Animal Cruelty
Federal Money to Help States Stop Animal Cruelty
U.S. Rep. C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger is continuing to follow a trend set in Massachusetts in 2010. In that year the state enacted a law banning devocalization of dogs and cats except in the event of medical necessity as determined by a licensend veterinarian. Barking a lot is not a medical necessity, by the way. In the last Congressional session and now this session, Rep. Ruppersberger who is from Maryland has offered a bill, H.R. 1725, that would make financial grants available to states for use in preventing animal cruelty.
Casey's Law to Strengthen WI Animal Cruelty Law
Casey's Law recently introduced in the Wisconsin Assembly by state Rep. Evan Wynn, is named for Casey, a dog who suffered severe internal injuries after he was shot with an arrow. The perpetrator, Dale A. Moore, could only be charged with a misdemeanor under current Wisconsin law. He was fined and put on probation for a year. That's it.
Conference Committee Drops Provision Legalizing Bestiality in Military
Update December 15, 2011: A conference committee made up of members of the House of Representatives and Senate has released a report that leaves intact Art. 125 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, meaning bestiality will remain illegal in the military. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have approved the report, and President Barack Obama is expected to sign it.
New York City Fails Its Carriage Horses
by Elizabeth Forel (This article first appeared at onegreenplanet.org)
Irvine Takes on Circuses, Rodeos and Pet Stores
The city of Irvine, California has enacted an ordinance that broadly - and boldly - takes on a number of industries that use animals - circuses, rodeos and pet stores.
Another NYC Carriage Horse Collapses
The latest tragedy should give impetus to bill to ban this cruel practice of using horses to pull carriages through busy city streets
Nitro's Law Passes Committee
Update Sept. 22, 2011: A committee substitute version of Nitro's Law, H.B. 108, has now passed the Criminal Justice Committee.
Jury Awards Damages for Dog Killed by Police
A federal jury has awarded the Russell family, Thomas and Darcel and their sons, Thomas III and Darren $330,000 in damages.
On February 27, 2009, eighteen year-old Thomas Russell III and his brother, sixteen year-old Darren Russell, were at home in their second-floor apartment with their nine-year old dog, Lady. Lady had been part of the family all of her life.
That night Chicago police officers executing a search warrant for illegal drugs knocked on the door and here is what happened:
Bill to Improve OH's Animal Cruelty Laws Passes House!
Update June 21, 2011: By a vote of 89-7, the Ohio House of Representatives has approved H.B. 25!
For more on this bill, read Animal Law Coalition's reports below.
NY Bill to Keep Pets Away from Dangerous Dryers
New York bill, A.B. 7502A/S.B. 5702, unanimously passed the Assembly and is now pending in the state senate.
This bill, sponsored by Assembly Member Amy Paulin and Sen. Jeffrey Klein, would prohibit use of cage or box dryers for animals with the heating element turned on.
