
kookaburras, dogs & cats, housed in cages,
for sale is exploitation. It is
totallyunacceptable, and must be stopped
immediately.
water or access to natural / sunlight is
inhumane, cruel & abusive treatment of life.
An investigation must be carried out by DSE
to ensure thatthe welfare of the animalsbe
maintained at the highest level especiallyif
theyare removed from public display…”
L Bristow (VIC) 21.7.05
To Pet Industry Association of Australia
“…Eyewitness accounts documenting the
cruel and inhumane treatment of native
wildlife andcompanion animals, caged at
The Australian Bird Company, 578
Springvale Rd, Springvale South, Vic,
highlight the continued disdain shown
towards non-human species by individuals
willing to profit from their vulnerability.
The owner of the above company, Andrew
Young, a PIAA board member, is one such
person. His “specialist skills” focusing on
animal welfare, customer satisfaction & best
practice leave a lot to be desired.
Following numerous complaints to both the
RSPCA & the council of Greater Dandenong
his unethical behaviour continues and
includes:
* Having over 500 animals in cramped
conditions
* Staff too busy to adequately care for them
* Puppies without access to fresh water
* Kookaburra’s and wallabies caged
* No natural light/sunlight reaching the
animals
* Repeated complaints from the public
What will it take to put an end to such
barbaric, torturous and unnecessary
practices?...”
L Bristow (VIC) 21.7.05
To the RSPCA
“…I am writing to urge the RSPCA to
investigate and act on the inhumane
treatment perpetrated against both native
wildlife & domesticated / companion
animals caged at The Australian Bird
Company, 578 Springvale Rd, Springvale
South.
It is inconceivable that such exploitation can
be condoned by any animal welfare
organisation.
If there are no regulations to prohibit
substandard and inappropriate treatmentof
animals then the RSPCA must call for
immediate change and put a stop to this
depraved behaviour…”
L Bristow (VIC) 21.7.05
ALV Writers Group Newsletter #9
More letters of support for Patty’s Court hearing
re: unpaid fines from trespassing to rescue
abused battery hens
Their publication ‘Kangaroos Myths and
Realities is due to be launched 10 October
and it needs to be promoted on the website.
To The Herald Sun.
I urge your Government to join Australia and
If you are committed to our native animals
those other nations of the world that are
and want to help in this way, (even if just to
help until a more permanent replacement can committed to the protection of whales.
be found) please contact:
Signed
Maryland Wilson President,
Name/Address
Australian Wildlife Protection Council
“…I was deeply moved by the
articleregarding the Patty Mark court case
on Tuesday. I hope you can publish my
thoughts below:
Let’s face it, life is hectic. Very few of us
have chickens happily wandering round the
yard anymore; or have the time to watch
Australia’s marvellous water birds. For
some the most regular contact we get with an
animal is what is served up for dinner. And
so, being detached from these creatures, it is
often easier to turn a blind eye to the horrific
abuse and suffering they endure in order to
make our own lives that little bit simpler.
But the truth is, when laws continually fail to
protect animals, people should not turn their
heads but act on a moral obligation to aid the
defenceless. Patty Mark has done this; she is
a representative of what we all want deep
down inside, justice. Yet, she is being
punished for it. Rather than punishing those
trying to do what they can to save these
defenseless creatures, efforts should be made
to find out why such an abuse has occurred
in the first place and to prevent it happening
again!..”
E Bridgens (VIC) 16.7.05
247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000 Victoria
tel: 03 5978 8570 fax: 03 5978 8302
[email protected]
www.awpc.org.au
Year of the Kangaroo 2005 ...and beyond
Whaling Letter
This is a copy of a letter from the Internet
sent in by one of our writers, Vivienne. She
just added a sentence so others are welcome
to copy and paste it.
Thanks Vivienne!
Mr Hideaki Ueda
Japanese Ambassador to Australia
Embassy of Japan
112 Empire Circuit
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Your Excellency,
“…If there were more people like Patty Mark
who were willing to put their freedom on the
line in order to help the suffering of nonhuman animals, the world would be a better
place for us all.
Good on you Patty Mark and shame onour
complacency which allows these atrocities
towardsthe non-human species to
continue…”
L Bristow (VIC) 16.7.05
I most strongly protest against Japan’s
slaughter of minke whales and the planned
annual kill of (any) humpback whales.
The ruse of whaling for “scientific purposes”
and suborning developing nations to gain
support for Japan at the International
Whaling Commission dishonour your nation
and are ploys unworthy of an ancient and
honourable people.
There is a high level of public awareness of
humpback whales in Australia and hundreds
of thousands of Australians and overseas
Situation Vacant: Australian Wildlife Protection
visitors delight in whale-watching along the
Council
Australian coastline. Whale watching and
Is there anyone who can help or take over the eco-tourism has brought our attention to
these delightful creatures, and many tourists
AWPC website? It was run by Deb Barnden
enjoy their antics and find these massive,
in WA for 5 or 6 years but with another
intelligent creatures fascinating and
grandchild expected soon, she is unable to
entertaining. They have brought us millions
continue. She uses Dreamweaver and can
of tourist dollars, and with it a sense that
send a disc. Their situation is dire as it has
they are part of our precious environment.
not been updated since January 2005 and
many important issues have happened since
Should Japan begin to take humpback
then.
whales, it will inevitably alienate the
They are committed to protecting not just the goodwill of the Australian people and
prejudice the way that Japan is viewed by
kangaroo but all of our wild fauna that
people all around the world.
comes under threat from loss of habitat,
commercial farming, drought etc. Here you’ll
find articles on dingoes, green turtles, and
emus and crocodile farming.
ALV Writers Group Newsletter #9
humanely! No whales should be considered
as victims of “scientific research” as an
industry.
Last Word
Industry Codes of practice for Animal
Welfare: pigs, chickens,rabbits....
http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/22/sid/11.htm
Dogs needing homes
Socks isa 5 year old male
Maltese X whose elderly
carer can no longer care
for him.
He loves attention andis
used to having someone
at home most of the time.
Please contact Debbie at
Bendigo Animal
Shelteron0417 382 741 or
email on
[email protected]
you think you can offer
him a permanent home,
or know someone who
might. Yes, he is in
Bendigo, but helooks
worth the trip!
Pablo is a very cute one year old male Kelpie (desexed, microchipped, fully vaccinated and well
behaved) whose carer has moved and needs a
loving, permanent home
A large back yard and daily walks would be
required.
If you can help please contact Erin on
[email protected] on0432 628 951 or
9386 0507 (Melbourne based)
I personally will not ever be buying any
Japanese product ever again if any more
whales are killed by Japanese whaling ships.
Their size means that they cannot be killed
9