Category Archives: Euthanasia

The animal twice tested positive for bovine tuberculosis and is set to be euthanised under Defras instruction.

So, who is Geronimo, whats the situation and why is there a petition to save him?

Heres everything you need to know.

Who is Geronimo the alpaca?

Geronimo is an eight-year-old male alpaca who was brought to England from New Zealand in August 2017 by his owner Ms Macdonald.

She has been breeding alpacas at Shepherds Close Farm in Wickwar, near Bristol, for more than 15 years.

The animal has been kept in quarantine since he arrived on British soil.

Why is he set to be euthanised?

But Ms Macdonald believes the two tuberculosis tests were false positives and claims the animal had been primed before they were carried out by being injected with bovine tuberculin.

She also claims the alpaca tested negative for the disease while he was in New Zealand.

Ms Macdonald has been refused permission to have the alpaca tested a third time and recently lost her final appeal to save her beloved pet at the High Court in London.

Geronimos owner has since hit out at the government and accused it of abusing its power.

Speaking on Sky News on Tuesday (10 August) morning, Ms Macdonald said: They dont have to kill him.

We havent seen any factual information coming out recently and certainly not for the last four years - they're still misquoting data on the tests they claim is highly accurate and specific.

What is bovine tuberculosis?

Bovine tuberculosis, or bovine TB, is an infectious disease of cattle - although humans are susceptible to catching it as well as other mammals including cats and dogs.

Its caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis.

In cattle, its mostly a respiratory disease.

Infection occurs mainly through inhalation or ingestion of bacteria. This can happen through nose to nose contact and contact with bodily fluids.

The bacterium can exist in the environment from a few days to months.

The disease can be very damaging to farmers and those who make their livelihoods in agriculture, which is why the policy of euthanasia was adopted.

Why is there a petition to save Geronimo?

Since her situation was made public, Ms Macdonald has received an outpouring of support to save the alpaca.

As well as the petition, which accuses Defra of creating a suspicion of disease to destroy Geronimo, animal rights protesters gathered outside the ministerial departments headquarters in Westminster before marching to the gates of Downing Street.

Some people held banners with the words: "We stand with Geronimo and "[George] Eustice, admit you're wrong".

Members of the public are demanding a different type of tuberculosis test is used to prove Geronimos disease status before he is euthanised.

What has Downing Street said?

Downing Street has so far insisted there will be no reprieve for Geronimo and said the case had been looked at very carefully.

The PMs official spokesperson said on Monday: "We know how distressing losing animals to TB is for anyone. That is why the Environment Secretary has looked at this extremely carefully and interrogated all the evidence.

"The fact remains that Geronimo has sadly tested positive twice using a highly specific and reliable and validated test.

"This is something the environment secretary has looked at very carefully."

Environment Secretary George Eustice said while he knew it was soul destroying having to euthanise animals, it was necessary.

No firm date or time has been issued for Geronimo to be put down, but the signed warrant for his euthanisation is expected to be carried out within 30 days after Ms Macdonald lost her final appeal last week.

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Who is Geronimo the alpaca? Why there's a petition to save the animal from euthanasia - and bovine TB explained - The Scotsman

An Edmond animal rescue organization is working to end the use of euthanasia for animals in shelters.

Fetch Fido A Flight partnered with other shelters and rescues to save 104 cats and dogs that were on the euthanize list in shelters across the state.

Vikki Smith with the organization said these animals would have been killed due to overcrowding or how long they've been in the shelter.

They are just waiting for a family, but unfortunately, they're being euthanized because of pet overpopulation in our state and because we don't have enough adopters to adopt all of these animals, Smith said.

Smith said most of these animals will be adopted within three days of their landing in Oregon. Other local organizations said they're thankful for the group's help.

The need for rescue and recovery efforts is through the roof with owner surrenders, litters being found and resources to accommodate these issues are scare due to the pandemic.

This year, we're having a hard time with people returning their COVID dogs because they were home all the time, and now, they're not, Paws In Need Tulsa founder and president Andrea Kyle said. People are wanting to get out of the house and don't want to take on the responsibility and they're taking them back to the shelter.

Don't dump your animals, Street Dog Rescue and Recovery director Mitzi Brogdon said. I don't know what else to say. Its just heartbreaking.I get hit up at least 10 times a day about dogs or puppies that people have found. It sucks to know that you're having to say, No, I can't help you. I have nowhere for those to go.

Fetch Fido A Flight plans to rescue more animals in September. The organization said the number of trips they take is dependent on donations.

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Animal Rescue Organization In Edmond Helps Sheltered Animals Find New Homes - news9.com KWTV

JACKSON, MI Kilo and Cleo and Tiger are just some of the many animals at Cascades Humane Society that are looking for loving forever homes.

Kilo is a special boy. Hes a 9-year-old mastiff and pit bull mix who came to Cascades Humane Society after being passed from family member to family member, and no one could afford his care.

His last owner actually requested a euthanasia, but Cascades staff took one look at his cute face and accepted him as one of their own.

Kilo was morbidly obese with his joints aching because of the pull of his weight. After being in foster with a staff member for months, Kilos weight is down to a manageable number.

Kilo is now ready for his forever home. Hes a gentle giant with an old soul, but he would do best in a home without small animals. He would do well with kids and can be picky about his canine friends so a meet and greet is recommended with another dog to know if they will be compatible.

Some cats like other cats. Some cats dont. Then you have the cats that become so attached to each other that they just do better in life together. Cascades Humane Socieity staff calls them bonded, and Cleo and Tiger are just that.

These two sisters are 2 and a half years old and are dependent on each other. Tiger is a little more outgoing than Cleo. She really enjoys being petted and will come out to greet you. She is also a little protective of shy Cleo.

Cleo prefers to sit in the hooded bed and nap. She likes being petted but doesnt seem to seek it as much as her sister Tiger. Cleo will come out of her shell more and more once she settles into a home of her own with her sister by her side.

Cascades Humane Society, 1515 Carmen Drive, is open to the public from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. All visitors are being asked to wear face masks to comply with state orders regarding the novel coronavirus.

All dogs and cats at Cascades Humane Society have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and given parasite protection prior to adoption. Those who adopt pets also receive a free wellness checkup from any of 24 area veterinarians.

Dog owners wishing to adopt another dog are required to do a meet and greet with their dog and the dog theyre choosing to adopt.

CHS also has added services to its Spay and Neuter Assistance Program. The service, available during scheduled spay or neuter surgeries, includes vaccines, heartworm testing for dogs, FIV and FeLV testing for cats and dental procedures.

CHS also has a Pet Food Pantry to help families going through financial hardship. CHS accepts cat or dog food donations, as long as the food is in its original packaging. Donors can drop off food by the pole barn behind the facility. The Pet Food Pantry is open from noon to 2 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month.

Those considering adopting Kilo and Cleo and Tiger or another pet can apply to do so here. For more information, call 517-787-7387.

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Pets of the week: Kilo has been through a lot. Cleo & Tiger are bonded sisters - MLive.com

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Panorama's latest incursion into horseracing centred on death. Much of it was focused on a single slaughterhouse, yet it would be wrong to say the programme was simply about the abattoir industry and not racing. The programme brought to the surface a subject that is uncomfortable but of huge importance.

The BBC investigation showed actions taking place within the Drury & Sons establishmentin Swindon that sparked outrage. While the company defended itself against accusations of abject practice, figures within racing reacted with revulsion, disgusted to see racehorses having their lives ended in an abattoir, particularly one that, based on the broadcast footage, appeared to be not fit for purpose.

Three of the horses named by Panorama had been trained by Gordon Elliott, who stated the first time he learned of their fate was when the programme makers contacted him. Two of the horses had been entrusted to a dealer. The other horse, the Grade 2-winning chaser Vyta Du Roc, was gifted by his owners to a member of Elliott's staff.

Panorama also put into the public domain data obtained from freedom of information requests that showed 4,000 former racehorses had been slaughtered in Britain and Ireland since the beginning of 2019, most having been trained in Ireland.

There is no consensus over the morality of thoroughbred slaughter but there is an acceptance that euthanasia is necessary. Indeed, as British racing's Horse Welfare Board states: "When used appropriately and ethically, euthanasia is an essential component of equine welfare."

The kindest act

Nowmore than ever before, it is possible for racehorses to enjoy long, happy and often active lives after leaving the sport. Rehoming and retraining have never been higher on racing's agenda, but it remains true that all life must come to an end. With animals, that often can and should be done through human intervention.

"Horses are no different to dogs and cats," says trainer John Berry. "They all die at some point and as humans we have to play God and decide when the time is right.

"A human can be physically infirm but still enjoy life. With an animal, and particularly a horse, once they reach a certain level of physical deterioration they can no longer enjoy life. At that point a human has to decide that unfortunately the time has come. Almost the worst thing is to realise you should have taken the decision six months earlier."

James Given: "British racing has in place euthanasia guidance to ensure euthanasia is only used in the correct circumstances"

Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Outlining the British governing body's position, James Given, BHA director of equine health and welfare, says: "On some occasions certain horses cannot be rehomed at the end of their racing career. On those occasions euthanasia may be considered the most humane outcome for a horse to prevent it falling into neglect or living an unsuitable lifestyle.

"British racing has in place euthanasia guidance to ensure euthanasia is used only in the correct circumstances and that the industry is consistent in when euthanasia is used. The guidelines are intended for those who work with, and have a responsibility for, horses bred for racing at any stage of life. They were introduced in 2020 as a recommendation from the Horse Welfare Board's welfare strategy.

"The guidance states that elective euthanasia of a horse should be carried out only when those who have responsibility for its welfare, usually the owner or designated keeper, often in consultation with a veterinary surgeon, have considered all available options and decided it is in the best interests of the horse."

That summary is mirrored in tone by Horse Racing Ireland's director of equine welfare and bloodstock John Osborne. "HRI expects all participants to do what's best for the horse," says Osborne. "Euthanasia is an option, having considered all other options, and it must be done expertly under veterinary care."

The scale of the problem

When the life of an animal is ended in an abattoir, it is not euthanasia, a word thatderives from the Greek terms for good and death. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons describes euthanasia as "painless killing to relieve suffering", although that could be widened out to include the prevention of future suffering. Where death occurs in an abattoir it ismost commonly referred to as slaughter, with the carcass then normally expected to be usedforfood. One of the most disturbing aspects of Panorama was its revelation of how many former racehorses are slaughtered.

Panorama's assertion that most of the thoroughbreds killed in British and Irish abattoirs had been based in Ireland is supported by indicative data provided to the BHA that suggests 12 per cent of the British and Irish thoroughbreds slaughtered in Britain and Ireland in recent years had been trained or domiciled in Britain, the other 88 per cent being Irish.

HRI's understanding is that 610 thoroughbreds were slaughtered in British abattoirs across 2019 and 2020, the majority being Irish-bred. Initself, that does not show from where the animal ultimately came.

Taken as a whole, the numbers suggest those in Irish racing and breeding (a proportion of the slaughtered horses are likely to have been retired broodmares) are more likely than their British counterparts to use 'the factory',the term used forabattoirs by some participants.

John Osborne: "There has been a reduction in the number of thoroughbred horses going to abattoirs in Britain and Ireland over the last three years"

Caroline Norris

Osborne says: "There has been a reduction in the number of thoroughbred horses going to abattoirs in Britain and Ireland over the last three years, despite the rise in the horse population.

"Ireland has 2,500 active thoroughbred breeding premises that house probably 30,000 thoroughbreds, many in mixed farming enterprises. This vertical integration is a strength of the industry in Ireland, with widespread participation across all regions of the country.

"The British human population is ten times larger than the Irish population, while the thoroughbred population is probably larger in Ireland than Britain, one example of that being the British breeding sector, which is half that of Ireland."

Michael Grassick: "I would say a lot of the horses in Ireland are put down at home or at a veterinary practice"

Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Giving his take on the position in Ireland, Irish Racehorse Trainers Association chief executive Michael Grassick says: "I would say a lot of the horses in Ireland are put down at home or at a veterinary practice. Abattoirs in Ireland are advertising for horses because the numbers going to them have dropped dramatically. I think that is because most of their passports are stamped as not fit for human consumption. That's what we recommend and it's exactly what the Department of Agriculture wants.

"When Noel Meade was IRTA chairman we recommended to HRI that there should be four designated veterinary practices in the four provinces where trainers could send horses who needed to be euthanised. That has not yet been implemented, but there is probably a cost factor."

Are abattoirs acceptable?

There is a cost factor in most cases of euthanasia. Someone having a horse put down will generally have to pay a few hundred pounds, part of that expense being taken up by the final rendering process. In contrast, an abattoir will pay the horse owner, the swing between the two options amounting to around 1,000.

When Panorama aired, a number of trainers came forward to make clear their belief that thoroughbreds should never die in abattoirs.

Referencing two horses he feared may need to be put down, Nick Alexander said: "It didn't cross my mind to, as it were, ring the 'knackerman' to come and get them for 200. I would have euthanised them here and it would have probably cost the owner 300 each. My owners would have been sad to pay it but they would certainly have seen it as an obligation.

"Personally, I could never condone a horse going to a slaughterhouse, however 'humanely' it might be done and I would pay the 300 myself if it came to it."

Berry is equally passionate that abattoirs are simply not acceptable. "On those occasions when we have to lose a horse, we do it at home at 2pm, when there is no one in the yard other than me," he says.

"I don't think it would be very nice for the other horses to see a dead horse being winched on to a wagon, so I shut the doors of the other horses' boxes. The vet comes in, along the with the man taking away the body, I hold the horse and the vet puts the horse down."

John Berry with his late stable star Roy Rocket

Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Berry adds: "I've never heard anyone say the carcass might be worth a few hundred quid. I find it very hard to envisage that anyone would ever have that mindset. Nobody I've ever trained for has had that combination of parsimony and callousness.

"It surprises me that anyone who owns horses would allow their horse to be slaughtered in an abattoir. You have to think about it for only ten seconds to realise the last eight hours of the horse's life are going to be much more stressful than it should need to be."

The approach taken by Berry and Alexander is very much in line with the officially documented British model.

Given says: "Our guidelines state that, whenever possible, euthanasia should be performed at home or in suitable surroundings. Exceptions would include on a racecourse and in veterinary clinics.

"For this reason we strongly recommend against the unnecessary transport of horses for slaughter when euthanasia could be carried out at home. It is about showing respect to the horse in return for the service he or she has given to their owner and connections, and about giving dignity to the horse at the end of its life."

Rupert Arnold, chief executive of the National Trainers Federation, believes that policy is followed in practice. He says: "From all the feedback we received after the Panorama programme, our belief is that the standard practice of trainers in Britain is to follow the racing industry's euthanasia guidelines. This would mean horses are put down by a vet at home in familiar surroundings, rather than being sent to an abattoir."

Rupert Arnold: "Our belief is that the standard practice of trainers in Britain is to follow the racing industrys euthanasia guidelines"

There is not, however, unanimity on the subject. HRI board member Caren Walsh owned Kiss Me Kayf, one of the horses Panorama revealed had been killed in Swindon. Walsh is a respected industry figure and is known to have devoted considerable time to ensuring her former racehorses are safely rehomed. Speaking to the Racing Post last month, she described herself as "shocked and saddened" but made clear she knew her mare had been destined for a slaughterhouse, pointing out: "I thought she was going to [the Irish abattoir]Straffan."

Arguing that abattoirs need to be retained, Osborne says: "Euthanasia comes at a cost, both for the procedure and subsequent carcass disposal. It is undoubtedly the most humane option at an individual level, since it involves no displacement from normal residence and familiar surroundings. However, in some countries, removal of the abattoir option has led to unintended adverse welfare consequences.

"The retention of the abattoir option, and perhaps to challenge the way it is done and to make this as humane as possible, may be worthwhile for the best welfare outcomes for the overall horse population."

It may surprise some to learn World Horse Welfare echoes that view.Chief executive Roly Owers says: "People have very different sorts of attachment to their animals and we recognise the abattoir option is clearly not for everyone. Some people would accept sending their animal to the abattoir. Many others would not. Our view is abattoirs do play a role to protect equine welfare, so long as animals are slaughtered within the regulations.

"We do not promote abattoirs but we do believe they have a role in end-of-life decisions and within the bigger picture of protecting equine welfare. Slaughter should be an option and people shouldn't be pilloried for sending a horse to an abattoir.

"To compare euthanasia at home with slaughter in an abattoir is like comparing apples with oranges. If you euthanise a horse at home, you are clearly making the process as free of stress as possible. However, the cost of euthanasia is significant. If there is the option of sending a horse to slaughter, and that is carried out legally and humanely, we believe it is appropriate.

"We are absolutely clear it is much better to have a horse euthanised or slaughtered than for the horse to go into a spiral of decline, whereby the horse is repeatedly sold on, leading to suffering. Sometimes euthanasia or slaughter is the kindest option."

Owers adds: "Research in the area of equine slaughter is very thin. We are undertaking a four-year research project with the Royal Veterinary College and the University of Bristol to try to develop best practice around equine slaughter. Many of the current regulations have simply been translated from other species. We believe getting equine-specific guidance would be a real step forward."

Roly Owers: "The industry has to breed according to what the market can demand"

No matter what that research, abattoirs will always horrify a large number of racing people and those who work in other equestrian disciplines.

"The idea of an abattoir never came across my radar," says former long-term British event rider Ross Millar. "Eventing has always been my sport but I have plenty of friends who show-jump. In all my years I have never heard of one horse being sent off to an abattoir. I really do not think those sports have a culture of using abattoirs. I also can't see any way in which I could give someone who uses an abattoir the benefit of the doubt."

Lifetime responsibility

An emotive subject lacks facts. We do not know nearly enough about those horses who leave racing. We know next to nothing about those horses who are bred to race but never make the track. The solution in Britain and Ireland is the same.

"Lifetime traceability is a priority for HRI," stresses Osborne. "It will allow us to better understand the life cycle and the variety of outcomes for the horses we exported to 32 countries in 2019, so the challenge is complex."

Given says: "Traceability is a key priority in the sport's welfare strategy. In terms of ambition, as a starting point, racing has agreed to ensure it has 100 per cent traceability of a horse's first step away from racing and a clear understanding of where these horses go, and a clear understanding of the gap between the number of 30-day foal registrations and the number of horses that enter training.

"Work is already under way in this area, which has included the recruiting of three new staff members to the Horse Welfare Board, one to lead specifically on data."

Offering further ideas, Owers highlights the dangers of over-breeding and selling horses abroad in the ring.

"Responsible breeding is essential," says Owers. "The industry has to breed according to what the market can demand. In some cases, I believe euthanasia and slaughter are seen as an easy way out. That is not acceptable. You cannot just breed and then if things don't work out have the horses put down or slaughtered.

"We also think that when horses are exported the risks are increased. There has to be some soul-searching about what is in the best interest of some animals. I'm not sure sending them to auction is in their best interests. It increases the chance of a horse entering a spiral of decline and ending up in an abattoir having endured pretty horrific circumstances along the way."

Summing up, Owers adds: "When you sell a horse, it must always be done with the animal's best interest at heart. Legally, once you make the sale it is the end of your responsibility. I don't believe that is true ethically.

"It is a lifetime responsibility and the primary responsibility of any equine owner is to give their animal a good life and a good death."

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'I'm surprised anyone would allow their horse to be slaughtered in an abattoir' - Racing Post

An Essex vet is urging pet owners to be diligent about changes in their dogs behaviour in the fight against canine arthritis.

It can be as uncomfortable in dogs as it is in humans, yet many people dont know how to spot the signs of arthritis in pets - a condition thats been dubbed a silent killer for dogs.

Now an Essex-based vet is leading a campaign to help dog lovers spot the early signs of the common health issue.

Hannah Capon, who has devoted her career to helping people understand canine arthritis better, says around 35 per cent of the estimated 12 million pet dogs in the UK are believed to be suffering from arthritis, including 80 per cent of dogs over eight years old.

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints, where cartilage within a joint such as the hip or elbow becomes damaged, causing the bones in the joint to rub together when a dog is moving.

Left unchecked, it can cause pain, discomfort, and stiffness, and in some cases premature euthanasia, as dogs lose their quality of life. It really is the silent killer, says Capon.

Its a leading cause of dog euthanasia; a cruel fate, especially because the dog may have been showing signs of problems for a long time and owners just havent noticed or been aware that they are witnessing changes in their dog that are related to pain.

If its caught early, many of the effective management strategies are free, or at least more affordable than the costs associated with complex drug regimes and other means to control pain and maintain mobility.

Capons top tip for spotting early signs is to look out for any changes in your dogs behaviour, posture, capability and gait. These could all indicate pain and potential arthritis. Look out for a change from what was normal, she says.

It could be that a dog that was shy now becomes needy, or a dog that was brave now becomes fearful. The classic sign of difficulty rising, slowing down and being unable to jump up will come at a later stage.

She encourages dog owners to not be scared of an early diagnosis, as you will have more to work with and likely better results, and suggests building a rapport with your vet as they are the only people legally allowed to diagnose and prescribe.

Capon has launched The Big Walk 2021 through her organisation, Canine Arthritis Management, to help raise funds and spread awareness.

She is urging dog owners to sign up and take part in the walking challenge, which starts on September 1 and runs for a month. Participants will receive a 30-day series of emails, taking them on an imaginary journey through a fictional land, from the perspective of an arthritic dog. Theyll include soundbites from experts, a chance to win prizes, as well as daily activities and challenges.

Theres also a members-only Facebook group for dog-lovers to come together, share their adventures and interact with experts. To find out more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit canineartritis.co.uk .

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Essex vets plea to help fight silent killer of dogs - Essex Live

Animal shelters will need community support for the unprecedented number of cats and dogs coming in the next couple of months

EAST SAINT LOUIS, Ill. With the national eviction moratorium set to expire, nearly eight million pets will go into animal shelters nationwide.

Gateway Pet Guardians, an animal shelter in East St. Louis, said they are in urgent need of fosters to temporarily care for pets whose families have been displaced by residential evictions.

They estimate that almost 1,300 pets will need placement at their facility in the next 30 to 90 days.

"The mass of coming evictions will be catastrophic for families including pets, Program Director Alisha Vianello said in a press release. "When people lose their homes, pets end up in the shelter so we need your help to care for them and keep them safe. We are asking those who have secure housing to please foster today."

This surge of animals is not the only challenge the shelter has seen this summer. The organization has already seen an increase in pet intake by over 70 percent.

Now, fostering is more important than ever at Gateway Pet Guardians and other shelters. It reduces shelter overcrowding, reduces the threat of euthanasia, and gives shelter pets a less stressful environment in which to thrive.

If you are interested in becoming a foster, visit gatewaypets.org/foster to learn more about the program and submit an application.

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Eviction crisis leaves thousands of pets without a home - KSDK.com

TWO dogs were left to die in the boot of a scorching hot car after complaints about them barking.

Owner Richard Armstrong, 47, locked security pups Hector and Yardie in the back of his Vauxhall Astra for two hours as temperatures soared to 24C - but later walked free from court.

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Police called to the scene found Belgian Malinois Hector already dead in his kennel with flies buzzing around his mouth.

Yardie, of the same breed, had collapsed but was still breathing.

Both were surrounded by diarrhoea and urine, with no evidence of water in either kennel - only just big enough for the dogs to stand in.

Vets described Yardie as a "heatstroke emergency" with a body temperature of 40.3C.

She also had muscle tremors and an irregular heart rate.

Police bodycam footage shows officers rushing Yardie to the vets, pouring water on her body in a desperate bid to cool her.

Vets gave her oxygen and fluids, but ultimately put her to sleep, with Armstrong's permission, due to "neurological dysfunctionality".

Exclusive

The vet said: "The dog appeared to be struggling to breathe. We applied cold towels every 10 to 15 minutes during the procedure.

"The nurse also sprayed the extremities with cold water to try and bring the temperature down.

"During the entire procedure the patient presented seizure activity, which was concordant with altered mental status."

A sedative and pain relief was administered but she "began to vomit profusely" before twitching and making "uncontrollable movements".

Video captured at the the scene shows Armstrong, a self-employed security dog handler, trying to explain to officers that his dogs had been in the back of his car with the boot door open and a fan running.

He said he had put them in there after complaints about them barking loudly at home.

Cops quickly contacted the RSPCA and officers attended the scene in Ilford, East London, to launch an investigation.

Inspector Kate Ford said: "Police officers were already on the scene. I had spoken to one of the officers on route who was [taking] the female dog, Yardie, to a veterinary surgery at the Ilford Pets at Home.

"I was informed that when police had arrived at the Vauxhall Astra estate car, one dog, a male dog called Hector,was dead and Yardie was still alive.

"They had rushed her to the veterinary surgery but she was in very bad condition and it was looking likely that euthanasia was to be recommended.

"These dogs had been left in the vehicle for a period of time, possibly in excess of two hours and the temperature at that time this afternoon was around 24 degrees."

The kennel was just about large enough for the dog to stand in but there would not have been room for him to turn or move around.

She added: "The kennel was just about large enough for the dog to stand in but there would not have been room for him to turn or move around.

"Mr Armstrong told me that there is an air conditioning system in the van that works from a separate battery and is independent from the ignition of the car needing to be on.

"He said that hed left the boot door open but that the dogs tended to 'jump up and down when they heard any noise' and that this must have caused the boot to close, leaving the dogs shut in in the heat.

"He also thought the fan must have stopped."

Armstrong landed a 12-month community order after being found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to his pets at Ilford Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

He must do 120 hours of unpaid work, as well as cough up 750 in costs and a victim surcharge of 90.

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Pet owner left two dogs to die in boot of scorching hot car after neighbours complained about barking... - The US Sun

San Francisco Animal Care and Control is seeking a woman whos been seen feeding raw meat to coyotes on Bernal Hill.

On Wednesday morning the city agency posted a photo of the woman, captured by a neighborhood hiker, to its social media platforms, along with a request for help in identifying her.

A sequence of images show the woman sitting in the grass with a tinfoil tray of meat, apparently preparing to hand-feed three coyotes who are standing off to the side, 8 feet away.

The same woman may also be feeding coyotes in McLaren Park, according to Virginia Donohue, executive director of Animal Care and Control.

This is 100% a human problem, Donohue said in an interview. We have too many people feeding coyotes or trying to befriend them. Ultimately it ends badly for the wildlife.

Donohue said it was rare to get an identifiable image of someone feeding wild animals. Animal Control officers have been searching for the woman to no avail. But they had no trouble finding three coyotes standing around waiting to be fed at the spot shown in the photo.

The person has trained the animal to think, If I come here at 7:30 there will be a plate of food for me, she said. Wild animals do what works. They dont know that they will approach the wrong person or end up hurting somebody and then they have to be eliminated.

If the woman is identified, she will be warned. If there is a second offense, she can be cited for a misdemeanor and subject to a $1,000 fine. Donohue said people who spot the woman should not approach her but report her and her location.

Donohue said the situation was similar to one earlier this summer, in which an aggressive coyote had to be shot in the Botanical Gardens at Golden Gate Park because it approached toddlers. That particular animal, identified by a scar, had been fed by humans for years.

Coyotes that become reliant on humans lose their fear and attempts to safely trap them are usually futile because coyotes are smarter than traps. Plus there is no place to release a trapped coyote.

They are not a protected species and no other county wants our problem coyote, Donohue said. The only answer is euthanasia.

People who feed coyotes usually give as their reasoning that the animals look hungry. This is due to the natural gaunt physique of the animal.

Coyotes are not hungry. They do not need a plate of food. There is food all over the city, Donohue said.

The coyote population in San Francisco is estimated at fewer than 100. The spring pupping season, when animals might become aggressive in protecting their young, is over. Donohue said in most cases, coyotes are shy and can be scared away by yelling and making sweeping arm gestures.

Hopefully the coyotes will not become a problem, Donohue said. The woman is a problem. We need to reach her to put a stop to this behavior.

Anyone who sees her or anyone else feeding coyotes is asked to report it immediately to Animal Care & Control at 415-554-9400.

Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SamWhitingSF

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San Francisco is looking for the woman whos been feeding raw meat to coyotes in Bernal Hill - San Francisco Chronicle

The Diocese of Parramatta is joining with the Diocese of Broken Bay to host a series of three talks in August ahead of the expected introduction of a draft Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill to NSW Parliament.

The series, entitled Euthanasia, Dying and the Dignity of the Human Person, will feature speakers in theology, medicine and communications. The free Zoomed talks, focused on providing alternative viewpoints to assisted suicide, were initiated as a result of growing community alarm at the proposed Bill which The Catholic Weekly reported on last week.

The following is an edited version of a Catholic Weekly report from 9 July 2021, updated with new details about the online talks.

Medical experts including specialist palliative care doctors will give key talks at online meetings over the next month on the dangers of legalising assisted suicide and euthanasia, and what people can do in response to the latest push in NSW.

With Independent MP Alex Greenwich set to introduce a draft Bill to parliament in August, NSW Labor Opposition Leader Chris Minns said he would not support assisted dying and would allow his party a conscience vote on the issue.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has also expressed her opposition, and it is unclear how the Bill would progress as she also gave an assurance following the 2019 abortion debate that there would be no further conscience votes during the current term of parliament, which is due to run for two more years.

In a statement, Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher OP warned that attempts to sugarcoat state-sanctioned killing of certain citizens and assisting in suicides are a disastrous move. The Archbishop said that such laws are diametrically opposed to the spirit that inspires the care Catholic institutions offer.

Horror at the revelations from the Aged Care Royal Commission and the response to the pandemic showed the principle of the sanctity of life is still widely held, he said.

Archbishop Fisher also warned of the possibility of bracket creep.

Already in Australias short experience of this we have found the law applied to far more people than was first expected and there has already been a concerted campaign to relax the supposed safeguards that were put in place to sell those laws, he said.

Looking overseas we see voluntary assisted suicide laws in some countries, originally applicable on a voluntary basis for dying adults only, gradually extended to those whose condition is not terminal, or not even medical, and to children and the unconscious.

The Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship of Australia (CMDFA) is running a petition calling for Premier Berejiklian to oppose the introduction of new laws which would allow euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the state.

National chair Professor John Whitehall told media the organisation rejects Mr Greenwichs suggestion that euthanasia and assisted suicide constitute a form of medical care.

The CMDFA agrees with the World Medical Association that the practice of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide is unethical and must be condemned by the medical profession, he said.

According to media reports, Mr Greenwich said he intended to introduce his Bill in the last sitting week in August and that he had listened to the concerns of religious groups.

The Zoomed series of talks entitled Euthanasia, Dying and the Dignity of the Human Person will start on Monday 2 August with Vicar General of the Diocese of Broken Bay Fr David Ranson discussing the theology of suffering and death.

Talks from a team of doctors follow on Monday 9 August. The doctors will explain how palliative care is both misunderstood and underfunded, and when employed effectively, addresses all the concerns of those who advocate for assisted dying.

Monica Doumit, Director, Public Affairs and Engagement for the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, will explain the best ways to bring up the topic of euthanasia with friends and family on Monday 16 August.

To register for the free talks held online on Monday 2 August, Monday 9 August and Monday 16 August at 7.30pm, go to parracatholic.org/euthanasiatalks by 29 July.

Reproduced and edited with permission from The Catholic Weekly, the news publication of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. The original story was written by Marilyn Rodrigues for The Catholic Weekly (print and online).

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Diocese of Parramatta to co-host euthanasia talks ahead of expected introduction of draft Bill to Parliament - Catholic Outlook

Nearly 7,600 Canadians chose to die via MAiD (medical assistance in dying) in 2020, an increase of 35 per cent over the previous year, the latest numbers released by Health Canada show.

At 7,595 deaths in 2020 up from 5,660 in 2019 that means about 2.5 per cent of all deaths in Canada were people who chose an assisted death. These numbers were found in Health Canadas second annual report on assisted suicide, which was released June 30.

The numbers were highest in British Columbia where four per cent of all deaths were attributable to euthanasia. B.C. is the only province where MAiD clinics openly operate, with one clinic in each of Vancouver and Victoria. In Quebec, 3.1 per cent of all deaths came via MAiD while the lowest percentage of deaths by euthanasia is in Newfoundland at 0.9 per cent.

There are fears the numbers will only rise in the future as earlier this year Canada liberalized its MAiD laws (Bill C-7) with there no longer being the stipulation that a natural death must be reasonably foreseeable to be eligible for an assisted death. And in two years time, the procedure will be open to those suffering from mental illness.

From legalization of the procedure in 2016 up to Dec. 31, 2020, 21,589 people had chosen an assisted death.

Alex Schadenberg, executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, expects the numbers rise this year and in years to come.

Based on the fact that the Ontario data, which is published monthly, indicates increases in assisted deaths in 2021, I estimated at least 4,000 assisted deaths occurred in the first six months of 2021, Schadenberg wrote in a blog post.

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Assisted death in Canada is on the rise - The Catholic Register