GRAND UNION STOPS VENDORS FROM SELLING HUNTING
VIDEO TAPES IN ALL 120 STORES IN NY AND NJ!
SHOP GRAND UNION, THEY'RE TRULY GRAND
(They also have vegan Boca Burgers)
Due to a letter sent by Anne Muller (as an individual) to a
local manager of Grand Union (in hunting territory) asking that
they discontinue allowing a private vendor to sell hunting video
tapes in a kiosk near the customer service desk, Grand Union has
removed them from kiosks at all 120 stores in NY and NJ! Thank
you letters as fellow Grand Union customers can be sent to: Ms.
Sharon DeSordi, Grand Union Corporate Headquarters, 201 Willowbrook
Blvd., Wayne, NJ 07470. In the letter, please thank John Becker,
District Manager for taking my complaint to the top, or you can
write to him directly: John Becker, District Manager, Grand Union,
Bridgeview Shopping Center, 650 Route 9W, Highland, NY 12528
PROMISES OF "NEVER AGAIN" FROM KLM
FOR SHREDDING 400 LIVE SQUIRRELS:
After hearing the shocking news that KLM put 400 live squirrels
into a shredder, Wildlife Watch called, wrote, demonstrated and
petitioned near their office in NYC. - People were shocked to learn
about the squirrels. KLM promises to fly right. We just received
a letter from Dig Istha, Executive Vice President, KLM Corporate
Communications saying: I would like to take this opportunity to
express our sincere apologies and to assure you that this will
never happen again;. I fully understand and share your dismay….KLM
will consult with the authorities and representatives of animal
welfare organizations to determine better procedures for the future.
WILDLIFE WATCH WORKS TO BAN CANNED HUNTING
At a town board meeting in Wallkill, NY, Wildlife Watch and
ROAR demanded that there be no hunting of canned boar, and appealed
for a law that would stop any canned hunt operation from coming
into Wallkill. The audience was extremely supportive, and Wildlife
Watch was asked by a resident to draft a total canned hunt ban
for the town to consider. That has been done and the effort is
in progress.
FOILED GOOSE KILLERS' ATTEMPTS TO GET OTHER
TOWN SUPERVISORS TO KILL
Wildlife Watch and the Coalition to Prevent the Destruction
of Canada Geese attended the annual conference of the NYS Association
of Towns to counteract Richard Chipman of USDA Wildlife Services
(notorious killers of the nation's wildlife) as he described how
killing was the best method of getting rid of geese. Clarkstown
goose killer, Holbrook was in the room yelling, "kill 'em" as
Chipman spoke. We handed out our material and spoke to many supervisors
afterwards. (See page 5.)
NEW JERSEY DEP AND PARK RANGERS DROP HUNTER
HARASSMENT CHARGES
As we reported in our last newsletter, we told the prosecutor
that we would not plead guilty to hunter harassment charges and
that we would go to trial. We returned to court well prepared for
a trial with our lawyer, Jim Sieradzski, and two witnesses, Melanie
Bartlett and Jon Goldberg of Vassar College. Again, the rangers
wanted to settle out of court. This time they dropped the charges
of "hunter harassment" and "interfering with a police
officer" in exchange for my pleading guilty to criminal harassment.
We reasoned that this charge (a minor charge in NJ) was no longer
the issue we wanted to fight. Pleading guilty would not stop our
activities; the judge was going to have to give the park something.
Based on that, we decided to get on with our other work and accept
the "deal." Shockingly, the man who came before the judge
prior to my case was given the exact same fine ($250 which comes
to about $400 with court charges) for beating his wife to a pulp!
HELPING TO DRAFT NEW ROCKLAND COUNTY LEGISLATION
Working with legislators on new legislation to create a strong
law restricting trapping that will be less challengeable than the
ban (while appeal is pending).
PETITIONING EFFORT CONTINUES AGAINST TRAPPING
KEEPING HOME RULE BILL ALIVE, Wildlife Watch along with Meg & Tony
Massaro whose companion, Valentine, was killed by a trapper in
a conibear trap, The Fund, and Holly Cheever, DVM met with Sheldon
Siver's office to convince them to push for the Home Rule bill
against trapping. (see page 6 for impressions).
REST ASSURED THAT WE HAVE BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK DILIGENTLY
TO REINSTATE ROCKLANDS TRAPPING BAN. WHILE WE WOULD LOVE TO REPORT
ALL THAT IS HAPPENING, WE MUST BE PRUDENT.
DEVELOPMENT OF PRESENTATION PACKAGE FOR HOPE RYDEN'S BOOK,
GOD'S DOG. We have already done two presentations and are setting
up others. (See page 1)
WORKED TO STOPPED KILLING OF HATCHED CORMORANTS. (See page
4)
WORKING TO STOP COYOTE KILLING. (See page 3)
WILDLIFE WATCH INVITED TO SPEAK C.A.S.H./Wildlife Watch was
asked to speak to Suzan Porto's Animal Rights class at Pace University
Law School. The subject was the Ringwood court case. Sue's students
were shocked to learn the details of the events, and one student
promises to be at our next protest in September!
WROTE ARTICLE ON CANNED HUNTING FOR SATYA MAGAZINE Peter Muller
wrote an article on canned hunting for the current issue of excellent
SATYA magazine. SATYA focuses on environment and animal issues.
To subscribe to SATYA write to P.O. Box 138, NYC 10012. Call 212-674-0952
or e-mail stealth@interport.com
HELD DEMO AGAINST "SPORTSMAN'S EXPO"- C.A.S.H. held
its annual demonstration at Rockland Community College publicly
asking that the college not denigrate itself by hosting this exhibition
of killing and volunteering to help them find a financial replacement.
Dr. George Hamada, President, Rockland Community College, College
Road, Suffern, N.Y. 10901 ANNOUNCEMENTS: Please keep letters going
to MOHONK PRESERVE, Sara Senior, President, Board of Directors,
New Paltz, NY 12561. They wrote that they will not discontinue
hunting.
DEMO AT BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY Scheduled For May 30, in Scarsdale,
NY. in cooperation with CAFT - COALITION TO ABOLISH THE FUR TRADE.
We will be pointing out the hypocrisy of not selling dog and cat
fur, but selling coyote and other wild animal fur. The theme for
Wildlife Watch is "Give Fur Back to the Animals - we will
be cutting up donated fur coats into cage size pieces to be used
as bedding for animals at Pets Alive a no-kill shelter.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Drs. Arlene Kahn and Eric Goldman for developing an active
Wildlife Watch volunteer force
Rosie O'Donnell calls Arlene Kahn to say she was "just
joking" about killing squirrels. Arlene Kahn called the Rosie
O'Donnell show to voice her dismay over the fact that Rosie had
joked about running over squirrels in her home county, Rockland
(Not a good move). Rosie, herself, called back and apologized.
She promised not to joke again at the expense of the little guys
and also said she would be happy to sign our petitions against
trapping.
Linda Segal and Eloise Vega lobbied successfully for the first
dog run in Rockland County, which will be used by the Hudson Valley
Humane Association (a no-kill shelter) for dog and cat adoptions
and dog training!
Dwight Kearns for bringing the horrendous anti-Canada goose
propaganda video, created by Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cornell
U., to the attention of the Rockland County Environmental Management
Council (EMC). EMC has officially condemned it and is asking for
its withdrawal.
Peter Muller picks up and transports three Taiwan dogs from
the airport to PETS ALIVE.. Pete said his favorite little guy,
named Piggy, looked like a giant skunk. We're happy to report that
Sara Whalen said that Piggy has been adopted and her new name is "Twiggy."
Frank and Mary Hoffman Foundation for hosting our website.
Chris Arenella for her work to save a beaver pond in Bloomington,
NY (in progress).
WAYS TO HELP WILDLIFE WATCH / C.A.S.H. HELP
ANIMALS
Cash- just writing a check will, if you itemize, give you a
deduction on your federal income taxes.
Writing a check monthly - Sometimes it's easier to write smaller
amounts every month. Just think, the sacrifice of one (vegan) pizza
pie a month (that's rough, I know) would add up to $180 as an annual
contribution! Given that the pizza pie is $15 (NY prices). Just
$1/day adds up to $365 a year!
Stocks - After the tremendous stock market gains these past
few years gifting, stocks has two major advantages. You avoid paying
any capital gains tax on the appreciated value, and you get a full
tax deduction for up to 30% of adjusted gross income.
Gifts of Life Insurance - Many people have half-forgotten policies
they bought years ago for reasons no longer valid. Changing your
beneficiary to Wildlife Watch is a very simple and effective way
to leave a lasting legacy.
Gifts of Real Estate. - Like stocks, many real estate holdings
have appreciated in value over the years and could be a great way
to make a substantial donation while avoiding capital gains taxes.
BEQUESTS - If you would like to include Wildlife Watch in your
will, kindly contact: Frances Carlisle, Esq., 20 Waterside Plaza,
Suite 12-D, New York, NY 10010.
WISH LIST:
- Computer equipment, preferably PC type capable of minimally
running Windows 95
- Cameras, video and still (telephoto lens would be great)
- Any donations for a summer tag sale
