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Canada Introduces Bill S-15 to End Elephant and Great Ape Captivity

Bill S-15, introduced in the Senate on November 21st, aims to phase out the captivity of elephants and great apes. Sponsored by Senator Marty Klyne, the bill would prohibit acquiring new animals or breeding existing ones, immediately ending their use in entertainment. Exceptions would apply for rescue efforts and legitimate conservation programs. Senator Klyne describes Bill S-15 as “essentially a piece of Bill S-241,” the Jane Goodall Act. Calling the bills “related but distinct,” he points out that Bill S-15 does not include certain features of Bill S-241, such as the animal care organization framework or the possibility of judicial relocation of animals. Building on the ban on whale and dolphin captivity, this fulfills a 2021 election platform commitment by the Liberal government. The bill is currently under Senate study.

British Columbia Animal Advocates Appeal Convictions Over Exposing Pig Farm Cruelty

Animal rights activists, Amy Soranno and Nick Schafer, appeared at the British Columbia Court of Appeal to appeal their October 2022 convictions for break-and-enter and mischief stemming from the 2019 occupation of Excelsior Hog Farm in Abbotsford. Their lawyers argue that Justice Verhoeven erred by barring video evidence depicting alleged animal cruelty. The footage revealed pigs in distress, yet the farm faced no legal consequences. Soranno and Schafer, sentenced to thirty days in jail, also claim crucial evidence was lost or destroyed. Recent hidden-camera footage from the farm shows continued alleged abuse and neglect.

Federal Bill to Ban Live Horse Export for Slaughter Moves to Second Reading

Bill C-355, the Prohibition of the Export of Horses by Air for Slaughter Act, sponsored by Liberal Member of Parliament Tim Louis, has moved to second reading in the House of Commons. The bill aims to ban the export of live horses from Canada by air for the purpose of being slaughtered or fattened for slaughter. During his speech, Louis underscored the harsh conditions faced by the approximately 2,600 horses exported annually for slaughter in Canada. Referencing the ethical stances of the United States and the United Kingdom, which have already banned this practice, Louis asserted: “It is high time for Canada to follow suit.” Earlier this year, Senator Pierre Dalphond and advocate Jann Arden also introduced Senate Bill S-270, the Horse Protection Act, to address this issue.

New Documents Reveal Wolves, Bobcats, and Lynx Farmed for Fur in Canada

Documents obtained by the Fur-Bearers through multiple freedom of information requests have exposed fur farming practices in Canada involving wolves, bobcats, and lynx. This adds three iconic Canadian wildlife species to the list of animals kept captive and killed for their fur pelts, bringing the total to six, including minks, foxes, and chinchillas. Fur farms in Alberta and Saskatchewan, not traditionally associated with fur farming, were identified in the investigation. The largest fur farm in Saskatchewan, operational since 1996, reportedly houses lynx, wolves, and foxes. This discovery, placing Canada on the global map for controversial fur farming practices, has re-ignited calls to end the industry in the country.

Guelph/Eramosa, Ontario Considers Backyard Hen Program

Guelph/Eramosa Council in Ontario is considering allowing hens in smaller agricultural lots and rural residential areas. Currently, hens are categorized as livestock and permitted only on agriculturally zoned properties of two acres or larger. A staff report highlights varying regulations among neighbouring municipalities, with some allowing hens on reduced agricultural lots with specific conditions. Staff recommends potential housekeeping amendments to the zoning bylaw, animal control bylaw, and a dedicated bylaw for chicken keeping, pending council's direction. Some councillors argue for formalizing regulations to address existing illegal hen-keeping in residential areas.

Mississauga, Ontario Ends Backyard Hen Pilot

Mississauga City Council in Ontario voted against renewing the Urban Hen Pilot Program, following a city staff recommendation that chickens remain a “prohibited species” under the Animal Care and Control By-law 0098 2004. Councillors cited concerns about hens attracting wildlife. The two-year pilot, initiated in May 2021 with a four-hen limit, met with low uptake and challenges pilot project participants had accessing veterinary services, although some participants liked the program. Council voted seven to four to discontinue the pilot.

Investigation Exposes Widespread Wildlife Exploitation in Bali’s Tourist Venues

A new report by World Animal Protection reveals that over 1,300 wild animals, including elephants, orangutans, and dolphins, are being exploited for tourist entertainment in inadequate conditions across Bali and Lombok. The majority of the venues investigated fail to meet even the most basic needs of the wild animals being held in captivity. The report highlights a lack of progress in the welfare of captive wildlife in the tourism industry, indicating no substantial improvements in the six years since World Animal Protection's previous assessment in 2017.

USDA Announces New Reporting Category for Hogs Raised in Compliance with Proposition 12 and Other Animal Confinement Legislation

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced that it will begin reporting how many hogs are being raised in compliance with animal confinement legislation (ACL), such as California’s Proposition 12, in its National Weekly Direct Swine Non-Carcass Merit Premium report, effective November 20, 2023. Previously, USDA reported ACL hogs under “Other,” a category that includes hogs raised under protocols for animal welfare, antibiotic free, diet/feed, genetics, meat quality, the Process Verified Program, and sow housing. According to AMS, the volume of ACL-compliant hogs under federal livestock reporting laws has become large enough to be listed in its own category.

United States Animal Rights Activist Found Guilty in Open Rescue Case

Wayne Hsiung, lawyer and co-founder of Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), an animal rights group, was found guilty of felony conspiracy to commit trespass and two misdemeanor trespass charges. The charges stemmed from an open rescue organized by DxE, in which seventy chickens and ducks were taken from farms in Petaluma, California. Hsiung represented himself in court but faced restrictions, including a gag order and limitations on the presentation of certain evidence, such as video footage capturing the conditions where the animals were housed. He plans to appeal the verdict, aiming to establish a stronger legal foundation for future open rescue cases. Hsiung's sentencing is scheduled for November 30th.

Controversial Study Claims Some Captive Marine Mammals Outlive Wild Counterparts

New research suggests that certain captive marine mammals, such as harbour seals, California sea lions, bottlenose dolphins, and polar bears, live significantly longer lives than their counterparts in the wild. The research attributes this disparity to improved animal husbandry, better nutrition, and available veterinary care. The study, which relies on self-reported data from zoos, overlooks serious animal welfare concerns linked to confining wild animals and highlights the need for ongoing discussions about the ethics of keeping marine mammals in captivity even if lifespans in captivity are longer for some species in some zoos.