Written demand 1
3rd May, 2011.
Written demand 1
Dear Prime Minister Naoto Kan,
The Life Investigation Agency (LIA) was established in 2010 to contribute to efforts to save and preserve animal life. We are an independent campaigning organization which seeks to investigate, expose and raise awareness against illegal trades in wildlife, the destruction of our natural environment and the abuse of animals.
We respectfully wish to express our doubts about the Government’s measures in terms of declaring a ‘20-kilometer no-go zone’ around Fukushima’s nuclear reactor on 22nd April and call on you to improve and change this decision.
Although many animal welfare organizations, including ourselves, have saved animals in the epicenter of the disaster, miserable conditions persist for abandoned animals such as dogs and cats, and also other domestic animals, in the radiation-contaminated area. The neglect of these animals has been given a lot of attention, not only by the Japanese people but also by others elsewhere in the world.
We submit the documents to the Government of Japan; please make a new plan your immediate consideration.
Request
In terms of being left animals in around Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, we request that all animals in the area be saved and transferred to safe areas and cared for by veterinarians in an appropriate facility where possible. We call on you to prepare such facilities and acquire the staff immediately as a measure to save the life all your power.
Request details
We request that the Government should be:
1
Providing supplies of food and water for abandoned animals and preparing vehicles to transfer rescued animals, and also funding the necessary expenses such as radiation protection suits, Geiger counters and goggles for rescue workers;
2
Saving and decontaminating each animal as much as possible. All of the animals should be returned to their owner after they recovered;
3
Funding the travel, accommodation and subsistence expenses for rescue workers, including veterinarians and their staff;
4
Providing a temporary shelter in Fukushima and the surrounding prefecture;
5
Providing for staff and veterinarians to care for the animals in the shelter;
6
Permission for animal welfare organizations to enter the restricted area to save animals;
7
Putting in place plans to bring out animals, and providing information about temporary owners for people who live in the area;
8
Not dealing with the animals on the assumption that they will be killed in the future.
Sincerely,
Life Investigation Agency (LIA)