Last month, we sent out a call to action asking all of you to contact House of Representative leadership to alert them of the horrific conditions faced by animals being transported by the United States Postal Service (USPS) and call for a moratorium.
While SCIL is still urging a moratorium on live animal shipments, we are encouraged to report that after engagement with several Members of Congress on the issue, today, Congressman Ted Lieu called on Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to “undertake a thorough policy review and a comparative review of the policies of other major parcel carriers to determine how live animal transportation can be done safely and humanely.”
“We are thrilled to see Congressman Lieu speak up for animals and call on a review of USPS’ live animal transport policies,” said Louise Linton, board member of Social Compassion in Legislation. “We need more of our representatives to speak up. And not just call for a review, but a moratorium on live animal shipments until that review is conducted and policies adjusted only if they can ensure any animal being shipped by the USPS is done humanely.”
Many Americans are not aware that it is common practice to ship animals, like baby chickens in the U.S. mail. This has been a controversial policy for years as it has been documented that the animals often die in transport. Others die a slow, agonizing death when the recipient fails to pick up the package.
"Postal employees have expressed to us their horror over the practice of live animal shipments. As it is a federal offense to tamper with U.S. mail, postal workers are forced to listen to the pathetic chirps of chicks dying inside abandoned boxes that the workers are legally not allowed to open. This is emotionally traumatizing to the postal workers. It's also animal torture," said Judie Mancuso, founder and president of Social Compassion in Legislation.
"Given that our toxic relationship with animals is what has left our economy crippled by a zoonotic virus that jumped from animals to people, the last thing we should be doing is doubling down on animal torture. It is time for us and the Postal Service to evolve," concluded Mancuso. "We demand all live animal shipments via the U.S. mail end immediately and permanently, which can be done with relatively easy regulatory changes."
Click here for an example of how USPS shipments turn deadly:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dead-chicks-delayed-prescriptions-late-mail-leaves-rural-america-disconnected-n1239373
