Critical insights at the intersection of animals and politics
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
Tomorrow marks the running of the 145th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, and the weather is calling for rain and storms at the track that’s been deemed one of the deadliest for horses. There’s been a black cloud over the horse racing industry this year amidst the crisis that began with 23 deaths … Read more
Rifts in the animal protection movement are unpleasant but inevitable, given that ours is a movement grounded on ideas and populated by millions of people and thousands of organizations. Like any major social cause or political party, there are factions, sects, personality clashes, strategic differences, and other aspects of human nature that hinder perfect harmony. … Read more
At the start of the second quarter, McDonald’s gave a detailed report on its progress toward its 2015 pledge to switch its entire egg supply to cage-free by 2025. “The result, so far,” according to a statement from the fast-food giant, “is more than 726 million cage-free eggs sourced for our McDonald’s U.S. restaurants in … Read more
Proposal plays Russian roulette with wild horses and burros For years, the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has mismanaged wild horses and burros, failing to invest in proven fertility control programs and instead rounding-up and removing thousands of wild horses and burros from our public lands and shipping them off to holding facilities. There, … Read more
Churchill Downs and other major horse industry operations take important step, but it’s no substitute for the comprehensive reform of the Horseracing Integrity Act. The horse racing industry is showing flashes that it may be serious about weaning itself off of drugs. But key players within the industry continue to resist even modest anti-doping rules … Read more
Bill to Stop This Abuse, Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, H.R. 693, Has Secured a Majority of House Lawmakers as Cosponsors Washington, D.C. — Footage released to Animal Wellness Action (Action) from a horse owner in Alabama shows despicable and even gruesome mistreatment of horses who are the victims of “soring” — the practice … Read more