AWI Quarterly Term Archive
Government/Legal
Key Welfare Bills in Congress
As the 116th Congress gets underway, a number of bipartisan bills that benefit animals have already been introduced in the House of Representatives: The Pet Safety and Protection Act (HR...
Puppy-Mill-Placating Measure Nixed in Michigan
Companion AnimalsBefore leaving office, former governor Rick Snyder vetoed a pair of bills that were pitched as efforts to strengthen oversight of pet stores but which in fact would have allowed...
State Legislatures Weigh Animal Welfare Measures
As in Washington, DC, the new year ushered in new sessions in state legislatures, and bills to improve animal welfare have been introduced in several of them—including the Michigan circus...
Japan’s Sei Whale Trade Declared Illegal Under CITES
Marine WildlifeIn an unprecedented reprimand, the Standing Committee to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has determined that Japan’s use of thousands of...
AWI Speaks Up For NY Horn and Ivory Restrictions
Endangered Species, Terrestrial WildlifeIn August, AWI filed an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in support of a New York law restricting trade in ivory and rhinoceros horn. The 2014 law prohibits...
Massachusetts Adds to Animal Cruelty Statute
Companion AnimalsWhen Massachusetts strengthened its animal cruelty statute in 2014, it also set up a task force to make additional recommendations. A new law resulted—signed in August—that raises certain penalties and...
New Jersey Poised to Ban Wild Animal Circus Acts
Terrestrial WildlifeThe New Jersey legislature passed Nosey’s Law (S1093) to ban the use of wild and exotic animals for entertainment in traveling animal acts. If, as expected, the bill is signed...
New Year Ushers in New Congress
Time and again over the past two years, leadership in the House of Representatives advanced legislation aimed at dismantling long-standing animal protection laws. A new Congress ascends Capitol Hill in...
AWI Sues USDA to Force Online Disclosure of Records
Farmed AnimalsOn August 23, AWI and Farm Sanctuary sued the US Department of Agriculture for failing to adequately respond to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request asking for proactive disclosure...
Missouri Muzzles Meat’s Competition
Farmed AnimalsA Missouri law defining meat as “derived from harvested production livestock or poultry” went into effect this fall. The law also creates fines and even jail time for producers who...