4th May 2001
After the Carolyn Hoffe's appeal failed in court today, the MAFFia went post-haste in an Army convoy to slaughter the pet sheep that have been kept in her living room. She had barricaded her house while the MAFF vets tried to get in.
This mass blanket-slaughter policy is a disgrace. I fear that after all the media publicity this slaughter caused, other sanctuaries and rescue centres may be under imminemt threat.
Heartless and brutal decision strongly condemned
Advocates for Animals, one of the UK's leading animal protection organisations, this afternoon condemned the decision by the courts to sanction the heartless wishes of the Scottish Executive to order the deaths of Carolyn Hoffe's sheep, Maggie, Matthew, Melissa, Emily and Eva.
Earlier this morning Advocates for Animals sent two of its senior staff members to Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway, to offer every assistance to Carolyn Hoffe in defending her sheep from Scottish Executive officials.
Carolyn Hoffe, speaking in tears after learning of the decision, announced that she would be immediately launching an appeal but was appalled to learn that whilst the appeal was being heard the Scottish Executive officials could still undertake its dirty business. She continued:
I call on Tony Blair, Nick Brown and Ross Finnie to leave their cosy offices, don their colourful overalls and come and watch as Maggie, Matthew, Melissa, Emily and Eva are shot in the head.
In strongly condemning the decision, Les Ward, Director of Advocates for Animals, commented:
The decision taken this afternoon takes away any right Britain has of calling itself a nation which cares for the welfare of its animals. It also leaves similar animal refuges and sanctuaries vulnerable. Carolyn Hoffe has shown that her sheep are free of foot-and-mouth disease as well as demonstrating that she is able to keep them in a safe and secure environment, posing no threat to other animals. The Scottish Executive, known locally as the "Ministry of Death" should be hanging its head in shame over this heartless decision.
We plead with the Scottish Executive at this eleventh hour to lift this brutal death sentence and halt this senseless killing. We also call on the public to make their voices heard in bringing this animal welfare scandal and nightmare to an end.
For further information please contact:
Ross Minett - 07946 517 585
Suzanne Veitch - 07977 531 583
Les Ward - 07971-590337
ROSS MINETT
Campaigns/Information Officer
Advocates for Animals
10 Queensferry Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH2 4PG
Tel: +44 (0)131 225 6039 Fax: +44 (0)131 220 6377
ross.advocates@virgin.net
www.advocatesforanimals.org.uk