LEGAL WIN FOR NATIONAL TRUST

The National Trust, the UK’s largest and richest charity with 74 million visitors a year has fought off a legal claim for compensation of £300,000 after an 11 year old boy was killed and three others injured, one now using a wheel-chair, by a two ton, 70 foot tree branch that broke off and fell on them during a school visit to Felbrigg Hall, near Cromer, Norfolk four years ago.

The High Court found that the National Trust were not legally liable for the accident.

It is, of course, open to the very rich Trust to do what many feel would be the decent thing, rather than the legal thing ,and pay the above amount, which for them would be a very small sum of money, without admitting liability. When you lose the hearts and minds of donors and potential donors a small victory in court can become a very large loss in the marketplace.

LESS CRUELTY FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES

Animal welfare groups will also be cheered by the news that the ritual halal and kosher slaughter, whereby the animal has to be fully conscious as its throat is cut, has been banned by the Dutch parliament.

The ban follows legislation tabled by the tiny Animal Rights Party, against the views of Dutch Muslims and Jews who say that the ban violates their religious freedom. The country’s Chief Rabbi has compared the legislation to the Nazi persecution of the Jews.

Party leader Marianne Thieme told the Daily Telegraph: “This (ritual) way of killing causes unnecessary pain to animals. For us religious freedom stops where human or animal suffering begins.”

LESS CRUELTY FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES

A campaign against the use of the whip in horse-racing has been mounted by Animal Aid.

Headlined “IT’S TIME TO STOP BEATING HORSES” the campaign makes the point that “horses are the only animals that may be beaten in public for entertainment,” although until fairly recently foxes and deer could be torn to bits by dogs for the same purpose.

Also mentioned is the fact that Towcester racecourse has announced a ban on jockeys using whips from October this year, against strong opposition from jockeys, some of whom claim that the horsewhip is manufactured to deliver a mild sting.

There is a view that jockeys who favour the whip should be made to drop their trousers, bend over and take a dozen vigorous lashes, to fairly test the theory.

BAN FOR ABORTION CHARITIES

The government is considering a ban on abortion counselling by charities that also supply the abortions.

This, say the charities, will slow the process down as women go to one organisation for advice and another for the termination, a requirement the government say will better guarantee the independence of the advice.

MORE DAMAGE TO CRUFT’S NAME

Following a prosecution by the RSPCA a dog trainer who won dozens of honours from Crufts was banned from keeping animals for life after a raid by the charity revealed hundreds of animals in “unbelievable” squalor at her kennels.

Rachel Mortimore, 47, also received 140 hours of community service and was a member of the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers.

THE TAINT OF MURDOCH

With most thinking people figuring that the loss of Rupert Murdoch’s News of The World was not much of a loss to society, and only ever filled a much-needed gap, those buying the last issue will have noticed that every single ad was given away to charities.

These replaced the advertisers who deserted in droves, as swiftly as formerly fawning politicians, after details of the phone hacking emerged, and are still emerging. However, according to a report in Private Eye many charities, including the RNLI and two of News International’s own designated charities, didn’t want to be tainted by association with the Murdoch rag.

One that reportedly saw an obvious benefit was journalism ethics charity MediaWise whose submitted ad asked: “Ever been turned over by a tabloid? Got something to tell the inquiry into press ethics? Think it’s time for self-regulation to grow teeth?”

Sadly Rupert’s brave soldiers claimed there was no space to run it.

Charity Matters Aug/Sep 2011 ISSUE 38

LEGAL WIN FOR NATIONAL TRUST
The National Trust, the UK’s largest and richest charity with 74 million visitors a year has fought off a legal claim for compensation of £300,000 after an 11 year old boy….

LESS CRUELTY FOR MARKETING PURPOSES
A move by the government to implement a ban on testing new brands of bleach, disinfectant, lavatory cleaner, glue and air freshener on animals has been welcomed….

LESS CRUELTY FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES
Animal welfare groups will also be cheered by the news that the ritual halal and kosher slaughter, whereby the animal has to be fully conscious as its throat is cut, has….

LESS CRUELTY FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES
A campaign against the use of the whip in horse-racing has been mounted by Animal Aid….

BAN FOR ABORTION CHARITIES
The government is considering a ban on abortion counselling by charities that also supply the abortions….

MORE DAMAGE TO CRUFT’S NAME
Following a prosecution by the RSPCA a dog trainer who won dozens of honours from Crufts was banned from keeping animals for life after a raid by the charity….

THE TAINT OF MURDOCH
With most thinking people figuring that the loss of Rupert Murdoch’s News of The World was not much of a loss to society, and only ever filled a much-needed gap….