The U.S. Department of Justice has filed suit against Jeffrey Lowe, Lauren Lowe, Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park, LLC, and Tiger King, LLC for violating the Endangered Species Act by subjecting animals—including lion and tiger hybrids—to substandard care and treatment. The suit also alleges violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
Federal Prosecutors Say ‘Tiger King’ Zoo Violates Endangered Species Act
Congress Considers Amending Animal Welfare Act Requirements
Senate Bill 4757, introduced by Democrat Senator Richard Durbin, proposes to add additional requirements for licensed dog dealers under the Animal Welfare Act. The full text of the bill is not yet available.
Congress Considers Amending Animal Welfare Act Requirements
Senate Bill 4757, introduced by Democrat Senator Richard Durbin, proposes to add additional requirements for licensed dog dealers under the Animal Welfare Act. The full text of the bill is not yet available.
APHIS Proposes Changes to AWA Information Requirements
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has proposed a rule altering information requirements under the Animal Welfare Act. The rule would remove the requirement that research facilities update their registration information every three years, remove the requirement of continual review of research animal use activities, remove the requirement that facilities request an inactive status, and remove the requirement that the Institutional Official or Chief Executive Officer sign the annual report. The agency is accepting comments on the proposed rule until November 16, 2020.
APHIS Proposes Changes to AWA Information Requirements
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service proposed a rule altering information requirements under the Animal Welfare Act. The rule would remove the requirement that research facilities update their registration information every three years, remove the requirement of continual review of research animal use activities, remove the requirement that facilities request an inactive status, and remove the requirement that the Institutional Official or Chief Executive Officer sign the annual report. The agency is accepting comments on the proposed rule until November 16, 2020.
Critique of the Animal Welfare Act in Zoos
A new article published in Golden Gate University Environmental Law Journal critiques the implementation of the Animal Welfare Act in zoos and makes recommendations to improve animal welfare.
APHIS to Hold Meetings on AWA Standards for Birds
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has announced it will hold three virtual public meetings to receive input on topics related to the development of regulations regarding the welfare of birds not bred for use in research. The virtual sessions will be held by webinar on September 29, October 7, and October 15, 2020.
USDA Settles 2017 Blackout Lawsuits
Two cases stemming from 2017 when the United States Department of Agriculture removed Animal Welfare Act enforcement records from its website—an incident referred to as the USDA Blackout—were settled. The settlement includes the agency’s commitment that it has restored and will continue to provide public access to the records at issue.
USDA Settles 2017 Blackout Lawsuits
Two cases stemming from 2017 when the United States Department of Agriculture removed Animal Welfare Act enforcement records from its website—an incident referred to as the USDA Blackout—have been settled. The settlement includes the agency’s commitment that it has restored and will continue to provide public access to the records at issue.
Groups Sue Over Conditions of Primates Used in Research
The New-England Anti-Vivisection Society and the Animal Legal Defense Fund, represented by the Harvard Animal Law & Policy Clinic, have filed suit against the United States Department of Agriculture, alleging that the agency’s rejection of their petition and requesting that the agency put into place appropriate psychological well-being standards for nonhuman primates as required by the Animal Welfare Act is unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act."