GlobalAnimal.org’s POLITICS section covers animal laws and animal welfare legislation in governments worldwide.
SWITZERLAND — A small town has generated a big controversy with its plan to enact a 1904 law that allows the government to kill the dogs of owners who refuse to pay the dog tax. Although the plan is to avoid killing any dogs, is it right to endanger a life because of a $48.50 tax? Tell us what you think.
SOUTH KOREA — South Korea banned whaling years ago, but it is still legal to sell whale parts from whales found already deceased. This policy has created a loophole though which illegal whaling is possible.Discover how Korean officials are now working to close the loophole, and prevent further whale deaths.
SOUTHERN SUDAN — After years of civil war in which the spectacular wildlife populations were ignored, the creation of a new country out of Southern Sudan will allow for wildlife conservation to be an integral part of the nation. Discover the profound effects the vote for independence could have on wildlife conservation.
INTERNATIONAL – Why doesn’t the US take a stand against Japan’s illegal whaling and inhumane dolphin slaughter? Or their clear-cutting the oceans of bluefin tuna? Oh, right, that would require and ethical and moral backbone. We are disappointed and disgusted.
Wow, Hong Kong airport has deemed this PETA video called “Cruelty Doesn’t Fly,” featuring Pamela Anderson camping it up, too racy! Is this the same Hong Kong of laissez faire capitalism and a thriving red light district? Or is violence against animals like violence in other media – just fine, but sex is off limits. Watch and tell us if you think the video is silly, sexy or no big deal. – Global Animal
Dec. 22, 2010 – Japanese whalers radically changed their slaughter tactics this season in an attempt to foil anti-whaling activists in the Southern Ocean who have formidable resources this year. Japan awarded itself a scientific permit to kill whales in millions of square kilometers of ocean to the south of Australia and the area south of New Zealand. According to Sea Shepherd captain, Paul Watson, “this new special permit has Japan thumbing their noses at both Australia and New Zealand.” Considering Australia’s lawsuit against Japan at the Hague and its proposed aerial surveillance of Japan’s “criminal behavior,” plus New Zealand’s intensified monitoring of their whaling and the worldwide condemnation, Japan seems unconcerned to lose all legal and ethical ground. Japan may have doubled its area of killing and deceit. But the determination of those protecting the whales knows no bounds. – Global Animal
Dec. 20, 2010 – A memo leaked to a Colorado beekeeper indicates that the EPA was well-aware that the pesticide Clothianidin poses serious risks to honey bees, yet the federal agency allowed Bayer to widely use the pesticide on corn, wheat and other staple crops, amounting to a $262 million cash crop for the Fortune 500 pharmaceutical and chemical company. Sickening? – Global Animal
Dec. 6, 2010, BILLINGS, MONT. – Cross-state bureaucratic wrangling has frozen the plan to remove gray wolves from the endangered species list. Not because it’s a bone-headed idea that would allow the beautiful animal that’s just making a comeback to be hunted, but because Wyoming law already classifies wolves as predators that can be shot on sight. See, they don’t want that privilege to be watered down! Sometimes it’s enough to make you want to scream.
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