Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed the constitutionality of the federal law against animal fighting as applied to Puerto Rico, removing any thread of an argument that cockfighters in the Commonwealth can continue to legally stage animal fights there. “We affirm the district court’s decision and hold that Section … Read more
Groups allege North Carolina retains an extensive network of illegal cockfighting operations Washington, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action (AWA) and the Animal Wellness Foundation (AWF) today asked North Carolina’s three U.S. Attorneys to launch an investigation into a substantial network of individuals throughout the state who are alleged to be knee-deep in the business of illegal … Read more
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this week, a militia group known as the Mai-Mai fighters, in its long-running insurrection against the government there, murdered at least six rangers in the Virunga National Park. One of the world’s most beloved and important parks, but also known for intrusions by murderous poachers, Virunga is a … Read more
Washington, D.C. — Today, Animal Wellness Action and its affiliates applauded U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley, D-Ill. and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Penn., for reintroducing the Big Cat Public Safety Act about one month after the House passed the measure by a commanding vote of 272 to 114 and putting it on a path toward enactment. Quigley and … Read more
Protections for Endangered Animals, Wild Horses and Burros, and Migratory Birds Should be Among Interior Department Priorities If confirmed by the Senate, Interior Secretary nominee Deb Haaland, D-N.M., can restore much needed protections for wolves, bears, elephants, lions, and all manner of other wildlife who have been under the gun during the last four years … Read more
The U.S. House of Representatives roared last month when it voted to pass the Big Cat Public Safety Act (H.R. 1380). It was a giant step toward passing legislation that will ban the trade of big cats as pets and will stop their exploitation for cub petting and roadside zoos — two forms of unethical … Read more
COVID-19 is the most recent in a long line of epidemics caused by a disease that has jumped the species barrier from wildlife to humans Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley, D-Illinois, and Fred Upton, R-Michigan, re-introduced the Preventing Future Pandemics Act, which would direct the U.S. Department of State to work with … Read more
Sunday marked the beginning of the 117th Congress with more than 60 new U.S. Representatives, and half a dozen new U.S. Senators, joining the ranks of incumbent lawmakers in two chambers nearly evenly divided. We’ve been steadily building the legal framework against animal cruelty, and we intend to build on those successes in 2021 and beyond. … Read more
Campaign to end race-day doping in Thoroughbred racing sees tremendous success Washington, D.C. – In the biggest gain for animal welfare in 2020, and in the $900 billion year-end spending bill, President Donald J. Trump signed into law the Horseracing Integrity and Safety (HISA) Safety Act, H.R. 1754/S. 4547, last night, concluding an eight-year campaign … Read more
Spending Bill, to be Signed Into Law by the President, Also Bans Race-Day Doping of Horsetz Yesterday’s $2.3 trillion legislative and spending package covering funding for the federal government for Fiscal Year 2021 and for additional COVID-19 response has much buried in it related to animal welfare. American horses secured some important wins, most importantly … Read more