More Than 500 Defensless Pets Stranded In Chile Volcano Zone
May 14th, 2008 Posted in Pet GamesThe pro-animal rights Coalition for the Ethical Control of Urban Animals (CEFU) disclosed on Wednesday that 500 pets in communities surrounding the Chaitén Volcano remain in imminent danger. This news came after rain and increased snow melt attributed to the volcanic activity caused a river near the town of Chaitén to overflow earlier in the week, flooding streets and burying houses in mud.
“We have received word that heavy rains have caused flooding in and around Chaitén,” CEFU Executive Director Alejandra Cassino told the Santiago Times. “Roughly 80 percent of the town’s pets are still there, and we want them to be evacuated.”
The eruption, Chaitén’s first in recorded history, released a massive billow of ash that was visible as far away as Puerto Montt, some 200 kilometers to the north. Volcanic soot began to rain down, blanketing Chaitén, Futaleufú and other area towns and contaminating local water supplies (ST, May 2). Futaleufú is located approximately 60 kilometers southeast of Chaitén.
Within days, the Agriculture Ministry initiated plans to rescue most of the 40,000 cows, sheep, and other livestock in nearby towns. But the Region X Governor’s Office issued a decree preventing animal rights organizations from traveling to Chaitén to rescue the pets – mostly horses, dogs and cats – abandoned there.
Media reports both describing Chaitén as a “city taken over by dogs” and depicting scenes of animal cannibalism sparked concern amongst animal rights organizations and Chilean residents. On Sunday, local animal activists including the CEFU announced they were preparing an appeal, which eventually reversed the Governor Offices’ decision.
On Tuesday, the head of Chile’s National Environmental Commission (CONAMA), Ana Lya Uriarte, authorized the Chilean Army to transport roughly 150 pets from Chaitén to the town of Villa Santa Lucia, located roughly 50 kilometers to the south. There, the pets were given food and water and were also examined by veterinarians. Cassino said the CEFU had gathered detailed records about the pets, and that officials’ next step will be to return the rescued animals to their rightful owners.
“This was an extremely important sign,” Cassino said. “We are very content . . . but we will continue to work to protect the pets of both Chaitén and Futaleufú.”
Sepúlveda and Chahuán presented the motion after receiving dozens of e-mails from concerned animal activists, many of whom told the deputies they were willing to travel to Chaitén and Futaleufú to assist the animals but complained about lack of government support.
“The e-mails really make us aware of the problem,” Chahuán told the Santiago Times. “Consequently, we wanted to take action so that the government would protect these animals.”
Chahuán said that the measure received unanimous support, and that it will encourage dialog between the Chamber of Deputies, the office of President Michelle Bachelet, and animal rights organizations. Chahuán said he plans to maintain contact with Uriarte and animal rights organizations in the coming days to assure that the remaining pets are transported out of harm’s way.
“It is unacceptable to leave these animals defenseless, exposed to inclement weather, and without food and water. Such a situation would constitute abuse,” he said.
Animal activists responded to the measure positively, expressing both their gratitude over the legislators’ actions and hopes that their promises will be fulfilled.
“I think that it is incredible that there legislators who support this cause,” Cassino said. “Even more important was the fact that the measure was approved unanimously.”
Tags: activists, agriculture ministry, animal activists, animal rights coalition, animals, ash, bet, billow, cats, cefu, chilean army, conama, dogs, dogs and cats, dozens, heavy rains, horses, imminent danger, livestock, loc, local animal, mail, nearby towns, Pet, pets, president michelle bachelet, puerto montt, region x, santiago, santiago times, urban animals, uriarte, vet, veterinarian, villa santa lucia, volcanic activity, volcanoRelated posts
Tags: activists, agriculture ministry, animal activists, animal rights coalition, animals, ash, bet, billow, cats, cefu, chilean army, conama, dogs, dogs and cats, dozens, heavy rains, horses, imminent danger, livestock, loc, local animal, mail, nearby towns, Pet, pets, president michelle bachelet, puerto montt, region x, santiago, santiago times, urban animals, uriarte, vet, veterinarian, villa santa lucia, volcanic activity, volcano
