More Efforts to Stop Devocalization

lauraallen — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:25:09 -0700

Following the victories in Massachusetts in 2010 and recently Warwick, Rhode Island, legislators in both New York and Rhode Island hope to pass bills to ban devocalization of dogs and cats.

Animal Cruelty

It's Time to End Devocalization in New York

lauraallen — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:14:31 -0700

There is a growing movement to stop the devocalization of dogs and cats. Devocalization is nothing less than the cutting of a dog or cat's vocal cords. It is also known as "debarking", "silencing", or "bark softening". Devocalization is typically done by veterinarians paid by owners, usually breeders, who don't want to hear the dogs or cats they are breeding for profit.

Animal Cruelty

Federal Money to Help States Stop Animal Cruelty

lauraallen — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:28:29 -0700

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.

Animal Cruelty

Casey's Law to Strengthen WI Animal Cruelty Law

lauraallen — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:17:50 -0700

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.

Animal Cruelty

Conference Committee Drops Provision Legalizing Bestiality in Military

lauraallen — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:54:31 -0700

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.

Animal Cruelty

New York City Fails Its Carriage Horses

lauraallen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:29:27 -0700

by Elizabeth Forel (This article first appeared at onegreenplanet.org)

Animal Cruelty

Irvine Takes on Circuses, Rodeos and Pet Stores

lauraallen — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:07:48 -0700

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.

Animal Cruelty

Another NYC Carriage Horse Collapses

lauraallen — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 07:49:15 -0700

The latest tragedy should give impetus to bill to ban this cruel practice of using horses to pull carriages through busy city streets

Animal Cruelty

Nitro's Law Passes Committee

lauraallen — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:44:48 -0700

Update Sept. 22, 2011: A committee substitute version of Nitro's Law, H.B. 108, has now passed the Criminal Justice Committee.

Animal Cruelty

Jury Awards Damages for Dog Killed by Police

lauraallen — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 15:18:14 -0700

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:

Animal Cruelty