The aerial wolf killing program caters to hunters who complain, without scientific support, that wolves eat “too many” moose calves, and that natural predation leaves too few moose for recreational hunting. Alaska’s Governor Frank Murkowski, has decided to side with trophy hunters and resume the aerial killing of wolves, even though Alaska voters have twice—in 1996 and again in 2000—affirmed a long-standing moratorium on aerial hunting.

Visit our website for information about last year’s hunt.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Tell Governor Murkowski that the wolf slaughter is unethical and inhumane.  Remind him that voters in Alaska have twice affirmed their desire to ban aerial hunting. If you are from Alaska tell the Governor that Alaskans don't want wolves killed; if you are not an Alaska resident, remind him that this killing spree tarnishes AK's image.

Governor Frank Murkowski
P.O. Box 110001
Juneau, AK 99811
Fax:  907-465-3532
Phone:  907-465-3500
Email: http://gov.state.ak.us/govmail.php

UPDATE ON MASSIVE FARM ANIMAL CRUELTY CASE
On Monday, January 3, California ranchers Paul Keller and David Guice are scheduled to be sentenced for felony animal cruelty for starving to death scores of animals under their care. The men were each convicted of one count of felony animal cruelty after last March when authorities found approximately 100 dead cows, horses, goats and pigs on Keller’s property (where Guice was the caretaker), alongside dozens more severely emaciated animals still clinging to life (see HUMANElines Issue 307).

Felony convictions for animal abuse are rare, and this is especially true in the case of farm animals. The felony conviction against Keller and Guice for cruelty to farm animals establishes an important precedent in acknowledging that all animals, including farm animals, deserve protection from egregious abuse.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Keller and Guice each face 3 years in jail for their felony animal cruelty conviction. The hearing date is January 3. Fax your letters to Judge Dennis Murray today, asking him to impose significant jail time on Keller and Guice, and to especially ban each of them from keeping animals in their custody. 

The hearing date is January 3 thus all letters MUST be faxed.

The Honorable Dennis E. Murray
</>Tehama County Superior Court
445 Pine Street Red Bluff, CA 96080
Fax: 530-527-5431
 

If you are a resident of Northern California, please try to attend the sentencing hearing. A strong showing in support of the prosecution of this animal abuser will be important in ensuring that he does not get off with a mere slap on the wrist:

Where: Department 2, 445 Pine St. in Red Bluff, CA
Click here for direction and parking information.
When: 9:45 a.m., Monday, January 3, 2005
 

RSVP: Meghan Beeby from Farm Sanctuary at mbeeby@farmsanctuary.org

ANIMALS WIN BIG IN THE COURTS IN 2004
When future historians comb through the year 2004, they will find that The Humane Society of the United States and The Fund for Animals helped secure a series of important legal victories, from protecting gray whales in Washington State to preserving the integrity of the citizen initiative process. A string of lawsuits challenging voter-approved animal protection measures came to a close in 2004, all in the animals' favor and victories were plentiful in the areas of wildlife and marine mammal protection.

Yet, as good as 2004 was, 2005 promises even more. The HSUS and The Fund will formally combine their advocacy programs on January 1, 2005 and will be launching a new Animal Protection Litigation section. With a staff of seven full-time lawyers, as well as numerous law clerks, administrative staff, outside counsel, and pro-bono attorneys— we will take the legal fight for animals to the next level. Located in the nation's capital, The HSUS's Animal Protection Litigation section will be the largest in-house animal protection litigation department in the country.

Visit our website to learn more about the Animal Protection Litigation section, our legal victories in 2004 and our plans for 2005.