----- Original Message -----

From: <Anna.L.Cherry@aphis.usda.gov>

Dear Gamefowl Enthusiast:

      PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE DANGERS FACING YOUR BIRDS FROM EXOTIC
NEWCASTLE DISEASE (END)!  You can help keep this deadly disease from
destroying gamefowl birds.  Know the clinical signs, use safety
precautions, and report sick birds to your appropriate State veterinary
officials.  This is an animal health emergency, if you do not
cooperate?gamefowl everywhere could be endangered.

DISEASE DESCRIPTION
      END is a contagious and fatal viral disease affecting all species of
birds.  Previously known as velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease
(VVND), END is probably one of the most infectious diseases of poultry in
the world.  END is so virulent that many birds die without showing any
clinical signs.  END can infect and cause death even in vaccinated poultry
and causes  a death rate of almost 100 percent in unvaccinated poultry
flocks.
      END affects the respiratory, nervous, and digestive systems.  The
incubation period for the  disease ranges from 2 to 15 days.  An infected
bird may exhibit the following signs:
            ?     Respiratory: sneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge,
coughing;
            ?     Digestive: greenish, watery diarrhea;
            ?     Nervous: depression, muscular tremors, drooping wings,
twisting of head and neck, circling, complete paralysis;
            ?     Egg production: partial to complete drop in production
and thin-shelled eggs;
            ?     Appearance: swelling of the tissues around the eyes and
in the neck;
            ?     Mortality: sudden death and increased death loss in a
flock.
      END is spread primarily through direct contact between healthy birds
and the bodily discharges of infected birds, which have high concentrations
of the END virus.  The disease is transmitted through infected birds'
droppings and secretions from the nose, mouth, and eyes.  END spreads
rapidly among birds kept in confinement, such as commercially raised
chickens.
      The disease can also be easily spread by mechanical means.  Shoes and
clothing can pick up virus-bearing material and carry it from an infected
flock to a healthy one.  The disease is often spread by vaccination and
debeaking crews, manure haulers, rendering truck drivers, feed delivery
personnel, poultry buyers, egg service people, and poultry farm owners and
employees.
      The END virus can survive for several weeks in a warm and humid
environment on birds' feathers, manure, and other materials.  It can
survive indefinitely in frozen material.  However, the virus is destroyed
rapidly by dehydration and by the ultraviolet rays in sunlight.

PET BIRDS
      END is also a threat to the caged?bird industry and poultry
hobbyists.  Birds illegally smuggled into the United States are not
quarantined and tested by APHIS and therefore may    carry the END virus.
Owners of pet birds should:
            ?     Request certification from suppliers that birds are
legally imported or are of U.S. stock, are healthy prior to shipment, and
will be                 transported in new or thoroughly disinfected
containers;
            ?     Maintain records of all sales and shipments of flocks;
            ?     Isolate all newly purchased birds for at least 30 days;
            ?     Restrict movement of personnel between new and old birds.

BIOSECURITY AND DISEASE PREVENTION
      The only way to eradicate END from poultry is by rapidly destroying
all infected flocks and imposing strict quarantine and in?depth
surveillance programs.  Poultry producers should strengthen biosecurity
practices to prevent the introduction of the disease to their flocks.
      Biosecurity is also important to protect backyard and hobby flocks.
The following are tips on proper biosecurity practices:
            ?     Permit only essential workers and vehicles on the
premises.
            ?     Provide clean clothing and disinfection facilities for
employees.
            ?     Clean and disinfect vehicles (including tires and
undercarriages) entering and leaving the premises.
            ?     Avoid visiting other poultry operations.
            ?     Maintain an "all?in, all?out" philosophy of flock
management with a single age flock. ?Control the movement of all poultry
and                     poultry products from farm to farm.
                  ?Clean and disinfect poultry houses between each lot of
birds.
            ?     Do not keep pet birds on the farm.  Do not hire employees
who own pet birds.
            ?     Protect flocks from wild birds that may try to nest in
poultry houses or feed with domesticated birds.
            ?     Control movements associated with the disposal and
handling of bird carcasses, litter, and manure.
            ?     Take diseased birds to a diagnostic laboratory for
examination.

WHO TO CONTACT
      Poultry or pet bird owners or veterinarians who suspect a bird may
have END should immediately contact State or Federal animal health
authorities.  For additional information, you can check out the following
Web Site: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/enc/exoticnc.html or call
the California END hotline at 1-800-491-1899.  To contact the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service Veterinary Services'  Emergency Program
Staff, call 301-734-8073, 800-940-6524, or email emoc@usda.gov.

QUARANTINE AREA
      As of  February 10, 2003, the Federal quarantine area in California
includes Imperial, Las Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara, San
Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties. In Nevada it includes Clark
and the southern tip of Nye counties; and in Arizona Puma, La Paz, and
southern portions of Mojave (below the Colorado River) counties.  You can
check the APHIS Web Site for any updates to the quarantine areas.

MOVEMENT OF BIRDS
      Due to the presence of END in the Federal quarantine area, no birds,
bird products, and END-exposed materials or means of conveyance will be
moved from a Federal quarantine area without a permit. Risk assessments
that assure that movement will not  present a risk of moving the END agent
from the quarantine area are being completed.  To inquire about a permit,
contact the California END hotline at 1-800-491-1899.  NOTE: If other areas
become affected with END, APHIS will apply the same strategy as is applied
within  the current Federal quarantine area.

Thank you!

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..........it seems the disease is most prevalent in birds being bred and reared for fighting.........

 

 

Wednesday, February 12, 2003
Newcastle disease affecting poultry industry, curbing U.S. exports

Poultry Watch

By Chris Hill

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Disease outbreaks in the poultry industry often have a double effect.

Not only do they cause problems with the health of birds, but they have an impact on international trade.

Such is the case with the current problem with exotic Newcastle disease.

Because the disease is one of the most infectious poultry diseases, more than 30 countries have placed some ban on imports of U.S. poultry products.

Industry insiders estimate the disease could have a potential $5 billion impact on the U.S. poultry industry.

So far, the disease has been confined to Southern California and portions of Nevada and Arizona. Many state departments of agriculture have issued warnings aimed at stopping any importation of birds or eggs from the three states.

Experts in the eradication effort blame the disease outbreak on backyard flocks, and in particular it seems the disease is most prevalent in birds being bred and reared for fighting.

In Southern California, these are raised close to commercial laying operations.

The disease spreads through contact of "bodily discharges," which include bird droppings and secretions from the nose, mouth and eyes. It spreads quickly among birds kept in confinement

Signs of disease include coughing, sneezing, tremors, circling, paralysis, swelling of skin tissues around eyes and neck, high death rate, drop in egg production and eggs with thin shells.

Much of the recommended protective measures for commercial producers revolve around transmission prevention, which means producers should thoroughly clean and disinfect anything (including people) that may come in contact with other commercial production property and in particular, areas where backyard flocks are prevalent.

USDA has declared the situation an extraordinary emergency and has committed $100 million for the eradication effort. So far, almost 2 million birds have been identified to be destroyed.

For more information on exotic Newcastle disease, see the USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service's Web site at www. aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/ enc/exoticnc.html.

Georgia growers with birds exhibiting symptoms of exotic Newcastle disease should call the Georgia Department of Agriculture at (800) 282-5852.

Chris Hill is editor and production director of Gainesville-based Poultry Times and Poultry & Egg Marketing. He can be reached at (770) 536-2476 or chill@poultryandeggnews.com.

Source: http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/stories/20030212/localnews/968540.html

 

 

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Twenty arraigned in cockfighting case

By LILA FUJIMOTO 

Staff Writer

WAILUKU — Two defense attorneys raised questions about whether the right people were arrested on an indictment resulting from a police investigation of organized crime, illegal cockfighting and gambling.

The questions about the identities of two of the defendants surfaced as 20 people were arraigned Tuesday on indictments on various charges including racketeering, promoting gambling, gambling and cruelty to animals.

With April 21 trial dates set in 2nd Circuit Court for the defendants, Deputy Prosecutor J.W. Hupp said he would be requesting a single trial for all 26 defendants named in the indictment. Five of the defendants were arraigned last month.

Attorneys for some of the defendants facing only misdemeanor charges of gambling said they may forgo jury trials and ask to have the cases heard before a District Court judge.

Not-guilty pleas were entered for all defendants, including eight charged with racketeering for allegedly being involved in organized illegal activity. They included Rodney P. Navarro, 58, of Paia; Wilfred P. Brown, 59, of Kahului; Ronny J. Rojas, 24, of Makawao; Robert Barreras, 64, of Haiku; former Maui mayoral candidate William Riddick, 47, of Haiku; and Glenwood Brown III, 19, of Haiku.

A man identifying himself as Glenwood Brown Sr. appeared to answer racketeering and other charges against a defendant identified as Glenwood Brown Jr. in the indictment. Like the others appearing in court Tuesday, the 54-year-old Haiku resident had been given the court date after posting bail.

“We’re not acknowledging he is the same person who has been indicted, arrested and ordered to appear,” said Deputy Public Defender Kirstin Giroux, representing Brown at the arraignment.

Defense attorney Myles Breiner, representing 29-year-old Nicole Foster of Haiku, said that he would be asking the court to dismiss charges of racketeering, first-degree promoting gambling and cruelty to animals because she was arrested on an indictment that identifies her only as “Jane Doe.” 

Others appearing Tuesday included Hilario Ancheta, 27, of Kahului, and Steven Cayaba, 35, of Wailuku, each charged with misdemeanor counts of gambling, cruelty to animals and possession of a gambling device.

Facing misdemeanor gambling charges are Roy Takemura, 36, of Kahului, 16 counts; Patrick DePonte, 61, of Kahului, seven counts; Winona Apuna, 70, of Wailuku, five counts; Robert Brath, 58, of Lahaina, two counts; Glenn Nakamura, 58, of Kahului, two counts; Brandon Balangitao, 22, of Wailuku, two counts; Benjamin Carino, 21, of Wailuku, one count; Takeo Yamauchi, 79, of Lahaina, one count; Daniel H. Lani, 35, of Wailuku, one count; and Stanley Manibog, 42, of Wailuku, one count. 

While they are on bail pending trial, Judge Shackley Raffetto ordered the defendants not to attend cockfights or be involved in cockfighting or illegal gambling. The defendants are free after posting bail amounts of up to $50,000.

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Georgia

 

 

More than 50 arrest warrants issued after cockfight

Butler, Georgia-AP -- If they'd tried a bake sale, or if they'd sold candy, that would have been fine.

But authorities in Georgia have a problem with the fund-raising plan allegedly developed by friends of a man who has colon cancer.

They say last month's fund-raiser was a cockfight. It was raided by police, and it resulted in arrest warrants for 52 people on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals and gambling.

The Taylor County Sheriff says organizers claimed it was being held as a benefit for a cancer victim -- who they said would get the proceeds.

The sheriff calls it an "illegal fund-raiser."

No money was recovered.

 

Source:  http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=1129355

Source: http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?j60703574&w=1

 

 

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52 charged in Taylor cockfight
Warrants are for cruelty to animals and gambling
BY HARRY FRANKLIN
State Editor

Warrants charging 52 people -- including two from Mississippi -- with felony aggravated cruelty to animals and misdemeanor gambling were sent out by the Taylor County Sheriff's Department Tuesday. The warrants stem from a Jan. 26 raid on a cockfight at a rural residence west of Butler, Ga.

Chief Magistrate Ronnie Parker, who issued the warrants, also set bond for $2,500 on the cruelty charge and $1,500 on the gambling charge, Sheriff Jim Wainwright said Wednesday. He said the case should be presented to a county grand jury in June. The maximum penalty on the cruelty charge is five years in prison and a $15,000 fine. The gambling charge carries a 12-month, $1,000 maximum fine.

"We got the word out if you are going to fight chickens, you don't need to come to Taylor County," Wainwright said. "I hope with the interest generated, people will call in when they see these things."

Most of those charged were from counties in the region. Only two people from Taylor County, Chris and Shania Starling of rural Butler, who were hosting the event, were charged. Others charged were from Upson, Pike, Crawford, Lamar, Bibb, Monroe and Clayton counties.

Wainwright said the evidence indicates Milton Brooks Jr. of Barnesville was conducting the fight, and that it was being held as a benefit to help Ralph Moss of Roberta, who he said is reportedly battling colon cancer.

"They were giving him the proceeds," Wainwright said. "No one would say how much. I told them this was an illegal fund-raiser. Had they sold cakes and candy, that would have been a legal fund-raiser."

Wainwright said the investigation indicates "there could have been 15 to 20 fights before authorities arrived. We still have three chickens in our freezer. They were able to dispose of the others."

Georgia Wildlife Resources Division Ranger Raymond Adams got a phone tip that someone apparently was holding a small cockfight at the Starling home off Black Creek Road near Currington Road, the sheriff said. When he showed up with only one Taylor County deputy sheriff, some of the participants fled into the woods, apparently taking the money with them. No money has been recovered.

The officers quickly called for backup and county deputies turned out. They did seize two tackle boxes full of cockfighting paraphernalia and scales used to weigh the roosters.

 

Contact Harry Franklin at (706) 571-8521 or hfranklin@ledger-enquirer.com

 

Source: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/news/5168642.htm

 

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PETA Wouldn't Lie, Would They?
Posted On February 13, 2003

One of the most fascinating stories surrounding Fresno State University's "Revolutionary Environmentalism" conference is that of Gary Yourofsky, an Animal Liberation Front criminal who was hired last year as a "humane education lecturer" by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Yourofsky is one of the "panelists" being hosted at Fresno State today and tomorrow.

In response to many well-deserved questions about PETA's relationship with domestic terrorists, the group is now claiming that Yourofsky no longer works for them. Fresno State's public information office says: "PETA has informed the university that Gary Yourofsky, one of the participants at the conference, is no longer a PETA employee. Jay Kelly, PETA education manager, said Yourofsky does receive PETA grants for projects from time to time."

Funny -- PETA's own website still lists Gary Yourofsky as "PETA's school lecturer." And the Student Organization for Animal Rights (SOAR) is currently promoting a February 26 appearance by "Gary Yourofsky, PETA's national lecturer."

We sincerely hope that PETA is not trying to put a fast one over Fresno State. But if the group is serious about cleaning house and distancing itself from the supporters of terrorism on its payroll, we recommend that it begin with Ingrid Newkirk, whose contact with Rodney Coronado before and after his 1992 Michigan State University arson is a matter of public record [see pages 8 and 9 of Coronado's sentencing memorandum]; and Bruce Friedrich, who was caught on tape in 2001 advocating the bombing of restaurants, medical research labs, slaughterhouses, and banks [click here to listen to him].

Source: http://www.consumerfreedom.com/headline_detail.cfm?HEADLINE_ID=1786

 

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.........The plaintiffs argued that the hunt would have been a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which permits some Alaskan tribes to practice whaling on a limited basis, but not the Makah..........

 

Whale Hunting Ban Upheld

by Charlotte LoBuono

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently blocked a resumption of gray whale hunting off the coast of Washington State by the Makah Indian tribe.

The action, which prohibits the tribe from hunting gray whales until the National Marine Fisheries Service completes a review of the matter, was taken in response to the filing of a lawsuit by The Fund for Animals, The Humane Society of the United States and other animal welfare organizations.

The plaintiffs argued that the hunt would have been a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which permits some Alaskan tribes to practice whaling on a limited basis, but not the Makah.

"This attempt to circumvent our environmental and marine mammal protection laws has failed," said Humane Society of the United States Senior Vice President Wayne Pacelle. "Let's hope that this represents the final chapter in this wrongheaded effort to resume whale killing in the United States."

"We are elated that the court has put a stop to this illegal and inhumane whale hunt," said Fund for Animals president Michael Markarian. "American citizens want our whales to be protected — not persecuted."

Sources

The Fund for Animals
www.fund.org/library/documentViewer.asp?ID=844
Court Stops Makah Whale Hunt

The Seattle Times
archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/
cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?
slug=graywhale210&date=20021221
Court Bars Makah Whale Hunt
by Hal Bernton

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.  

Source: http://www.anc.org/wildlife/wildlife_article.cfm?identifier=2003_0210_ban