All photos by Diana Lejins.
On Aug. 21, the Parks and Recreation Committee presented a recommendation regarding the use of the Olympic Range at the El Dorado Archery Range by three privately run archery organizations. The El Dorado Park West Library was packed with people who came to the meeting to either object to or support one of the recommendation’s terms, which stated that the forms and types of targets would be subject to the approval of the Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) director.
Director George Chapjian emphasized the partnership between PRM and spcaLA and the 2011 move of Long Beach Animal Care Services from Health and Human Services to Parks and Rec. “We consider ourselves a model for the rest of the city and its residents in terms of how we treat our animals,” Chapjian said. “We don’t want to send the message that it’s OK to shoot animals—that’s why we don’t allow target practice of animal figures or likenesses of animals.”
The objects under discussion are a series of 3-D Styrofoam targets in the likeness of wild animals that were removed when animal-welfare activists strongly objected to their placement in public view. Most of the attendees were archery instructors, coaches and participants who flocked there, no doubt because of a plea for support and attendance on the El Dorado Archers’ (EDA) Facebook page and website. EDA is one of the groups that has used the 3-D targets, they were well represented.There were only three individuals present who argued for the continued absence of the animal targets, but there’s no indication that the majority’s strong defense of the targets represented general public sentiment.
A couple of news articles reported the meeting, including one in Friday’s Press-Telegram. I went partly to understand everyone’s viewpoint and also because I want to write an opinion piece as well as a report, so I’ll make no attempt at objectivity other than to remain as balanced as I can be. Because I slap at mosquitoes and still eat shellfish, I understand that everyone draws his or her own line when it comes to animal advocacy; what I learned is that each camp has its tent firmly pitched in its beliefs and when animal rights go up against human rights, fur will fly.
As Commissioner Ben Goldberg, a hunter himself, said, everyone made valid points relating to his or her own stance. Discussion involved effects on children for better or worse, the representation of the targets themselves and ethics involved; discussion went both ways. Dave Stevens, EDA’s treasurer, said that teaching archery skills, especially to children, beat out video games by far. “We’re trying to get the kids off the couch and shoot at anything that doesn’t look real,” he said.
Archery does develop and sharpen eye/hand coordination, fine- and gross-motor skills, focus, strength, concentration and camaraderie. It also has its roots in the Stone Age and was utilized by hunters, who at the time couldn’t shop TJ’s. People who also develop zeal for the art also gain the pleasure of delving into history and literature about archery.
EDA coach Todd Arai‘s young daughter didn’t score as well as she could have in a tournament because she hadn’t had the chance to practice on the animal targets after they were removed. His daughter, Arai said, could tell the difference between a pet and a representation and has the ability to separate the two ideas. Contrariwise, resident Lisa Marko said she had enjoyed taking her son to archery classes at Boy Scout Camp.
“The teacher taught us the proper techniques and rules,” she said. “It helped his eye/hand coordination, and he said it made him feel like Robin Hood. It was never associated with hunting, and it never needed to be. In my opinion, the ethical implications involved with hunting an animal are not intrinsic to any archery class. I’m pretty sure that if the targets were animals, I would have avoided those classes and my son would have missed out on a healthy skill-building outdoor experience.”
Ann Cantrell and Judy Crumpton (full disclosure: Judy Crumpton is my former writing partner) agreed and wondered why animal figures would add to the enjoyment of the sport. Crumpton said that she’d taken archery in high school and used bulls-eye targets and that she understands the passion but not the representational targets.
“I am an animal lover, and I’m very curious to know why folks who enjoy archery want to use animal figurines,” Crumpton said. “I think it encourages hunting.”
And proponents of the animal targets were transparent and frank about hunting being a reason for the animal targets. EPA board member and safety instructor Josh Hood (no known relation to Robin) said that some of the students are bow hunters and go outside Long Beach to hunt where it’s legal. The targets, he said, are used to show how to swiftly and effectively kill an animal, thereby causing it no distress.
“We need to do this to make sure that [hunters] are shooting the animals ethically and we’re not causing the travesty you see today,” Hood said, referring to photos of animals that had been killed and suffered while doing so. “I make sure to tell them that they’re not allowed to shoot the squirrels in the park. Those are our squirrels. We’re not supporting picking up archery equipment, have no idea what you’re doing and shooting pets and animals.”
This is one of the squirrels in El Dorado Park that the photographer said was only 10 feet away from the target range.
According to activist Diana Lejins, however, the visibility of the targets can and may give a different idea to people watching archers shoot at the targets. “It sends the message that it’s really OK to shoot wildlife,” Lejins said in a separate conversation. And apparently, several people have gotten such a message. Animal Care Services Lt. David Linn said that the shelter has brought in wildlife slain by both bow and arrow and BB gun; he emphasized the two high-profile incidents happened earlier this year in Long Beach, when two cats on separate occasions were killed with arrows. One of the cats made it to her owner’s house and lay suffering on her bed; she couldn’t be saved even with the emergency rush to Long Beach Animal Hospital.
The archers’ speeches and a subsequent visit to the EPA Facebook page, on which all but one poster (who was just acting the fool) expressed disgust and horror at the killings made it pretty clear to me that the archery organizations had anything to do with them, but the point that Lejins and the other advocates are making is that the targets may.
The only way I could reconcile myself with killing an animal is if one were charging a child, a pet, a friend or me. And as for the idea of ethical killing, I don’t find it ethical to shoot an animal for sport and not for survival. As comedian Paul Rodriguez smartly said, “Hunting is not a sport. In a sport, both sides should know they’re in the game.”
Outside the meeting room, Arai turned the spotlight on me, asking if I’m offended by the human targets used on shooting range. Speaking only for myself, I’m not, because if I were to engage in target shooting with a gun, it would be for readiness to protect myself inside my home and not to go on a street rampage, but he has a point. I’ve seen their use in hate groups, and yes, that upsets me. That’s hunting, after all. But as for being able to separate myself from any emotional response to animal-shaped targets, I don’t possess the aplomb of Arai’s daughter. I couldn’t bring myself to shoot anything representative of an animal. The logic of Stevens and the other archers didn’t match up with the animal community’s.
“This is a piece of paper—that’s all it is,” Stevens said, referring to one of the paper targets that depicted a raccoon. “Targets don’t look like the real animal.” He said that his group has organized what he called fun evenings that coincide with special occasions. Cartoonlike targets that represent familiar figures are used—Dracula, snowflakes, space aliens, cartoon black cats, Santa Claus and Rudolph. He also said that he’d once put up a likeness of himself for a “shoot the boss day. “If people have a problem with any of those targets, we take them down,” he said.
The zen of archery?
And that’s what’s being asked. The degree of resemblance of the targets to actual animals varies, but it’s enough to upset some of us. I couldn’t bring myself to shoot at a 3-D representation of a bear and I sure don’t want to put an arrow through Rudolph, not to mention the cat. And if anyone thinks that the animal advocates are as insignificant a group as they appeared to be at that meeting, he or she should ask about 10 people if they at least choked up at the death by hunter of Bambi’s mother. A couple of years ago when faced at another meeting with resistance to put away the targets, one of our number (not me—it was absolute genius and I wish I’d thought of it), pulled a rubber baby doll from her purse and said, “How about we put this out there as a target? It’s just a doll.” The recoil from the two people in question spoke volumes.
The Commission ultimately voted to table the target item until the city prosecutor looks at it carefully and possibly revises the wording and ensures that the Constitution won’t being trampled, as Goldberg put it. And even if any of the archers understand where the animal community is coming from, they’re likely not going to change their minds about the targets than the activists are going to change theirs. One of the archers referred to what the activists are trying to do as an “abomination,” and the other side thinks that having animal targets in full view of the public is as inappropriate as showing pornographic films at Movies in the Park–as artificial in content as the targets and just as suggestive. The archery representatives’ idea of animal love and dislike for cruelty is obviously genuine but doesn’t go past cats, dogs and other pets. Animal-rights activists’ beliefs extend to all or most (those pesky mosquitos) animals. And that’s what brought them there—not to be killjoys and get rid of a great sport but to take away something they find offensive and disturbing.
t would be great if a compromise could be arrived at. Goldberg suggested blobs where the vital organs would sit, and Stevens suggested targets that looked like animals but not real ones. They could be taken out of public view—Arai said that there’s an indoor range in Los Alamitos, or maybe a barrier can be erected at El Dorado Park. There’s an archery school near Phoenix that uses zombie targets, which a friend of mine said would prove invaluable for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.
Ultimately, it’s people’s rights versus animals’ rights, and no one’s budging on either side. Hunting’s legal in certain areas of the country, and animal targets are widely used in cities nationwide. Speaking for the animal community, including me, it would be great if Long Beach could set a precedent.
“I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls. They always say because it’s such a beautiful animal. There you go. I think my mother is attractive, but I have photographs of her.”
~ Ellen DeGeneres
Virtually Pets
Meet Tesla (on the shelf) and Ion (below). Their mom passed away and no family members wanted them, so Friends of Long Beach Animals is trying to find them a forever home. Tesla will flip over at any time for tummy rubs, and Ion loves to be petted all the time. They’re both about 5 years old, weigh a hefty 12–15 pound, and must be adopted as a bonded pair. They’ve been well cared for and have been spayed/neutered and microchipped and have had all their shots. They can be viewed at Bixby Animal Clinic, 3938 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach. Call for hours and information at 562-426-4066. Adoption fee can be adjusted from our usual $90-per-cat fee.
Brownie and Her Sibling
One evening a few weeks ago, we were walking our neighborhood and were greeted by a nice cat. A woman was gardening in the yard, and as we chatted, she told us that the cat had been shrugged off by a neighbor who didn’t have time for her. She also obviously didn’t have time to spay the cat because she’d just birthed a litter of five. After more chatting, the lady promised to have the cat fixed, which she did at SNP LA in San Pedro. She and her husband found homes for all but two of the cats, one of whom is pictured here (the camera malfunctioned while the other’s picture was being shot). Both are adorable female gray tabbies, 13 weeks old, and both have received their FVRCP+Calici Series 1 of 3 on July 31 and Series 2 on Aug. 21. They’ve also been treated for fleas.
As for the mother cat, the husband is allergic and can’t keep her in the house, but the last time I saw the two of them outside—well, I give it a couple more days and the cat will be sleeping on the afghan and Hubby will be at the allergist getting a series of shots.
This pair of heroes asked me to tell you the following: “Please cherish your kitten as it grows into a cat and your lifelong friend. Be affectionate, and remember to play together a little bit each day. A new toy now and then keeps the kitty’s mind sharp and happy. They love experiencing new things and physical challenges, especially exploring new territory. They grew up outdoors in the garage and on the back porch due to allergies in our family. We strongly suggest raising your kitten as an indoor cat for safety reasons. Statistics show that it could live twice as long as an outdoor cat.”
I’m glad we met. Please e-mail [email protected] if you want to adopt either kitten.
Kibble
Sending condolences to Justin Rudd and Ralph Millero on the sudden death of their dog, Riley, who was a community icon along with his late sister, Rosie. Anyone wishing to show support is asked to please donate books to Riley’s Red Wagon Book Swap. Information and a video can be accessed here.
Funding Needed for Kitty Patients
Stray Cat Alliance is asking for help with medical funds urgently needed for Charlie, who needs four blood transfusions and a cardiologist and is in his fourth week of hospitalization; and for Christopher, who needs all of his chompers removed. For details and donations, click here.
Pet Projects
PizzaRev Fund-Raiser for Long Beach Animal Care Services, Wednesday, Aug. 27, Long Beach Towne Center, 7551B Carson Blvd., Long Beach
Lick your chops and whiskers! To mark its entrance into Long Beach, PizzaRev, a growing build-your-own artisanal pizza concept, will host a Pizzas for a Purpose fund-raising event at which you can pay what you want for a custom-built, personal-sized pizza (suggested $8 contribution) to benefit Long Beach Animal Care Services. What a concept—you can build your own dinner as you build community and our shelter at the same time.
“PizzaRev is a passionate supporter of pet adoption organizations in each of the communities we serve, and the City of Long Beach Animal Care Services has done a wonderful job caring for and finding homes for the area’s abandoned animals,” said Irv Zuckerman, co-CEO of PizzaRev. “We’re excited to bring PizzaRev to Long Beach and help support our four-legged friends.” For more details about PizzaRev and the great pizzas you can make and eat, visit their website.
Stray Cat Alliance Team Fund-Raiser for Strut Your Mutt, through Sept. 1, Online
Stray Cat Alliance (SCA) is presenting its major fund-raiser for the year as it calls for team members and supporters of the SCA team in Best Friends’ Strut Your Mutt fund-raising dog walk (click on the link). The walk’s mission is to help homeless dogs, and cats will not be left out. The walk itself will take place in the evening at Will Rogers State Historic Park; SCA’s Strut Your Mutt volunteer coordinator Debbie Rankin likes to call it “Date Night with your Best Fur-end.” Because cats prefer to stay at home, you can bring your dog or a friend’s dog to the event with a $30 donation, or if you can’t make it, you can join as a virtual team member or donate to the fund-raiser. Information about the fund-raiser can be found here.
The goal is to raise $25,000 by Sept. 1.
The walk is the only all-volunteer fund-raiser that SCA is holding this year to help offset operation costs and help as many cats as possible. Expenses were huge this year; they included Operation 74, in which SCA pulled 63 out of 74 hoarded cats from the shelter before they could be euthanized, vetted them and had them treated. Some are still being boarded. The organization also engages in daily trap/spay-neuter/ activities; those who can be adopted will be fostered; that takes funds, too. Rankin said that their working capital is at an all-time low.
To support or join, click here. Your donation is tax deductible, and SCA uses all funds to support their good work.
spcaLA August Foster Class, Sunday, Sept. 14, spcaLA P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village and Education Center, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, 10:00AM–Noon
Our pets need loving temporary homes, and that’s where you come in. SpcaLA is looking for foster parents for pets of all ages and needs. Potential foster parents must complete and submit an application before attending the classes—application available here. And it’s worth it—you’ll be helping better a pet’s chance of adoption!
19th Annual Wag n’ Walk Benefitting the Seal Beach Animal Care Center, Saturday, Sept. 27, Eisenhower Park at Seal Beach Pier, Main Street and Ocean Boulevard, Seal Beach, 9 AM–2PM. Registration Information Online
Join Grand Marshall Justin Rudd and his dogs Riley and POTUS in supporting the animals in residence at the Seal Beach Animal Care Center! Bring your two- and four-legged friends to stroll through Seal Beach and enjoy our animal expo, with fun for the entire family! Register online, or just come for the fun!