Animal Law Coalition

by John Holland 

At the moment, the news is rife with stories about the level of equine neglect in the United States, with many of the articles blaming the "unintended consequences" of closing the US horse slaughter plants and calling for them to be reopened. But in reality, we are coming up on a once in a lifetime opportunity to get rid of this abominable practice once and for all.

Animal advocates from across Pennsylvania will rally Sept. 13 on Harrisburg's Capitol Steps sending a message to state legislators: Pass Humane Animal Legislation now.

The Israeli Knessett is considering a Bill to prohibit the production and trade in fur. No other country has such a law. The Knessett is expected to vote on this private bill offered by Knessett Member Nitzan Horovits on Sept. 2, 2010:
                                                     
Fur Industry Prohibition, 5769-2009
Definitions   

As a result of a deal reached with the Humane Society of the United States, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland announced he would support and expected to pass laws regulating commercial dog breeders.

The Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) has approved regulations offered by the Dept. of Agriculture and its Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement that gut the ban on wire flooring for breeding dogs held in Class C commercial kennels.

This despite nearly universal opposition to the regulations during the public hearing held by IRRC on August 19.

Reprinted courtesy of Simone Netherlands, Founder, Respect 4 Horses

Update Aug. 15, 2010: For a look at the roundup going on now in Twin Peaks, read accounts of observers.... 

Update August 11, 2010: The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected an emergency motion to stop the Twin Peaks wild horse roundup.

by Amy Abern, Executive Editor, tailsinc.com  

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO), and the Louisiana SPCA (LA/SPCA) have created Canine CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), the nation's first criminal dogfighting DNA database. The system was developed to help the criminal justice system investigate and prosecute dogfighting cases.

Update Aug. 5, 2010: In an exhaustive opinion, U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy struck down the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) 2009 Rule that delisted or removed northern Rocky Mountain gray wolves from the endangered species list in all geographic areas except Wyoming.

Injunctions issued by a court are invaluable to animal welfare advocates trying to save animal lives. Temporary restraining orders  or preliminary injunctions can be issued to maintain the status quo and avoid "irreparable harm" that could result during the time it takes to resolve a lawsuit.