Archive for August, 2007
Dear RSPCA Blog Subscriber/Reader
Due to recent problems with the Blog Site, comments were not being posted. We apologise for the problem, which is now solved.
We wish to re-post this Blog, due to the overwhelming response in the comments, which we hope you can now read, and contribute to if you wish.
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RSPCA (SA)
The very popular television program “McLeod’s Daughters” which is filmed in the Barossa Valley, purchased 225 sheep from the Dublin Livestock Market on 24 July to be used for the Program. They had come from a sheep station in the far north of South Australia and on arrival after transport to the Barossa Valley, the stockman noticed 6 of them appeared unwell. This is not unusual in such a large mob of sheep after the stress of mustering and transport. They showed the normal symptoms of travel sickness.
The stockman isolated the 6 sheep and provided them with food, water and shelter. Four of the sheep quickly recovered.
Wanting to give the remaining 2 animals every chance to recover, the experienced stockman placed them in a separate shelter and gave them water, sheep pellets and hay.
During that night a security guard on the property noticed the 2 sick sheep and called the local Police, who on attendance saw that they had been provided with extra care. The Police did not feel it necessary to destroy the animals or call the RSPCA.
The person then called the RSPCA in Adelaide. Our Inspector, who has significant livestock experience, then spoke with the attending Police who confirmed the 2 sheep had obviously been separated for special care. Like the Police, our Inspector was completely satisfied with the level of care being provided to the sheep. He told the Police he would check with the person in charge the next morning. One of the sheep recovered and the other unfortunantely died overnight.
The Television Show “Today Tonight” has criticised the RSPCA for not racing out to the sheep. Our Night Duty Inspector rostered overnight has the entire metropolitan area of Adelaide to cover to deal with any emergencies. The idea that he would drive several hundred kilometres to look at a sheep which had already been inspected by the Police and which was being nursed by an experienced farmer is unfair! The sad but true fact is that with 25 million sheep in South Australia, many die each day - most in paddocks without any care.
Greens MLC Mark Parnell was again quick to go on camera without first bothering to get the facts of this case directly from the RSPCA.
Every day of the year, our staff do their very best to do all that is reasonable and possible for animals.
August 19th, 2007
15 August 2007
Letters to the Editor
SUNDAY MAIL
31 Waymouth Street
ADELAIDE SA 5000
Dear Sir
W Parsons (”Sunday Mail” 12/08/2007) thinks that a drop in legacies to the RSPCA over the past year is due to the exposes of alleged animal cruelty by the animal rights organisations Animal Liberation, Animals Australia and No Rodeo. (Ms Parsons chose not to identify her role with those organisations). While her allegations are unsupported, the RSPCA is obliged to (and does) act lawfully in terms of its role in enforcement of animal welfare laws. The publicity stunts used by some members of the animal rights movement -including acts of vandalism, trespass, theft and even sabotage - make great television, but do little to convince Governments to change laws to more effectively protect animals. This is the message that the RSPCA makes to the Government, the community and animal industries constantly, and with proven results. The new Animal Welfare Act now before Parliament, was a direct initiative of the RSPCA.
Yours faithfully
John Strachan AM
President, RSPCA (SA) Inc
August 18th, 2007
‘Traffic stoppers’ is a term usually used to describe attractive women (or men). However some rare glimpses of the August sun has brought out traffic stoppers of the duck variety. The RSPCA has received 10 calls in the last week from people asking what to do if they cross paths with a duck family.
Opportunistic female ducks and their bubs have taken advantage of the hint of warmth, with ducklings sighted a little earlier than usual. As a result, the Society is asking drivers to be duck-savvy. The best thing to do is drive slowly around waterways, especially the Torrens, as this is known as a duckling hotspot.
Obviously stopping, putting on your hazard lights and letting the family waddle through is the best thing you can do, however if you think, for whatever reason, the ducks may not make it, getting out of your car to help is great, just be aware of a few things.
Try as much as possible, to guide them from a distance, in the direction they are choosing to go. If you scare them too much they will just scatter and that makes it even harder, and more dangerous.
Steer them away from drains - the RSPCA has been called out to countless ducklings caught down drains, so keep them well clear!
Never try and catch the birds (yes there are cute and you may wanna touch them but Mum WILL bite.) Also, if you get too close, Mum will fly away, and the babies may become instant orphans.
If possible try and stop traffic to let them through, however use common sense and keep yourself safe.
If any of the ducklings do get caught somewhere, are injured, or you need assistance, call the RSPCA immediately.
Councils almost always have crossings near heavily populated duck areas, but ducks aren’t quite smart enough to know that’s eaxctly where they have to cross. Please be aware of these signs and crossings and prepare to slow down and be alert!
August 15th, 2007
Many people are not fully aware of the diverse range of services the RSPCA offer.
We don’t just take in injured and sick cats and dogs - among other things we also board animals when owners go on holidays or are unable to care for them for a time. (We strongly recommend you take the trouble to personally inspect boarding facilities before you commit to a booking so that you can feel absolutely satisfied that your pet will receive the level of care you expect for it).
Whether you book your dog or cat into the RSPCA, or elsewhere, it’s extremely important to remember a few things before the drop off.
- First and foremost it’s extremely important to make sure vaccinations are up to date, for the protection of your pet and the other boarders. (If not, reputable kennels and catteries will not let you leave your dog or cat there). Checking this in advance is obviously very important.
- It’s a great idea to arrange to take your pet to the kennel or cattery prior to the actual drop off date. This way they become familiar with the new surroundings, and when you do actually drop your pooch or puss off, they’ve already been exposed to the set up, smells and noises and met the operators. If you are away for more than a week, an overnight stay prior to the longer visit is a great idea.
- Prior to the actual stay, make sure you provide staff with as much medical information as possible. Obviously if your pet suffers from an illness or allergy it’s vital to give staff any medication and/or treatment plan. Any special food may need to be provided by you, as well as the contact number of the animal’s usual vet.
- As well as health, it’s crucial that the kennel or cattery knows how your animal socializes with both humans and other animals.
If you are boarding two dogs or cats, you can request them to be housed together - if this is possible - as they will obviously be more comfortable and used to each other.
- Pets will also usually benefit from a few familiar items such as blankets or large toys that they use at home. The familiar smell will be soothing for the pooch or cat, so don’t wash the item before the stay. While it may be quite tough for both pet and owner, the animal usually enjoys the experience once he or she is used to the other animals, staff and surroundings.
- Obviously leaving a detailed contact list is paramount, so you can be contacted in the unlikely event that something goes awry.
If have to go away soon and would like to board your animal at the RSPCA, please call the Lonsdale Shelter on 8382 0888 and the staff will be able to fill you in on all the requirements and of course, availability. Booking well in advance, especially for school holidays times, is strongly recommended.
August 10th, 2007
The Annual Conference of the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) was held in Melbourne between 10th and 12th July 2007. The attendees were a mixture of scientists, teachers, veterinarians, animal welfare representatives and lay people who each year meet to share information about how best to REDUCE the numbers of animals used in scientific research and teaching, to REFINE the use of such animals to ensure research is relevant and warranted and to REPLACE the use of animals with appropriate alternatives wherever and whenever possible.
It was disappointing that throughout most of the Conference, animal liberationists conducted a noisy demonstration outside, making every effort to disrupt the proceedings. At the completion of the Conference, delegates had to be shielded from the protesters by the Police. While delegates, including those from the RSPCA, were led to their cars, abuse was hurled at us through loud hailers, horns and whistles. The animal activists took photographs of delegates in their taxis, a well known method of intimidation taught at “activist schools”.
While the RSPCA is philosophically opposed to the use of animals for experimental purposes, we accept that all medications, vaccines and surgical procedures are required by law to be trialled on animals before humans for the purposes of safety and efficacy. The RSPCA therefore is pleased to partipate in the Animal Ethics Committee system, set up under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, to require that all research and teaching using animals is conducted in such a way that animals are adequately protected from pain and suffering.
Those protesters who seek to prevent the quest for improvements do the animals they seek to protect no service. And if these people take personal advantage of any therapeutic medications or surgery provided to them by doctors, they demonstrate their hypocrisy and naievity.
August 7th, 2007
Hon Gail Gago
Minister for Environment and Conservation
Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Minister Assisting the Minister for Health
Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Penalties for animal cruelty offences in SA will be doubled under new legislation introduced into State Parliament today.
Environment and Conservation Minister Gail Gago said the new Animal Welfare Act sought to strengthen the existing legislation to provide tougher penalties and better means of detecting people who harmed animals.
“Anyone who is responsible for cruelty to animals needs to be made accountable for their actions,” Minister Gago said.
“We recently announced additional funding of $560,000 to the RSPCA over the next four years for two new inspectors bringing the total in SA to 10.
“The introduction of this new Bill today proposes significant changes to, and a new name for, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1985.
“It follows the release of a discussion paper and extensive public consultation with the views of more than 70 submissions being taken into account, as well as suggested legislative changes from the RSPCA.
“We believe there’s widespread community support for improved measures for the welfare of animals, and the changes to the legislation will ensure that our animal welfare standards are among the best in the country,” Minister Gago said.
The draft bill includes proposals to:
DOUBLE penalties up to $20,000 or two year’s imprisonment for ill treatment of animals.
MAKE aggravated animal cruelty an indictable offence, increasing the penalties for offenders.
EMPOWER animal welfare inspectors to routinely inspect intensive farming establishments, puppy farms, circuses and council operated dog pounds.
ALLOW animal welfare inspectors to enter a property to rescue an animal, even if the owner is not present.
EMPOWER courts to order confiscation of objects used in an offence and any financial proceeds of an offence.
FORCE owners to forfeit mistreated animals without having to seek a conviction through a court.
CREATE a new offence for keeping animals in conditions likely to cause pain, distress or disease.
Minister Gago said the name change from the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to the Animal Welfare Act had come from a suggestion in the public submissions.
“We want the new legislation to reflect a changed emphasis from preventing cruelty to promoting animal welfare,” she said.
The new legislation follows the State Government’s moves to tighten standards on how rodeos are conducted in South Australia.
“We already have one of the best track records of all the states in its approach to animal welfare at rodeos.
“We now want to go further by introducing new regulations relating to animal welfare standards which are currently being drafted for discussion with rodeo clubs.
“The new regulations will include a ban on the use of small, easily hidden cattle prods at rodeos.
“There’ll also be a ban on all animals weighing less than 200 kilograms taking part, which effectively prohibits calf roping events at all rodeos held in South Australia.
“We don’t intend to ban rodeos, but we want to improve the welfare of all animals taking part in these events.
“The new regulations are designed to eliminate two areas identified as being of high risk to rodeo animals- easily hidden, small cattle prods and calf roping,” Minister Gago said.
August 5th, 2007
The RSPCA has once again condemned the Australian Government’s continuing support of the live export trade, following last week’s signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to continue the export of live animals to Qatar.
Australia will continue sending sheep, cattle, buffalo and goats to Qatar following the signing of an MOU in which Qatar undertakes to offload animals into a quarantine facility if there should be a suspected problem (e.g., an outbreak of disease).
RSPCA Australia Chief Executive Officer Heather Neil said that like those before it, this agreement would not protect the welfare of Australian animals that are subjected to the live export trade.
“We all witnessed the absolutely horrific treatment of Australian sheep that arrived on the very first shipment after the Australia Government signed an MOU with the Egyptian Government late last year,” said Ms Neil.
“In reality, these MOUs are a band-aid solution aimed at justifying continuation of this inherently cruel trade,” she said.
Ms Neil also said the MOU was an attempt to offer a false sense of reassurance to an Australian community that is increasingly concerned about the treatment of animals in the live export industry.
“The Australian Government and live export industry claim to care about animal welfare, but in ratifying this MOU with Qatar they have yet again condemned thousands of Australian animals to a long cruel journey followed by inhumane handling and slaughter,” she said.
“The MOU only governs procedures until the animals are offloaded, and it is an indisputable fact that Australian authorities have no control over the treatment of livestock once they arrive at their destination,
“Furthermore, the signing of this MOU shows Government and industry are still struggling to deal with the inherent risks that lead to the infamous Cormo Express disaster more than four years ago,’ said Ms Neil.
The RSPCA opposes live exports because the trade is inherently cruel, resulting in the death and suffering of too many animals each year from exhaustion, hunger, thirst, heat and stress. Furthermore, the Australian Government has no control over how animals are treated in the country of destination.
The RSPCA’s position remains that the live export trade is unnecessary because all major export markets for live animals already accept chilled and frozen meat from Australia that has been humanely slaughtered according to religious requirements. The Australian Government and livestock industries need to expand facilities in Australia and increase the marketing of meat into Qatar rather than continuing live exports.
August 1st, 2007
