Critical insights at the intersection of animals and politics
In an industry where there are still too many low-grade tracks that cause in-competition injuries or are the last stop for poor-performing horses on their way to slaughter plants in Mexico and Canada, California’s Santa Anita Track is held up as one of the best venues in the trade. It hosts the most highly rated … Read more
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY), and Andy Barr (R-KY), who represent two of the meccas of American thoroughbred racing — Saratoga Springs and Lexington — introduced the Horseracing Integrity Act, H.R. 1754, to end the doping of American race horses and create a uniform national standard for drug testing that would … Read more
One Consent Decree Imposes a Three-Year Suspension on a Serial Violator of Federal Laws Against “Horse Soring” But Some Suspensions Doesn’t Take Effect until 2022 Washington, D.C. — The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to coddle and tolerate serious violations of the Horse Protection Act (HPA), meting out token and virtually meaningless penalties … Read more
Subtle and straightforward efforts to thwart protections for wolves, Walking horses, and roostersThere has been unmistakable progress in the field of animal protection, especially in recent years. We’ve outlawed cockfighting and dogfighting and made it a felony at the federal level too. The veal industry no longer immobilizes male calves as a standard husbandry practice. … Read more
Body-Count Killers Disgrace Animal Protectors and Hunters Alike Some of the names of the events sound playful at first: Fur Bang!, Critter Gitter, Santa Slay, Fox Frenzy. Others are more literal and diabolical sounding: Crow Shoot, Coyote Carnage These are Wildlife Killing Contests (WKCs). And no matter how the organizers and participants describe them, they … Read more
Attempts to bar vegan food processors from displaying the words “milk” or “meat” on their products are just the latest examplesSir Isaac Newton’s Third Law says that “for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” What’s true in physics is certainly true in social reform movements, including animal protection. During my years of … Read more
Marquis will promote the enforcement of animal protection laws and form a national law enforcement council focused on animal issues Washington, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action (AWA) is pleased to announce that Joshua Marquis has joined the group as Director of Legal Affairs and Enforcement. An experienced prosecutor with an accomplished record on animal protection … Read more
Measure does not strip federal protections for wolves and bars the opening of any new horse slaughter plants in the U.S.The House gave approval to the Fiscal Year 2019 spending bill last night by a vote of 300–128, on the heels of an 83-16 vote in the Senate. It goes to President Trump posthaste, and … Read more
Washington, D.C. — Today U.S. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Charlie Crist (D-FL) introduced legislation to crack down on cruel “puppy mills” — large commercial dog breeding operations that breed large volumes of puppies to sell at pet stores and over the internet. The WOOF Act would amend the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit the U.S. … Read more
Last month, Priscilla Presley — wife of the late, great Elvis Presley, the “king of rock ‘n roll” — joined our team at Animal Wellness Action on Capitol Hill to voice her support for passage of the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, a measure that’s been dangling in the wind in Congress for six years. … Read more