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Abuse of security dogs: One Voice rebels

Abuse of security dogs: One Voice rebels

Abuse of security dogs: One Voice rebels
20.09.2017
France
Abuse of security dogs: One Voice rebels
Domestic animals

Between July and September 2017, the ordeal of three Malinois is highlighted. Found in appalling conditions, all three were exploited for guarding. One Voice has lodged a complaint to stop the abuse of these dogs whose history is all too often a result of suffering.

The appalling living conditions of the security dogs

Thanks to the alerts issued by witnesses, the fate of three dogs has been revealed to the general public: their living conditions were deplorable. The 12-year-old was found in the dark, locked in a crate barely 1.5 meters in length. He was in a state of leanness more than obvious and suffered from bedsores. It was then the turn of a of a 9-year-old Malinois to be released. Locked up for two years in a van, he was fixed to the floor with a carabiner. When it was found, the heat was unbearable. He had no water, no food … and could breathe only through a slit left at the rear doors of the vehicle. In September, another case was recorded: a dog having spent several months locked in a transport crate, in a car park. All were exploited as security dogs. One Voice filed has filed a complaint against their torturers.

To become a security dog

The exploitation of certain breeds of dogs in the example of Malinois and German shepherds is authorized for the benefit of the security sector as soon as they reach their first birthday. Muzzled and kept on a leash, the animals ensure with their partner or « police officer » the security of a site or an event and the people. The work is exhausting: they are chained up, walk for hours without being able to rest or drink. When the end of the day arrives, they do not find shelter in a cosy kennel: most are « stored » in cages like vulgar tools. Yet these dogs, who have not asked to work and who need care and great attention suffer from continuous hardships. Why inflict such abuse on them?

Violence as a method of learning

Broken, physically and psychologically, by a training that has forever changed their behaviour, some dogs, become unusable for leisure, are reduced to the rank of security dogs. Binding the animal by violence and daily torture, the training consists of exercises of obedience, jumping and of course biting. At the end of this pseudo training, the dog can, on command and mechanically cross obstacles, use his sense of smell to follow a track or bite without letting go on the order of his keeper. What he will no longer be able to do, however, is to trust a human being, whom he can attack without warning. The dog then becomes too unpredictable to live in a family and is thrown out of society…

One Voice protests and files a complaint!

With the greatest hypocrisy, the trainers of these centres offer future security guards’ courses on the general knowledge to acquire on their animal: personal hygiene, first aid and animal psychology … Was the training so bad that the three dog owners left their dogs in such deplorable conditions? This type of environment has the effect of contributing to reinforce their aggressiveness and to force them into isolation. One Voice lodges a complaint against these individuals mistreating their poor dogs. It’s time to recognize that they are sentient beings who suffer and that they experience emotions!

To ban the training of dogs and save the victims from! this abuse, please sign and share the petition!

Crédit photos : Ksenia Raykova/Shutterstock.com

Investigation: the violent training of so-called defence dogs

Investigation: the violent training of so-called defence dogs

Investigation: the violent training of so-called defence dogs
20.09.2017
France
Investigation: the violent training of so-called defence dogs
Domestic animals

A difficult investigation by One Voice into Ring training clubs reveals the torture suffered by dogs.

The investigators of One Voice have infiltrated the world of Ring training. What they witnessed is comparable to torture. This so-called leisure turns dogs into weapons. Let’s mobilize to ban it!

The Ring, what is it?

Ring training is reserved for dogs of so-called defence breeds, mainly Malinois and German shepherds. Considered as a dog sport, it consists of obedience, jumping and biting tests during which dogs must for example jump palisades, bring back objects, refuse baits and attack and bite on command in different staging’s. Dogs must obey instantly, without thinking. They must be an extension of the one who controls them, real remote-controlled objects. And to turn a dog into a robot, into a weapon, you have to break it…

A difficult survey

Between 2014 and 2017, the investigators of One Voice infiltrated the very closed world of dog training. The methods used and what they could film, revealed incredible violence.

Threats, restraint table, electric shocks, whips, strangling … Dogs have to bear everything. The credo of the trainers? For this to be effective, it must be painful. Choke collars have ground sharp tips, whips are equipped with round cable, and several electric collars can be used simultaneously … The worst is probably the table of contention, on which the dog is tied short and whipped to bark and attack … And if he tries to escape, he hangs himself! According to Dr. Nathalie Simon, a behavioural veterinarian and consultant for One Voice, these methods are like torture…

Continuous suffering

The ordeal of dogs does not stop at training. When they are no longer used, some are « tidied up or put away » like ordinary tools, locked most of the time in transport crates or car trunks, in the sun and without water. Sometimes the crates are placed in cellars. They come out of these cases only to suffer the blows. The cases are so small that they usually cannot stand up. And if they do not work well, they are deprived of food … This is the terrible existence which they have lived since they left their mother. Since then, they have not had the slightest caress. And the training is such that they have unlearned a number of natural behaviours to mechanize their aggression, they bite on command and do not let go … Finally, some become so dangerous that a family life would be impossible in their state. Moreover, for those who become uncontrollable, the outcome is often a life of guarding. They will have to walk for hours, muzzled and at the heal, without water or food, and go from hand to hand…

Dogs are not weapons!

This situation is untenable. The suffering of these dogs, as the danger they represent – the training has turned them into real weapons – cannot be tolerated!

Please sign the petition so that the training of so-called defence dogs is prohibited. Dogs are our companions. All have the right to be respected and loved.

One Voice calls for justice for Chevelu the Cat!

One Voice calls for justice for Chevelu the Cat!

One Voice calls for justice for Chevelu the Cat!
14.09.2017
Draguignan
One Voice calls for justice for Chevelu the Cat!
Domestic animals

Draguignan, on the night of May 30th 2017, Chevelu a little cat dies under the force of heavy blows. Thanks to the work of the police, the culprit a recidivist, has been found. One Voice will be a civil party at the trial, on September 15th, for the violence to be condemned as such.

The terrible death of Chevelu

The skull of Chevelu was smashed. Traces of blood were observed on the wall of the building near which we found his little dead body. His wounds testified to the violence unleashed on him. For this homeless cat, who struggled on a daily basis to survive, his existence ended from the worst of cruelty. His torturer, who tried to incriminate a gang of young people, was identified by the police, after a thorough investigation. His confessions, which join those of his companion, hint at the terrible scenario of Chevelu’s last moments. Chevelu knew him, Monsieur M. fed him sometimes … His mistake? Sitting on Mr M’s scooter and supposedly urinating on it… It was enough to cause an uncontrollable anger. And when confident, Chevelu let himself be approached, he then received the first kick. So strong that he was thrown against the wall. Two other kicks followed. Safety shoes do not forgive. Note that, according to Pierre Gallego, consultant veterinarian for One Voice, the conclusions of the autopsy report are more like this « think of an action exerting a centrifugal force on the head, probably by holding the cat by the tail or the hind limbs and projecting the head against the wall. »

Then, Mr. M. made up his story, threw off his shoes, the murder weapon, and set up a scenario with his friend so as not to be accused…

A recidivist torturer

Ms. C. confessed to being afraid of him. That would explain why she protected him … It must be said that his criminal record is heavy: he has already been convicted for starving his dog in his own apartment. Their child of barely 7 months is placed in custody. He was to visit him the next day. For One Voice, this drama is a new illustration of the link between violence against animals and humans. The blows fall on the victims, regardless of the species to which they belong. Cruelty is blind. The executioners attack the weakest which permit terror to prevail. We remember the case of the dog Léa, whose rapist was already known for acts of paedophilia…This link cannot be ignored.

Violence must be condemned

September 15th, the association will be a civil party at the trial of Mr. M. His goal? For us to obtain an exemplary punishment, which will put him this dangerous man away, having already proved that he is capable of the worst. He must not create a new victim. His partner is scared for herself, but also for her cats and her daughter. Yet today, he faces 2 years in prison, a derisory sentence in comparison to the violence committed against Chevelu. If a human had perished under his blows, it would be life imprisonment. Why the difference? To condemn violence for what it is and not according to the one on which it is exercised.

For a criminal policy to evolve and for violence to be condemned regardless of the victim, please sign and share our petition! 

Trial for the cat Chevelu: One Voice asks for an exemplary sentence

Trial for the cat Chevelu: One Voice asks for an exemplary sentence

Trial for the cat Chevelu: One Voice asks for an exemplary sentence
11.09.2017
Draguignan
Trial for the cat Chevelu: One Voice asks for an exemplary sentence
Domestic animals

On September 15th, One Voice will be a plaintiff in the trial of the tortured cat Chevelu in Draguignan, kicked to death last May. After a summer marked by an upsurge in acts of cruelty on dogs and cats, the association is calling for exemplary punishment for this man. A man whose past is marked by recurrent acts of violence and already condemned for allowing his dog to die.

 

Investigation

The story of Chevelu the cat moved many in France, sparking social network interest within a few weeks. The cat was found dead, its skull fractured, after visibly undergoing acts of extreme cruelty. Thanks to a thorough investigation by the gendarmerie, which made every effort to identify the culprit (s), including DNA analyses of the victim’s hair, which quickly implicated the defendant Mr. M in the death of the cat. His testimony, as well as that of his companion, which made it all more possible to assess the violence experienced by Chevelu.

Facts

That evening, in the centre of Draguignan, Mr. M. came down from his apartment where he lives with his partner, Mrs. C. He saw Chevelu on his scooter and that was enough to make him fly into a rage of anger. He knew Chevelu, a homeless cat, who was known by a neighbourhood association. He had fed him on a regularly basis. So, when the cat came down from the bike, the man pretended to feed him. Chevelu, confident, approached. Mr. M. then he gave the cat his first kick. He wore safety shoes, with a reinforced toe. Chevelu flew into the wall.  But that was apparently not enough for Mr. M who caught the cat again for a second kick, throwing it back against the wall. After a third kick, the cat collapsed, its head bleeding. So Mr. M. got rid of his shoes, he threw them into a rubbish bin and went to bed … With his girlfriend, they then concocted their story to make sure that a group of young people in the neighbourhood were made the suspects.

Note:
According to Dr. Peter Gallego, veterinarian and consultant for One Voice, the conclusions of the autopsy report were as follows « think of an action whereupon an exerting centrifugal force is applied to the head, probably by holding the cat by the tail or the hind legs and then swinging its head against the wall.  »

The suspect

Mr. M. was not unknown to the authorities. His criminal record is already well provided in convictions for violence, not only towards animals but also humans with the threat of a weapon. In particular, he allowed his dog to starve in his apartment. Mrs. C. will admit in her testimony to be afraid of him because « he breaks things ». Yet, or because of that, she protected him … Their child, barely 7 months old, has been placed into care.

The link between violence

This case is just another dramatic illustration of the link between violence against animals and humans. The blows fall on to the victims
regardless of the species. Many countries have already understood this, especially with regard to the fight against domestic violence, where the penalties and accompanying measures apply to the victims, spouses and abused children as domestic animals (United States, United Kingdom …).

Arielle Moreau, lawyer for One Voice, explains:

« Chevelu was a very vulnerable little being. He had no chance of escaping his executioner. He fell into a trap. After having put his trust into
this man, his torturer kicked his skull with his shoes, which he used as a weapon, before getting rid of them in an attempt to escape prosecution. If Chevelu had been a human, his murderer would have been sentenced to life. But he is a cat, and today the maximum penalty is only two years, which is ridiculous. »

Muriel Arnal, president of One Voice says:

« Getting an exemplary sentence for Chevelu goes beyond just giving him justice. Mr. M. is a repeat offender. Similar cases are numerous enough not to discount the probability that he will start again if his evil act is not condemned as he should be. And who will be his next victim? His partner is scared for herself, but also for her cats and her daughter. For One Voice, violence must be condemned for what it is. Mr. M. is a dangerous man. He must be put out of harm’s way, to protect everyone. »

Procès pour le chat Chevelu

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One Voice demands to know where are the monkeys of the Max Planck Institute

One Voice demands to know where are the monkeys of the Max Planck Institute

One Voice demands to know where are the monkeys of the Max Planck Institute
04.09.2017
Allemgne
One Voice demands to know where are the monkeys of the Max Planck Institute
Animal testing

Along with other European animal advocates, One Voice wants to put an end to the ambiguity surrounding laboratory monkeys who survive the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics (IMP) in Tübingen (Germany).

This international mobilization follows a request for access rights in July 2017 by One Voice, Ärzte-gegen-Tierversuche eV (Germany) and Cruelty Free International (United Kingdom) to the authorities of the Länder of Baden -Wuerttemberg. Indeed, as part of this request, only one laboratory, that of the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium), officially recognized that its Department of Neuroscience had
received five monkeys from the IMP. No other animal testing centre has agreed to make public the origins, current location and treatment of primates that they have received from the IMP.

In 2014, the IMP was at the centre of controversy, following the disclosure of poignant videos revealing the immense suffering of primates, forced to participate, sometimes for several years, in neuroscience research involving invasive surgery of the brain, severe water deprivation and various physical and psychological constraints (1). On these unsustainable images, eight monkeys from French farms had been identified. One is dead, but Leah, Hugo, Tom, Lisa, Max, Mila and Lucie can still be saved. One Voice has since been campaigning for their release and their safe placement in a sanctuary.

Following an international mobilization, in 2016, the IMP announced to stop their controversial experiments on primates. One Voice, Ärzte gegen-Tierversuche e.V. and Cruelty Free International, supported by Jane Goodall, had demanded that surviving monkeys be released into a sanctuary. No information on their future has, however, been made public. It is feared that the IMP has made the decision to send them to other laboratories in Europe for further experiments.

Muriel Arnal, President of One Voice, strongly urges: « It is unacceptable that the place of detention and the fate of these monkeys be kept a secret. IMP is a European laboratory, financed by public funds. While opinion in Germany and Europe has been stirred by the suffering endured by primates in this establishments, while the animal research industry claims to act with transparency, we believe that the public finally has the right to know what has happened to them. »

Lack of transparency and contested experiments

In addition to the ethical and moral issues raised by primate experimentation, the associations also challenge the scientific relevance to that of humans, such as neuroscience work because of the differences between our brain and that of monkeys.

Muriel Arnal recalls that: « A recent scientific study has found that the relevance of data collected by researchers using primate experiments in regards to humans has been overestimated (2). This study identifies several alternative methods adapted to neuroscience, more ethical and more useful for medical progress and directly applicable to humans. But they are neglected by researchers who still continue their experiments on primates, research which is rarely crucial towards a real medical breakthrough and in the mean time they continue to kill a large number of primates. »

NOTES:

1. Monkeys at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics have been subjected to highly invasive surgery by implanting electrodes and / or recording devices into their brains, deprived of water to be able to constrain them, to make them obey. Physical coercion (use of neck collars and spikes) for the transfer from the cages and into a restraining device (« chair for primates ») which holds them by the neck and the body in an uncomfortable and abnormal position. Thirsty, thus reduced to immobility, the monkeys are exposed – up to 5 hours a day, five days a week – to screen images and different stimuli while the researchers record the data of their brain. The same monkeys, held for years, are again reused in this research.

2. Bailey J & Taylor K. (2016). Nonhuman primates in neuroscience research: the facts going against its scientific necessity. ATLA 44, 43-69)

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Animal experimentation on dogs: mobilisation for beagles!

Animal experimentation on dogs: mobilisation for beagles!

Animal experimentation on dogs: mobilisation for beagles!
01.09.2017
Auxerre
Animal experimentation on dogs: mobilisation for beagles!
Animal testing

Beagles are dogs known for their placidity and dedication. One Voice reveals what these dogs are going through in the labs with a new, unprecedented report. It will be presented to the cabinet director of the Prefect of Yonne during a unitary protest against vivisection, in Auxerre this Saturday, September 2nd.

The reality of these figures is terrifying: a simple example in 2014, for the whole of the European Union, 22,967 dogs, most of them beagles, ended their life in the hands of the laboratories’ mercenaries, under more than odious conditions of torture. An animal experiment which, besides being useless is unreliable, is done with products whose toxicity has been known for a long time. In our latest report, One Voice presents the inconsistency and cruelty of these tests.

Beagles are famous for their intelligence and kindness. With their small size and reproductive capacity, they have long become the designated victims of international laboratories and their providers. Puppies and adults alike, there are millions who have already suffered the pangs of experimental or fundamental research. From the dangerousness of tobacco or alcohol, to drugs already on the market, or studies on the vascular system, they are spared no ignominy.

Our National Education and Higher Education ministries unscrupulously declare that these dogs are « the most common object of study for the development, production or testing of quality, effectiveness, efficiency and safety of medication destined for human or veterinary use; food, feed and other substances or products ». Our ministerial officials’ nerve goes so far as to claim that these dogs are sacrificed for the sake of « higher education, vocational or technical training leading to occupations that involve the performance of experimental procedures on animals … » Clearly, they are massacred to learn how to massacre and, secondarily, to heal others. Will they ever understand that the vast majority of citizens no longer want this carnage? 83% of French people clearly want to see an end to experiments on cats and dogs (IPSOS / One Voice 2016 survey).

These dogs are stuffed with various products, sliced up during surgical interventions, undergoing treatments that cause heart attack, stress, vomiting, convulsions, epilepsies, organ failure, paralysis and after certain death and in the worst cases a violent one at that. Instead of the warmth and love of a home, beagles suffer the worst.

On September 2nd, One Voice will be present at the unitary protest against vivisection organized by the CCEA in Auxerre. On this occasion, we will be received by the chief of staff for the Prefect of Yonne, where a large business breeding dogs for animal experimentation is established and where we will give him his report.

To help us stop dog and cat experiments, please sign our petition to protect them and spread our report widely!

Mobilization of One Voice against the air transport of monkeys destined for animal experimentation and the role of Air France in particular

Mobilization of One Voice against the air transport of monkeys destined for animal experimentation and the role of Air France in particular

Mobilization of One Voice against the air transport of monkeys destined for animal experimentation and the role of Air France in particular
30.08.2017
Monde
Mobilization of One Voice against the air transport of monkeys destined for animal experimentation and the role of Air France in particular
Animal testing

By an action of protest organized this August 30th, One Voice reiterates its call to Air France to put an end to the aerial transportation of monkeys intended for the laboratories. The association is launching a mobilization campaign against these transports imposed on primates, who are piled into the hold of the plane under the feet of holidaymakers on regular flights …

According to the information gathered by the association and its partners (One Voice represents in France the ECEAE, European Coalition against Animal Testing), 120 long-tailed macaques were sent by Air France from Mauritius to Chicago (United States USA), via Paris, April 26th, 2017. The monkeys, from a local breeder were piled into wooden crates, then transported on the AF 463 and AF 6730 flights: nearly 16 000 km, enduring a 30 hours flight before arriving at Charles River Laboratories. This Lavatory performs preclinical toxicology tests on animals for pharmaceutical, chemical or agrochemical products.

Air France is the last major airline in the world to accept this type of freight from Mauritius, but also from the main exporting countries of Southeast Asia. In 2016, some 8,425 monkeys were exported from Mauritius to laboratories in Europe and North America. Internationally, this trade in animal life involves tens of thousands of individuals according to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wildlife) and long-tailed monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) are the first victims.

In the name of science ?

Torn from their families and imprisoned in tiny wooden boxes, suffering in the dark, cold and noisy hold of a plane, these intelligent and sensitive animals are destined to spend the rest of their lives in metal cages and to be subjected to painful experiments. Some supply routes from the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean or Asia, involve journeys of several tens of hours, under terrible conditions for animals, handled like ordinary goods: separated from their own kind, confined in narrow cages, with no access to water or food. Experiencing uncompromising exposure to changes in temperature, humidity, light, pressure, noise and vibration during travel, and the stress of taking-off and landing.

Several times questioned by One Voice, including letters signed by the famous primatologist Jane Goodall, Air France remains in hiding behind the authorization and regulations in force to justify this activity. The company is even the spokesperson for their clients, the laboratories, ensuring that animal experiments on primates are necessary for scientific advances.

One Voice points out here that the European Commission has, however, recognized its objective, eventually, the replacement of animal testing by other research methods. The association, which itself promotes humane alternatives based on epidemiology, computer models and in vitro experiments, refutes that the scientific community is unanimous on an inescapable need for animal experimentation. And remember that 8 out of 10 French people are opposed to experimentation on primates, according to an Ipsos / One Voice poll conducted in December 2016.

For a new model, without animal suffering

According to Dr. Gill Langley, biologist: « Trade to laboratories around the world is an important source of stress, suffering and death for
these animals. They are raised in their countries of origin under conditions that would not be tolerated in the European Union. […]
Keeping confined wild primates inevitably leads to psychological, if not physical suffering. »

Citing a variety of scientific studies, Dr. Langley notes that the abnormal behaviours and high levels of stress that primates develop during rearing, air transport and laboratory manipulation are factors that can distort experimentation results.

Muriel Arnal, President of One Voice, calls on Air France management: « In June 2017, Jean-Marc Janaillac, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Air France-KLM, signed a declaration on modern day slavery. Based on the principles of the UN Global Impact Charter, Air France is committed to fighting all forms of slavery and human trafficking. We invite it to go further: we must stop these primate transports intended for laboratories all over the world. The suffering caused by the uprooting and transport by long-haul of these living beings so close to us is immense. Justifying these practices with so-called scientific advances no longer holds: modern science and human health do not need monkeys to make progress, but many new replacement models are available which are ethical and responsible ! »

Very committed to the field of animal experimentation, One Voice, launches a new campaign on this theme – relayed on social networks by the
hashtag #PasDeSingesEnSoute – and publishes on its website (www.one-voice.fr) a report unpublished entitled « Replacing the use of non-human primates in research and safety testing in France: improving science and ending suffering« .

This document describes the state of research currently conducted in France on nonhuman primates, examples highlighting the limits of this model for human health, new approaches and associated case studies, from around the world.

One Voice also invites each citizen, user or not of the company, to directly address a protest message to the Air France KLM general management.

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Air France: Stop the freight of primates for animal testing!

Air France: Stop the freight of primates for animal testing!

Air France: Stop the freight of primates for animal testing!
30.08.2017
France
Air France: Stop the freight of primates for animal testing!
Animal testing

By an action organised this Wednesday in front of the air terminal of Air France, last major airline in the world to be transporting monkeys who are destined to laboratories for animal experimentation, One Voice launched its new campaign for regular flights without suffering in the hold!

It is a body-painted model who spearheaded this One Voice action. Painted in the colours of the association’s tiger-totem, she has become a standard-bearer for the suffering of monkeys around the world, with two other human extras made-up to look like monkeys. In the presence of the media, she carried high the message that One Voice diffuses on the social networks: #PasDeSingesEnSoute to ask the company Air France, a big supplier of imported primates who are to be sent to laboratories in Europe or North America, to stop this trade tainted with cruelty.

Why does One Voice call for the end of these relentless trips without return? Because this monkey merchandise endures an unbelievable stress: separated from their families, confined to narrow cages, without free access to water or food, exposed unceremoniously to changes in temperature, humidity, light, pressure and to the noise and vibration of the journey, not to mention take offs and landings. Coming from rarely controlled breeding centres and often torn from nature, these monkeys from Mauritius, Southeast Asia or the Caribbean endure flights of several tens of hours, only then to reach the hell of laboratories.

All the other big companies have made an ethical choice and stopped this type of freight. Air France-KLM, in the name of science’s best interests, continues stubbornly, while declaring itself a « responsible company ».

Alternatives to animal experimentation exist, and nothing, except profit, justifies these long-haul journeys bringing traumatized primates to the laboratories. Enough with all this suffering!

  • You can also protest by writing to Jean-Marc Janaillac and Franck Terner, CEO of Air France! : An example email to send to frterner@airfrance.fr and jmjanaillac@airfrance.fr

Mr. Janaillac, Mr. Terner,

Your company insures the international freight of non-human primates to laboratories carrying out animal experimentation. Leaving from Mauritius or Southeast Asia, such long-haul flights impose great suffering on the animals. Like a majority of French, whether or not users of Air France, I beg you, in the name of modern and ethically responsible science, to stop this trade as soon as possible.

Regards,

  • Read! Download and distribute the latest One Voice report: It gives information about the extent of the research currently conducted in France on non-human primates, the limits of this template for human health, new approaches and associated case studies from around the world.

 

Améliorer la science et mettre un terme à la souffrance

Rapport : améliorer la science et mettre un terme à la souffrance

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Circus: One Voice calls for the release of three elephants

Circus: One Voice calls for the release of three elephants

Circus: One Voice calls for the release of three elephants
28.08.2017
France
Circus: One Voice calls for the release of three elephants
Exploitation for shows

A female model body painted in the style of a tiger, which is the emblem of One Voice, will be in Vannes Tuesday, August 29th at 10:30 in front of the circus of Saint Petersburg to demand the release of the elephants Lechmee, Mina and Kamala. The situation is particularly dramatic for Lechmee, who is blind and lame and cannot eat without the help of her companions and who does not participate in the shows

Lechmee, Mina and Kamala were born in Asia in the 60s. They were torn from their family as infants and bought by the Tyseley Pet Stores. Once in Britain, they were sold to the Chipperfield circus and then to the Medrano group. For almost half a century now, these three elephants have suffered the spikes and screams from their trainer, the cries of the crowd. Confined to cramped trucks where they are transported for hours, one city to another. This treatment made Lechmee lose the use of his right front foot. Walking on the asphalt or the metal floor of the truck accentuates her pain with every step. It is a real handicap more so for an old elephant, whose blindness is already a heavy handicap. One Voice filmed Mina helping her to feed herself because she is no longer able to do it alone, and she has not been involved in shows for a long time. Mina and Kamala, despite their advanced age and their blatant fatigue are still forced to perform.

Dr. Pierre Gallego, a wildlife veterinarian and consultant for One Voice, described Lechmee’s case as proven abuse and found that the three elephants of this circus were in a state of physiological misery. According to him, it is “imperative to get them out of the circus to offer them a retreat in an environment adapted to their species. In addition, it is necessary to plan to keep these three elephants together because they have forged very important social links that depend on their survival.”

A simple application of the decree of 18th March 2011, would require that Lechmee be placed in a fixed residence, given her state of health. But it is unthinkable to separate her from her companions. One Voice has already initiated several proceedings to release them: a request for interim release, based on the violation of their fundamental rights and the referral of the Comptroller General of Places of Deprivation of Liberty, procedures usually reserved for humans. The association also requested the cancellation for the authorization of the owner to open shows for the three elephants and made an application for an interim suspension. One Voice also called on the Ministers of Agriculture and Environment to rescind the 2011 decree, which would prohibit the detention of wild animals in circuses, as which has already happened in 8 countries in Europe, 20 countries in the world, and 66 cities in France.

Muriel Arnal, founding president of One Voice says, “The ordeal that Lechmee, Mina and Kamala are going through is unbearable. Their case must be taken into consideration without delay. How long will Lechmee manage to endure so much suffering, physical and mental? With this action in front of the circus that holds them, we want to make known their fate to a large audience to support our request. It is urgent to free these three elephants!”

“Animals in circuses represent the domination and oppression we have fought for so long, and they wear the same chains and irons”.

Dick Gregory, comedian and civil rights activist, Martin Luther King’s wrestling companion, who died on August 20th, 2017.

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Fanette will not go to the slaughterhouse

Fanette will not go to the slaughterhouse

Fanette will not go to the slaughterhouse
24.08.2017
Ardennes
Fanette will not go to the slaughterhouse
Other campaign or multi-campaigns of One Voice

At the educational farm, Fanette * was this sweet mare that the children loved. But when she was about to retire, she was to be driven to the slaughterhouse. By the way, One Voice was able to save her!

Fanette loved walking around with Maddie, her friend a cow.

Together, at a peaceful pace, they grazed the sweet clover and alfalfa of the Ardennes hills side by side. Sometimes, too, when the barrier was left open, Fanette went off to drink at the frog pond, to watch the little amphibians leap from water lily to water lily. In the evening, she went to join her lover, a stallion who was grazing there, in a nearby meadow. Part of her day was spent with chickens, ducks and goats all grouped together in an educational farm, Fanette’s mission was to awaken children to the love of Nature. And, in fact, everyone liked her.

But hey! Our mare was getting old.

She hobbled a bit from an anterior hoof and moved with difficulty.She had once leaned against a plum tree and finally uprooted it. From then on, the educational farm chose to replace her with a brand-new filly and foal. And Fanette? Ah, Fanette, you see, she’s already 25 years old. And she takes up space, an old horse, it’s expensive to maintain! So, she was returned to her owner, who was renting her and whom, in all probability, sent her quickly to the slaughterhouse.

What did the children say when they asked about her?

« And Fanette, where is she?« . The children undoubtedly asked questions. And what answer would they have formulated without our intervention? For the cruel truth is far from love: « The old mare? Oh, nothing special: we’ll just shoot a metal rod in the middle of her big forehead which is very soft and with her fringe of hair that sweeps over her eyes. Then hang her from a hook in the ceiling and cut her up to make meat. In this world of adults know it well dear little ones, the animals are NOTHING. They are only objects, movable goods that are rented, bought and sold, exploited and killed. »

Fortunately, the sad fate of Fanette has reached the ears of One Voice.

Immediately we took this horse in charge and we placed her safely in a suitable sanctuary. Our kind mare now lives today happy, among her new friends’ donkeys and sheep, some of whom are as old as she is. Sometimes, surely, images come back to her and question her. Where did Maddie go, her cow friend? Do not worry Fanette: she will not go to the slaughterhouse either. We will get her to join you soon!

As for educational farms, let us hope that they will be more educational in the future, by giving children the value of respect for animals that they deserve.

* The given names have been changed