Gruesome Photos of Japanese Whale "Processing"

Ugh. This is just yucky to look at.

There's a warning that this is not for the squeamish...

Ezra Klein Bemoans Vegetarian Fare at Restaurants

This is an article that really hits the mark. Ezra Klein talks about the lack of vegetarian options at a restaurant he attended. Why do people assume that vegetarians eat nothing but vegetables? We eat LOTS of things. I find it very insulting that we are pigeon-holed in our food choices. But this is another example of the general ignorance displayed in restaurants and cooking shows like Top Chef. Real food only comes with meat. If you don't eat it, then you must not enjoy food that much. Have a carrot!

US Retailers Concerned Over Australia's Delay in Ending Mulesing

Ugh. Such an awful practice. But, as is typical with many large industries, there is a resistance to change unless there is a clear and immediate profit windfall. Why change for welfare purposes if there is no clear economic benefit? I think it's just another example of short-term vs. long-term thinking, to which all humans are victim.

From the Sydney Morning Herald...

Macy's, Gap and Liz Claiborne Inc are among the big names to warn of their ''growing alarm'' and frustration over the backdown by the marketing and research body Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) from its promise in 2005 to replace mulesing with a commercially viable alternative by the end of this year.

Mulesing, in which woolgrowers surgically remove parts of merino lambs' rears to prevent potentially fatal flystrike, has sparked demonstrations and litigation by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

The American retailers are worried that Australia's ditching of its own 2010 deadline to end the practice may reignite protest: ''We are concerned about what future action PETA may decide to launch if the issue remains unresolved,'' the vice-president and international trade counsel of the National Retail Federation, Erik Autor told the Herald.

More Alleged Abuse At Iowa Egg Farms

Another undercover video from the Humane Society.

Excellent Analysis of AETA

This is an excellent analysis of the potential impacts of the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. It appeared in the McNair Research Journal. I HIGHLY recommend it.

Animal Rights in the Middle East

Interesting article on the challenges faced by animal rights activists in the Middle East. Even though they are often met with condescension, the fact that they are out there means a lot. Hell, I'm met with condescension in my own country and my own home. And I'm in a "progressive" environment.

Sea Shepherd Activist Could Face Jail Time in Japan

Pretty serious stuff.

Japan is formally charging Sea Shepherd Captain Peter Bethune with trespassing, carrying a knife, damaging property, forcible obstruction of business and one charge of causing injury. Japan has accused Bethune of illegally boarding (trespassing) the Japanese ship, Shonan Maru II, which is where most of the charges stem. The latter charge arises from an accusation that Bethune threw a jar of butyric acid onto the deck of a Japanese whaling ship, causing an injury to a crew member. This is a very serious charge, and if found guilty, Bethune could face up to 15 years in Japanese jail.

Animal Testing Center to Open in Malaysia

Caution on this story. Disturbing picture of monkey being injected.

Salmon Threatened by Humans, Not Sea Lions

Here's someone else who agrees with me that sea lions are not the true threat to salmon. She highlights dams, but that is only one of the four H's (hydro, harvest, habitat and hatcheries) that are obliterating this beautiful creature.

I think this opinion is pretty wide-spread. It's just easier to kill sea lions that to break down dams.

LA Times "Rodent of the Week" Simply PR for Animal Research

Here's a weird little piece I came across. "Rodent of the Week" supposedly highlights the "good things" that come out of animal research. Clearly, a PR instrument. But even this peppy little piece discusses the weaknesses of animal research.

So why not just end it?

Utah Ends Forced Pound Seizures

Now animal shelters have the right to refuse to release animals to the University of Utah for animal research. Previously, they were required to allow these "pound seizures." Davis County Animal Shelter, a key supplier to the University of Utah, has already ceased this practice.

Good. I wish the whole practice had been outlawed, but at least now shelters can respond to public pressure.

Quote of the Week

If we do not do something to help these creatures, we make a mockery of the whole concept of justice.

--Jane Goodall

UK May Require Microchipping of Dogs

From the AP...

The government's proposals are aimed at tackling the growing problem of aggressive canines being used to harass, attack and even kill. In a country where guns are tightly controlled and even carrying a kitchen knife can result in a prison sentence, animal rights experts and politicians say street thugs have turned to dangerous-looking dogs to cow their victims.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said the number of complaints about dog fights had soared tenfold between 2004 and 2008, the last year for which figures were available. In 2009, London Deputy Mayor Kit Malthouse called for action on what he called "weapon dogs."

His opposition Conservative Party says hospital admissions and court cases relating to dangerous dogs have soared.

Missouri Legislature Attacks Horse Activist

Now this is just juvenile. Missouri is going to vote on allowing horse slaughterhouses back into the State. An activist organized an appeal in which people from around the country and the world could contact the legislators in opposition to the bill. This is very common and occurs to local, state and federal representatives. People will often send communications to representatives for areas in which they don't live. The representative can choose or not choose to heed these communications (my husband used to work for the US Congress so I know.)

Well, apparently Missouri is better than everyone else. Some of the legislators started harassing the horse activist. Really mean tactics.

Shoss received calls at her home from offices in the Capitol, taunting her and making "neighing" voices into the phone. One caller sang a version of the theme song from "Mr. Ed." A number of the calls came late at night.

Some legislators programmed their e-mail systems to forward any message containing the word "horse" to Shoss. And some told the activist that they would consider passing the bill out of spite.

"I would think that some people who voted against it previously might change their vote," said Rep. Michael Frame, D-Eureka.

The response of elected officials has left the experienced activist dumbfounded. Even when her organization got involved in the high-profile animal abuse case of NFL quarterback Michael Vick, she had never seen such a vitriolic reaction.

The late-night, anonymous phone calls led Shoss to file a harassment complaint last week with the University City Police Department.

The calls stopped, she said, after the Post-Dispatch started asking lawmakers about them.

Singapore a Transit Hub for Trafficking

Seems like every other month I post an article about some SE Asian country being a "hub" for wildlife trafficking (eg. Vietnam, Malaysia.) How many more are there?