DFO request for public input regarding observer distance from seal kill

On February 17, 2007, Louie Gedo wrote:

Excellent letter David! Thank you.

On February 17, 2007, Katherine Ryan wrote:

Sadly,the decent human beings of the world once again have to sit back and watch this horrific inhumane act on the innocent seals. Sadly the Canadian government continues to set a bad example for the world. There is no justification for cruelty and there never will be. Cruelty is cruelty and in this day and age where we have the means for food and clothing humane ways, there will never be justification for it. How can any decent human being believe that beating to death an innocent baby seal or any animal is the right thing to do? No one has the right to decide and control what species deserves to live or die , when they are innocent. Until the human race gets that , there can never be peace for all that inhabit this planet

On February 17, 2007, cookie green wrote:

please please do not kill it is a senseless act and what have those animals done to you to be able to say kill please please stop

On February 17, 2007, kathleen wrote:

I agree. how can I help

On February 17, 2007, laura wrote:

Its murder-plain and simple and I’m a bow hunter!

On February 17, 2007, alice howe wrote:

I also agree. How can I help.

On February 17, 2007, RE Penney wrote:

Dear DFO, The unceasing brutality against the baby Harp seals has served only to embarass and shame Canada. The observer distance is thus irrelevant in the scheme of things. Sincerely, RE Penney

On February 17, 2007, Kathie wrote:

I totally agree - great letter. ANd I have to repeat Katherine Ryan’s comment, with a few more adjectives: Sadly,the decent human beings of the world once again have to sit back and watch this HORRIFIC, HIDEOUS, BARBARIC, INSANE!, INCOMPREHENSIBLE, BRAIN-DEAD inhumane act on the innocent seals. Sadly the Canadian government continues to set a bad example for the world. There is no justification for cruelty and there never will be. CRUELTY DOES NOT BEGIN TO DESCRIBE HUMAN’S ACTS UPON THE OTHER ANIMALS OF OUR WORLD - THERE ARE NOT WORDS STRONG ENOUGH TO DESCRIBE OUR INSANITY! Cruelty is cruelty and in this day and age where we have the means for food and clothing humane ways, there will never be justification for it. How can any decent human being believe that beating to death an innocent baby seal or any animal is the right thing to do? No one has the right to decide and control what species deserves to live or die , when they are innocent. Until the human race gets that , there can never be peace for all that inhabit this planet.

On February 17, 2007, Joe Scriff wrote:

The horribly inhumane slaughter of seals is Canada’s most disgraceful shame to this day. People in every country are disgusted and revulsed by this needless animal cruelty. Put an end to it now. I will continue to support all boycotts of Canadian products and refrain from travel to Canada so long as the seal slaughter is allowed to continue.

On February 17, 2007, Crystal Hirt wrote:

Human beings created the messes and hardships that our planet (and it’s wild residents) face today. Therefore, it has to be the “human” beings that fix them. There has got to be a better way to help the economic growth of the canadian people instead of this senseless, inhumane murdering of pup seals. It is time for a change folks and change does not come easy……but in the end it is what we all must to do preserve all living species and habitats.

On February 17, 2007, Terri Alice wrote:

All nations must strive toward an economy that recognizes the dignity of peoples and the sanctity of life. Please end this cruel and unnecessary practice. No further documentation is required to see what must end.

On February 17, 2007, J.Kelly wrote:

Shame on you Canada!! I too will not be visiting you anytime soon. Nor will I or my family be buying anything Canadian. Time for you to make some changes. J.Kelly

On February 17, 2007, Linda Camac wrote:

For the Canadian Government to spend, apparently direly needed, money …and tie up funds… just to keep witnesses a bit further away from the atrocity of bludgeoning defenseless seal pups - makes their argument disingenuous. If a government is using the excuse of needing to boost their economy by this reprehensible slaughter then they shouldn’t be wasting money …for such a frivolous technicality.

On February 17, 2007, chris milne wrote:

What will it take for ‘human’ beings to realize that ALL of life is sacred & learn once and for all to stop the senseless slaughter of vulnerable animal souls. We MUST respect other forms of life and live together in harmony for the betterment of this planet, otherwise what you give out, my dear CANADA, will definitely return to you - in one negative way or another.

On February 17, 2007, Nancy wrote:

I like the position taken by FOA. The information has been gathered and disseminated, now the informed must consider it and act. I wonder if Canadians are ready yet to put this to a vote. I’d like to see them pursue legislative remedies, both to protect seals from slaughter, and to stimulate economic growth - possibly also to subsidize until the economy can sustain its population, while evolving away from such early-human survival tactics.

On February 17, 2007, Donna Towne wrote:

As human beings it is our responsibility to nuture the planet and all living creatures that live here. WE are not doing that. We claim to be much more advanced than other animals, yet we continue to slaughter other animals for our benefit. It’s time to wake up and do the job that God has called us to do. Wake up Canada….at this point, you are a real disappointment!

On February 17, 2007, gmc wrote:

stop the slaughter of these beautiful creatures ..enough is enough…end it now…you (canada) should be ashamed of yourselves

On February 17, 2007, Linda wrote:

The FOA letter makes some valid points. We know the killings are brutal, but they won’t stop if they don’t have another source of income. I don’t know much about their economy, or opportunities to change it, but I wish they would work on finding other means of support. Or if and when they do hunt seals, that it’s done in a humane manner.

On February 17, 2007, Sally wrote:

I also agree with Dave Shishkoff’s letter.

On February 17, 2007, Irene Kitzman wrote:

Avoiding images of seal killing does not avoid the killing of seals. Reality matters. Stop the killing.

On February 17, 2007, LE wrote:

SEAL HUNTING WOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM IF THE COASTAL RESIDENTS HAD ANOTHER INDUSTRY TO RELY ON. UNFORTUNATELY, THE DON’T AT PRESENT. I DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM HAVE NO ECONOMY AND STARVE, BUT I DON’T WANT TO SEE THE SEALS DIE EITHER. IT APPEARS TO BE MORE PRUDENT TO STUDY ALTERNATIVE TRADES FOR THE RESIDENTS THAN TO TAKE THE EASIER PATH OF DEFAULTING TO SEAL HUNTING.

On February 17, 2007, Rita wrote:

AMEN :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

On February 17, 2007, Katherine Ryan wrote:

I didn’t think that Canada was a third world country. The fact that they can’t find ways to make a living without sluaghtering innocent creatures is unbelievable. This is the 21st century right? It would be understandable if this was 200 years ago but one would think we have made great strides since then. It seems it is easier to continue what is habit for them then to get on with the times and find alternatives to making money. Where there is a will there is a way. If they continue to slaughter I would think they will lose out on tourism as well. They need to know what they are doing is wrong, get over it and move on to more productive alternatives. Surely they can come up with a better idea than bashing the heads of baby seals. Other people have.

On February 17, 2007, Danielle Paul wrote:

Canada, you should be ashamed of yourself! Shame on you and shame on any individual that would participate, in any way, in such an inhumane, CRUEL, senseless, egocentric, horrific and truly tragic activity. This truly saddens me and makes me ashamed of our human race. Cruelty to any animal is unnecessary. I have one word for these people: Karmha. Perhaps they will come back in their next lifetime as one of these poor, innocent & beautiful creatures that they deem necessary to have tortured & killed. Tragic, truly tragic.

On February 17, 2007, debra mugrace wrote:

There is no need to kill helpless baby animals for any reason!!!

On February 17, 2007, Barbara J. Marcello wrote:

Pride in Country appears to mean nothing to you, so I’ll just say SHAME for the killing of these innocent animals, are you so hard up for a dollar you kill for your economy to Let these wildlife killers go out and get an education. How do they wash the blood off their hands ??? I will support ALL Boycotts of Canada products,travel,etc. Until your sick way of feeding your country ends. You have no right to end the life of these beautiful animals in a blood bath of pain.And I beleive you will reep ALL of what you sow, You sow seeds of EVIL,It will in it’s own way circle back to you.

On February 17, 2007, Sandra Moyer wrote:

I agree with this letter wholeheartedly. I will continue to boycott Canadian products as long as this horrible killing is allowed to continue.

Sandra Moyer

On February 17, 2007, Tonya Hountingwolf Billington wrote:

It really breaks my heart, to know, that so many seals will be slaughtered in such a cruel way again. The whole world have signed petitions and demostrated and stood up for fighting against this slaughter. So why is it, that our voices are not heard ? Please stop this slaughter, and worry more about Global warming. So many countries have already banned seal products. Please I really ask you to stop this and receive back more repect again.

On February 17, 2007, Eric K wrote:

May this world come to an end soon as we know it.
Eric.

[Blog editors’ note: May behavior change
and the earth stay alive, instead.]

On February 17, 2007, dlittledawg wrote:

What an awesome letter!! I have been against the seal hunt for as long as I can remember and applaud those who speak for those that can’t. This slaughter should not be allowed to go on and the more of us that can speak up against it the better chance we have to stop it. If I can help in any way please count me in.

On February 17, 2007, Shanna wrote:

We need to respect and protect all life, otherwise we won’t have a future to pass on. It will be bleak and without anything to offer future generations.

On February 17, 2007, elsa nichols wrote:

A country without heart for its sweet animals is not a country that I want to travel in or buy things made in.

On February 17, 2007, Teresa Adele Bettino wrote:

It is so depressing, year after year to hear about and to see the terrible deaths of seals. I will not visit Canada until this ceases. You can say that I am only one person, however; when I was growing up my parents vacationed in Canada and I have fond memories. Unfortunately, my 15 year old son has never been. Stop the killing and we will visit.

On February 17, 2007, Lisa wrote:

Animals are my babies ever since I miscarried. Why would the world want to harm something so innocent.

On February 17, 2007, Juanita Zeinstra wrote:

Please review your policies regarding the seal slaughter. It is an outrage that your government is so callous about animal life. There are better ways to upgrade the costal peoples living conditions. Why not make it a tourist attraction? At the very least, why not package up the carcasses and ship them off to the starving polar bears at Churchill, Hudson Bay? Best of all, is just STOP!

On February 17, 2007, Susan & Richard Rilliet wrote:

Absolutely, best of all, is just STOP!

On February 17, 2007, doris russomanno wrote:

shame on those people who destroy these beautiful creatures.they are harmless to humans and nature.be more kind and considerate of these animals and leave them alone.Im sure the lord above would disown these people who kill these poor animals.ill pray for all of you out there that have no regard for these beautiful seals that you will think and try to understand to leave them alone.thank you Doris

On February 17, 2007, virginia robertson wrote:

It is very cruel to club the seals or to kill any living animal. Canada should be ashamed of this cruel practice.
I will tell all of my friends about this and hopefully no one will want to visit Canada. I know I won’t.

On February 17, 2007, Peter Alden wrote:

Bravo! This is a totally correct perspective on the situation. What it really boils down to is economics and, yes, there are obviously people out there that don’t utilize much moral value in their decisions on how to make money and feed their family. By humiliating them, they are likely to carry out their actions even more. We need to focus on the real problem and that is getting the government of Canada to help establish alternative sources of income in those shoreline communities. These kinds of attrocities typically occur in poorer communities throughout the world. Naturally, these areas need some type of economic stimulus that will dissuade members of the community to partake in such desperate and inhumane acts to make a buck.

On February 17, 2007, kim buckley wrote:

i do not like the things they do to all the animals

On February 17, 2007, d petrini wrote:

The seals like every animal in this world were placed here on earth as well as ourselves. Psalm 8 tells us how Our Lord has given power over all the works of His hands, the sheep, the cattle, yes, even the savage beasts.. The situation with the seals breaks my heart, how long will we destroy what God has given us? There is lack of love and inner feelings for these animals, it breaks my heart to know all the cruelty to animals that go on every instant of our lives. my only hope is in the prayers I offer for them and for the whole world. Peace!

On February 17, 2007, R. Zierikzee wrote:

Why not just stop killing the seals and the ‘distance of observers’ point will be moot. Have you considered using the money that is being wasted on this silly decision making process, on something more humane like creating a more sustainable and life respecting economy for Canadian citizens in the area? Surely there are talented and creative human beings in Canada who can come up with a more suitable economic endeavor than clubbing helpless baby seals on the head and then skinning them alive in front of their mothers. Just think about it, for goodness sake. How about having a contest and awarding the money you’re wasting now, as a prize for the best new, innovative, sustainable and cruelty free economic ideas that can be implemented as an alternative to the barbaric slaughter of our seal relatives? Enough with the killing…get creative!

On February 17, 2007, Star wrote:

I couldn’t have said it better and certainly agree wholeheartedly!

On February 18, 2007, nap315 wrote:

This is a cruel and horrifying thing to watch and i do not ever want to see it. Just the thought of someone killing these buetiful creatures makes me sick to my stomach! STOP THIS NONSENSE Shame on Canada for this senseless act of cruelty. I will never support anything Canadian again until their government stops this brutal massacre of these defensless animals!

On February 18, 2007, Ida Kenna wrote:

Please stop the needless hurting and killing of such a beautiful sealife.

On February 18, 2007, Dawn Spencer wrote:

The brutality of actions you perpetrate along with USA’s factory farms is disgusting.

On February 18, 2007, Elizabeth Mostov wrote:

The question should not be what is the regulation distance in observing this cruel and senseless slaughter but how to stop it. We need to find other ways to help support residents to improve their economy with out the suffering of the seals and humans.

On February 18, 2007, Margaret Doscher wrote:

Please don’t kill the seals. It is a sin to kill harmless animals.

On February 18, 2007, MEB wrote:

I have always had a deep love for animals, and this senseless act of killing makes me horribly sad. As a new mother I get heartsick thinking about how the mother seal watches her baby as it is slaughtered. She has no say, no way of defending her child, and no justice. If our human world was run this way we wouldn’t last long. The idea that animals don’t feel pain or have sense of love and family is preposterous and ignorant. All babies should have a chance to grow and enjoy the world that God made for them. As humans we shouldn’t have the right to take their innocent lives away.

On February 18, 2007, J. Ogens wrote:

Enough killing already!!!!! Let’s get a viable solution in motion.

On February 18, 2007, Jeanne Bradbury wrote:

That this is still an issue is itself an indictment of humanity. That this country will go to war for the greed of corporate entities, and yet STAND BY while billions of these beautiful innocent creatures are bludgeoned to death is beyond belief and beyond forgiveness.

On February 18, 2007, Sheryl Lopez wrote:

I think the distance issue is just a devergence of the real issue at hand. The focus is on the overwhelming majorities who oppose the killings to begin with. Killing is not the only answer to making money. I am most positive that there are many many other ways to bring up the economy there in Canada. The barbaric killing must and should stop. We are suppose to advance as a civilization not stagnate and hide behind tradition. Tradition sometimes has to change. We need to evolve and the time is now. More and more people as time goes on are opening their eyes to animal’s suffering and the indifference man has towards thinking, feeling, breathing and worthy creatures. All animals deserve our protection and respect. To be good stewards of our planet we must decide how to sustain it and take care of it and all who live on it. Look at the great accomplishments man has made in so many years of our existence. People must come together and figure out other ways to make money. By being conscientious about the ways to make money will enable us to look back and be proud and advance as we should.

On February 18, 2007, Marjorie Hass wrote:

I hate to hear about the senseless slaughter of baby seals for no reason except greed. My husband and I will never vacation in Canada until this cruelty is stopped.

On February 18, 2007, Liz wrote:

Encourage a higher consciousness which knows this senseless slaughter is not the answer to Canada’s economic problems.

On February 18, 2007, melissa wrote:

innocent living creatures deserve a chance at life…find a new hobby!!!

On February 18, 2007, Yuli wrote:

Please stop this nonsense of killing these innocent creatures. Please how can I help….

On February 18, 2007, Jennifer wrote:

I’m with you. Please let me know what I can do to help these wonderful animals!

On February 18, 2007, JGB wrote:

This is a tremendous shame for Canada.

On February 18, 2007, Jay Lustgarten wrote:

We’ve spent to latter half of the 20th century perfecting the production of synthetic materials that replace the barbarian practice of killing animals to wear their skin.
We can not revert back on a ruthless, shameless course because some Canadians have nothing better to do in a lonely wilderness than club seals into submission.

I urge everyone to confront these Canadian murderers to get a life so that the seal population can maintain theirs.

Thank you,
Jay Lustgarten

On February 19, 2007, librophile wrote:

- The true culprit is the consumer who buy seal fur and bi-products. Remove the buyer from the equation and that market would cease to exist. There would be no purpose for killing seals.

DON’T WEAR FUR !! DON’T BUY FUR !! OPPOSE ANYONE WHO DOES !!

On February 19, 2007, Bonnie Scott wrote:

Canada should be ashamed to still be doing this inhumane practice of killing baby seals. It is cruel and morally wrong to kill such beautiful animals for people to wear.
These people should also be ashamed of themselves.

On February 19, 2007, Carol Chango wrote:

Why is this heanus act of murdering our innocent creatures accepted? How can a group of individuals possibly believe that this act does not constitute as a PUNISHABLE CRIME I would like to ask the individuals involved to think before they swing at these INNOCENT creatures and end their life so viciously. Have they no remorse?! This is so wrong and should be STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. Please let me know how I can help.

On February 19, 2007, Debrah Santini wrote:

This heartless act of bludgening baby seals is akin to the types of animal cruelty performed by youths and adults alike. These types of atrocities are finally labeled as illegal and research has connected animal abuse to child & spouse abuse, the killing and torturing of other innocent victims (humans)often follows.
How therefore can you define the murder of baby seals as a legal act, one which will not affect the minds and hearts of the perpetrators? Please put an end to this vial history of death! Thank you.

On February 19, 2007, Kathleen P Abazia wrote:

it is said we will be judged on how we treat the lesser of us…..a sobering thought….

On February 19, 2007, Carole Wilder wrote:

Enough killing already!!!!! Let’s get a viable solution in motion. The horribly inhumane slaughter of seals is Canada’s most disgraceful shame to this day. People are disgusted and revulsed by this needless animal cruelty. Put an end to it now. I will continue to support all boycotts of Canadian products and refrain from travel to Canada so long as the seal slaughter is allowed to continue.

On February 19, 2007, dave wrote:

good letter dave, i thought canada got a new prime minister that was going to resolve this issue. and i can’t believe they have an area so people can watch this barbaric act. the canadian government has had plenty of time to resolve the economic issues of newfoundland.they just failed to act on it.i would think the people of newfoundland know the world’s view on this act and would find another way to support themselves . well i guess it’s time to get out my bumper stickers that say “SAVE A SEAL, CLUB A NEWFOUNDLANDER”. maybe if they feel what these seals go through, they will get their acts together.

[Blog editors’ note: The way out is for Canadians to press their politicians to do the right thing, and to
stop asking for more access to seal-killers and other

annoying distractions.]

On February 19, 2007, lawyers2007 wrote:

The senseless slaughter of the harp seal has to end. Canada is supposed to represent a model “civil” society.

On February 19, 2007, dora wrote:

Those beautiful little seals and their babies with the grand
soul-ful eyes are so cute. It is very hard to think of just

eliminating them. Or that people could just stand by and not

care what happens to them.

On February 20, 2007, Pam wrote:

There is simply no rationalisation - moral,economic,cultural - which can justify the hideous cruelty of the seal hunt.A people which can tolerate this sort of barbaric slaughter for reason of profit,is morally bankrupt.

However, I believe that the majority of Canadians are decent people who do not support this atrocity, just as most Australians do not support the equally repugnant live export industry.

We are badly let down by our governments,to our shame.

On February 20, 2007, Valerie Marini wrote:

Until this slaughter is completely stopped, I will not purchase ANYTHING Canadian and will not visit Canada. Canadians wake up!

On February 20, 2007, marilyn murphy wrote:

This letter breaks my heart How can these people be so cruel to these beautiful animals.. How would they like to have someone club them.
Marilyn Murphy

On February 20, 2007, KimKapes wrote:

Please stop issuing quotas and rules and using the seals as substitutes for a real economic solution to the situation of coastal residents. Filming the kill and issuing penalties against the people engaged to carry it out does not address the root problem but instead exacerbates it.

On February 20, 2007, Barbara Elwell wrote:

How in the name of common decency, could anyone be so ruthless, inhumane, cruel, bloodthirsty, etc. as to harm a baby of any species. The animals are innocent. May your conscience bear the results of these actions.

On February 20, 2007, nicole smith wrote:

This is sickening. You can tell a country’s advancement by its treatment of animals. I would have thought more highly of Canada. Let us continue to do whatever we can to stop this practice.

On February 20, 2007, Nancy Ruble wrote:

How can people do these horrible things.

On February 21, 2007, ms nelson wrote:

Cruelty is cruelty and in this day and age where we have the means for food and clothing humane ways, there will never be justification for it. How can any decent human being believe that beating to death an innocent baby seal or any animal is the right thing to do? No one has the right to decide and control what species deserves to live or die ,

On February 21, 2007, larry j. hirsch wrote:

stop this inhumane act of destroying seals. your lovely country doesn’t look good covered with the blood of innocent animals. never will i again visit your country until this tragedy stops!!!

On February 21, 2007, Pat Testa wrote:

Canada you should be ashamed I don’t know how you people sleep at night..I also will not be visiting your country & I also will not being purchasing canadian (products)& will make sure I share your barbaric ways with as many people as I can so that they too can boycott Canada…PLEASE STOP YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY BUT ARE SOOOO BEHIND THE TIMES WHEN IT COMES TO THE BARBARIC KILLING OF THE BEAUTIFUL & INNOCENT SEALS***I WONDER HOW GOD LOOKS UPON YOUR ACTIONS..

On February 22, 2007, jon wrote:

observers? they should all be charged with harrassing seal hunters, you people miss represent yourself by showing pictures of a “white coat” or seal pup. It has been illegel for over 20 years to harvest white coats and the only seals that are harvested are mature. besides that the use of the seal club or “hakapik” has also been outlawed and seals must now be shot humanely. Why cant you people turn your attention to other worthwhile causes like the enviroment, something that will make the whole planet extinct.
i just think that it is shameful that the only way that your organization represents itself to gain supporters and there to steal their hard earned money is to forward information that has been outdated by a number of DECADES.

I invite all “friends of animals” to come to Labrador and be my guest. I will have a fresh pot of seal stew and dumplings and some flipper pie on the warmer.

Jonny Ward

[Blog editors’ note: The photos we show of the seals typically have light grey spotting; these are representative of the young seals killed. Would it matter if they were older? Taking life is still taking life.]

On February 22, 2007, lisa sampson wrote:

Look…seals or not the cycle never ends. The USA send up their horses to Canada to be slaughtered. I bet alot didn’t know that.

On February 22, 2007, La Olsen wrote:

I can’t understand why you are so cruel to animals. I will never visit nor will my friends and family visit whilst you continue to abuse animals. Stop this nonsense!

On February 22, 2007, Maj. PJD Allatt, USAF (Ret) wrote:

What is the point of “Goverment” viewing ? Seal killing should be banned PERIOD I expect the fishermen see the seal as a competitor that is why it is allowed. At the rate the fishing trawlers are scraping the sea bottom they wont have to worry too long about the what is left to catch !!!

On February 22, 2007, Lynn Manheim wrote:

So many years and so much suffering. Enough!

On February 23, 2007, bron wrote:

I hope Friends of Animals isn`t saying not to speak out agianst the proposed plan for the seal hunt obervsation limits. The Canadian goverment won`t fess up to any evidence already and video footage helps to porve how pointless the hunt is. I live in canada and I don`t believe that every canadian has the right too see this hunt.

[Blog editors’ note: More than four decades of film, endless documentation and the slaughter continues.
Canadians need to aim at the right target; tackle

the real issues as Dave Shishkoff’s letter advises.]

On February 24, 2007, Baaboo wrote:

I would like to see what happens to all you killers on “judgement day” !!

On February 25, 2007, Debi Mueller wrote:

It is not only the pathetic reality that once again greed prevails, but it is also blatant cruelty. The baby seals are pulled from their mothers and killed in front of them while they wail. Also, the seals are often skinned while they are still alive. Cold, calculated murder and insensitivity to the pain and suffering of a defensless animal. I only hope I can
help stop this inhumane act.

On February 27, 2007, Marcela Donato wrote:

Thanks, Dave, for a wonderful letter. Unfortunately the DFO will NOT listen just as they have not listened to us Canadians who have been asking them to end this massacre for years. The DFO Minister has a lot to lose if he stops the killing, the votes of his constituents and therefore his political career. That is why I hope Germany and the whole European Union ban seal products and that the price of seal pelts and fur in general collapses once and for all.

Times are changing. People are becoming more aware of the environment and the welfare of animals. I know the days of the seal hunt are numbered. The world is waking up to this horror.

I mourn and pray for those thousands of seals that will be butchered in a few days, that their deaths will be quick and painless, but I also pledge not to stop fighting until this disgusting hunt stops forever. Good will prevail over evil. I am sure of it. Keep the faith and don’t stop fighting. Thanks to everyone who cares.

On February 27, 2007, M. Donato wrote:

Johnny Ward,

I would think that coming from Labrador, you would know better than to claim the seals hunted are “mature”. Obviously a 15-day old seal is still a baby, whether its coat is white, grey, yellow or purple.

…By the way, hakapiks have NOT been outlawed and shooting seals is as cruel as clubbing them. Sealers usually soot them from moving boats and they don’t use a second bullet so as not to damage the pelt, since every extra bullet hole would bring the price of the pelt down by up to $5. More often than not, seals are left to drown in their own blood for up to an hour.


I hope you will teach your children to earn their living in a more responsible and humane manner. By the way, caring about what happens to the seals IS caring about the environment. Forgive me if I don’t trust Newfoundlanders with the fate of the seal population. Whatever happened with the cod???!!! You guys overfished it to depletion. The times where people had to hunt and fish to make a buck or put food on the table are gone. Get into the 21st century… This is Canada, there is no excuse for such a bloodbath.

On March 1, 2007, Stefani Kruczkiewicz wrote:

Disgusting! The seal slaughter needs to stop once and for all! Wake up Canada and stop this barbaric slaughter of the innocent baby harp seals…this is disgusting, inhumane, brutal and these are babies!!! what part of the word ‘babies’ does Canada not understand? this needs to end this year, now, forever! You do not need the fur of a 3 week old baby seal to survive…the Canandian Prime Minister needs to stop this torture. I am sickened every March by this act of complete cruelty.

On March 2, 2007, Sharon & Thomas Athanasiou wrote:

This unheard of brutality is beyond belief…and it is just so amazing that Canada still is okay with this nightmarish behavior. I would NEVER support ANYTHING Canadian knowing that their gov’t sits well with this slaughter. What an atrocious part of Canada this slaughter is. And the worst part is, no one in Canada seems ashamed.

On March 2, 2007, M. Donato wrote:

Regarding Sharon & Thomas’ comments, they are wrong to say that no one in anada is ashamed! I am ashamed, my family is ashamed, my students are ashamed, my friends are ashamed…
We have been making our voice heard for years , we have signed hundreds of petitions and we have been completely ignored. Even many Atlantic Canadians are ashamed, go to www.antisealingcoalition.ca and see for yourselves. This is politics, pure and simple.

Just as many Americans disagree with the war in Iraq but the war continues anyway, the majority of Canadians disagree with the seal hunt but it continues anyway because it gets votes from those sealing regions. Disgusting but true. It is a small percentage of Canadians that benefit from such a massacre but it is a stubborn lot of , set in their ways and very “proud” of them.

It will take pressure from the international community to end the seal hunt. When it is not profitable any more, it will stop.

Here is my letter to the editor that got published in the Toronto Star 2 days ago:

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/article/186384

On March 2, 2007, bron wrote:

I`m kinda disapointed FOA didn`t even ask people to send a letter to the canadian goverment. my, and every canadians taxes pay for this stupid hunt and it should be a right of every canadian to see it if they wish. I`m tired of the goverment throwing away my country`s rescouces on stupid and pointless culls.

On March 9, 2007, Chloe wrote:

yeah, so this is obviously not ok! what did seals ever do to you? they’re cute and harmless. killing animals is unnecessary and it needs to stop!

On June 6, 2007, Claire wrote:

My Best friend and I absolutley adore harp seals and we are in the 5th grade.It felt so awful when we found out that harp seals are endangered. So we decided to do something about it.
So far we have been selling snacks, keychains, coloring books,and much more! We hope that all the money that we earn will help make a diffrence and create new and better lifes!

- Claire Johnson

On July 21, 2007, Bridget wrote:

Your statement “Little if anything has ever been accomplished from efforts to document this killing event” is erroneous. The increasing international condemnation and the growing list of countries implementing bans of seal products is a direct result of the carnage captured on video every year and shown to the world. European parliamentarians and international journalists witness the slaughter themselves and take their testimony and evidence back to their countries, where the truth is shown to their people. This is precisely why DFO is contemplating increasing the observer distance - it wants the hunt to continue unwatched and undocumented. Otherwise, more and more markets for seal products will close and the sealing industry will collapse.

Also erroneous is your statement “We do not need more degrading footage of people killing seals”. The documentation of the Canadian commercial seal hunt must be kept current and up-to-date. Already we are accused of using 20-year old footage. If observeration is rendered impossible we will have no current evidence of the cruelty and government’s claims that we use outdated footage will become true.

The Canadian commercial seal hunt takes place in public domain. It is our right as Canadians to witness and document it. Other groups urged people to respond to DFO condemning any increase in distance, calling for an end to the seal hunt and requesting the government consider the suggested employment alternatives for those currently involved in the sealing industry. Your response unfortunately gave permission to DFO to render legal and rightful observation of the commercial seal hunt impossible, and to continue the killing in secret.

Lastly, your comment above implies that documenting the hunt is the only thing these groups are doing. I can assure you that documenting the annual slaughter is only part of the campaign to bring an end to the seal hunt.

I am always glad to see groups campaigning for an end to the seal hunt, but for one group to criticize and dismiss another’s efforts is extremely disappointing.

On July 23, 2007, Dave Shishkoff wrote:

Hi Bridget, and thanks for writing!

Why do you claim that the international response is in “direct” result to the footage? The footage has been produced for many years. Why is it suddenly having an impact now? Also, please note that there is a lot of other critical media out there about the seal kill, not just the footage.

If anything, the footage likely prolonged the killing, because the point seemed to be that people ought to devise killing methods that are less visually disturbing. And in fact they did — they stopped killing the youngest seals with the whitest coats and they devised a blinking test, to ensure death before skinning. So the issue with using this type of footage is that the killing method is cruel, and rarely raises the idea that perhaps these seals should simply be left alone.

True, filming is not the only thing that most activists have been doing.

They’ve also been working hard on this ill-advised ‘Canadian seafood boycott’, which sends mixed messages about what supposed animal defenders intend, and fails to address the issue in any way. In a teleconference I participated in, anti-seal hunt organizers admitted there’s no way to quantify if this is having any sort of an impact at all on the seal kill — and they aren’t talking about how a boycott of only some commercial sea animals undermines the idea that the integrity of marine biocommunity as a whole must be respected, and that of every conscious being within it.

Dave Shishkoff (Canadian Correspondent, Friends of Animals)