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:
Uncategorized /
Senate Puts Polar Bears on Thin Ice
Congress returns to Washington today after the election, and gets back to the business of the country. You’d think that first up on the Senate’s agenda today would be jobs, the economy, dealing with the fiscal cliff, or even climate change. But instead, the very first item on the Senate’s lame-duck calendar is something really important to the American people: importing 41 polar bear heads and hides from Canada so they can adorn the trophy rooms of wealthy big-game hunters.
Ballot Measures, Elections /
Election Wrap-Up: Mixed Results for Animals, Hope on the Horizon
Ballot Measures, Elections /
Building a Consensus on Animal Cruelty in North Dakota
There is disappointing news from North Dakota tonight, as Measure 5 appears to be going down to defeat. The opponents of this measure, mostly ranching and farming trade associations, were able to cast doubt among voters and tell them the proposed felony animal cruelty law was written by “outside” groups, as if the language morphs into something different depending on who backs it.
Elections /
Election Day Humane Voter Guide
If you’re ready for the election to be over, you’re not alone. After months of campaigning, TV ads, and robo-calls, tomorrow is the day when the vast majority of voters cast their ballots on the presidential, congressional, state and local races around the country.
Elections /
Lawmakers’ Opposition to Disaster Relief Leaves People and Pets Out in the Cold
As the nation continues to reel from the effect of Hurricane Sandy, and some areas begin their slow and difficult recovery, it’s a reminder of just how important it was for Congress to pass the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act in 2006, which now requires disaster plans to include pets and service animals.
Ballot Measures, Elections /
Trust the People, Not the Politicians
North Dakotans will vote next week on Measure 5, to make it a felony to maliciously and intentionally harm a dog, cat or horse. Lawmakers in neighboring states such as Montana and Minnesota adopted felony-level penalties for malicious cruelty years ago, and Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Oklahoma took action in the 19th century! In fact, 48 states have done it, and it’s embarrassing that North Dakota is such an outlier.
