(ANIMAL LAWS) OREGON — Lewis & Clark is proud to announce the first masters degree program in animal law in the world. Already innovators in this field with their Center for Animal Law Studies and animal law journal, they introduced their new addition at the 19th Annual Animal Law Conference this past week. Read on for more about their exciting new program. — Global Animal
(DOGS AND POLITICS) SAN FRANCISCO — DogPac, A political committee that represents dogs and their guardians, has announced their endorsement of John Avalos for mayor of San Francisco. Along with Avalos, DogPac is fighting a leash proposal that is attempting to restrict free roaming areas for dogs in areas such as Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach. Read on for more regarding DogPac and why they have become so influential. Could pet guardians have a strong political voice other cities? Tell us what you think. — Global Animal
(BIRD CONSERVATION) CALIFORNIA — An estimated one billion birds die every year in North America from collisions with buildings and glass. Now San Francisco has signed a new building code law to protect birds from injury and death. These standards will increase visibility of windows and incorporate safer materials and designs. Codes also require less night lighting on buildings, which can throw off migration patterns of birds. With this measure, we’re thankful to learn that many more birds in San Francisco have the potential to survive demise from man-made obstacles. — Global Animal
(SEA LION) WASHINGTON — Last Wednesday, federal legislators passed a bill that would make it easier to kill California sea lions in the Columbia River. While fishermen regularly try to deter the sea lions from eating salmon by shooting them with rubber bullets and scaring them off with flares or by boat, this bill will allow permit holders to kill up to 10 sea lions per year. Supporters of the legislation claim that the sea lions are an invasive, unnatural threat to the region’s salmon populations. Critics, on the other hand, believe that killing sea lions would hardly benefit salmon numbers as last year sea lions consumed a mere 1.4 percent of the salmon population. Read on to learn more about this controversial new bill and its potential effects. — Global Animal
(ANIMAL LEGISLATION) NEVADA — Federal law makers in Nevada are cracking down on animal abusers with the implementation of Cooney’s Law, a law that treats animal cruelty as a criminal felony. Nevada’s new animal welfare law goes into effect Saturday. With an increase in awareness and animal cruelty enforcement, as portrayed in popular TV shows like Animal Planet’s Animal Cops, pets are beginning to receive more rights and protection from violence. Experts in criminology and mental health fields are well aware of the animal cruelty syndrome and the strong link between animal cruelty and other violent pathologies such as domestic abuse. Before 1990, only six states had felony provisions in their animal cruelty laws. Read on for more on Cooney’s Law and how Nevada is protecting its pets.— Global Animal
(ANIMAL RIGHTS ) USA — Here’s something positive for animal lovers to reflect on: In the last 20 years, there have been at least 1,000 new animal protection laws enacted. Plus, these statutes are in addition to the federal laws aimed at preventing animal cruelty and animal abuse. So, though it may seem stagnant at times, and there are definite setbacks, too, the general trend in animal welfare is decidedly upward. Read on for inspiration to keep taking action on behalf of animals. It makes a difference! — Global Animal
(WHALING/OCEAN CONSERVATION) After years of defending marine wildlife, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society may have finally won the whale war with Japan. It seems as though Sea Shepherd’s work, coupled with a shrinking demand for whale meat, has made the continuation of Japanese whaling unlikely. A permanent end to whaling in Japan would bring us that much closer to worldwide whale safety. Read on…— Global Animal
(ANIMAL RIGHTS) WASHINGTON D.C. — A new bill being introduced that would make animal fighting a felony is supported by football star Michael Vick, who reveals a disturbing past with animal fighting and a burning desire to right past wrongs. — Global Animal
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