Animal rights activists go nude for animals More than 50 animal rights activists staged a nude protest at a square in the Spanish city of Barcelona to in protest over the torture and slaying of animals to make fur coats. Representing the number of animals that it takes to make a fur coat, the men and women – covered in red paint that resembled blood – lay down and curled up on top of one another at Sant Jaume, in the historic centre of the city. “How many lives just for a coat?” read one young woman's sign. “People who are sensible to animal suffering see garments made from fur as acts of cruelty and pain, not as luxury items. Animals need their fur, we don't,” said Leticia Olivares, a spokeswoman for international animal rights group AnimaNaturalis, which staged the demonstration. The Society for Neuroscience Condemns Attacks by Animal Rights Extremists In the latest Nexus publication, the Society for Neuroscience writes: “News outlets recently reported University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) neuroscience professor and SfN member David Jentsch was targeted by animal rights extremists. Jentsch received an envelope containing a death threat and razor blades, while a similar threat was made to a member of Jentsch's research team [....] SfN strongly condemns the continued threats, violence, and harassment directed toward researchers. The Society stands united with Jentsch, the members of his team, and all researchers who use animal models to advance scientific discovery. SfN is committed to promoting public awareness to the vital role of animals in research and supporting all scientists that come under attack. Consumers urged to make a difference Hans Kriek, animal rights campaigner, says consumers can speed up the phasing out of sow crates by not buying factory-farmed pork Animal rights campaigners feel vindicated with the move to phase out sow crates in pig farming. The Animal Welfare Code relating to pigs comes into effect tomorrow, banning sow stalls in pig farming by December 2015. Hans Kriek, the director of the group Safe, says it's an ideal outcome in the short term, but he says consumers can speed up the process. “If people want pigs out of crates faster, then the key issue is not to buy factory-farmed pork.” PETA Offers Reward In Manteca Pet Poisonings After two months of terror over pet poisonings in Manteca's Park West neighborhood, there is now an additional $2500 reward for the suspects – offered up by animal rights group PETA. The reward money from the Norfolk, VA based animal rights group is an addition to a $1000 reward from Manteca Crime Stoppers. Manteca Animal Control investigators have linked 9 of 13 cases to anti-freeze poisoning. but still don't know who they're looking for. “Out of all the cases we believe are connected, nobody knows if it's a man or a woman. There's no suspect. We don't have a suspect,” says animal control officer, Les Rowe. Rowe believes the extra reward money will bring the suspect or suspects to justice, “I think the cash will help with more eyes and ears on what's going on.” New Jersey's black bear hunt ready to get under way Shotguns and bear-hunting blinds ready. Ranger patrols and checking stations ready. Protest picket signs ready. Today marks the start of the six-day black bear hunt season — the state's first in five years — when about 6,500 permitted hunters are taking aim at a growing bear population in North Jersey's Highlands. In the mountainous area, where bears have become a fixture, hunters will head into the woods armed with shotguns and muzzle-loading rifles. Every properly trained hunter's allowed one bear. And this week's also designated for deer hunting with shotguns. India activists urge against sending animals to Kabul zoo Indian animal rights activists Saturday urged the government not to send animals to Kabul's war-damaged zoo, after Afghan officials came scouting for an elephant and leopards. The Afghan capital's zoo suffered severe damage during the Taliban's 1996-2001 regime and the authorities are now working to restock with animals donated from India. But the Indian arm of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) urged Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh not to allow animals to be sent to Afghanistan. BM
