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Fukushima's Abandoned Dogs

By Mary Hamer, M.D

27 April, 2011
Countercurrents.org

*PURPOSE: The purpose of this essay is to expose Fukushima 's abandoned animals, including dogs -- in the aftermath of the Fukushima Nuclear accident of March 2011.

*KEY SECTIONS: The key Sections of this paper are: I. Abandoned Animals: The Evidence from Fukushima , Katrina & Home Foreclosures. II. Human Cruelty & Animal Suffering. III. Recommendations & Comments.

I. ABANDONED ANIMALS:

*FAILURE of The JAPANESE GOVERNMENT to PROVIDE for ANIMAL EVACUATIONS after the FUKUSHIMA NUCLEAR ACCIDENT:

*After the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident: “The Japanese government made no provisions for saving animals left behind when their owners were forced to evacuate”. Gallaon-Aoki, an animal rescuer states: “It was unforgivable that the (Japanese) government would allow animals to be left to slowly die of starvation or radiation exposure”. (1)

* FUKUSHIMA 'S ABANDONED ANIMALS: EXAMPLES:

*STARVING, COLD & DESPERATE ANIMALS & PET RESCUERS:

”Isabella Gallaon-Aoki of Animal Garden Niigata (said) ‘The animals are dying by the day.' ‘It's cold here, they have no food. Dogs in Japan can be tied up … & the dogs who are tied (up) have no chance of foraging for food or (water) so I'm sure they're in a pretty desperate condition.'” (2) Gallaon-Aoki states: “I understand the nuclear danger … but (the abandoned animals) are just being left to starve to death”. (3)

*CHAINED DOGS DIE of STARVATION: An animal rescuer describes chained dogs abandoned after the Fukushima nuclear accident: “We found dogs that died of starvation, their owners most likely having fled without unchaining them, leaving them unable to move” & without food or water. (4)

*SO MANY ABANDONED DOGS: After animal volunteers had run out of cages at the end of a day of rescue they “Were forced to leave several pleading dogs behind”. The rescuers stated: “How lonesome it must feel for those dogs to once again watch as people turn their backs & leave them behind”. (5)

*PACK of SHELTIES: “Rescuers have been risking their lives in the nuclear swamp around tsunami-hit Japan 's stricken power plant – To save abandoned dogs. … Teams of animal-lovers moved by the sight of stray dogs struggling to survive have ignored health warnings to scour the deserted wasteland for signs of canine life”. For example, a group of animal rescuers went to the town of Minami Soma to rescue a group of wandering sheltie dogs. However, one of the animal volunteers “Regrets that some of the dogs in the pack ran away & countless others are still stranded in the evacuation zone”. (6)

*WHIMPERING, TETHERED BEAGLE: A CNN report shows “A Whimpering beagle, ribs showing through it's fur, tethered to a post inside the ( Fukushima ) no-go zone”. A follow-up comment states: “The fate of the tethered beagle … captured on video was not known” as of 4/14/11 . (7)

*CATTLE on ABANDONED RANCH STARVE to DEATH: The JAPANESE GOVERNMENT Declares No-Go Zone

        & Leaves Animal Rescuers Helpless:

*Cattle on an abandoned ranch in the Fukushima region have been starving to death in the aftermath of the nuclear power plant disaster since March 2011. Animal rescuers have been giving this group of abandoned starving & thirsty cows food & water. “However, when the Japanese government declared it illegal to enter the 20 km evacuation zone (on 4/21/11 ) -- (the volunteers) had no choice but to pull out.” A follow-up from animal protection groups on April 22, 2011 reveals that “(The animal rescuers) remain unable to enter the ( Fukushima ) area despite requesting special permission from the government”. (8)

*ABANDONED HORSES: ”A non-profit organization in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Soma is working to rescue horses used in an ancient festival in the prefecture, after they were abandoned in the wake of (the) nuclear power plant crisis”. (9)

*PEOPLE FLEEING the COUNTRY: “‘One of the really big issues is that there are a lot of people – especially foreigners – fleeing the country & leaving their animals behind.'” “Shelters are getting calls from people saying ‘I'm on my way to the airport, I'm leaving, I have four dogs left in my apartment & my neighbor has the key'”. (10)

* FUKUSHIMA ANIMAL LOVER: An Internet user refuses evacuation to take care of the animals in the Fukushima region. Yakisoba states: “I've finally found a good reason to live. I'm going to (stay here &) give my life to these guys (the abandoned animals), But I can't manage getting them food alone. Anyone who comes back to Namie … please bring pet food & leave it at the front entrance of the Sun Plaza Shopping Center . I will take the responsibility of distributing it”. (11)

*KATRINA & POOR U.S. GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP Regarding PET EVACUATIONS:

”Government & Non-profit agency officials … forced (people) to abandon cherished family (pets). Some people risked – or lost – their lives when they refused to leave their homes before & after the (Katrina) hurricane because they could not leave their animals to face the storm & the floods alone. … (The reason that people refused to be rescued is that) the boats & helicopters & shelters would not admit animals.” The government's actions in forcing people to abandon their animals was “Illegal”, according to Chapter 14 Section 102.1 of Louisiana's Revised Statutes which prohibits animal abandonment”. (12)

* U.S. HOME FORECLOSURES & HOMEOWNER PET ABANDONMENT:

*“As more & more Americans have lost their homes to the wave of foreclosures that has swept the (U.S.), a shocking portion of them, whether due to an inability or an unwillingness to find homes for their animals after being rendered homeless themselves, have simply left their pets behind.” “The No. 1 reason for this increase in owner surrenders (of pets): ‘The owners couldn't afford them anymore'”. (13)

*”Abandoned animals – including livestock as well as cats & dogs – can go for days without food or water in foreclosed properties. Many die of neglect. … An ASPCA official states: “‘Everyone has a responsibility if we are to save these animals from starvation & euthanasia & animals should not be left to fend for themselves. (It is important that pet owners) not abandon their pets but take (their pets) with them'” when they leave their homes. (14)

II. HUMAN CRUELTY & ANIMAL SUFFERING:

*HOMO SAPIENS are a CRUEL SPECIES:

*CRUELTY Definition: Cruelty is the “Deliberate infliction of pain & suffering”. (15)

Humans are cruel to abandon animals during natural & man-made environmental disasters such as the Fukushima nuclear power accident. Humans willfully inflict pain & suffering on animals -- when animals are abandoned during disasters -- with no food or water, no shelter & no companionship.

*ANIMALS are SENTIENT BEINGS:

*SENTIENT BEINGS: “In the philosophy of animal rights, sentience implies the ability to experience pleasure & pain. Animal rights advocates typically argue that any sentient being is entitled ... to the right not to be subjected to unnecessary suffering”. (16)

*SUFFERING: “Suffering is an unpleasant state of mind that disrupts the quality of life. It is the mental state associated with unpleasant experiences such as pain, malaise, distress, injure & emotional numbness”. (17)

*ANIMALS are SENTIENT BEINGS:

*Animals are sentient beings who are capable of Pain & Suffering. For example, ways in which animals such as dogs & cats express pain include: Abnormal posture, aggression, withdrawal, restlessness, writhing, groaning, whimpering, growling, hissing, shallow breathing, tremor, twitching, spasm, depression, sluggishness, lying motionless, seeking cover, sleeplessness, avoidance behavior, eyes partially closed, etc.. (18) Humans fail to recognize the suffering of the abandoned Fukushima animals who are starving, thirsty, exposed to cold weather, suffering from radiation poisoning, lacking companionship, etc..

*ANTHROPOCENTRISM:

*GOOGLE SEARCH: A Google search of the words: Cars, Football, Wall Street, Cable TV & Lipstick in April 2011 revealed about: 1.7 Billion, 861 Million, 111 Million, 54 Million & 40 Million hits, respectively – compared to only about 18 Million hits for the term: Abandoned Animals. (19) Based on this simple Google search: Humans value: Cars, money, sports, entertainment & cosmetics -- more than abandoned animals.

*MEDIA BIAS AGAIANST ANIMALS: The news reports about Fukushima & other natural or man-made accidents & disasters – such as earthquakes & nuclear accidents -- often do not talk about animal suffering, injuries & deaths. Listen to the next news report about a storm or wildfire that states there were No injuries or deaths – The media is referring to No Human injuries or deaths – No acknowledgement is made of Animal injuries or deaths. Humans fail to consider the pain & suffering of animals. Our Homo Sapien species is self-centered & narcissistic. Humans feel they are the Superior species & therefore humans often deny, ignore, don't care about & abandon: injured & dying animals.

*IT'S JUST a DOG: Some people might say: Who cares about an abandoned dog or cat or farm animal in the Fukushima region? The common phrase is: “It's just a dog”. But, “To everyone who says, ‘It's just a dog' (I say) & ‘You're just a human'”. (20)

III. RECOMMENDATIONS & COMMENTS:

* U.S. PETS EVACUATION & TRANSPORTATION STANDARDS ACT (PETS):

The U.S. PETS Act “Require(s) states seeking Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance to accommodate pets & service animals in their plans for evacuating residents facing disasters”. This “Bill was initiated in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina when the abandonment of many thousands of pets & other animals brought the matter of animal welfare to national attention”. (21) I recommend that the United Nations enact a similar PETS act on an international scale -- to provide for the evacuation of not only pets, but also farm animals -- during natural & man-made disasters.

*ALDO LEOPOLD TRANSFORMATION & KOHLBERG'S MORALITY SCALE:

*Regarding: governments & citizens who abandon animals in natural & man-made environmental disasters – Is it possible that such humans undergo an Aldo Leopold transformation & acknowledge the rights & welfare of animals? Can we stop our selfish Homo Sapien brain noise & witness the pain & suffering of animals? (22) Will education, societal pressure or other means encourage humans to go from lower to a higher level of Kohlberg's Morality Scale? Can humans move from: Lower child-like, Egocentric, punishment driven behavior – to Mature adult principled behavior that lives by universal ethical principles? (23)

*PLEA to HOMO SAPIENS to #1. TREAT ANIMALS with RESPECT

& #2. To BAN All NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY:

*Where is the reverence & unity of the human race for animals, ecosystems & the Earth? I do not believe in the myth that humans are the Superior species – Rather I believe that all animals are Equals (24) & that humans are partners with other animals, ecosystems & the Earth. The sad truth is that Humans are disconnected from animals, ecosystems & the Earth. We Homo Sapiens value our nuclear power generated electricity & modern lifestyles -- at the expense of suffering abandoned dogs, ecosystems & the Earth. We value our Cars, Football games, Wall Street, our Cable TV & our Lipstick -- more than the suffering of abandoned animals. & Silence is complicity. There are no innocent bystanders. (25) We, Humans are all responsible for the radioactive contamination & destruction of the Earth due to nuclear power accidents & nuclear waste. We are responsible for the pain & suffering of the animals. We, Humans have desecrated the Earth with Fukushima 's radioactive waste that is severe, widespread & long-term. We citizens of the world have the choice to tell our Governments to treat animals as equals & with respect and to provide disaster evacuation plans for animals. We also have the opportunity to act now & WITHDRAW our CONSENT from NUCLEAR POWER, nuclear bombs, depleted uranium & nuclear waste. Will we as a human race do the right thing & say Yes to the Animals. Will we do the right thing & say NO to NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY?

Namaste. Thank you. Respectfully, Mary Hamer, M.D.  U.S.A.

REFERENCES:

1. www.lifewithdogs.tv . Animal Rescuers Brave the Fukushima Danger Zone. April 2011.

2. articles.cnn.com. Welfare Groups Race to Rescue Japan 's Abandoned Animals. By Mark Tutton for CNN 3/17/11 .

3. cnn.site.printthis.clickability.com. Pet Rescuers Brave Fukushima Danger Zone. CNN Tokyo .

4. tomclarkblog.blogspot.com. Creatures of What Gods? (Abandoned Animals, Exclusion Zone, Fukushima Prefecture ). 4/13/11 .

5. tomclarkblog.blogspot.com. Creatures of What Gods? (Abandoned Animals, Exclusion Zone, Fukushima Prefecture ). 4/13/11 .

6. www.dailymail.co.uk . Dog-Lovers Brave Fukushima Nuclear Danger Zont to Save Abandoned Pets. By Daily Mail Reporter. 4/14/11 .

7. cnn.site.printthis.clickability.com. Pet Rescuers Brave Fukushima Danger Zone. CNN Tokyo .

8. en.rocketnews24.com. Fukushima (Update) Cattle on Abandoned Ranch Starve to Death, No-Go Zone Leaves Volunteers Helpless. 4/25/11 .

9. mdn.mainichi.jp. Traditional Festival's Horses being Rescued in Wake of Nuclear Crisis. The Mainichi Daily News. 4/11/11 .

10. articles.cnn.com. Welfare Groups Race to Rescue Japan 's Abandoned Animals. By Mark Tutton for CNN 3/17/11 .

11. en.ricketnews24.com. Fukushima : Internet Forum User Refuses Evacuation to Take Care of Animals: I'm Going to Give my Life to these Guys.

12. origin.www.helping animals.com. PETA Fights (on) Behalf of Hurricane Katrnina's Animal & Human Victims.

13. www.alternet.org . The Soaring Rate of Abandoned Animals is the Latest Sign of a Deep Economic Crisis.

14. www.upi.com . ASPCA Says Abandoned Animals are Starving in Foreclosed Homes. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Steve Cook. Real Estate Economy Watch. 9/24/9 .

15. www.google.com . Definition of Cruelty. Referencing: wordnetweb.princeton.edu.

16. en.wikipedia.org. Definition of Sentience. Animal Rights & Sentience.

17. Neville G. Gregory. Physiology & Behavior of Animal suffering. Blackwell Publishing. C. 2004. Pg 1.

18. Neville G. Gregory. Physiology & Behavior of Animal suffering. Blackwell Publishing. C. 2004. Pg 99 & 8.

19. www.google.com . Cars, Football, Wall Street, Cable TV, Lipstick & Abandoned Animals. 4/26/11 .

20. www.dogsadversereactions.com . It's Just a Dog. Brandy Henderson, President of the Friends Fur Life Pet Sanctuary. 2006.

21. en.wikipedia.org. Pets Evacuation & Transportation Standards Act. Referencing: PETS Evacuation & Transportation Standards Act House of Representatives website. September 2005. & Referencing: Nolen, Scott. 10/15/5 . Katrina's Other Victims. J. Am. Veterinary Assoc.

22. pantheon.cis.yale.edu. The Transformation of Aldo Leopold. By Amy McCoy. Referencing: Sand County Almanac .

23. wn.wikipedia.org. Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development. References #7,8,9 & #13,14.

24. PETA publication: All Animals are Equals. Referencing Peter Singer's book: Animal Liberation.

25. www.goodreads.com . William Burroughs Quotes.

 



 


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