Source:
http://www.marineconnection.org/news/general/poland_DAT_facility.htm
------------------------ISSUE---------------------------------
Poland plans new DAT facility
The Marine Connection has been alerted to a proposed Dolphin Assisted
Therapy (DAT) centre currently being planned in Poland. The Upper
Silesia Centre of Doplhinotherapy claims they will be able to cure
people of a myriad of diseases including brain tumours, coma, cleft
spine, four limb paralysis, and meningitis and sight damage. See
sample letter below for more details.
Take action
Please write to the Minister of the Environment urging the government
to reconsider their decision to allow this facility to proceed.
------------------------CONTACT INFO-------------------------
Mr. Jan Szyszko
Minister of the Environment
Ministry of the Environment
ul. Wawelska 52/54
00-922 Warszawa
Poland
fax 00 (+48 22) 5792224
Email the Minister via his spokesperson Mr Mazurek:
rzecznik @ mos.gov. pl
Please forward a copy of any reply you receive to the charity via
email or post to PO Box 2404, London, W2 3WG.
------------------------- SAMPLE LETTER---------------------
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Please stop the proposed Dolphin Assisted Therapy
Dear Minister Szyszko,
I urge you to reconsider your decision to allow Dolphin Assisted
Therapy facility to proceed.
I understand that a proposed Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT) centre is
currently being planned in Poland. The Upper Silesia Centre of
Doplhinotherapy claims they will be able to cure people of a myriad
of diseases including brain tumours, coma, cleft spine, four limb
paralysis, and meningitis and sight damage. In reality dolphin
therapy has been proven to be no more effective than petting domestic
animals and there is certainly no evidence that it could cure the
diseases claimed by this facility.
Most likely many dolphins (and whales) used in therapy sessions and
swim with dolphin programmes will be wild caught. This process is
extremely stressful to all animals in the pod, even those left behind
and often ends in the death of some animals, as they become entangled
in nets or injured during the capture process. The Polish Animal
Protection Act, Article 17, Section 1 states: 'Only animals born and
bred in captivity may be used for training and shows designated for
shows and entertainment, and only those to which it is possible to
provide such living conditions that are appropriate to the need of a
given species.' However it is well documented that even captive born
dolphins have the same physiological urges to use their well-adapted
skills and they also display many physical and mental problems in
response to being kept in a tiny fraction of the space they need.
Rather than curing the patient, dolphins can sometimes cause injury
to the swimmer, due to the stress and frustration the animal
undoubtedly feels being subjected to a life in captivity. Many
injuries, some accidental but others deliberate, have been documented
at these facilities that go to great lengths to keep these incidents
away from the public eye. There is also the danger of cross species
infection as dolphins and humans can pass diseases to one another;
again a fact the captivity industry tries hard to keep quiet.
Again, I urge the Polish government to reconsider authorization of
this facility. I strongly believe that subjecting dolphins and whales
to a lifetime in captivity cannot ever be justified; and furthermore,
that promoting this facility as therapy which is aimed at vulnerable
members of society, who, understandably, will often try anything to
help cure a loved one, is morally wrong and irresponsible.
Sincerely,
------------------------------------
"A single voice may not be heard, but the voices of many
cannot be ignored. " ~ Author Unknown
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