Animal Law News
How to distinguish "hoarding" from "caring for a large number of animals"
Hoarding and caring for a large number of animals are two different sets of conditions. Although some people reportedly see only a fine line differentiating the two, others are of the opinion that there are criteria that clearly differentiate the two, making it clear that "in place of the fine line there is a chasm".
Wildlife, trade, susceptibility amplify food risks
A "perfect microbial storm" has been created in the increasingly global interactions of people, animals, and environments. That's the opinion of the Dean of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, who said that adaptation among pathogens, increased human susceptibility to disease, changing environments, intensification of the human-animal interface, human and animal movement across international borders, and antimicrobial resistance have increased the risk of food-borne diseases.
Should Australia import elephants into its wild interior?
Rhinos, elephants, giant Komodo dragon lizards and other foreign species could be imported into Australia's wild interior. That's the opinion of an Australian biology professor who says Australia is just not managing its most pressing ecological problems, and something radical is needed.
Guidelines for Risk Assessment of Animal Welfare
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The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published pioneering guidelines laying out, a standardised methodology for the risk assessment of animal welfare. The methodology, which follows a step-by-step approach, is designed to be applicable to all animal species and all factors that affect animal welfare, including housing, transport, stunning and killing. The development of the guidelines supports EFSA’s commitment to ensure that all its work on animal welfare is underpinned by a strong scientific approach. They will be applied by EFSA’s Panel on Animal Health and Welfare...more >>
University of British Columbia defends animal testing
The University of British Columbia defended its use of animal testing claiming a majority of more than 200,000 animals were used in basic science projects that cause less than minor or short-term stress.
In 2010, 211,604 animals were used for scientific research at the university — 55 per cent were rodents, 35 per cent were fish, six per cent were reptiles and amphibians, and one per cent were birds.
In addition, 1,863 small mammals, 1,570 large mammals, and 651 marine mammals were also involved.
Two-thirds of animals were used in basic...more >>
India Reports Completely Drug-Resistant TB
India has reported the existence of at least 12 patients infected with tuberculosis that has become resistant to all the drugs used against the disease. Physicians in Mumbai are calling the strain TDR, for Totally Drug-Resistant. In other words, it is untreatable as far as they know. TB is already one of the world’s worst killers, up there with malaria and HIV/AIDS, accounting for 9.4 million cases and 1.7 million deaths in 2009.
Tuberculosis can be carried by mammals; domesticated species, such as cats and dogs, are generally free of tuberculosis, but wild animals may be...more >>
California Slaughterhouse Law Struck Down by Supreme Court (USA)
The U.S. Supreme Court overturned a California law requiring slaughterhouses to immediately euthanize animals that are too sick to stand up, saying the measure violated a federal meat-safety law. (National Meat Association v. Harris, 10-224).
People experiencing violence are unwilling to confide in veterinarians
"Animals can be severely affected by domestic violence situations and many people experiencing violence are unwilling to confide in veterinarians or seek help from animal shelters." That's the conclusion of a study recently completed in Australia which investigated the effect of intimate partner violence (IPV) on companion animal welfare.
About the Danish Veterinary Task Force Unit ...
According to the Danish Animal Welfare Act, animals should be treated carefully and properly and protected as well as possible from pain, suffering, fear, disablement and major inconvenience. The responsibility to carry out inspections on certain animal welfare provisions has been delegated to
the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.
Most inspectors within...more >>
Targeting puppy farms (Australia)
The Queensland (Australia) Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies has announced a proposal for a two-tiered breeder registration system to target puppy farmers. The proposed legislation will involve mandatory registration for intensive dog breeders, regular monitoring, and voluntary registration for smaller scale breeders.