Uncategorized /
Horsemeat Scandal Illustrates Need for Federal Action
A food scandal has rocked Europe, where products labeled as beef—everything from frozen lasagna to Swedish meatballs—have tested positive for
Wildlife, In the News /
Global Protections Needed for Polar Bears and Sharks
When the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) gathers next month in Thailand, more than 170 member nations will consider a number of important proposals to protect imperiled species.
Uncategorized /
Federal Trapper Arrested for Animal Cruelty
The USDA’s Wildlife Services program—established more than 80 years ago with the passage of the Animal Damage Control Act of 1931—wastes millions of taxpayer dollars recklessly killing animals with steel-jawed leghold traps, toxic poisons, aerial gunning, and other hideous lethal methods every year. Several former USDA-Wildlife Services employees and whistleblowers have described the agency’s deeply rooted culture of disregard for animals, and for these reasons, have long suspected that some federal trappers may be committing crimes against animals while performing work-related duties.
Wildlife /
Lawmakers Roar to Save the King of the Jungle
This week, a bipartisan group of 44 members of Congress led by U.S. Reps. Jim Moran, D-Va., and Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., sent a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the African lion under the Endangered Species Act.
Elections /
Unfinished Business: Cracking Down on Animal Fighting Spectators
The first major animal protection bill of the 113th Congress was introduced today, and it’s a key piece of unfinished business that got to the one-yard line in the last session. U.S. Reps. Tom Marino, R-Pa., Jim McGovern, D-Mass., John Campbell, R-Calif., and Jim Moran, D-Va., have reintroduced the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act—to close a loophole in the federal animal fighting statute and make it a crime to attend or bring a child to a dogfight or cockfight.
Ballot Measures, Elections /
Michigan Voters to Make their Voices Heard on Wolf Hunting
I’ve just returned from western and northern Michigan, where I joined animal advocates, tribal leaders, and conservationists at kick-off meetings to launch the Keep Michigan Wolves Protected ballot measure campaign, and to turn back the state legislature’s recently passed bill authorizing the trophy hunting of wolves for the first time in nearly 50 years.
Uncategorized /
Ranking the States on Animal Protection Policies
State legislatures around the country are in full swing with the beginning of their 2013 legislative sessions, and already lawmakers are considering a number of priority animal protection bills. It’s a good time to take stock of how the states are doing with animal protection policymaking, and what gaps in the state laws need to be addressed for animal welfare.
Elections /
Hot Off the Press: The 2012 Humane Scorecard
Before the November election, I posted a preliminary version of the 2012 Humane Scorecard, and last week, after the conclusion of Congress’ “lame-duck” session, I provided a look at our year in review for animals. We made some modest progress, but the 112th Congress left a lot of unfinished business on animal protection issues, paving the way for a challenging new session.
Uncategorized /
The 2012 Congressional Year in Review for Animals
As the 113th Congress convenes this week, we take a look back at the 112th Congress that just concluded and look forward to the challenges ahead. The 112th—which covered the two years beginning January 2011—was characterized by gridlock, partisan divides, and delay until the last minute.
Uncategorized /
Spread the Word: Time to Get the Lead Out
A new study by the National Academy of Science, commissioned by the Defense Department, this week revealed that toxic lead ammunition used on Army, Navy and Air Force firing ranges jeopardizes the health of military workers, potentially causing neurologic, cardiovascular, reproductive and other problems.
Uncategorized /
Senate Cracks Down on Animal Fighting Attendance
The U.S. Senate tonight passed, by voice vote, a major animal protection bill and a key priority for HSLF: S. 1947, the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act.
Elections /
NRA is All Muzzle and No Bullet
A few days after the election, an excerpt from this Washington Post editorial on the waning power of the NRA caught my eye:
