One of our favourite animal charities in the UK has sent an email regarding their latest rescue. Hillside Animal Sanctuary has helped in the rehoming of the Romanian Under Dogs but offers care to a myriad of creatures. Pigs, horses, ponies, turkeys, sheep, dogs and more have all been helped by this charity. Some have been rehomed but others have needed to remain at Hillside for life long care. It is possible to donate or buy gifts from their online store plus you can sponsor an animal for example as a gift to someone.

The latest small creature to benefit from Hillside's care is a very young piglet.

How he came to be alone on a road with no pig farms in the vicinity is a bit of a mystery. However it is assumed that his pregnant mother was on her way to slaughter when the piglet was born. If she was been moved in the usual transport there would have been room for the piglet to drop onto the road. Poor little mite.

This little piggie was brought to Hillside by the builder who found it on the road. The latest information received yesterdays says,

"We sprayed her umbilical cord which was still wet from being born and fed her colustrum during the night. This morning she is looking much brighter and we are hopeful she will survive.

In July there are plans to parade farm animals in the Olympic stadium to portray England's green and pleasant land. For most farm animals, life is brown, dark and excretia-covered! The farming industry is heartless! Obviously, it's a sham to make out the rural scene is delightful but also, clearly, it will be a nightmare for animals.  All the noise, especially fireworks, could permanently traumatise them!

Please protest about this and write to...

The International Olympics Committee
Complaints
Level 23
I Church Place
London E14 5LN"

Yes once again the welfare and well being of animals will count for nothing as opposed to the temporary pleasure of humans.

What does EURO 2012 have to do with killing dogs? You may well ask. Read on and act NOW 

The UK media today, June 15, 2012 has mentioned that all is not well in the Ukraine. Its reports have centered on political problems and  the plight Yulia Tymoshenko, a Ukrainian politician and former Prime Minister of the Ukraine. 

Once again the UK has said nothing of the mass slaughter of dogs and cats in that country. These animals suffered a brutal death in what was claimed to be a campaign to clean up the streets of the Ukraine. The killings continue.

It would seem that the Ukraine has a long way to go to clean up its act regarding human rights and animal welfare.

There is no doubting that the mainstream media and football authorities know about the mass slaughter of these animals so why the lack of reporting? Too much money to be made by a successful EURO 2012? The UK media could not care less about the plight of thousands of dogs and cats? The UK media find it more profitable to report on EURO 2012?

Whatever the reason they should be ashamed. As this story becomes ever more public they will end up with egg on their face. The poor animals however may have been saved if this slaughter had received the necessary publicity.

In December 2011 The Sun newspaper in the UK carried the dreadful story accompanied with horrific images. Yet at the end of the story they said, "Follow the Euro 2012 draw live with The Sun on Friday from 4pm." Surely they should have said now boycott EURO 2012? Read some of the thoughtless comments on the Sun story and you despair of humanity. Maybe it is the standard of Sun readers.

Today's update is with regards to an online protest being organised by FOUR PAWS. If you follow the link to their website you will see updates regarding the mass killing of the animals and the planned protest.

FOUR PAWS had been working in the Ukraine attempting to instigate a mass neutering and spaying program rather than the mass murder one preferred by the Ukrainian authorities. The authorities have now welched on the deal. A FOUR PAWS statement reads,

"A contract scheduled to be signed yesterday between the Mayor of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv and FOUR PAWS has been cancelled at the last minute. The reason is that the authorities in Kharkiv wanted to alter the content of the agreement substantially while contracts with the same content had already been signed by the representatives of the cities Kiev, Lemberg, Zaporozhye and Donetsk.

For FOUR PAWS the changes meant that neither the proper implementation of the project nor a clear commitment to stop the dog killings by the authorities would have been guaranteed. Dr. Amir Khalil, head of the FOUR PAWS stray animal care project argues, that these conditions, are essential for the project. FOUR PAWS will therefore not compromise over the welfare of dogs and other animals nor on the quality of the care. Dr. Khalil continues, that all other cities FOUR PAWS works with accept the same conditions and are pleased with the progress made and we are providing a model for a humane solution of the stray dog situation. The path decided on by the city of Kharkiv is counterproductive and unacceptable.

The signing ceremony of the cooperation contract between the city of Kharkiv and FOUR PAWS was scheduled to take place today at the inauguration of a big animal shelter. FOUR PAWS hopes that the authorities will eventually reconsider their decision and is still ready to cooperate with Kharkiv. Particularly as it has shown in other cities how well received the project has been perceived by the local people as well as the authorities and how effectively our humane solution for stray dogs can be implemented in Ukraine.

FOUR PAWS is initiating a large-scale online protest urging the city of Kharkiv to accept FOUR PAWS' conditions for the stray dog project! Click here to join the protest

For weeks FOUR PAWS has already been operating with teams of veterinarians and volunteers in Ukraine. More than 2,000 stray dogs have already been brought to the mobile clinics of the organization where they were neutered and vaccinated, and hundreds of animals treated in the shelters in Kyiv and on the streets of Kyiv, Lviv, Zaporozhye and Donetsk. The stray dogs are registered ear tagged and released back onto the streets in their territories in these cities. The Ukrainian people are extremely supportive of this work and happily welcome the FOUR PAWS teams each in their cities.

Kharkiv/Ukraine, 15. June 2012"

All bets are now off. FOUR PAWS had hoped that the lives of the remaining animals could be saved by the neutering program but the Ukraine has a different agenda.

Will you add your voice to those of us protesting this disgrace? How can you call yourself a human being if you don't?

https://www.secureconnect.at/4paws.org.uk/protest/120615/index.php
http://www.four-paws.org.ua/ukraine/en/project-ukraine/stray-animal-care/cooperation-with-charkiw-called-off-at-last-minute/
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3968312/Dogs-slaughtered-for-Euro-2012-in-Ukraine.html 

In November 2011 the UK Guardian reported on the animal slaughter sweeping through the Ukraine ahead of EURO 2012. The report included an image of a dog appearing to look at a poster highlighting the killing campaign. The report detailed how Ukrainian leaders were going to bow to Western pressure and put an end to the killing of street dogs and cats.

We have no doubt that the Guardian reported in good faith but it was a pack of lies.

The killing has continued but, apart from blogs such as this, and animal welfare groups and supporters trying to get the message out, mainstream media attention has been noticeable by its absence. To all extents and purposes it would appear problem solved, but it is far from that.

The latest estimates are that as many as 80,000 dogs and cats have been cruelly killed in the name of EURO 2012.

Did the money men and women, such as the backers of championships like EURO 2012, weigh in and put a stop to publicity? Did the media bow to football fans not wanting to alienate them?

We have news for you though not all football fans will approve of this mass slaughter all in the name of EURO 2012.

Here is today's update on the situation:

Our source as well as many others continues to work hard to stop this slaughter. Here is the latest letter that has been sent regarding the killing, this time to NatureWatch. It reads,

Mr. John Ruane, Director of Naturewatch 

Dear Mr. Ruane,  

Someone forwarded to me a copy of the letter you wrote to Mr. Plantini (UEFA) on 24th November 2011. (I am attaching said copy for the benefit of the recipients of my email).   Many of us in the U.K. (the country known for its animal lovers)  are ashamed of the fact that we seem to be the only country who have not made any effort at all to expose what has been going on every day for months in the Ukraine up until the end of last month. 

There have only been two follow up reports in April and May by the tabloid press and no mention on the TV news. http://www.people.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/2012/04/29/ukraine-caught-out-again-over-euro-2012-dog-slaughter-102039-23840991/   http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4296093/Pamela-Anderson-to-Euro-2012-football-chief-Michel-Platini-stop-the-dogs-slaughter.html  

also TEK Journalism UK have been reporting and updating http://www.tekjournalismuk.com/1/post/2012/05/uefa-football-ukraine-killing-dogs.html  

Germany has made a huge effort, with flags, posters and badges, also France, and there have been protests from Italy (notably the huge banner they took into the Stadium during the match between Inter-Milan and Marseilles a couple of months ago) 

There have also been protests in France, Spain, Hungary, Poland, a few brave minority groups in the Ukraine and even in Moscow.  The U.K.  zero!!!!!!!!!!!!  

When I read your letter, I was cringing with embarrassment that an organisation could be so naive as to believe the lies coming from the Ukraine Government.  Obviously it would be convenient for UEFA to believe this rubbish as it has all manner of implications, mostly financial, but for Naturewatch to fall for this, is unbelievable.  

I wonder if you have bothered to investigate this any further since November, in which case you would know that an estimated 250,000 dogs (including cats) have been destroyed, either by means of poisoning, beating to death or thrown into the infamous furnace whilst still alive.   

There have been forums, where in particular, a Russian forum was asking for help to go into the Ukraine for last minute "cleaning up" the streets and offered payment per carcase.  The diary of the events made very unpalatable reading.  I will forward you the relevant details of this and other correspondence with a Ukraine Embassy official (who is totally in denial of course).  

This is one of the most recent videos done at the end of May which might help to convince you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT05XhOX5TQ and another which even includes clips from Russia Today TV news http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhUzdso7How   There is so much evidence coming from the Ukraine, it is overwhelming but I wonder what part Naturewatch has played, if anything, since last November!!

The Guardian report in November 2011 claimed that government funding would be made available for shelters and neutering programs rather than slaughter. Has the money been made available? If it has, have corrupt officials sidelined the cash?

The Ukraine is not a wealthy country so killing would have been the cheapest option for them. That does not make it any more palatable. The Ukraine wanted the money that EURO 2012 would bring in. It is getting that by default. If the slaughter of animals had been publicised more by the mainstream media the murder would have stopped or people would have boycotted the games.

You however can still do your bit and boycott the games.

The fact that many animals have been burnt alive should sicken any decent person.

Videos include graphic images
Note while adding an updated youtube video we came across this terrible video of the slaughter of a hog. Are Ukrainians barbarians or just plain cruel? Youtube evidence shows the slaughter of street dogs and cats has been ongoing for at least two years.

Rottweilers are huge dogs that are more often than not misunderstood. They need the same care and attention as any other dog but they also need an owner who is boss. That does not mean in a cruel way. It just means that if you let a dog rule your home it will. That applies from the smallest dog to the largest.

Having shared our home with dogs over 40 years we have learned that the hard way. You live and learn. There is never any excuse for animal cruelty and brutal treatment though. If you are not up for the job do not own a dog. These wonderful four legged intelligent creatures deserve so much more than that.

Rottweilers are like some huge people. At heart they are gentle giants. We came across this story by way of a tweet and an online petition. It makes for dreadful reading. We have used the petition letter and image in the hope that our readers will sign and make their voices heard.

Justice for the Wallkill Rottweilers found in horrific conditions in NY: Maximum sentence for Sylvia Panetta for the inhumane treatment of animals
Sylvia Panetta 64 of New York had a total of 76 Rottweiler's 5 of which are pregnant. An investigation into Karousel Kennels revealed dogs living in horrific conditions with barely any shelter. insect infected water, fed for the most part a diet of moldy bread and conditions were described by Authorities in New York as one of the most disturbing cases of animal abuse they have ever seen.

20 dogs were removed immediately to be given medical attention, one of which had a leg amputation, another dog having an eye removed. The town of Wallkill limits private owners to four dogs or less. Panetta is not registered as a shelter or breeder in the town. Kelly, a female dog came to the rescue with two broken toes, and Josh, a five-year-old rottweiler arrived at the rescue with a mangled leg. His leg later had to be amputated, another dog had to have an eye removed. Many of the dogs were sick and Malnourished 

The petition asks that Ms Panetta receives the maximum sentence. We agree. Without such a firm stand how ill others be deterred?

Those found guilty of animal neglect and or abuse deserve to have the book thrown at them. If you agree please follow the link and sign the petition.

Details of the abuse state, We are urging the Township of Middletown to serve JUSTICE FOR THE WALLKILL ROTTWEILERS . Sylvia Panetta 64 of New York had a total of 76 Rottweiler's and counting as some are pregnant. An investigation into Karousel Kennels revealed dogs living in horrific conditions with barely any shelter, insect infected water, fed for the most part a diet of moldy bread and conditions were described by Authorities in New York as one of the most disturbing cases of animal abuse they have ever seen. Approximately a quarter of the dogs were removed immediately to be given medical attention, one of which had a leg amputation, another having an eye removed, one euthanized due to kidney failure and most dogs underweight due to malnutition,  many sick needing medical care, toe amputations and it has been reported that  many of the dogs have deformaties due to the lack of care and conditions they were living in. This is not taking into account the emotional and psychological damage that these poor dogs have endured.

The town of Wallkill limits private owners to five dogs or less. Panetta is not registered as a shelter or breeder in the town so in fact has broken the law. We want to see justice for these dogs and the maximum sentence for Sylvia Panetta setting example that this will not be tolerated .

A little background about this picture. This is Blossom, she is one of the 76 dogs found at the Puppy Mill raided in Middletown, NY. She had to be carried out because she was completely closed down while being lead out of her cage. The only home she has ever known was awash in a putrid slime of mud and who knows what else. "Pets Alive" and Rottweiler rescue groups "Mountain Rottie Rescue", "Rottie Empire Rescue" and "Hudson Valley Rottie Rescue" lead the way and were given only 10 days by the court  to get the dogs out and we applaud the above rescues and the good citizens for accomplishing this in getting every dog out and to safety. 

Please sign and share this petition as justice needs to be served and in your part you are saying enough is enough.

Sylvia Panetta's Court date is set for June 15th 2012 and we need to get as many signatures as possible to be presented in the court on that date. 

Sandy Elis who is fostering one of the rottweilers who has been named Summer writes:  

Summer is 8 years old. First time in her life to be loved, cuddled, toys, real food instead of moldy bread and cared for the way she should . . The poor girl is missing part of her mouth. .the lips are gone on one side and some of her toes are deformed but everyday is a brighter day for both of us and I plan on giving her the forever home she deserves.

Special Thanks to all of those rescue's above and the following for their part in the amazing  team work for the welfare of these animals. Warwick HS, Paws Unlimited, Middletown HS, Goshen HS, Franklin Shelter NJ, Oneonta Vet, For The Love Of Dog and to  the many good Time is moving on but we can all help swell the numbers on this petition and hopefully make a difference.

Thank you

The latest news the Ukraine regarding the slaughter of dogs and cats follows.Our source is continuing her battle to get the killings recognised. Ukrainian officials continue to deny the slaughter jumping onto any chance to disprove the facts. With this in mind our source was contacted by a female claiming to be from the Ukrainian embassy in the US. We have no reason to disbelief her identity. Her email read:

This is ***********, Press Officer at the Embassy of Ukraine to the U.S.

Yes, I am proud of my country.
And if something goes wrong in my country I and my compatriots should know
about it so that we could fix it.

In this regard, thank you for your message and the images.

The only thing is in Ukraine we do not use the plates shown on the vehicle in the first image.

My assumption is the picture was not taken in Ukraine.
Ms.Cole, I will appreciate  if you could let us know where you got this picture from.
Also, why do you believe the first two pictures were taken in Ukraine? Any proofs?

Best regards,

So she was claiming that details of a vehicle used in the killing of dogs and cats could not be real. She received a reply from our source explaining the report.It read:

Dear Ms *********  

Thank you for your prompt response to my email. 

I apologise for the fact that my email to you was quite  short and not much detail, but then I was not expecting any reply from the Ukraine authorities, so have been concentrating on more detailed information going to the various international media.   I am very sorry to read that you are not aware of what is happening in the Ukraine with regard to the animals.  Evidently there has not been a lot of publicity in the U.S.A. or you are not kept informed of current events in your country. I imagine the main concern has been the documentaries and reports about the racism on-going in the Ukraine and Poland and so the animals, as usual, take a back seat.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01jk4vr/Panorama_Euro_2012_Stadiums_of_Hate/  

Many reports, videos, photos and petitions have been distributed around the internet now for months ever since the purchase of the  "infamous furnace" to destroy the animals was known and still the Ukraine authorities have ignored all the protests made to them.  I will post just a few of the links below but there are too many to post all of them.  

There are many organisations who are aware of the massacre of the animals, including PETA and PETA.Deutchland have even produced badges  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zZXN389vFx0.   

Germany, France, Hungary have responded very well with posters and organising protests.  We are all supporting the animal activists in the Ukraine, even the Russians are protesting and have shown news clips on Russia Today TV news.  

There is no running away from the fact that this is going on so no proof is needed.  

There was even a Russian forum where they were recently asking for Russians to go into the Ukraine to finish the job off of "cleaning the streets" and being paid.   You need to scroll down under countries, click on UKRAINE, and then the top topic  "Comrades!  Need Help with Euro-2012"  http://vredy.org/

This was followed by a further email to the Ukrainian official a day later which read

"Dear Ms *************,

Further to my email of the 7th June, I owe you an explanation about the inaccuracy of the vehicle registration (УАЗ-452, номер: 101-95 ВІ) on the photo previously sent.  

You are correct, this is not the actual vehicle used but the photo was used as a warning to people if they should see a similar vehicle which has been sighted around the streets of Vinnutsja and which now appears to be doing the "cleaning up" between midnight and 4.00 a.m.

A photo of the actual vehicle at that time was not possible, however, witnesses recorded the details of it:   УАЗ-452, plate number: 101-95 ВІ   Meanwhile, here is another recent link for your information http://vk.com/club4961797 Apart from the mass killing, within this link is a statement regarding one particular case of a dog killed by the two men in the above mentioned vehicle.  The owner is wanting to take this to court.  

A rough Google translation is here for those who do not speak Ukraine or Russian.  
"Attention!
  For several weeks in a row across the city en mass destroy homeless animals! They poison and kill with a Syringe!
  Glaring case was the murder of a dog named Ralph, who has long lived in an orphanage, having gone through it a few steps. Dog with a disability will soon took to his home,  with a woman named Anna. Unfortunately, Ralph could not forget about his wandering life, and often ran away from the yard, walking through the city center. The story ended with Ralph, being grabbed by two men and killed by them with a Syringe of poison. There is a witness to this event! Care about people once made ​​a statement to police and city hall. Also wrote a statement dog owner.

  Please be careful, watch your pets! The city gytseli travel by car: UAZ-452, No: 101-95 Bi. The men called Vladimir and Leonid.

  At the traffic police was informed that the car is worth on the balance of the CP "Ekovin." 

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.  
Yours sincerely,

The killing was intensified prior to the UEFA  2012. It was aimed at "cleaning the streets" but does nothing but cause pain and suffering. Without a sensible neutering program the stray animal problem will not be resolved.

There is a great deal of evidence online regarding the slaughter of dogs and cats in the Ukraine. If you are still unsure check out one of these links and then make your voice heard. SPEAK FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NO VOICE:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAKSsQw3O2Q&feature=relmfu 
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Stop_the_killing_of_cats_and_dogs_in_Ukraine_for_the_EURO_2012/?fhFCEab&pv=5   http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/campaign.faces?siteId=3&campaign=UkraineStrayAnimals   http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-killing-of-dogs-and-cats-for-the-european-football-championship   http://www.people.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/2012/04/29/ukraine-caught-out-again-over-euro-2012-dog-slaughter-102039-23840991/ 
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4296093/Pamela-Anderson-to-Euro-2012-football-chief-Michel-Platini-stop-the-dogs-slaughter.html

Shocking images of the sad face of animal abuse and neglect in the UK have been making headlines. Media reports as May 2012 drew to a close included images of a dog  that the RSPCA claim is the "thinnest dog" they have ever seen alive. This is a terrible claim to fame as inspectors working for the RSPCA will have seen all too many painful sights.

The cross Staffordshire terrier was found starved and shivering in a cardboard box. Abandoned to an uncertain fate it is a stark reminder of people's cruelty. As the UK economy struggles to keep afloat many people are feeling the pinch. For some one of the first things to cut back on is pet care. This can mean a dog being undernourished. not receiving medical attention when necessary or being abandoned.

How many times must we be told that a dog or pet is for life? That adorable puppy, so cute as it licks your foot, will inevitably grow and so will the associated costs. Once a dog is your responsibility it is just that. If you can no longer afford its upkeep seek help. Rehoming is not easy on any level but it is far better than simply abandoning a pet. Our current dog came as a foster dog around nine years ago. She is obviously going nowehere. She though had been left tied to a tree in the garden of what was her home as her owners packed up and moved house. She has around eight months old, thin and worse. Our other dog who she became firm buddies with weighed a mere 7kilos when rescued and was a hair's breadth from death.

The dog in this report weighed just over a stone or 14 pounds when she arrived at the RSPCA Weston-Super-Mare. Called Hope by the rescue centre she is gradually gaining some strength. When rescued on May 16 she was too weak to move save for her tail. A sweet natured dog her tail slightly twitched in recognition of kindness.

Hope is now making steady progress and is expected to recover. Aged around 18 months this tragic episode may mar her health in years to come. If Hope does survive she will probably be assured of a new home with  special people. The publicity should mean that many responsible dog owners will want to offer Hope a permanent home. Remember though that right now there are many more dogs waiting for just that. A permanent home. A good home.

The RSPCA are looking for anyone with information which could lead to a prosecution in the case of Hope. If the person or persons are caught and sent to trial let's hope the judge throws the book at them. The charity hopes to bring a prosecution so if you can help with information, call 0300 1234 999. 

More here