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French couple barred from owning pets after they kept 159 cats

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A French couple from Nice has been handed a one-year suspended sentence for subjecting numerous animals to cruel conditions. In their 80-square-meter apartment, they were found to be housing 159 cats and seven dogs, many of which were suffering from dehydration, malnutrition, and parasite infections. The judge concluded that the couple had failed in their duty to properly care for the animals. As a consequence, they’ve been permanently banned from keeping pets and ordered to pay over €150,000 to animal rights charities and other involved parties.

Last year, authorities stumbled upon the distressing situation during a visit to the couple’s apartment, where they found animals crammed into every available space, surrounded by filth and excrement. Tragically, some of the cats and dogs had already perished due to their dire health conditions, with the bodies of at least two cats and two dogs discovered in the bathroom.

The couple’s explanation revealed a pattern of accumulating animals, with the woman, aged 68, describing them as the “love of her life,” although she admitted to having “screwed up.” Her initial collection of her parents’ pets in 2018 escalated when she took in around 30 cats from an abandoned building, leading to unchecked breeding. She expressed feeling a sense of abandonment herself, equating it to leaving the animals behind.

A psychiatric evaluation diagnosed her with “Noah’s syndrome,” a psychological compulsion to rescue animals, even when incapable of providing adequate care. This wasn’t the couple’s first encounter with authorities regarding animal welfare; they had previously been investigated in 2014 for housing 13 cats and a dog in an 18-square-meter studio apartment.

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Germany denies reports of sausage dog ban

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Recent headlines in the UK have stirred up concerns over the possibility of Germany banning sausage dogs, prompting attention from both domestic and international media. However, the reality behind these sensational headlines is less severe.

The cause of the alarm stems from the German Kennels Association’s objections to a proposed law designed to address breeding practices that cause animals to suffer. While there are worries about the potential impact on specific breeds like dachshunds, the German government has clarified that there are no plans to ban any breeds outright.

Instead, the focus of the proposed law is on preventing breeding practices that lead to health issues in dogs, particularly those that result in skeletal abnormalities or other forms of suffering. The aim is to establish clear guidelines to eliminate what is termed “torture breeding” and ensure the overall welfare of animals.

For instance, dachshunds are known to be susceptible to spinal problems due to their elongated bodies. Responsible breeding practices are being encouraged to mitigate such health issues and promote the well-being of future generations of dogs.

While some animal rights organizations advocate for bans on certain breeds, the government’s emphasis remains on prioritizing animal welfare and addressing concerns related to breeding practices. The proposed law will undergo further legislative processes, with debates expected to reflect broader political tensions and considerations of animal welfare.

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Russian dog-lovers fight to save strays from cull in Siberia’s Ulan-Ude

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Dog lovers in Russia’s Far East are rallying to save hundreds of stray dogs facing euthanasia by local authorities. Ulan-Ude, a town in Eastern Siberia near the Mongolian border, has already culled 18 dogs, prompting urgent efforts to relocate 600 dogs to new homes or shelters within Russia. Volunteers are traveling by train to cities like Moscow, St Petersburg, Kazan, Khabarovsk, and Vladivostok to ensure these dogs escape the grim fate of being put down. The severe winter weather, with temperatures as low as -20°C, adds urgency to the rescue mission.

The decision to euthanize strays in Ulan-Ude reflects a broader issue in Russia’s republic of Buryatia. In 2020, a national law aimed to address the problem by implementing humane practices such as catching, sterilizing, vaccinating, and releasing stray dogs. However, concerns about potential attacks led to the rollback of the law in Buryatia, reviving the controversial practice of culling. The root cause, according to activists, lies in neglect, with dogs being abandoned or discarded by owners.

Local laws in Buryatia lack accountability for irresponsible pet ownership, contributing to an ongoing cycle of stray dogs. Activists argue that, despite the culling efforts, more dogs will continue to populate the streets due to this neglectful behavior. While hundreds of dogs have been saved, the financial burden of rescue efforts is significant, with each dog’s journey to safety costing approximately 5,000 roubles (£44; $55). Generous financial support and volunteers willing to cover the costs have played a crucial role in the success of the rescue mission.

Despite the successful relocation of many dogs, challenges persist, leaving some with uncertain fates. Animal welfare volunteer Stella Ovsoyan highlights the emotional toll of having to choose which dogs to send to safety, emphasizing the difficulty of the situation. However, the hope of providing a new and improved life for these dogs keeps volunteers committed to their mission, even in the face of adversity.

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Serbian rescue for livestock trapped on island in Danube

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An operation is in progress to rescue around 200 cattle, calves, and horses stranded on Krcedin island in the River Danube, near Belgrade, Serbia. Rising water levels last week prevented the livestock from returning to shore. The evacuation, which began on Tuesday, has saved approximately 60 animals so far. Harsh weather conditions, including freezing temperatures and concerns about starvation, have intensified the urgency of the rescue mission.

Krcedin island, located on the left bank of the Danube, experienced a sudden rise in water levels due to melting snow caused by unseasonably mild weather in late 2023 in the Balkan region. The island is situated 3km from the shore and approximately 50km upstream from Belgrade.

Farmers had been appealing for days to have their livestock rescued as conditions deteriorated. On Tuesday, a rescue team comprising the Serbian military, the emergencies department, the forestry agency, and local citizens used a raft to transfer about 60 animals to safety. However, further attempts faced setbacks, including the replacement of the first raft due to missing railings and the breakdown of its replacement after only two runs.

Environmental group Eko Straza reported that the stranded cattle were exhausted, having lost up to 50kg of their weight. A new boat was hired to continue the rescue on Wednesday. Transporting dozens of wild horses, which are not accustomed to human contact, posed additional challenges.

With freezing conditions and the threat of hunger, speed has become crucial in the evacuation. Cattle breeder Milenko Plavsic expressed concern that some of his animals had already died, and the remaining ones were at risk. He explained that, in a normal year, the animals would return home by wading through shallow waters for 10km, but the high water levels have prevented grazing.

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Italy bans lab-grown meat in nod to farmers

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Italian Members of Parliament have given their approval to a law that bans the production, sale, or import of lab-grown meat or animal feed, a move championed by the right-wing government under the banner of defending Italian culinary traditions. Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida asserted that Italy has become the first nation to shield itself from the perceived social and economic risks associated with synthetic food. The parliamentary vote prompted both support and opposition, leading to a physical altercation between farmers and some MPs.

Despite the scuffle, the bill passed with a majority of 159 votes in favor and 53 against. Violating the law could result in fines of up to €60,000. Presently, the impact of the law is limited, as lab-grown meat has only been approved for human consumption in Singapore and the United States. The European Union has yet to give the green light to lab-grown meat, categorized as “novel foods.” If EU approval is granted, Italy’s new law may face challenges from the European Commission.

The legislation, initiated in response to a petition organized by the Coldiretti lobby group, prohibits synthetic foods produced from animal cells without causing harm to the animal. Additionally, it restricts producers from using meat-related terms on labels to describe plant-based protein. Critics argue that there is nothing synthetic about lab-grown meat, as it is created by growing natural cells without genetic modification.

The passage of this law marks a victory for Italy’s Agriculture Minister, who, a year ago, pledged to prevent “synthetic food” from entering Italian dining tables. Minister Lollobrigida praised MPs for supporting the new law, emphasizing the preservation of the relationship between food, land, and human labor that has endured for millennia. However, the petition behind the legislation faced condemnation from critics such as Prof Elena Cattaneo, a lifelong senator and bioscience specialist, who denounced it as an emotive leaflet that oversimplified the distinction between natural and cultivated foods.

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Resumption of Whale Hunting in Iceland Subject to Stringent Regulations

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Iceland’s government has ended its summer pause on whaling and granted permission for hunting to recommence, subject to stringent new regulations. The sole company engaged in whale hunting, Hvalur, will be affected as the whaling season nears its conclusion. This decision has sparked anger among opponents of whaling.

Svandis Svavarsdottir, the Minister of Fisheries and Foods, acknowledged the majority sentiment of Icelanders who wish to halt whaling. She, however, cited the legal framework established by her predecessor’s earlier license as the basis for her decision. Iceland is now the only nation practicing large-scale whale hunting, performed solely by one company.

Svavarsdottir highlighted that Iceland’s values have evolved over time, suggesting that further discussions on the matter should occur within parliament and society. While Norway and Japan engage in commercial whaling, only Iceland allows the hunting of longer fin whales.

The traditional summer whaling season in Iceland concludes in September due to worsening weather and darkness. Sigursteinn Masson from the International Fund for Animal Welfare in Iceland expressed optimism, believing this could be the final year of whaling due to growing government unity against the practice.

The suspension in June stemmed from a report indicating that the time taken to kill whales exceeded welfare laws. The new regulations now dictate that fin whales can only be hunted within 25 meters of the boat, during daylight hours, without electricity, and with trained personnel using appropriate methods.

Financial returns from whaling have diminished, and the stricter regulations will amplify the costs and challenges of hunting. While polls suggest that 51% of Icelanders oppose whaling, numerous lawmakers may still support it.

The Left-Greens party, to which the food minister belongs, backs a ban, while others see continuing the tradition as a matter of sovereignty. Some groups have even pursued legal action to prevent the resumption of hunting.

There is growing concern that Iceland could face a Hollywood boycott due to the decision to resume whaling. Filmmakers have joined a petition against the practice. Annual quotas allow for the killing of 209 fin whales and 217 smaller minke whales.

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‘French icon’ actress Jane Birkin dies aged 76

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Jane Birkin, a renowned singer, actress, and fashion icon, has passed away at the age of 76. Born in London, Birkin gained fame singing in French and eventually relocated to France in the 1970s. She was widely known for her personal and artistic relationship with songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, particularly for their iconic duet “Je T’aime…moi non plus.” The song, recorded in 1968, faced controversy and bans in various countries due to its explicit lyrics but also garnered international attention.

Birkin and Gainsbourg were together for 12 years, during which they had a daughter named Charlotte Gainsbourg, who also became an acclaimed actress and singer. Despite their tumultuous relationship, they remained friends after their split, and Gainsbourg continued to write songs for Birkin. Birkin wrote about the challenges of their relationship, including violence and Gainsbourg’s alcoholism, in her 2020 diaries.

Beyond her music and acting career, Birkin had a significant influence on the fashion world. She inspired the creation of the Birkin handbag by Hermès in 1984. The bag became highly sought after and carried a hefty price tag, with waiting lists that extended for months or even years.

Throughout her life, Birkin was an advocate for various causes and campaigned for animal welfare, among others. She even requested Hermès to remove her name from the handbag line in 2015 due to animal welfare concerns. Birkin’s acting credits included notable films such as “Blow Up” (1966), “Death on the Nile” (1978), and “Evil Under the Sun” (1982). She also released albums, including “Arabesque” in 2002 and a live recording collection titled “Jane at the Palace” in 2009.

Menna Rawlings, the British ambassador to France, described Birkin as “the most French of British artists” in a tribute on Twitter. Birkin battled leukemia in the late 1990s and had reportedly suffered a stroke in September 2021, which led to the cancellation of a planned appearance at an American film festival.

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