Dr. Blackwell's BLOG

 If you’ve not heard of the documentary The Cove, then I strongly recommend you head-down to your local Blockbuster or Redbox and get a copy of this movie. It will break your heart and have you searching your soul wondering how anyone could ever abuse and slaughter such beautiful and amazingly intelligent animals like dolphins. The documentary follows a group of American marine biologists and researchers who struggle to covertly document the horrific dolphin slaughters occurring in Taijii, Japan. Once you learn of the barbaric practices and disgusting animal abuse being inflicted on these amazing animals, your heartbreak will soon turn to anger. To learn more about The Cove, visit the film’s official Site @ thecovemovie.com.

In equally horrific related news, photographic evidence emerged today from an undercover investigation into elephant abuses being perpetrated by Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus. The photographs shows disgusting examples of how “trainers” whip baby elephants and use electric shock devices and bullhooks to subdue them. Explore the Site ringlingbeatsanimals.com and although difficult, watch the undercover videos and pictures of subhuman “trainers” whipping the elephants without provocation; and even  listen to one of them bully and taunt an elephant by swearing at it while whipping it.

These cases are especially difficult to watch and are even harder to stomach. But, we need to educate people about what is happening. Ignoring these incidences only allows them to perpetuate. Discourage people from patronizing Ringling Brothers Circuses. Watch The Cove and take a minute to write to our leaders encouraging them to fight these exploitations. Finally, open your checkbook and join The Humane Society of the United States. Education and hard work can make a difference. And subhumans who abuse animals can be brought to justice.

 A Whitehaven Veterinarian is working to save a dog’s life, after the dog was thrown from a speeding truck on I-40 in Memphis, Tennessee during rush hour Monday. Dr. Greg Shaw was cautiously optimistic late Monday night that the dog, nicknamed Savior, would survive. But Savior is certainly not out of the woods. She not only suffered injures from being thrown from the moving vehicle, she also appears to have bite marks from being used in fights.

Mario Chiozza was driving along I-40 East of Sycamore View when he saw someone throw the dog from a white pick-up truck. He says the dog was thrown in the middle lane, but she managed to run over to the side of the interstate. Chiozza just so happens to be a strong animal advocate and rescue worker. He also happened to have a catch pole in his truck. He used it to catch Savior. Another driver, and off-duty deputy, stopped to help Chiozza load the dog into the back of his truck.

He knew he didn’t have much time, so he rushed Savior to Pets Choice Animal Clinic on Shelby Drive in Whitehaven. Dr. Shaw immediately stated working to save her life. Chiozza is hoping someone else may have witnessed the incident, and caught the license plate of the White Ford Pick-Up involved. “I know one thing, we’re going to need help. This baby’s going to need help,” he says. If you have info on the incident, call CrimeStoppers @ (901) 528-CASH.

If you would like to help with Savior’s medical needs, you can call Pets Choice Animal Clinic at (901) 881-6212, or email shawvet@gmail.com. Hopefully, someone will come forward with the identity of this despicable excuse of a human so he can be prosecuted to the FULLEST extent of the law!