Government Guilty of "Reckless" 1080 Deaths

By NORMAN JONES - Peninsula Press.

The government and its agencies can now be prosecuted and fined up to $350,000 for the suffering and death of animals exposed to 1080 poison...

New legislation to the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) policy earlier this year made it an offense to kill through the ‘reckless’ use of 1080.

And with a  Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) statement saying that one agency - the Department of Conservation (DOC) - are effectively ‘drift netting’ forests "... causing uncounted deaths of both indigenous and introduced species," legislation has to be put into place to stop this widespread 'illegal' suffering of animals.

Speaking this week, Robyn Kippenberger, National Chief Executive, Royal New Zealand SPCA said “Whilst there is no provision in the AWA 1999 to take action on the poisoning of a ‘pest animal’ ... amendments to the legislation in July of this year provide for the reckless ill-treatment of any animal.  

"Should an operator be reckless in the application of 1080 (i.e. outside of the designated boundary) and a domestic or production animal suffers unnecessary pain and suffering as a result, the SPCA would consider prosecuting under *Section 28A of the AWA 1991.

She said the the SPCA, although recognising the need for possum control, urgently urged the government to seek more human alternatives.

“While it is proven that cyanide is a considerably more humane poison to control possums, the SPCA acknowledges that its application in deeply forested areas is not practical.

“The SPCA is totally opposed to the use of 1080 in the control of wild deer as death in this species has been shown to be agonizing and protracted with significant suffering. It is of deep concern that the Department of Conservation are using this method to control deer numbers as 1080 is not licensed as a poison to control this species.”

She added that, “As 1080 is not species specific, the SPCA is extremely concerned by the ‘by-kill’ resulting from the application of 1080.  It is effectively ‘drift netting' of the forest causing uncounted deaths of both indigenous and introduced species.

“Irrespective of all arguments on both sides of the 1080 debate, scientific evidence proves that most affected animals will die an agonising and likely prolonged death.”

To watch a documentary on the use of 1080 poison in New Zealand, please click here. 

 

[Animal Welfare Act:*Section - 28A -  Reckless ill-treatment of animals: (1) A person commits an offence if that person recklessly ill-treats an animal with the result that: (a) the animal is permanently disabled; or (b) the animal dies; or (c) the pain or distress caused to the animal is so great that it is necessary to destroy the animal in order to end its suffering; or (d) the animal is seriously injured or impaired.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(d), an animal is seriously injured or impaired if the injury or impairment: (a) involves - (i) prolonged pain and suffering; or (ii) a substantial risk of death; or (iii) loss of a body part; or (iv) permanent or prolonged loss of a bodily function; and (b) requires treatment by or under the supervision of a veterinarian. (3) A person who commits an offence against this section is liable on conviction on indictment - (a) in the case of an individual, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to a fine not exceeding $75,000 or to both:

(b) in the case of a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding $350,000.

Section 28A: inserted, on 7 July 2010, by section 5  HYPERLINK "http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1999/0142/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM2747709#DLM2747709" http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1999/0142/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM2747709#DLM2747709 of the Animal Welfare Amendment Act 2010 (2010 No 93).

SPCA invites The Graf Boys to speak to their inspectors

Steve and I were invited by the SPCA to do a presentation for the North Island Inspectors and Centre Management Workshop 2010 conference held in Taupo, which covered Saturday and Sunday. We used a PowerPoint presentation, photos, and also showed the first 15 minutes of Poisoning Paradise, which included some of the animal welfare issues. About 70 inspectors from across the North Island, and a couple visiting from Australia, attended the 90 minute presentation.

Anti-1080 Taupo mayor Rick Cooper was also present, and addressed the crowd. The overall presentation went well, with a good number of the inspectors showing genuine interest and concern. It was interesting to note that only about 10% of the inspectors had seen Poisoning Paradise. Rick Cooper offered to have copies of Poisoning Paradise duplicated and supplied to the inspectors. As a result of this opportunity, I believe we will start to see more action from SPCA.

We later listened to a presentation from visiting American forensic scientist and entomologist (insects) Dr. Jason Byrd, who is also a member of the American SPCA. He investigates crime scene forensic cases, and is employed by a university in Florida, I think he said. He appeared on TVone's Closeup tonight. He showed similar concern to the aerial use of 1080 as Dr's Pat and Quinn Whiting-Okeefe, and other scientists and experts, in regard to dropping food, laced with poison, into an ecosystem.

Dr Byrd has agreed to be interviewed for the new doco we are working on, due for release next year.
He raised similar concerns to the late Mike Meads (who was also an entomologist), in regard to the Krebs cycle and how the Krebs cycle is a process used by most organisms. Even the ones that break 1080 down. He suggested that when the 1080 is broken down it is possibly changed into some other toxic entity.

Dr Byrd pointed out that our native koura, among other things, will most likely be affected, and killed by 1080, if enough is eaten - whereas our DoC denies 1080 harms koura. DoC claims koura can eat 1080, and just pass it out with no harm being done. We dispute this, and believe it should be researched further, as where koura are present, they are poisoned in all streams 3 metres in width and under, on all aerial drops where cereal bait is used. They are also a food source for other animals and fish.

Dr Byrd also pointed out that plants have a Krebs cycle, and depending on dose, could be negatively affected by up taking 1080. (Once again, depending on dose) This could translate into poor flowering, or growth for example. Admittedly DoC have continued to drop their application doses more and more over recent years. I believe this is because they have still not been able to find benefit, and only harm is being realised. I think when DoC get to the stage where they go so light in dose, that they aren't actually dropping the poison at all - is when they will find benefit.

After all, up until the 80's, when 1080 had never been used over much of the country, and even when wild animal numbers were high, and had been so for many years, the forests were in a far better state than they are now, including higher presence of bird numbers, and species - when compared to areas where 1080 has been repeatedly used.

CLICK HERE TO SEE US BILL TO BAN 1080

Death by 1080 Vs Humane Death - Compare the photos



The following is a series of photos recently taken of two deer.

One series is of a necropsy of a deer killed by 1080.

The other is of a deer necropsied after being

shot through the neck, and died instantly.

Scientists (Dr Charles Eason, Dr Hugh Barr) estimate over 20,000 deer are killed every

year in New Zealand by 1080,

plus tens of thousands of native birds, and many pets and farm animals.

Death, for an animal shot through the neck, is instantaneous.

An animal poisoned with 1080 will take from two hours to die,

to several days, depending on the dose.

Some animals are only half  poisoned, and left to recover with

varying degrees of disability.

1080 is a favourite "tool" of our Department of Conservation,

the Animal Health Board, and some regional councils ...

who are all holding hands in perpetrating this gross

act of New Zealand ecocide!  

There are alternatives, and we will be addressing those in our new documentary. 

However, there is no question that 1080 is grossly inhumane,

and that as New Zealanders, through our authorities continued use

of 1080, we are all basted with the mass scale, animal cruelty brush.

DEER SHOT THROUGH NECK, KILLED QUICKLY




HIND KILLED BY 1080. Legs straight out, head twisted back.
This is consistent  with all deer found dead in 1080 drops.



FACE OF DEER THAT WAS SHOT



THIS IS THE FACE-DOWN SIDE OF HIND, KILLED BY 1080



EYE OF THE SHOT DEER

OTHER EYE OF THE HIND KILLED BY 1080 

BETWEEN BACK LEGS OF THE SHOT DEER

BETWEEN LEGS OF THE HIND KILLED BY 1080

LUNGS OF THE SHOT DEER

LUNGS OF DEER KILLED BY 1080

LUNGS OF SHOT DEER

HEART OF THE SHOT DEER

HEART OF THE HIND KILLED BY 1080

To view a documentary on the use of 1080 poison in New Zealand Click Here - Poisoning Paradise 

At the request of a concerned person, this photo has been added to show the bullet EXIT wound in the neck of the animal that died humanely, and was autopsied. It's the same deer, in the same position as the first photo in the series above. Yes people, any autopsy of an animal killed by 1080 will show the same thing, and so will any autopsy of an animal humanely killed by shooting. Death by 1080 is grossly inhumane, and that won't change because of our ignorance, or not wanting to accept it. 

To view a documentary on the use of 1080 poison in New Zealand Click Here - Poisoning Paradise

SPCA need to act on DoC & AHB mass scale, animal cruelty

Over the last month, the west coast of the south island of New Zealand has been subjected to the single largest aerial 1080 poison operation, in New Zealand history. The area covered is over 90,000 hectares.

These drops are happening all across

New Zealand, on a weekly basis

Last Tuesday we were again flown

into the 1080 poison drop zone, through the generosity of helicopter pilot Peter Salter.

We decided to explore the coast side of the road.

The pristine beaches and public highways were given a 150 metre buffer zone. Very generous. Residents and farmers water catchment's are not so fortunate, and as is always the case, poison is dropped directly into all waterways under 3 metres in width, within the drop zones.

We landed on a river bed, and then ventured into the hills.

Soon after arriving, we came across a deer that had been poisoned.

Her head was in the usual position, stretched awkwardly behind

her back, and her legs extended straight out, as is consistent with

the convulsions that increase as death nears.

The bright sunlight was streaming through the canopy,

and illuminated the hind's eye. The massive blood vessel damage was obvious.

Deer are none target animals, and it is illegal to poison deer with 1080 in New Zealand.

Scientists estimate 20,000 deer are poisoned every year with 1080 poison.

How do our bureaucratic authorities get away with it? Easy, they say they are not targeting deer! That simple response, exempts them from prosecution.

A vital point is, it's not just deer that are subjected to this most abhorrent method of animal control - some others included are - dogs, cats, goats, possums, rats, cows, sheep, horses, rabbits, hares, many species of birds, insects, and even people (often considered the least important, and some believe, considered among the rats and possums).

Poisoned animals can take from several hours, to several days to die from 1080 poisoning, and there is NO antidote.

We decided to do an autopsy.

We have been filming and making documentaries on the use of 1080 poison for over 4 years. We are now working on our 3rd, and final, in our trilogy that covers the environmental ecocide that is taking place in New Zealand forests.

Yet, we have never conducted an autopsy on an animal before.

I don't know why!

When we rolled the hind over, it was apparent that blood had been pouring out of her eyes and her mouth.

We have heard reports from farmers that have stated their animals eyes bulge out of their heads after being poisoned with 1080. Seeing is believing.

The second thing we observed was that the deer's bladder was restricted, and contained blood.

We are told by the users of 1080 that poisoned animals do not suffer, and that they simply fall asleep, while dying. Very misleading, indeed!

Steve conducted the autopsy, and he has butchered 1000's of deer, wild and domestic. He was a butcher in the venison works for several years. Our father has also butchered 1000's of wild deer. Never have either seen such internal damage, even by a mislaid bullet!

The hind's lungs were severely damaged.

An animal that has been humanely killed has bright pink, puffy lungs. Not so with a death by 1080 poison!

The lung damage helps to explain the orange froth and blood that is often found oozing from animals nostrils and mouths.

Keep in mind, it takes hours, to days, for these animals to die, and they number in the 1000's, in most aerial poison operations.

The hind's rear end was extremely swollen, bruised, and appeared to be filled with blood.

Steve inspected the area that should normally be clean, and free from hemorrhaging.

Once again, what was revealed was gross bleeding, and obvious, prolonged suffering.

Who are these disturbed people, that spread such distress?

Who are the perpetrators of such horrific animal cruelty?

I'll tell you they're our own Department of Conservation, the Animal Health Board, and the Regional Councils!!!

Why would these people commit such crimes?

Because they choose to be ignorant, and refuse to believe the truth when it stares them in the face. Our field staff simply believe what our authorities tell them - and so they should - but sometimes a little bit of thinking is required, to keep the balance.

A great man once said...

"Unthinking respect for authority, is the greatest enemy of truth!" That was Albert Einstein, and it's as relevant today, as it was when the great man walked the earth.

Parts of this story was published in today's Greymouth Star - minus the photos - the photos were considered too emotive!!!!!!!!

DoC spokesman, Ian Gill stated in that report..."Clyde has simply not found the massive level of carnage that he thought that he would find and so he is playing with people's emotions", he said.
"What he is failing to tell people is that he also knows that gut-shot and wounded deer also die agonising, slow deaths. He has a very selective concern."

Are you serious, Mr. Gill? As was stated, we have never seen such internal damage, even on an accidental, "gut-shot" animal, ever!

We have many years of experience in the venison industry, unlike most employees of DoC, and to try to dismiss this repulsive act, under the guise of emotions, just confirms DoC staff's callous inDoCtrination.

What these animals are put through has nothing to do with emotive! This is fact. This is happening. This is a serious crime, that must end!

There is no disputing that 1080 is too inhumane to be used in this way.

Our brave people in SPCA must add their weight to help stop the perpetrators - that are beyond moral judgement, and ethical behavior.

SPCA, It is time to risk sacrificing your jobs, your relationships with these authorities, and stand up for what you are meant to represent - the humane welfare of animals, domestic or wild!!!

Please keep your eye on the US bill to have 1080 manufacture, import and export, banned.

Animal Ethics paper - a must read!

Whether you support 1080, or abhor it, this short scientific analysis on the humaneness of 1080, is a must read!

It was part of the ERMA review, like many other important papers, but mattered little, like so many other important papers.

However, the statement in the Discussion section is worthy of comment....

"The Application for the Reassessment of 1080 indicates that 1080 brings
significant benefits to other species, especially at the population level, and to
livestock health, without significant environmental risks."....

This comment is consistent with unfounded statements supporting the use of 1080, in the ERMA review. The truth is, there is not a single credible, scientific study that shows a net population benefit to any native species through the use of aerially applied 1080 poison. And conversely, the evidence points to much harm being done.

Please click on the link above.

GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE PENALTY FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY

Good on the government, who are about to pass a bill that increases the penalty for animal cruelty, from 3 years to 5 years imprisonment, for extreme cases. That's all very nice.....to the naive!

However, it is the New Zealand Government that inflicts the greatest crimes against animals in this country.
Through the use of their aerial poisoning operations (1080 & Brodificoum) they kill and torment 100's of thousands of animals, birds, insects and aquatic life every year, in a way that, if viewed on television, would make the hardest slaughter man feel sorrow.

But, just in case you don't believe me, please take the time to watch the following clips.
A drop has just taken place on Mt. Taranaki. 33,000 hectares.
The animals who died there, had to endure hours of suffering. Surely you can afford a few minutes to understand what these animals went through?

Obscene Cruelty Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrCQZ1B4ks0

Obscene Cruelty Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gCwIxIOxds

END SONG:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smp2TdbOPaI