Archive for March, 2014
A Whale of a Ruling
It’s rare that animal abuse ends with one blow to the head. Typically, it takes a thousand strikes before the perpetrator – whether it’s an industry, a nation, or an individual – moves on. That’s been the case with all of the major breakthroughs in civil . . .
From Russia with Love
Two days ago, it was former puppy mill dogs, rabbits, and birds from Arkansas arriving in D.C. Yesterday, to considerable and much warranted media fanfare, it was 10 street dogs from Sochi, Russia, who with our help made a trip across two continents to start a . . .
Something is Rotten in Denmark
Take a look at two contrasting institutional responses to challenging circumstances with animals, which together give a clear measure of diametrically opposed value systems – one merciful, and the other ruthless. One of the dogs from Arkansas after arrival, ready to go to a placement . . .
NRA, Farm Bureau Stand in Way of Progress
This week, as always, there are an extraordinary number of high-profile outcomes as well as continuing debate over the major issues The HSUS is engaged upon. Here are a few short takes: One of the pigs I met while visiting Lucky 3 farms in North . . .
The Disreputable Trade in Horse Meat
In 2013, there were three horse slaughter plants set to open in the United States, and it took determined efforts in the federal courts and in the Congress to prevent them from opening. They’re shuttered at least through the fall, and we hope to extend . . .
Spring Forward — for Wildlife
The calendar says spring, but winter doesn’t seem to want to release its hold in some parts, with snow forecast again for next week in Washington, D.C.. But rising temperatures and other signs of spring cannot be held off for many more days. The first . . .
Right to Farm or Right to Harm
Let’s count the ways that our political adversaries try to thwart progress to help farm animals. They work hard to pass ag-gag laws to make it a crime to take pictures of animals on farms or to conduct undercover investigations. They work in Congress, with Rep. . . .
Sounding the Alarm on Horse Soring
A horse at the National Celebration in Shelbyville in 2013, one of many wearing chains and stacks. This week, The HSUS rolled out a new television advertisement calling on lawmakers to crack down on the illegal, unethical, and inhumane practice of horse “soring” – . . .
From Millstone to Milestone
Our movement achieved a remarkable milestone last week, with South Dakota becoming the 50th state to adopt felony-level penalties for malicious cruelty to animals (The bill also makes cockfighting a felony offense). A couple of our founding fathers (Washington and Jefferson) and their heirs (Lincoln . . .
Olympian Hero Brings Home More Than a Medal
Humane Society International’s Masha Kalinina, Gus Kenworthy and Robin Macdonald with two of the rescued puppies. View more photos here. Photo by Christopher Lane/AP Images for HSI At the Winter Olympics in Sochi, American freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy made headlines not for just winning a . . .
Fighting for All Animals, Everywhere
Dogs at the suspected puppy mill prior to being rescued. You can view a slideshow of the rescue here. Photo by Shannon Johnstone “For far too long, dogs have been suffering like this in puppy mills across North Carolina,” Kim Alboum, the HSUS state director . . .
Long Odds for Survival for Greyhound Racing
Dog lovers everywhere should be pleased to learn that greyhound racing – once referred to as the “Sport of Queens” — could be on its way out as a form of gambling and entertainment. One of its last redoubts is in Florida, where commercial greyhound . . .
