Critical insights at the intersection of animals and politics
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Martha McSally (R-AZ) have put partisan issues aside and joined together to introduce the Horseracing Integrity Act to end the doping of American race horses and create a uniform national standard for drug testing that would be overseen by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). “Horses … Read more
The U.S. can play a major role by halting imports of sport-hunted trophies of threatened and endangered species According to a report issued by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service this spring, the United States granted import permits between 2013 and 2017 for 32,100 black bears, 10,122 sandhill cranes, 2,645 African lions, 2,552 Chacma baboons, and 2,148 mountain … Read more
Congress slow to act on free-standing bills, but rapid-fire action on animal issues tied to annual spending measures In recent weeks, we’ve seen some significant movement on animal protection issues in the Congress. Overall, there are dozens of bills introduced to drive reform on a broad range of wildlife, anti-cruelty, animal testing, companion animal, and … Read more
Washington D.C. — The U.S. House Committee on Appropriations has signaled it wants to see the Department of Justice (DOJ) step up its work to prosecute animal cruelty crimes, including animal fighting – a bloody and horrific practice that pits animals against each other in a fight to the death for gambling and entertainment. The Committee … Read more
H.R. 693, the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act, one of few to attract 290 House cosponsors and to come to floor under “Problem Solvers Caucus” rule Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Senator Joseph D. Tydings Memorial Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, H.R. 693, secured its 290th cosponsor, triggering a new House Rule to move the … Read more
Southern African nation announces it will reverse the country’s five-year-old trophy hunting ban and also work to weaken the global ivory trade ban “All politics is local,” is a tire-worn phrase in the realm of elections and politics. The phrase captures a key truth of politics. But there’s more to politics than that, especially in … Read more
There’s no big idea in any ascendant social movement that doesn’t cause some angst or even some disruption or dislocation. If the idea had been easy or empty of impact, somebody would have checked that box long ago. Corey Johnson, the speaker of the New York City Council, has it right in boldly calling on … Read more
Tomorrow marks the running of the 144th Preakness Stakes at the fraying Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore, with ominous clouds of controversy hanging over the race and the entire sport of horse racing. This year, more than 23 horses have perished at a single track — Santa Anita Park in California. And the stewards’ decision at … Read more
While the dragons swooped into the plot of “Game of Thrones” and mesmerized viewers, it’s the wolves who’ve been there from the very first episode. The totem animal emblazoned on the flag of House Stark, they are as loyal and intuitive as they are big, brave, and powerful. When wars commence, you want the wolves … Read more
When the clocked turned to 2019, only two states could claim a ban on the disgraceful practice of Wildlife Killing Contests (WKCs). California passed a Fish and Game Commission agency rule in 2014, and Vermont passed a law in 2018 forbidding them. But 2019 may be the year that the movement to end the practice … Read more