Equine
Our animal protection agenda wins big in House Appropriations funding package
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson There’s a reason why the Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund invest substantial time and effort in seeking to shape funding decisions within the U.S. Congress; it pays off big for animal protection. . . .
Horse deaths at Santa Anita underscore need for racing reform nationwide
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson The number of horses dying at the Santa Anita racetrack in California since December 2018 has led to widespread concern in the horseracing world and beyond, and prompted California Gov. Gavin Newsom to call for closing the racetrack until . . .
Breaking news: Key House committee, federal court direct USDA to release crucial animal welfare records
The House appropriations committee has just issued a clear directive to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reinstate full public access to animal welfare inspection reports and other records that show how businesses like roadside zoos and puppy mills, and research facilities that do invasive . . .
Spending bills move up in Congress, with progress for wild horses and burros, wolves and other wildlife
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson As the U.S. Congress takes up the business of funding federal programs, some good news for animals has emerged. Today, the House Appropriations Committee approved two Fiscal Year 2020 bills that cover funding for the Department of the Interior, . . .
Horse deaths underscore urgent need for racing reform
At the 144th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico racetrack in Maryland this past Saturday, all eyes were on Bodexpress, a horse who unseated his jockey just out of the starting gate. Bodexpress went on to gallop riderless down the homestretch – and got . . .
Doris Day was a force for animal protection
With the passing of legendary actress, singer and animal advocate Doris Day, the world has lost a generous and kind soul. Even as we mourn the loss of a woman whose grace, talent and versatility left so many of us charmed, I want to celebrate . . .
Preventing the lethal control and slaughter of America’s wild horses and burros
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson In recent years, understanding our firm and absolute opposition to horse slaughter in the United States and to the cruelty and inefficiency of the Bureau of Land Management’s wild horse and burro work, frustrated members of Congress have been . . .
Proposal offers brighter future for wild horses and burros
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson The Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro Program is broken. Since inception of the program, the BLM has removed approximately 270,000 wild horses and burros from our public lands, without any significant use of fertility control tools, . . .
PAST Act introduced in Senate as more evidence for ending walking horse abuse surfaces
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson Recent developments in a case involving a Tennessee walking horse named Honors, who was crowned champion despite clear evidence that he was a victim of cruel soring, highlight the urgent need for Congress to swiftly pass the Prevent All . . .
Breaking news: U.S. reinstates safeguards to prevent wild horse and burro slaughter
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson In a major victory for our campaign to protect wild horses and burros, the United States this week reinstated important safeguards that will prevent unscrupulous kill buyers from purchasing large numbers of these iconic American animals and funneling them . . .
Horseracing Integrity Act will crack down on drugging, protect racehorses
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson In recent years, major professional sports have taken crucial steps to rid themselves of illegal doping in order to create a more level playing field and to protect athletes from the adverse effects of performance-enhancing drugs. But there has . . .
Bipartisan bill introduced in Congress to end slaughter of American equines
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson The last horse slaughter plants in the United States closed years ago, and Congress has consistently voted to prohibit funding for horse slaughter inspections within U.S borders. Unfortunately, this does not prevent the inhumane transport of American equines to . . .
