All Articles

CO Bill to Promote Horse Slaughter Passes Committee

lauraallen — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:41:51 -0700

Update Mar. 5, 2010: The Senate Appropriations Committee voted 8-1 to pass S.B. 139.

We can still stop this bill which would give pro-slaughter special interests tax dollars.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Horse Slaughter

Improving Shelter for NY Dogs Kept Outside

lauraallen — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 09:30:10 -0700

A bill to improve requirements for shelter for dogs kept outdoors passed the New York state Assembly last year but died in the Senate last month.

The bill is now being voted on again by the Assembly with amendments.

Animal Cruelty

Alaska Bills Would Improve Animal Cruelty Laws

lauraallen — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 07:33:57 -0700

For the second time in just two years, Alaska's legislature is moving to strengthen the state's animal cruelty laws.

SB 214 would make it a felony on the first offense to "knowingly" inflict severe and prolonged physical pain or suffering on an animal.

Animal Cruelty

W. VA. Puppy Mill Bills Stuck in Committee

lauraallen — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:48:12 -0700

The West Virginia puppy mill bills, House Bill 4333 and a Senate version, S.B. 147, are both stuck in Agriculture Committees. These bills were filed this year on the heels of a puppy mill raid at the misnamed Whispering Oaks Kennel that held 1,000 dogs in horrific conditions.

Companion Animal Breeding

Help Pass Wind Chill's Law

lauraallen — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:19:51 -0700

Watch Wind Chill's story below and help pass Wind Chill's Law!

Update March 4, 2010: The Wisconsin Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Corrections, etc. held a hearing on Wind Chill's Law, S.B. 555. on March 3. No vote yet. Also no vote by the committee hearing the Assembly version of the bill, A.B. 747.

Animal Cruelty

ID Bill Offers More Protection for Some Animals

lauraallen — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:48:28 -0700

The Idaho Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee chaired by state Sen. Tim Corder has passed a bill he has championed to improve the state's weak animal cruelty laws. Idaho has one of the weakest animal cruelty laws in the U.S.

Animal Cruelty

An Online Registry for Animal Abusers

lauraallen — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:15:39 -0700

In a time where bipartisanship is rare, California state Sen. Dean Florez hopes a love of animals will bring the parties together. Florez is the chair of the state Senate's Food and Agriculture Committee and an animal welfare advocate.

Animal Cruelty

Call on IN Sen. Steele to Pass HB 1258 As Written

lauraallen — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:40:56 -0700

Animal Cruelty

HI Anti-Tethering Bills Coming Up for Vote

lauraallen — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:30:02 -0700

Update Feb. 24, 2010: As USA Today notes a trend in increasing restrictions on chaining dogs, the Hawaii House of Representatives' Committee on the Judiciary has voted unanimously to pass H.B. 2724 with amendments! (The Senate version, S.B.

Tethering-Penning

Illinois Bill Would Ban Most Chaining

lauraallen — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:50:59 -0700

An Illinois bill, S.B. 2580, introduced by state Sen. Linda Holmes, would amend the Humane Care for Animals Act to ban tethering outdoors, whether to a stationary object or on a running line, of (1) dogs under 6 months of age and

Tethering-Penning

Both OK Breeder Bills Pass

lauraallen — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:42:17 -0700

Update Mar. 3, 2010: Oklahoma's black market breeder bill, S.B. 1712, has now passed the state Senate by a vote of 38-8 (engrossed version attached below). The bill is now in the House.

In the meantime, the Oklahoma Pet Quality Assurance and Protection Act, H.B. 2745 has passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 63-30. The bill now goes to the state Senate.

Companion Animal Breeding

KY Bill to Create Pro Slaughter Board Passes House

lauraallen — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 07:46:05 -0700

Update Mar. 3, 2010: H.B. 398 has now passed the Kentucky House and is before the state Senate Agriculture Committee. This fast tracked bill would create a board openly named for the pro-horse slaughter organization, Equine Health and Welfare Alliance.

What the Equine Health and Welfare Board will do

Horse Slaughter

A Grass Roots Effort to Shut Down CO Gas Chambers in TX

lauraallen — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:07:47 -0700

Sulphur Springs, Texas city councilor Craig Johnson stepped up to lead an effort to ban the use of carbon monoxide gas chambers in that city's animal shelter.

And he won.

Gas Chambers

Hearing 2/18 on Bill to Ban Pet Store Sales of Dogs Under 9 Mos

lauraallen — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:06:19 -0700

A bill is pending in the Maryland legislature, S.B. 505, that would prohibit pet stores from selling dogs under 9 months of age. The definition of "retail pet store" is broad and would include any place that sells dogs for a profit.

Violators would face fines of up to $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense.

Companion Animal Breeding

House Passes UT Bill Restricting Ways of Killing Shelter Animals

lauraallen — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:10:46 -0700

Update Mar 4: The Utah House of Representatives has passed a substitue version of H.B. 185 that would restrict the means of killing shelter animals to "lethal injection" and carbon monoxide gas chambers with certain restrictions. The bill has moved to the state Senate.

Only one week remains in the Utah 2010 legislative session.

Gas Chambers

UT Bill Limiting Pound Seizure Passes House and Senate!

lauraallen — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 10:01:08 -0700

Update Mar. 3, 2010: The Senate as well as the House have now passed Utah bill, H.B. 107, which would make pound seizure discretionary instead of mandatory for Utah public shelters and also improve laws requiring public shelters to search for owners and find homes for animals.

Pound Seizure

Watch West Hollywood City Council Ban Retail Dog, Cats Sales

lauraallen — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:04:30 -0700

Update Feb. 3, 2010: The West Hollywood City Council has voted unanimously to ban pet stores from sellling dogs and cats. One outlet for sales of dogs and cats trapped in the pet trade has been cut off in West Hollywood.

For more on the ordinance, read Animal Law Coalition's report below.

Companion Animal Breeding

Ohio Legislative Committee Passes Bill to Implement Issue 2

lauraallen — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:25:24 -0700

Update Mar. 5, 2010: After 6 hearings, the Ohio House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee has passed H.B. 414, legislation to implement Issue 2.

Farm Animals

The Promotion of Criminal Animal Cruelty sweeps the US under the Guise of Euthanasia

lauraallen — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:43:07 -0700

Part 1 of a 3 part series by Katia Louise (reprinted with permission)

Horse Slaughter

Virginia's Humane Investigator Program

lauraallen — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:06:25 -0700

Bills pending in Virginia would open the door to appointment of volunteer humane investigators by a court, not only at the request of local animal control but also shelters and rescues. Humane investigators could also be re-appointed.

Animal Cruelty

FWC to Draft Regulations for Chasing Foxes, Coyotes in Enclosures

lauraallen — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 11:39:24 -0700

Update Feb. 20, 2010: After listening to a debate about live bait dog training, during a public hearing on Feb. 17-18, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued a decision to draft regulations for this practice of encouraging dogs to tear apart fox and coyote trapped in pens or running enclosures.

Wildlife

As Vick's Reality Show Debuts, the Work of Stopping Crimes Like His Continues

lauraallen — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:12:45 -0700

The effort to strengthen animal fighting laws, to give law enforcement and prosecutors the tools to go after those who would so cruelly torture dogs and other animals, continues in the 2010 legislative session.

Animal Fighting

City Appeals Ruling Invalidating "Pit Bull" Restrictions

lauraallen — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:30:33 -0700

Update Feb. 3, 2010: The City of Toledo has filed an appeal of Judge Goulding's decision to strike several provisions of the city's vicious dog ordinance particularly those related to "pit bulls" and "pit bull mixed breeds".

Breed Bans

3/16 Meeting on IN Live Bait Dog Training

lauraallen — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 11:31:56 -0700

Loopholes in Indiana regulations still allow what some call "live bait dog training", meaning coyotes and red foxes are used as bait to train dogs to hunt, though in many cases, it is considered a "sport" where hunters place bets and prizes are awarded. What is the sport or mode of "training?

Wildlife

Washington Bill Would Ban Almost All Unattended Chaining

lauraallen — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:23:35 -0700

and would also ban confinement in too small outdoor cages or pens.

A bill is pending in the Washington state legislature, H.B. 2387, that would ban all unattended chaining or tethering of dogs except for an hour each day or up to 3 hours if the owner is engaged in a temporary task.

Tethering-Penning

Efforts to End Ohio's Dog Auction Continues

lauraallen — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 07:53:20 -0700

by Michele C. Hollow, Pet News and Views, a blog for pet and wildlife lovers (reprinted with permission)

Companion Animal Breeding

You Can Still Sign the Petition to Stop BSL in TX!

lauraallen — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 10:46:11 -0700

Help support Love-a-bull's petition drive to stop BSL in Texas!

Texas state law, Texas Health & Safety Code §822.047, currently prohibits breed-specific legislation, or BSL.

Breed Bans

Help Get Dogs Off the Chain and Out of the Cold

lauraallen — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:33:08 -0700

Many places in the U.S. are experiencing bitter cold now, and yet, dogs remain chained or tethered outside.

Tethering-Penning

Cattlemen's Association Challenges EPA Findings on Greenhouse Gases

lauraallen — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:44:08 -0700

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) has joined with several oil and gas and mining companies in filing a Petition for Review in the D.C. federal court under the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. §7607 to challenge the Environmental Protection Agency's final rules issued this month regarding greenhouse gases. 74 Fed. Reg. 66,496 et seq. (Dec. 15, 2009)

Farm Animals

Support MO Ballot Initiative to Restrict Puppy Mills

lauraallen — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:41:44 -0700

An effort is underway to gather 100,000 signatures needed to place the "Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act" on the November, 2010 ballot in Missouri. If the ballot initiative is approved by voters, it would be a new law regulating commercial dog breeders in Missouri.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Companion Animal Breeding

CA Court Stops City Support for TNR

lauraallen — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:52:07 -0700

A California Superior Court has ordered the City of Los Angeles to halt what was described as an effort to "secretly and unofficially" promote TNR or trap neuter return, the practice of trapping feral cats, spaying/neutering as well as vaccinating them, and returning them to a feral cat colony cared for by a volunteer caregiver.

Feral Cats

Court Invalidates Midwest City Breed Ban

lauraallen — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:05:48 -0700

The state of Oklahoma is one of a handful of states that actually bans breed specific legislation. Click here for a list of the other states.

Breed Bans

Will Congress, Canada's Parliament Allow Europe To Eat Tainted Horse Meat?

lauraallen — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:17:36 -0700

Courtesy of Equine Welfare Alliance

CHICAGO, (EWA), - European horses sent to slaughter require a passport that chronicles every drug the horse has received since birth.

Horse Slaughter

Stop Trapping on National Wildlife Refuges!

lauraallen — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:56:28 -0700

Hunting is actually allowed and even promoted by the US Fish & Wildlife Service on many refuges within the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Trapping is even allowed.

Wildlife

Send a Letter to Congress to Stop Farm Animal Cruelty!

lauraallen — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:07:57 -0700

An undercover investigation by Mercy for Animals has revealed horrific animal cruelty at a factory farm owned and operated in Pennsylvania by Country View Family Farms (CVFF). A misnomer for sure.

Farm Animals

USDA Policies Based on Farm Bills & IRS Rulings Promote Slaughter

lauraallen — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:18:41 -0700

by Joanne Byrnes (Tucson, AZ), for http://www.greenhorn-horse-facts.com/

Horse Slaughter

Indictments Handed Down Against Memphis Animal Shelter Staff

lauraallen — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:24:59 -0700

Public Shelters

Help Save Downed Veal Calves from Cruelty

lauraallen — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:46:34 -0700

A U.S. Dept. of Agriculture regulation, 9 CFR 309.13(b), has meant brutally cruel treatment for veal calves. The regulation states that "[v]eal calves that are unable to rise from a recumbent position and walk because they are tired or cold may also be set apart and held.... The U.S.

Farm Animals

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Save Our Wild Horses

lauraallen — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:03:28 -0700

by Shelley Sawhook, President, American Horse Defense Fund, and Cindy MacDonald, author of http://www.americanherds.blogspot.com/ (reprinted with permission)

Download the Pros and Cons of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's plan for the wild horses and burros which is attached at the end of this article.

Horse Slaughter

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You Can Help Ban Ohio Dog Auctions

lauraallen — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:24:33 -0700

SIGNATURE DRIVE SUPPORTING THE OHIO DOG AUCTIONS ACT

A state ballot initiative committee, Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions, has officially kicked off its 2010 campaign to save hundreds of "breeding" dogs which they believe are bought and sold carelessly and often treated heartlessly with little or no regard for their health and well-being.

Companion Animal Breeding

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Federal Government Sanctions Deer Cull

lauraallen — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:11:56 -0700

On October 1, 2009 the National Park Service's approved the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final White-tailed Deer Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (Final plan/EIS) at Valley Forge National Historical Park.

Wildlife

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Stop More Breed Restrictions in Fremont, OH!

lauraallen — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:38:36 -0700

The Fremont, Ohio Law Director, Bob Hart, would like to see pit bulls banned or more regulation of them.

But Ohio already defines "vicious" dogs to include "pit bulls" and has extensive regulations for these dogs.

Breed Bans

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A Ban on Unattended Chaining Passes in Asheville

lauraallen — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:55:23 -0700

Asheville, North Carolina has joined a number of local governments that have banned unattended chaining of dogs.

By a vote of 5-2 the City Council voted to ban unattended tethering or chaining of dogs in the city.

Tethering-Penning

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Several CA Cities Ban Declawing

lauraallen — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 06:50:02 -0700

Update Dec. 12: Culver City and Burbank are now the 7th and 8th cities in North America to ban declawing of cats except for therapeutic purposes.

For more on this new law passed in these and other California cities in the past few months, read Animal Law Coalition's reports below.

Animal Cruelty

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New CA Law Stops Local Regulation of Vets

lauraallen — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 06:27:13 -0700

Under a California law, S.B. 762, to take effect January 1, no city or county will be allowed to prohibit a licensed healing arts professional which includes veterinarians from "engaging in any act or performing any procedure that falls within the professionally recognized scope of practice".

Animals and Politics

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NYC Ordered to Provide More Shelters

lauraallen — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 08:54:40 -0700

Stray from the Heart, Inc. brought an action in the nature of mandamus to compel New York City and its Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene, to comply with the city's the Animal Shelters and Sterilization Act, Local Law 26 of 2000, §§17-801-7-808.

Public Shelters

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Why is PA Funding Puppy Mills?

lauraallen — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:12:07 -0700

HARRISBURG, Sept. 14 - Pennsylvania State Rep. James E. Casorio Jr. said he was shocked to learn this weekend that the state has awarded a low-cost loan of more than $30,000 to help a commercial puppy mill in Lancaster County expand.

Companion Animal Breeding

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Terra Haute Ordinance is Not Trying to Starve Cats

lauraallen — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:55:00 -0700

The Terre Haute, Indiana City Council has voted 7-1 to approve an ordinance implementing a trap neuter return program for feral cats. The ordinance, however, has been touted in the media as a ban on feeding or caring for feral cats.

Feral Cats

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HAPPY News for Pet Owners

lauraallen — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 08:35:31 -0700

A bill pending in Congress would give pet owners tax deductions, well, for having pets. H.R. 3501 introduced by Rep. Thaddeus G. McCotter (R-MI) is also known as the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years or HAPPY Act.

Animals and Politics

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IL Joins States Requiring Cross-Reporting of Child Abuse and Animal Cruelty

lauraallen — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:53:11 -0700

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed HB 562 into law today.

This bill requires animal control and humane officers and Department of Agriculture investigators to make a police report when they have a reasonable belief child abuse is occurring.

Animal Cruelty

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