People using Dogs and Cats as Bait. Not a widespread issue

Wanna go fishing... get your pet..

Please note; This is not as widespread as the video or news reports have reported, but there does seem to be some truth behind all the stories as we see here in this report from Snopes.com It may be that certain charitable groups are blowing the issue far out of proportion. They may be making a mountain out of a mole hill in order to obtain mega bucks real fast...

Live and dead dogs and cats are being used as shark bait by amateur fishers on the French-controlled island of Réunion, according to animal-welfare organizations and local authorities.

news.nationalgeographic.com...

WARNING: Some may find this footage disturbing. There may be doubt about the creation of this film.


This is barbaric. I had absolutely no idea that this is going on.
I am completely disgusted.

As of December 2005, it would appear there is some truth to this story. According to Clicanoo, the French-language daily newspaper of Réunion Island, an amateur fisherman was tried and convicted of animal cruelty in September 2005 for inserting hooks into the flesh of a stray pup with the intention of using the animal as shark bait.
It is probably an exaggeration to characterize the phenomenon as widespread, however. The technique is "seldom used" by commercial fishermen, Clicanoo reports, and is favored instead by "rogue" shark hunters who ply their illicit trade in the dark of night. Some have already been caught and prosecuted.

urbanlegends.about.com...



[edit on 25-5-2009 by Extralien]

reply to post by Extralien


Thank you so much for adding notes warning; 'something all of us may not want to see'. Had I clicked I would have been upset all day.

This is so sad. Shocking even. I like animals FAR MORE THAN PEOPLE - on all occasions and accounts. Never has an animal harmed me or my heart - cant say that about a single person I know.

I appreciate you bringing this to us, as upsetting as it is - we need to know. Posted to star you and to say Thanks.

xoxo,

EDITED: I just noticed your link reference. NOT a great source at all so I really hope this is all hype. Hype such as that you find at 'ubranlegends.com'.

If I read correctly - the site admits there is lil truth to this. The site admits that ONLY ONE MAN was ever caught and convicted.

Quote from the exact link OP mentioned: 'It is probably an exaggeration to characterize the phenomenon as widespread, however. The technique is "seldom used" by commercial fishermen, Clicanoo reports, and is favored instead by "rogue" shark hunters who ply their illicit trade in the dark of night

Not an issue - an urban legend.

[edit on 25-5-2009 by Little One]

Whats the point in using a dog or cat anyway? i thought they poured fish guts and blood into the sea to attract sharks? i wouldn't have a problem if the dog/cat was dead but i guess it needs to kick and struggle to attract them.

Unfortunately this isn't the first time I have seen things about this. I choose not to watch the video above as I have seen others surrounding this issue a few months ago. It is quite disturbing and never put anything past human greed because greed always wins.

I did a quick search and found this petition...
www.thepetitionsite.com...

I'll keep an eye out for anything else I can contribute to this thread to help spread the awareness.



[edit on 25-5-2009 by AwakenAware]

reply to post by Little One


Thanks for your reply.

When i found this story, I was a bit dubious about the source provided. It was a charity asking for donations in order to stop this issue. I investigated a bit further, found the video...was not overly convinced yet again due to the tone of voice of the man in the video doing the report..

I then considered it may be a hoax and checked Snopes and urban legend..
They both confirmed that this is not as wide a problem as some are making it out to be, but it is of concern as it is obviously going on in some places.

In Davao, Philippines, there is a crocdile park. They feed the croc stray dogs. If your dog is captured by the dog catchers, you have three days to go and collect your dog from the pound or else your loving family pet is off to the jaws of the crocs.

I did find one link to Sea Shepherd that was offering rewards to those who were able to collect and report anyone who is involved in the issue of dog/cat bait for fishing. Here is that page, though dated at 2005 this may still be going on, especially when the guy in the video above talks about rich Americans.. but needs proof on that.
Man Charged With Using Puppies for Shark Bait in Reunion

Sea Shepherd Reward Offer Get Results on Reunion Island

Warning: At the bottom of this article, there are pictures of two dogs who have been hooked by these fishermen. The images are disturbing and difficult to look at.

On August 18th, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society posted a reward for the arrest on La Reunion island of anyone responsible for using live dogs or cats as bait for sharks.

To utilize puppies and kittens as live shark bait has been a "tradition" on La Reunion, and despite it being a violation of French law, the practice has continued without violators being arrested.

www.seashepherd.org...

i think the film is fake when he puts the hook in the kitten all he's doing is using a caller . if he had put a hook into a kitten it would not be so calm oh and the cat in the water the waters calm but when you see the sharks it's not i think it's spliced film.

reply to post by alienseeker


This is just one of the things wrong with this video.
The big problem with this is how many people are believing it and giving any charity a donation to help stop this cruelty.

That alone is reason to bring awareness to both sides of this story.

1. Stop anyone using dogs and cats as live bait.
2. Prevent the false reporting and 'blowing up' of issues in order to instill fear or deep emotional concern in order to make money.

How many websites are real, genuine registered charities? How many of the fake ones get donations from dog/cat lovers when they have watched a video such as the one above.

Yes, there is some fact to the story in the video, but the video may be misleading many into believing rich americans do this in their spare time..

reply to post by Extralien


This topic has gotten the animal rights activist ROARING in me today!

Here is a link from the National Geographic News also reporting this as fact.

news.nationalgeographic.com...

It's better that than to give them to PETA who kills 95% of the animals they get. At least they serve as food for another animal.

But yeah, this is pretty stupid and doing such a thing is kinda hearthless.

So because Kittens are "Cute" they are immune from being used as food?

Wait how is a kitten different than a Chicken or a Cow?
In Asia they use them as food just the same as we eat Cute little innocent piglets.

Nobody gives a rats butt about Cute little Piglets being used for food.
Maybe if piglets had fur they would survive?
If piglets purred would they be saved?

Wasnt this discussed a few months ago and found to have been a fake?... cant quite remember (although a search would bring it up quick smart).

Dont think ill entertain that video, being a Cat person who owns 9 cats currently and who had a small scare with one of them a week ago my nerves are still a little frayed.

If it isnt a fake... I pitty humanity, since we really do deserve what ever evil we do to ourselves all over the globe every day thanks to acts like this. I just hope that if there is some sort of 'reckoning' that animal lovers are in the group that gets first dibs on the seats on the ride off this world.

Edit:- Hmm the old threads listed in the search but comes up 404 guess it was removed for some reason.

[edit on 25-5-2009 by BigfootNZ]

reply to post by Solomons


Yes a shark can smell blood from many miles away, but they can also feel a struggling animal.
Especially one that has had a set of hooks through it's skin.

Sharks are specialists at knowing the difference if an animal is in distress or not.

reply to post by TurkeyBurgers


The difference is:

Pig = farm animal

Kitten = domestic PET.

HUGE difference.

You cant compare the two anymore than you could a bear and a boy.

reply to post by Little One


I personally dont have a problem with countries eating cats or dogs if they wish.I hear dog tastes like chewy pork,many of these countries where they eat practically everything on an animal and other things we would think is disgusting.Is because famines were rampant for decades at a time throughout their history and they had to make do with whatever they could get,hence its ingrained in their culture.I've never understood why people have no complaints about eating pigs which are far smarter than dogs.

reply to post by Little One


Not in Korea theres not they have shops that will sell you dog meat they stay in cages you pick the dog theyll cut him up while you wait. I know its in bad taste but i cant resist they give you a dogie bag to go. Seriously its culture that decides what you eat and what is barbaric.As far as shark bait tis is an issue the part there not telling you is its on 1 island,Réunion (French: Réunion or formally La Réunion; previously Île Bourbon) is an island located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, about 200 km (130 miles) south west of Mauritius, the nearest island.

I do not know if you have seen Earthlings, I personally could not watch it - I have such respect for life and am astonished that humans are so barbaric and self intilted to butcher and cause such harm and to enjoy it, Sad Sad Sad.

reply to post by HulaAnglers


A while back, i tried to desensitize myself to evil by watching nothingtoxic.com.

It's important to see the true evil in the World, instead of wrapping yourself in cotton wool. Needless to say, i could only stomach a few vids and it is astounding how humans can be so evil to any other sentient beings.

I think anyone convicted of cruelty should be castrated to take them out the gene pool

reply to post by PrisonerOfSociety


I have also watched and looked at many disturbing images.It makes your stomach turn,but i think every human being who lives in a relatively safe and cotton padded world should look at them whether it makes you physically sick or not.It takes 10 minutes but it will stay with you till the day you die and has a very important meaning imo.

reply to post by dragonridr


All true - however, I stand by my post... You simply DO NOT eat the family pet when you fall on hard times. And thats basically your defense. Thus you dont have one.

Im in America. I would feel very confident in saying VERY few of us resort to that - even when starving. And believe it or not... many of us here in America are doing just that... starving. So in other words, we will STARVE before eating our pets.

Its not normal behavior

Although if you die, your cat will eat you if he gets hungry before youre found. Aint that some sh*t HA! Happens here in the Florida Keys all the time.

Originally posted by Little One
reply to post by TurkeyBurgers

 

The difference is:

Pig = farm animal

Kitten = domestic PET.

HUGE difference.

You cant compare the two anymore than you could a bear and a boy.

I know a person who has a pig as a domestic pet. You tell her that their is a huge differance.

I know a person who uses cats as farm animals also. He buys them and sets them off on his farm. Their only purpose is to help control the mouse population. You tell him that a cat is a domestic animal and he will laugh at you.


On topic- Does anybody find it strange that we don't see them actually hooking a cat or throwing them into the water with a line attach to them? I have seen some animal rights videos and they are not shy about showing the gory stuff. They actually think the gorier the better. The tapes I have seen show cows throat being slit with a razor, chickens getting dunked alive in scolding water and things of that nature.

This is clearly a fake.