ALDF Blog
Enter ALDF's Rescue "Tails" Photo Contest!
Posted by April Nockleby, ALDF's Online Content Manager on September 1st, 2010
Think you have the cutest rescued critter ever? Enter ALDF's Rescue "Tails" Photo Contest for a chance to show off that cuteness to the world! Between now and September 30th, send us a photo of your rescued animal with a short story about him or her. The winning photo will be featured on ALDF's 2010 holiday card!
To enter, submit a photo of your rescued animal to photocontest@aldf.org or by mail. All entries must include:
- A photo of your rescued animal. (Digital photos must be a minimum of 200 dpi. Your photo will not be returned. )
- Your rescued animal’s story in 100 words or less.
- Your name, email address and phone number so we can contact you if your photo is selected.
Beginning on October 12th, you will have the opportunity to vote for your favorite finalist and the winner will be announced on November 1st.
We're looking forward to seeing your photos and reading your stories! Enter today!
Wisconsin Lawmaker Seeks Tougher Animal Cruelty Law After Man Shoots Dog with Bow and Arrow
Posted by Stephanie Ulmer, Guest Blogger on August 31st, 2010
GazetteXtra.com reports that because a Milton, WI, man has been accused of shooting a dog with a bow and arrow for essentially no reason at all, a state legislator has proposed a tougher law against pet assaults, making the type of crime allegedly committed a felony in the future, instead of a misdemeanor.
According to the criminal complaint, Dale A. Moore told a Rock County sheriff’s deputy that the dog wasn’t on his property and wasn’t barking, growling or approaching him when he shot an arrow into it. The case so affected Rep. Kim Hixson (D-Whitewater) that he is working to introduce “Casey’s Law,” which would “allow prosecutors to pursue felony charges in cases of unprovoked assaults on pets involving a deadly weapon.” The law is named after the Great Pyrenees, Casey, who was shot with an arrow May 21st while walking with his owner along railroad tracks in Lima Township. Hixson announced “Casey’s Law” this week, just days before Moore appeared in court on misdemeanor charges of mistreating animals and disorderly conduct. “Pets are not merely animals living among us—they are friends and family,” Hixson said in a news release announcing “Casey’s Law.” “As a state, we cannot allow cruelty to companion animals to occur in any form.”
Stricter animal abuse laws are absolutely necessary to deter this type of behavior from occurring now and in the future. Not only was Moore not provoked by Casey, it appears that Moore shot him with the arrow just because he could. At least he will have to answer in some way for what he did to Casey, who thankfully survived surgery after the injury. We need more such felony laws to protect our animals from those who act recklessly.
Food Justice is an Animal Rights Issue
Posted by Matthew Liebman, ALDF Staff Attorney on August 27th, 2010
Last March, my partner and I volunteered to gather data for an important study by the Food Empowerment Project on the availability of fruits and vegetables in Santa Clara County, California. The Food Empowerment Project just released the report this week, and the results are disturbing, reflecting significant disparities in access to healthy foods in low-income communities and communities of color.
But first, why am I writing about this study here? Why is this an “animal issue”? The Food Empowerment Project, led by long-time animal rights campaigner lauren Ornelas, is one of the few groups working at the intersections of the animal rights movement and the food justice movement, drawing connections between the exploitation of human and nonhuman animals in the production and distribution of food. As its mission states, “The Food Empowerment Project seeks to create a more just and sustainable world by recognizing the power of one's food choices. We encourage healthy food choices that reflect a more compassionate society by spotlighting the abuse of animals on farms, the depletion of natural resources, unfair working conditions for produce workers, and the unavailability of healthy foods in low-income areas.”
It is this last component, also known as “food deserts,” that the Santa Clara study addresses. FEP volunteers conducted extensive surveys of the offerings at grocery stores, convenience stores, and liquor stores in lower-income and higher-income neighborhoods and compared the results. Here are some of the findings:
- “On a per-capita basis, the higher-income areas have 2.4 times as many large supermarkets compared to the lower-income areas. Additionally, the lower income areas have nearly twice as many liquor stores and 50% more meat markets than the higher-income areas. . . . The disparity is significant and shows that those living in lower-income areas are relying on small corner markets while those in higher-income areas have access to large grocery stores.”
- “All types of fruits and vegetables covered by the survey are more commonly available in higher-income areas, except (non-organic) canned fruits and vegetables, which are equally available in both higher- and lower-income neighborhoods. Those living in the higher-income areas have significantly more access to fresh, frozen, and organic produce.”
- “On average, higher-income areas have twice as many locations with fresh fruits and vegetables compared to the lower-income areas. The disparity for frozen produce is even higher, with higher-income areas having 14 times more locations with frozen fruit and six times more locations with frozen vegetables.”
- “[A]ccess to organic fruits and vegetables is almost nonexistent in the low-income areas and represents the greatest disparity between the two types of areas surveyed . . . .”
- “[W]hile meat alternatives were available in more than a fifth (22%) of locations in higher-income areas, they were available in only 2% of locations in lower-income areas. Similarly, 18% of locations in higher-income areas had vegan meat alternative options, versus less than 1% of locations in lower-income areas.”
- “Dairy alternatives . . . , such as soymilk and rice milk, are available in only 3% of locations in lower-income areas (which have proportionally much larger populations of ethnic minorities), compared with 23% of locations in the higher-income areas. And while only 1% of locations in lower-income areas had vegan dairy alternatives, 21% of locations in higher-income areas had vegan options.”
Animal Abuser Registry Bill Introduced in Suffolk County, New York
Posted by Stephanie Ulmer, Guest Blogger on August 25th, 2010
Suffolk County lawmakers have proposed a county registry that will keep animals away from abusers. According to longislandpress.com:
“Pet owners, animal rights advocates and even animals gathered outside the Suffolk County Legislature in Hauppauge on Thursday, August 19th, to join Majority Leader Jon Cooper (D-Lloyd Harbor) as he unleashed several animal protection bills. The main component is a database known as the Animal Abuser Registry, which will include the names of people who have been convicted of harmful treatment and torture to animals. Additional legislation would restrict those on the registry from adopting animals and prevent shelters or pet stores from letting those on the registry take a new pet home.”
Cooper states that all animals offenders would be included on the database, and “the bill will require pet stores and animal shelters to check an individual’s identify on the registry. If the shelters and pet stores do not follow the precautions they would face a fine for allowing an animal into the hands of a convicted animal abuser.” It was reported that if the law passes, Suffolk County will be the first municipality in the nation to have an Animal Abuser Registry.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund has long been an advocate of such registries. An abuser registry will answer many questions, such as whether an animal abuser lives in your neighborhood and whether your pets are safe from repeat offenders. They provide protection for our pets and peace of mind for us. ALDF has previously reported that communities have good reason to be concerned about the whereabouts of animal abusers. In story after heartbreaking story, abusers repeat their violent crimes against helpless animals, and often go on to victimize people as well. An animal abuser registry will help prevent such abuse. Hopefully this new law will pass and serve as a model for other such registries across the nation. Let’s all applaud this step!
Make Airlines Accountable for All Animals on Flights
Posted by Stephen Wells, ALDF's Executive Director on August 24th, 2010
Make airlines accountable for all animals shipped on commercial flights!
Recently, seven puppies died after being shipped in the cargo hold from an American Airlines flight from Tulsa to Chicago, causing a surge of public concern about the risky and controversial practice of shipping companion animals and other animals as "cargo" on commercial airlines.
Currently, the Department of Transportation only requires airlines to report the deaths or disappearances of animals considered "pets" -- meaning that there has been no accurate reporting on in-flight harm to dogs shipped by puppy mills or other animals transported as cargo.
Whether an animal is shipped as a pet or as an item of commerce has no bearing whatsoever on that animal's ability to suffer. Travelers and animal lovers have a right to know exactly how risky it is for animals to be shipped as cargo on commercial airlines.
Please send a letter to your senators and representatives through ALDF's website and ask them to join Senators Menendez, Durbin, and Lieberman and ALDF in amending this regulation to ensure accurate reporting about the real risks to animals shipped in cargo holds.
Thank you for joining the Animal Legal Defense Fund's fight to win justice animals!
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