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Arles: a priest protests against bullfighting surrounded by ‘dead bulls’

Arles: a priest protests against bullfighting surrounded by ‘dead bulls’

Arles: a priest protests against bullfighting surrounded by ‘dead bulls’
11.04.2023
Arles: a priest protests against bullfighting surrounded by ‘dead bulls’
Exploitation for shows

Father Robert Culat, a priest from Avignon, has condemned bullfighting a short distance from the Arles arena with PETA and One Voice.

“Torturing animals is a sin”: this was the message brandished on Monday 10 April 2023 in Arles by Father Robert Culat, catholic priest of the Avignon Diocese, on the Easter holiday. The protest was held not far from the Arles Arena prior to the Rejón bullfight, alongside PETA and One Voice activists wearing bull horns and lying on the ground to pay homage to the victims of bullfighting and remind people that this cruel activity totally disagrees with the values of compassion that the two associations, the catholic church, and our society in general support.

Photo credit: Peta

“Every bull, like any animal, is a sentient being, capable of experiencing suffering. It is a creature of God worthy of respect, and as Pope Francis taught, ‘every act of cruelty towards any creature is contrary to human dignity’”, stated Father Robert Culat. “As part of the Easter celebrations, bullfights are held in Arles. But Easter is a celebration of the life of the risen Christ, of he who replaces the sacrifice of animals with the sacrament of mass – how is it possible to associate the victory of life in the resurrection with a show that causes death?”.

In one of his prayers, Pope Francis pointed out human beings’ responsibility: “Dear Lord, show us our place in this world as instruments of your affection for all beings on this earth, as none are forgotten by you”. However, during a bullfight, many terrified bulls are tortured one after the other. They are tormented and chased with horses, being poked with cattle prods and banderillas in their backs and necks. Whilst they are weakened by their bleeding, the matador
(killer) tries to finish them off, but it is not rare for the bulls to die by drowning in their own blood when he misses his target and the sword pierces the lungs instead of the heart. Often, while it is the spinal cord that is affected, the animals, dragged out of the arena by chains, are paralysed but still conscious.

PETA, whose motto specifically states that “animals do not belong to us and [that] we do not have to use them for our entertainment” and who are opposed to speciesism, the ideology that supposes that humans are superior to other animals, is calling for the outdoor slaughtering that is bullfighting to be condemned to the pages of history.
One Voice has led numerous investigations in the field of bullfighting and particularly opposes children being trained to kill young bulls and attending bullfights. The Association, who calls for animal and planetary ethics, also supports a ban on cultural exception being applied to what is no more or less than the staging of acts of cruelty on sentient beings.

PETA and One Voice encourage those who are against this barbaric ‘tradition’ to write to the mayors of bullfighting towns, including Arles, to express to them the strong opposition that there is today for bullfighting. In fact, 75% of the population is in favour of banning bullfights in France.

Translated from the French by Joely Justice

Animal testing: European Union figures for 2020 condemn France

Animal testing: European Union figures for 2020 condemn France

Animal testing: European Union figures for 2020 condemn France
11.04.2023
Animal testing: European Union figures for 2020 condemn France
Animal testing

On 31 March 2023, the European Commission published a report revealing the statistics for animal testing in member states for the 2020 year. They were very high figures to which France largely contributed, still being among the countries carrying out the most tests on animals.

In 2020, almost 8 million animals were experimented on for research and tests, and more than 680,000 for the creation and upkeep of certain genetically modified lines. These figures, already unacceptable, do not even include all of the individuals who pass through laboratories’ hands. No trace remains of the animals used solely for their tissue or of any invertebrates other than cephalopods.

A bloody podium for France…

Once again, France plays a leading role in this massacre. Already condemned for having widely participated in illegal experiments in 2019, the following year France found itself on the podium of the three biggest users in the European Union, with more than 1,600,000 procedures, alongside Germany and Norway.

But that is not all. Not content with using a record number of individuals each year, France is also among those who inflict the most suffering upon them. While the proportion of procedures deemed ‘severe’ has stagnated between 8 and 10% in the European Union (EU) since 2015, it remains between 14 and 19% in France. The proportion of tests deemed ‘moderate’ has meanwhile increased in our country, to the detriment of so-called ‘mild’ tests. It is almost as though we like to move backwards in this country…

…and the persecution of crab-eating macaques

So let’s look at the case of crab-eating macaques. The number of individuals used for the first time in the EU has decreased since 2018, reaching 4,220 animals experimented on in 2020. France could have followed suit. That did not happen. In the same amount of time, the number of these animals subjected to tests in our country increased by 5%. As if that was not enough, there were more and more uses of individuals originating from Asia, where they are in danger of extinction, and we still use double the amount of crab-eating macaques whose parents had been captured in the wild than other member states.

Faced with these still shocking figures, we are repeating our request for a genuine exit programme for animal testing throughout Europe, alongside genuine financing to develop research methods without animals.

Consult our site dedicated to the analysis of ministerial data to find out more about animal testing and its victims in France.

Translated from the French by Joely Justice

Puppy show in Metz: open letter to the SAS Passion Chiots Organisation

Puppy show in Metz: open letter to the SAS Passion Chiots Organisation

Puppy show in Metz: open letter to the SAS Passion Chiots Organisation
07.04.2023
Puppy show in Metz: open letter to the SAS Passion Chiots Organisation
Domestic animals

A puppy show was organised last weekend (1 and 2 April) in Metz, even though animal welfare associations are already overrun with abandonments. We regret that such marketing practices and the objectification of animals is still happening.

After a puppy show being held at Arènes de Metz on the weekend of 1 and 2 April, One Voice can only be concerned about the type of animals being shown here.

While the law of 30 November 2021 on animal mistreatment provides for a ban on the sale of cats and dogs in pet shops from 1 January 2024, — thus implicitly admitting that they are not simply consumer goods — events such as puppy shows do not seem to be covered.

Puppies ages just a few weeks can therefore be exposed to incessant noise every weekend, under artificial lighting, with the comings and goings of the masses and buyers ‘groping’ them all over.

While thousands of animals are abandoned each year, how can we guarantee that these puppies, shown like common objects, do not end up the same in a few months’ time?

Shelters are saturated, overflowing with cats and dogs and often having to refuse new cases. To deal with this lack of space, dozens and dozens of animals are euthanised daily in pounds. And yet our country continues to commercialise living beings.

These puppy shows open the door to impulse buys and thoughtless purchases. The Arènes ensures to remind us on their website that a commitment and knowledge certificate is obligatory for any purchase of a puppy at the show, yet without specifying that a reflection period of seven days is obligatory between signing the certificate and acquiring the animal.

A few weeks ago, we were already warning the public about breeders’ processes, ready to get around the law to sell their ‘goods’, as was the case at the puppy show in Antibes, but also as we have reported about in various pet shops. How can we guarantee that this was not the case in Metz, or that this will not happen again in future?

This type of show directly participates in objectifying animals and encourages irresponsible behaviour by sellers and buyers. Would it not have been more thoughtful and appropriate to organise an event with shelters and associations in the department, during which those wanting to adopt are guided and listened to by volunteers who, not being motivated by the money to be made by a transaction, would select an adoption appropriate for each animal?

Specialised in holding these kinds of events, the SAS Passion Chiots Organisation is already getting ready for its next event in Montbéliard next weekend (8 and 9 April).

We are therefore inviting people from Montbéliard wishing to get a companion to favour shelters full of dogs who are also overflowing with affection, some who have been waiting for a family for many months. By adopting a dog from a shelter, you will be saving two: the one joining your household will open a place to welcome another unfortunate dog, saving them from being abandoned in the wild or from being euthanised.

Sign our petitions demanding respect for the law against animal mistreatment.

Translated from the French by Joely Justice

Animal testing: the State is giving the green light to experiments mutilating dolphins

Animal testing: the State is giving the green light to experiments mutilating dolphins

Animal testing: the State is giving the green light to experiments mutilating dolphins
06.04.2023
Animal testing: the State is giving the green light to experiments mutilating dolphins
Animal testing

The Ministries of Higher Education and Research have just authorised 124 skin and flesh samples on dolphins living around Réunion Island. Far from being concerned about animals, the analysis of these brutally torn tissues seems to be for the purpose of making fishing easier… One Voice condemns this umpteenth act of violence committed on these animals.

The experiment that is being prepared in the waters of the Réunion with the blessing of the Ministry is unacceptable.

Groups of dolphins could soon be targeted, followed, and shot with a sampling arrow which will go into their dorsal fin to tear off a piece of flesh. You can easily imagine all of the risks in terms of the stress caused and the physical injuries with such an attack. Those who started this project do not seem to be overly concerned about it. They actually predict that “ the potential injuries will be managed as far as possible by the veterinarian and members of the organisation in charge of animal welfare”. How are they going to treat the dolphins that they are going to seriously terrify? By following them? By capturing them? The so-called testing experiment in itself is already shocking, but obviously it might not stop there. They will be left with their injuries and the risks that will inevitably follow.

Mutilating dolphins to kill fish more easily

The purpose of such treatment has nothing to do with any concern for the dolphin populations involved. This would not be justifiable to us even if that had been the case. But in this case, the project aims to obtain a “global vision on the food chain on this level of the marine ecosystem” to “inspire recommendations for conservation and sustainable management of these species on a local scale”. In other words, to make it easier to catch thousands of fish!

How many dolphins are involved?

Aside from our anger, the mention on the research project that only one dolphin would undergo these biopsies alerted us. Indeed, how can you conceive of taking 124 skin biopsies from five species of dolphins from one single animal? We have therefore written to the Ministry to express our indignation for this project and to obtain clarification on this figure. The error was ‘in the process of being corrected’. This was on 24 March. On 6 April, the erroneous information was still online… And we have not received any response to our request for this kind of project to no longer be accepted other than silence which says a lot about the State’s interest in animals. And as always, that which is morally reprehensible is not necessarily possible to contest legally. This is unfortunately what has come from our legal analysis of this project.

Translated from the French by Joely Justice

Public consultation: say no to scaring brown bears in the Pyrenees!

Public consultation: say no to scaring brown bears in the Pyrenees!

Public consultation: say no to scaring brown bears in the Pyrenees!
05.04.2023
Public consultation: say no to scaring brown bears in the Pyrenees!
Wildlife

Following the partial cancellation of one of its previous laws, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition is about to take on a new decree perpetuating the scaring of brown bears in the Pyrenees. Along with One Voice, take advantage of the public consultation open until 21 April to denounce this unjust decision!

In 2022, we won numerous victories for brown bears in the Pyrenees. In August, we were successful in urgently suspending no less than nine prefectural decrees that intended to chase them with flash-balls and sting-ball grenades. An outburst of unheard-of violence of which the only aim was to achieve social peace with farmers… Then we obtained the cancellation of article 4 of the ministerial decree of 31 May 2021. The law, which set guidelines on the implementation of these scaring measures, did not make any plans to protect pregnant bears or those accompanied by their young from the most brutal techniques, which we immediately condemned.

New law, same violence

Yet, knowing that its decree of 20 June 2022 allowing scaring measures was similar to the one that was partially cancelled, the Ministry has tried to cover its back with a new draft law. This one specifically makes it clear that only OFB agents are authorised to carry out increased scaring operations and states that sound effect shots can only be used against female bears accompanied by cubs when ‘depredation’ (which includes the notion of damage) appears to be certain.

Risk of injuries, the young being separated from their mothers…

New decree or not, the State’s objective remains the same: to satisfy farmers to the detriment of wild animals. Victims of this policy, bears are exposed to auditory injuries, while female bears, stressed and exhausted by the harassment that they are subjected to, risk not reaching full term in their pregnancy or being separated from their young. Do we need a reminder that with scarcely 70 individuals in the Pyrenees, the brown bear population is still extremely fragile and must be rigorously protected? In view of the persecution that these animals suffer, it is absolutely necessary…

The French National Council for the Protection of Nature [Conseil national de la protection de la nature (CNPN)] was consulted and has already given an unfavourable view on the ministerial decree project.

We remain resolutely against scaring measures which terrorise the bears into their territory. From 31 March to 21 April inclusive, a public consultation is open. Rally with us and show your support for bears (make sure to follow the requested procedure, otherwise views are not taken into account). Thank you!

Translated from the French by Joely Justice

Montbéliard stray cats: One Voice is asking the town council to take responsibility.

Montbéliard stray cats: One Voice is asking the town council to take responsibility.

Montbéliard stray cats: One Voice is asking the town council to take responsibility.
04.04.2023
Montbéliard stray cats: One Voice is asking the town council to take responsibility.
Domestic animals

Once again, One Voice has been warned by supporters about the fact that a town council is refusing to implement neutering campaigns for stray cats. Today, it is the Montbéliard mayor who is threatening to take away shelters for stray cats on the basis that it should stop proliferation.

Even though the Montbéliard Town Council had had shelters installed for stray cats a few years ago, they have just realised that this did not prevent cats from continuing to reproduce! In response, they threatened to take away the shelters, instead of proceeding with a neutering campaign. A petition for the attention of the town council was also launched by the inhabitants and those protecting cats in the neighbourhood.

One Voice therefore wrote to the Montbéliard mayor today to inform her of her misunderstanding and to remind her that the legislation in place requires mayors to get stray cats neutered before using a pound service.

The essential rallying and the letter we wrote to the Songeons Town Council have finally paid off given that the Mayor has realised his error and repealed his decree. We hope that the Mayor of Montbéliard does the same.

Sign our petition for the implementation of a national plan to put an end to feline straying.

Translated from the French by Joely Justice

Captive circus animals: ministry subterfuges

Captive circus animals: ministry subterfuges

Captive circus animals: ministry subterfuges
31.03.2023
Captive circus animals: ministry subterfuges
Circuses

Under the framework of the law against animal mistreatment, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition committed to redefining the French National Advisory Committee for Captive Wildlife [Commission nationale consultative pour la faune sauvage captive (CNCFS)] regulations. The Committee, which has the power to issue competency certificates to trainers, ultimately will not have more representatives from animal rights associations. We condemn this decision.

Another missed opportunity!

On 10 November 2022, one year after the enactment of the law on animal mistreatment, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition finally presented its draft implementing decrees to animal rights associations. The problem: the new CNCFS regulations only provide one very minor place for associations compared with circus artists. Having been invited to give our view on this subject, we hoped to be heard. But the Ministry has turned a deaf ear. Decrees relating to the organisation of this committee have just been published, still leaving very little space for animal advocates. Worse, the number of representatives from zoos and circuses has tripled. This is a true refusal to advance the protection of animals kept in circuses!

A hypocritical Ministry

This Ministry, which guarantees associations will always be the minority against the captivity industry, is the same one that committed to put an end to exploiting wild animals for circuses by the end of 2028. Incidentally forgetting to specify to the general public that these measures do not apply to travelling circuses…

It also recently welcomed a new call for projects to create places in shelters for the animals that would survive the closure of their circuses. Behind the image that the Ministry for the Ecological Transition wants to portray, the reality is grim. It continues to trample on that which should be there to protect.

From 2021, an interministerial note guaranteed the protection of trainers to the detriment of their lions, tigers, elephants, and hippopotamuses, even before discussing the law, and we have again had examples of this in Cannes, Nice, and Menton in recent weeks: for another six years, the State intends to defend tooth and nail the activities of circuses who mistreat and exploit, failing to defend wild animals that are endangered. Very far from other European countries who have legislated clearly in their favour.

Nothing, neither circus artists nor the hypocrisy of the Ministry, will stop us in our fight. These animals have no place in a lorry!

Translated from the French by Joely Justice