LOS ANGELES county CA under bird quarantine :(

[BreanneRN]

Looking at this map, it is difficult to imagine that wild birds are vectors. This has the look of birds being moved around by humans. There needs to be good, widely disseminated information to make clear that you are not to sell/move your birds, plus a crackdown on anyone illegally moving or fighting chickens.

I agree completely, not enough is being done about the real problem. Cockfighting is driven by gambling, and gambling is addictive. Those addicted will not stop, they will do exactly what is happening, rotate areas of use, which means even more exposure and movement contributing to the spread of disease. It is a game of "whack a mole"... Instead of murdering backyard egglayers, CDFA should focus on the real problem. As another poster mentioned, unless the penalties for committing the crime are elevated, these people will do what they want when they want.

 

[Animalfisherwoman]

I agree completely, not enough is being done about the real problem. Cockfighting is driven by gambling, and gambling is addictive. Those addicted will not stop, they will do exactly what is happening, rotate areas of use, which means even more exposure and movement contributing to the spread of disease. It is a game of "whack a mole"... Instead of murdering backyard egglayers, CDFA should focus on the real problem. As another poster mentioned, unless the penalties for committing the crime are elevated, these people will do what they want when they want.

And, cockfighters move their birds frequently, quarantine or not, to their "shows." The sharpened beaks draw maximum flying blood and tissue, to say nothing of their combs and wattles being amputated. My chickens have never been off my property. I look at their combs and wattles to make sure they're not pale or purple--not cut them off! And the sad thing is that THOSE flocks--the ones the vast majority here and on sob have--are the low-hanging fruit and thus first priority to cdfa/usda.

I have interacted with a few of these pro-cockfighters, and their argument is ALWAYS that they're about show and rootstock and how roosters fighting is natural. Ya, male elephant seals fight too, but we don't cage them up or fit steel tusks over theirs for our entertainment. Those 20+ "gamefowl" breeders, especially 100+ breeders, all claiming that they love their animals for "pride of breed" should completely support cockfighting crackdowns. And putting their own businesses under NPIP and encouraging others to do so. Haven't seen one do that.

 

[Animalfisherwoman]

SOB Save Our Birds has filed suit against CDFA and Annette Jones seeking an injunction to stop killings at least until the state can provide residents with more data and assure humane methods.

A copy of the suit can be found here: http://www.chadmorgan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Save-Our-Birds-v.-Jones-Complaint.pdf

The SOB Save Our Birds FB site can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/348877789075792/?sorting_setting=CHRONOLOGICAL

The lawyer's press release is here: http://www.chadmorgan.com/complaint...JgtFNMbX9xJLyeT5RhDO_wNwNz-rQK5EItObQO0GibATg

 

[Kathy Golla]

Whoa.
How long do they think it will take until the injunction would take effect ( cease and desist)?

 

[Animalfisherwoman]

Whoa.
How long do they think it will take until the injunction would take effect ( cease and desist)?

They are waiting for a court date to be assigned, and Kerri has said the immediate need has been conveyed.

 

[BreanneRN]

I am so glad to hear that an attorney has come forward to help with this. I have read the copy of the suit and think it is well written and makes a good case... I hope it will bring an end to this nightmarish horror story of inhumane, cruel, and emotionally devastating practices by those whose salaries are payed with our tax payer dollars. It is criminal to have to pay to be abused by those in power in a country that is supposed to respect and value their citizens and allow them "the pursuit of happiness", as long as they obey the laws of the land. I now have a hope that perhaps these awful practices can be stopped. I am going to contribute to their "go fund me" page. This comes too late too help many effected, but at least it can set precedents for what happens in the future.

 

[Animalfisherwoman]

From the Riverside Press-Enterprise:
https://www.pe.com/2019/05/29/chick...0WJl6t1cqZiH5y9me1C2UzlBH_8lR10dxoIa223Ncw-HA

CDFA spokesman Steve Lyle said eradication crews strive for compassion and professionalism in situations that can be very difficult, especially for bird owners.

“We understand the deep bonds people have for birds that in many cases are beloved pets. Our crews are deeply committed to protecting animal health and have dedicated their lives to ensuring the health of pets, livestock and poultry,” Lyle said.

That is not what residents have observed. They have made appointments only for CDFA to no-show, sometimes with warrants when owners are at work. It is not clear if they are making them now at all. The window for them showing up is 7 days a week and up to 9 p.m. This is terrifying residents.

"Perris resident Kerri Hand said during the Board of Supervisors meeting that some Department of Food and Agriculture workers are showing up at properties brandishing firearms, one of which she claimed was left unattended by a worker.

"Lyle said trained and certified USDA Wildlife Services biologists are assisting with the eradication project and use low-velocity pellet guns for semi-feral and difficult-to-catch poultry.

“There are extensive directives on safe use, and a pellet gun is the option of last resort when public safety would not be threatened,” Lyle said in an email.

This has not been observed either. What has is video of a man waving a weapon around while stepping on a still-moving animal, and the video of Kerri calling out to the kill squads to please pick up their gun. This is not a "he said/she said," it is a matter of the CDFA PIOs to explain these videos.

ETA: The unattended gun video may be viewed here (the issue of the gun is approximately 32:00):

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10214847210358543

 

[BreanneRN]

From the Riverside Press-Enterprise:
https://www.pe.com/2019/05/29/chick...0WJl6t1cqZiH5y9me1C2UzlBH_8lR10dxoIa223Ncw-HA

CDFA spokesman Steve Lyle said eradication crews strive for compassion and professionalism in situations that can be very difficult, especially for bird owners.

“We understand the deep bonds people have for birds that in many cases are beloved pets. Our crews are deeply committed to protecting animal health and have dedicated their lives to ensuring the health of pets, livestock and poultry,” Lyle said.

That is not what residents have observed. They have made appointments only for CDFA to no-show, sometimes with warrants when owners are at work. It is not clear if they are making them now at work. The window for them showing up is 7 days a week and up to 9 p.m. This is terrifying residents.

"Perris resident Kerri Hand said during the Board of Supervisors meeting that some Department of Food and Agriculture workers are showing up at properties brandishing firearms, one of which she claimed was left unattended by a worker.

"Lyle said trained and certified USDA Wildlife Services biologists are assisting with the eradication project and use low-velocity pellet guns for semi-feral and difficult-to-catch poultry.

“There are extensive directives on safe use, and a pellet gun is the option of last resort when public safety would not be threatened,” Lyle said in an email.

This has not been observed either. What has is video of a man waving a weapon around while stepping on a still-moving animal, and the video of Kerri calling out to the kill squads to please pick up their gun. This is not a "he said/she said," it is a matter of the CDFA PIOs to explain these videos.

Clearly one of those bureaucrats spouting rhetoric and drowning in his own kool aid. At least he isn't sitting at his desk drinking it anymore. Time to wake up and face reality! Videos don't lie! His description does not in any way match what has been happening and his "saying it isn't so" doesn't change it or excuse it!

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

The law suit is very well written and outlines the faults and infractions of the CDFA and the state vet. I do hope that they win this case against the state vet and CDFA. Regardless of how much money they are awarded, it will never come close to making retribution for what those people and animals went through. My heart truly goes out to all of you.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Personally I think euthanasia via gassing is extremely inhumane. If I ever had to put a bird down my first choice would be a lethal injection at the vet’s office, just like when a dog or cat owner euthanized their pet they don’t gas them. Cervical dislocation or severing the main blood vessels in the neck would be my second option.

Although MAK Carts sound humane. I cannot understand why the CDFA didn’t use them.