News Roundup

I can't believe it's December already. More posts are on the way, but in the interim here are some links to what I've been reading lately:

• Racing greyhound electrocuted in 'unfortunate accident' (Animal Crazy).
• Squirrels shot to death (Pet-Abuse.com).
• Florida deploys inspectors to pet stores this holiday season (Animal Crazy).
• Man who left dying mule in open grave found guilty of animal cruelty (Sun-Sentinel).
• Titusville Man Gets 4 years for sexually assaulting dog (TBO.com).
  
• Man charged with battery, animal cruelty after attacks dog that relieved itself on lawn (Sun-Sentinel).
• Old Florida law faces new debate (Animal Law Blog).

Woman loses custody of pigs after complaints of animal neglect

The Orlando Sentinel reports that a woman in Flagler County was forced to sign over custody of 400 to 500 pigs to the Flagler County Humane Society amid allegations of neglect. According to the article, one witness described the conditions as "a 'horrific' scene with pig corpses, walking skeletons and thirsty, starving animals roaming wildly in debris-strewn fields."

Sun-Sentinel editorial: All-out ban needed on softshell turtle harvesting, and quickly

The Sun-Sentinel published an editorial supporting Governor Crist's call to ban softshell turtle killing in the state. The editorial notes that states like Alabama and Texas have already enacted bans, so Florida's turtle population is at even greater risk because of Florida's currently lax protections for turtles.

Over 100 dogs seized from home in Lakeland

This past weekend detectives and animal control officers seized over 100 dogs from a home in Lakeland Florida. According to an article at the Orlando Sentinel, authorities said the odor of feces and urine was evident inside and outside the home. A woman, who was allegedly selling the dogs from the home, faces a number of charges including neglect.

Additional stories here, here, and here.

Governor Crist calls for an end to turtle killing

In a letter on Thursday, Governor Crist called on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to ban the killing of wild turtles in the state. The Governor's letter also urged the Commission to act quickly. The current emergency rule in place allows 20 turtles per day to be killed. Links here, here, and here.

News Roundup

News roundup articles of note:

• Report: Greenhouse gases imperil oceans' web of life (Miami Herald).
• Concern over freshwater turtle hunting brought to Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (Foster Folly News).
• Florida voters pass Amendment 4 (Environment News Service).
• Florida Students' Hog apparently stolen, brutalized (Animal Crazy).
• Shaky economy leaves wolves needing rescue (Bradenton Herald).
• Man allegedly shoots deer at his parents feeder (NW Florida Daily News).
  
• Whooping Cranes making their way to St. Marks refuge (Tallahassee Democrat).

Puppies seized from suspected puppy mill up for adoption

TBO.com reports that thirty dogs that were seized from a suspected puppy mill will be available for adoption tomorrow. Details on adopting are available in the article. An article on the seizure is available here from Fox 13.

More on NRDC v. Winter

The Supreme Court's decision in NRDC v. Winter has not been out a week and it is increasingly coming under fire. The New York Times ran an editorial finding fault with the opinion noting that the "most disturbing" part of the majority's decision were the "strong statements of deference to the professional judgments of military officers." The two lower courts that the Supreme Court overruled were willing to probe the military's claims. The article ends with the "hope [that] the next administration requires the Navy to take environmental harms more seriously."

The L.A. Times was even more blunt criticizing the "faulty logic" of the majority opinion and stating simply that "[t]he Supreme Court was wrong to eliminate some of the Navy's precautions that help protect marine life." The article also ends with the recognition that the attempt to run roughshod over environmental concerns needs to be addressed by the next administration: "We trust President-elect Barack Obama to take a wiser course when balancing biological diversity against a few inconveniences for the Navy."

Supreme Court rules against whales in sonar case

In the first decision of its new term, the Supreme Court by a narrow majority overruled two lower court decisions to find in favor of the navy. The decision (available here) was authored by Chief Justice Roberts and was joined by Justices Scalia, Alito, Thomas, and Kennedy. It is a disappointing decision, but not unexpected given the tone of the questioning during oral argument. How Appealing has a post on the decision here, which contains a link to this AP report. The NY Times reports on the decision in an article here.

2008 Animal Law Conference Podcasts Posted

For those who could not make to the recent animal law conference in Oregon, the video podcasts of most of the sessions are now available for viewing at this link. Available sessions include:

Fighting Factory Farms: Alternative Approaches
Peter Brandt, Dan Kinburn, Charlie Tebbutt

Troubled Waters: Bringing International Attention to the Oceans’ Plight
Janis Searles Jones, Kim McCoy

Cruel Captivity: Animals in Entertainment
Adam Roberts, Suzanne Roy, Bruce Wagman

Sanctuaries & Shelters
Gene Baur, Wayne Geiger, Russ Mead

Do Animals Have it Better in Commonwealth Countries?
Mike Radford, Peter Sankoff

A Paradigm Shift in Animal Testing
Dr. Daniel Krewski, Dr. Paul Locke

Persons or Property? The Ideal Status of Animals
David Favre, Steve Wise

Military and Homeland Security Exemptions from Laws Affecting Wildlife
Jay Johnson-Castro, Sr., Zak Smith

Pandas in Peril: Advancing Animal Law in Asia
Paul Littlefair, Amanda Whitfort

Should the Animal Law Movement be Vegan?
Kathy Hessler, Peter Sankoff

World Religions & Animal Law
Lei’ohu Ryder, Paul Walda

(Tip of the hat to the Oregon Animal Law website)

Defenders of Wildlife release Conservation Agenda for Next Administration

On Wednesday, Defenders of Wildlife president Rodger Schlickeisen released a statement on the opportunities for the new administration to advance environmental issues. Here's a short part of his statement:

Under the Obama administration, with help from environmental leaders in Congress, we will have the opportunity to advance longstanding priorities including tackling global warming, safeguarding endangered species and better protecting wildlife on public lands. Taking decisive action on these issues will not only support a legacy of environmental protections, it will also help America's economy grow in a healthy, sustainable manner that works for all Americans.

DOW also released a new report entitled "Wildlife Conservation for the Next Administration," which you can read about here. A copy of the report is available for download here. The report calls on the new administration to:

• End the political manipulation of science
  
• Responsibly manage America’s federal lands
  
• Safeguard America’s rarest plants and wildlife
  
• Make America a leader in addressing global warming and its impacts
  
• Restore America’s role as a global leader in wildlife conservation
  
• Restore our connection to nature through education and proper stewardship of our shared federal lands
  
• Encourage private landowners, states, and tribes to conserve wildlife and habitat

(Image: Ansgar Walk/CC)

Sorry for the lack of posts...

I've been having computer and election-watching issues, but should be back on track now. New updates are on the way. Thanks for making last month the highest for visits and views yet - FAL hit 12,189 total for the month of October.

New Animal Blawg from Pace Law School

Interest in Animal Law continues to grow in leaps and bounds. Check out the new Animal Blawg from Pace Law School in New York. There are some excellent posts on California's Proposition 2, including a response to Gary Francione's opposition to the proposition and a guest post by Sherry Colb from Cornell law school.