LCA Blog

From March 23 - 24, 2019, the #YULINDOG exhibit was featured in Bridge 8 Art Space, an art museum in Shanghai, China, ahead of this year's Yulin Dog Meat Festival a gruesome "celebration" held in Yulin, China each June on the summer solstice during which thousands of dogs are brutally tortured and killed for their meat.

On Tuesday, April 2, 2019, Canadian Bill S-203: Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act advanced through the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans unamended!

On March 28, 2019, the Maryland Senate unanimously passed a final version of the 2019 Cownose Ray Fishery Management Plan and Moratorium on Contests (HB 213) by a vote of 47-0 — extending the moratorium on the cruel and unncessary killing of Chesapeake Bay's precious cownose rays until the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) creates a definite fishery management plan for the species. The bill now goes to the desk of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan to be signed into law.

Canadian Bill S-203: Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act is scheduled to undergo clause-by-clause consideration Tuesday, April 2 during the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans hearing, and Marineland has issued a last-minute request for amendments to the bill.

Just two days after the reopening of Southern California's Santa Anita Park racetrack, another racehorse died Sunday, March 31 — bringing the horse death toll to 23 since the start of the season in December 2018.

Earlier this week, Head of Virunga National Park's Airwing Program and Chief Pilot Anthony Caere and park Rangers successfully rescued a six-month-old baby chimpanzee named Tony from the hands of wildlife traffickers.

On February 19, 2019, Sen. Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) introduced SB 313 (also known as the Circus Cruelty Prevention Act) in the California State Senate. If passed, the bill will ban the use of wild and exotic animals in circuses in California — but it won't happen without your help!

Despite the disturbing deaths of 22 horses since the season started in December 2018, Santa Anita Park race track is set to reopen on Friday, March 29, 2019, pending approval from the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB).

Following the cancellation of last week's scheduled meeting, the CHRB is set to meet on Thursday, March 28 to approve the reopening of the park. 

March 22 marks World Water Day — a global observance dedicated to raising awareness for the world's current water crisis.

With an apropos theme for 2019 of "Leaving no one behind," World Water Day aims to address the more than 2 billion people around the world that lack access to clean water.

Earlier this week, New York State Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) introduced anti-fur legislation that, if passed, would ban the manufacture and sale of animal pelts statewide by January 1, 2021 — the New York Post reports.

This falls on the heels of California's proposed statewide fur ban — the Fur Products Prohibition Act, AB 44 — which recently passed its first hearing in the California Assembly's Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee.

On Thursday, March 14, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed SF 519 (also known as Ag-Gag 2.0) into law effective immediately, making "agricultural production facility trespass" a crime and allowing for the prosecution of those that use deception or conspire with others in order to gain access to agricultural facilities "with the intent to cause physical or economic harm or other injury to the agricultural production facility's operations, agricultural animals, crop, owner, personnel, equipment, building, premises, business interest, or customer."

LCA is calling for the closure of Santa Anita Park racetrack in Southern California following the death of 3-year-old filly Princess Lili B, who was euthanized on Thursday, March 14, after suffering a serious injury while working out at the track. This marks the 22nd horse to die at the track since the season started in December 2018.

Two New York legislators — Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) — have introduced legislation that would prohibit the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores across the state. If passed, the bill (S.4234/A.6298) would make New York the third state in the nation — following California and Maryland — to ban the sales of pets from puppy mills and breeders.

On Tuesday, March 12, California's proposed statewide fur ban — the Fur Products Prohibition Act, AB 44 — passed its first hearing in the California Assembly's Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee with a vote of 10-4, putting California on track to become the first state in the nation to outlaw fur.

On Tuesday, March 12, the Board of Animal Services Commissioners unanimously approved a motion recommending Mayor Eric Garcetti and the LA City Council to prohibit rodeo events in Los Angeles.

Rodeo-type events like bull riding and calf roping routinely result in horrific injuries for the animals involved, including broken necks, broken limbs, torn ligaments, and even death. Due to the dangerous nature of this "sport", a growing number of California jurisdictions have already prohibited or restricted rodeos: Pasadena, Chino Hills, Laguna Woods, Irvine, San Francisco, and Napa County.

In February of this year, the Professional Bull Riders showcased their exhibition of animal cruelty at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for the first time ever — and LCA was there to protest!

The LA Animal Services Commission's motion will now go before the City Council and — if approved — an ordinance will be drafted, amending the Municipal Code to reflect the recommended changes.

TAKE ACTION:

• SIGN THE PETITION: urge LA City Council to ban rodeos and rodeo-type events in the City of Los Angeles! (CLICK HERE to sign!)

• IF YOU LIVE IN LOS ANGELES, CA: contact your council members by phone or email and urge them to prohibit the staging of rodeos and rodeo-type events in LA! (CLICK HERE to find your local council member by entering your address or intersection. CLICK HERE for a sample script.)

To learn more about rodeos and rodeo-type events like bull riding please visit www.StopBullRiding.com. 

Four years ago today, on March 8, 2015, my dear friend Sam Simon passed away at the age of 59. Although he may be gone, Sam's kindness and generous spirit will never be forgotten.

In 2012, Sam (co-creator of The Simpsons television show) was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer and told he only had three to six months left to live. Vowing to make the most of each and every day, Sam immersed himself further in his philanthropic endeavors, including the Sam Simon Foundation, which helps find death-row dogs forever homes and offers a free surgery veterinary clinic to low-income neighborhoods (performing thousands of life-saving surgeries for free every year!), and the Sam Simon Feeding Families Foundation, which helps feed hungry families nutritious, vegan meals.

Sam's generosity was truly boundless. He bought out numerous zoos and circuses in order to free the animals to good sanctuaries and donated to countless animal rights organizations, including LCA.

(Sam Simon, left; Chris DeRose, right)

In 2014, LCA formed the Sam Simon Special Investigations Unit, which conducts undercover investigations of cases of animal cruelty in places like factory farms and slaughterhouses. That very same year, I presented Sam with the Albert Schweitzer Award at LCA's 30th Anniversary Gala. LCA also established the Sam Simon Award, which will be presented annually at every LCA gala to those who show extraordinary compassion for animals.

The Sam Simon Special Investigations Unit has conducted a number of dangerous "deep-cover" missions to expose egregious cases of animal abuse and the evidence collected has sparked hard-hitting campaigns to help make real change for animals.

Without the support of generosity of the late Sam Simon, this would not be possible. 

We all miss you dearly, Sam.

Chris DeRose

Founder and President

Last Chance for Animals

Filled with fake, stuffed dogs to resemble the real trucks used to transport dogs from farms to slaughterhouses — LCA and S. Korean sister organization Animal Liberation Wave's (ALW) "Stop the Villain Truck" is raising awareness for the barbaric slaughter of dogs in S. Korea's dog meat trade.

Following the 21st horse death at Santa Anita Park race track in Southern California, the park closed its track on Tuesday, March 5 and suspended future racing indefinitely in order for experts to conduct "additional extensive testing" of the track's soil.

In total, an alleged 23 horses have died since the start of the meet on December 26, 2018 — two of which park officials have not included in the total death toll due to them being considered "non-racing" deaths. 

For over 35 years, LCA has worked tirelessly to expose animal cruelty and make real change for animals. 

In honor of the 14th Annual National Horse Protection Day (also known as World Horse Day)—an observance that raises awareness for the plight of horses around the globe—here are five LCA campaigns and investigations that are dedicated to helping horses:

1. LCA Exposes NYC Carriage Horse Cruelty

LCA investigated the New York City carriage horse industry and exposed routine violations of laws and regulations that protect both horses and people. Investigators revealed horses routinely operated in dangerous traffic conditions, were deprived of access to water, and were forced to work while injured. (LEARN MORE)

In a major victory for NYC carriage horses, the Department of Transportation announced carriage horses would finally be moved out of the hectic city streets and into car-free Central Park.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• NY Residents: CLICK HERE to find your local council member and urge them to ban horse-drawn carriages in NYC.
• US Residents: CLICK HERE to contact NY Mayor Bill de Blasio and urge him to ban horse-drawn carriages.

2. Horses in Entertainment: Horse Racing

Horses used for racing are routinely drugged and often face horrific injuries including fractures, sprains, and even death. Horse racing is effectively excluded from all anti-cruelty laws and individual states are supposed to regulate the horse racing industry through their own racing commissions. Since the racing commission is a state agency, state prosecutors rarely pursue cruelty cases against it. Moreover, because each state receives revenue from its tracks, states are unlikely to hold the industry accountable. (LEARN MORE)

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• Protest racing tracks in your state and distribute anti-horse racing literature outside of race tracks. 

3. LCA Exposes Cruelty on Premarin Horse Farms

In 2003, LCA exposed the horrendous mistreatment of pregnant mares and foals in the production of the #1 selling hormone replacement therapy drug Premarin (which stands for Pregnant Mare's Urine) and the Premarin family of products, revealing horses were kept continually pregnant in tiny stalls so that their urine could be collected by filthy, bulky tubes attached to their bodies. Premarin horses suffered from a host of health problems including dehydration, hoof injuries, kidney and liver disorders, swollen joints, and even premature death. (LEARN MORE)

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• If you are currently taking Premarin, Prempak-C, or Premphase, ask your doctor about equally effective synthethic or plant-based alternatives.
• Educate your friends and family about the cruelty of Premarin production and the safe alternatives that are readily available to women.

4. LCA Investigates BLM Roundups

In 2010, LCA's Special Investigations Unit traveled to Nevada to investigate and document the roundup of federally-protected wild horses by the Bureau of Land Mangement (BLM). Investigators exposed wild horses being chased by helicopters, resulting in horrific injuries and pure exhaustion for the horses, only to be captured and sent to holding facilities or slaughterhouses. (LEARN MORE)

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• CLICK HERE to find your elected officials' contact information and urge them to stop the BLM's mismanagement of burros and wild horses. 

5. Horses in Entertainment: Rodeos

Horses are routinely used in rodeos and rodeo-type activities like steer wrestling, bronc riding, and horse tripping events. Horses often suffer injuries as a result, including: torn ligaments, broken bones, severed tracheas/spinal cords, internal bleeding, and back problems—just to name a few. (LEARN MORE)

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• If a rodeo comes to your city, organize/attend a protest and distribute relevant literature.
• Contact your local legislators and urge them to ban rodeos and rodeo-type activities in your city!

Photo: Unsplash, Pexels

As of late, there have been numerous victories for animals used in circuses: on December 14, 2018, Gov. Phil Murphy signed Nosey's Law—legislation named after "Nosey", a 36-year-old elephant that made headlines after being rescued from the decades of horrific abuse and neglect she experienced in a traveling circus—making New Jersey the first state to outlaw the use of wild and exotic animals in traveling acts; and just one week later, on December 21, Hawaii followed suit by becoming the second state to ban wild animal circus acts!