Evidence of Animal Abuses
Albert Schweitzer at his Nobel Peace Prize speech in 1952 said……
“… compassion, in which ethics takes root, does not assume its true proportions until it embraces not only man but every living being.”
These words were to herald the injection of a broader approach in attitude as to what it is to be human, and humane.
There have been many efforts over the last century to curb the wrongs and to address the issues in modern life and habits that involve animals.
We cannot ignore the evidence of one of the most reputable groups that confirms the existence of very real cruelties and the very real situations that need to be corrected.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), based in Washington, D.C., is the largest animal advocacy organization in the world, with reported assets that have grown to over US$160 million and with supporters throughout many countries. Information on the interests and activities of this organization on behalf of animals is presently discussed.
The organization was founded in 1954 by Fred Myers, a journalist, together with two others who were committed to improving animal welfare and eliminating inhumane practices. It has primarily been a lobbyist and educational group with an all embracing concern for animals whether suffering exploitation or abuses by humans in farming, domestic, research, trade or wildlife situations.
HSUS has a record that includes the following work and achievements -
In 1958 the HSUS contributed with other to the enactment of federal legislation, the Humane Slaughter Act. This awakened public awareness of cruelties that existed in the nation and potentially improved the future for millions of animals. The issue of humane slaughter became an immediate priority for the organization. Although other organizations oppose animals used for food, the HSUS does not take this extreme stand.
During its early years the HSUS took animal experimentation as a specific area that should be regulated and investigators were placed in laboratories to obtain evidence should there be in sub-standard practices or animal neglect.
In 1960’s onward, the HSUS and its state branches operated animal shelters in Waterford, Virginia, Salt Lake City Utah, and Boulder, Colorado and elsewhere.
In 1961, investigator Frank McMahon instigated support from dog dealers to support a federal law to prevent cruelty to animals destined for laboratories. This was an early concern of the HSUS who focussed upon educating the public in awareness of the growing extent of biomedical research and the increasing demand for laboratory animals. This demand spawned a huge new industry in finding and trading the ‘animal products’ or specimens from both local and international sources.
In 1966 a successful raid by state police on a dog dealer’s in Maryland was recorded by Life and published in its photo-essay that raised public awareness of one aspect of the animal problem. The article sparked public outrage and tens of thousands of Americans were said to have contacted their congressional representatives demanding general protection for animals including the growing threat of losing domestic pets through theft. That year the U.S. Congress approved the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act.
The HSUS sought to bolster the public’s strong opposition to pound seizure, believing that no public pound or privately operated humane society should be compelled by law to provide animals for experimental use.
In 1970s The HSUS would branch out into the extended areas of wildlife and marine mammal protection as well as pursuing the goals to improve animal euthanasia practices, and curbing abuses by pet shop and commercial animal breeding trades.
Over the following years the HSUS continued to grow in influence and although not accepting an identical philosophy to the emergence of ‘animal rights activists’ the shared elements were welcomed and much was achieved.
In 2004, the HSUS board appointed Wayne Pacelle,Yale graduate, as CEO and President. He served as chief lobbyist and spokesman.
In 2006, the HSUS helped to secure the passage of 70 new state laws to protect animals that outlawed dove hunting in Michigan and abusive factory farming practices in Arizona. It exposed the fake fur or ‘faux’ scandal when coats trimmed with real fur were labelled falsely. It was found that the fur trim came from purpose-bred raccoon dogs in China – animals that were sometimes beaten and skinned alive. This resulted in some retailers withdrawing the clothing items from sale. Legislation was introduced in the U.S. Congress requiring that all fur jackets including imported ones be properly labelled. A ban was declared on raccoon dog fur.
In 2007, HSUS led calls to suspend quarterback Michael Vick in the wake of allegations that he had been involved with dog fighting. He was subsequently prosecuted under federal law. In 2007, it also launched Humane Wildlife Services, a program to encourage and provide humane wildlife removal services for animal eviction and exclusion.
In 2008 the HSUS helped to pass 91 state animal welfare laws, including the State of California. Following an undercover investigation conducted by the HSUS, in the Westland Meat Packing Company, substantial animal abuse was revealed and led to action by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA.) The company was then forced to recall 143 million pounds of beef, some of which had been routed into the nation’s school lunch program.
The HSUS released the results of a nine-month undercover investigation of the NIRC laboratory in Louisiana, alleging mistreatment of chimpanzees and other primates, leading to an immediate government investigation of the facility.
In 2008, the HSUS also launched a campaign to expose the reliance of the pet store chain Petland on puppy mills where animals are raised under inhumane conditions.
In early 2008, the HSUS re-organized its direct veterinary care work and its veterinary advocacy under a new entity, the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, formed through an alliance with the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (AVAR), a group of veterinarians that support the animal rights movement.
In 2009 HSUS published Animal Sheltering, a bi-monthly magazine for animal sheltering professionals distributed to more than 450,000 people.
In 2010 the HSUS led a campaign against puppy mill cruelty in Missouri. The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, known as “Prop B”, was narrowly passed by Missouri voters.
The HSUS now operates the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, which provides free veterinary services for animals in impoverished communities.
Leave a Reply