For dogs and other animals, traditional fireworks should be banned

News and headlines for June 22-28, 2024

Independence Day is a difficult holiday for dogs, wildlife, and other animals. The sound of fireworks scares them, and scared animals bolt. For dogs who then end up in “shelters” that have not embraced a culture of lifesaving, that can amount to a death sentence. Thankfully, there is growing awareness that loud fireworks lead to animal trauma, and communities are replacing them with silent ones or drone light shows.

In other news: Los Angeles continues to neglect, abuse, and kill animals. Another week, another pet food recall. Importing out-of-state animals while killing or turning away needy local animals. U.S. Supreme Court rejects petition by horse abusers. California city requires vegan food options at government events. Denmark wants to carbon tax cows. New Jersey town to kill geese despite humane alternatives. A vegan pioneer has died. Florida’s governor signed a bill to protect wild animals and then signed another to kill them.

These are some of the stories making headlines in animal protection:

Los Angeles continues to neglect, abuse, and kill animals — including a healthy dog whose adopter was promised she would be safe

A dog that was set to be adopted was mistakenly euthanized [killed] by a South Los Angeles animal shelter due to a communication error.

The woman who was slated to adopt the pooch is demanding answers following the euthanization [killing], which happened just about an hour before she was expected to pick up what would have been her new pet.

Jianna Maarten Sadda … called the shelter to arrange the pickup time for 3 p.m. The staff assured Maarten Sadda that Sheba would be safe but at 2 p.m., when Maarten Sadda called to check in, Sheba was dead.

It was not a mistake. Los Angeles Animal Service staff are neglectful, abusive, and indifferent to animal life. The fact that they would kill any healthy dog proves it. In addition, dogs spend weeks or months inside their kennels without a walk. They do not have beds, some have green [algae-covered] water, while others are confined in cubbies for extended periods without access to water.

According to witnesses,

The conditions were distressing, with soaked floors, cages and beds covered in feces, and an overwhelming odor that prompted people to cover their nose and mouth.

And when an employee admitted to striking dogs, the volunteer who exposed him was punished, not the abuser. A Los Angeles Times investigation also uncovered rabbits with gouged eyes, guinea pigs without food, and hamsters in urine and feces-soaked cages.

Moreover, “accidental” killings of beloved pets happen every day in pounds in this country. Google “shelter mistakenly euthanized a pet,” and you’ll get “About 177,000 results (0.40 seconds).” It is not a mistake when it happens over and over again.

While nothing can bring these animals back, we must work to ensure that this kind of tragedy never happens again. And we do that by holding people accountable, regardless of whether their conduct was intentional, reckless, or — as management of the regressive Los Angeles city pound pretends — a “mistake.” The staff should be fired, and the city/state should legislate away their power to kill.

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Another week, another pet food recall