Animal advocacy group sues college over cruel experiments performed on kittens

/3 Comments/in , /by

An animal advocacy group has filed a lawsuit in New York compelling the disclosure of public records regarding invasive experiments performed on cats and kittens. On Thursday, the suit filed on behalf of Citizens for Alternatives to Animal Research & Experimentation,(CAARE) seeks the release of records from the State University of New York College of Optometry (SUNY).

According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) press release, SUNY has refused to release records after having been served a request under the New York Freedom of Information Law. In the experiments, kittens and cats, between the ages of four to 12 months, are anesthetized and then dissected during procedures which could last between a few hours or days. The cats’ heads are mounted in frames and  their eyes are forced open with contact lenses. While still alive their skulls are removed while electrodes are inserted into their brains.

“The public has a legal right to know about the cruel and unnecessary experiments being performed on cats and kittens to SUNY College of Optometry,” stated ALDF Executive Director Stephen Wells.

The State University of New York College of Optometry has been experimenting on cats since 2002 using taxpayer money. In 1985, experiments were undertaken to understand the part of the feline brain controlling vision. After 30 years, “the research has not produced any useful information applicable to human vision disorders,” stated ALDF. The college continues to refuse to release the records, contending that releasing the information to CAARE would put researchers in danger and their research qualifies as a “trade secret.” Not revealing details requested violates the New York Freedom of Information Act regarding government transparency when public funds are used.

““SUNY College of Optometry’s tight-fisted secrecy over the details of these cruel cat experiments does nothing to reassure the public that cats are not made to suffer in horribly invasive and useless experiments,” says CAARE President Barbara Stagno.

CARRE states technological advances makes it possible to conduct many experiments without using animals and that the results are faster and more relevant to human medicine.  Tens of millions of animals are used in research in the United States for testing  chemical safety, disease research and drug developments.

“Reliance on animals continues, not because it is effective, but due to inertia, lack of training, vested financial interests and adherence to outdated traditions.”

Since 1979, the Animal Legal Defense Fund has led the charge to win animals the legal protection they so desperately need—and deserve. Your gift will assure that ALDF can continue to take on cases that advance the interests of animals. Click here to donate.

More news and updates on the National Pet Rescue Facebook page.

No jail time for SnapChat dog killers – read the story here.

No jail time for dog killers

Tenderhearted shepherd sad after his family surrendered him to shelter – learn more here.

Tenderhearted shepherd

Our site is supported by stories from Shared.com

Breaking news: President to end family separation policy – learn more here.

This simple solution can help save humanity – read more here.

Authorities seek man caught in Snapchat video kicking kitten as ‘field goal’

/18 Comments/in , /by

Authorities are searching for the man caught in a Snapchat video in Kansas City, Missouri, who violently kicked a kitten as a “field goal” more than 25 yards as his friends laughed and cheered.

 

According to  KPVINews,  the abuse occurred at Center High School. KCMO Animal Control states the video had been dated May 22, and two days later the high school principal notified animal control.

In the video, a young man can be heard talking about kicking a field goal and then kicks a small black kitten just a few feet away from where the man had been standing. The cat goes flying about 25 yards, and it is not known what happened to the kitten.  One man could be heard laughing, yelling “field goals n****” to his friend. “Motherf***ing field goals,” can be heard as he  laughs just moments before his friend runs towards the kitten and kicks it into the air.

Authorities are asking for the public’s help identifying the person(s) in the video and the person who videoed the disturbing situation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the KCPD at the city’s 311 line or TIPS Hotline at 816.474.8477.

WARNING: The Snapchat video is both graphic and disturbing and may not be suitable to all viewing audiences. The video can be viewed here.

(Photos freezeshots from Snapchat video)

More news and updates on the National Pet Rescue Facebook page.

No jail time for SnapChat dog killers – read the story here.

No jail time for dog killers

Cafe denied guide dog water – read more about the disturbing allegation here.

Our site is supported by stories from Shared.com

This simple solution can help save humanity – read more here.

 

North Easton man charged with abandoning five kittens in ‘steaming hot’ crate

/4 Comments/in , , , /by

A North Easton, Massachusetts man has been charged with abandoning five kittens in a crate along Wrentham busy roadway. On Thursday, police arrested Alex T. Rodriquez, 32 and charged him with five counts of animal cruelty.

According to the Wrentham Police Facebook page, a woman found the five kittens on the side of Interstate 495. The four-week-old kittens became known as the “495 Five” and were taken to the King Philip Animal Rescue in Plainville where they are currently being fostered. They have since been treated for fleas and were being fed by volunteers.

In an all out effort to find the person responsible for abandoning the kittens, their photos were shared on Facebook asking anyone with information to come forward. Several witnesses supplied police with more information leading to the arrest of Rodriquez.

“Shortly after Wrentham Police posted this incident, several witnesses came forward, including people who had been in the process of adopting the kittens. Upon seeing the Wrentham Police Facebook post, they recognized the kittens and came to the police station.

A thorough police investigation followed and concluded there is probale cause to charge Mr. Rodriguez with five counts of Cruelty To Animals, M.G.L. Chapter 272, section 77.

Mr. Rodriguez will be summonsed to court for arraignment at a date to be scheduled by the Wrenthan District Court.”

(Photos of the five kittens Facebook King Philip Animal Rescue)

And to bring smiles to your faces, check out the “495 Five” and how absolutely adorable they are and how they are thriving:

Please SUBSCRIBE to receive more current, animal-related news.
Did you know that if you want to get updates from a Facebook page, you need to do more than “like” it? To get recent postings in your Facebook feed, you must also hover your mouse over the word “following” and then click “see first” from the drop-down menu. You may want to check back with your favorite pages on occasion because  Facebook often changes your settings, no longer having your having your favorites among those to “see first.

Idaho teacher facing charges for feeding puppy to turtles -read more here.

 

 

Preteen smiling intruder tortured family cat as he tried to stab family

/20 Comments/in , , /by

A preteen intruder who hid in a family’s parked boat in Clinton, Iowa is alleged to have smiled and said he was “having fun” after he tortured the family cat. The homeowner, Wayne Miller, heard the horn on his boat go off on the evening of June 3 and when he went to investigate found the boat had been ransacked.

According to WqadNews, Miller spotted the 12-year-old brandishing a knife hopping out of the boat. Miller was able to apprehend the kid and take away the knife, but as he eased up on his hold of the child, the nasty preteen grabbed the knife again and tried to stab Miller in the chest as he smiled.

Clinton Police arrived and arrested the child, and it was only then they found their much loved family cat, Pitty Pat. The kid had burned, slashed with a knife, soaked her in chemicals, cut off her tail and tried to set her on fire. Pitty Pat was rushed to an emergency veterinarian hospital but later succumbed to her injuries. She had been the family pet for 15 years and would happily greet people as they visited the family.

The 12-year-old has been charged with first-degree burglary and animal torture.

(Photo of Pitty Pat preteen allegedly tortured screenshot via family photo WqadNews)

Did you know that if you want to get updates from a Facebook page, you need to do more than “like” it? To get recent postings in your Facebook feed, you must also hover your mouse over the word “following” and then click “see first” from the drop-down menu. You may want to check back with your favorite pages on occasion because  Facebook often changes your settings, no longer having your having your favorites among those to “see first.

Idaho teacher facing charges for feeding puppy to turtles -read more here.

Our site is supported by stories from Shared.com

The bond between dogs and kids in 40 beautiful images – see them here.

Simple ideas to spruce up your home – find out more here.

 

Florida panther attacked and killed family cat in front yard

/10 Comments/in , , , /by

In southwest Florida, a rare Florida panther was caught on video seen running and capturing a family cat in its jaws and then carrying it off as prey on Sunday. It has been assumed the cat was dead by the time the panther carried it away in its jaws.

The graphic video was captured on a home surveillance system and posted on LiveLeak by D3ph3ult.

According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the panther attack occurred in the Golden Gate Estates area of Collier County located near prestigious Naples. Other panthers have previously been spotted throughout other parts of Florida including Osceola, Orange, Seminole, Brevard, Volusia and Flagler counties.

Homeowners in the area have been notified of the sightings.

“FWC has set up a sign at the entrance of the neighborhood with brochures about living with panthers, and staff are also going door to door to notify residents that panthers are in the area and to educate them on how to reduce conflicts with these animals.”

Residents are reminded to protect house pets and keep them indoors or in a predator-resistant enclosure – especially at night. Not only are panthers placing domestic pets at risk, wildlife experts also warn against bears, coyotes and bobcats. The Panther Sighting Registry states:

“Florida panthers are the larger of Florida’s two native cat species (panthers and bobcats). Although most panthers are found south of Lake Okeechobee, they have been documented throughout the peninsula and even into Georgia. Female panthers have only been documented in south Florida so that is where all known breeding occurs. Panthers are listed as an Endangered Species under the Endangered Species Act. There are approximately 120-230 adult panthers in the population.”

Tips for residents to reduce predators in their neighborhoods and yards can be found here.

Rest in peace poor kitty.

(Photos of panther attacking cat via freezeshots from video)

Please SUBSCRIBE to receive more current, animal-related news.
Did you know that if you want to get updates from a Facebook page, you need to do more than “like” it? To get recent postings in your Facebook feed, you must also hover your mouse over the word “following” and then click “see first” from the drop-down menu. You may want to check back with your favorite pages on occasion because  Facebook often changes your settings, no longer having your having your favorites among those to “see first.

Dog can’t walk after living life caged in chicken wire – read more here.

Idaho teacher facing charges for feeding puppy to turtles -read more here.

Our site is supported by stories from Shared.com

The bond between dogs and kids in 40 beautiful images – see them here.

Simple ideas to spruce up your home – find out more here.

Three cats survived after left 22 days inside Edmonton animal shelter vehicle

/6 Comments/in , , /by

Three cats survived 22 days inside of an Edmonton Humane Society shelter vehicle after they were forgotten during the transport of pets. According to the Facebook page of the organization, the cats were dehydrated, hungry and suffered urine burns to their paws, but miraculously survived with no major illnesses or injuries.

The incident reportedly occurred on March 27 when pets had been transported to another shelter and somehow were overlooked. It wasn’t until April 18 that the cats were discovered as staff had been preparing the vehicle for another animal transfer. The EHS stated they had been carefully monitoring the cats to ensure their health before they were transferred to another agency for placement. The cats have since been adopted.

In response to the situation and social media outrage, the Edmonton Humane Society posted a news release on Monday assuring the public that new procedures and processes have been instituted to make sure this never happens again:

Please SUBSCRIBE to receive more current, animal-related news.
Did you know that if you want to get updates from a Facebook page, you need to do more than “like” it? To get recent postings in your Facebook feed, you must also hover your mouse over the word “following” and then click “see first” from the drop-down menu. You may want to check back with your favorite pages on occasion because  Facebook often changes your settings, no longer having your having your favorites among those to “see first.

Dog can’t walk after living life caged in chicken wire – read more here.

 

Idaho teacher facing charges for feeding puppy to turtles -read more here.

Our site is supported by stories from Shared.com

The bond between dogs and kids in 40 beautiful images – see them here.

Simple ideas to spruce up your home – find out more here.

Police rescue 14 dogs and cats tied in sacks and abandoned in pickup truck

/4 Comments/in , , , , /by

Police and rescuers found 12 living dogs and two cats tied up in fertilizer bags and abandoned in the back of a pickup truck Wednesday morning in Samut Prakan, Thailand.

According to the Bankok Post, police arrived at the entrance to a wastewater treatment area near a housing development and found ten sacks in the back of a truck. The Good Samaritan who heard intermittent cries and howls coming from the sacks originally thought the sounds were coming from beyond the wastewater facility and paid no attention. It wasn’t until he returned later in the night, after having visited a friend, did he realize the cries of cats and dogs were coming from the back of the truck.

When rescuers arrived, onlookers rushed to help and provided food, water and milk for the exhausted dogs and cats. Rescued were 12 poodles and two cats. At this time it is unknown who dumped the animals. They will be transferred to a shelter in Chon Buri where they will be examined and cared for until they are well enough to be adopted.

Rescuers think the animals may have been abandoned by a breeder. The person found responsible for this animal cruelty would be charged under the Prevention of Cruelty and Animal Welfare Act. Thailand introduced animal welfare laws in 2014. Offenses are punishable by fines up to $1,663 per offense or two years in prison. The cruelty laws were updated in 2016 which increased fines and better defines measures intended to protect pets, working animals and stock animals kept for food. Unfortunately the rate of prosecution still remains low.

(Photos of dogs and cats found tied in sacks via Facebook  photos by Sutthiwit Chayutworakan screenshots)

Please SUBSCRIBE to receive more current, animal-related news.
‘
Did you know that if you want to get updates from a Facebook page, you need to do more than “like” it? To get recent postings in your Facebook feed, you must also hover your mouse over the word “following” and then click “see first” from the drop-down menu. You may want to check back with your favorite pages on occasion because  Facebook often changes your settings, no longer having your having your favorites among those to “see first.

Official diagnosis and exciting update provided for dumped puppy, Republic – read the news here.

Diagnosis and update for Republic, dumped puppy

Our site is supported by stories from Shared.com

The bond between dogs and kids in 40 beautiful images – see them here.

 

 

Teen who microwaved 7-week-old kitten walks away with probation

/21 Comments/in , /by

A 17-year-old boy from Victoria, Australia, who microwaved a seven-week-old kitten, walked out of court on Friday with just probation after a magistrate found the boy had “no understanding” of the impact his actions would have on his life.

The kitten, who belonged to a neighbor, suffered internal injuries and was humanely euthanized the following day. Magistrate David Faram ordered a psychological assessment for the teen and sentenced him to six-months probation having been spared both a fine and incarceration. The judge described the January incident as horrible.

According to AbcNews, the unnamed minor had been having difficulties in and out of school. The juvenile has been studying online and wants to graduate.

“I’m certain you had no clear understanding of the impact this would have on your life,” Magistrate Faram addressed the teen in court. “I am satisfied you’re remorseful and this type of behavior won’t happen again.”

Please SUBSCRIBE to receive more current, animal-related news.
‘
Did you know that if you want to get updates from a Facebook page, you need to do more than “like” it? To get recent postings in your Facebook feed, you must also hover your mouse over the word “following” and then click “see first” from the drop-down menu. You may want to check back with your favorite pages on occasion because  Facebook often changes your settings, no longer having your having your favorites among those to “see first.

Our site is supported by stories from Shared.com

These heartwarming baby donkey images will melt your heart – see the collection here.

Octopus captured for food is being set free – read the story here.

 

 

Box Elder County man hurls cat into road and posted video on Snapchat

/13 Comments/in , , /by

A 21-year-old Box Elder County man is currently under investigation for animal cruelty after a disturbing video was posted on Snapchat throwing a cat over a silver vehicle out into the darkness and then laughing about it.

The 12-second video showed a red-haired male identified as Kyle Smith, who allegedly told the investigating officer the incident happened on May 15 and that his decision to throw the cat was a spur of the moment thought. Kyle was charged with Animal Cruelty in a Reckless Manner. His girlfriend, Kylee Allen admitted she was the person who filmed the disturbing incident. The officer’s police report stated the following:

“Kyle then told me that he was initially just playing with the cat, and she [Kylee] had been filming him but he didn’t know. Then the thought came to mind is throw the cat, which he immediately acted on, which after it happened he realized she had recorded him on her Snapchat, and put it on her “Snapchat Story,” which later he found out that someone captured the video from her story and put it on Twitter. I told Kyle that judging by the video and how quick it happened, I don’t believe she really had time to stop him, and for those reasons I don’t find her liable for aiding him in the incident.”

According to KutvNews, the video had been posted over 40,000 times and students at Box Elder High School as well as the community were outraged, while others, even though they all agreed throwing a cat is inappropriate, that the harsh comments on social media have gone too far.

Smith later posted a photo of the cat he says is fine.

There are no excuses for animal cruelty – never.

The video can be viewed at this link.

(Photo of Box Elder County man tossing cat via screenshot Fox News)

Please SUBSCRIBE to receive more current, animal-related news.

‘

Did you know that if you want to get updates from a Facebook page, you need to do more than “like” it? To get recent postings in your Facebook feed, you must also hover your mouse over the word “following” and then click “see first” from the drop-down menu. You may want to check back with your favorite pages on occasion because  Facebook often changes your settings, no longer having your having your favorites among those to “see first.

Man arrested after going swimming, leaving dog to suffer in hot car – read more here.

Owner went swimming, dog left in hot truck

 

Adorable rescue kittens turned out to be bobcats: 3 people bitten

/3 Comments/in , , , /by

In San Antonio, Texas, a kind family who thought they were rescuing abandoned domestic kittens turned out to be bobcats. Although they are undeniably cute, the little ones bit and scratched three members of the human family who found them. The injuries were minor. Bobcats have much larger fang teeth than domestic kittens which is what prompted the family to look them up on Google.

According to San Antonio Animal Care Services, spokesperson Lisa Norwood stated the kittens were found in an alleyway. It was when the family brought the kittens into their home and tried to feed them milk, that the baby bobcats bit and scratched. On their Facebook page, Animal Care stated the kitties – one male and one female, are now being quarantined at the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation in Kendalia, Texas.

“When kittens are fortunate enough to be left in the wild and in the company of their mother they will remain in her care and learning survival skills from her for 10 to 13 months,” stated the rescue founder, Lynn Cuny.

According to ABCNews, Cuny added would-be good Samaritans should not tamper with wildlife and to leave the animals alone. The mother could have been hiding from humans or hunting for food.

The neighboring area where the babies were found has undeveloped areas where wildlife still roam. As of the latest report, Cuny states the kitties are doing fine and caregivers are hoping to reunite them with their mother, however she has not been spotted. For now, the little ones are being handled as little as possible so they do not become used to humans. They are being quarantined in a secluded area where they can hear the sounds of nature and the outdoors.

The two are extremely bonded and sleep on top of each other. Admittedly it’s over the top adorable, but if they can not be released back into the wild with a good chance of surviving, they will live at the rescue’s 212-acre sanctuary.

Please everyone – leave wild animal babies alone. The chances are good their moms will return for them.

(Photos courtesy of San Antonio Animal Care Services)

‘

Did you know that if you want to get updates from a Facebook page, you need to do more than “like” it? To get recent postings in your Facebook feed, you must also hover your mouse over the word “following” and then click “see first” from the drop-down menu. You may want to check back with your favorite pages on occasion because Facebook often changes your settings, no longer having your having your favorites among those to “see first.

Dogs died after accidentally starting house fire – read more here.

 

 

.