Shame On Canada

[wolfsoul]

I would like to see a link that says otherwise -- I already read in the first article you posted that some people witnessed 42 seals that were "probably" skinned alive.

For one, I just don't see why someone would bother. Killing something and then skinning it is alot easier. Seals, even young ones, are quite dangerous and can put up one heck of a fight. I went to a Victoria harbour when I was young, and I remember people freaking out because one of the young seals there had bit off someone's fingers.

[wolfsoul]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4608053/

Here is a link that explains the swimming reflex. It also tells about a video of someone skinning a seals that may have be alive as they appeared to reach for the knife and look up, and it explained how killing a seal like that is illegal, and this year there is a mandatory test to make sure that each seal is dead before skinning.

[carole]

Wolfsoul I really hope what you say is true,I don't doubt you , but I do have serious doubts that it is all being carried out humanely.

[tortuga55]

Who said the seals were not dead? Did they check vitals? They could be moving after they are dead. You know like a limb does even after it is detatched from the body. The government should not have to watch every single kill to make sure its done right. They don't have to watch every deer killed. If there is any error in the seal hunt its the hunters fault not the government. I think people are getting so upset because its a seal and not another type of animal.

I found the "some people like to cause conflict, they feed on it" comment hurtful and unapropreat. I know you were talking about me. I don't need more people PMing me with harsh comments and threats. But I will not back away from my point of view. I thought the point of a public board was to share different points of view. I love hearing others point of views, it makes me think more about my opinion. But it seams no one else is reseptive to my opinion. Instead they suggest I am cruel, have no heart, or that I like to cause conficts. The cruel comments sting but they dont phase me I know I am not. I would take a bullet to the chest to protect my pets, or an endangered species. I know you wonder why I dont protect seals or other game, it is because I accept that humans are hunters we kill our food, and as long as we attempt to kill it as quickly as possible I am ok with it. Not all kills are going to be quick, people make mistakes and I accept that to. Even when we use drugs to kill animals quickly it sometimes does not work, my own dog needed 3 shots of euthanasia before she passed. It was her heart the failed her, not her spirit. I have almost had enough with this board, all I get is mean PM's and mean threads. Even when others agree with me, they are not treated as coldly. It seems almost like a private club of friends, and they don't want to make room for anyone else. It makes me seem very unwelcome if it continues I will just leave. I already belong to a board that accepts me and they are always nice, even when they don't agree with me. They don't have many people but thats ok.

[bluekat]

Originally posted by dukedogsmom
Carole, some people just love to cause conflict and feed on it. I think that's what's happening here.

That was pretty rude, and if it was directed at me I'd be upset too. Stating your opinion and having someone else disagree with you doesn't necessarily mean you love causing conflict. I'd rather have my opinion heard rather than sit back and say nothing.

[tortuga55]

Originally posted by bluekat
That was pretty rude, and if it was directed at me I'd be upset too. Stating your opinion and having someone else disagree with you doesn't necessarily mean you love causing conflict. I'd rather have my opinion heard rather than sit back and say nothing.

Thanks.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

One word: "SICK" !!!

[LorraineO]

As a Canadian,, I am offended by the use of the term **Shame on Canada**........ its more like shame on the individuals who do the clubbing,,,
Seal hunting is a necessary practice to keep the population down,,,,, but I too also object to the WAY they do it,,, Clubbing isnt the best way,,,,,, so dont say shame on Canada......

A PROUD Canadian thank you very much!

[lizbud]

These people would not be allowed to crush the skulls of baby
seals if the Canadian government didn't permit it. Shame On
Canada for allowing this to go on.


About the Canadian Seal Hunt





©2005 Brian Skerry/HSUS
Seal hunters call them "beaters"—seal pups who are at least two weeks old. And once a baby seal starts to molt even a part of its white coat, the Canadian government allows hunters to beat the pups to death with a club or a large ice-pick-like hakapik. There have even been reports of sealers killing mothers who try to protect their unweaned pups.


Canadian government figures show that in 2002–2003 96.6% of the reported 286,238 seals killed between November 15 and May 15 were 12 days to 12 weeks old. Under the government's latest plan, hunters will be allowed to kill 975,000 harp seals on their home ice east of Newfoundland and Labrador during a three-year period. We don't know how many more seals were killed than were reported, but we do know that in the 2001-2002 hunt, sealers killed at least 30,000 more seals than allowed by law. And how did the Canadian government punish the sealers? By upping the quota.

The Canadian government has proven time and again that it is more interested in promoting a commercial seal hunt (a massive slaughter that is nothing like the traditional hunts of the past) than in the humane treatment of seals. When confronted with evidence from an independent, international team of veterinarians that regulations on the treatment of the seals were not being obeyed—that up to 40% of seal pups were being skinned while alive and conscious—the government refused to crack down on sealers.

Some, in fact, might say the government tacitly rewarded the sealers by subsidizing the hunt to the tune of $20 million between 1995 and 2001. And right this minute, it's promoting seal fur, meat, and oil all over the world.

One way the Canadian government justifies its support of the seal hunt is to claim that seals in the North Atlantic eat too many cod. But there's no good scientific support for this claim. In fact, two of the government's own scientists reported in 1994 that the true cause of cod depletion in the North Atlantic was over-fishing.

Ecosystems are complex—seals also eat cod predators (other fish), for example, so removing seals might even worsen the cod stock's condition. But it's more convenient for the government and fishing industry to scapegoat seals than it is for them to address the serious problem of over-fishing.

[LorraineO]

Duhhhhhhhhh,,, reread my post Lizbud.......

I can think of a few kazillion things YOU need to be ashamed of and it involves HUMAN life......

[lizbud]

Originally posted by LorraineO
Duhhhhhhhhh,,, reread my post Lizbud.......

I can think of a few kazillion things YOU need to be ashamed of and it involves HUMAN life......

Since you don't know ME from Adam, I can only guess what
the heck you're talking about. I perfer not to guess, so why not
just spit it out. Can you be more specific?

[LorraineO]

If you cant read a simple and plainly explained post,, I am not gonna do it for you.....

Dont be so vain as to assume the YOU meant you personally,, I meant you as a nation,, Nations that live in glass houses shouldnt be throwing stones.

[PJ's Mom]

Geez.

[Lady's Human]

again, please take the urinating contest to PM land.

[carole]

The fact a mere few of you are determined to take this so darn personally is beyond me, it is NOT about you being Canadian, of course America, New Zealand, every country in this world has things to be ashamed of, I am NOT proud of everything my country does, and I will be the first to stand up and say so, complacency does not make the matter go away.

I Say shame on you for being so sensitive, and not really seeing the point of this whole thread, it has continued on in this negative way because people are NOT reading what it is really all about., and choosing to make it personal when it is NOT and never has been.

I say good on you Lizbud for bringing this to people's attention, the old ostrich head in the sand does not wear with me, I think there are many canadians who are just as apalled by this as most animal loving people are.

Cruelty is unacceptable, but sadly it is in every race, colour,creed, country, there are no barriers, but as decent human beings we should at least try to do everything within our power to STOP it.