ALL 2008 NEWS
Campaigning against bloodsport-loving Cameron
David Cameron is being attacked not only for being stuck in the past (see Mirror news article), but also for pledging to bring back hunting with dogs. Last week, people gathered outside the Tory Conference in Birmingham to protest against plans by the Tory leader to repeal the hunting act, should he take power at the next election. A recent opinion poll by the highly respected Mori polling organization, shows that even the majority of Conservative voters are opposed to a repeal of the ban on hunting with dogs.
Daily Post, 3 October, 2008 
Sarah Palin wrestling with polar bears
Whoever still believes Sarah Palin is a good choice to be running America is sadly mistaken. Her love for hunting, oil, gas and other environmentally destructive activities is so strong that she sued the US government to overturn a ruling attempting to classify the polar bear as an endangered species. The ruling will be after the Presidential elections, in January. Let's hope the American people are wise enough to deny Palin any chance to further destroy the world.
The Guardian, 2 October, 2008 READ MORE
Over 100 neglected and dead animals on Northern Ireland farm
The USPCA and police have removed more than a hundred animals, of which 60 were dead, from a farm in County Down. Gruesome situations were encountered. The remaining animals have been moved to shelters, and the USPCA recommends prosecution. Animals Count seeks the implementation of policies to prevent cruelty and to instil an attitude of responsibility and compassion for animals and a commitment to their lifelong care.
BBC, 1 October, 2008
London Zoo to spend £5m on tiger enclosure
A November 2007 licensing inspection of London Zoo stipulated the Zoo would have to submit plans for a larger outdoor tiger enclosure within two years, so that the tigers could be separated. The new tigress, acquired to supplement the shrinking population of Sumatran tigers, and the male did not get on. Rather than pumping huge sums of money in ex-situ conservation plans, Animals Count believes the £5m would be much better spent in-situ, to preserve the natural habitat of Sumatran tigers and to prevent further biodiversity loss.
The Independent, 1 October, 2008
Kent police who denied campaigners to protest now forced to pay up
A coach with animal rights campaigners intending to protest in Dover against live export was stopped and boarded by the police. The protesters were not allowed to join other campaigners. Instead, the police escorted them back to London. As the protest was legal the police did not have the right to stop the campaigners, and will now have to pay up to compensate them. Animals Count is very concerned about the unreasonable restriction on freedom of speech.
BBC, 29 September, 2008
Tough dogs and a throwaway culture
An increasing number of people like to keep tough-looking dogs. Owners are usually young males, living on estates and wanting to show themselves off. Most dogs are passed on, sold or abandoned at least once and shelters are overrun by staffies. Animals Count is very concerned with this trend. It's not these dogs who are inherently dangerous; many people are unfit for ownership of pitt bull terrier type dogs.
Guardian, 27 September, 2008
Dr Pachauri of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change advocates eating less meat
At a Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) Memorial Lecture on 8th September, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change advocated eating less meat. He showed that the livestock sector is responsible for 18% of all greenhouse gases; more than all transport combined. The projected level of global warming is morally unacceptable, and he and a panel of experts called for immediate action.
13 September, 2008 READ MORE
Cleared: Jury decides that threat of global warming justifies breaking the law
A jury has decided that campaigners were justified in causing more than £35,000 worth of damage to a coal-fired power station. It is feared this could encourage further direct action. Animals Count believes we need to draw attention to and take action against global warming caused by the livestock industry.
Independent, 11 September, 2008
Teachers should tackle creationism, says science education expert
Animals Count is a strong advocate of teaching evolution, which is at the core of all life on earth. However, we accept that science cannot always offer satisfactory explanations and that what cannot be measured does not necessarily mean that something does not exist. Careful discussions on alternative explanations do have a place in education, but probably better placed within religious studies. Animal protection education fits in many subjects within the curriculum, including in science, citizenship, religious studies, literacy, numeracy, arts, etc.
Guardian, 11 September, 2008
> McCain's running mate Sarah Palin bad news for animals and the environment 6 September 2008
> Austrian animal rights campaigners released 2 September 2008
> RSPCA 2007 figures show increase in animal cruelty 3 August 2008
> EU does not back down against Canada in dispute over seal products 27 July 2008
> Animals Count Summer 2008 Newsletter 26 July 2008
> EU farm and rural development subsidies used for breeding bullfighting bulls 14 July 2008
> Two months extension of wrongfully imprisoned Austrian animal activists 12 July 2008
> Reprieve for badgers in England 5 July 2008
> Meeting Jane Goodall in Tanzania 23 June 2008
> Kick the meat habit 5 June 2008
> Animal abandonment numbers sky high 21 May 2008
> Greyhound stadium Walthamstow to close 19 May 2008
> Creating human-animal embryos allowed 19 May 2008
> Meat the Truth film premiere in London 19 May 19 May 2008
> Polar bear first animal to be entitled protection due to climate change 17 May 2008
> Number of wildlife species dwindling fast 16 May 2008
> Lords debate transport of horses for slaughter overseas 15 May 2008
> Real Business interviews Alex Bourke on veganism and climate change 9 May 2008
> Five charged for animal cruelty to 125 animals 18 March 2008
> International weekly wordlog by Dutch Party for the Animals leader launched in 9 languages 18 March 2008
> Spanish political party for the animals PACMA wins 41,000 votes in elections! 10 March 2008
> On third anniversary of Hunting act new polling results reveal 73% of Brits support hunting ban 18 February 2008
> Coalition launches global campaign against long distance transport 12 February 2008
> Hilary Benn's statement on bird flu in Dorset 27 January 2008
> Animal groups take snare-ban call to Scottish Parliament 16 January 2008