Free the dolphins and orcas? Free Willy inspires movement––but Watson has doubts, takes heat

December 1, 1993 Dylan Forest Leave a comment

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, December 1993:

SANTA MONICA, California––Paul Watson,

Ric O’Barry, Peter Wallerstein, and Steve Hindi all agree

on one thing: Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium shouldn’t have

captured three Pacific whitesided dolphins off San Diego

circa November 27. All were bitterly disappointed when the

Shedd capture crew eluded nautical and aerial surveillance

by the Whale Rescue Team to bring in the dolphins by the

dead of night. A Shedd holding pen at the Kettenburg

Marine wharf was dry and empty late Saturday; the anxious

dolphins were there and shrieking on Sunday morning, and

were still shrieking Sunday night, according to Hindi as

ANIMAL PEOPLE went to press.

If it can make it there, it can make it anywhere

November 1, 1993 Dylan Forest Leave a comment

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, November 1993:

NEW YORK, N.Y.––Richard Avanzino of the

San Francisco SPCA is quick to point out that he hasn’t

announced his plan to end population control euthanasia

as a blueprint for anyone anywhere else. He explains

carefully that it is intended as an experiment, taking

advantage of the unique conditions in San Francisco, and

that other cities should in turn learn by the San Francisco

experience before attempting anything similar.

Nonetheless, there could be implications for

New York City. Acknowledging the example of the

SFSPCA, the American SPCA announced last April that

it would cease providing animal control service to New

York City in November 1994, exactly 100 years after it

took on the job. Like the SFSPCA, the ASPCA will then

focus upon arranging adoptions, neutering, humane edu-

cation, and improving landlord/pet keeper relations.

Demographics of the shelter dog population

November 1, 1993 Dylan Forest Leave a comment

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, November 1993:

While good statistical data on the

U.S. animal shelter dog population is

scarce, what is available largely supports

Margaret Anne Cleek’s contention (left)

that large dogs are disproportionately rep-

resented, while small dogs remain in

strong demand. Before accepting Cleek’s

commentary, ANIMAL PEOPLE

checked her various contentions about the

nature of dogs entering and exiting shelters

with a variety of shelter managers from

across the U.S. who were attending the

American Humane Association annual con-

ference in Baltimore, October 10-13.

None had precise statistics for large dog

versus small dog intakes and adoptions,

but the experience of the North Shore

Animal League, which adopts out 43,000

animals a year, proved typical, even at

small rural shelters in remote regions.

Guest column: We can learn from Detroit

November 1, 1993 Dylan Forest Leave a comment

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, November 1993:

by Margaret Anne Cleek

An open mind is damned near

impossible either to have or to find. The

response I’ve received to my September

ANIMAL PEOPLE guest column, “Don’t

call me a pimp” bears out the opening

premise of it: that we all have our own per-

ceptual set which colors our view of reality.

This leads to stereotyping and prejudice,

which in turn can produce polarization and

counterproductive strategy in pursuit of

mutually accepted goals.

To re-introduce myself, I am by

profession an industrial/organizational psy-

chologist. I am by avocation a dog enthusi-

ast––not just a purebred dog enthusiast.

While I have concerns about the adoption of

unsuitable dogs, the true mutt is just plain

fine in my book, and I would urge the

adoption of the right mutt over the wrong

purebred in a heartbeat.

LETTERS [Nov. 1993]

November 1, 1993 Dylan Forest Leave a comment

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, November 1993:

Hunter education

When I speak to groups regarding hunting, I utilize a technique I

learned from Bernie Rollin. Using a chalkboard or something similar, I

ask participants to tell me why they like to hunt. Comments like, “I like to

be in the woods,” “I like spending time with my friends,” and “I like the

solitude of the forest early in the morning” are duly recorded. Of course

no one initially says, “Because I like to kill things.”

Once the list is complete, I point out that I, too, enjoy the

things mentioned, but my enjoyment is complete without the addition of a

weapon. We then proceed to the point where the issues of power and

killing are raised. I am always amazed at how someone in the group will

eventually say something like, “I guess the real reason I like to hunt is that

I like the rush I get when I pull the trigger.” And they sound faintly sur-

prised, as if the thought never occurred to them before. Then they ask,

“Is that wrong?” My answer is generally along the lines of, “I guess that’s

something you’ll have to decide for yourself.”

Letters

Editorials: When more pets don’t help

November 1, 1993 Dylan Forest Leave a comment

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, November 1993:

It’s no secret that loneliness ranks among our biggest social problems. Those who

are lonely won’t need convincing, but the available statistics are still staggering. Twelve

Americans out of every 100 over age 15 live alone, including nearly a third of those who

are 65 or older, 41% of women age 65 and older, and more than half of women age 75 and

over. Certainly some people choose to live alone, but among both sexes at all ages over

25, the numbers who are alone closely correlate with the number who are widowed or

divorced. More than half of all women will be widowed or divorced by age 65.

The impact of loneliness on many people appears in further statistics. Single peo-

ple suffer more accidents, poverty, terminal disease, alcoholism, and drug dependen-

cy––and commit suicide more often. Men commit suicide three times as often as women;

the leading reason for male suicide is loss of a spouse.

Just as otherwise healthy but unloved infants may die from acute depression,

called by doctors “failure to thrive,” most of the rest of us need to be loved to feel well.

As almost all of us who have ever been alone can testify, we were born to be social ani-

mals; our social needs don’t end with our relationships.

Ducks scarce; gunners go after resident geese

November 1, 1993 Dylan Forest Leave a comment

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, November 1993:

Migratory waterfowl populations

are down again, according to the U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service, continuing a 20-year

slump, during which mallards, the most

commonly hunted species, have declined

33%. This year’s fall duck count of 59 mil-

lion is the lowest on record, down 4.8%

from last year, when the count of 62 mil-

lion matched the then-record low first

reached in 1985. Goose and swan numbers

increased slightly in most areas, but the

Atlantic and southern James Bay flights of

Canada geese fell––the latter by 28%.

More than 100 million ducks flew

south each year in the 1970s, and 74 mil-

lion as recently as 1987, when the U.S.

and Canada set up the $1.5 billion, 12-year

North American Waterfowl Management

Plan to try to rebuild the population.

Can San Francisco quit killing pet surplus? SPCA moves toward national precedent; ANIMAL CONTROL COMMUNITY ANXIOUS, SKEPTICAL

November 1, 1993 Dylan Forest Leave a comment

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, November 1993:

SAN FRANCISCO, California––Known for controversial innovation, San

Francisco SPCA president Richard Avanzino touched off perhaps the biggest furor of his

career in September by proposing that the city pound should stop euthanizing animals purely

for the purpose of population control––and offering to take care of adopting out the animals.

Not just an idealistic gesture but a detailed plan, Avanzino’s strategy for increasing

placement of adoptable animals is backed by a million-dollar special budget and an SFSPCA

shelter expansion already underway. If Avanzino achieves the goal, San Francisco will

become the first major city ever to achieve victory over pet overpopulation.

And the goal is within sight. Since Avanzino returned the municipal animal control

contract to the city in 1989, the SFSPCA has concentrated upon promoting adoptions, discount

neutering, humane education, and improving relations between landlords and tenants with

pets. The payoff has become evident in plummeting euthanasia rates not only at the SFSPCA

itself, which has virtually become a no-kill shelter, but also at the city Animal Care and

Control Department shelter.

Blind trust: Dogs for people who can’t live without them

November 1, 1993 Dylan Forest Leave a comment

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, November 1993:

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK–– The

July 7 accident stunned New York City. Before dozens of

witnesses, a blind woman fell from the platform at

Pennsylvania Station, losing her grip on her guide dog’s

harness. As she scrambled back toward safety, and the

frantic dog barked a warning, the 9:18 southbound express

thundered into the station, and though the motorman threw

his full weight against the emergency brake, it knocked her

20 feet through the air.

Five minutes before 10:00 a.m., when she would

have reported for work, Vision Services for the Blind asso-

ciate executive director Pamela Schneider, 49, died of her

extensive injuries.

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