Archive for August, 2013
Crying Wolf, and Pocketing the Cash
There’s something rotten in Michigan – and the stench is coming from one rogue farm in the western portion of the Upper Peninsula. Based on state documents obtained through Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and an analysis of those documents conducted by the National . . .
From Monet and Picasso to Brent and Cheetah
We do a lot of serious business at this organization, taking all kinds of cruelty head-on. But we also celebrate animals, taking stock of the diversity of life and the incredible attributes of the other creatures on the planet. You may have received an e-mail . . .
“Fintastic” Outcomes for Sharks
Yesterday, a federal appellate court rejected arguments from business groups that are challenging California’s ban on shark fins as discriminatory and at odds with federal fisheries laws. Surprisingly, the Obama administration had filed a brief in support of the shark fin dealers and their bid . . .
Dogfighting Bust a Marker of Transformational Change
There are 367 dogs whose lives turned around so fast they may have whiplash. On Thursday night, in small hamlets in Alabama and Georgia, these animals who were staked to heavy chains, had passed another sweltering day – many without protection from the sun, without . . .
HSUS Helps Lead 2nd Largest Ever Dogfighting Raid
In my role as president and CEO of The HSUS, I regularly see the best and worst of humanity. That was never more true than on Friday, as I participated in a rescue of dogs from an alleged dogfighter in southern Alabama. Federal and state . . .
Cruelty Nothing to Celebrate
The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration held the first evening classes of its 75th anniversary event on Thursday night. This spectacle has become synonymous with the exhibition of stacked, chained Walking horses, and, unfortunately, a showcase for the cruel practice of soring, in which trainers . . .
Leading on Lead
While The HSUS provides an extraordinary amount of direct-care to animals, our biggest impact is felt through our cruelty-prevention programs—whether that’s done by cracking down on puppy mills, factory farms, or Canada’s seal hunt, or other initiatives that take aim at institutionalized or systemic forms . . .
Sun(ny) Should Shine Light on Federal Dog Policies
Let us add our congratulations and best wishes to the newest First Dog, Sunny. Cheers all around. As the keeper of a new rescue—a six-year-old beagle mix named Lily—I know the joys of having a new pet in one’s life. Lily has doubled the number . . .
“Walking” of the Bulls
A decade ago, I was on site as an observer for the first American “Running of the Bulls” in a small town outside of Las Vegas. Despite the hype from the huckster promoter – who said he’d be recreating the drama and danger of the . . .
Obama Administration Seeks to Nullify Critical State Animal Cruelty Laws
Yesterday, in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, a panel of three federal judges heard argument from a Chinese-American business association and from other shark-finning interests that a California law to ban the sale and possession of shark fins – which passed the state legislature . . .
A Brain That Might As Well Be Made of Butter
If you care about farm animals in Iowa, there is, unfortunately, no shortage of high-profile, high-impact matters that would benefit from citizen activism there. For example, with Congress in recess and lawmakers back home in their districts, we are working to defeat the amendment from . . .
Vets, Quill, Sioux
The mid-day rush of clients and their dogs and cats had just passed last Monday when members of the intake team from the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association-Rural Area Veterinary Services clinic peered out the door of the community gymnasium and saw a medium-sized brown . . .
