Current Events
This section features articles from the press on a variety of legal issues relating to animals, including major legislative initiatives, court decisions and general items of interest from both national and international news sources. The articles are summarized and a link is provided to the source of the story for more complete information.
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Last updated 5/7/08
Georgia Increases Penalties for Dogfighting
WSAV, May 6, 2008
http://www.wsav.com/midatlantic/sav/news.apx.-content-articles-SAV-2008-05-06-0015.html
Georgia governor Sonny Perdue has signed a bill that will strengthen Georgia’s dogfighting laws. The anti-dogfighting measure makes it a felony to “own, possess, train, transport or sell any dog for the intention of dogfighting.” In addition, the bill increases penalties for dogfighting, giving first-time offenders between one to five years in prison, a minimum fine of $5000, or both. With the passage of this bill, Georgia, which used to have the worst dogfighting laws in the United States, now ranks among the states with the strongest.
Bald Eagle to Get Artificial Beak
Discovery News, May 5, 2008
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/05/05/eagle-beak-beauty.html
A bald eagle with part of her beak shot off was discovered starving to death in Alaska in 2005. With most of her upper curved beak missing, the bald eagle, now named Beauty, is unable to clutch or tear at food, drink or preen her feathers. However, a team of volunteers has been working to create an artificial beak, and they plan to attach it to Beauty next month. Although the successful implantation of an artificial beak is rare, and whether or not it will be functional remains a question, the team is optimistic. Beauty has the potential to breed or be a foster mother for orphaned babies, and she will also be used as an educational tool to teach people to respect raptors. Though bald eagles are no longer on the endangered species list, shooting one is a violation of federal law.
U.S. World’s Second Largest Ivory Market
National Geographic News, May 5, 2008
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/080505-us-ivory.html
According to a new study published by British conservation group, Care for the Wild International (CWI), the United States has one of the world’s largest retail markets for elephant ivory products, second only to China. The study, which was funded by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Save the Elephants, and the John Aspinall Foundation, is based on the investigation of thousands of retail outlets in 16 American cities between March and December 2006 and March and May 2007. The report also pointed out the loopholes in U.S. laws prohibiting ivory trading, including the U.S.’s failure to comply with CITES regulations as well as national laws. The internet provides a largely unregulated supply of ivory, allowing ivory crafters in the U.S. to purchase ivory from all over the world.
Gunman Shoots Trapped Sea Lions
CNN, May 5, 2008
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/05/sea.lions.salmon.ap/index.html
An unknown gunman shot and killed six sea lions who were stuck in humane traps below the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River on the border of Oregon and Washington. The federally protected sea lions feed on the salmon that swim down the Columbia River, and with the worst salmon season in history expected, state and federal agents have been trapping the sea lions to protect the salmon. According to Brian Gorman, spokesman for the National Marine Fisheries Service, the six sea lions appear to have been shot by someone on the Washington side of the border during the night. The two traps each contained the bodies of two California sea lions and one Steller sea lion. Further trapping will be suspended while an investigation is carried out.
PETA Seeks Suspension of Eight Belles Jockey
Sports Illustrated, May 4, 2008
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/more/05/04/bc.rac.peta.eightbelles.ap/index.html
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has requested that Eight Belles’ jockey, Gabriel Saez, be suspended while the filly’s death is investigated. Eight Belles had to be euthanized when she broke both front ankles immediately after finishing second place in the Kentucky Derby. Eight Belles, the first filly since 1999 to run in the Kentucky Derby, was euthanized on the track. In a letter faxed to the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, PETA claims that Eight Belles “was doubtlessly injured before the finish,” and would like to find out if “he [Saez] felt anything along the way.” The letter also seeks a ban on whipping, limits on races and the age of racehorses, and a transition to softer, artificial surfaces for all racecourses.
U.S. Government Blocked Plan to Protect Whales
Washington Post, May 1, 2008
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/30/AR2008043003189.html
The Union of Concerned Scientists has obtained documents that detail the ongoing struggle between the White House and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) concerning the protection of endangered North Atlantic right whales. According to the documents, which were sent by an unidentified NOAA official, for more than a year White House officials have blocked a rule designed to protect right whales by challenging the findings of government scientists. The documents show that the White House Council of Economic Advisors and Vice President Cheney’s office repeatedly questioned whether the rule, which slowed ship speeds during parts of the year to protect right whales, was necessary. Since NOAA proposed the rule, at least three right whales have been hit by ships and died, and two have been injured by propellers. With a surviving population of fewer than 400, North Atlantic right whales are one of the most endangered species on Earth.
California “Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act” to Appear on November Ballot
JAVMA News, May 1, 2008
http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/may08/080501j.asp
The California Secretary of State has determined that a ballot initiative requiring that egg-laying hens, veal calves, and pregnant sows be provided with enough room to fully extend their limbs, lie down, stand and turn around has obtained enough support to qualify for the November ballot. A total of 433,971 valid signatures were required to qualify for the ballot, and by February the initiative had obtained signatures from 790,486 Californians. If the initiative is passed, the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act would take effect in 2015. Violators could be charged with a misdemeanor, and face fines of up to one thousand dollars, imprisonment, or both.
U.S. Court Orders Polar Bear Listing Decision
National Geographic News, April 29, 2008
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/080429-AP-polar-bears.html
U.S. district judge Claudia Wilken has ordered the Interior Department to decide by May 15 whether polar bears should be listed as a threatened species due to global warming. According to Wilken, the Interior Department, which was supposed to have reached a decision by January 9, 2008, offered no facts that could justify the delay. Wilken’s ruling is a victory for conservation groups, who claim that the Bush administration has delayed making a polar bear decision to avoid dealing with global warming and the transfer of offshore petroleum leases. A U.S. Geological Survey study has predicted polar bears in Alaska could be wiped out by 2050.
Great White Shark Kills Swimmer in San Diego County
National Geographic News, April 25, 2008
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/080425-AP-shark-attac.html
Dave Martin, a 66-year-old retired veterinarian, was attacked and killed by a great white shark at San Diego County’s Tide Beach. Martin was training in the ocean with a group of triathletes when a shark, most likely a great white between 12 feet and 17 feet long, bit him and then swam away. Two swimmers dragged Martin back to shore, but with injuries crossing both thighs, Martin probably bled to death before reaching land. Shark attacks are considered very rare, with the last fatal shark attack occurring along San Diego County in April 1994.
Korea Clones Drug-Sniffing Dogs
National Geographic News, April 24, 2008
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/080424-AP-clones.html
A team of scientists at Seoul National University have cloned seven golden Labrador retrievers from a skilled drug-sniffing dog currently in active service. Researchers are administering a series of tests to the dogs to determine if they share the same high-level sniffing ability as the dog from which they were cloned. So far all seven dogs passed a behavior test that checks if they are qualified to work as sniffing dogs; only 10 to 15 percent of naturally born dogs pass this test. Although the cost of cloning was high (approximately $100,000 to $150,000 per cloned dog), it usually costs about $40,140 to train a naturally born dog, and then only three out of every ten trained dogs ends up qualifying for the job. Officials hope that the cloned dogs will reduce the expense and difficulty of finding and training dogs to detect drugs and explosives.
Caged Monkey Rescued After Ten Years
Ham & High 24, April 23, 2008
Joey, a black-capped capuchin monkey, has been rescued after being locked in a tiny cage for ten years. Sadly, ten years of abuse have left Joey with a paralyzed face, brittle bones, and severe mental problems. In England it is not illegal for people to keep monkeys, however estimates suggest that about 80 percent of monkey owners do not have the proper wild animal license. The Monkey Sanctuary Trust reports that while Joey is making good progress, he will never fully recovery. The sanctuary is currently lobbying to make keeping monkeys as pets illegal.
Grizzly Bear Kills Trainer in California
Fox News, April 23, 2008
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,352211,00.html
A grizzly bear that appeared in a recent Will Ferrell movie killed a trainer with a bite to the neck. Three experienced handlers were working with the bear, Rocky, when he bit 39-year-old Stephan Miller. The handlers used pepper spray to subdue Rocky, and there were no other injuries. Rocky is one of the many wild animals, which include lions, tigers, leopards, cougars, wolves and bears, housed at Randy Miller’s Predators in Action facility. Predators in Action trains wild animals for use in television, film, advertising and education. The Department of Fish and Game will determine Rocky’s fate after an investigation.
PETA Offers $1 Million to Scientist Who Grows Laboratory Chicken
CNN, April 23, 2008
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/04/23/peta.chicken/index.html?iref=newssearch
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is offering $1 million to the first scientist to create lab-grown meat that is both commercially viable and has the “taste and texture indistinguishable from real chicken flesh” by summer 2012. Research has already begun to produce “in vitro meat”, or meat that is produced from animal stem cells and placed in a medium to grow and reproduce. However, in vitro meat is not expected to be made available to the general public for several years. PETA supports in vitro meat because it would spare the more than 40 billion chickens, cows, pigs and fish killed for food in the United States every year from horrific suffering.
Pure-bred Captive Tigers Crucial for Conservation Plans
BBC News, April 20, 2008
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7353407.stm
A recent study suggests that many captive tigers have a pure-bred ancestry, thereby making them key to the survival of wild tiger populations. After studying 105 captive tigers, researchers found that 49 of the tigers belonged to one of the pure-bred subspecies and another fraction displayed a genetic diversity that is no longer found in the wild tiger populations. According to the research team, it may be possible to integrate these tigers into “in-situ and ex-situ management plans,” which could increase wild tiger population sizes and help maintain genetic variability. Today there remain only 3,000 tigers in the wild, while the captive population numbers from 15,000 to 20,000.
Romanian Man Accused of Keeping Lion in Garden
MSNBC, April 17, 2008
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24154640/
A 28-year-old Romanian man has been caught raising a lion in his back garden. Neighbors alerted police to the situation after hearing roaring coming from the man’s property. Upon investigation, police discovered a caged three-year-old lioness, two deer, one stag, and two peacocks roaming in the garden. The man is being charged with illegal possession of wild animals, and could face up to one year in jail and a fine of $4430. The lioness will be taken to the zoo, but police will let the man keep the peacocks and his dogs.
German Police Investigate Animal Beheadings
CNN, April 17, 2008
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/04/17/germany.animals.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch
German police are trying to determine who decapitated several animals and drained them of their blood. In the past year the headless corpses of 21 rabbits, three chickens and four wild birds have been found in the West German city of Bochum. Police have formed a special commission to investigate the gruesome killings, and are urging anyone with information to come forward. Police said that the suspect may have been smeared with blood because he would drain the animals’ blood and then remove their heads. So far they have no clues as to the suspect’s identity.
Cops Kill Chicago Cougar
Chicago Sun-Times, April 15, 2008
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/894573,CST-NWS-cougar15.article
Chicago police shot and killed a cougar found wandering around the North Side’s Roscoe Village Monday evening. Area residents reported hearing between 8 to 10 gunshots coming from an alley at about 6pm. The cougar, which weighed about 150 pounds, appeared to be healthy and well-fed. Authorities are uncertain if this is the same cougar that has been spotted in North Chicago over the last few weeks.
Russia Tests Monkeys for Trip to Mars
BBC News, April 14, 2008
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7341211.stm
The Sochi Institute of Medical Primatology is preparing macaques for a trip to Mars. Sochi plans to send monkeys to Mars in order to see how they handle the radiation, which poses such a threat to astronauts on a flight to the planet. The scientists also want to see how the macaques react to isolation, prolonged weightlessness, and a diet of pureed food and juices. Russia is one of the few countries that still allow experimentation on primates. The Sochi Institute has received objections from its European colleagues as well as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to Russia’s continued experimentation on animals. Russia has a history of sending monkeys into space, having sent twelve macaques on previous missions.
Japan Blames Protestors for Decreased Whale Hunt
National Geographic News, April 14, 2008
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/080414-AP-japan-whali.html
The Japanese government has said that conflict with anti-whaling activists combined with fewer whale sightings has forced Japan’s whaling fleet to return with only 55 percent of its hunting target. Anti-whaling protestors have been very active during this season’s hunt, blocking the paths of whaling ships and pelting boats with containers of rancid butter. Although commercial whaling was banned in 1986, Japanese whalers hunt under an internationally permitted research exemption to the ban. While the hunt is supposed to be for research purposes, it provides supermarkets and upscale restaurants with the leftover whale meat. As a result, critics claim that the hunt is simply commercial whaling in disguise and demand that it be stopped. New Zealand’s representative to the International Whaling Commission (IWC), Sir Geoffrey Palmer, has alluded to the possibility that Japan may give up whaling in the Southern hemisphere in exchange for limited hunts near small coastal communities where whale meat is regularly consumed.
Japanese Designer Creates “Eco-Fur”
CNN, April 14, 2008
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/04/14/eco.fur.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch
Japanese designer Chie Imai has created a new fashion line that she dubbed ‘ecological fur’. These supposed ecological designs combine recycled polyester fabric with real fur. According to Imai, this new ‘ecological fur’ allows her celebrity clients to “feel green… [because] they want to take part in being ecological, but it’s hard for them to find a way to do it.” Animal activists disagree, claiming that term “ecological” is being used to distract people from the rampant animal abuse in the fur industry. As directors from both the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) agree, “the idea of ‘ecological fur’ is absurd…Fur can’t be environmentally friendly because you can’t be concerned about the environment without caring about our fellow inhabitants: the animals.” Imai’s ‘ecological fur’ sells from approximately 1.2 million yen (US$12,000) to 8.4 million yen (US$83,000).
Salmon Fishing Banned off California and Oregon Coasts
National Geographic News, April 11, 2008
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/080411-AP-disappearin.html
West Coast fisheries managers have voted to cancel all commercial fishing of salmon off of the California and Oregon coasts this year. Scientists and government officials are expecting this salmon season to be poor due to the collapse of the Sacramento River chinook, one of the biggest wild salmon runs on the West Coast. In fact, the anticipated situation appears so dire that the governors of Washington, Oregon and California have signed letters asking Congress to issue a disaster declaration to protect fishers and alleviate other negative effects. According to the executive director of the Pacific Fishery Management Council, Don McIssac, “for the entire West Coast, this is the worst [salmon fishing season] in history.” Fishers have voiced little opposition to the cancellation of commercial salmon fishing.
Injured Zebra Found on Georgia Highway
First Coast News, April 11, 2008
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/georgia/news-article.aspx?storyid=106889
An injured baby zebra was discovered eating grass along an I-75 exit south of Atlanta, Georgia. Rescuers from an animal rescue center called Noah’s Ark picked the zebra up and a veterinarian treated him for extensive injuries. The two to three month old male has been named Evidence, and is currently doing well after surgery. Rescuers believe that Evidence fell from a truck and was then hit by another vehicle. Noah’s Ark is asking for donations to help cover the $5000 cost of care for Evidence.
More Animals Abandoned Due to Foreclosure
MSNBC, April 9, 2008
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24023831/
Shelters across the country continue to see an increase in the number of animals abandoned as a result of the ongoing housing crisis. The Montgomery County Humane Society reports a 3% increase from last year in the number of animals given up due to foreclosures or economic dislocation. In an effort to help pet owners, the Montgomery shelter has expanded its “Safe Harbor” project, a program that provides short-term boarding and care to pets whose families have to leave their homes on short notice, to the families affected by the mortgage crisis. However, these pets are the lucky ones. An increasing number of pets are simply being left behind or set loose when their families are forced to move. These pets’ chances of survival are slim, and the Montgomery animal control shelter reports at least three pending cases of animal cruelty against owners who abandoned pets in foreclosed homes.
Russian Captain Fined for Illegal Crab Fishing
Itar-Tass, April 9, 2008
http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=12562663&PageNum=0
The city court of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky has found the captain of the Kapitan Barinov ship guilty of illegally catching large quantities of rare king crabs. The captain was convicted of illegally catching over one ton of king crab from June to October 2007. Border guards discovered the illegal crab catch stashed “in the refrigerator compartment of the starboard,” with neither the crab catches nor the processing registered in the ship’s documents. The captain has been fined 100,000 rubles and forbidden to occupy the captain of fishing vessels post for a term of nine months. In addition, the company that owns the vessel has been fined 609,500 rubles.
Man Accused of Assault with a Hedgehog
CNN, April 7, 2008
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/04/07/newzealand.hedgehog.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch
A New Zealand man, William Singalargh, has been accused of assault with a weapon—a hedgehog—after he picked up the animal and threw it at a boy. The hedgehog left a welt and puncture wounds on the boy’s leg. Singalargh will plead “not guilty” to the charge, but if convicted could face up to five years in prison. Singalargh may also face animal cruelty charges because though the hedgehog was dead when collected as evidence, whether the animal was alive at the time of the attack remains unclear.
Global Warming Hastens Recovery Efforts for Salmon and Steelhead
Science Daily, April 6, 2008
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080402213640.htm
A recently published scientific report entitled “A Great Wave Rising,” provides strategic global warming solutions that are necessary for the recovery of endangered Columbia and Snake River salmon and steelhead. The report, which is written by former Oregon chief of fisheries Jim Martin and National Wildlife Federation global warming expert Patty Glick, calls for the immediate implementation of the recommended solutions into federal recovery efforts. The report demonstrates through a series of findings that the issue of global warming must be addressed without delay in order to save the salmon and steelhead populations. These findings are being released a month prior to the expected May 5th unveiling of a court-ordered federal agency plan to recover endangered Columbia basin salmon and steelhead.
Texas Woman Charged with Hanging Pet Dog
11 News, April 5, 2008
http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou080404_tj_doghanged.30f3b478.html
Texas City resident Tiffany Hegwood has been charged with one count of animal cruelty after police discovered she had hanged her pit bull dog from a tree, suffocating the dog to death. According to police, the dog jumped on a two-year-old girl a few days prior to the incident, after which she was admitted to the hospital for a dog bite. Animal control officers then told Hegwood to bring her dog to the vet for quarantine. Hegwood failed to show up, and lied to police saying that she and a friend had shot the dog and then buried it. Hegwood finally admitted to hanging her dog, and was subsequently charged with animal cruelty.
Order of Protection Given to Duck
CNN, April 4, 2008
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/04/04/duck.attack.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch
A Suffolk County, NY judge has issued an order of protection for a duck, ordering the man accused of shooting a family’s pet duck to stay away from the bird and her owners. According to the duck’s owner, Janet Lippincott, a group of young people climbed over her backyard fence and attacked her yellow-billed Pekin duck, Circles, with pellet guns. A bullet pierced Circles’ voice box, but she has since recovered. The suspect pleaded not guilty to felony animal cruelty charges. Chief of the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says this is the first court case involving cruelty to a duck that he remembers.
Global Warming Threatens King Penguins
Science Daily, April 2, 2008
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080330215330.htm
According to a new report, the warming of the sea surface by as little as seven tenths of a degree can pose a serious threat to King penguins. To reach this conclusion, researchers tracked more than 450 King penguins in their natural environment within the Crozet Archipelago over the course of nine years. Based on observations, researchers concluded that a direct correlation exists between the warming of the ocean surface and a drop in breeding success of king penguins, and the warming of ocean surface temperatures and a drop in the penguins’ probability of survival. With the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicting an average temperature increase of approximately 0.2°C per decade for the next two decades, the warming of the Southern oceans will be a serious threat to King penguin populations.
California Proposes Bill to Impose Tougher Penalties on Slaughterhouses
The Mercury News, April 2, 2008
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_8779856
The California legislature has introduced a bill that would impose criminal penalties on slaughterhouses that process meat from downed animals. The legislation was introduced in response to a Southern California slaughterhouse which illegally processed sick cattle and prompted the country’s largest beef recall. The legislation would impose up to $20,000 in fines and up to a year in jail.
Local Merchants Caught Slaughtering Brazilian Alligators
Reuters, April 1, 2008
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N01290617.htm
Skinned and salted corpses from about 740 alligators have been discovered on the premises of four local merchants in the Piagacu-Purus reserve in Brazil’s Amazon jungle. According to the Amazonas state environmental protection agency, the dried corpses totaled about 8 tons. The agency director, Aldenira Queiroz, has said that the meat, which was intended to be sold for human consumption in neighboring Para state, will now probably be incinerated. Queiroz expressed shock at the discovery, stating that it indicates a large-scale commercial operation.
Cougar Roams Suburban North Chicago
ABC News, March 31, 2008
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6053023
A search continues for a cougar that has been spotted roaming suburban North Chicago since last Friday. Though there have been at least six sightings of the animal, the cougar remains on the loose. Police believe the cougar is still in the area and so have put extra patrols and undercover officers on the case to protect residents. North Chicago Police describe the cougar “perpetrator” as tan, four feet tall, seven feet long, and between 250 to 275 pounds with a brown coat and gray whiskers. Although no one knows for sure where the cougar came from, theories abound, with some claiming that the cougar is a zoo or circus escapee, and others that he must have come from Wisconsin.
Willie Nelson Fights for Rights of Dairy Cows
Bay City News Service, March 27, 2008
http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_8715290?source=rss
Country music superstar Willie Nelson has signed on to the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s (ALDF) “Free Baby Mendes” campaign, which urges Challenge Dairy in Dublin, California and Land O’Lakes Dairy in Minnesota to stop using products that come from confined calves. According to ALDF spokeswoman Liza Franzetta, the dairies send their calves to Mendes Calf Ranch, where “the calves are taken away from their mothers at a very early age to live in cramped, filthy crates they can’t even lie down or turn around in.” The “Free Baby Mendes” petition has been signed by about 22,000 citizens. Willie Nelson wrote letters to both Challenge Dairy and Land O’Lakes Dairy, in which he stated that “as a cowboy, I must stand up for cows,” and insisted that the suppliers “end this cruel confinement immediately.”
New Jersey Bans Horseshoe Crab Harvest
Courier Post Online, March 26, 2008
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080326/NEWS01/803260376
Governor John S. Corzine of New Jersey has signed legislation banning the harvest of horseshoe crabs. It is hoped that this legislation will increase the numbers of Atlantic red knot shorebirds, which have shown a 75% decline, by making it easier for the birds to feed on horseshoe crab eggs. While bird advocates remain unsure as to whether the moratorium will successfully help red knots, the legislation signals that New Jersey is serious about ensuring the recovery of the migratory red knot population.
Congo Wildlife Park Official Arrested for Gorilla Slaughter
National Geographic News, March 25, 2008
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/03/080325-gorillas-arrest.html
Congolese authorities have arrested former Virunga National Park chief, Honore Mashagiro, in connection to the recent execution-style killings of ten mountain gorillas in the park. Virunga is home to about half of the world’s 700 remaining mountain gorillas, which are listed as critically endangered by the World Conservation Union. Virunga National Park faces threats not only from rebel groups who hide in the forests, but also from traders who want to destroy the park’s forest to make cooking charcoal. Officials with the Congolese Nature Conservation Institute suspect that Mashagiro was involved in the charcoal trade, which is worth more than $20 million per year. Conservationists believe that the gorilla killings were intended as a message for rangers, who have begun to effectively protect the gorillas and crack down on the charcoal trade.
U.S. Abusing Endangered Species Listing Process?
National Geographic News, March 25, 2008
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/03/080325-species-list.html
Critics have charged the U.S. government with improperly delisting endangered animals through the use of an obscure provision of the Endangered Species Act. This provision classifies groups within a species as distinct population segments (DPS) so that officials can make decisions on whether the groups gain threatened or endangered status. The DPS rule is meant to preserve genetically diverse, isolated populations; however conservationists and environmentalists say that federal agencies are increasingly using DPSs to add fewer animals to the endangered list while taking more off of it. While federal officials strongly disagree, claiming to only use the provision to protect a greater portion of species at risk, critics assert that the provision is being misused to reduce the extent of conservation efforts.
Growth of Animal Law Helps Pets
The Chicago Tribune, March 25, 2008
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-032508-animal-law-webmar26,1,7859909.story?page=1
The growth of the field of animal law reflects the shifting role of animals in people’s lives. No longer considered mere property but rather members of the family, animals are being granted legal standing as they are named partial beneficiaries of estates, subjects of lawsuits and victims of abuse. Today more than 196 law schools in the United States offer courses on animal law, as opposed to the nine that offered classes in 2000. According to Duke Law professor William Reppy Jr., increased training in animal law has outpaced job creation in the field. As a result, many students take positions in conventional law firms, offering their expertise for animal issues that arise, and others work pro bono for local humane societies and shelters. While people have already begun setting up trusts for their pets and fighting over pets in custody battles, today abuse and cruelty cases remain the most common in animal law. However, animal law will diversify, according to Reppy, as courts face the question of what to do when pets and their owners come into contact with the law.
Fishing Nets Threaten Endangered New Zealand Dolphins
National Geographic News, March 19, 2008
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/03/080319-AP-new-zealand.html
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has called upon the New Zealand government to ban two types of fishing nets from the habitats of two species of critically endangered dolphins, Maui’s dolphins and the Hector’s dolphin. This request follows the recent deaths of twenty-two dolphins caught in trawler nets. According to WWF, the two endangered species need protection from set nets and trawler nets if they are to survive. Official estimates are that there are only 111 Maui’s dolphins alive in the wild, and that the population of the Hector’s dolphin has declined drastically, from around 29,000 in the 1970s to just 7,000 today.
Federal Court Finds Coast Guard Erred in Shark-Fin Seizure
Sign On San Diego, March 17, 2008
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20080317-1840-bn17sharks.html
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled that a Hong Kong shipping company should not have been forced to give up the proceeds from the 32 tons of shark fins that the U.S. Coast Guard seized from the vessel King Diamond II in August 2002. This decision undercuts what was considered to be the biggest case against shark finning, a practice in which live sharks are caught, their fins are cut off, and then are dumped back into the ocean where they sink and die. While U.S. law bans shark finning, the appellate court ruled that the seizure was wrong because the King Diamond II was not a “fishing vessel” as defined by federal law. This decision would require the U.S. government to return $618,956, which is the market value of the seized shark fins, to the Hong Kong shipping company.
Man Jailed for Allegedly Forcing Daughter to Kill Pet Cat
Fox News, March 13, 2008
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,337756,00.html
Daniel J. Collins was jailed on charges that he forced his seven-year-old daughter to kill the eight-month-old family pet cat, Boots. According to an affidavit filed in the case, Collins told his children that he wanted them to “learn how to kill” and gave his eleven-year-old son a knife to use to kill the cat. The boy tried to save the cat by hiding it under the couch and putting ketchup on the knife. But when Collins realized the cat was not dead, he forced his daughter to hold the knife and then held her hand tightly as he repeatedly stabbed the cat. Police said Collins stabbed and strangled the cat, and then told his son to throw the dead body in the trash. Collins is being held on $40,000 bond and is being charged with one count each of animal cruelty and battery and two counts of neglect of a dependent.
French Hunter on Trial for Killing Rare Bear
Reuters, March 12, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSL1289280920080312
Environmental groups have charged French hunter Rene Marqueze with the unlawful killing of what is believed to be the last female native Pyrenees bear in existence. Speaking at the opening of the hearing, Marqueze claimed to have acted in self-defense after unexpectedly coming across the bear and her cub in the mountains in 2004. However, Francois Ruffie, a lawyer for two environmental groups, said that Marqueze knew protected bears lived in the area and should have been more careful. Former French president Jacques Chirac has called the bear’s death “a great loss for biodiversity.” If guilty, Marqueze could face up to nine months in prison and a €9,000 fine.
Dolphin Guides Stranded Whales Back to Sea
National Geographic News, March 12, 2008
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/03/080312-AP-dolph-whal.html
Moko, a bottlenose dolphin, is frequently seen swimming playfully with humans off the coast of New Zealand. However, last week witnesses saw Moko swim up to two stranded whales and guide them back to safety. Before Moko arrived, rescue workers had been working for more than an hour to get two pygmy sperm whales back out to sea. The whales, which had been stranded for two days, kept restranding themselves on a sandbar. The situation appeared dire, and it was looking as though the whales would have to be euthanized to prevent a prolonged death. It was at this point that Moko swam up between the whales and the people, and proceeded to lead the whales along the beach, through a channel out to the open sea. Moko’s actions are not surprising, given dolphins’ well-known capacity for altruistic activities. However, this was the first time marine mammal expert Anton van Helden had heard of “an inter-species refloating technique.”
Monkey Stolen from Argentine Zoo
National Geographic News, March 12, 2008
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/03/080312-AP-argentina-m.html
On Sunday thieves stole a three-month-old titi monkey from the La Plata Zoo in Buenos Aires, Argentina, despite the presence of 4,000 visitors at the time. According to zoo officials, two young men in soccer jerseys broke the padlock on a pen containing four raccoon-like animals to distract guards, before cutting through the wire enclosure housing the titi monkey. The men then took the monkey and jumped over a fence into a nearby park. Titi monkeys are sometimes traded illegally as pets. The baby was one of almost 20 titi monkeys of the Callicebus genus in the zoo.
U.S. Government Sued for Polar Bear Decision Delay
National Geographic News, March 10, 2008
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/03/080310-AP-polar-bears.html
The Center for Biological Diversity, the Natural Resources Defense Council and Greenpeace sued the U.S. Department of the Interior for failing to meet a deadline on a decision to list polar bears as threatened. The groups say that the loss of sea ice due to global warming is getting worse, and an immediate decision is necessary to protect polar bears. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommended listing the polar bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Nothing has been heard from the federal government, which was supposed to make a decision on this issue two months ago.
Court Upholds Towns Ordinance Banning Animal Sacrifice
Associated Press, March 10, 2008
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hf1t25jnEB_COLAcZY0fA5vYwQ_wD8VAVPDO0
Jose Merced, a Santeria priest, sued the city of Euless, Texas, for refusing his request to sacrifice a goat as part of a religious ceremony. The city offered to allow him to kill chickens, which is not illegal, but refused to allow him to sacrifice goats on the grounds that it violates city ordinances prohibiting animal cruelty, the keeping of livestock, and disposal of animal waste. Merced sued the city, alleging that the denial violated his right to practice religious sacrifices in his home. A federal court ruled in favor of the city, saying that Merced could perform the rituals elsewhere and that the ordinances could be upheld as they were intended to protect the public health within the city limits.
Woman Faces Fine for Dyeing Poodle Pink
The Denver Channel, March 10, 2008
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/15559998/detail.html
A Boulder, CO, woman, Joy Douglas, was fined $1,000 for dyeing her poodle Cici pink. Douglas claims to have dyed Cici pink in order to raise awareness for breast cancer. In addition, Douglas, a salon owner, said that for four years she has dyed her dog, using either beet juice or Kool-Aid. According to the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, Douglas was warned several times before receiving the fine. Douglas is accused of violating a Boulder city code, which makes it illegal for a person to “dye or color live fowl, rabbits, or any other animals.” Douglas said she plans to appear in court to fight the fine, arguing that dyeing her dog pink helps to raise awareness for an important issue.
Animal Law Gains Popularity in Australia
The Australian, March 7, 2008
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23330564-17044,00.html
According to the head of the Australian Law Reform Commission, animal law is becoming so popular in universities that it could match the current popularity of environmental law within a generation. As of 2008, animal law courses are being offered at three Australian universities, the University of New South Wales, Griffith University and Wollongong University. However, Sydney University, Monash University, Bond University and Flinders University are also set to offer animal law courses beginning in 2009. As Steven White of Griffith University Law School writes, “A broader emphasis on humane education in schools and colleges is likely to further stimulate demand, as will initiatives such as Voiceless Animal Advocates, a newly established network of university student societies advocating for improved animal protection." Australia’s first animal law journal, Australian Animal Protection Law, is also expected to be out soon.
Kentucky Animal Abuse Bill Clears Senate Committee
WKYT, March 6, 2008
http://www.wkyt.com/news/headlines/16361446.html
A Kentucky State Senate committee has just passed an animal abuse bill that would increase penalties for animal torture. This bill would change a first offense of torturing a dog or cat from a misdemeanor to a felony. If passed, the bill would raise the penalty for animal torture from less than one year in county jail to up to five years in prison. This bill is generally the same as Romeo’s Law, a House bill named after a Pulaski County dog that was beaten last summer. Though this Senate bill breezed through the committee, some people voiced the concern that the bill would not be strongly enforced. Supporters of the bill say that if it passes the full Senate, they can expect a favorable reading in the House.
Marine Throws Puppy Off Cliff
ABC News, March 4, 2008
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=4384322
The United States Marine Corps is investigating one of its members after a video aired on YouTube showing a Marine throwing a puppy off a cliff. In a video that looks like it was shot with a cell phone camera, a Marine holds a small black-and-white puppy up by the neck and says, “Cute little puppy, huh?” He then hurls the puppy off the cliff. The puppy’s yelps can be heard until he hits the ground. The Marine then shrugs his shoulders while another Marine laughs and says, “That was mean.” The Marine Corps has condemned the video as “shocking and deplorable,” and promised to take appropriate action. In the meantime, questions are surfacing on the Internet as to whether the video is authentic.
Appellate Court Upholds Navy Sonar Bans
National Geographic, March 3, 2008
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/03/080303-AP-navy-sonar.html
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the district court’s restrictions on the use of high-powered sonar off the coast of southern California. These restrictions will help protect marine mammals from hearing loss and other injuries caused by the sonar. Southern California’s coastal waters are home to dozens of species of whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions, of which nine species are federally listed as endangered or threatened. Though the Navy claims that the restrictions will limit its ability to effectively train, conservation groups view the limits as a victory. According to Joel Reynolds, the director of the Marine Mammal Protection Project at the Natural Resources Defense Council, “The court found that the Navy must be environmentally responsible when training with high intensity sonar and that doing so won't interfere with military readiness.” A federal judge in Hawaii has also issued a similar ban.
New Law Prohibiting Dog Chains Affects Low-Income Communities
American-Statesman, March 3, 2008
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/03/03/0303dogchain.html
In the first four months following the decision of the city of Austin, Texas, to pass an ordinance prohibiting dogs from being left unattended on outdoor chains or tethers, the city received 875 calls regarding possible violations. As a result, the city has issued 98 citations with potential fines of up to $500 for each misdemeanor charge. An analysis of Austin city records shows that the zip codes with the most calls about possible violations correspond to the poorer areas in the city, where dogs are often kept on chains because the owners cannot afford to erect fencing. City officials have acknowledged that the law might disproportionately affect lower-income residents, and as a result, have created a fund to provide vouchers to help cover the cost of fencing.
Canada Breaks Up Largest Cockfighting Ring
Yahoo News, February 29, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080229/wl_canada_afp/canadaanimalpolice_080229200821
Last week Canadian authorities broke up what is believed to be the country’s largest cockfighting ring. Federal police and animal control officers raided farms in western Canada, discovering five fighting pits, 1270 fighting birds tied to barrels, and a variety of cockfighting paraphernalia on two properties. Several of the birds had infected wounds, missing eyes and head injuries. In total, all 1270 of the birds were euthanized. If convicted, suspects could face up to six months in prison and a $2000 fine, in addition to being prohibited from owning animals for two years.
Maryland Looks to Increase Penalties for Animal Fight Attendance
Examiner, February 28, 2008
http://www.examiner.com/a-1248288~Dogfighting_bill_moves_ahead_in_Md_.html
The Maryland House of Delegates has voted unanimously to increase penalties, including maximum jail time and fines, for people attending a dogfight or cockfight. The Senate has already passed a very similar version, so now the two sides need to come up with an acceptable single version before passing the bill on to Governor O’Malley for approval. While the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and sponsors of the animal fighting bills hoped to make the crime of attending an animal fight a felony, some lawmakers were hesitant to up the degree of the crime. Sponsors say they are pleased that the House has approved the new tougher penalties, and will try again in the future to make attendance at an animal fight a felony.
Reading City, PA. Dangerous Dog Ordinance Thrown Out in Court
Baltimore Sun, February 27, 2008
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/mutts/blog/2008/02/pit_bull_law_tossed_out_in_rea.html
A Pennsylvania Appeals Court has thrown out a Reading City Dangerous dog ordinance. The ordinance subjected owners of aggressive dogs to certain restrictions, such as keeping the dogs muzzled and on a three foot leash while outside the home. The ordinance defined aggressive dogs based on their breeds. Any dog that was even partly of a breed that accounted for more than 40% of dog bites in the city the previous year was deemed a dangerous dog. The ordinance was struck down because it conflicted with the State statute that did not define dangerous dogs based on breed or statistics that are subject to change each year, but rather on the actions of individual dogs.
Spay and Neuter Law Passes in Los Angeles
Associated Press, February 26, 2008
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jgRWYTXz-GJFcPxxDs8ZMAUc613wD8V2BEM00
Los Angeles Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, signed a pet sterilization law that requires most residents to have their pets spayed or neutered before reaching 4 months old. The law was in response to the large number of animals taken into the city and subsequently euthanized. Last year alone the city took in 50,000 dogs and cats, and euthanized roughly 15,000 which cost the city $2 million. The new law provides exemptions for animals that compete in shows, guide dogs, and animals belonging to professional breeders. Violators of the act will first receive information about subsidized sterilization services, and if compliance is not met after that fines or community service. The city hopes the law will help make Los Angeles a “no-kill city”.
Deputy Shoots Dog: Was it Legal?
Gainesville Sun, February 17, 2008
http://www.gainesvillesun.com/article/20080217/NEWS/802170317/1002/NEWS
Several weeks ago Florida K-9 Deputy Tom Willcox shot his retired police dog Kozar, sparking a debate as to whether the shooting was legal and a humane form of euthanasia. Willcox shot Kozar, who was thirteen years old and in declining health, in the head as he was biting a sleeve used to train police dogs. According to Sheriff Sadie Darnell, Willcox decided to end Kozar’s life this way so that “his last memory would be one of doing something he loved.” The vague wording of the Florida statute governing shooting pets has led to the question of under what circumstances shooting a pet is legal. Kozar’s shooting has led to outrage and condemnation, both from other K-9 officers who say that Kozar’s life ended without the dignity he deserved as a former officer, and animal activists who believe that it will give the public free rein to shoot their pets and that shooting an animal is a risky and cruel form of euthanasia.
Agencies’ Agreement Could Bring End to Animal Testing
USA Today, February 15, 2008
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2008-02-14-animal-tests_N.htm
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Toxicology Program and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have signed a “Memorandum of Understanding” to develop and implement new methods for toxicity testing. According to Martin Stephens of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), “this is the beginning of the end for animal testing. We think the (conversion) process will take about 10 years.” Although there are no published figures, Stephens says that there are probably about 10 million animals used in toxicity testing each year, including rats, mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs and monkeys. The new methods would replace this use of animals for testing, instead relying on human cells grown in test tubes and computer-driven testing machines. In addition, the new system would enable scientists to test 1536 different chemicals at one time, a drastic change compared to the 30 years it has taken the EPA to test 2500 chemicals using animals. The EPA has already begun evaluating 300 chemicals with the new methods.
Proposed Ban on Carbon Monoxide Euthanasia in Illinois
The Chicago Tribune, February 10, 2008
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-gas-pets-euthanasia-080210,0,7720766.story
Illinois state representative John Fritchey has introduced legislation that would ban the use of carbon monoxide gas for the euthanasia of cats and dogs. The practice of euthanizing animals by carbon monoxide poisoning is widely regarded as inhumane, and remains legal in only eight states. In addition to banning the use of carbon monoxide for pet euthanasia, the new law would also restrict people who have been convicted of cruelty to animals from obtaining a license for animal euthanasia, and require training for euthanasia technicians every five years.
US Sea Turtle Smuggler Pleads Guilty
CBS 4 Denver, February 9, 2008
http://cbs4denver.com/local/Esteban.Lopez.Estrada.2.650298.html
Mexican national Esteban Lopez Estrada pleaded guilty in federal court to smuggling skins of endangered sea turtles. Lopez Estrada was one of eleven people indicted in Denver in 2007 following a three-year investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Prosecutors claim that Lopez Estrada organized sales of the skins to U.S. customers through his business Botas Exoticas Canada Grande in Mexico. After making the sale, Lopez Estrada arranged for the skins to be smuggled across the border. The Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) prohibits the international trade in all sea turtle parts.
African Nations Create Anti-Ivory Trade Coalition
Fox Business, February 8, 2008
Officials from 17 African countries have signed a landmark agreement in an attempt to save the African elephant. The delegates gathered in the West African country of Mali’s capital to discuss how they will deal with the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species’ (CITES) decision to allow large-scale ivory stock sales. The Anti-Ivory Trade Coalition will handle issues arising from this large-scale sale of ivory and its effects on elephant poaching. The Director of National Parks & Biosphere Reserves in Mali, Bourama Niagate, stated that “Ivory trade anywhere is a threat to elephants everywhere. Success in elephant conservation will depend first on the elimination of the ivory trade.”
Perpetrators of Puerto Rico Pet Massacre Go To Trial
International Herald Tribune, February 6, 2008
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/06/news/Puerto-Rico-Pet-Massacre.php
A Superior Court Judge has ruled that there is sufficient evidence for Julio Diaz, the owner of the animal control agency, and two of his employees to stand trial on charges of animal cruelty. These charges stem from the October massacre of about 80 seized pets that were thrown from a bridge in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico. Diaz blamed the municipality of Barceloneta for seizing the animals, and claimed he did not know who had thrown them from the bridge. Barceloneta municipal officials said that they hired Diaz’s company to remove the animals from the housing projects, but believed that the animals would be taken to shelters. An investigation by The Associated Press has revealed that brutal methods are routinely used to kill thousands of pets and stray animals in Puerto Rico.
US Judge Supports Control of Whale-Affecting Sonar
Yahoo News, February 5, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080205/ap_on_re_us/navy_sonar
A US District Judge has ruled that the Navy must comply with existing restrictions relating to sonar that may be harmful to whales and other marine life. On January 15, 2008, President Bush signed a waiver, which exempted the Navy and its anti-submarine warfare exercises from compliance with both the National Environmental Protection Act as well as a court injunction that created a 12 nautical-mile no-sonar zone off the coast of Southern California. The district judge’s decision to enforce Navy compliance has been hailed by the Natural Resources Defense Council as “reinstate[ing] the proper balance between national security and environmental protection.” Scientists have previously reported that loud sonar can damage the ears and brains of marine mammals and may interfere with natural sonar echoes used to locate food.
Kenya Protection Measures Increase Elephant Population
International Herald Tribune, February 3, 2008
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/03/africa/AF-GEN-Kenya-Elephants.php
Kenya’s elephant population is increasing, due to successful anti-poaching measures as well as bans on the illegal ivory trade. Kenya is home to an estimated 30,000 elephants. A month ago the Kenya Wildlife Service recorded 11,700 elephants in Africa’s second-largest game reserve, Tsavo, a number representing more than a four percent increase from three years ago. This number was recorded during a five-day aerial census, which was part of a global elephant monitoring system included in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species which monitors wildlife. In June, the Convention imposed a nine-year freeze on the global ivory trade. According to Tsavo’s director, the game reserve has seen consistent growth in elephant numbers, with significant drops in carcass rates.
Humane Society Exposes Hallmark Meat Packing Co. Cruelty
The Post-Chronicle, February 1, 2008
http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_212127958.shtml
The Hallmark Meat Packing Co. slaughterhouse has had their license suspended indefinitely following the release of a video taken by an undercover agent for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which revealed the horrific abuse of downed cattle at the slaughterhouse. The tape showed slaughterhouse employees kicking sick or injured cows, ramming them with the blades of a forklift, shocking them with electric prods, and forcing them to walk on broken hind legs in attempts to make them walk to their own deaths. According to Wayne Pacelle, president of HSUS, “the attempt was to make them so distressed and to cause them so much suffering that these animals would get up and walk into the slaughterhouse.” The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an investigation into these charges of inhumane treatment of disabled cattle. Hallmark Meat Packing Co. supplies meat to Westland Meat Packing Co., which distributes beef to needy families, the elderly and the national school lunch program. The schools have pulled all the beef they received from the plant from their shelves.
EU Takes Malta to Court over Bird Hunting
Times of Malta, February 1, 2008
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080201/local/malta-will-abide-by-eu-courts-decision
The European Union decided to take Malta to court for failure to comply with legislation relating to the spring hunting of wild birds. Despite various written warnings sent by the European Commission (EC) since 2006, the Maltese government refused to commit to preventing the hunting of quail and turtledoves. The hunting of these migratory birds takes place as they fly from Africa to breeding grounds in Europe, occurring before the birds have had a chance to reproduce. According to the EC, this hunting during the breeding season puts the birds’ populations at risk. The EC has requested that the European Court of Justice issue a temporary order barring spring hunting until the case is decided.
Family Pets Latest Victims of US Sub-prime Crisis
Chicago Tribune, January 28, 2008
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-tue_foreclosepets_0121jan22,1,187663.story?page=1
The US sub-prime mortgage crisis is leading to an increase in the number of abandoned pets. As more and more people face foreclosure, an increasing number of household pets are being left behind to fend for themselves. Animal shelters throughout the Chicago area, including the Naperville Area Humane Society and the Animal Welfare League, are reporting a definite increase over the past six months in the number of animals surrendered due to foreclosure. In the third quarter of 2007, Illinois saw about 20,000 homes in foreclosure, up 80% from the previous year. The sub-prime mortgage crisis is not unique to Illinois; however, with authorities reporting increased foreclosure-related abandonment around the country. Inevitably, animals left behind starve to death, spending their last days trapped in the house alone, desperately trying to find something to eat. Earlier this month the Humane Society of the United States issued a public statement condemning the illegal and irresponsible abandonment of animals and encouraging people who face foreclosure to plan ahead to keep their whole family—pets included—together.
Schumacher Furs to Pay Animal Activists’ Legal Fees
Associated Press, January 25, 2008
http://www.katu.com/news/local/14444957.html
A federal judge in Portland, Oregon, has ordered Schumacher Furs & Outerwear and its operator to pay almost $97,000 in attorney’s fees to animal rights activists. Schumacher sued animal rights activists for $6.6 million over weekly protests staged at a downtown Schumacher furs store. The lawsuit was dismissed last summer. In his Thursday ruling, Judge Mosman ordered Schumacher to compensate People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, In Defense of Animals, and protester Kevin Mieras. Mosman called the suit “an extraordinary abuse of the litigation process,” and a threat to free speech.
Animal Clones Approved as Food
BBC News, January 15, 2008
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7190305.stm
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ruled that meat and milk from cloned pigs, cattle and goats and their offspring is safe for human consumption. This decision marks the culmination of six years of study on whether food derived from cloned animals is safe to eat. Some politicians and activist groups have criticized the FDA’s ruling, claiming that there is not enough scientific data available to justify a decision. The FDA will not allow products derived from cloned animals to be labeled as such because they are chemically indistinguishable from non-cloned animal products.
DNR to Increase Protection for Canada Lynx
Star Tribune, January 12, 2008
http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdoors/11647006.html
Two animal protection groups, The Humane Society of the United States and Help Our Wolves Live, filed suit in federal court in Minneapolis last summer, claiming that a trapping program authorized by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was causing too many lynx to be killed. Though the traps target animals such as red fox, martens and bobcats, lynx are getting caught and injured in the traps. However, the suit has been dropped after DNR agreed to do more to keep the lynx safe from the traps. The Canada lynx is a threatened species in the lower 48 states and is protected by Endangered Species Act.
Chinese Turtle Smuggler Enters Guilty Plea in U.S. Court
The Denver Post, January 10, 2008
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_7934047
Chinese national Fu Yiner pled guilty in U.S. District Court to charges linking him to the illegal smuggling of shells and shell products from the internationally protected Hawksbill sea turtle. Fu admitted to knowingly shipping raw shell and guitar picks made from turtle shells from China to undercover agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service working in Colorado during 2006 and 2007. The shipments of 5 kilograms of raw shell and 300 guitar picks were valued at more than $3000. The Hawksbill sea turtle is listed as an endangered species.
Animal Activists Halt Dutch Science Park
BBC News, January 9, 2008
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7179134.stm
Dutch developer Van der Looy told the Venray town council that it is withdrawing from a science park project after harassment by animal rights protesters. Reportedly animal rights protestors painted graffiti on the homes of project managers. The science park, Sciencelink, was to be a 60 million-euro ($90 million) center for life science. Sciencelink would have had many research and development facilities, some of which may have involved testing on animals for food and medication. Town councilors have condemned the protestors’ actions, calling it a form of “terrorism.” However, a statement on the Dutch website “Stop Animal Testing” announced the “good news for animals” that the developer was withdrawing, and threatened to target any others that may follow. Council leaders are still discussing what steps to take next.
U.S. Postpones Polar Bear Listing Decision
National Geographic, January 7, 2008
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/01/080107-polar-bears.html
The United States government delayed making a decision on whether to list the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the postponement stems not from scientific uncertainty or a pending lease sale for oil and gas development in polar bear habitat, but rather from a backlog of work. Though no official date has been set, the Fish and Wildlife Service said it plans to make a formal recommendation within thirty days. While the Fish and Wildlife Service claims that evaluation of reports concluding that two-thirds of the world’s polar bears could go extinct by 2050 prompted the delay, others are suspicious that the delay is political and not scientific. A coalition of environmental groups will file a lawsuit to enforce the deadline.
Brazilian Albino Alligators Stolen from Zoo
National Geographic, January 7, 2008
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/01/080107-AP-brazil-alli.html
Authorities suspect animal smugglers stole seven rare albino alligators from a Brazilian university zoo. The albino alligators are the result of ten years of inbreeding, and cannot be found in the wild. Brazilian police believe the alligators may have been stolen to be sold abroad or to animal smugglers in Brazil. Brazil accounts for about 15% of the world’s illegal animal trading, which is worth 10 to 20 billion U.S. dollars annually. These rare albino alligators are worth about $9700 each. Suspected thieves left behind one alligator, with another two housed at the São Paulo Aquarium.