Saturday, October 15, 2005

Convenience

In March 2005, the West Hollywood City Council voted to outlaw "cosmetic" surgery for animals. The motion to bar "non-therapeutic" surgery for animals was introduced by Mayor John Duran, who says that tail-docking, ear-cropping, de-fanging, and de-barking are all done for cosmetic reasons and for the convenience of pet owners. If the law is written into the books, which appears likely, West Hollywood will become the first city in North America to ban such surgery for animals.

OK so far, you think. Next it says:

Concerned breeders in New Zealand are continuing to campaign against a ban and Australia has lost the battle for common sense.

Closely followed by:

Unchecked, breeders world-wide are facing the same...hysteria which is being fueled by a minority of the veterinary profession and major animal protection societies, who campaign under the pretence of "animal welfare".

I took this from a website published by the "Council of Docked Breeds", i.e. some type of organisation in favour of surgical alteration of animals. It seems that there are arguments for and against such procedures (It is unnecessary and cruel/It is necessary and painless) which you can find out about if you want. But I found it odd to see this name, "The Council of Docked Breeds". It gives the impression that a group of animals have got together and formed a pressure group. I guess having their claws removed helps them use the computer more easily.

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Noise

"Large numbers of blue whales were killed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with 30,000 being taken in the 1930-1931 whaling season alone. Numbers remain low today with an estimated population in the 10’s of thousands worldwide.

"The effect of acoustic disturbances from shipping, the oil industry and other human sources must be considered when whale populations are being studied. There is increasing evidence that such noise pollution could be having a negative impact on the marine environment as a whole and cetaceans in particular."

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

When Busy

Write short.