News About Animals - June 2, 2011

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June 2, 2011   Huge Victory For Elephants As Fulton County, Georgia Bans Bullhooks In a great win, the Fulton County (Georgia) Commission voted 4-1 this week to ban the use of bullhooks on elephants. The ordinance covers unincorporated south Fulton, and it would apply primarily to smaller circuses that visit the area, effectively stopping them from using elephants in performances and rides. Unfortunately, it does not stop the use of bullhooks by the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus when they perform at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta, as Atlanta is not covered by the ordinance. Bullhooks are steel-tipped rods resembling fireplace pokers that are used to train and control elephants through physical punishment and intimidation. Handlers prod, hook and strike elephants, often causing puncture wounds, lacerations and abscesses. There is abundant evidence that circuses routinely abuse elephants with bullhooks. About half of zoos holding elephants also use the device. IDA thanks everyone who turned out for the vote and who wrote to Fulton County officials in support of the ban! Now it's up to YOU to get bullhooks banned in your county! E-mail Catherine@idausa.org for more information. To keep up this great momentum, please support the International Day of Action for Elephants in Zoos on June 11th by attending an event near you. This global event brings attention to the suffering of elephants in zoos, including those who are subjected to archaic circus-style training and bullhooks. Click here to read more and get involved. Love Dogs And Cats? Check Out IDA's Controversial "Taste Of South Korea" Advertisement Viewers beware: do not click here to view IDA's shocking "Taste of South Korea" ad if you do not wish to see video that you will find disturbing. Please click here to learn more about the plight of dogs and cats in South Korea, and to see what IDA and our members are doing to help. Help IDA bring this information to a wider audience. Ask Dr. Wilson - Your Vegan Health Questions Answered Every month, Dr. Holly Wilson, a board certified Emergency Medicine physician in South Florida, answers your pressing vegan health questions right here in IDA's eNews! Are you thinking about going vegan or are you new to veganism? Are you curious about a particular vitamin, nutrient, or food? Do you want to get the most nutrition from your plant-based diet? Long-time vegan Dr. Wilson can answer your questions. Many of you asked about Omega oils and the vegan diet. Dr. Wilson tackles this important question and reveals just how dedicated to the earth and the animals she really is with a surprise bit of amazing news! Check it out here.  Send your questions for future columns to hope@idausa.org. Ask Smithsonian To Suspend Researcher Accused Of Cruelty To Cats ABC News, The Washington Post, and Alley Cat Allies are reporting that a researcher at the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center was observed via video surveillance attempting to poison cats in Washington, DC. She was charged with attempted animal cruelty. The researcher, Dr. Nico Dauphine, faces up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted. Her research includes "mounting small cameras on domestic cats that roam outdoors to see how they affect wild bird populations." Despite the charges, the Smithsonian has allowed her to continue working, stating that her continued employment "would in no way jeopardize our animal collection at the National Zoo or jeopardize wildlife." If you agree that all animals deserve to be protected from cruelty, please send a letter asking that Dr. Dauphine be suspended until the case is resolved to: Russell Greenberg, Center Head, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, National Zoological Park, P.O. Box 37012-MRC 5503, Washington, DC 20013. Check Out This IDA/FARM Billboard In Petaluma, California     New IDA women's fitted t-shirt, ultra-fine organic cotton, more colors available!   We've got new Guardian hats, shirts, mugs, and more! Click here to see them all.   Your pup can help spread the Go Vegan message. Five sizes to choose from.       Support IDA with custom greeting cards from CardsDirect!    Click to view IDA's exclusive Four Star Charity Navigator ranking.   This message was sent to sweetygirl2002@uol.com.br In Defense of Animals, located in San Rafael, Calif., is an international animal protection organization with more than 100,000 members and supporters dedicated to ending the abuse and exploitation of animals by protecting their rights and welfare. IDA's efforts include educational events, cruelty investigations, boycotts, grassroots activism, and hands-on rescue through our sanctuaries in Mississippi, Mumbai, India, and Cameroon, Africa. In Defense of Animals is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We welcome your feedback and appreciate your donations. Please join today! All donations to IDA are tax-deductible. In Defense of Animals 3010 Kerner, San Rafael, CA 94901 Tel. (415) 448-0048 Fax (415) 454-1031 idainfo@idausa.org To unsubscribe, please click here.

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