Mar25
Newfoundland Government Is Pissed at PETA Germany
Posted at 01:48 PM | Permalink
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Comments (66)
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Bad PETA Germany! What were you guys thinking? Did you even take a second to think that you might be hurting the feelings of the Newfoundland Fisheries Minister when you released a video depicting the horrors of the seal slaughter that he presides over? No, of course you didn’t. And look what happened. Because of your heartless disregard for the complicated emotional needs of Canadian Fisheries Ministers (and this isn’t the first time you’ve upset defenseless bureaucrats, is it, PETA Germany?), you’ve gone and hurt The Honorable Tom Rideout’s feelings. What do you have to say for yourselves?
Here’s how it’s all going down, according to Newfoundland’s Western Star newspaper:
"The provincial government is alarmed by a new anti-sealing video which is being distributed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) 2, in Germany. The Honourable Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, expressed his disappointment and concern that this group would draw such a vile comparison to the Canadian sealing industry, which includes one of the most well-managed harvests anywhere in the world. The video compares the harvesting of seals to the violent physical abuse of a human."
And Minister Rideout has been eloquent on the subject of his “disappointment” in a press release that he’s been sending around:
“We are now witnessing a new low on the part of anti-sealing organizations. We in Newfoundland and Labrador have become accustomed to the misinformation and inaccurate depictions of the seal harvest that are presented around this time every year. However, this particular attack is the most vile that I have ever seen myself in my almost 30 years in public life. It is completely indecent for this group of people, who have likely never even visited our province, to present such a disturbing depiction of sealers. It is ironic that this group, which is making such an unethical attack, has the word ethical in its name. Their ethics are certainly nowhere to be seen in this approach to addressing their concerns with the Canadian sealing industry. It is also ironic that this attack is coming from Germany where there is a harvest of wild animals including the hunt of 1.2 million deer and over 500,000 wild boars per year.”
Now, there are those who would say that drawing attention to the vicious bludgeoning and skinning of live seals is worth disappointing the occasional Fisheries Minister, but to those people I ask this question: What about the emotional bludgeoning that Mr. Rideout might have experienced as a result of having to watch video footage depicting the horrific acts that his government is condoning? It almost seems as if my counterparts in PETA Germany (who, as the Minister so astutely points out, live in a country that still allows deer hunting and should therefore not be allowed even to talk about cruel hunting practices that occur elsewhere in the world) don’t care at all about whether their video about the internationally reviled Canadian seal hunt offends some functionary in the Newfoundland Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Unbelievable.
This is the video in question:
And this is the footage it’s referencing. Tom Rideout calls it a “harvest.” I call it an atrocity. You say tomato …
If you speak a bit of German, you can learn more here.
TAGGED:
Fur canada minister tom rideout seal slaughter
Comments
I hate when the word harvest is used. These sentient beings are not vegetables. My vegetables don't scream in agony when I eat them.
What a powerful and painful video to watch. I can't help but think how barbaric and violent these sub-humans are that slaughter these seals so cruelly with no compunction. It makes me sick at heart to see this and know this continues over and over. I can see how man has evolved when I view these videos. Gives the word barbarian an extra kick. If people ever wonder why we are violent to one another just take a look at this video for starters and you will understand why. Revolting and bad for the spirit.
Posted by: Ana | March 25, 2008 02:55 PM
MOSCOW — Russian authorities plan to change bear-hunting regulations to allow the killing of cubs in lairs during hibernation season, animal rights groups said Wednesday.
Hunting for bears with young cubs is illegal in Russia, but the rule is not enforced for hibernating bears.
The Agriculture Ministry refused to comment on the report, made by the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
• Click here to visit FOXNews.com's Natural Science Center.
Posted by: Holly | March 25, 2008 03:32 PM
There no difference to me Mr. Honorable "NOT" Tom Rideout! There is nothing ETHICAL in the ways these seals are MURDERED for THEIR skin!! Shame on you!! And good on the video and enlightment it may make on alot of peoples' mind!!
Posted by: Carla | March 25, 2008 03:44 PM
I just love it - here in Ireland we are trying our hardest to highlight the shameful cruelty. Come on Canadian PETA members, get out onto the streets and help stop this cruelty.
Posted by: John Carmody | March 25, 2008 03:46 PM
Good for PETA Germany. I live in Canada and am continually embarrassed by the seal "hunt". (Can't really call it a hunt when it's targeting 12 day to 12 week old baby seals, can we?)
Posted by: Canaduck | March 25, 2008 04:03 PM
Ahhh, so PETA have upset poor Tom. Well Mr. Rideout, do you know what upset me today? Watching all the news coverage telling of the start of this annual atrocity, where these precious animals are slaughtered.
And the fact that you can defend and applaud a person who can look into the eyes of a seal as they club it to death astounds me.
Thank God for PETA, who give the animals a voice. And you should hang your head in shame.
Posted by: Mary | March 25, 2008 04:11 PM
Is he frickin' serious? Please tell me that as a fellow Canadian I don't share this country with that poor excuse of a human being. I am deeply ashamed of this country, DEEPLY!!! Has he actually watched a seal being slaughtered? If he has and can still justify it than he is completely INHUMAN!!!!!
Posted by: Kelly McPhee | March 25, 2008 04:53 PM
As a Canadian, I want to say: "THANK YOU PETA GERMANY!".
All of a sudden Newfoundland politicians developed "feelings" and are hurt by the video? We are not buying it! Besides, the people on that video are actors, as opposed to the very real seals Tom Rideout condemns to a gruesome death every year. Now, take it like a man, Tom, and stop whining.
Posted by: HB | March 25, 2008 05:16 PM
I am extremely angry that Mr. Rideout would expect any person to watch baby seal slaughter and not have it affend them. Shame on you. I hope someone does the same to you someday.
Posted by: Candy Silva | March 25, 2008 06:27 PM
He has a problem with these people because they may not have ever been to Newfoundland, well, I was born and raised in Newfoundland (I left 5 years ago when I was 20) and let me tell you, I am not only disgusted by the seal hunt, but by how much the people of Newfoundland back it... While I was home for a visit this past summer I saw many shops selling t-shirts that said "I (Club) Baby Seals" and "I (Heart) baby Seals - but in fine print it read "Roasted with chips and gravy."
I am now the co-founder of KWAAG (Kitchener Waterloo Animal Advocacy Group - a new animal rights organization in Southern Ontario) where I have lived since moving from Newfoundland. I do believe that we need to go to Newfoundland and talk to these people, and come up with a logical plan to replace the jobs that will be lost, but, the hunt should be stopped immediately! However, I know the province I am from, and it's people, and PETA can make as many videos as they like (which was a good video BTW), but until we (Animal activists) come up with something they can do to make a living, and help them realize they DO NOT need to beat animals to death with clubs to do so, they will NEVER STOP, I can promise you that...
You can believe me if you want, but, I know these people, and I know that a million videos and every music star in the world going on TV will not stop this atrocity...
Peace,
Brian.
Posted by: Brian W. Lockyer | March 25, 2008 06:39 PM
Mr RIDEOUT,
I am seeing things in the province of Nl that more than shocks mE ,THE SEAL HUNT IS APPLAUING!!! YOUR HEALTH CARE IS ALSO APPAULING NOT ONLY DO YOU NOT CARE ABOUT THE SEALS OR ANIMALS ON A WHOLE IN YOUR PROVINCE. THE PROVINCE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT IT;S PEOPLE EITHER. EASTERN HEALTH AND THE BREAST SCREENING. THE PROVINCE OF NL SHOULD HANG THEIR HEAD IN SHAME
Posted by: rhonda parsons | March 25, 2008 06:54 PM
I oppose poaching and killing animals for fur as well, but do you guys support just eating animals? because EVERY other animal that can eat another animal for food DOES SO.
also, do you guys support hunting overpopulated deer? because it is better than them starving to death, and face it, mainstream america will not ever pay big bucks to relocate the deer or inject them with sterilization fluid, which is costly and also unnatural and weird.
Posted by: chris | March 25, 2008 07:09 PM
Any Canadian PETA members who live in southwestern Ontario want to take a weekend road trip to NFLD to protest this shit? Damn our government needs to grab some balls....and the seal hunters need to grab a book and stop becoming illiterate assholes that can do nothing more than club a baby animal to death.
Posted by: Courtney | March 25, 2008 07:25 PM
hey peta
great blog about the seal hunt! i love peta2 germany's video! I've had to deal with the DFO (Dept fisheries and oceans)before and boy are they slow! They were not too happy about our naked protest last saturday that made international news either!
keep up the great work and keep on fighting the seal hunt
for the seals.
Lucas
Montreal, Canada
Posted by: lucas solowey | March 25, 2008 08:30 PM
Boo hoo Mr. Rideout - sorry (no, I'm not actually sorry), but you being pissed off just does not register. One person's "disappointment" (oh puh-lease!) does NOT compare to the MILLIONS of seals who have had to SUFFER in the name of fashion (that's a true "f-word").
It's pathetic that his only so-called defense was that Germany allows hunting (wait a minute, so does Canada!) and that PETA Germany's "attack" is unethical (again, no comparison).
Vile? So is clubbing seals and allowing them to suffer.
Indecent? Again, allowing INNOCENT animals to suffer...
And just to make his pointless comments even worse, he throws in a comment about the group of people from PETA Germany "who have likely never even visited our province". NO ONE has to go to a slaughterhouse, see a fox hunt in person, or visit China to know what horrors the animals are enduring in these situations.
This province depends on tourism BIG TIME - so write to the tourism folks and tell them that you will NEVER visit their province until the seal hunt is stopped forever (and tell all of your friends to write).
Posted by: Michele | March 25, 2008 09:44 PM
That is a great video by the way!
Posted by: Jason Levy | March 25, 2008 11:00 PM
Count me in to on doing everything I can to stop this barbaric, butchery of baby harp seals. I am trying to encourage everyone I know and to get the word out to get this stopped once and for all.
I do NOT care about Mr. Rideout and his feelings! I agree who could condone anyone doing such an act???
Posted by: Louise McGannon | March 26, 2008 07:19 AM
I'm ashamed of my Newfoundland heritage when I read things such as this. Despite my ancestors' long history there, I will neither visit nor buy any product from that (or any other, for that matter) part of Canada until this senseless brutality and slaughter of truly helpless animals ends.
Posted by: Amanda M. | March 26, 2008 09:31 AM
i agree 100% with
Mary =]
Posted by: kenady | March 26, 2008 10:07 AM
THEY SHOULD BE EMBARASSED ABOUT KILLING THE SEALS AND SLAUGHTERING THEM. THEY GOT CAUGHT ON VIDEO AND NOW THE WORLD CAN SEE HOW AWFUL THEY REALLY ARE! THATS WHAT THEY SHOULD BE EMBARASSED ABOUT!
Posted by: karla | March 26, 2008 10:21 AM
I believe "harvest" doesn't mean simply gathering some live thing. To me a harvest implies gathering food. These animals aren't killed for food, so I don't advocate it. Rather arbitrary, I know, but most ethical decisions aren't absolute. Ultimately my ethics tell me that animals should be well treated until such time that they are needed for food and dispatched/murdered/killed in as humane a way as is reasonable and the carcass should be utilized as much as is reasonable. Rotten wasting seal meat isn't ethical to me on any level.
I believe the people I hunt and fish with as well as my self are all people who are for, and who practice ethical treatment of animals. I can definitely see why someone from a different background wouldn't agree. The difference lies in the definitions of ethical, I suppose. Very few things are absolute and when you go around calling people names like barbarian or tree-hugging hippie, you are likely to get caught in your own tar pit.
Posted by: Christopher Cochran MD | March 26, 2008 11:14 AM
Don't you get the feeling that this old man, Tom Rideout, is mostly pissed off that younger people have brains and compassion?
Time to retire, Rideout.
Posted by: kelly | March 26, 2008 11:35 AM
Aw, poor baby—his feelings are hurt. To watch the government try to spin the seal massacre is hilarious.
It's laughable how Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, tries to trade-bully European nations for considering a ban, when the United States has banned Canadian seal products since 1972. He's afraid to pick on Uncle Sam though.
The Canadian government has also banned Sea Shepherd Conservation Society vessels from the areas of the hunt, in an effort to muzzle any dissent. No doubt Paul Watson and Company will be paying a visit anyway.
Posted by: Mike Quinoa | March 26, 2008 11:36 AM
Michele
Loved your comments and your love and passion for animals so accurately indicated in your post!!! :)
Posted by: Ana | March 26, 2008 03:31 PM
OH MY GOD!!! WHAT A TRAVESTY FOR HIM AND THE "ONE OF THE MOST WELL MANAGED HARVESTS IN THE WORLD". KISS MY ASS!! THIS IS NOT A HARVEST, IT IS A SLAUGHTER OF INNOCENT LITTLE BABIES!! AND A INHUMANE CRUEL UNETHICAL WAY TO TREAT ANIMALS. i REMEMBER LAST YEAR THOSE SEAL BOATS THAT GOT STRANDED FOR DAYS. AND WE ALL WE EXTATIC AND THANKED ALL OF THE ANGELS WATCHING OVER THE SEALS!! YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT MAY HAPPEN.
Posted by: Kris Shulfer | March 26, 2008 05:18 PM
Michele: Hopefully, your post will be taken to heart by some people on these PETA blogs who show more concern for hurt human feelings than for the real suffering experienced by animals.....
Posted by: Antigone1000 | March 26, 2008 05:40 PM
People depend on the seal hunt for their livelihoods. It is taking place in northern newfoundland where job opportunities are limited at best. The seal industry is a viable option for these individuals to make a living. There are also traditional socio-economic factors that have been intertwined with the seal hunt for generations. Just like native canadians are allowed to hunt specific quotas due to traditional socio-economic factors, these individuals should be allowed to do the same.
Posted by: M. Legault | March 26, 2008 07:53 PM
The spin up here in Canada is that we AR types cowardly attack these poor poor Nflders who are just barely eking out a living.
Offers have been made to these Nfld sealers, generous offers of money and alternate employment. They refused, saying it was their culture. Uh huh..
Really, I don't know what it'll take- Brian Lockyer (above post)is a Nfdler, he knows these people.
Posted by: lynda downie | March 26, 2008 11:57 PM
Mike Q
You're right about Paul Watson and company. No ban is going to deter Paul and his crew---all courageous people with integrity.
Posted by: Ana | March 27, 2008 07:54 AM
Ana, Antigone, can you tell I was just a tad miffed at Mr. Rideout's ridiculous comments?
You should check into the comments that the Premier Dany Williams has said about the seal hunt in the past (and specifically in response to the time that Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills were on the "scene" in 2006 - I remember there was CNN coverage with Mr. Williams). He is even MORE ridiculous than Mr. Rideout if you can believe that!
Posted by: Michele | March 27, 2008 09:22 AM
As a Canadian citizen, I am not only horrified by the annual BABY seal hunts, but disgusted by the fact that our government not only supports the 'hunt' but justifies this every year as if it were a natural phenomenon. Surely by now, especially after all the media attention brought to the issue, our government would have the common sense to realize the cruelty they are supporting. I applaud all media attention to this as it just adds to the embarrassment of our government. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Chloe | March 27, 2008 11:10 AM
Michele
Just slightly upset...NOT!
I can believe anything when its about the majority of idiot government officials. The American and Canadian government support and justify many atrocities done to animals. Just take a look at Bush; enough said. Even if they don't like animals, the logic just isn't there.
Anytime people use culture to justify violence against animals it is a sign that the cowardly government officials will slither back into their hovels and allow any type of abomination to continue.
Killing babies, how deplorable!!
Posted by: Ana | March 27, 2008 03:17 PM
Thank you PETA Germany.
Stephanie - Canada.
Posted by: Stephanie | March 27, 2008 03:39 PM
Antigone, Get a grip and use your head. Just because some practice offers job opportunities to someone doesn't make it an ethical exercise. I don't care if some may be unemployed in Nfld. We have welfare here and I'd rather see people on welfare than slaughtering babies. What the heck are you thinking? Gee, slavery used to provide people with jobs too, but that doesn't make slavery right. Don't be a doh-head.
Posted by: KalgaryKaren | March 27, 2008 04:07 PM
I agree that Germany's slaughter of deer and boars is wrong. However, this slaughter of seals is not justified by Germany's hunting. Remember, one cruelty does not justify another.
Posted by: Gloria Feldscher | March 27, 2008 05:45 PM
If that is a harvest- I am the Queen of Sheba. We put criminals in jail for doing that to human beings, but its ok to do that to a baby seal. What if that was a real baby, a human baby being slaughtered like that for their skin- would it be called a harvest then?? Its a bunch of pr spin to try and make themselves not look like the monsters they are. Jack the ripper thought he was doing good for society by killing prostitutes. What crimes have these baby seals committed??? They do not even kill these seals in a human fashion, they blegen them to death. Its fact. There have been many studies, research, etc on this practice.. not just by activist groups either. They are choosing to try to pick on PETA for its unconventional and shocking approaches and yet I don't see PETA violently murdering anyone. They are just trying to be manly burly men who have issues and they take it out on cute defenseless animals. They should be the ones ashamed of themselves!! I like the Press release-- the government is alarmed, expressed disappointment, concern witnessing a new low, unethical attack..... hmmm isn't that the ole saying"the pot calling the kettle"???? Well, I for one am half Canadian and I am alarmed, concerned and disappointed by the Candian Government hitting the low of unethicaly harming and attacking a defenseless animal for profit. This was a new low to send out a press release stating that what they are doing is ok, as if it makes it so. They need better pr professionals if they think that is going to make them looking squeeky clean. Hmm...fact versus pr spin? Which one would you choose??
Posted by: D | March 27, 2008 05:54 PM
I am a not so proud Canadian, to think that one of our Canadian leaders is still allowing this horrible act it so hurtful I cry at the thought of this. I live in the beutiful west coast and have heard what the Newfoundlanders are allowing. and to call it a "harvest" I thought you harvested veggies from farms not animals. I don't care what he says its not natural to harvest poor baby animals. Has he ever looked at a baby seal and its mom how anyone can look at a baby seal and not cry, or feel touched in some way is heartless.
Posted by: D'Laine Borden | March 27, 2008 06:16 PM
To think that this has been going on for so long and no matter how many protests there have been this goes on. 20 years ago I first started with this Peta campaigning against the slaughter of seals and it is still going on.
Posted by: Margarita | March 27, 2008 06:54 PM
M. Legault,
It's a myth that people depend on the seal hunt for their livelihoods. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador reported that only 4% of all sealing communities earned more than 15% of their employment income from sealing. The vast majority of sealing communities (about 75%) reported less than 5% of their employment income from sealing.
Also, the rescue last spring by the Canadian Coast Guard of the ice-bound sealers in their non-ice class wooden-hull longliners set back the Canadian taxpayers at least $3.4 million. I resent my tax dollars going towards something I find morally reprehensible.
Posted by: Mike Quinoa | March 27, 2008 07:44 PM
Great video! I know why it bothers that buttheaded minister - it forces him to see how barbaric the seal hunt really is. It's only too easly for people to detach themselves from the experience of animals in our human infected world. I always say, "If it would bother you to see that happening to a human then it shouldn't be happening to an animal."
The decisions made around the seal hunt make it very embaressing to be Canadian. It's interesting - we Canadians are supposed to be known for being very kind friendly. I would have to say that's true - however, just don't go to the East of the Country. Evidently, they are just a bunch of barbarians.
Posted by: Amanda | March 27, 2008 08:10 PM
Two good articles of interest written very passionately by the always-eloquent Captain Paul Watson:
"Captain Paul Watson Responds to Canadian Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn..."
http://www.seashepherd.org/editorials/editorial_080319_1.html
"Canada Orders Sea Shepherd to Stay Away from the Baby Seal Slaughter..."
http://www.seashepherd.org/news/media_080323_1.html
Posted by: Mike Quinoa | March 27, 2008 08:57 PM
Exactly, Ana, and Paul Watson is also from the Canadian Maritimes so the sealers and Nfld gov't officials can't use the old argument that he just doesn't understand the Nfld way of life.
Posted by: lynda downie | March 28, 2008 12:22 AM
I am a Canadian citizen, and as such, I am embrassed. Embarassed that my government would still allow such attrocities to continue after so many years of technology, and evolving animal rights. I have never been to Newfoundland, but I have been to PEI, and it is a beautiful part of Canada, and it is unfortunate that is is covered annually in bloodshed.
Like everything else, if the Newfoundland government claims that the killing of seals is a necessity to control agriculture and fish populations, there are MUCH more humane ways of doing so besides clubbing them to death.
I know there is alot of biased and unbiased literature out there on this issue, and each person can choose their own position on the issue, but I strongly believe it is disgusting, and will never go to Newfoundland.
I am appauled by what Candy wrote about the sale of tshirts glorifying the seal hunt as touist memorabilia! That makes me want to vomit!
Even though this is a very hot topic, I feel people who are posting ill wishes towards Mr. Rideout are out of line. Effective advocacy is done through intelligence, not name calling or threatening.
Posted by: Jessica Washchuk | March 28, 2008 08:29 AM
i live in newfoundland st johns and i think this government should consider that the only thing that mistake that has this country is the freakin seal hunt...canada could be the perfect one if it wasnt for their blooty cave time attitudes for seal hunt.
Posted by: Gabriela mercado | March 28, 2008 08:37 AM
I live in the UK and will NEVER visit Canada untill this disgusting, brainless, murdering stops.
Posted by: sally padbury | March 28, 2008 09:35 AM
Props to PETA Germany!
Posted by: Silvia Fejka | March 28, 2008 09:57 AM
KalgaryKaren: I don't know who you think you're responding to, but it sure isn't me. Go back and check my posting.
Posted by: Antigone1000 | March 28, 2008 12:00 PM
Antigone, my sincerest apologies! I read the name above rather than the name below. It was actually someone named M. Legault who I was referring to. Again, so sorry!
M. Legault, give your bloody head a shake!
Posted by: KalgaryKaren | March 28, 2008 06:37 PM
that is amazing that all he can think of is himself! the jerk. i dont freakin care if his feelings are hurt they hurt those seals way more than he ever will be.
Posted by: summer | March 29, 2008 05:21 PM
hey gotta love it. I see you only post the comments regarding the anti seal hunt and the non factual details of the hunt. you don't post the ones that state facts. Doesn't surprise me, you have a bunch of uneducated members who say what is dictated to them and you certainly don't want the truth to be made known. More profitable to keep the uneducated and ignorant in line. Hail Hitler there people.
Posted by: denise tryon | April 1, 2008 04:34 PM
Denise, that'd be "Heil Hitler!"
Posted by: lynda downie | April 2, 2008 01:42 AM
As has been mentioned, the economic argument is used by Newfoundlanders to defend this barbaric practice. The same argument was used in the past against abolishing the African slave trade. What would all the slave traders then do for a living? Fortunately the rest of the civilised world is catching up and will ultimately refuse to finance this disgusting trade.
Posted by: Mary Mitchell | April 3, 2008 08:11 AM
(Warning: blunt insults)
Wow, is Rideout ever screwed in the head for being disappointed at people for attempting to do the right thing. Hmm, guess he never learned manners as he grew up.
His feelings are insignificant to the pain the seals will be suffering if nothing is done to prevent it. He must be truly arrogant, uncaring, atrocious and inhumane as he presents himself to most of the world. Even people, who do not care much about animals, find this hunt digusting. Be ashamed, Rideout! How on earth are you called honourable when you allow this event to occur? The seals are not even killed quickly. Anyways, it's just wrong to take their lives away, when he himself values his own life.
I'm sorry if it's insulting, but because nothing have changed, you deserve this. Words won't kill you as you will kill them! So don't whine and complain to people who are trying to do bring justice to these creatures who cannot defend themselves! All it does is make people shake their head and laugh at you.
Posted by: Risha | April 4, 2008 03:03 AM
i truly have nothing against the Canadian People, and nothing against the Country. Really it's all the governments fault. they don't care what happens to the hundreds of thousands of baby seals, they rake in the profits, too. if they're having a good year, they extend it. i understand that the "sealers" are just trying to make money. but yet again how can they look at the seal and just kill it? how can they stand to see the light fade out of their eyes? it's just WRONG! thank you, PETA Germany, for posting that video. it really should have opened their eyes to how wrong this is, but all it did was open their eyes to how much attention they're getting world wide. but we truly have made them realize, we know what they're doing. and thank you, canaidian PETA members, for staying strong.
Posted by: Hannah | April 4, 2008 09:12 AM
thank's to peta,a lot of people can realise how could be for a human feel the horror ,the pain of this disgusting slaughter, the canadian goverment think they have a human way to kill this beautiful seals, is because for them killing an animal is part of their education, i guess they have no idea of how to make a living in a decent way. sealers and the goverment are monsters people with no heart or feelings and of course no love for GOD'S creations.
Posted by: belita | April 6, 2008 07:26 AM
It is kinda sad that most of the population of the world is miss inform about regulation of this hunt. For the few of you that will actually read this message( im hoping for perhaps 1% of the animal activist out there). Those white baby seal although cute are not hunted anymore, it is illegal since 1987. So the images with the white coat stain in blood are actually out dated by 21 years.
Now concerning that video. That video is far from the true of the hunt. They don't block the seals path to jump on only one and beat it to a bloody pulp. That in any case would ruin the pelt and the meat that are the prime reason those animal are been hunt. So just by that, the wild blood splash on the car windshield although shocking are a deformation of the truth.
It as been researched as the best way of removing the pain from the seal is to actually break that portion of the skull witch is holding the nerv system. the 2 best solution found for that are either a gun.(regular head shot) or the hakapik. The sharp spike of the hakapik make it easy to break the skull and kill the animal without any suffering. From that point when the skull is broken the animal is clinically dead. It dosen t feel anything, no pain at all.
I was on the P.E.T.A site today and I was actually surprise that such a multimillionaire company could have so many wrong information.
The seal condition is also interesting. In 2005 the population was 5,82 millions.
This year the hunter can hunt 275 000 seal. Such control on the total population of seal make it impossible for the destruction of the whole species.
Also the spasm you might see on different video are actually normal. After the death of the animal some spasms might happen. Same thing happen with human, are th corpse feeling anything. No, they are not.
So considering that seal don't feel anything when kill. There is to much of them without natural predator (they are also eating all the fish). Im not even sure why so many ppl out there care about this. cmon ppl if you can whine on a forum go get yourself inform.
(for any person out there that would be wondering was would inform them they could watch Phoque: le film. Note: im not sure what the english version of that documentary is call.)
For any Question, Comment or anything else. you can contact me at DeathZero34@hotmail.com and i will try t oanswer your questions.
Phil
p.s
Please refrain yourself from idiot insult e-mail that just prove that you might be missing something important between your brain.
p.p.s
Note that all (or almost all)
Peta promotional videos are extremely emotif and are calling for irrational response from the viewer.
Posted by: Dz | April 6, 2008 04:46 PM
I would like to address Denise.
I am 55 years old and have lived in Canada for all of my life. I have opposed the Seal hunt since the age of 17,when I saw a similar film documenting the killing of baby seals, and their mothers if they got in the way. The mothers cry out in agony as they watch their babies butchered. I know many will say that animals don't have the capacity for feeling- that has been refuted by scientists( there is an excellent article in National Geographic last month about animal intelligence).
I have done the homework, and it is NOT a viable or justifiable harvest( hate that word).People involved in this despicable hunt do so becaue it's ingrained in their culture; economics has nothing to do with it. These people are hard and stubborn, and they don't see anything wrong in what they are doing. Unless someone in government bans it, they will continue.
So getting people to not buy sealskin or seal meat is the key. If seal fur were rendered worthless, then what would be the point of hunting?
As a personal aside, I cannot imagine clubbing one of these beautiful creatures;hell, I can't even watch the videos. It makes me wonder- what type of person can do such a thing?
Posted by: Coleen Tew | April 10, 2008 01:43 PM
I am from Newfoundland and i am proud of it! No one in Newfoundland should hang their head in shame. You call killing seals cruel because they are cute, you dont know the statistics behind it. There are estimated 5.5 Miliion seals that come off the pack ice each year and we only kill about 10% of them. And by the way, its a law since 1987 that you cannot kill whitebacks(baby seals). So you can watch the videos, look at the pictures. But just remember, the seal hunt was a way of life in Newfoundland. While your grandparents were probabley handed a silver spoon when they were born, or even had to work, our grandparents died trying to earn some income to feed their family. All our lives we've had to live with someone looking their noses down at us wheither it be Celebrities or anyone else for that matter. We are tired of it!! Did you also know that they dont use clubs anymore, tne videos u seen must have been way back in the day when guns were hard to come by. And we dont kill them for the sport. Also, Newfoundland is not just the only place to have a seal hunt, so why dont you just go and pick on Namibia, or Greenland, Norway and Russia, and leave us alone!!
Posted by: Rebecca Penney | April 11, 2008 12:02 PM
Rebecca, how can you be so naive? Have you not seen the videos or read the diaries of people who have been documenting this slaughter? I understand that because you have been raised in the culture of killing seals that you think it might be okay- it is not okay. There are plenty of alternate ways of earning a living. Please do the research into the zoology of marine mammals before you defend a practice that should have been abolished many years ago.
Yes, they do still use clubs- some quite gleefully to hear them tell it. One fellow wrote to Captain Paul Watson and told him how much he enjoyed killing them- feeling their skulls smash, often hitting them two or three times. And another lovely fellow wrote an expletive in the snow with the blood of a little baby he had clubbed; the baby still writhing behind him in the snow. There is footage of seals on hooks still moving, being skinned while still alive. How can you defend this?
By the way-I certainly was not, not were my parents born with a silver spoon- quite the opposite in fact. Not a good argument for killing innocent young seals.
I think it only fair to tell you we will not stop campaigning against this heinous ritual until it is stopped- for good and forever. So stow your petulant little diatribe and do some reading and thinking and try to learn about compassion.
Posted by: Coleen Tew | April 11, 2008 08:18 PM
While i do not condone the Canadian seal hunt, i think that the German Branch of PETA has overstepped its bounds when it comes to representing the Canadian people. You don't see Canadian add campaigns depicting Germans as Nazis, it would be deemed socially unacceptable, even though it is likely that the participants of the Canadian seal hunts are far outnumbered by Germans who still harbour white supremest ideology. Good job Germany.
Posted by: Matthew Root | April 15, 2008 07:36 PM
Very well put, Coleen Tew
Posted by: lynda downie | April 17, 2008 01:30 AM
Well said, Coleen and let's hope that people like her change their erratic way of thinking for the benefit of the seals.
Posted by: Margarita | April 17, 2008 10:00 PM
germany giving lessons in morality. LOL.
newfoundlanders had to cross the atlantic to fight two wars to stop their kind from the atrocities they committed.
Posted by: wayne | April 19, 2008 06:27 PM
Matthew Root: Well, I'm not aware of any current Nazi activity in Germany (are you?), certainly nothing on the scale of the seal hunt in Canada, which is definitely going on in the present day. People have a right to their ideas (Nazi beliefs, if they choose) but not necessarily to their actions (hurting/killing another). I also don't think PETA Germany represents ALL Canadians, just those Canadians with a conscience.
Posted by: Antigone1000 | April 22, 2008 02:09 PM
Ana pointed out that seal 'hunting' is bad for the spirit.
BINGO! Well said Ana.
Canadian politicians: Seal hunt = depression - anxiety. Get the picture?
Posted by: Christhelad | July 17, 2009 02:56 AM
Over the past couple of years, there have been many heavy laws put on the Seal Hunt. This includes no hunting baby seals (aka White Coats). The seals that are hunted must have their darker coat. The use of 'clubs' are hardly used, the main method for killing seals is shooting them.
The photos and videos depicted in the PETA videos show cruelty... and it is hard to believe that people still treat animals this way during the hunt, but here's the thing.. what is shown is just a small percent of the hunt. Reports are that 98 percent of hunters do kill them properly, by shooting and then checking for a blink reflex. The Canadian Veterinarian Journal also reports that the seals are being killing humanely.
Please try to remember that yes, some atrocities still go on during the hunt but it is only a small percentage of hunters... just as I'm sure there is also cruelty to animals in game hunters.
PETA is one sided and so is the government, saying what they can to support their individual biases. PETA will show the select hunters who don't follow the law and the government will say everything is a-ok.
Remember to get all the facts from different resources before either supporting or denying the seal hunt.
I'm a Newfoundlander, proud of it and I fully support the hunt as long as it is heavily regulated and proper laws are enforced to those who chose not to treat the seals humanely.
Posted by: Scott | October 2, 2009 09:22 PM