AR-NEWS Digest 667

Topics covered in this issue include:

1) Rabbits and humans
by Andrew Gach 
2) (IOWA)á 3/3/97 Periscope/Food: Next Time, Let Her Eat Cake
by Vegetarian Resource Center 
3) Beating the drum
by Andrew Gach 
4) Foraging cows produce less methane
by Andrew Gach 
5) Tampa fur protest
by ALFNOW73@aol.com
6) [CA] Taking a bite out of crime
by David J Knowles 
7) [US] Transplant of animal organs not accepted by society,
patient says
by David J Knowles 
8) (UK) Police hit back over reaction to animal protest
by Chris Wright 
9) Anniversary of Victory for Animals
by SDURBIN@VM.TULSA.CC.OK.US
10) Poachers kill three rhinos in Kenya
by "Christine M. Wolf" 
11) Reports of elephant poaching
by "Christine M. Wolf" 
12) Nadas update
by "Eric Mindel @ LCA" 
13) SHOCKING DISCLOSURES
by Lionel Friedberg 
14) Chimpanzees in the crossfire
by Shirley McGreal 
15) Mollusk Madness
by SDURBIN@VM.TULSA.CC.OK.US
16) Donkey beating is fun in Spain
by "sa338@blues.uab.es" 
17) The Lobster Zone
by "Leslie Lindemann" 
18) Associated Press: Judge Drops Part Of Oprah/Beef Case
by LCartLng@gvn.net (Lawrence Carter-Long)
19) Help needed with cat organ donor question
by LCartLng@gvn.net (Lawrence Carter-Long)
20) Furgive Me While I Scream
by Snugglezzz@aol.com
21) Sorry!
by Snugglezzz@aol.com
22) Premarin Horses
by Snugglezzz@aol.com
23) Important gray whale hunt action item
by Michael Kundu 
24) (NY) Up and coming elections
by Liz Grayson 
25) (US) Partial victory for Winfrey
by allen schubert 
26) The Widow vs. American Airlines Trial Begins Monday Feb. 23
by Vegetarian Resource Center 
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 21:47:40 -0800
From: Andrew Gach 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Rabbits and humans
Message-ID: <34E9247C.2BB3@worldnet.att.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Study finds dirty teeth may lead to heart attacks

Reuters News Service 
PHILADELPHIA, February 16, 1998

Want to prevent a heart attack? You should exercise, eat right and keep
your teeth clean, researchers said Monday.

The bacteria found in plaque can cause blood platelets to clump up --
the first stage toward a blood clot that could cause a heart attack or
stroke, University of Minnesota researchers said.

Gum disease offers a good route for these bacteria to get into the
blood, and several researchers have reported recently finding bacteria
in the atherosclerotic plaque that clogs diseased arteries.

"We know a great deal about risk factors for atherosclerosis and heart
attacks, but not the actual causes," Dr. Mark Herzberg, a professor of
preventive sciences at the University of Minnesota, told the American
Association for the Advancement of Science.

His team took the germs found in dirty and diseased gums, including
strains of Streptococcus and Porphyromonas bacteria, and infused them
into rabbits. The blood platelets in the rabbits started to clump.

The rabbits also had abnormal electrocardiograms and faster heart and
breathing rates. Using a different bacterium did not have these effects.

What is different about some of the bacteria found in plaque and gum
disease is a protein they produce called platelet aggregation associated
protein or PAAP. This could be the key to the problem, Herzberg said.

It has not been proved that the same thing happens in humans. Herzberg
said he wants to test the unfortunate rabbits more to see if they suffer
heart attacks when the bacteria are infused
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 00:48:53 -0500
From: Vegetarian Resource Center 
To: AR-News@Envirolink.Org
Subject: (IOWA)á 3/3/97 Periscope/Food: Next Time, Let Her Eat Cake
Message-ID: <199802170551.FAA13356@mail-out-4.tiac.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

áá For a while there, everything was going just fine at the annual banquet of
the Buena Vista County, Iowa, pork producers earlier this month. Then the
reigning county Pork Queen for the last year, Abigail Boettcher, rose to
deliver her farewell speech. A cheerleader, athlete and daughter of a pig
farmer, the college freshman had been a model P.Q. But instead of just
thanking the 200 or so assembled hog pros for a swell year as spokesperson for
the other white meat, Boettcher decided to announce a bit of personal
information: namely, that she's a vegetarian. The news went over like a hog in
a henhouse. pork shock, cried one local headline. pork queen comes clean, read
another. "I was nervous about telling them," says Boettcher, "but everybody's
been real nice about it."

3/3/97 Periscope/Food: Next Time, Let Her Eat Cake

Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 21:59:58 -0800
From: Andrew Gach 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Beating the drum
Message-ID: <34E9275E.25CA@worldnet.att.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Neurocrine unlocks possible treatment for strokes

Reuters News Service 
LOS ANGELES, February 16, 1998

Neurocrine Biosciences Inc Monday unveiled advances that may help treat
stroke patients as well as those with Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's
disease and multiple sclerosis.

In a paper to be published in Tuesday's edition of Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences Neurocrine, scientists said they had
discovered a compound that could unlock a protein in the brain that
could treat neural diseases, head trauma, osteoporosis, spinal injury
and other ailments.

The study focused on "insulin-like growth factors" (IGFs) which are
essential for normal growth and development and protect brain cells from
injury. IGFs are naturally produced in the body but are attached to
receptors that render then inactive.

Scientists in recent years have focused on increasing the level of IGFs
in patients as a potential treatment for neural disorders, such as
strokes, which do not have effective therapies.

To date scientists have been unable to get IGFs past the blood-brain
barrier since they are such large protein molecules.

San Diego-based Neorocrine's approach is to develop a drug that could be
taken orally to separate IGFs already present in the brain from the
receptors, thereby unlocking the therapeutic effect of the IGFs.

"People have wanted to use (IGFs) for these indications but they haven't
been able to because you can't deliver it," Neurocrine President Gary
Lyons said in an interview.

"The significance of this work is we (will) have a pill that will
increase these growth factors in the brain to slow or prevent, and even
repair, nerve cell death for the first time for treatment in these kinds
of diseases."

Lyons said his company will now face the long process of clinical trials
in order to get U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration approval for the drug.
He said it could take up to two years, and possibly longer, before the
drug would be available to patients.

The company tested the compound on laboratory rats which had suffered
strokes. The study slowed, or prevented, neuron cell death by up to 50
percent in rats compared with rats that were not treated.

Since human brain cells take longer to die than rat brains cells the
company hopes the effects of the treatment will be even more pronounced
in humans.

Over the long-term Lyons said increasing IGFs had regenerative effects
on brain cells, which may offer potential treatment for patients with
Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and spinal injury.

By MARK EGAN, Reuter

==========================================================

In view of the fact that only one of every 50 drugs approved for
clinical testing reaches the drugstore shelf, these researchers and
their sponsors are remarkably upbeat.

Such "cures around the corner" announced almost daily amount to no more
than cynical exploitation of sick people and their relatives.

Andy
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 22:01:33 -0800
From: Andrew Gach 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Foraging cows produce less methane
Message-ID: <34E927BD.61D2@worldnet.att.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

The sweet smell of success

Agence France-Presse 
SYDNEY, February 15, 1998 

A team of Australian and Japanese scientists has discovered how to make
cattle produce less gas but more meat and milk -- by improving their
diet.

The world's super-flatulent cattle herd is now blamed for generating 15
to 20 percent of all the methane resulting from human activity. Methane
is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide in causing global warming.

The global herd is estimated at 1.33 billion with an additional 1.1
billion sheep and goats. 

Australian government scientist Graeme McCrabb and colleague Mitsunori
Kurihara of Japan's National Institute of Animal Industry have found
that an improved diet produces not only a better-mannered cow but a much
more productive one as well.

"We found cattle on a forage diet produced four-and-a-half times as much
methane for every kilo gain in live weight as cattle on a high quality
grain-based diet," said McCrabb, of the Commonwealth Scientific and
Industrial Research Organization's tropical agriculture division.

"This research indicates it is possible not only to reduce methane
emissions from ruminant animals such as cattle and goats in the tropics,
but at the same time to increase total food protein output and so
improve the diets of millions of people."

McCrabb says it is all perfectly logical. "The energy that is being
wasted as gas emissions from animals on a poor diet is instead converted
to production in a balanced, high-quality diet," he said.
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 02:07:48 EST
From: ALFNOW73@aol.com
To: AnimalLib7@aol.com
Cc: moram1@helios.acomp.usf.edu, hmcclus1@helios.acomp.usf.edu,
ááááááá ar-news@envirolink.org, ARcinn@aol.com, ZenSamuri@aol.com,
ááááááá KATI2ERIN@aol.com, EnglandGal@aol.com, 391732@mem.com,
ááááááá RonnieJW@aol.com, SMatthes@aol.com, Sptampa@aol.com,
ááááááá mjp60980@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu, xanimal_libx@hotmail.com,
MINKLIB@aol.com,
ááááááá FLSHEALY@aol.com, Lieber2000@aol.com, TuberB@aol.com, MLFLUFF@aol.com,
ááááááá Raven21017@aol.com, RAGMANDON@aol.com, MAJESTCI@aol.com,
ááááááá GinNGonzo@aol.com, Jhgmagick@aol.com, MrsDFDJR@aol.com,
ááááááá PowrOfTwo@aol.com, XkinipelaX@aol.com, DrJoyous@aol.com,
PJulo@aol.com,
ááááááá C2fasn8you@aol.com, NicoleBBW@aol.com, ETATSEHT@aol.com,
ááááááá Rienjamais@aol.com, StarlitFL@aol.com, Mychael69@aol.com,
ááááááá TampaThor@aol.com, DrewSB@aol.com, KarinMW@aol.com, LisaQK469@aol.com
Subject: Tampa fur protest
Message-ID: 
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Hello fellow animal friends!!!áá 

People Protecting the Rights of Animals (PPRA) is a Tampa Florida based
grassroots animal rights group.á We are dedicated to ending all exploitation
of all animals.á PPRA is a fairly new group, 1 year and 4 months, and we are
looking for activists in the area ready to help us protest--we do it well--and
other individuals interested in educating themselves on animal issues as well
as learning how to help animals in everyday life.á Please join us for the
following upcoming events:

Saturday, FEBRUARY 21áááááá 10:30 am until 12:30 pm
FUR PROTEST at Ophelia's Fur Shoppe
5315 W. Cypress St.á Tampa
***Help us let Ophelia's customers know that FUR IS DEAD!!!***


Sunday, FEBRUARY 22ááááááááááá 1:30 pm until 3:30 pm
PPRA's Bi-monthly MEETING (open to the public)
Northwest Regional Library - Northdale
15610 Premiere Dr. off Northdale Blvd.
call (813) 264-3831 for directions

We will be happy to answer any questions.
Please email us for more information at ALFNOW73@aol.com
Visit our web site at
http://members.aol.com/ALFNOW73/
index.html

Thank you for your time.

ANIMAL LIBERATION NOW !!!!!!!!!!!

For the Animals,
Melinda
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 23:34:39
From: David J Knowles 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [CA] Taking a bite out of crime
Message-ID: <3.0.3.16.19980216233439.0e9f1694@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

By David J Knowles
Animal Voices News

VANCOUVER, BC - A caiman gave an intruder more than they bargained for last
week.

Boots, was apparently laying in his tank when the intruder broke in to his
keeper's home and tried to walk off with him.

All he got for his trouble was some nasty bites. Home owner Sid Scetinas
said he returned to find Boots safe and well, but blood all over the floor,
walls and the tank.

Scetinas says he doesn't put his hand in the tank when he's feeding Boots,
and puts him into the bathtub whilst the tank is cleaned.

"He seems to get a little ornery," Scetinas told The Province newspaper.

Scetinas, who lives in the Fraser Valley town of Sardis, said when he went
to the police station in nearby Chilliwack, officers were still laughing a
day later.

Sgt. Roy Cooper, of the Chilliwack RCMP detachment, said it certainly
wasn't a run-of-the-mill crime. 

Cooper says he's hoping the wounds get an infection and the would-be
caiman-napper ends up in hospital.





Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 23:48:42
From: David J Knowles 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [US] Transplant of animal organs not accepted by society,
á patient says
Message-ID: <3.0.3.16.19980216234842.0e9f1b62@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

>From The Vancouver Sun Website - Tuesday, February 17th, 1998

Transplant of animal organs not accepted by society, patient says

PAUL RECER

PHILADELPHIA (AP) ¡ Science may be ready to transplant animal organs into
humans before society is ready to accept the procedure, according to a San
Francisco man who was grafted with the bone marrow of a baboon. 

Jeffrey Getty, an AIDS patient, said his health improved markedly after he
received an experimental transplant of baboon bone marrow, but he found
that people were horrified at the idea. 

"We're not ready to have part human, part animal people walking around,"
Getty said Saturday. "There is some deep-seeded psychological barrier
against it." 

Getty, speaking at the national meeting of the American Association for the
Advancement of Science, said his experimental transplant of baboon bone
marrow was an attempt to place within his body a partial animal immune
system that is resistant to the virus. For a time, it seemed to work. 

"I did get better, but we don't know if that was because of the baboon bone
marrow," he said. "We couldn't find baboon DNA (genes) in me after three
weeks. It apparently was rejected." 

What he did find was a visceral reaction against the transplant by many
people. He said he endured jokes, angry comments and signs of revulsion. 

"We react on a subconscious level to the thought of people who are part
animal," said Getty. "I don't know where it is coming from." 

He calls the December, 1995, baboon transplant a success because it proved
that the procedure could be performed safely. 

"That was a good sign because that means that one day technology will allow
people to have animal organs," he said. 

Getty said the baboon transplant was a last ditch effort to combat his HIV,
a disease he has had for 18 years. After the transplant, Getty said his
viral load, the amount of HIV virus in his blood, dropped to zero and his
immune system got stronger. 

In the last few months, however, Getty said his condition has gotten worse
and he now is taking experimental anti-viral drugs. 

Dr. Suzanne T. Ildstad, a transplant surgeon at the Allegheny University of
the Health Sciences, said that Getty is pioneer in xenotransplantation, the
transfer of animal organs into humans, that eventually may be the only
solution for people who need new hearts, kidneys and livers. 

Ildstad said that the number of human donor organs has remained about the
same since 1988, while the need for such transplants continued to grow. 

"Three hundred thousand Americans, candidates for transplants, die every
year without even getting on the waiting list," she said. About half of all
heart transplant candidates die before they get can find a donor. 

The only solution, she said, is to learn how to transplant organs from pigs
or other animals. 



Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 09:36:51 GMT
From: Chris Wright 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (UK) Police hit back over reaction to animal protest
Message-ID: <34fc54c2.3935173@post.demon.co.uk>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

>From The Birmingham Post, February 17th 1998:

Police in Herefordshire yesterday replied to criticism of their
handling of an animal rights demonstration in Ledbury.

It was estimated that more than 100 police officers were drafted in to
deal with approximately 80 protestors who gathered at the weekend
outside the Quintiles pharmacuetical company, where they alleged
animal testing takes place.

A police helicopter hovered overhead as the banner-waving campaigners
stages their peaceful protest on Sunday.

Mrs Celia Ryan, who was at the demonstration, said: "Having that
number of police officers for the number of demonstrators just seemed
crazy and what the point of the police helicopter was, I don't know.
It just seemed unnecessary really. We were rather bemused by it and I
think the townsfolk were as well."

West Mercia Police's Supt Simon Adams, divisional commander for
Herefordshire, said: "Experience has taught us that I would be
abnegating my responsibility to protect and police the community
effectively if I had not made resources available to handle any
incidents in the light of the high media profile being attributed to
this event by animal rights campaigners, together with our knowledge
of policing similar demonstrations in the past.

"Over the course of 1997, during protests at Consort Kennels, in
Harewood End, Ross-on-Wye, approximately 100 people were arrested for
a variety of offences ranging from breach of the peace through to
assault and criminal damage [I wonder how many were *convicted* -
CW]."

Supt Adams added: "I am pleased that the demonstration passed without
incident. Clearly, we have learned from previous animal rights
protests in the county and were able to maintain sufficient resources,
including the force helicopter, to preserve the peace of this market
town and avoid the scenes of violence we were unfortunate to
experience last year."
------

Chris Wright
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 98 09:44:11 UTC
From: SDURBIN@VM.TULSA.CC.OK.US
To: ar-news@Envirolink.org
Subject: Anniversary of Victory for Animals
Message-ID: <199802171538.KAA06572@envirolink.org>

(From PETA's calendar): General Motors ends animal crash tests, 1993.

-- Sherrill
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 10:24:21 -0800 (PST)
From: "Christine M. Wolf" 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Poachers kill three rhinos in Kenya
Message-ID: <2.2.16.19980217132746.229f7d26@pop.igc.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"


>
>
>
>á á 
>áá NAIROBI, Feb 13 (AFP) - Suspected poachers killed two whiteá 
>rhinos and a black one in central Kenya's Laikipia district in 
>January and early this month, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said 
>Friday. 
>áá The black rhino was found dead in the privately-run Ol Pejetaá 
>wildlife ranch on January 31 and the two white ones were killed at 
>the Solio ranch a few days later, a KWS statement said. 
>áá "The black rhino had been de-horned and the horns taken away,"á 
>the statement added. 
>áá It was not clear why the poachers did not de-horn the whiteá 
>rhinos, KWS spokesman John Mramba told AFP. 
>áá The black rhino is indigenous to Kenya, while the white rhinosá 
>were imported from South Africa, he said. 
>áá The KWS statement said it had, jointly with the managements ofá 
>the private ranches, taken measure to improve security at the 
>ranches. 
>áá The measures include improved telecommunications and moreá 
>regular patrols by wardens. 
>áá Both the black and the white rhino are listed as endangered byá 
>the International Convention on Endangered Species (CITES) and trade 
>in their products is banned. 
>
>
END





******************************************************************
Christine Wolf, Director of Government Affairs
The Fund for Animals phone: 301-585-2591
World Building fax:áá 301-585-2595
8121 Georgia Ave., Suite 301 e-mail: CWolf@fund.org
Silver Spring, MD 20910 web page: www.fund.org

"The fate of animals is of greater importance to me than the fear of
appearing ridiculous; it is indissolubly connected with the fate of men."
ááá - Emile Zola

Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 10:24:17 -0800 (PST)
From: "Christine M. Wolf" 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Reports of elephant poaching
Message-ID: <2.2.16.19980217132742.229ffb0a@pop.igc.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"



Editorial from Daily Nation newspaper, Nairobi, Kenyaá Tuesday 17 February

"Act on renewed poaching threat."

The killing in the past few days of another three elephants in Marsabit,
near the Kenya-Ethiopia border, raises fears of a resurgence of poaching in
the country. The latest incidents follow the reported slaughter of another
18 elephants in the same district in recent weeks. The tusks are believed to
have been ferried to Ethiopia.

Of particular concern is the fact that the newly-reported cases of poaching
are not confined to the northern areas, which KWS personnel find difficult
to police because of the sheer vastness and rough terrain. KWS Director
David Western confirmed last week that another 18 elephants had been killed
in the past month on Ol Pejeta and Solio private ranches in Laikipia District.

The clear message from these incidents is that there is a ready market for
ivory. It also brings into fresh focus the landmark meeting of the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Harare in
June, last year, which allowed Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe to sell some
ivory to Japan next year.

Although it was agreed that the sale of the ivory would only be authorised
if strict controls were implemented, conservationists and countries like
Kenya, which were opposed to the resumption of the trade, knew only too well
that such an opening could be easily exploited by unscrupulous dealers.

It may not be idle speculation, therefore, to ask whether it is not the
Harare decision that has given impetus to renewed poaching in Kenya.
Poachers have been known to kill any animals in their way if they cannot
find their prime target - in this case the elephant - and officials have
reported an increase in rhino and giraffe casualties.

Coming at a time when the KWS is reeling under financial difficulties as a
result of reduced donor funding, the resurgence in poaching poses a serious
challenge not only to the organisation but the country as a whole.

As a matter of urgency, security forces must team up with KWS rangers to
establish a reasonable presence along the border with Ethiopia. Reports that
armed bandits fearing a crackdown by the Ethiopian Government are crossing
the border with their weapons must be taken seriously.

There is need to step up surveillance to curb both the internal and external
threats to our wildlife heritage.

END





******************************************************************
Christine Wolf, Director of Government Affairs
The Fund for Animals phone: 301-585-2591
World Building fax:áá 301-585-2595
8121 Georgia Ave., Suite 301 e-mail: CWolf@fund.org
Silver Spring, MD 20910 web page: www.fund.org

"The fate of animals is of greater importance to me than the fear of
appearing ridiculous; it is indissolubly connected with the fate of men."
ááá - Emile Zola

Date: Tue, 17 Feb 98 13:18:08 -0000
From: "Eric Mindel @ LCA" 
To: "ar-news" ,
ááááááá "Chickadee" 
Subject: Nadas update
Message-ID: <199802172000.PAA29808@envirolink.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hi all,

Latest news... Jackson County and Best Friends have arranged 
transportation for Nadas.á He will be arriving at the Sanctuary in Utah 
Wednesday evening.á Details of the agreement between the County and Best 
Friends are unclear at this point.á Expect more national media attention 
this week.

One saved, nine billion to go!

eric





Eric Mindel
Last Chance for Animals (LCA)
eric@LCAnimal.org
Los Angeles, CAá 90046
310/271-6096 office 
310/271-1890 fax


Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 12:14:12 -0800
From: Lionel Friedberg 
To: Animal Rights News 
Subject: SHOCKING DISCLOSURES
Message-ID: <34E9EF94.58D4@loop.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

SLAUGHTERHOUSE: THE SHOCKING STORY OF GREED, NEGLECT & INHUMANE
TREATMENT INSIDE THE U.S. MEAT INDUSTRY is a damning indictment not only
on the meat industry but on society as a whole.á It is a potent,
powerful and gut-wrenching book that will change your life.á Written by
Gail Eisnitz of the Human Farming Association and published by
Prometheus Books of New York, copies are available from the publishers. 
Call 716-691-0133.á Fax: 716-691-0137.á This is a 
must-read work that should be on the desk of every school principal,
politician, decision-maker and concerned member of the public
everywhere.á I have just read it and I cannot urge you strongly enough
to get a copy and to distribute it widely once you have finished it.á We
simply cannot let things continue inside the USDA and the meat industry
without a massive public outcry and inquest as soon as possible. 
SLAUGHTERHOUSE is unquestionably one of the most important documents of
the twentieth century.á Get hold of a copy and see what I mean.
Lionel Friedberg,
Los Angeles
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 15:15:21 -0500
From: Shirley McGreal 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Chimpanzees in the crossfire
Message-ID: <1.5.4.32.19980217201521.00cd2e54@awod.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Bala Amarasekaran, Project Director, sends us this news on the Tacugama
Chimpanzee Sanctuary which is caught between two sides in the civil war in
Sierra Leone. Clearly Mr Amarasekaran and the African project staff have
shown remarkable courage in attending to their chimpanzee charges, thus
risking their lives. Almost all US laboratory chimpanzees are imported from
Sierra Leone (mostly from Herr Doktor Franz Sitter who left the country some
years ago) or are descended from chimpanzees imported from Sierra Leone.áá 

REPORT ON VISIT BY THE PROJECT DIRECTOR TO THE TACUGAMA RESERVE
CHIMP
SANCTUARY IN SIERRA LEONE (OCT. '97 - JAN. '98)

I left London on the 20th October 1997 and arrived in Gambia.á I located Ms
Janis Carter, Director of the Gambia & Guinea Chimp Rehab Programme, and had
extensive discussions regarding the present situation and for possible
future collaboration between the Sierra Leone Rehab Programme and the
Gambia/Guinea programmes.

We agreed on various assistance such as veterinary services through the same
medical personnel helping the Gambia/Guinea projects, training for Sierra
Leonean project staff and regular visits to Sierra Leone by Ms Carter when
the current situation normalise.á I was also able to learn some basic
medical skills (esp. darting) with the help of Ms Carter. I purchased most
of the medicines and tranquillizing darts in The Gambia and left for Sierra
Leone on the 3rd of November '97.

It took me sixteen hours to reach Freetown covering a mere 300 miles,
consisting of numerous check-points (apx. 20 in all) where both the soldiers
and the rebels harass everyone and extort whatever they could.á Though I
lost some of my belongings and money, I was able to save the medicines and
the darts.

The situation in Freetown was chaotic and the presence of armed soldiers and
rebels could be noticed everywhere.á Long queues for petrol, kerosene, rice,
oil, etc. Hardly any transport on the streets due to the acute shortage of
fuel caused by the economic embargo levied by international community.á Fuel
could still be bought, but at five times the usual cost.á No electricity and
rampant firing of small arms fire through the nights!

On the advice of the sanctuary staff I was not allowed to visit the project
site immediately as the staff were making some sort of notification to
various checkpoints regarding my arrival.á Finally, after a week I made it
to the sanctuary.á Almost all the chimps have lost some weight and their
number had reduced to seventeen.á The staff looked pulled down too but were
amazingly still in high spirits and doing their best to care for the
remaining chimps.á As the days went by, they related all the incidents
occurred in the past five months (most of it is mentioned in the attached
reports written by the sanctuary staff).á Though the chimps are still
recovering both mentally and physically, the presence of the wild chimp and
the integration with the sanctuary chimps has given some life to the daily
activities.

Though my stay in Sierra Leone was short (2 months) I was able to carry out
the following:

-á After several meetings at State House I was able to arrange a permanent
armed police officer for the project through the police headquarters in
Freetown and secured passes for the staff to go through the check-points
with some ease.

-á Backup arrangements mad to transport food, medicines and fuel whenever
these items run out in the usual markets.

-á We were able to take a veterinarian to the site and was able to do a
complete screening of blood and stool samples of the chimps and staff and
necessary treatments carried out (twice - mid Oct. and mid Nov. 1997).

-á As the present project area is within the war front, we had to smuggle a
video camera to the site with one cameraman from the Sierra Leone
Broadcasting Services and spent 3 days at the sanctuary and came up with a
documentary (copy forwarded with this report).á This documentary was
televised in the national television mainly to educate the soldiers, rebels
and the various fighting factions to create awareness of the project.

-á We put all the chimps on intensive health care programme and by the time
I was leaving most of them looked healthier and in better spirit.á They have
started going on their regular patrols and integration exercises.á The staff
too had gained more confidence and my presence certainly boosted their
morals.á They are determined to continue with their work despite all the
hardships they and the chimps are going through.

As funds were running out, I had no alternative but to leave my chimps and
staff once more to come to the U.K. to seek for further assistance.á I met
Ms Janis Carter again in The Gambia and had the opportunity to visit the
Gambian Rehabilitation Programme.á I stayed for 3 days and was able to
exchange views with her staff.á It was a beautiful experience watching the
fully rehabilitated chimps in their natural environment and this gave me a
lot of confidence to continue with my work with the chimps in Sierra Leone.

I take this opportunity to thank the World Society for the Protection of
Animals and the International Primate Protection League for your timely
assistance and solicit your continued support to keep the Tacugama Reserve
Chimps and the Rehab Programme alive.

BALA AMARASEKARAN
Project Director - SLCRP

|--------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Dr. Shirley McGrealááááááááááá | PHONE: 803-871-2280á FAX:
803-871-7988|ááááá

| Int. Primate Protection League | E-MAIL: ippl@awod.comáááááááááááááááá |
| POB 766 Summervilleááááááááááá |
http://www.ippl.orgáááááááááááááááááá |
|ááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááá |
| "It was the first time in my life that I was important enough forááááá | 
| someone I'd never met to hate me" - George Orwell of his days as aáááá | 
| civil servant in Indiaáááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááá | 
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|
|--------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
áááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááá 

Date: Tue, 17 Feb 98 14:34:57 UTC
From: SDURBIN@VM.TULSA.CC.OK.US
To: ar-news@Envirolink.org
Subject: Mollusk Madness
Message-ID: <199802172031.PAA06929@envirolink.org>

(From Swing Magazine): There's nothing like a little bit of fun with
people's favorite pearl producer. At the Fulton, Texas, Oysterfest (March
7 to 9) the Fulton Fire Department supplies the oysters, you supply the
throat down which they slide. This is truly a salute to the oyster
industry, replete with shucking and eating contests and an all-around
good time.á Where else can you find 40,000 people congregating, salivating,
and rarely masticating deep in the heart of Texas? Call 512-729-2388.

(Sounds disgusting to me.)

-- Sherrill
Date: Sat, 17 Feb 1996 18:25:41 +0100
From: "sa338@blues.uab.es" 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Donkey beating is fun in Spain
Message-ID: <31260F95.18B6@blues.uab.es>
MIME-version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-transfer-encoding: 8bit

This is Nuria from Barcelona.

The 24th of February is taking place another of the cruel,ashaming and
despicable spanish "traditions".
In the village of Villanueva de la Vera a beautiful grey donkey is left
in the street where for two ours used to be beaten to death. Nowadays,
the presence of the media, and several national and international
ar-organizations makes the villagers not kill the donkey, but anyway it
can be beaten and terribly stressed. 
Please, help us to stop this madness and write or call tha Town Hall:

Excelentisimo Alcalde
Ayuntamiento de Villanueva de la Vera
10470á CACERES

Tel: (972)á 567065
Fax: (972)á 566697
-- 
PO`!1a
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 18:46:42 -0500
From: "Leslie Lindemann" 
To: "AR-news postings" 
Subject: The Lobster Zone
Message-ID: <19980217234644.AAA20149@oemcomputer>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Hi All 

I just received a letter from Advanced Games & Engineering, Inc., in
response to my letter protesting "The Lobster Zone".This is a contraption
in restaurants, which patrons use to pluck lobsters out of a tank, much
like the games where you would be trying to retrieve a stuffed animal. For
more info see
http://www.peta-online.org/al
erts/alert01.htm.

This letter contained all the usual drivel, i.e. insinuating that we should
have something more important to be concerned about, lobsters don't feel
pain, it's a free country, blah blah blah.

Please take a moment to look into this, and tell this company (in your own
words!) that we don't buy into the concept of a heirarchy of compassion,
and while yes, its a free country, people were free to beat their wives and
slaves at one time, too.

J. R. Fishman
Advanced Games and Engineering, Inc.
1231 NE 8th Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Floridaá 33304
Phone (954) 527-0907
Fax (954) 527-0226

Thanks
Leslie
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 16:03:28 -0800
From: LCartLng@gvn.net (Lawrence Carter-Long)
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Cc: veg-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Associated Press: Judge Drops Part Of Oprah/Beef Case
Message-ID: <199802172353.SAA19374@envirolink.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Judge Drops Part Of Oprah/Beef Case
By MARK BABINECK
.c The Associated Press

AMARILLO, Texas (Feb. 17) - Without explanation, a federal 
judge ruled Tuesday that Texas cattlemen don't have a case a
gainst Oprah Winfrey based on a state ''veggie libel'' law 
protecting perishable food products.

However, U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson did not
throw the case out as defendants had requested. Jurors 
will return Wednesday to hear the lawsuit as a common-law 
business defamation case.

The case had been the first test of the state's 1995 so-called 
''veggie libel'' law, designed to protect food from false and 
defamatory statements. Twelve other states have similar 
laws, but none has been tested in court.

Now the case becomes an ordinary business disparagement
trial. A major difference is that cattlemen now have a heavier 
burden of proof than they did under ''veggie libel.''

It appears they must prove Ms. Winfrey, her production company 
and a vegetarian activist guest on her April 16, 1996, show meant 
to hurt the beef industry. Under the 1995 law, they only had to prove
knowingly false statements were made.

Ms. Robinson ruled after a day of arguments outside the 
presence of the jury over defense motions to end the trial. 
Her decision was not accompanied by a written order.

Lawyers for the talk show host had reiterated their stance 
that statements made on the program about dangerous 
oods didn't unfairly disparage U.S. beef.

Texas cattlemen argued the program on whether the British 
epidemic of mad cow disease was a concern for U.S. beef 
consumers caused cattle prices to plunge. They said the 
show falsely portrayed U.S. cattle as being at risk of mad 
cow disease, which has never been detected in the United 
States.

Robinson questioned attorneys outside the presence of the 
jury, which was due back in court Wednesday.

The defense attorneys said the 1995 Texas law cited by the 
cattlemen protects perishable food products from knowingly 
false and defamatory statements.

''Under the plaintiffs' theory, any person in the United States 
who owned a cow has a cause of action,'' defense attorney 
Charles Babcock said. ''It creates too much danger, too much 
risk to people speaking about generic topics.''

Babcock argued that cattle feeders are the wrong people to use 
the perishable food law because livestock aren't in that category 
''in the sense that people could eat them.''

''They have to go through another step in the chain - the
slaughterhouse,'' Babcock said.

Plaintiffs attorneys shot back that cattle are a perishable food 
because the longer a cow is held, the lower the quality of the meat.

''If you don't market it (cattle) in a limited time frame, beef 
deteriorates,'' said Joe Coyne, who represents cattleman 
Paul Engler.

AP-NY-02-17-98 1819EST

Copyright 1998 The Associated Press. 

Lawrence Carter-Long
Science and Research Issues, Animal Protection Institute
email: LCartLng@gvn.net, phone: 800-348-7387 x. 215
world wide web: http://www.api4animals.org/

"There's so much comedy on television. Does that cause 
comedy in the streets?" - Dick Cavett

-----Long, but Important Warning Notice -----

My email address is: LCartLng@gvn.net
LEGAL NOTICE: Anyone sending unsolicited commercial 
email to this address will be charged a $500 proofreading 
fee. This is an official notification; failure to abide by this 
will result iná legal action, as per the following:

By U.S. Code Title 47, Sec.227(a)(2)(B), a computer/modem/printer
meets the definition of a telephone fax machine.
By Sec.227(b)(1)(C), it is unlawful to send any unsolicited
advertisement to such equipment.
By Sec.227(b)(3)(C), a violation of the aforementioned Section
is punishable by action to recover actual monetary loss, or 
$500, whichever is greater, by each violation.



Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 16:09:50 -0800
From: LCartLng@gvn.net (Lawrence Carter-Long)
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Help needed with cat organ donor question
Message-ID: <199802180000.TAA20585@envirolink.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Does ANYBODY know anything about this? If so,
please let us both know.á I must've missed this
somehow.áá 

Many thanks.

Lawrence Carter-Long
Science and Research Issues, Animal Protection Institute
email: LCartLng@gvn.net, phone: 800-348-7387 x. 215
world wide web: http://www.api4animals.org/

============================================

From: Nadkap@aol.com
Subject: Cat Cruelty by US Vets
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 16:38:53 EST

I recently saw a British documentary detailing how US 
veterinary surgeons are obtaining healthy rescued cats 
and using them as organ donors for the pets of wealthy 
clients.á One vet said he has no conscience, business 
is business.á It really was a most upsetting programme, 
however, is this practice known in the States?á Is anything 
being done about it?á 

I am not from the US, and I do not know what organisation 
to contact to let them know of this vile trade.á I am also new
to the internet and totally at a loss to find out what, if anything 
is being done to stop this.

Could you please forward this information to the appropriate 
organisation - I still see a healthy ginger cat, rescued from 
homelessness and put in a cage waiting to be butchered 
for money.

It was an awful programme - I had to turn it off it was so 
upsetting.

Regards
Nadia

Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 19:55:19 EST
From: Snugglezzz@aol.com
To: ar-news@Envirolink.org
Subject: Furgive Me While I Scream
Message-ID: 
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

(From Urban Tulsa, a free weekly publication, OK, USA):ááá 

(Written by William Read)

Fur Makes a Comeback --á Within the last couple of years, the "fur trade" has
once again become semi-chic. Even locally, fur sales are on the upswing, a
fact that was punctuated by a recent commercial advertising Miss Jackson's big
fur sale. Ah yes, Miss Jackson's, the last bastion of the old oil money and
the trust babies. The store that time forgot, or more to the point, that
forgot about time. I figure, if they want to try to peddle fur again, fine.
Only they should be forced to do it honestly.

And it might go something like this:

ANNOUNCER:á All next week, Miss Jackson's is having a major fur sale. Dozens
of different kinds of fur skinned off of the stiffened bodies of anally
electrocuted animals. Forget all those synthetic materials that are warmer,
more durable, and less expensive. Come down now, and get your gaudy,
pretentious, backwards-ass attempt at a status symbol. Dead animals. We tear
'em. You wear 'em!!

And, of course, the little bone-headed folks who disagree will say something
like:
"Yeah, well, look, you're wearing leather shoes. What about the cows?" Well,
I'll tell you about the cows. We eat the freaking cows. Nothing like chowing
down on a good hunk of cow after a day of shoe shopping.á Now, if you fur
owners are willing to choke down a mink ghoulash or a sable stew, then, hey,
sport that fur. Otherwise, wise up, shut up, and stop supporting a shameless,
cruel, pathetic business whose time has come and gone.

___________________________________________________________________

To email this publication:á urbantul@urbantulsa.com

- Sherrill 
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 19:56:22 EST
From: Snugglezzz@aol.com
To: ar-news@Envirolink.org
Subject: Sorry!
Message-ID: <946016c8.34ea31b9@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Before I get flamed, I accidentally sent that fur opinion to ar-news instead
of ar-views. SORRY!!!!!!!!!

Sherrill 
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 19:59:12 EST
From: Snugglezzz@aol.com
To: ar-news@Envirolink.org
Subject: Premarin Horses
Message-ID: <774ef33a.34ea3262@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Theá TV show "Extra" is supposed to show coverage of how the horses are
treated for makingá Premarin on Feb. 18th.

Sherrill 
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 17:49:44 -0800
From: Michael Kundu 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Important gray whale hunt action item
Message-ID: <3.0.5.32.19980217174944.007ff650@pop.seanet.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Like many of you, I have grown tired of the lack of action being taken in
the WA state legislature re: the Makah gray whale hunt.á So I tried to do
something about it.á Now I need all of your help.

In January, I wrote a State Senate resolution (# S-4635) condemning the
hunt and had a few Senators look at it.á Senator Gary Strannigan of Leg.
District 38 agreed to introduce it, and on Wed. Feb 18, it will be
registered for introduction.á They massaged it slightly and took out the
reference to the Makah (but who else is panning on hunting whales in WA?),
but my original wording remains intact for the most part.

ACTION REQUEST: I need everyone with group letterhead to send Gary a note
supporting his efforts and the resolution.á Send (or fax) a copy to me as
well, since I need to use them to reduce the opposition.á My address is c/o
Project SeaWolf, 5516 64th Place NE, Marysville, WA 98270.á Senator Gary
Strannigan is at Senate Office, John A. Cherberg Building, Olympia, WA
98504-0482.á Foreign and out-of-state letters are primarily to thank Gary,
but statewide groups and individuals should also contact their local
Senatorá and ask them to endorse and vote for S(R)-4635.

Contact me for more details.á Text of resolution follows;

Michael Kundu, Project SeaWolf
*******************************************
State Resolution #S-4635
Drafted by Michael Kundu, Washington State resident & 
Pacific Northwest Coordinator, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

WHEREAS, The Washington State Senate recognizes that the fabric of this
stateÆs identity has been positively enhanced by the protected presence of
the gray whales and other marine mammals that ply the coastal waters near
our major cities, to the aesthetic, recreational and economic benefit of
countless Washington citizens and visitors each year; andá 

WHEREAS, The current whale watching industry educates thousands of visitors
each year as a result of the presence of our protected year-round resident
gray whales, as well as the many other nomadic gray whales which annually
migrate without harassment through WashingtonÆs waters, and 

WHEREAS, The hunting and harassment of gray whales could cause significant
personal safety concerns and increased liability expenses for a large
number of Washington tourism based businesses which are engaged in whale
watching and other related marine activities such as sailing, diving, sea
kayaking and other non-consumptive activities; andááá 

WHEREAS, Individuals, citizens, businesses and international groups who
annually contribute significant economic revenue to the tourism industry in
Washington State have expressed their objection to patronizing a region in
which gray whales are hunted for any purpose; andáá 

WHEREAS, a resumed gray whale hunt may have profound negative impacts on
the ecology of the Olympic Peninsula causing gray whales to avoid the
region and setting international precedents that could contribute to the
collapse of the last remaining population of gray whales, and

WHEREAS, Native Americans who traditionally hunted gray whales have
successfully maintained a self-determined, celebrated and rich cultural
identity for seventy-one years without finding it necessary to hunt gray
whales; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate strongly
support the present cessation in the hunting of gray whales, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate further encourage
the continued protection of gray whales in order that Washington State may
remain a sanctuary for marine mammals.
áááááá 
End
Michael Kundu
Project SeaWolf/Arcturus Adventure Communications
Marysville, WA 
**NOTE: Email address change -- ProjectSeaWolf@seanet.com
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 21:39:54 -0500
From: Liz Grayson 
To: ar-news 
Cc: ARNYS 
Subject: (NY) Up and coming elections
Message-ID: <34EA49FB.6EDD@earthlink.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Hi-

Anyone interested in the candidates (announced and potential) for the
next election- there is a web site at:

http://www.politics1.com/ny.htm

Alex Baldwin is listed as a potential candidate for Congress (District
1-is that Sulfolk. LI?)

Peter Vallone speaker, NY City Council is listed as an announced
candidate for Governor-- animals beware!

Run Alex., Run !!!


Liz
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 23:00:17 -0500
From: allen schubert 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Partial victory for Winfrey
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19980217230015.00afc534@pop3.clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

from Amarillo Globe-News
http://www.amarillonet.com/oprah/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Web posted Tuesday, February 17, 1998 7:26 p.m. CT

Partial victory for Winfrey
Cattlemen vs. Oprah Winfrey

By CHIP CHANDLER
Globe-News Staff Writer

U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson on Tuesday gave a partial victory to
the defense in the area cattlemen vs. Oprah Winfrey trial.

In a late afternoon ruling, Robinson said the jury will only be asked to
decide whether Winfrey, Harpo Productions and Howard Lyman broke laws
against business disparagement.

The judge said the jury will not consider whether Texas' Defamation of
Perishable Food Products law was broken, nor will they consider if the
defendants defamed cattlemen.

The case centers on comments made during a segment of Winfrey's April 16,
1996, television show on "Dangerous Foods."

In dismissing the two causes of action, the judge granted portions of the
defense attorneys' motions filed Friday for judgment as a matter of law.

The motions asked that the case be thrown out because the plaintiffs had
not presented enough evidence for a jury to ever rule in favor of the
plaintiffs.

Though Robinson did not elaborate when she made the ruling, it is apparent
that she agreed that there wasn't enough evidence to support two of the
plaintiffs' claims.

This was considered the first test of the perishable food law, also known
as the "veggie-libel" law. The next trial under the law could also be held
in Amarillo, as Texas emu ranchers filed suit against Honda in Robinson's
court as well.

Robinson's ruling came at the end of daylong arguments in the federal
courthouse. The jury was not present for the arguments, but is expected to
return on Wednesday morning to hear the start of the defense's case.

Under business disparagement laws, under which the case continues, the
plaintiffs must prove actual malice, that the defendants knew that their
statements were false or that they entertained serious doubts about the
statements' truth.

The defense also said the plaintiffs would have to prove that Winfrey,
Harpo and Lyman acted with ill will or intended to interfere economically
with the plaintiffs.

In Tuesday's arguments, Winfrey's attorney, Charles Babcock, seemed
confident that the plaintiffs could not prove their case under business
disparagement laws.

"There was no evidence introduced or even argued . . . that Ms. Winfrey
harbored ill will against these plaintiffs or intended to interfere with
the economic interests of the plaintiffs," he said.

The defense said the plaintiffs will also have to prove that comments made
on Winfrey's show were "of and concerning" the plaintiffs.

"There's a direct impact on all producers of the product because the
consumer cannot distinguish," argued plaintiffs' attorney Joseph Coyne.

The plaintiffs also contend that the show implicitly referred to lead
plaintiff Paul Engler's company, Cactus Feeders Inc., because it is the
largest private cattle-feeding operation in the country.

Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 23:07:01 -0500
From: Vegetarian Resource Center 
To: AR-News@Envirolink.Org
Subject: The Widow vs. American Airlines Trial Begins Monday Feb. 23
Message-ID: 
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

The Widow vs. American Airlines Trial Begins Monday Feb. 23; Lawsuit Over
Dogfight Assault in the Sky Will be Decided by the People

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 17, 1998--

áááá Animal Rights and Anti-Violence Groups Watch Closely

áááá The Superior Court of California, Los Angeles, has allowed Marcelle
Becker, widow of insurance magnate Martin Becker, to continue her lawsuit
against American Airlines and the final trial date is set for Feb.23 in Santa
Monica.

áááá A jury decides on damages to Becker and her dog, allegedly caused by the
captain and crew on July 6, 1995. The dog, a Maltese named Dom Perignon, died
from injuries allegedly caused by the altercation weeks later. Damages in the
complaint include physical assault, false imprisonment, intentional injury and
cruelty to animals.

áááá The captain allegedly restrained Becker and tied her up with her own dog
leash, causing numerous injuries. The original complaint, filed on April 5,
1996, made worldwide headlines and has no financial damages specified at this
time. However, Becker has spent more than $500,000 in legal fees and $100,000
in medical costs.

áááá Becker is well-known in Washington and Sacramento political circles and
has requested and received a preliminary investigation from Republican senator
Donald Nickles of Oklahoma. Oklahoma is theá home of American Airlines
corporate offices.

áááá Becker has decided to donate portions of her awards for damages remaining
after paying her legal fees to various animal rights and humanistic battery-
charity programs.

áááá Becker, an avid American Airlines frequent flier for 30 years, states, "I
have not been able to board any airliner since thisá incident because of
absolute trauma. The fear of what happened to meá is debilitating."

áááá Becker has admitted missing her own mother's funeral because of this
fear. "After what happened to me on that airliner, I have a right and a duty
to myself and the consumer public to have justice served in a court of law.
Let this be a warning and a wake-up call that it is not always the passengers
that cause the problems.á A few bad applesá can spoil the whole bunch." -0-
Note: Photographs of Marcelle Becker's injuries, dog, and

áááá background are available upon request.

ááááááááááááááá Marcelle Becker vs. American Airlines-ááá LA Superior Court
Santa Monica c#SC041675-Judge Richard Niedorf

áááááááááááááá Monday Feb. 23, 1998 Dept. A at 8:30 a.m.

CONTACT: 

Edward Lozzi & Associates
Brian Cowan for Marcelle Becker and Law Offices of 
Gary Dordick, 818/995-8036



ARRS Tools  |  News  |  Orgs  |  Search  |  Support  |  About the ARRS  |  Contact ARRS

THIS SITE UNDERWRITTEN IN PART BY:
Cyberian Outpost

The views and opinions expressed within this page are not necessarily those of the
EnviroLink Network nor the Underwriters. The views are those of the authors of the work.