Public Policy (Legal/Legislative)
Victory for Dolphins and the Dolphin-Safe Label
When I was a kid, the first broader animal protection issue that I connected with was the drowning of dolphins in massive tuna nets. I told my mom that I didn’t want to eat tuna if dolphins had to die. Little did I know that . . .
Federal Legislation Introduced to Crack Down on Horse Soring
There’s been so much public condemnation of horse abusers since The HSUS released its jarring undercover video last year showing Hall of Fame Tennessee walking horse trainer Jackie McConnell and his stewards intentionally injuring horses in order to create the “Big Lick” gait that wins . . .
Obama Budget Seeks to Give Animals a Helping Hand
Yesterday, President Obama released his 2014 budget, the latest proposal in the back-and-forth between Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill on federal spending. Amid all of the items in the $3 trillion-plus budget there were more than a few kernels of good news for animal . . .
The Politics of Sight
An unauthorized video got millions of views online and through traditional media platforms last week showing the Rutgers University men’s basketball head coach shoving, grabbing, and throwing basketballs at several of the squad’s players in practice and also directing homophobic slurs at them. That video . . .
Horse Slaughter Controversy Won’t Quit
The issue of horse slaughter is playing out at the highest levels of government – both as a matter of policy and the actual mechanics of overseeing the industry and its effects. Presented with a half dozen applications for horse slaughter plants his agency will . . .
Rash of Human Attacks on Sharks Must End
Texas is now the nation’s second largest state, and it’s a vital one for animal protection. In the last few years, we’ve seen the state adopt a law to set up a framework to regulate puppy mills; crack down on cockfighting by prohibiting spectators of . . .
HSUS Demands Action on Wide Range of Animal Issues
Condor 303 who died from lead poisoning. Photo by Ventana Wildlife Society The HSUS and the animal issues we work on are in the news every day, but there are times when I am especially reminded of the relevance of our animal welfare work to . . .
Message to Oklahoma Lawmakers: No Future in Horse Slaughter Business
Jennifer Kunz/The HSUS/FFA Oklahoma was one of the last states to outlaw cockfighting (a feat finally accomplished thanks to an HSUS ballot initiative there about a decade ago), but it was one of the first states to outlaw the slaughter of horses for human consumption. . . .
Getting Engaged – Passing Laws for Animals
Social reform isn’t self-executing – it takes work. On the legislative front – just one small part of The HSUS’ strategic matrix – we’ve seen major progress in the last two decades. States have enacted felony-level penalties for dogfighting, cockfighting, and other forms of malicious cruelty; . . .
UPDATED: Report on Ag-Gag Controversy
*Editor’s Note: The ABC World News and Nightline broadcasts have been rescheduled. Please check Wayne’s Facebook page for updates. ABC News will air an investigative report on two emerging trends of interest to every animal advocate and every American consumer: animal agriculture reforms driven by . . .
Shark Fin ‘Shingles’ Reminder of California’s Humane Reforms
Last week, I came across a disturbing video and still photos of neatly arranged shark fins on a rooftop in Hong Kong. It almost looked like some symmetrical art and architectural concept – with fins in place of shingles. But it was no green or LEED . . .
Working Together Brings Positive Change for Animals
Editor’s note: This entry originally appeared on January 3, 2013, and has been re-posted due to technical difficulties. In my blog yesterday, I lamented the general inaction by our Congress on beneficial animal welfare policies during the lame-duck session. But the 112th Congress’ tendency to leave . . .
