I’m overdue for one of these!

Animal Law

Using Your Head with Plenty of Heart: My Path to Changing the World for Animals — “When it dawned on me that we could effectively change the world through the legal system, I decided to use my head, and enroll in law school. If I’d listened to my heart, I would have probably walked out of that contract law exam, but the idea of becoming an advocate for animals and being in a position to effect real change got me through it.” (I love this piece. As someone who discovered that her law education could be used to animal advocacy, and having to push myself to get through the process of law school and applying to practice law, I really appreciate her dedication and love reading about her accomplishments!)

Two Ag-Gag Laws Facing Federal Court Challenges — “Half of U.S. states have attempted to pass so-called ag-gag laws, but only seven have been successful. Among them are Idaho, where this year’s law says unauthorized recording is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine, and Utah, whose 2012 law makes it a crime to provide false information to gain access to a farm. Both states now face separate but similarly worded lawsuits that say the measures violate federal statutes offering whistleblower protections and free-speech guarantees.“

What Our Laws Say About Dogs in Hot Cars — “Fifteen states have specific laws against leaving animals confined in vehicles […] [I]n the 35 remaining states, the anti-cruelty statutes often can be used to prosecute anyone who leaves an animal in a car to suffer or die”

Phoenix’s attempt to curb puppy mills challenged — “Puppies ‘N Love owners Frank and Vicki Mineo filed a federal lawsuit against the city in U.S. District Court in Arizona, saying Phoenix overstepped its authority and arguing that the new law would put them out of business. The owners say they don’t purchase from puppy mills but rely on regulated breeders. A federal judge granted an injunction to prohibit the city from enforcing the law on the Mineos’ Paradise Valley Mall store until the case is resolved.”

Food Production

Activism in China: Q&A with Brighter Green Associate Wanqing Zhou —  “The issues discussed in What’s For Dinner? are very relevant to China. Without the public becoming aware of them, nothing in the country can be changed. People in China are just starting to be exposed to information regarding meat consumption, pollution, climate change, and health. However, the information tends to be quite general, and there is not yet a local documentary film that illustrates the problems. I think it’s very important the Chinese people see reflections and reevaluations of animal agriculture that come from within the society, as shown in What’s For Dinner?.”

Price of Beef and Bacon Reach All Time High — “A decade ago, in June 2004, a pound of ground chuck cost $2.49, which means that the commodity has increased by 57 percent since then. Bacon has increased by 78.7 percent from the $3.42 it cost in June 2004 to the $6.11 it costs now.”

Environment

Per calorie, beef requires more than 100 times as much land as rice and potatoes — “In general, animal products, especially beef, are much more resource-intensive than plant products. Pasturing cows requires an enormous amount of land, while potatoes and rice provide a high yield per acre.”

Dogs

Puppy Mill Shut Down in Jacksonville — “Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has obtained a temporary injunction shutting down a dog-breeding business on Jacksonville’s Westside. Bondi alleges Brook Roque, 30, ran an unlicensed breeding operation and sold 700 English bulldogs through five different websites since 2007. Bondi contends Roque and four others failed to quarantine sick dogs imported from South America.”