Juveniles Sentenced to spcaLA for Violence "Cure"

Your spcaLA and the Juvenile Division of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office have united to bring spcaLA’s award winning  violence prevention program to the Los Angeles juvenile system. This mandated, alternative sentencing program,  jTLC™.works by re-instilling empathy into teens with the aim of "curing" violence.

In a  two-day, court-mandated course, teens are paired with shelter dogs and offered intensive sessions designed to help at-risk youth identify and break the cycle of violence.  The jTLC™ candidates are carefully selected by the District Attorney’s Office along with the Juvenile Court judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys. 


These children learn coping and anger management skills and gain self-esteem with the help of our shelter dogs. We instill in them compassion and empathy – which steers them into a more positive direction.


For the last two years, spcaLA has pilot-tested the jTLC™ program with juvenile offenders from communities like Long Beach and Sylmar.   80% of the offenders have avoided trouble and have not, to date,  re-offended.  jTLC™ is unique to spcaLA and Los Angeles County.  Other communities, like New York City, have inquired about the program and how they can introduce it into their own juvenile systems.


“As an animal lover, retired Police Sergeant and currently Los Angeles County District Attorney Juvenile Offender Intervention Program (J.O.I.N.) hearing officer, I knew from experience and studies that the direct correlation between animal cruelty and domestic violence, child abuse, bullying and school fights is factual,” said Lianne Osendorf.  “The cycle of abuse will continue unless there is intervention to break the cycle. The collaboration of the LA DA and spcaLA to bring awareness and intervention to these minors is a major step in doing just that. Thanks to Melanie Wagner, Director of Humane Education, and her staff and some very caring District Attorneys the program has been a phenomenal success.  With few exceptions the minors that participate come away from the experience with new found respect for animals and people. The weekend class focuses on teaching minors how damaging abuse can be not only to animals and people but also to the person inflicting the abuse.”


jTLC™ attendees range from teenage girls who were convicted of bullying to an animal abuse offender who, at 8 years old, was bullied by his brother to injure a rabbit.  Now at 14 years old, he was sentenced to jTLC™ for hitting a dog in the head with a brick. 


Just as violent offenders learn how to desensitize their natural feelings of empathy by abusing animals, we can turn the tables and put it right back in!


People always ask me why do I spend my time insisting that we be kind to animals when there is so much violence against people in the world. My response is that articulated in the 1870s by George T. Angell - "I am working at the root of the problem."

Is This News to Anyone?

courtesy spcaLA -rescued from breeder

NBC just reported that "AKC-registered breeders raising dogs in 'miserable" conditions". Really?

What do AKC (American Kennel Club) breeders, puppy mills, pet shops, professional breeders, and opportunistic breeders (those that cater to fads or animal movie stars) have in common?  They profit from the sale of these pets. Ergo, the more they invest in care and husbandry the less the profit or the higher the prices must be. Essentially, the pets are considered inventory and not feeling, suffering living things.

Consumers are outraged when they spend a small fortune for a registered, certified and papered pure bred that either dies shortly after purchase or requires costly medical care with no promise that there will be no lingering disabilities. What do you expect if neither the mother nor the puppies, while living in filth, receive proper nutrition and essential medical care. Even the "bargain hunters" who will hand over thousands of dollars to a guy selling "discount puggles" from the back of a truck will demand justice after the dog dies within hours after the transaction. Really? It reminds me of the fellow selling Rolex watches for $5.00 on the streets of New York City. Do you really expect it to tell time?

Over 20 years ago in New York, I, as a novice in this business,  had access to the back rooms of the Westminster Dog Show and was disgusted by what I saw. I did what I could then but also requested  that Roger Caras, the voice of the show, step down from that position once he became President of the aspca as the conflict seemed obvious and the optics looked worse!

courtesy spcaLA

Enough already. We must stop creating a demand for these AKC type pets so the suppliers dry up. There are plenty of dogs and cats, pure and mixed, in shelters around the world who need homes today.

This deplorable situation is not news. Consumers using their buying power to change things would be.

ESPN: The Size of a Man's Dog Does is NOT Indicative of His Penis Size

Courtesy Google Images

During Wednesday's Lakers game the ESPN commentators could not stop wailing about the tragedy that Kobe Bryant was seen in this photo with a little dog. They ranted, wept and prayed for someone to "say it isn't so" that such a "macho" guy would have a lap dog. They lamented that any dog that could be "cradled" in one's arms was not an acceptable companion for such a man as Kobe.

Finally, to their relief, Kobe contacted them during half time and comforted the hysterical commentators with the news that he had 4 dogs - two of which were German Shepherds. The commentators were outright thanking the almighty for this proof that the world is right again - that- their hero had 2 "manly" dogs which generously excused the presence of the little dog.

First, the size of a man's dog is not indicative of the size of his penis. Second, let's not force men into behaving in projected stereotypical ways. Strong men can be kind and gentle to children and other vulnerable  living beings without sacrificing their masculinity. And third, would these sports "experts" suggest that Michael Vick was the better example of a real man?

UPDATE - Swap Meets, Lead Ammo and Ag Gag - Oh My!

 

UPDATE - The "Ag-Gag" bill, sponsored by the California Cattleman's Association was  withdrawn by Assemblymember Jim Patterson. It will be technically dead after after the first week of May deadline. We were heard!!

It is once again legislative season and your spcaLA is working on bills that will prevent animal cruelty. To that end, I will resume nagging you to voice your support or disgust to our employees - our elected officials.

      Remember: The power of the people is greater than the people in power -Wael Ghonim

Assemblymember Roger Dickinson introduced Assembly Bill 339, which, in its current form, strives to ban the sale of live animals in swap meets and flea markets.  Husbandry, veterinary treatment, and often basic humane care are often non existent in these venues, which, unfortunately were excluded from recent enacted legislation prohibiting street corner sales of animals. This bill passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee this week and onward and upward we go! (support)

Assemblymember Anthony Rendon introduced Assembly Bill 711 would prohibit the use of lead shot in hunting. Lead is toxic to both humans and animals and safe alternatives exist.(support)

Assemblymember Jim Patterson introduced Assembly Bill 343 an "Ag Gag" law which seeks to stop whistle blowers, undercover operatives and activists from exposing animal cruelty in the food industry. It is sponsored by the California Cattleman's Association and is designed to stifle our rights to speak of disturbing practices that occur as well as our right to know about them.  (oppose)

Additionally, bills which would: protect animals that are trapped, create the "Bobcat Protection Act" , mandate non-lethal alternatives to killing mountain lions and exempt animal medicines from sales tax, are all part of this years legislative "to do" list.

You will be hearing more from me as things progress. Thank you as always for your help and support.

WHAT COULD YOU BUY AT KMART THAT IS WORTH THE LIFE OF A SHARK?

Courtesy Google Images

On March 6th a five foot long white-tipped shark flown from New York to Los Angeles to be used in the filming of a Kmart commercial exhibited signs of stress on the set and ultimately died. The shark was treated on set by the trainer and then taken to a specialist to no avail.

According to a source cited by the Los Angeles Times, Kmart's request for a replacement shark to be brought out for the shoot was refused by the production company, Boxer Films, who instead substituted an animatronic hippopotamus.

The group American Humane Association (AHA) who certifies that "no animal was harmed in the making of a film" ,who receives funding from the film industry to monitor animal actors, and who is currently under fire for the fact that three horses died on set of the HBO show "Lucky" is investigating the matter.

Notwithstanding the vigor of an actual shoot, the travel back and forth to and from the location, the living in strange quarters, the strange climate, new water, and a host of unfamiliar human handlers, are all recipes for disaster.

Although the technology exists to use simulated animals in the entertainment industry the will to do so does not.

What could you buy in Kmart that is worth the life of a majestic shark? 

Would it be worth it?

If You Don't Believe In The Link Between Domestic Violence And Animal Cruelty-Read This

courtesy spcaLA

If you don't believe in the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty-read this:


Excerpts From spcaLA Press Release:

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) investigation and supporting evidence led to a felony animal cruelty conviction against Terrance Hawkins of Los Angeles, after he threw his girlfriend’s dog out of a 5th story window during an argument.

Bizzie, the beloved American Eskimo dog of Hawkins’ girlfriend, succumbed to his injuries and perished after twelve days in intensive veterinary care.

“Where domestic violence is present, animal cruelty and child abuse can usually be found - we call it ‘The Link,’” said spcaLA President, Madeline Bernstein.  “The cycle of violence continues until it is broken by law enforcement, education or other intervention.”

spcaLA offers the Animal Safety Net (ASN) ™ program which provides free boarding and veterinary care for the animals of domestic violence victims at an undisclosed location, so they may flee a dangerous situation without fear for the safety of their pets.  Case workers and victims can call 888-527-7722 for more information about ASN.

spcaLA also offers internationally recognized violence-prevention programs – like Teaching Love and Compassion(TLC)™ for at-risk youth and jTLC™, a court-mandated condition of probation for some juvenile offenders.  spcaLA’s Humane Education initiatives are aimed at breaking the cycle of violence and restoring empathy where it is lacking.

For more information about the Link, Teaching Love and Compassion (TLC)™ or Animal Safety Net (ASN)™ visit www.spcaLA.com. 

Humane Officers responded to an anonymous tip from the spcaLA Animal Cruelty Tip Line.  To report animal cruelty, call the spcaLA Animal Cruelty Tip Line at 1-800-540-SPCA (7722) or report online at www.spcaLA.com.

Any questions?

Violent Behavior-Heed the Early Warning Signs

courtesy spcaLA

Against a landscape of mounting gun violence, our nation is finally willing to look at the issue of gun safety in a comprehensive manner. To that end, universal background checks, bans on high capacity magazines and gun/gun owner data bases are options on the table designed to manage who can obtain a weapon and what to do with that knowledge. However, the root causes of violence, whether attributed to mental illness, bullying, random circumstances of nature and nurture must also be studied so that they may be mitigated. We would be remiss in our duties if we did not point out that there are glaring symptoms and tangible early warning signs of future violent behavior that can be detected now, with or without new legislation, and successfully treated with early intervention - sometimes as early as pre-school age.

 According to the FBI, the three behaviors most credited as precursors to committing violent acts are pyromania, enuresis (excessive bed-wetting) and animal cruelty. spcaLA is primarily focused on the third behavior. Deriving pleasure from causing an animal pain can be seen even in very young children. As children are not born violent, (true sociopaths notwithstanding) such behavior towards an animal is abnormal and indicative of a problem in the home that is either directed at or witnessed by the child. If not treated, and the cause not explored, that person will become desensitized to suffering and may continue to use the infliction of pain on other living things as a way to control his or her surroundings.

spcaLA (not affiliated with any other spca as there is no national/umbrella spca) has a series of core programs designed to intervene and prevent animal abuse as well as to deter violence towards people. They comprise a court mandated alternative sentencing course for juvenile offenders convicted of bullying, animal abuse or other violent crimes, an internationally acclaimed "at risk" youth program where schools target certain students to participate in the program, and one assisting victims of domestic violence and their pets where immediate help is mandated. The point is that the earlier the warning signs are recognized, the greater the chances of successful intervention, behavior modification and the abatement of future violent behavior.

The secret to the cure is for teachers, parents, social workers, and others in contact with our youth to know and recognize the symptoms. If you see animal cruelty, report it and seek help.

I can’t tell you how often I am told by a parent “It’s just a dog. You should be happy it’s not a person.”

 Next time it will be.