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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-03-26, Page 44 Times—Advocate Wednesday, March 26, 2008 OC =CNA T. Editorial Opinion TIMES ADVOCATE PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER 07511 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs. Canad11 Deb Lord — Production Manager 0 Metroland Scott Nixon — Editor CNA 2007 BLUE RIBBON The Times -Advocate is owned by Metroland Media Group Ltd. 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Media Group Ltd. Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • 519-235-1331 Doug Rowe -General Manager, Southwestern Ontario Division EDITORIAL Protect the innocent Anybody with any sense of decency would have been disgusted to hear the news bout the neglected condition dozens of animals were discovered in at a property in Adelaide Metcalfe Township in Middlesex County last week. According to a news release from the Middlesex OPP, officers entered the property on Napier Road and discovered "a large number of animals in conditions that varied from very poor to satisfactory. Most were in poor condi- tion." Upon a return to the property the next day, the London Humane Society discovered 103 dogs and a number of other animals, including fowl, sheep, goats and cats. Decaying animal carcasses littered the proper- ty and police described the property as a "dog gulag," while those alive lived in deplorable conditions. OPP Const. Doug Graham was quoted as say- ing some of the animals were eating garbage, while others were eating the carcasses of other animals "Animals are subsisting in absolute squalor, filth," said Sarnia police Const. Beth Lahey. "There's carcasses in various states of decay, consumption." How anyone could keep an animal in this type of condition is beyond comprehension. Police say the mistreatment of animals is becoming a reoccurring event in many of their investiga- tions and this points to one more reason that the animal abuse laws in Ontario need to be toughened up quickly and dramatically. In the case above, Humane Society investigators had previously visited the property but by law, ani- mals can only be removed if they are in imme- diate distress. Unfortunately for many of the animals, it's now too late. This needs to change. And those who abuse and neglect animals need to be punished harsh- ly. If we like to consider ourselves a caring soci- ety, we should do everything we can to ensure innocent animals are taken care of. WE WILL BRING POWN THE GOVERNMENT WHEN E TIME 15 RIGHT,., Distributed by Canadian Artists Syndicate CV --1 We need to "Save Brenda Martin" For over two years Brenda Martin, a Canadian from Trenton, has sat in a Mexican prison, charged with money laundering, a charge she denies. Martin worked as a chef for an investment com- pany, under Alyn Richard Waage. The investment company turned out to be fraudulent, and Waage is now serving a 10 -year sentence in North Carolina, while Martin was picked up by authori- ties years later for allegedly being involved. No trial has taken place. Martin has been unable to defend herself, and she is not aware of any evidence that would prove her guilty. Martin, along with her loved ones, say if she doesn't get out of prison soon she'll be dead within the next six months. Martin is on suicide watch. She has tried committing suicide three times and has lost 30 pounds. For over two years, Martin has been held in a Mexican jail with limited contact with family and friends, along with limited information given regarding her fate. It looks as though the Canadian government hasn't stepped up; obviously they haven't done much. Martin is still in jail, and for what? Recently this story has made quite a splash throughout the media, although it should have about two years ago. Where have we all been? Why didn't we know sooner? If this was my mother, my daughter, my sister or my friend, I would want to help — and we can. Martin, who has family in the Huron - Bruce area, is being supported by Huron - Bruce MP Paul Steckle, who is collecting letters, faxes and e-mails, with hopes to collect over 100,000 letters to present to the prime minister once the House returns. The letters can be simple, asking that action be taken to ensure the freedom of Martin. The letter can can be directed by hand to 30 Victoria St. N., Goderich, or via Canada Post to Room 484 Confederation Building, House of Commons. Ont., K1A 0A6, Att: Help Brenda Martin, faxed to (613) 995-6350 or e-mailed at steckp@parl.gc.ca (include "Help Brenda Martin" in the subject line). A website is also dedicated to saving Martin, www. savebrendafun d. ca A rally at Parliment Hill in Ottawa will also take place March 29 at 2 p.m. The contact is peter@savebrendafund.ca If this was someone you knew, you would want their support. Let's pull together and make a difference, lets "Save Brenda Martin." NINA VAN LIESHOUT KICK THIS AROUND About the Times -Advocate Address & Office Hours Times -Advocate, 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. CLOSED ON HOLIDAYS. Contact Us By Phone or Fax Classified ad & subscription sales 519-235-1331 24-hour automated attendant 519-235-1336 Fax number 519-235-0766 Fax number for accounting dept. 519-235-2449 Subscription Rates One year rate for addresses in Canada: $42+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $75+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada:$160+GST Call 519-235-1331 to order a subscription. 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The Times -Advocate Team COMPOSITION Manager Deb Lord ext. 103 Nikki Cyr ext. 101 Kelly Gackstetter ext. 101 ADVERTISING Deborah Schillemore ext. 112 EDITOR Scott Nixon ext. 105 REPORTERS Pat Bolen ext. 113 Nina Van Lieshout ext. 107 CUSTOMER SERVICE Sue Rollings ext. 101 Jennifer Skonieczny ext. 102 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext 106 Marg Pertschy ext. 108 Heather Clarke ext. 111