Cheerleader in Dolphin Crusade

Hayden Panettiere is truly a maritime hero! She was recently seen in Japan, on a mission to save dolphins from slaughter by local fishermen -- an estimated 23,000 dolphins are killed every year.


Hayden and a few other surfers from the US and Australia went into the waters off Japan in an effort to drive the dolphins away from a hidden cove where the killings are carried out in secret. Angry fisherman used propellers of boats to scare surfers away, and even used a hook to intimidate the activists. After an intense struggle, surfers from the Save the Whales Again Campaign had to give up -- forced to leave the water due to the extremely dangerous situation.

After the frustrating attempt to save the mammals, an emotional Hayden said that when she was in the water, she saw a baby dolphin sticking his head out, literally "sky hopping." Hayden said, "The thought that the baby is no longer with us is very difficult."

Reader Comments

(Page 3 of 7) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

31. Hypocrites. I think it's sad that all you care about are dogs, cats and dolphins. Yet you probably sit there eating your factory farm abused animals. If you care go vegan. Better for you, better for the planet, and animals don't have to suffer to feed you.


Also humans aren't the only species who are suffering. We are responsible for the immense suffering of millions of animals. You aren't human if you don't care about other species. You are just a savage.

And nuking the Japanese would kill all the animals and people who are innocent. They eat dolphins. Asians pretty much eat everything.

Posted at 11:59AM on Nov 2nd 2007 by d

32. Everyone who thinks this is awful better be vegetarian. If you aren't a vegetarian than you are a hypocrite.

Posted at 11:58AM on Nov 2nd 2007 by Seeeeeee

33. THANK YOU #28 for clarifying this to those that dont think logically. It effects everything and everyone by killing these creatures. And they're not exactly humane about it either.

Posted at 2:41PM on Nov 1st 2007 by T.Marie

34. Thanks Dee, for stating what I wanted to share. Obviously, theyounglion is sadly misinformed. Also it should be known that yes, it is a part of the Japanese culture, but it is certainly not a past time shared by everyone in Japan. There are just as many protest groups in Japan as there are in the US that try and stop the brutality of these practices. Many of these killings are not for food, but for the "trophy". Learn the facts before you open your mouth.

Posted at 2:46PM on Nov 1st 2007 by A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE HERE

35. In other culture, people eat rat, snake, dog, cat... If American people don't eat them, it doesn't mean that other culture can't eat them. Why do American have to be "International police" for the rest of the world. If it is legal in Japan for people to eat dog, cat, dolphin, the American shouldn't interfere. The rest of the world never come to America and ask hunter not to shoot at deer. Deer hunting is a big "SPORT" in America. If the American can call deer hunting is "sport", then the rest of the world can hunt dolphin too. Dolphin is not endanger species. I personally see eating dog, cat and dolphin is disgusting. But I am just tired of the American people try to be the "righteous" for the rest of the world. I don't even want to talk about the US trying to be the big brother for "Afgan, Iraq, Iran, and the middle east. This is so hypocrite.

Posted at 2:58PM on Nov 1st 2007 by Hypocrite

36. BOYCOTT JAPANESE PRODUCTS!!!!! They'll stop this horrific practice. Bastards.

Posted at 2:51PM on Nov 1st 2007 by Gia

37. Hayden, do not stop! You speak for so many of us that have no venue.
Please keep doing this for the dolphins, these people must be
stopped from doing this.
Thank you!

Posted at 4:19PM on Nov 1st 2007 by mindy

38. hey "Hypocrite"-learn the English language. Maybe then you won't look like such an uneducated fool in your posts.

Posted at 5:09PM on Nov 1st 2007 by I'm always right

39. Give me a plane ticket some cash for a hotel and lawyer fees so I can go over there rent a jetski cut some of those fishing nets and get in the face of those punk ass killers. I will get the job done just by following my heart who cannot stand still for injustice to living creatures such as the dolphins, it's one thing to sit here and comment but put me face to face with these bastards and they have another thing coming I guarantee I will save some dolphins... they might know karate but I know crazy…no fear easyrideher@hotmail.com

Posted at 2:55PM on Nov 1st 2007 by mike@502vibe.com

40. Hey Hyprocrite, did you even read any of the posts explaining the difference here? Because if you didn't, you are what you're calling us- and if you have read them, I feel sorry for you way of thinking.

Posted at 2:54PM on Nov 1st 2007 by A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE HERE

41. #25 ... So you think that the way the US slaughters cattle is inhuman but you do not find a problem with the way that the Japanese are killing dolphins ... ???
What's next ... you are going to find an excuse for the seal hunt in Canada!!??

Posted at 3:14PM on Nov 1st 2007 by Lucy

42. hey, A little respect!
Again, you are just proving my point. You think that Dolphin is a wild life animal and shouldn't be kill to eat. Cow are raised in farm, so you can eat them. You think that is a different? Then tell me what about lobster and other fish that you eat? They are wild animal too. Do you raise lobster? No you don't. Fishermen catch them the wild ocean. My point is, it doesn't matter how you live and think here in the western world, you can't force the rest of the world to think like you. Only people like you who will support Bush to kill innocent civilian in Vietnam and Iraq. Go back, and read a little history buddy.

Posted at 3:21PM on Nov 1st 2007 by Hypocrite

43. SAVEJAPANSDOLPHINS.ORG - Get more information - send Julie Scardina ( you've seen her on the Tonight Show bring animals to crawl all over Jay Leno) a letter protesting her organization's ties to the companies involved with the rounding up and sale of dolphins and their slaughter - lots of ways to lend support - lots of addresses and email to japanese authorites and the fisherman - clog up their email system - burn out their fax machines!

Posted at 3:35PM on Nov 1st 2007 by MissVee

44. I don't agree with killing as a sport, however, the reason that deer hunting is allowed in America is because of population control. It's classified as a "necessary sport" and they have STRICT regulations pertaining to this hunt. Deer are not herded and massacred; they are not tortured, they are not slaughtered! Each state has it's own "deer management program" to prevent this from happening.

Scientifically and socially, dolphins are intelligent and necessary creatures. Many dolphins help our nations military by patroling our borders under water. Dolphins have helped saved lives and have many more benefits detrimental to humans. Japan could learn a lot from the US research into this, rather than just regard them as "fish." They are not just fish, as they have proven time and time again.

In case anyone who lives in America isn't aware, as reading the above comments leads me to believe, there are heavy legal consequences when it comes to killing animals. Several other countries also have heavy legal consequences as well. People around the world are outraged at the Dolphin Massacre, as they should be; it's not just "Americans not minding their own business." Dolphin and Seal clubbing have both gained an International outcry.

Any of this information is available to you through search engines like Google, which is where I get most of mine. Anyone can have an opinion, but it helps to be educated and having the facts that actually helped form that opinion.

Posted at 3:57PM on Nov 1st 2007 by DolphinLover

45. Good for Hayden! This just makes me like her even more.

It makes me sick to my stomach that any human could slaughter these poor, friendly, lovable creatures. There is no way their arguement "Dolphins should be treated like all fish" is plausible. They are MAMMALS, not fish. They are highly intelligent and should not be cruelly hacked up like this. It's disgusting.

Posted at 3:41PM on Nov 1st 2007 by Kaye

Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments