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Tennessee Governor Vetoes Ag-Gag Bill

Tue, 14 May 2013 23:58:54 +0000

The governor of Tennessee has vetoed the state's ag-gag bill, SB 1248/HB 1191, which would have required that photographs and videos of animal abuse be turned over to law enforcement within 48 hours. In general, "ag-gag laws" are dangerous because they protect the animal abusers and punish whistleblowers who are trying to expose animal cruelty.

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First Ag-Gag Case Dropped

Thu, 09 May 2013 03:51:07 +0000

As reported by Will Potter of Green is the New Red, prosecutors have dropped the charges against a woman who was the first ag-gag defendant. "Ag-gag" laws are designed to stop activists from documenting cruelty against farmed animals with photos, video and audio recordings. Although the laws vary from state to state, they tend to infringe on free speech and freedom of the press, and would apply equally to employees and journalists attempting to document unsafe work conditions, sexual harrassment, food safety violations, and other illegal activity.

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Veal, Milk and Mother's Day

Thu, 09 May 2013 02:47:15 +0000

In the animal protection movement, Mother's Day is a time to focus on dairy cows and veal, and Liberation BC has come up with the cow ribbon as a way to get the word out. Rebecca Gindin-Clarke, Research and Information Director for Liberation BC, says, "The campaign exists to bring attention to all of the mothers of the dairy industry who lose child after child so that humans can take their milk." Pin it on your purse or your lapel, and every time someone asks why you're wearing a cow ribbon, you have a chance to tell people about the cruelty of the dairy and veal industry.

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Portrayals of Animal Exploitation

Thu, 02 May 2013 02:58:17 +0000

Portrayals of animal exploitation usually either depict the animals as willing participants in their own exploitation, or encourage the viewer to laugh at the animals' plight. Check out these ten examples.

Egg Farming Cruelty

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:21:17 +0000

The photo above shows male chicks on a conveyor belt, heading toward their death. Perhaps into a garbage bag to suffocate to death. Perhaps to a grinding machine, like the one at the Hy-Line Hatchery in Iowa, where Mercy for Animals shot undercover footage of male chicks being ground up alive. Male chicks are not profitable to egg farmers because they will not lay eggs. After they are killed, they may be turned into fertilizer or pet food. Years ago, I heard about a hatchery that sent their male chicks to a fur farm, to be fed to minks.

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Lead Ammunition and Lead Fishing Tackle

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:01:35 +0000

I found this fish hook and lead sinker on a New Jersey beach a few days ago, reminding me of the hazards of lead ammunition and lead fishing tackle. It also reminded me of how animals suffer and die because of our pollution, including fishing tackle and nets that hang around in the ocean, continuing to harm and kill marine life for decades. Or centuries, in the case of nylon nets.

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Harvard Closes Primate Lab; World Week for Animals in Laboratories

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 03:57:39 +0000

Harvard Medical School announced this week that they will close their primate research laboratory in 2015. Four monkeys died at the Southborough, MA facility between 2010 and 2012, and the lab was cited for animal welfare violations. However, Jeffrey Flier, dean of the medical school, told the Boston Globe that closing the facility was "a strategic long-term decision," based on economics and not the recent animal welfare problems.

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Speak Out Against Genetically Engineered Salmon

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:51:12 +0000

You have until Friday, April 26 to comment on a U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposal to approve genetically engineered salmon for human consumption. The GE salmon would be the first genetically modified animal approved for human consumption in the U.S.

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Vegan for the Earth

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 03:01:36 +0000

With Earth Day coming up on April 22, it's time to examine the environmental reasons to go vegan.

Most people are familiar with the animal rights arguments for veganism: Buying animal products supports abuse, slaughter and exploitation of sentient creatures. But many people are unaware of the devastating environmental impact of animal agriculture on the environment.

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Canada Begins Another Seal Hunt

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 03:51:48 +0000

Despite setbacks and controversies, the annual Canadian seal hunt is once again underway. According to HarpSeals.org, 70,000 seals are expected it to be killed.

As if clubbing seals to sell their skins were not bad enough, there isn't even a demand for these pelts. HarpSeals.org explains that the hunt is subsidized by the local government:

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