Happy Holidays!

I'm back and will be adding updates over the next few days.

U.S. Coast Guard settles with wildlife groups

Defenders of Wildlife issued a press release stating that it has settled a case brought to protect whales from being struck by ships. According to the release, ship strikes are the number one cause of injuries and death for critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. The settlement agreement ends a case brought by Defenders of Wildlife, The Humane Society of the United States, Ocean Conservancy, and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and requires the Coast Guard to consider the impacts of three existing shipping lanes in Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Bay, and Cape Fear on whale populations.

Safari Wild faces possible penalty

TBO.com reports that the Southwest Water Management District is seeking more than $46,000 in fines for building associated with an proposed exotic-animal park in Polk County. The article states that fine is associated with work that was done without the proper permits designed to protect wetlands, control stormwater runoff, and reduce flooding.

The article also references prior issues with government involving the park. In May, the Polk County planning office issued a stop-work order after finding buildings that were more substantial than those that were permitted and the Florida Department of Community Affairs also filed a notice of violation because of the development on the Green Swamp, which is designated for special environmental protection.

Woman who left dog to die in crate headed to jail

With a tip of the hat to an Animal Crazy post, the Orlando Sentinel reports that the woman who left her German shepherd locked in a crate for two months without food or water was sentenced to eight months in jail, one year of probation, 80 hours of community service and a $5,000 fine. She will not be allowed to keep any animals as pets during her probation. According to the article, her attorney argued that the woman "did not deserve the maximum sentence because she had no prior criminal record and because the crime was a misdemeanor that only involved a dog."

How Appealing on Entergy Corp. v. Riverkeeper, Inc.

How Appealing has a couple posts on today's oral argument before the Supreme Court in Entergy Corp. v. Riverkeeper, Inc.: "High Court Case Tests Power Plants' Water Rules" and "Court urged to side with power plants against fish," which links to an AP story of the same name. A copy of the transcript from the oral argument is available at this link.

Animal Law Coalition: Lawsuit brought against Petland

According to the folks at the Animal Law Coalition, a lawsuit was brought by former franchisees against Petland, Inc., Hunte Kennel Systems and Animal Care, Inc. and Hunte Delivery System, Inc. Reportedly, the lawsuit alleges that the franchisees were forced to sell sick dogs.

The lawsuit follows closely on the heels of an investigation by the Humane Society of the United States into puppy sales at Petland. The HSUS video released along with investigation mentions stores in Pensacola and Tallahassee:

TBO.com on Florida's pet lemon law

TBO.com has an interesting article on Florida's pet lemon law. The text of the law can be seen at this link.

Animal Law Blog on Florida dog shootings

Animal Law Blog discusses the debate over the shooting of two huskies in Florida. The post links to an article at Pet Pulse. The Pet Pulse article also has the video below about the case, which also contains an interview with Florida animal law attorney Jennifer Dietz:

Man arrested for allegedly trying to behead cat

According to an article at Local 6, a man was arrested after reportedly stabbing and attempting to behead a cat.