Category Archives: Animal Rights News

FEDERAL ACTION ALERT

FEDERAL BILL TO BAN THE PROCESSING OF HORSES FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IS SET FOR A HEARING ON 1/29/20

H.R. 961 – Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2019 – SAFE ACT

TEXT FROM BILL
the knowing sale or transport of equines or equine parts in interstate or foreign commerce for purposes of human consumption is hereby prohibited

HEARING : 01/29/2020 10:00 AM EST [House] Energy And Commerce 2322 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C.
Info on the hearing – you can livestream it here also:
https://energycommerce.house.gov/committee-activity/hearings/hearing-on-improving-safety-and-transparency-in-america-s-food-and-drugs
This is an equine welfare issue – there simply isn’t the infrastructure to support the unwanted horses that are currently being transported to Mexico and Canada to be processed for human consumption – this bill does NOTHING to address this. We need solutions, not an unfunded mandate that will make the situation worse for equine welfare in the United States.

If you are concerned about this bill you should immediately contact your U.S. Congressional representative and members of the Energy and Commerce Committee
Find your congressional representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

Members of the Energy and Commerce Committee:
http://clerk.house.gov/committee_info/index.aspx?comcode=IF00

Washington State Action Alert


THIS BILL NEEDS TO BE WIDELY CHALLENGED, PLEASE TAKE ACTION – ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE IN WASHINGTON STATE.

House Bill 2824 will ban certain animals at “any exhibition, public showing, presentation, display, exposition, fair, animal act, circus, ride, trade show, petting zoo, carnival, parade, race, or similar undertaking…
“HB2824 is sponsored by Representatives Appleton, Walen, and Pollet. It was referred to the House Public Safety Committee. Currently the bill excludes domestic horses and cattle but that could easily be amended in the future and includes many other species.
Text of bill: http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2019-20/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/2824.pdf?q=20200124092600&fbclid=IwAR0oX4BSqdFoJ215XFFrn8IZ2msrWS9js2TfnW-7Zh6GGC2gIwiYNiuWof4

As introduced, it includes the species and any hybrids below:(I) ARTIODACTYLA, excluding domestic cattle, bison, American buffalo, water buffalo, yak, zebu, gayal, bali cattle, suidae, sheep, llamas, or alpacas;
(II) CAMELIDAE;
(III) CANIDAE, including any hybrids thereof, but excluding domestic dogs;
(IV) CROCODILIA;
(V) ELASMOBRANCHII;
(VI) ELEPHANTIDAE;
(VII) FELIDAE, including any hybrids thereof, but excluding domestic cats;
(VIII) MARSUPIALIA;
(IX) NONHUMAN PRIMATE;
(X) PERISSODACTYLA, excluding domestic horses, ponies, donkeys, or mules;
(XI) PINNIPEDIA; and
(XII) URSIDAE.The only exemption applies to a program “that takes place at a nonmobile, permanent institution or other fixed facility.”The bill has been referred to the Committee on Public Safety.Email list: Sherry.Appleton@leg.wa.gov, Gerry.Pollet@leg.wa.gov, Amy.Walen@leg.wa.gov, Roger.Goodman@leg.wa.gov, Lauren.Davis@leg.wa.gov, Brad.Klippert@leg.wa.gov, Robert.Sutherland@leg.wa.gov, Jenny.Graham@leg.wa.gov, Dan.Griffey@leg.wa.gov, John.Lovick@leg.wa.gov, Tina.Orwall@leg.wa.gov, Mike.Pellicciotti@leg.wa.gov, Eric.Pettigrew@leg.wa.gov

Link to Committee information:
http://leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/PS/Pages/MembersStaff.aspx?fbclid=IwAR1f-6j8ofE_0hJdEvfZtJ-8ILjh-_5wjNDtpygojsF3K9TTW1sTNhlAiYY

Points to include in your messaging:
• I oppose House Bill 2824. Washington already has extensive animal cruelty laws including Chapter 16.52 RCW titled Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
• Current laws are adequate to protect animals in Washington State and should be enforced;
• This bill will have far-reaching, unintended consequences and hurt many animal industries in Washington State – taking away citizen’s rights to enjoy many activities involving animals;
• Reject the propaganda advanced by animal extremists who wish to ban the use of animals in industry, sport and recreation and listen to the experts who interact with these animals on a daily basis.

HSUS Exec Leaving After #MeToo Cover-Up Allegation

Humanewatch.org

HSUS’s bungling of former CEO Wayne Pacelle’s #MeToo resignation continues.

After credible allegations surfaced in national media in January that Pacelle had harassed women over a decade-plus period, the HSUS board of directors—shockingly—voted to keep him as CEO. The next day, facing donor blowback, Pacelle resigned. Meanwhile, he never apologized or admitted any wrongdoing, and the board didn’t apologize for its vote to keep the creep. In fact, one member, Erika Brunson, blew off the situation, telling the New York Times, “We didn’t hire [Pacelle] to be a choir boy.”

Full Article

Alliance: Animal rights activists focused on ‘animal liberation’

From taking extreme action to liberate livestock to discussing the reproductive rights of female animals, animal rights activists covered it at all at their latest conference. And the Animal Agriculture Alliance has all the details, releasing a report today with their observations from the Animal Rights National Conference, held June 28 through July 1 in Los Angeles, California.
Full Article

USDA Cites HSUS “Care” Centers

Humanewatch –

Early last year, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) made a big stink about online access to USDA inspection records. The agency inspects facilities with animals regulated under the Animal Welfare Act, such as zoos and sanctuaries. The USDA has since put some back records online, and it’s notable that a couple of HSUS-affiliated facilities were cited by the USDA for violations.

Full Article

Humane Society C.E.O. Resigns Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations

New York Time

The chief executive of the Humane Society of the United States resigned on Friday after sexual harassment allegations against him prompted an uprising from staff and donors.

The executive, Wayne Pacelle, who was the face of the Humane Society for more than a decade, had held onto support from a majority of the group’s board, which voted on Thursday to immediately end an investigation into his behavior.

Full Article

How to Avoid Hiring an Animal Rights Activist

How to Avoid Hiring an Animal Rights Activist | Successful Farming

When hundreds of people are hired by large livestock producers, often for relatively short times, it’s difficult to keep track of them all. Even on smaller farms, if you aren’t careful, you could unknowingly hire an animal rights activist aiming to infiltrate your operation.

As a rule, livestock producers take very good care of their animals, not only because it’s the right thing to do, but also because they know that the health and well being of their animals affect their bottom line. Policies to prevent animal abuse should be set in place, and employees should be trained to follow proper animal-care standards. That goes without saying. Still, we’ve all seen the undercover farm videos captured by animal rights activists, who claim abuse.

Full Article