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China Considers First Comprehensive Animal Protection Law

Wednesday, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated a California law banning the use of sick and disabled ("downed") animals in the human food supply. Last year, a federal judge temporarily blocked the state from enforcing the law as a result of a lawsuit brought by the National Meat Association and the American Meat Institute.

New law to protect "puppy-mill" dogs in effect and improved pet-related legislation one step closer to becomeing law.

NYPD cops prove to be pussycats with hearts of gold.

Since the Animal Legal Defense Fund launched our national abuser registry campaign on February 22 -- the same day California Senator Dean Florez announced an abuser registry bill for that state -- legislators from eight states have expressed interest in abuser registries, and Louisiana introduced its own offender registry bill.

In 1995, the Animal Legal Defense Fund and animal advocates in Oregon made tremendous improvements in the state's criminal anti-cruelty laws when they seized an opportunity presented by the confluence of two events.

Bill to make torturing cats and dogs a felony dies in the legislature.

We have entered the final round of voting for the Ideas for Change in America 2010‏ competition on Change.org and ALDF's Animal Bill of Rights is currently in the top 10! Help us keep up the momentum by voting today!

As California's Senate Majority Leader, I take the job of protecting Californians and their animals very seriously. Experts have proven a strong correlation between violence against animals and incidents of domestic abuse. I believe we should have tough laws in place to protect both people and animals from violence.

On February 23, 2010, the Iowa Senate passed a "puppy mill" bill designed to improve the conditions for dogs and cats at commercial breeding facilities. The bill, House File 2280, passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 41 to 9.

Please visit ExposeAnimalAbusers.org and urge your state lawmakers to propose legislation for an animal abuser registry in your state.

New bill allows veterinarians to report suspected cases of animal cruelty.

Change.org has launched their Ideas for Change in America 2010‏ competition, and your vote is needed to win better rights for animals!

In December 2009, over 35 animals - including 19 horses and three mules - were seized by authorities from alleged neglect which reportedly included filthy and hazardous stable conditions, inadequate food and water, and failure to provide veterinary care. Paul Anthony Novicki and Rambling River Ranch owner Gina S. Rapuano of New Haven, Connecticut are now facing a total of 33 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, with Ms. Rapuano additionally facing multiple felony counts of forgery and evidence-tampering. The animals have since been forfeited over to authorities and are recovering.

Bob Barker may best be known as the beloved host of the longest running TV game show in history. But "The Price is Right" host is also a long-time advocate for animals and is the keynote speaker at Animal Legal Defense Fund's "Future of Animal Law" conference on April 9-11 at Harvard Law School.

It's a tradition at the beginning of a new year to make lists. Some lists are important and significant, like our new year's resolutions or the most momentous world events of the past year. Others, well, not so much. So, in keeping with tradition, I hereby offer a couple of lists in each of those categories.

Over the last few days, I have received several inquiries about a Pennsylvania case that has been getting considerable media coverage. The headlines read something like: "Hundreds of Dead Animals Found in Philly Home." While the media coverage is less than ideal in its lack of legal detail (and we do not yet have access to any of the incident reports), investigators are quoted as saying this appears to be a case where the suspect practiced some form of Santeria.

John Crosby expressed in a December 2009 news interview that he could not afford to take the dog to a veterinarian, and was unaware of the local prohibition against tethering. The dog was given over to Savannah/Chatham County Animal Control by Ms. Lam, but ultimately did not survive. John Crosby has been charged with tethering and animal neglect.

Chatham County, Georgia
Case Closed

I used to dread the holiday season. Like many people, I allowed myself to be burdened with obligations that felt overwhelming. I've let go of a lot of those obligations and in recent years, I've begun to concentrate more on what the spiritual meaning of the season is.

Great year-end news for homeless Kentucky animals!

Why are certain states in the dog house when it comes to getting tough on animal abuse?

ALDF releases annual report ranking animal cruelty laws across the nation.

This report - the only one of its kind in the nation - ranks the animal protection laws of every state based on their relative strength and general comprehensiveness.

Thanks to ALDF supporters, this puppy has a warm, loving home this holiday season.

Podcasts are now available of Animal Law: The Links, The Animal Law Conference at Lewis & Clark, hosted by the Center for Animal Law Studies and the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund at Lewis & Clark Law School.

One of the driving issues behind the field of animal law is the disconnect between the law's description of animals as "property" with the understanding so many of us have that animals are much more than that - most of the tens of millions of Americans who share their homes with dogs, cats, and other animal companions would agree that they are, most definitely, members of the family.

While animal hoarding is usually presented in the context of cats and dogs, it is not uncommon for farm animals to be victimized by this type of abuse. Indeed, given the rural, often remote locations chosen by animal hoarders, and the added demands of large animal care requirements, discovery and intervention in these cases is all the more challenging for humane agents.

Harrison County, Ohio
Act now!

Mention the word "bestiality" and you'll likely elicit one of two responses: kindergartner-like snickering, or horror. ALDF works to raise awareness of the problem so we can attack it with criminal consequences.

Taboo as a subject to be sure, sexual crimes against animals are not exceptional, isolated incidents. Find out which states have no direct prohibitions against the sexual assault of an animal and examples of past cases.

It is exceedingly rare to hear anything positive regarding animals and Kentucky law. Yet despite the continuing legal and political morass surrounding the state's animal protection laws, we are happy to commend the prosecutors of Kenton County who were the first to successfully utilize the only animal protection law strengthened in Kentucky last year, when they recently secured a felony conviction against a man charged with stabbing to death two cats.

Late in the evening of October 11, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger opted to veto AB 243, a bill that provides broader forfeiture options for animals seized in animal abuse cases, as well as mandating post-conviction possession ban orders (no owning, maintaining, having custody of, residing with, or caring for any animal) for people convicted of animal cruelty, neglect or abandonment.

The Supreme Court heard oral argument on Tuesday ...

The impact of the Federal District Court's (Western District of Kentucky) memorandum opinion in Louisville Kennel Club v. Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government isn't as bad as you might think from reading the web traffic on this case.

ALDF Submits Amicus Brief Supporting Anti-cruelty Law

Dear Joyce, I can't believe that tens of thousands of horses are slaughtered in the U.S. for human consumption! I feel so helpless. Is there something I can do to stop this outrage?

A big part of the Animal Legal Defense Fund's work is to act as voice for animals in the political process. We provide resources to help advocates contact their elected officials and suggest guidelines for strategically working with them to help animals. We draft model laws on all sorts of animal related issues, providing lawmakers who want to take up the cause of animal protection with strong foundations for proposing legislation.

AB 243 has cleared the California Legislature and now awaits Governor Schwarzenegger's signature. ALDF provided research and advice to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office (who championed the proposal) on the drafting of the bill - a process which began more than a year ago.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced today that Dearborn, Michigan dog hoarder Kenneth Lang Jr is being charged with two counts of cruelty to 10 or more animals, after more than 100 live and approximately 150 dead Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes were removed from the filthy home this past July.

ALDF grant allows for necropsies of Chihuahuas found in Michigan man's freezer.

Farmed animals are among the most abused in the United States, in numbers that are so staggering as to be almost incomprehensible. Investigations and industry whistleblowers have discovered abuses on farms and in slaughterhouses that are so horrific, most people cannot even bear to witness them.

Excluded by most state animal cruelty laws and the federal Animal Welfare Act, farmed animals are particularly at risk for large-scale exploitation and abuse since the advent of factory farms, which mechanized and exponentially expanded the production of animal products at the expense of humane animal care.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently heard arguments in National Meat Association v. Brown, a case in which the meat industry is attempting to invalidate a California law designed to reduce animal suffering and protect public safety.

This week only, ALDF's Farmed Animals and the Law brochures are available for FREE. Hand them out at events, display them at supporting merchants or conveniently leave them on the coffee table for your meat-eating housemates to peruse.

Animal hoarding is very difficult to prevent, but it can be stopped. Contact your state legislators today and ask them to support a "First Strike and You're Out" law for those who are convicted of animal neglect or cruelty.

When ALDF discovered a chimpanzee named Barney in a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-licensed roadside zoo, he was languishing in solitary confinement on the cement floor of a cage. Deprived of companionship and veterinary care, he suffered from severe psychological and physical distress until he escaped from his cage and was shot and killed by a zoo employee.

Happy Birthday, Animal Legal Defense Fund! I'm proud of what we have accomplished and thrilled to still be a part of you. The best is yet to come...

I write today to express my deep gratitude to Representatives Sara Gelser and Brad Witt for sponsoring a very important bill on behalf of yours truly and ALDF, namely House Bill 2529. HB 2529 does a number of good things for animals.

Farmed animals - those raised for the meat, dairy, and egg industries - are among the most abused in the United States, in numbers that are so staggering as to be almost incomprehensible. Find out how you can help.

Join the Animal Legal Defense Fund and an international coalition of attorneys, scientists, and animal advocates in opposing the proposed construction of a massive facility in Puerto Rico for the purpose of breeding primates for use in painful and traumatic laboratory experiments.

Lawsuit Coincides with Rescue Group's Fight to Prevent the Return of the Eight Horses to the Marion Man Charged with Abusing Them

ALDF helps prosecutor in animal/domestic abuse case

ALDF's report helps add real teeth to laws protecting animals.

After Being Named One of Canada's "Best Places to be An Animal Abuser," New Brunswick Poised to Strengthen Penalties for Animal Cruelty

While I wouldn't turn down gemstones, platinum, or even costume jewelry, I'm pretty sure the appropriate gift to offer me this month is tofu - I'm celebrating ten years of being vegan.

Please help end the abusive practice of transporting horses by double-decker trailers and stop the slaughter of horses for human consumption! Contact your United States Representative today and ask them to support H.R. 305 and H.R. 503.

The Michael Vick case made headlines around the nation - and around the globe - but as we know from the number of cases reported to ALDF week after week, dogfighting is a national epidemic.

At 9 p.m. last night, Lacy, the pregnant mare who was close to death when she was rescued from a North Carolina field, gave birth to a healthy, beautiful baby girl. Both mother and daughter are doing great.

Give prosecutors the tools to go after dogfighters like Michael Vick.

Although animal fighting is illegal in all 50 states, the Animal Legal Defense Fund is working to make such crimes easier to prosecute and punishable by stronger penalties.

When ALDF learned that our case, ALDF v. Woodley, was being featured in the June issue of Oprah's Magazine, O, we were thrilled that this triumphant story of 300+ rescued dogs saved from a life of suffering would reach thousands, if not millions, of people and inform them about the horrors of animal hoarding.

In a dramatic move, Ontario, which last year had the infamous distinction of ranking lowest in the nation for its animal protection laws, moved from worst to first this year due to a host of new laws.

Northwest Territories and Nunavut Worst for Animals, Ontario Takes Top Honors in Animal Legal Defense Fund's 2009 Report

Ontario moves from worst to first.

Matthew Liebman, ALDF's staff attorney, and Bruce Wagman, ALDF's chief outside litigation counsel, were back in court yesterday fighting for Groucho, a horse rescued from a North Carolina field where he and seven other horses were left to starve. Bruce and Matthew visited Groucho at his temporary foster home and Bruce gives us this report.

The story of the Woodley case is beautifully told by journalist, Barry Yeoman and for the first time, millions of people will get an introduction to the gut wrenching, long term suffering that the victims of animal hoarding undergo.

At a hearing today, the court granted the Equine Rescue League's petition and ordered Simpson to pay $1,831, which reflects the cost of nursing Groucho back to health.

Check out this heartwarming tribute to the 325+ dogs rescued from North Carolina hoarders Barbara and Robert Woodley. In its June issue, O, the Oprah Magazine, catches up with a crew of the case's spunkiest survivors.

Help stop animal hoarding! Support ALDF's model law.

Catch up with a crew of the case's spunkiest survivors.

The incredible patience and love of very special volunteers from nearby communities and the foster families who eventually helped them on their way to their forever homes made it possible for the Woodley dogs to have their second chance at life.

Images of the dogs rescued in ALDF v. Woodley, and the conditions in which they were found, leave no doubt that hoarding is one of the most egregious forms of animal cruelty facing communities nationwide.

A proposal for mandatory bans on contact with animals following a conviction for animal neglect or cruelty.

U.S. Supreme Court to address animal cruelty in U.S. v. Stevens.

When it comes to animals, can the privileged get away with murder?

Video of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Open Program on "Debating Animals as Legal Persons" is now available to watch online. This session explored the legal and normative bases for personhood and why nonhuman animals have been excluded from its ambit.

The case of dogfighter Craig Boyd illustrates how failing to prosecute operators aggressively, issuing lenient sentences for the convicted, and completely ignoring accessories to the crime impede efforts to stop animal fighting and all its cruelty.

This comprehensive resource discusses the most common types of animal fighting, issues common to animal fighting cases, state and federal laws and prosecuting animal fighting crimes.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund is taking Michael, Judy, and Gayle Keating to court for severely neglecting eight horses whom they starved - in one case, literally to death - and deprived of all veterinary care.

Breed-specific bans and restrictions are extremely problematic. Dangerous dogs can be of any breed, or of mixed breeds. Such bans are not only difficult to enforce, but they also unfairly penalize those dogs and guardians who are behaving in accordance with the laws, while doing nothing to address one of the root causes of dangerous dogs – irresponsible guardians.

Addressing the issue of aggressive dogs in a non-breed-specific fashion, focusing on the behavior of individual dogs, not on their breed.

If you're a lawyer, law professor, law student, legislator or other legal professional, this is a must-have resource!

Collier County, Florida

Not too long ago, I got a typical call from a somewhat harried prosecutor. She works as the lead attorney in the domestic violence unit of her office, loves animals and had heard that ALDF can help busy prosecutors get better results in their cases.

Pinal County, Arizona
Case Closed. Verdict: Not Guilty
Take Action!

The Animal Legal Defense Fund appealed a Feb. 19 court decision which temporarily stops the state from enforcing key provisions of California's newly upgraded law banning the use of sick and disabled animals in the food supply.

Tragic results for everyone when wild animals are kept as "pets"

Letters to the editor are short by design, and one of the most widely read sections of the newspaper. If you don’t think the issue of animal abuse is getting sufficient coverage in your local rag, or if you want to applaud a particular reporter for going in-depth to cover a case of animal cruelty, a letter to the editor is a great way to do it.

If you haven't yet joined the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have signed the Animal Bill of Rights - take action now! Help us meet the goal of adding 10,000 new signatures to the Animal Bill of Rights petition during National Justice for Animals Week. Let Congress and all of our elected officials know that the law should protect the basic needs of all animals - and should provide justice for those who are abused and exploited.

ALDF’s Litigation Program scored a pair of important legal victories in the past two weeks, both of which will significantly push forward our lawsuits to protect animals.

California Food Safety Law Enacted in Wake of Hallmark Meat Recall Put on Hold

The Animal Legal Defense Fund is proud to have Congressman Cohen as a co-sponsor for National Justice for Animals Week. Congressman Cohen sponsored Tennessee's T-Bo Law, the nation's first-ever statute providing for noneconomic damages, up to $5000, in cases of intentional or negligent acts resulting in the death of a companion dog or cat.

Ms. Knaan helped introduce new state legislation, AB 243, into the California Assembly—this bill would allow a judge to bar a felon convicted of animal cruelty from owning animals for a certain period after their release. She is currently working on a program designed to encourage reporting of animal fighting and a program intended to educate those who have failed to properly care for their animals.

Help us add 10,000 new signatures to the Animal Bill of Rights during National Justice for Animals Week - sign today, and spread the word!

Mr. Fleck has prosecuted upwards of 50 felony animal cruelty cases, many through verdict after jury trials. Every trial has resulted in conviction, and every conviction, barring extraordinary circumstances, has resulted in a jail or prison sentence.

Recognizing that animals are among the most vulnerable members of our society and that those who mistreat animals often commit crimes against human victims, Mr. Cooley created the largest division in the country dedicated to the consistent and vigorous prosecution of animal cruelty, animal neglect, and illegal animal fighting cases.

Download ALDF's printer-friendly resources to provide you with the critical information you need to get active for animals - ALDF's criminal justice factsheets and our special 18-page resource guide for activists and communities.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund has created National Justice for Animals Week, an annual event that is dedicated to raising public awareness nationwide about how to report animal abuse and how to work within your community to create stronger laws and assure tough enforcement. Mark your calendars for ALDF's first-ever National Justice for Animals Week, February 22-28.