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The number of news found: 23.

02/29/2004 SCIENTISTS ADMIT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS ANIMAL EXPERIMENTS DELAYED MEDICAL PROGRESS AND NON-ANIMAL RESEARCH MAY HOLD THE KEY TO A CURE!

A report published in New Scientist (February 26, 2004) states scientists studying human brain tissue may have advanced Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research along a different path from misleading earlier animal studies on which all subsequent research has been based. The researchers at the University of Sydney studied brain tissue from 300 MS patients and concluded that MS may be due to the death of brain cells that produce the myelin sheath surrounding nerve cells, and not attacks from the patient's immune system as previously indicated by misleading animal studies. The New Scientist report backs what animal campaigners such as the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) have been saying for many years, stating, "Their findings back the view that the reason for the lack of progress in this field is that most MS research is done on mice with a disease that is actually quite different." For many years, MS has been thought to be due to the patient's own immune system attacking the myelin sheath surrounding nerve cells. This assumption was largely based on perceived similarities between MS and an artificially induced condition in laboratory animals called Experimental Allergic Encephalitis (EAE). In November 2002, three neurology experts from Glasgow University and the Leiden University Medical Centre published claims that the traditional animal model of (MS) was so inappropriate that it had actually delayed progress in MS research. Nicky Gordon, the BUAV's Scientific Officer, says: "These new findings based on modern, human research could be the major breakthrough that MS sufferers and their families have been waiting for and could lead to new treatments for the disease. We believe it is clear that decades of cruel animal experiments into MS, particularly the use of EAE mice, have substantially delayed progress in research into the disease. The use of animals as crude 'models' for human disease is scientifically flawed, and there are so many other areas where advances in treatments for human disease would benefit too if outdated animal experiments were consigned to the history books." Differences between EAE and MS * EAE runs an entirely different time course to MS and either kills or permanently disables animals, whereas MS attacks generally subside and reoccur. * Animals with EAE also suffer severe nerve inflammation, but in MS inflammation is usually mild, if present at all. * EAE also does not show clinical symptoms akin to MS, or progression like the human disease.* Despite extensive research and a vast research literature (where more animals have been given EAE than there have been cases of human MS) the cause of the clinical condition remains unknown. There is, to date, no effective treatment.

02/28/2004 FARRA DO BOI - RITUAL SAVAGERY OR POPULAR CULTURE?

One of the most savage rituals of cruelty toward animals is Brazil's Farra do Boi. Farra do boi, loosely translated as " Festival of the Oxen" or "Ox Fun Days," involves the torture-killing of several hundred oxen each year in more than thirty communities throughout the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. In other states of Brazil, the spectacle is denounced and has stirred violent protests. Until recently, Farra do Boi occurred primarily during Easter week and on New Year's Day in remote coastal villages. Today some communities hold weekly Farras to "celebrate" weddings, birthdays, soccer games and other special occasions. Prominent businessmen, citizens, cattle breeders, restaurateurs, and politicians often donate the oxen. Before the event, the ox is confined and starved for several days. To increase the ox frenzy, food and water are placed within sight, but out of reach. The Farra begins when the ox is driven from its pen and chased through the streets by crowds of villagers with sticks, knives, whips, stones, bamboo lances, and ropes. The attackers - men, women, and children - pursue the ox as it attempts to flee, even into the ocean.

02/27/2004 USDA REFUSED TO RELEASE MAD COW RECORDS!

Washington, (UPI) - The United States Department of Agriculture insisted the U.S. beef supply is safe Tuesday after announcing the first documented case of mad cow disease in the United States, but for six months the agency repeatedly refused to release its tests for mad cow to United Press International. The USDA claims to have tested approximately 20,000 cows for the disease in 2002 and 2003, but has been unable to provide any documentation in support of this to UPI, which first requested the information in July.In addition, former USDA veterinarians tell UPI they have long suspected the disease was in U.S herds and there are probably additional infected animals.

02/25/2004 SECRET LAB NOTES REVEAL DOG CRUELTY!

Beagles have been gassed until they passed out in secret tests to monitor the effects of a chemical which was banned more than 15 years ago. Confidential documents reveal how the bodies of dogs would convulse violently during recent experiments at the controversial Huntingdon Life Sciences laboratory. The news has reignited the debate over the use of animals in experiments. Campaigners vowed last night to escalate their attempts to close down the Cambridgeshire site while scientists defended the experiments as essential. Scientists used the dogs to test the effects of HCFC chemicals which, because of their ozone-depleting properties, Ministers agreed to begin phasing out under the Montreal Protocol in 1987. They have been banned in foams and solvents but still exist in old equipment. Detailed papers leaked to The Observer record how the bodies of beagles would shake and sway as the creatures displayed various symptoms of agitation until they finally lost consciousness. The effects increased markedly the greater the dose of the chemical, a refrigerant once widely used in aerosols and fire extinguishers. Protesters claim the tests - to measure the effect of hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) on the heart - were futile because the substance is being taken out of use. However, scientists at the laboratory said the experiments were crucial to understanding the effects of the chemical on people.

02/24/2004 MEL C PLEA TO END HORRIFIC CRUELTY!

Pop star Melanie C has spoken out against "Waterloo Cup," Britain's biggest hare coursing event. The event, where greyhounds are deliberately set upon wild hares in the name of "sport," is held every year near Melanie's home city of Liverpool - ironically set to become European City of Culture in 2008. Melanie says: "The Waterloo Cup is an horrific 'sporting' event where harmless creatures are cruelly used by man for a sick form of entertainment. I don't understand why human beings cannot enjoy a sport that tests their own physical abilities rather than inflicting pain on animals and having the nerve to call it 'sport.' You can't blame the poor dogs that are encouraged to hunt and kill. The dog owners are to blame, along with anyone else who participates in any of these cruel sports."

02/23/2004 ADOPTIVE HOMES NEEDED FOR 25 COWS AND CALVES!

Farm Sanctuary received an urgent call to help find adoptive homes for 25 cows and calves seized by the [Pennsylvania] Butler County Humane Society. A written statement describes the scene: "Upon visual inspection, the cows were very thin, having average body condition scores of 1.5. The facilities were substandard to raise beef cows. The manure in the barn was around 3-31/2 feet deep, some of the cows had fecal scalds on their legs, and the barn was overcrowded with inadequate ventilation. Rain water was collected into a barrel; however the barrel contents were frozen... There was no feed in the bunker." Three dead calves were also found on the premises. The surviving cows are likely pregnant and some have already given birth.

02/23/2004 THAILAND REPORTS BIRD FLU IN CATS!

Scientists in Thailand have confirmed the first cases of bird flu in cats. The deadly H5N1 virus was found in at least two domestic cats and a white tiger, veterinarian Teeraphon Sirinauemit announced in Bangkok. The discovery is significant because every time the virus jumps from one species to another, it increases the risk of more cases occurring in humans. So far 22 people have died of bird flu, the most recent cases being a four-year-old Thai boy and a man in Vietnam.

02/22/2004 WILD BIRDS SHOULD NOT BE KILLED TO FIGHT BIRD FLU!

Rome, Eliminating wild birds is not an appropriate measure to control the spread of the avian influenza virus, FAO said. Killing wild birds will not help to prevent future bird flu outbreaks. Prevention needs to be based on a control and surveillance system to ensure that any contact between wild birds and poultry is avoided or at least monitored. For example, commercial poultry owners need to ensure that poultry pens and poultry drinking water supplies cannot be contaminated by migrating birds. If this cannot be done, then making the drinking water safe by appropriately treating it is necessary. Experience has shown that this has been a good strategy and that the destruction of wild birds is unnecessary, FAO said.

02/22/2004 GREAT APE PROJECT RESCUES BOLIVIAN ZOO CHIMPANZEES, RELOCATES PAIR TO GAP-BRAZIL SANCTUARY!

Two female chimpanzees that had been ill-treated at a zoo in Bolivia and faced euthanasia after one bit a veterinarian were transferred to the Great Ape Project sanctuary in Brazil, concluding a six-month rescue effort that was temporarily stalled by political unrest in the Bolivian capital. Quenne and Francis, each of whom is approximately 30 years old, were the only chimpanzees at the Mallasa Zoo in La Paz, Bolivia. They arrived seven years ago - along with two other chimpanzees, who subsequently died - after spells at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Park in Colorado and in a biomedical research laboratory, but were under-fed and poorly treated at the cash-strapped Bolivian zoo.

02/20/2004 BABY SEA TURTLES IN DANGER!

President Bush has just approved extensive gas drilling in the main U.S. nesting beach for the most endangered sea turtle in the world, with only about 3,000 to 5,000 adults remaining. The National Park Service just approved the drilling without formally consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as required by the Endangered Species Act. The drilling trucks could crush nests or pack down the sand so that hatchlings are unable to emerge from nests. Even the vibrations from rumbling trucks can increase the likelihood of embryonic damage or mortality, according to the species' official "Sea Turtle Recovery Plan." The park offers the longest undeveloped barrier beach in the world. Park Service approval for a third drilling permit is likely soon, despite the use of the island by the Kemp's ridley sea turtle every spring for nesting.

02/20/2004 ITALY - NEW FORM OF MAD COW DISEASE!

A new form of mad cow disease has been found in Italy, and scientists believe that it may be the cause of some cases of human brain-wasting disease. While the strain has been found in only two Italian cows, both apparently healthy, scientists in Europe and the United States said it should provide new impetus in Washington for the Department of Agriculture to adopt the more sensitive rapid tests used in Europe because it may not show up in those used in the United States. Along with the Italian study, there have been recent reports of unusual types of mad cow disease in France and Japan, and scientists say the discovery of new forms suggests that many cases of "sporadic" human disease - by far the most common kind, responsible for about 300 deaths a year in the United States - are not spontaneous at all, but come from eating animals.

02/19/2004 SHOCK SURVEY SHOWS 28% OF UK SUPERMARKET CHICKENS DISPLAY BURNS THROUGH!

Survey and undercover investigation featured in BBC1's Food Police Program Weds February 18 at 20:00 reveal filthy conditions for UK chickens, in the midst of avian flu epidemic in Far East. Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) has conducted a survey of the incidence of hock burns on birds on sale in major UK supermarkets. Over 20,000 chickens were surveyed in 14 supermarket chains, revealing that an average of 28% of whole, factory farmed chickens displayed hock burns. Certain supermarkets such as Aldi (33.5%) and Lidl (35.9%) showed even higher incidences of hock burn. Hock burns are the result of birds having to live in filthy conditions, in their own urine and faeces, which accumulate in the sheds in which they are kept. The litter on the floor is not cleaned out during their short, six-week lifespan. Due to overcrowding and lameness many chickens will spend prolonged parts of their lives squatting on the urine-soaked floor. The build up of ammonia from the urine causes hock burns, breast blisters and ulcerated feet, which often become infected. Hock burns are easily visible on affected birds and usually appear as brown marks on the birds' legs around the "knee" joint. Kerry Burgess, CIWF's Campaigns Director said, "The squalid conditions in which the birds featured in our investigation are kept, are conducive to the spread of disease. In the light of the recent avian flu epidemic in the Far East, and horror stories about the way the animals there are treated, consumers may not be aware that the living conditions in which the majority of chickens are kept in the UK are equally horrific, terribly unhygienic and cause immense suffering to the birds. Even the level of hock burns found in the best supermarket, Kwik Save (15.7%) is completely unacceptable. It's high time Britain's chicken producers took urgent action to remedy this appalling situation."

02/17/2004 BIRD FLU VIRUS STILL NOT UNDER CONTROL!

The spread of the avian influenza virus in several Asian countries is still not under control, according to FAO. Cambodia, China, Indonesia and Laos continue to report new outbreaks in poultry, FAO said on February 13. Thailand has reported no new outbreaks. FAO called upon countries to remain vigilant as further outbreaks continue to occur. To date, around 80 million chickens have been culled to battle the disease, excluding China (Indonesia 15 million, Thailand 30 million, Viet Nam 30 million, Pakistan 4).

02/17/2004 BIRD FLU FOUND AT 4 N.J. CHICKEN MARKETS!

Trenton, N.J. - A strain of bird flu has been found at four live chicken markets in northern New Jersey, just days after outbreaks at two farms in Delaware led to the destruction of thousands of birds. New Jersey health officials stressed that the findings are not unusual for the state's live poultry markets and said the strain is not known to be harmful to humans. Nancy Halpern, the state veterinarian, said the markets likely got the virus from one of the many farms and distributors who supply them. New Jersey has about 35 live chicken markets across the state.

02/15/2004 WORLD'S FIRST ON-LINE VEGAN CHILDREN'S STORE!

Envegan, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of the world's first online vegan children's store at www.kidbean.com on February 1, 2004. Providing a wide array of items suited for children and their parents, KidBean.com stands alone as the only Internet outlet whose full selection of children's products are limited to those that meet the highest standards of being cruelty-free, fair labor, non-toxic, and all-natural. Many of the products featured on KidBean.com are independently certified as vegan and/or organic. Despite this, the owners of KidBean.com took the added step of having several manufacturers sign a supplementary agreement that the items supplied are free of all animal products and by-products. In addition, the KidBean.com certification commits each of these suppliers to advance notification if any of the listed ingredients and/or manufacturing processes change.

02/11/2004 SAFEWAY TOILETRIES GO CRUELTY-FREE WITH THE BUAV!

The BUAV is delighted to announce that Safeway Stores' entire range of own-label cosmetics and toiletries has been officially approved as "not tested on animals" under the rigorous international cruelty-free scheme, the Humane Cosmetics Standard, run in the UK by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV). Safeway is now the third high-street supermarket to achieve approval under what constitutes the strictest 'no animal testing' criteria in the world. To achieve approval Safeway had to demonstrate that it does not conduct or commission animal testing, and that for all ingredients it imposes a strict fixed cut-off date after which no animal testing must have taken place. Safeway also had to implement a supplier monitoring system to ensure that all its suppliers complied with the criteria, and has passed an independent audit to prove that it is Humane Cosmetics Standard compliant.

02/09/2004 FLU FEARS FORCE KILLING OF DELAWARE BIRDS!

Philadelphia (Reuters) - A flock of 12,000 chickens in Delaware was destroyed on Saturday in a bid to prevent the spread of avian flu, and state agriculture officials hastened to say the virus differs from the one that has killed people in Asia. The chickens were slaughtered on a farm in southern Kent County, Delaware, at 11:30 A.M. (1630 GMT) after two birds tested positive for the virulent H7 virus on Friday, Delaware agriculture secretary Michael Scuse said. The virus is different from the H5N1 virus in Asia, Scuse said. That strain has forced the slaughter of millions of birds there and killed 18 people in Thailand and Vietnam who had come into direct contact with them. "The virus that is in Asia is a mutation of H5," Scuse said. He said the H7 strain found in Delaware is fatal to poultry but does not transmit to humans.

02/07/2004 CONTINUED ANIMAL ABUSE IN GREECE!

On Wednesday, January 21, 2004 GREEK TV viewers were horrified upon seeing the morning program of ERT 3 (The Other Day) which featured the GOD awful "Animal Shelter of Northern Greece", at Peraia, Thessaloniki. At this "exclusive" shelter for abandoned and abused animals, amidst animal feces and carcasses, one saw emaciated dogs, most with appalling skin diseases, and maggot crawling in open wounds. Viewers saw the poor dogs fighting over a stale, filthy loaf of bread, while little paraplegic and blind souls desperate and terrified, dragged themselves in front of frightened puppies and dogs suffering in the last stages of Leishmaniasis, a horrifying disease, causing intolerable suffering. For the thousandth time, TV viewers were witnessing the blatant violation of all animal protection laws by "shelters" and the indifference of the Greek state. True to form, despite this documented evidence of an Animal Auschwitz, the Greek government remains indifferent and mired down in inertia and perhaps plain, old, unadulterated inhumanity. A guest featured on the morning program was Mr. Patikas, Director of the Veterinary Directorate of Thessaloniki, who constantly referred to the "notorious" new law, gazetted in July 2003 under No. 3170 entitled "Companion Animals, stray companion animals and other provisions," without even once whispering the words "companion animals and sentient beings," and also withholding the very pertinent fact that he represents the responsible body for the implementation of the new law! The same Mr. Patikas, in October 2003, after receipt of official complaints was forced to inspect the above mentioned shelter and concluded that everything was perfectly in order! Furthermore, throughout the duration of the program, Mr Patikas failed to explain how, after only two and a half months, the disgusting situation which the camera was revealing shot-by-shot, had developed. Naturally, he did not see fit to propose immediate intervention by the authorities to relieve the animals' suffering, although the health and welfare of animals is his responsibility. Needless to say, he did not inform viewers where the dead animals were buried! It would seem that in Greece, laws are voted in parliament to justify the existence and salaries of the 300 MP's; thus law 3170 was passed - full of promise - but without the slightest infrastructure for its implementation. Yet another law to seduce and mislead and destined for the rat eaten files of the House of Parliament, as is the travesty of a law, whose provision defines that the state reply within 15 days to a citizen's written request. Otherwise a certain concerned party would have received a reply to her letter of September 4, 2003 in which she complained about the reprehensibleg conditions in the above shelter. "Concerned party" addressed her letter of complaint to Prime Minister Simitis, Agriculture Minister, Drys, New Democracy Party Chairman Karamanlis, Agriculture Deputy Minister Hadjimichalis, Prefect of Thessaloniki MPsomiades, and Director of Vet Directorate Thessaloniki Patikas, Mayor of Peraia Mantzari, Mayor of Corfu . Mastoras, Director of Vet Directorate Corfu and the Prefect of Corfu Machmari. A call a "spade a spade" Greek animal rights organization, run by a phenominal Greek, raised abroad, is waiting to see whether the famous Greek "filotimo" (reciprocal duty to honour) exists... Because if it does, then every member of the Pan Hellenic Veterinary Association should undertake without charge, blood testing, treatment and neutering of the animals at the "Shelter for Strays Northern Greece," and this is the minimum they should undertake in view of the promises made at their meeting in 2000. As for the Veterinary School of the University of Thessaloniki, it should always actively contribute towards relieving the plight of the stray animals. In 2004, the year of "Volunteering," the government should encourage in every possible way those distinguished veterinary surgeons of the European Union (amidst them, professors of renowned universities) who offer their services free of charge throughout the country, to neuter and treat desperately sick stray animals. On the contrary, with its indescribably idiotic bureaucracy, the government is, indirectly, ensuring that no such help shall be available to the strays, ever. God help the animals of Greece.

02/06/2004 CULLING FIELDS!

Families enjoying a Sunday stroll in the park looked on in horror as ferrets were let loose to slaughter rabbits. Ampthill Park was overrun with ferrets last Sunday in order for a mass cull of rabbits. The town council sanctioned the use of the hunting animals to catch the rabbits which have been causing havoc in the park. It rejected an original plan to shut the park for the day while the cull took place. Back in October Ampthill Town Council decided to set traps or gas for the animals. The decision was taken after complaints were lodged about the increasing numbers of rabbits and squirrels in the park.

02/06/2004 FIRST WOLVES KILLED IN ALASKA BY AERIAL GUNNERS!

Thirty wolves recently earned tragic fame by becoming the first killed in Alaska by land-and-shoot gunners under a state sponsored predator control program - the first of its kind since the late 1980s. The wolves were killed in Alaska's Nelchina Basin as part of a plan to increase moose populations for sport hunters by killing 80 percent of the wolves in an 8,000-square-mile area. The citizens of Alaska have twice voted to ban the aerial gunning of wolves, but Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski signed a bill last June overturning the most recent ban. In response to Alaska's plan, Defenders is filing a petition claiming that the state doesn't have the right under federal law to issue aerial wolf killing permits for the purpose of increasing game populations for hunters. (DOW)

02/03/2004 HUNDREDS HURT DURING SACRIFICES!

A total of 988 people have reportedly been treated across Turkey for cuts and fractures they suffered while trying to slaughter sheep and cows to mark the major Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha. Several faithful rushed to hospitals with knife cuts to their hands and faces after they took to slaughtering animals themselves rather than finding a butcher to do the job, the Anatolia news agency said. Others suffered concussion, fractured limbs, broken noses and jaws after they were kicked by panicked animals. Anatolia quoted hospital sources as saying that most of the amateur butchers were discharged after a few stitches, but some had to be operated on for severed fingers.

02/01/2004 CHINESE DOG-KILLER SENT TO LABOR CAMP!

BEIJING, HONG KONG - A Wuhan man was sentenced to 18 months in a labor camp for poisoning more than 80 pet dogs, the Chutian Metropolis Daily reported circa December 15, 2003. The man had been poisoning the dogs and selling them to local restaurants. A farmer was detained for supplying the rat poison. The significance of the Wuhan case includes acknowledgement that enough dogs are kept as companion animals that a criminal can make a business of stealing them; acknowledgement that killing pet dogs is a crime warranting punishment as severe as is typically given for poisoning pets in the U.S.; and the implication that the dog meat business is not law-abiding and respectable. Also of note is that the offender was convicted of killing the dogs, not of harming people who might have eaten their meat.

02/01/2004 RULES ISSUED ON ANIMAL FEED AND USE OF DISABLED CATTLE!

The Food and Drug Administration imposed new rules to prevent the spread of mad cow disease, including a ban on feeding cow blood and chicken wastes to cattle. The agency also banned using dead or disabled cows to make products for people like dietary supplements, cosmetics or soups and other foods with traces of meat.

The number of news found: 23.

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