A Wisconsin trial involving accusations against animal rights activists remains current.
Before the trial, various groups are drawing attention to their claims regarding abuse of dogs at a Dane County research center. Three people will stand trial this fall on burglary and theft charges stemming from activities in 2017.
Animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere said the defendants rescued three beagles from Ridglan Farms near Madison. He claimed the trio were able to document the filthy conditions and psychological trauma experienced by the dogs, noting that they were confined in small cages.
Wayne Hsiung, co-founder of the group, said the animals were bred for inhumane testing.
“After sometimes months or years of confinement that drove many of them to madness, they are subjected to experiences so nightmarish that it is difficult for people to believe they are true,” Hsiung said . “I wouldn’t believe it was true if I hadn’t seen documentary evidence of what’s happening.”
For example, the group claimed that dogs were force-fed toxic compounds, including laundry detergent.
The property did not respond to a request for comment. On his website, Ridglan Farms said it is committed to the highest health standards while touting credentials from the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care. The Dane County prosecutor declined to comment.
The Wisconsin-based organization Alliance for Animals is among those raising awareness about the issue.
Mary Telfer, chair of the group’s board of directors, said the allies were not seeking to downplay the need to advance scientific solutions, but argued that such research was unnecessary.
“There are modern approaches that allow testing faster and more precisely than outdated animal models,” Telfer emphasized. “There are organs on chips, computer simulations and things much better than this horrible suffering.”
Jeffrey Brown, another Alliance for Animals board member, said that although the public does not have direct interactions with the species typically used for testing, such as primates, many people have. deep bonds with dogs. He hopes this will convince them to pay more attention.
“They’ll think, ‘There’s no difference between the beagles that are in this lab and the dog that’s here. And I would never in my life think of harming my own animal; why is- Do I allow this to happen ‘with just a different dog?'” Brown explained.
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Next week, parts of Wisconsin will see the return of temperatures near 90 degrees. Animal rights advocates say that as hot spells become more frequent, it’s important for pet owners to take short- and long-term precautions to keep their four-legged companions safe.
The Environmental Protection Agency said that under the threat of climate change, the Midwest is experiencing heat waves in greater frequency.
Kristin Schrank, vice president of the board of the Wisconsin-based group Alliance for Animals, said that in general, the ripple effects of a planet in warning pose threats in a variety of ways.
“We are experiencing extreme heat and cold, wildfires, smoke and poor air quality,” Schrank stressed. “This not only impacts humans on the planet and their pets, but it also impacts wildlife.”
For The heat of summer, Schrank said pet owners should always keep fresh, clean water accessible, as well as a shady area. For those with a yard, she suggested improving landscaping, such as adding trees or shrubs, would help. Cooling mats for dogs are another option. When walking your pet, experts say you should be careful of hot pavement and put protective boots on the pet or let it stay along the grass.
Schrank noted that, like humans, pets will show signs of heat stress, such as vomiting and disorientation. And some are more likely to be affected by warmer temperatures.
“If the animal is very young, very old, overweight, thickly coated, all of these things make it more vulnerable or susceptible,” Schrank noted.
Despite greater awareness, Schrank stressed that there are still tragic situations in which animals are left in hot vehicles or outside in extreme heat without protection. Last year, there were 57 heat-related pet deaths in the United States. She added that under Wisconsin law, there are certain civil liability protections for those who take action if they observe such a situation.
“Essentially, it allows people to cause damage,” Schrank explained. “For example, break into a locked vehicle that has an animal in pain because of the heat.”
Some animals are not included in the status, such as farm animals. The person taking action must also follow certain guidelines, such as calling 911.
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Virginia fishermen want action to control industrial menhaden operations in the state.
Menhaden are a nutrient-rich fish and a key part of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. However, their numbers are declining, largely due to the rate at which they are fished out of the bay for consumption. Surveys show that young people menhaden populations are decreasing, according to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Chris Dollar, owner of Tackle Cover Sport Fishing, said there is no silver bullet to solve the problem, but state and federal regulations could help.
“They should operate in ocean waters, outside the Chesapeake Bay, where the waters are deeper,” Dollar suggested. “There’s a lot less chance of conflicts between users. Without that, they would have to be at least a mile or maybe a mile and a half from shore. That would put their ships in deeper water.”
Being in deeper waters would prevent net spills. Dollar argued that companies should be held responsible when net spills occur.
This year, Governor Glenn Youngkin approved a bill calling on the Virginia Institute of Marine Science to develop plans to study the ecology, fishing impacts and economic importance of menhaden populations in state waters. A final report must be submitted by September 1.
A Study 2022 by the College of William and Mary found that menhaden depletion was impacting another Chesapeake Bay native: the osprey.
Steve Atkinson, president of the Virginia Saltwater Sportfishing Association, described how birds are affected by declining menhaden populations.
“Basically the chicks, the hatchling ospreys, rely heavily on menhaden for food,” Atkinson explained. “If their parents have trouble finding menhaden, then the chicks are starving.”
Several groups have signed a support letter in Youngkin, calling for moving menhaden operations out of the Chesapeake Bay to protect Virginia’s outdoor recreation ecosystem and economy.
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Hoosiers are enjoying the arrival of summer, but that’s not the only important event on the calendar this week.
For over 30 years, the third week of June has been dedicated to Animal Rights Awareness Week. Now is the perfect time to talk to your friends and family about respecting and protecting animals.
Lisa Terry, Executive Director of Cass County Humane Society in north-central Indiana, sees every day why it’s important to remind people to be kind to animals. As the state emerges from the pandemic, Terry sadly said, too many owners have abandoned their pets.
“People who have been working from home during COVID are now back in the office or factory and the dog or cat is alone all day,” Terry pointed out. “They come home to maybe a disaster or a frustrated pet, and it’s not as fun as it used to be, so that’s one of the reasons they get sent away.”
Terry said every community plays a crucial role in animal welfare. Animal Legal Defense Fund Ranks Indiana 12th nationally for state animal protection laws, from including animals in court protection orders to requiring humane training for officers.
For individuals and families, choosing to adopt an animal from a shelter rather than purchasing it from a pet store can have a significant impact. Volunteer time or money can also mean the difference between the failure or success of your local animal shelter.
Terry acknowledged that inflation was a challenge, but his shelter found creative ways to allow struggling owners to keep their pets.
“The dramatic increase in the cost of food, waste, veterinary bills and the fact that some people are still not returning to work,” Terry pointed out. “We’re trying to give away from our pet pantry – kitten litter, dog food and cat food – so people can’t afford it. We want to give them the food and the necessary support, so that they can get through difficult times.”.
Terry emphasized that during Animal Rights Awareness Week, it is also important to celebrate advocates who are the voice of animals, in state and local policy and enforcement.
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