LCA Blog

Fantastic news: A federal bill to ban the use of wild and exotic animals in traveling circuses across the United States launches today in Congress!

Two more horses have died at Santa Anita Park "Death Track" since the season started in December 2018, bringing the death toll to 25 — 30 if you include off-track deaths.

On Friday, May 17, 2019, three-year-old gelding Commander Coil suffered a severe shoulder injury and was subsequently euthanized, and on Monday, May 20th, three-year-old gelding Spectacular Music became the 25th fatality after reportedly sustaining a fatal injury to his pelvis.

Although the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) recently voted to ban the use of jockeys' whips and medication on race days in light of the recent spate of horse deaths, the fact still remains 200 horses have died at Santa Anita Park in the past five years alone! 

California: Take Action!

Please join local animal advocates in speaking out against Santa Anita Park at two incredibly important events:

1. Thursday, May 23, 2019: Speak out against the unnecessary horse deaths at Santa Anita Park during the California Horse Racing Board's next meeting! Each speaker will have three minutes to give public comment.

WHAT: California Horse Racing Board Meeting

WHEN: Thursday, May 23, 2019, at 9:30 am

WHERE: Santa Anita Park - 285 Huntington Dr., Arcadia, CA 91007 (The meeting will be held in the Baldwin Terrace Room.) 

2. Sunday, May 26, 2019: Protest the 30 horse deaths at Santa Anita Park!

WHAT: Protest at Santa Anita Park "Death Track"

WHEN: Sunday, May 26, 2019, at 11 am

WHERE: Santa Anita Park - 285 Huntington Dr., Arcadia, CA 91007 (The demonstration will be held at Gate 5.)

Click here to learn more about the brutal horse racing industry.

Celebrated on the third Friday of May, Endangered Species Day is an annual observance that raises awareness for the importance of conserving endangered species, such as Africa's majestic mountain gorillas.

UDPATE: This action is now closed. SB 1884 died on the House floor and did not advance. Thank you to everyone who contacted their legislators in opposition to this bill.

SB 1884 is dangerously progressing! The freedom-crushing ag-gag bill has just passed the Texas House Agriculture & Livestock Committee and is now headed to the House Calendars Committee to determine whether or not the bill should be heard on the House floor. Your help is needed NOW more than ever to DEFEAT this dangerous bill!

On Thursday, May 16, 2019, the Assembly Appropriations Committee will consider California's proposed statewide fur ban — Assembly Bill 44. If passed and signed into law, the bill will ban the manufacture, sale, and distribution of new fur products in the state — but it won't happen without your help!

UPDATE: This action is now closed. SB 313 passed the California State Senate and advanced to the State Assembly! Thank you to everyone who contacted their Senators in support of this bill.

Senate Bill 313, the Circus Cruelty Prevention Act, is headed to the California Senate for a vote! If passed and enacted into law, the bill will ban the use of wild and exotic animals in circuses — but it won't happen without your help!

Calling all animal advocates! The Official Animal Rights March (TOARM) in Los Angeles, California will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2019!

New York City is on track to becoming the largest city in the United States to ban the sale of fur — but it won't happen without your help!

New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson introduced a new bill, Intro 1476, that would prohibit the sale of fur apparel in NYC. If passed, the bill will save countless fur-bearing animals from the abuse and neglect they experience on fur farms!

In 2017 and 2018 (over the course of four months), LCA conducted an undercover investigation into Sheik Halal Farms — a slaughterhouse located in Grand Valley, Ontario — exposing incidents of apparent animal cruelty and health-related non-compliance issues at the slaughterhouse.

UDPATE: This action is now closed. SB 1884 died on the House floor and did not advance. Thank you to everyone who contacted their legislators in opposition to this bill.

Texas lawmakers are trying to stop whistleblowers from exposing animal cruelty with the introduction of SB 1884 — an ag-gag bill that would criminalize undercover investigations and inhibit investigators from revealing the abuse and neglect animals are subjected to on industrial farms.

With the summer months right around the corner, many are eagerly planning out their next vacation as they attempt to satisfy a serious case of wanderlust. And at the top of many tourists' bucket lists is the opportunity to interact with wildlife.

Egg farming is a multi-billion dollar industry that makes a profit off of exploiting the lives of female chickens. Last year, the U.S. egg industry produced nearly 9.1 billion dozen eggs, and since the average American consumes about 300 eggs each year, it's no wonder the industry is booming.

May is National Egg Month — and instead of contributing to the immense pain and suffering egg-laying hens experience on a daily basis, consumers can choose to vote with their dollar and not support the highly exploitative egg industry. 

On April 30, 2019, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed H.B. 213 — the Cownose Ray Fishery Management Plan and Moratorium on Contests — into law after the bill unanimously passed the Maryland Senate by a 47-0 vote.

On the heels of Los Angeles and San Francisco's recent fur bans — Council Speaker Corey Johnson has introduced common-sense legislation that would prohibit the sale of fur apparel in New York City!

Great news! On Tuesday, April 23, 2019, the Circus Cruelty Prevention Act (SB 313) unanimously passed the California Senate Judiciary Committee with a 7-0 vote!

April 22 marks Earth Day — an annual event that raises awareness for environmental issues like pollution and climate change. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day is now a global celebration that aims to educate the public on ways they can better help protect the planet.

On Friday, April 12, 2019, Bill S-214 — commonly known as the Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act — was introduced in Canada's House of Commons for debate by MP Marilyn Gladu, the Conservative Shadow Minister for Health, moving the country one step closer to banning the cruel and outdated practice of cosmetics animal testing.

On Thursday, April 11, 2019, two California legislators — Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa) and Assemblymember Adam Gray (D-Merced) — announced plans for a joint oversight hearing on horse racing safety next month following the 23 disturbing horse deaths at Santa Anita Park racetrack in Southern California. The two lawmakers also announced the introduction of Senate Bill 469 — new legislation that, if passed, would give the California Horse Racing Board emergency authority to suspend racing if dangerous conditions exist.

Following Millbank Fur Farm Ltd.'s request for an adjournment on Nov 21, 2018, the Canadian fur farm is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, April 12, 2019, for a judicial pre-trial hearing for the 14 charges of animal cruelty they are currently facing.

On April 9, 2019, the Circus Cruelty Prevention Act (SB 313) unanimously passed the California Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee with a 7-0 vote!

If enacted into law, the Circus Cruelty Prevention Act, which was introduced by California Sen. Ben Hueso (D-San Diego), will prohibit the use of wild and exotic animals (excluding domestic cats, domestic dogs, and horses) in circuses throughout the state.