An end to bullfighting?

Althoguh Bullfighting has been around for centuries, it is a cruel and bloody “sport”. It is extremely popular in Spain and it has come as a (pleasant) shock to many around the world that one part of the country has banned the sport.

Animal rights campaigners were jubilant as Catalonia announced that Bullfighting would forever be banned in the region. However, the decision taken by the Catalan parliament has less to do with Animal Rights than it has to do with making a political statement.

The Catalan people have long been at loggerheads with the rest of Spain and have been seeking to distance themselves from the rest of the country. As a result of this they have banned Flamenco, speak their own language and have even gotten rid of the Spanish flag. They now are looking toward independence and becoming an independent state. The ban on Bullfighting is seen as just another move to thumb their noses at the Spanish government. This is reinforced by the fact that the sport was never really very popular or widespread in the region.

Whatever the motive, it still represents a victory for activists and a better life for the animals. The usual practice in this gruesome sport is to drug the bull or force it consume water and Epsom salts. This is done so that the animal is confused and has a disrupted sense of direction. All of this is done so that the Matadors get an advantage in disposing the bull in the bloody way that they do.

Helping Your Submissive Pet Dog Gain Confidence

Pet dogs are known for their playful and sometimes protective nature. That’s why they generally make great guards for homes. However, it’s not entirely impossible to see a dog cower at the sight of a person, even when this individual is their owner. Submissive dogs are often anti-social, and exhibit extreme discomfort being around people and even other dogs. The truth is, dogs are expected to be submissive to a certain degree. After all, they are merely pets and people own them and expect them to be obedient.

However, while submissiveness may not be necessarily a problem, it may become bothersome if it becomes the basis of your pet’s behavioral issues. You will know when your dog is extra submissive when it lowers its body to the ground in a slumping manner when you or others approach them. Your dog may be “too” quiet, and will even offer a paw to shake your hand or may try to kiss you. This counts as submissive because your dog is constantly seeking your approval.

Pet experts suggest a submission versus dominance role playing exercise to help build a pet dog’s confidence. This is done by allowing your dog to stand over you, in such a way that it can sit comfortably on your stomach. Petting or rubbing the dog while in this position lets your pet know it’s okay to stand over you and will eventually gain more individuality as a dog. In addition to frequenting this exercise, you can also develop a habit of being at your dog’s height whenever you are in front of your pet. This helps your dog avoid associating your towering height with authority, and thus, will become less submissive.

Seal Culling Begins

Today marks the beginning of seal culling season in Namibia. The practice will continue till mid-November, which is when the season ends. While it may seem a gory practice, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine resources says that this is something that needs to be done. According to them, the culling will help to rebuild the dwindling fish stocks.

The Hake fishing industry hauls in around 140,000 metric tons every year, which represents about 12,000 jobs. According to the Ministry, the seal population which numbers in the 700,000 region is a direct threat to this industry. Roughly 10 percent of that population is targeted to be culled within the next two years. The target in numbers is 6,000 bulls and 80,000 pups. Cows are not considered for culling. The seal products that result from the culling are sold locally and to Asian markets. The seal product industry constitutes about two percent of the GDP, while the fishing industry is around six percent.

Bernhard Esau, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, said that reducing the number of seals culled is not an option. He pointed out that a reduction would cause job losses in the fishing industry. However, he was very keen to show the world at large that this was an above board project and that the seals were culled humanely. The pups are clubbed on the head and the bulls are shot. The minister has invited the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Seal Alert to come with him and observe the process when he visits the site on the 13th of July.