Outrage against the capture of a Giant Pacific Octopus...

As there should be! The fact that this kid said he killed this Octopus for an art project & its meat is disgusting. Do I think he should be recieving death threats, probably not. But I would be horrified if my child brought home a "trophy" & treated other living beings in such a disrespectful manner. I hope something is done to protect these creatures & kudos to those speaking out for them. We are their voices.

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/40201/divers+capture+of+a+beloved+giant+pacific+octopus+sparks+outrage/

Butterfly Massacre

This is just gross and it's even more disturbing to know that people were attracted to it. Nature is beautiful, yes, but that doesn't make it something that we have the right to bottle up & exploit. I'm sure the sight of all the butterflies was beautiful, but you know where else you can see butterflies? OUTSIDE, IN THEIR OWN ENVIRONMENT!!! And really, you call placing a shark into formaldehyde, ditto a bisected cow and calf, art? Umm, really? Then why doesn't he take it a step further - throw in a disected human body....yeah, that's gross & completely disturbing. But why should there be any difference w/ displaying a dead cow or a dead human body? The human body can be seen as a form of art. But then, who would go see a decapitated human head being plunged into formaldehyde? Probably no one because it's horrid...why should other animals be treated differently? I'm pretty sure dumping a shark into formaldehyde was not used as an educational reason so you can just cross that excuse out. But here's the story - determine your own opinion.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/damien-hirst-art-show-killed-9-000-butterflies-211840872.html

Swan Massacre

This is absolutely heartbreaking & disgusting. What the hell is wrong with people?! Honestly, I know that I ask this all the time & there is no answer, but OMG. To also know that Georgia law for animal cruelty is only a misdemeanor...when senseless acts of violence such as this go unpunished, what makes people think that senseless acts of violence against other people will stop? We allow things like this to occur everyday to "lower" species, yet we are shocked when the very same type of action is taken out on another human being. Hello people! Those who murder & cause senseless harm view their victims as "objects" - it doesn't matter if it is a swan or monkey or human.

Just baffling

http://news.petpardons.com/residents-shocked-by-swan-massacre-in-idyllic-community/

A dog's loyalty has no end...

This is just an amazing story...it's crazy humans still treat other beings as if they are "things". I hope that one day suffering will end, of course that is when our Father will come to get us.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/dog-stands-guard-over-deceased-owner-grave-six-190556479.html

Stare down with a grizzly

Ok...seriously people? Why do we have to make things bigger than what they really are? This story of a biologist who captured photos of a grizzly bear over a dead bison is just ridiculous. First off, why are you that close to a grizzly? If anything, those photos are pretty amazing & should be shown in a respectful way of nature. Second, if you were that concerned that the bear "had you in mind for his next meal" I would think you would be more worried about getting the hell out of there than circling around taking pictures to then twist the intentions of the grizzly for your 5 minutes of fame. What the hell do you expect a grizzly to do when a helicopter is buzzing around above him? The grizzly did what any animal (human included) would have done - stared into the direction of the loud noise.
Now no, I wouldn't want any other human to be harmed by a grizzly, but isn't that the chance you take when you are out being with the wild? You are in their territory. You have to take precautions & respect NATURE. What do you think a grizzly or any other large animal do if they were being harassed & just so happened to be hungry? They get pissed...just as a human, they just happen to be 10x stronger than you. So bottom line, don't put yourself in stupid situations & then blame the animal because they were doing something instinctional. It's kind of like leaving your car unlocked in a shady neighborhood with a brand new stereo system & then solely getting pissed at the punk who jacked it from you. Hello! Lock your car! Does that give the punk the right to steal, no, but you have to take responsibility for your own lack of judgement.
So what if the grizzly was standing next to a dead carcass...is that suppose to infer that this is a dangerous out of control grizzly? Um, hello! It's called NATURE! Did it ever occur to anyone that we humans look exactly the way grizzlies or other carnivores do when feeding? Ok, maybe we have better table manners.
From what I see, the only concerns Yellow Stone should have is making sure that other visitors are safe. They closed down the trail & I'm sure took precautions before opening the trail again. Just saying.

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/34782/biologist+with+camera+captures+dramatic+stare-down+with+grizzly+bear/

Dog loses his life because of the ignorance of people

Ok this is just ridiculous! Seriously - Pit Bulls are not 'dangerous' dogs per say. The way they are breed & raised creates the 'monster' & enhances the natural drive within the breed to be used for aggressive behavior such as illegal dog fighting. Just because people exploit this breed's natural energy, strength & intelligience for money & entertainment is no excuse to mark all pit bull breeds with the reputation they have & be put on a death wish list.
People have made the breed out to be vicous & used as a weapon.What consequences are there for against the people? Pit Bulls are not for everyone...but that can be said about any breed. I find Bull Mastiffs beautiful, but as a 4'11" petite female, I do not believe I could handle such a large dog - I choose not to bring one into my home because I do not feel I can provide the proper care & handling they deserve. I don't go out & have them all euthanized. It's just like the "Guns don't kill people, people kill people" saying...people train these dogs to be used maliciously & takes advantage of the breeds natural instinct.
On top of all of that...any animal can turn against their owner at anytime, for any reason. We forget that these are animals that we have domesticated - they weren't always that way. Humans would domesticate wolves if they could, just because they can.
As for Lennox, I feel for his owners & what a disgusting decision of the council. You just KILLED an animal for no reason other than it MIGHT hurt someone. Isn't that the same thing as killing someone who attacts you with the intent of harming you? Or, what about the pedophiles that walk free? We allow other humans live freely after harming a child, but we euthanize an innocent animal? I'm not understanding the logic here. Now, don't get me wrong - I realize there is a difference between a dog's life & a human's life, but the overall concept is the same. People are the cruel & vicious 'animal'. People are the only ones who consciously choose to harm one another, to bring hate & violence because of their own ignorance, greed & pride.

Just saying.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/lennox-dog-put-sleep-belfast-145939624.html
http://voices.yahoo.com/pit-bulls-myths-facts-dangerous-dogs-26215.html?cat=53
http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/news/news.asp?id=3109

**And why wouldn't they allow Lennox to be adopted by a celebrity dog trainer or other US citizen who offered to give Lennox a home?**

Oh this breaks my heart

What a beautiful but very sad story of a pitbull grieving for his dead mate. This reminds me of an incident that happened in my hometown over the winter - a pregnant female pitbull wet into labor out in the cold. All 4 of her pups died - animal control took forever to get out there. When they did, they removed the bodies of the pups but the mother stayed for days wandering the area looking for her pups. I know I can't save every animal, but I wish I could.
Why do people treat animals as if they are disposable & don't deserve the same respect of living free from harm? I know I know, circle of life stuff, it's just there are many people who are just so insensitive or detached from the emotions of other creatures. I've seen people in my home town speed up & 'act' like they're going to hit a dog that roaming the streets & it makes me angry. There are people who shoot their neighbors dogs with bb guns because they were barking & no one does anything - animal control or the police. What can be done? How do you deal with the sadness or what not that you feel when you see an animal suffering?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2148363/Grieving-pit-bull-stays-dead-mate-14-HOURS--days-later-hes-sad-adopted.html