Exotic Pet Rhetoric

I should probably blog more on current animal events of the day but I seem to dwell in a limbic space many hours behind the news cycle and constantly butt up against the law of diminishing relevance.  For example, this whole chimp- mauling thing…  Since we all know the gruesome details, I’ll confine my comments [...]

Crime vs. Terrorism: The Case Against AETA

As one commenter recently noted, 4 animal rights activists were recently arrested and charged with suspicion of terrorism for their threats and harassment of University of California researchers (full story here).  I have not seen enough details to take a substantive position on the case but I do have something to say about the the [...]

Turkey Plant Workers Indicted for Cruelty

The following press release is posted here: Indictments Are First Felony Charges for Abuse of Factory-Farmed Birds For Immediate Release: February 9, 2009 Contact: Dan Paden 757-622-7382 Lewisburg, W.Va. — A Greenbrier County grand jury has issued 19 indictments for cruelty to animals against three former employees of Aviagen Turkeys, Inc. The workers were among [...]

Update: WA State lawsuit over factory-farmed animals exempted from anti-cruelty legislation

In reference to my February 13th post regarding the recent filing of a lawsuit challenging WA state’s policies relating to the welfare of factory-farmed animals, the complaint can be found here, along with a press release: http://narn.org/090206_release_anticruelty_suit.pdf -Suzanne McMillan

Arkansas Makes (Some) Animal Cruelty a Felony

On February 4, Arkansas made animal cruelty a felony offense in some cases (depending on which species was injured/killed, and whether this was a first-time offense). This leaves only four states without any felony animal cruelty provisions: Idaho, Mississippi, South Dakota and North Dakota. However, all but North Dakota are currently considering introducing felony provisions. [...]

WA State animal cruelty statute exemptions

Over 20 states have animal welfare statutes containing express exemptions for standard factory-farming procedures. Many of these exemptions were added in recent years, reflecting a growing trend. This blatant loophole is the source of frustration for those seeking legal protection from physical abuse for farmed animals. Washington State is one of the states with such [...]

The Congressional Canine Awards

From the Truth is Stranger than Fiction Desk: Last night were the Congressional Canine Awards. . . At the awards ceremony,  House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer eulogized his late dog, Charlotte, declaring: “God invented dogs for us, to give us the kind of uncompromising love that human beings need, and we in turn give them [...]

Taxing Veterinary Care

Interesting story on NPR (read and listen here) about Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposed plan to levy a 9% tax on veterinary care as part of an overall plan to close California’s $41 billion budget gap.  The proposal has raised concern that it will price veterinary care out of the reach of many Californians.  As a result, [...]

NY State Bar Association Student Animal Law Writing Competition

I just received notice of this student writing competition sponsored by the New York State Bar Association (check out their Committee on Animals and the Law).  It’s notable both because it’s a great opportunity for law students and also because 10 years ago, a student writing competition on animal law sponsored by a bar association [...]

Uncoupling Circuses and Cruelty

If you follow the news and care about such things, then you know that the long-awaited circus trial has begun.  In brief, Ringling Bros. circus must defend against charges that its use and (mis)treatment of exotic animals in its care violates the Endangered Species Act.  Plaintiffs include the ASPCA, the Animal Welfare Institute, and the [...]

Blogging from the Animal Moot

I blog from Cambridge, MA, where tomorrow the National Animal Law Moot Court Competition begins.  I have the honor of participating as a judge – something I have done for each of the last 5 years.  This year’s competition is sponsored by Lewis & Clark Law School’s Center for Animal Law Studies in collaboration with [...]

Why is it a Crime to Have Sex with an Animal?

As of 2001, engaging in sex with an animal was considered a crime in 23 states. The legitimacy of criminalizing such conduct is unclear. It could be argued that bestiality is a victimless crime that is made criminal solely because a majority of the population believes that such conduct is immoral. If so, the criminalization [...]