Animal Law CLE in January

The MSBA Animal Law Section is sponsoring a CLE on animal abuse and domestic violence on January 6th. Like the last CLE, it is free for law students. Enroll online or by emailing the registration form. More details here:Link to MSBA site

As More Eat Meat, a Bid to Cut Emissions

NY Times story here.

Dogfighting Subculture is Taking Hold in Texas

NY Times story here.

Alford plea entered in case of bulldog thrown from balcony

Story here.

Dogfighting, cockfighting targetted

Story here.

Nonprofit aims to stop inhumane dog and cat breeders

At the PLP yesterday, Sen. Betzold talked a lot about a bill he is trying to get passed that will regulate larger dog and cat breeding operations in MN.

We learned about a nonprofit, AnimalFolksMN, that is working to stop inhumane breeding practices and get the bill passed. Please check out the website to learn more and sign the petition.

Legal internship with Humane Society of US

The position is unpaid and located in D.C. It is also listed in Symplicity. Link to HSUS website.

Service dogs for veterans

NY Times photo story about service dogs for veterans.

Pet dog randomly shot in Rochester

Pioneer Press story here.

Local story about stray pitbull nursing abandoned pups

Read the story and see photos here. It's always a nice surprise when the media reports this kind of story instead of just the bad stuff.

The politics of picking a puppy

Read the NY Times story about what kind of dog the Obamas should choose here.

Prop. 2 passes in California!

Woo hoo!!!! ALDF here.

The melamine in China-produced animal feed horror continues

Read the latest from the NY times here.

Local journalist to discuss new book about rescued animals

The event is at the U of M on November 11th. More details here.

New animal law blog

This one is by professors from Pace Law School

New York Times Magazine story

The Barnyard Strategist

Animal Law happy hour at the Happy Gnome tonight!

7-9pm. Look for us with the Halloween rat as honored guest. :)

Weird one

Story is here.

Not nearly as bad as the incident with the bulldog in St. Paul a few weeks ago, but sad how animals often take the brunt of the abuse in domestic violence situations.

Update on abuse by employees at Hormel supplier hog farm in Iowa

Sadly,this is not surprising.

Upcoming PLP Oct. 30th

As part of Eco-Week at Mitchell, the Animal Law Society is sponsoring a showing of the documentary The Future of Food on Thursday, Oct. 30th.

Eco-Week is a week long event focusing on sustainability. The events are sponsored by the SBA Sustainability Committee, the Environmental Law Society, and the Animal Law Society.

More info on Nov. 12th MSBA Animal Law CLE/PLP

Register here.

Presenter:
Senator Don Betzold
MN State Senate - 51st District

Please join us for this inside look at the intersection of animal law and the legislative process.

Senator Betzold has been a member of the Minnesota State Senate since 1993. Past Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he currently chairs the State Government Budget Division. A lawyer in private practice since 1980, Senator Betzold is also a retired Colonel Judge Advocate in the U. S. Army Reserves.

In addition to discussing some of his past legislative initiatives, Senator Betzold will update you on the provisions and current status of the Dog and Cat Breeders Act. The bill is intended to implement Board of Animal Health regulation of so-called puppy and kitten mills by providing for, among other provisions, inspections, an investigation procedure after complaint, and penalties. In addition to learning about the details and scope of the Act, Senator Betzold will discuss the challenges currently faced in moving the bill through the legislative session.

Don't miss this chance to learn about the new Act and to join an educated discussion about the challenges and opportunities the legislative process presents for protecting animal welfare.

animal law course at Mitchell

Animal Law is tentatively scheduled to be offered this coming spring ('09)! This is still dependent on confirming that the professor is available but it is still great news. Keep your fingers crossed!

U.S. military: Iraqi dog adopted by Minnesota soldier is alive

Link to Star Tribune story

Twin Cities humane societies desperate to find homes for cats

More details here.

Proposed amendment in California regarding farm animals

Proposition 2 would require that farms provide animals with enough room to live comfortably. This site is run by a group sponsored by the Humane Society.

Hurricane refugee dogs coming to MN

I'm not sure why the dogs need to come all the way to MN to find homes but at least they are putting them up for adoption. Link to article

Update: Judge puts gray wolf back on endangered species list

Link to article

U of M patents test for mutant gene in Labs

I decided this story was worthy of the animal law blog due to the U of M's plans to patent the test and use it for income. :)

link to article

St. Paul man throws dog from third floor balcony

What the hell is wrong with people? The article is pretty detailed - hopefully it upsets people and the police and prosecutors continue to follow through in prosecuting this guy. Star Tribune article
Pioneer Press

MN Supreme Court declines appeal of 500-dog kennel permit in Morrison County

Link to article

Gray wolves back on endangered species list?

Federal agency is asking judge to vacate their decision to take gray wolves off of the endangered species list. NY Times article

Bears killed near wildlife sanctuary in northern MN

Strib article

Update on kitten killing case

Star Tribune article

Dog hair leads to second suspect in murder case

Local story from the Star Tribune.

Walk for Farm Animals

An event passed on from SALDF:

Walk for Farm Animals website

“The Walk for Farm Animals is a critical tool that provides an opportunity for animal advocates to demonstrate their support for animal protection, educate the public about why this is important issue and help raise the funds necessary to continue Farm Sanctuary’s distinctive work to rescue animals from abuse, and advocate for farm animal protection across the country,” said Farm Sanctuary President and Co-founder Gene Baur.

animal law volunteer opportunity

I received the following information that some of you may want to check out. Also, Bruce Wagman is one of the most well-respected animal law attorneys in the entire country. He has a written an animal law textbook and was the key-note speaker here at Mitchell at the '07 animal law conference.


Dear SALDF Leaders:

ALDF is looking for students to research discrete areas of law in different countries. The results will be used for a project collecting illustrations and examples of laws around the world, for a book that will be published looking at the ways different countries and cultures approach animal law. Each assignment will probably require 5-15 hours of work with a written summary of the research. Examples of assignments include research into the cruelty laws in various countries, constitutional provisions protecting animals, and different laws governing research on animals.

If you would like to assist ALDF with this project, please contact Bruce Wagman, ALDF’s Chief Outside Litigation Counsel, at bwagman@schiffhardin.com.

mad science

FDA to allow genetically engineered animals for food

Note that the FDA is not currently planning to require that food be labeled modified. Also have to wonder if anyone is taking into account the health and well-being of the animals involved.

MSBA Animal Law CLE

This CLE will be held on Weds., Nov. 12th from 12-1:30pm on campus here at Mitchell. Most of the animal law section's CLEs are held in downtown Minneapolis so this is a great opportunity for Animal Law Society members to do some networking and learn more about Animal Law Legislation here in Minnesota. As always, this CLE is free for students.

Link to MSBA CLE page

Top vegan celebrities

I thought I better post something that isn't totally depressing. :)

Sprig article

Sarah Palin supports aerial hunting of wolves

youtube clip

Slate explainer article

Factory farm workers abuse of pigs

Yahoo news story with link to PETA video

Note that there is a link between this farm and Hormel (a Minnesota company)

Time article on factory farming's effects on global warming

Time magazine story

St. Paul man doesn't contest threat charge in case of dead kitten

Star Tribune story