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Last week was historical for the New Zealand Police force. Never before, that I can recall anyway, has there ever been such a police manhunt motivated by the death of an animal. Enso, mind you, was not any regular animal. The three-year-old german shepherd had spent half his young life catching criminals. Being trained to hunt, disarm and restrain a human being is not a natural task assigned just any canine. In fact if any other dog displayed the same behaviour towards a human - friend or foe - they'd be served a death sentence quick smart.

But last week the sudden death sentence was Enso's. In hot pursuit of an offender in remote bush south of Tauranga, Enso was overpowered and killed. It is understood he was drowned. Upon discovering Enso's body over 50 police officers and 2 helicopters became part of a massive manhunt over five hours. Meanwhile, a devastated dog handler and constable Kayne Cording was left to carry out his best mates lifeless body several hundred metres to the nearest vehicle access and grieve. The distraught constable later admitted he contemplated leaving the force.

The search was successful and the police, to their credit, got their man. The 20-year-old was charged with causing the death of Enzo along with other charges including domestic violence. Yeah, a real nice guy! I have no respect for anyone willing to maim and kill an animal. It will make in interesting legal case. Scumbags maim and kill animals, including dogs all the time and the courts usually fine them $200 and community service. It's pathetic. But this is a highly respected special police cadet so I predict jail time coming this scumbag. I hope so. It's time more animal abusers served tougher sentences to reflect the seriousness of the offence.

Enso was one of only 110 police dogs authorised to 'attack' humans. It's a terrible responsibility placed on an animal. How is he to know who is friend or foe? We don't sanction the use of dogs for police activities. It's not their job no matter how smart or brave they are. One this is for certain, Cording loved Enso. The police force also cared. I take my hat off to them for recognising the value of a non-human animal. Enso could have easily been dismissed as expendable pawn to the service but they treated him like one of their own.
To Enso.

Anthony Terry
Director

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BEAGLE RESEARCH IN NEW ZEALAND
A current affairs report to screen on 60 Minutes next Monday will expose an animal breeding facility that is believed to be one of the largest animal-testing facilities in the Southern Hemisphere.

A four-month investigation by SAFE, New Zealand's largest animal rights group, has found evidence of unprecedented numbers of beagles being bred and used for animal experiments in New Zealand. more...

60 Minutes, TV3, 7.30pm, Monday 27 August


LOVEPIGS ROAD TOUR BEGINS
SAFE campaign director Hans Kriek and campaign officer Sacha Dowell will begin the national road tour to promote the LovePigs campaign, kicking of with a public meeting on the West Coast next week. The meeting in Greymouth will discuss the cruelty associated with factory pig farming and what can be done to improve the lives of New Zealand's pigs.

For those that live in the area it will be a good opportunity to come and learn about our LovePigs campaign says Hans. You get to meet our diligent campaign officer Sacha, myself, and the local organisers. more...


ONE LUCKY CALF
When two Scottish tourists travelling in the South Island saw a dead cow in a remote paddock, they didn't hesitate to investigate. They found the cow had died after giving birth and located her calf nearby. The newborn calf was obviously hungry and her big brown eyes only took seconds to convince the tourists to embark on a rescue mission. With no farm house anywhere in sight, and a suspicion that an orphaned calf would not be welcomed by a farmer in any case, they decided to take the calf and find a good home for her. more...


PIG FARM HORRORS EXPOSED
SAFE has received disturbing new footage taken last month inside an intensive piggery in the Auckland area. The footage shows frustrated and depressed sows as well as sick, dying and crippled piglets. Many of the breeding sows had sores or were suffering from badly infected teats.

The footage was taken by members of Open Rescue who openly identify themselves and take full responsibility for their actions, despite any possible legal repercussions which may arise. Open Rescue volunteers are active in Australia, Europe, United States and New Zealand.
To view footage click here.


UPCOMING SAFE EVENTS . . .
Kapiti
7pm, Friday, 7 September
Kapiti Coast SAFE members and other keen people are invited to a meeting. Come and meet other SAFE people and discuss ideas for local activities to promote the pig campaign and organise fundraising. Contact Jenna for more info about the meeting or if you are interested in getting active in Kapiti: jen-will@hotmail.com

Christchurch
Thursday, 23 August
A discussion session with individuals sharing their personal journey of how they came to be compassionate towards animals. Come and share your story.

Wednesday, 5 September
Cruelty-free consumption in NZ: the findings of the study by Annie Potts, co-founder of the NZ Centre for Human-Animal Studies at Canterbury University.

Some of the findings in Annie's study resulted in the recent "vegansexuality" media frenzy, but did not touch on any of the other great findings, so come along and find out more about vegetarian and ethical consumers' perspectives.


SAFE 2007 AGM - All welcome!
All SAFE members and supporters are welcome to attend SAFE's 2007 Annual General Meeting in Christchurch. It's your opportunity to meet with SAFE National Executive Committee and members of staff and hear reports on activities over the year.

3pm-5pm, Saturday, 8 September 2007. SAFE office, level 1, 145 Armagh Street, Christchurch. Refreshments to follow.







 

22 August 2007 #33



Cake draw! YUM!

This week we have a real treat for you! We're giving away a delicious vegan cake made by the good wholesome people at Angel Foods. Scrumptious varieties include chocolate, vanilla, spicy ginger, and banana. They are topped with treats such as lemon icing, chunks of chocolate and ginger or coconut fudge! Visit www.angelfood.co.nz for more information and a list of stockists. Draw closes 28 August. Good luck!

Congratulations to Nikki Hunsinger and Romola Hunter for each winning an 'Action Speaks Louder than Words' t-shirt and a LovePigs pack.

WEBSITE ASSISTANCE
A website assistant is required to assist with the upload of the SAFE email bulletins each fortnight. If you can code html and css, are competent at editing and compressing photos (ie: photoshop) and can donate a couple of hours each fortnight, please get in touch. Email anthony@safe.org.nz


WOMEN, WINE, AND SONG!

7am, 27 August St Kevin's Arcade K Rd, Auckland

Next Monday you have the chance to meet with other volunteers, members and staff to enjoy free vegan cake, wine and coffee. Come also to listen to the sweet music of Flip Grater - singer, songwriter and vegan.

SAFE Auckland would like to show all our volunteers and supporters how much we appreciate their time, hard work and commitment. Please join us in celebrating the release of Flip Grater's new vegetarian cookbook The Cookbook Tour, a gastronomic chronicle of her musical tour through New Zealand and beyond.

Flip, a long-time supporter of SAFE, will be signing books and CDs, and performing live. You'll also have the chance to win her new book, and a copy of her debut album Cage for a Song. more...