Welcome to SWIVL

SWIVL 2015 GOALS

1. Rescue and rehabilitate dogs abandoned in the desert.
2. Expand land and build facilities for abused goats, hogs, and other farmed animals.
3. Increase cat and dog spade and neuter work and education programs.
4. Work with animal rescue organizations on the Arizona – Mexican border.
5. Organize school – community educational programs to reduce animal cruelty.
6. Advocate for an animal abuse registry to inform and educate the public about animal abuse.
7. Promote legislation with severe penalties for animal abusers.
8. Educate youth and community groups and organizations about the cycle of violence.
9. Register as a safe haven shelter for animals that come from abused homes.
10. Work with community and elected officials to protect animal victims of family violence.

Please click here if you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to help SWIVL achieve its 2011 Goals.

SWIVL in the Community

SWIVL has been actively out in the community describing the relationships among animal cruelty, child abuse, and domestic violence.  While there are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of organizations that inform and educate the public regarding violence, SWIVL promotes the view that violence is indivisible; violence towards any feeling, being should be not be tolerated under any circumstance.  According to Dr. Kathleen Wishnick, Co-Founder of SWIVL, we must stop violence at all levels: animal cruelty, child abuse, and domestic violence.  Child abuse and domestic violence is on the increase because we have ignored the powerful relationship between animal cruelty and all other forms of violence.  When it comes to violence, it doesn’t matter if nonhuman animals speak or walk on two legs, all that matters is that they feel pain.  Your tax-deductible support will help SWIVL end violence through community action and legislative support.

Supremes Turn Their Back on Man’s Best Friend

Supreme Court rules animal torture videos as free speech.  Simply put our dogs and cats have little value according to the US Supreme Court and while it may be illegal to torture and murder them, individuals and businesses that electrocute, crush, drown, strangle, rape, and otherwise torture companion animals are protected by the US Constitution to produce, market, publicize, and distribute the video and material representation of these monstrous acts.   

Key media outlets joined forces to promote their right to publicize the torture of animals, claiming free speech as their defense, with the New York Times leading this unholy alliance.  Arguing their position, the New York Time, twisted the ugly truth about animal torture into the protection of animals.   Here is the 1984ish position of the NY Times:

The goal of preventing crush videos and other animal cruelty is certainly a worthy one.  It is this very interest in protecting animals from abuse that makes speech about their treatment so valuable. Press coverage serves the community by exposing animal cruelty such as crush videos, animal fighting and the mistreatment of animals at some puppy mills and slaughterhouses.

In other words, we should not prohibit the publicizing and marketing of these horrific videos – otherwise the New York Time and other media outlets could not publicize them.  

Only one Justice had the courage to tell the truth:  Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. dissented, saying the majority’s analysis was built on “fanciful hypotheticals” and would serve to protect “depraved entertainment.”

 

Chief Justice Roberts and other Supreme Court Justices should get out of their ivory tower to understand the connection between animal cruelty, child abuse and domestic violence.  Animal abusers are never satisfied with the torture of just animals.  More and more evidence shows that animal abuse leads to child abuse and domestic violence.

Does the majority of the Supreme Court really believe individuals who distribute videos that depict animal torture are not disposed to violent behaviors?  Do they believe that the Founding Fathers of our country would have given these horrific videos and merchandise the status of protected speech?  The Supreme Court’s decision to ignore the link between human and nonhuman animal abuse gives the animal torture industry a pass while endangering our children and families.  Like so many of our elected official, they are out of touch with everyday thinking Americans.

April Book of the Month - "Please Stop Laughing At Us" by Jodee Blanco

Each month SWIVL features a book that exemplifies the spirit of ViolenceFree.  For the month of April 2010, SWIVL recommends a wonderful author and advocate for ending violence.  

Don’t be a victim!  That’s the clear and simple message from Jodee Blanco, author of the best-selling book, PLEASE STOP LAUGHING AT US. 

Bullying, like animal cruelty, child abuse, and domestic violence is a disease that must be eradicated from society and Blanco describes a number of actions that children can take, including:

- Realize there’s nothing wrong with you

- Reacting to the moment, not later

- Reaching out to a parent or other individuals of authority

Ideas to stop the bully are promoted by Blanc through stories, examples, and most of all action.   Ignoring the abuser – the bully – will not make him or her go away.  SWIVL encourages schools officials, teachers, parents, and community leaders to review the work of Ms. Blanco and visit her web site.  

To end animal cruelty, child abuse, and domestic violence, we must focus on the act of violence and recognize that the abuser does not care who the victim is – it is the abusive act itself that gives pleasure and motivates the abuser. 

It’s time to get serious about the bully; an important first step to ending the cycle of violence.

Judaism and the Link between Human and Nonhuman Animal Abuse

Judaism views the proper treatment of nonhuman animals as a priority. Unnecessary cruelty to nonhuman animals is strictly forbidden, and in many cases, nonhuman animals are accorded the same sensitivity as human beings. This concern is unusual throughout the world. Most civilized nations did not accept this principle until quite recently (and certainly not in the Moslem world); cruelty to animals was not outlawed until the 1800s, and even now it is not taken very seriously.

The primary principle behind the treatment of animals in Jewish law is preventing tza'ar ba'alei chayim, the suffering of living creatures. Judaism expresses no definitive opinion as to whether animals actually experience physical or psychological pain in the same way that humans do; however, Judaism has always recognized the critical link between the way a person treats animals and the way a person treats human beings.

A person who is cruel to a defenseless animal will undoubtedly be cruel to defenseless people. Modern psychology confirms this understanding, with many studies finding a relationship between childhood animal cruelty and adult criminal violence.

Sadly, the converse is not always true, and those who love animals do not always value human life: Hitler loved animals; the animal rights group PETA wrote a letter to Arafat telling him, when he blows up a bus full of Israelis, could he please not hurt a donkey to do it. Click here for more.

Should There Be an Animal-Abuser Registry?

Should There Be an Animal-Abuser Registry?  

The California legislature is considering a bill to create a registry of animal abusers.  The connection between animal cruelty, child abuse and domestic violence needs to be taken seriously by policy makers.   Should Arizona law makers consider the same law?

SAVE SPORK: 17 Pound Dog May be Killed by City of Lafayette, Colorado

Rapists go free. Child abusers get suspended sentences.  Judges refuse restraining orders to protect women.  However, we must protect society from a 17 pound dog.

Spork is a miniature dachshund who could potentially get kenneled for the rest of his life or killed just for being scared at the vet. The little guy can’t defend himself, so it is going to take a national effort to come together and protect an innocent miniature dachshund from the horrific animal laws currently found in the City of Lafayette, Colorado.

Last August this 10-year-old miniature dachshund, Spork, snapped at and bit a veterinarian technician at Jasper Animal Hospital as he was being held by his owner. He has been at the vet on numerous occasions over the years and had been there just the week before, without ever having any issues except that he is usually very scared and shaking, sometimes defecating (which some dogs do if they are scared at the vet). In fact, he had been there just the week before when he got his shots and examination for oral surgery.

Spork's owner was doing exactly what she was told and was holding the 17-pound dachshund firmly in her arms when the vet tech suddenly, and without warning, put her face in his, which resulted in the bite. He was shaking badly before this happened which was noticed by the entire staff, and had pooped on his owner just before the accident. Clearly the little guy was just scared to be at the vet and that was obvious.

Where is Common Sense? The Lafayette Animal Control has charged Spork’s owners with having a vicious dog in the City of Lafayette.  Please contact the city of Lafayette (303) 665-5588 and let them know they should focus on more legitimate threats to public safety – not a 17 pound dog.

Are Out of Work Men More Abusive?

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced Monday that unemployed men are more likely to abuse their wives.

“Men when they're out of work tend to become abusive,” Reid said as he argued in favor of a cloture vote on the jobs bill. “I met with some people while I was home dealing with domestic abuse. It has gotten out of hand. Why? Men don't have jobs. Women don't have jobs either, but women aren’t abusive, most of the time. Men, when they're out of work, tend to become abusive. Our domestic crisis shelters in Nevada are jammed.”  Continue reading

End Goat Rodeos

Rodeos, like all forms of animal cruelty, child abuse, and domestic violence, should be viewed as evil – pure and simple.  Like all forms of violence, rodeos are based on control and domination.  For those who call rodeos a sport – nothing could be more ridiculous, unless you consider a grown man or women inflicting pain and suffering on an innocent, terrified animal.  Think about it.  Ask any cop about child abuse and domestic violence.  The abuser gets a thrill out of torturing his victim. 

Case in point:  At the National High School Finals Rodeo, terrified baby goats are chased down by contestants on horseback as an appalling excuse for "sport" and "family entertainment".
A goat that is already tethered to a rope is approached by a high school student on a galloping horse. Terror-stricken, the goat frantically tries to escape the oncoming horse and abuser. The roper jumps off the horse, slams the tethered goat down and ties its legs. It's a little like tackling someone who is already in handcuffs.

The video below describes the constant violence that our children are being exposed to in our high schools.  Making matters worse, this violence is being portrayed as a sport. No wonder, our schools are becoming more violent.  No wonder, child abuse and domestic violence are on the increase.   It’s time for our elected officials to end rodeos and recognize that animal cruelty should never be described as sport.

The Burka Barbie: A Threat to all Girls and Women

Why is the Mattel Toy Corporation able to create a doll that represents a repressive and violent condition for girls and women?  The reason is simple: They can get away with it.  One of the world's most famous children's toys, Barbie, has been given a makeover - wearing a Burka, an Islamic symbol of repression and violence towards women.  The Burka Barbie brings us one step closer to Islamic Terrorists destroying civilization.  While some might romanticize the Burka, women in almost every Moslem country know it is no laughing matter.  One of the key signs to a progressive civilization is how women are treated.  For adult women, the Burka Barbie represents: (1) No voting rights; (2) No Educational rights; (3) No employment rights; (4) No legal rights, and (5) No personal rights.  To voice strong objection, please write to the Mattel, Inc. 333 Continental Boulevard, El Segundo, CA. 90245-5012 or phone: 310-252-2000.  Let Mattel know that they can’t get away with it.