Brooks Animal Law Digest

The City of Pickering in Ontario has unanimously approved an Animal Poisoning Prevention policy in memory of Riley, a miniature Beagle, and countless other pets and local wildlife who have suffered from rodenticide poisoning. Councillor Maurice Brenner introduced the motion to Council after Riley's death earlier this year. Concerns have been raised over the impact of rodenticides on non-target species and incidents of poisoning have been increasing in Pickering and the Durham region. Supporters of the policy highlighted the environmental impact, harm to wildlife, and the need for updated rodent control policies in Ontario.

The federal government is proposing amendments to the Wildlife Area Regulations and Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations for the designation of three remote Nova Scotia islands as National Wildlife Areas, offering increased safeguards against habitat destruction, limited access, and restricted human use. The proposed sites include St. Paul Island, Country Island, and Isle Haute, all known for their exceptional ecological value. St. Paul Island serves as a stopover for migrating songbirds and supports threatened species like Bicknell's thrush and Leach's storm petrel. Country Island harbours a quarter of Canada's endangered roseate tern nesting population, while Isle Haute provides undisturbed habitat for sixty bird species. The wildlife designation aims to protect these species and their habitats, with permits required for entry and specific activities. The public comment period is underway, and the government is collaborating with Indigenous communities to establish co-management arrangements and Indigenous names for the areas.

An important legal battle is set to take place in Ontario over the ownership of a dog named Rocco Junior. Aliesha Verma, currently in possession of Rocco, claims that he was given to her as a gift by her late boyfriend Leonard Carvalho. However, Carvalho's sister disputes this and has applied with the courts to have Rocco handed over as part of estate proceedings as if he is no different than her deceased brother’s non-sentient property. Verma’s lawyer, Miranda Desa, said: “I would like to see companion animals being given recognition of their sentience as individual beings or entities, and laws that take into consideration their best interest.” The hearing is scheduled for August 3rd, and its outcome may influence future cases and raise awareness about the need for specific estate planning for pets.

The Ontario Divisional Court denied Windrift Adventures Inc.’s to stay proceedings based on concerns about a reasonable apprehension of bias regarding Justice Leiper's involvement in prior proceedings involving the same parties. Windrift argued that Justice Leiper's refusal to grant a stay in a related matter regarding the continued cost of care of over 200 sled dogs seized from their properties in 2021 met the threshold for disqualification based on bias. The court determined that Windrift had not provided sufficient evidence to overcome the presumption of judicial impartiality and decided to proceed with the hearing as scheduled.

The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) has passed Resolution no. 2023-19, urging the British Columbia and federal governments to address the environmental impacts of factory farming and strengthen animal farming practices. The resolution emphasizes the spiritual and ethical responsibility to treat animals with respect, highlighting the historical and cultural significance of animals to Indigenous communities. The resolution expresses concern over the poor treatment of animals in factory farming, the lack of proper regulations and oversight, and the environmental consequences, including climate change and habitat loss. The UBCIC calls for the development of legislation and regulations aligned with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the provision of support to transition to more humane animal welfare practices.

Animal and environmental law organization, AEL Advocacy, has written a letter urging Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to incorporate animal health and welfare in Canada’s 2030 National Biodiversity Strategy. ECCC is currently seeking input on the strategy and AEL Advocacy has emphasized the connection between animal welfare and environmental issues, supporting the "One Health, One Welfare" approach. The group's recommendations include upholding wild animal welfare and transforming the food system by promoting high-welfare animal agriculture practices while supporting a shift to more plant-based diets.

A report commissioned by Humane Society International/United Kingdom and conducted by carbon footprint experts at Foodsteps highlights that the environmental consequences of mink, fox, and raccoon dog fur production are significantly worse than those of other fashion materials. According to the report, fur has the highest greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram compared to cotton, polyester, and acrylic, with mink fur having a carbon footprint thirty-one times higher than cotton. Water consumption for fur is also alarming, with the three animal furs scoring worst among materials analyzed. The report challenges the fur industry's claim of being environmentally friendly and urges governments to ban fur imports and sales.

National animal law organization Animal Justice has submitted a brief to the House of Commons Agriculture Committee, calling attention to the significant greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and pollution associated with animal farming. The committee is currently investigating the environmental impact of agriculture and has primarily heard perspectives from the meat industry, with limited representation from environmental organizations. Animal Justice's written brief aims to provide a balanced view by highlighting the negative consequences of animal farming. The organization urges the committee to consider the detrimental effects and broader environmental implications of this industry in their upcoming report.

Mark Budolfson et al, “Animal welfare: Methods to improve policy and practice” (2023) 381:6653 Science 32.

Abstract: There is growing international consensus that animal welfare is a crucial consideration in policy analysis, affecting domains ranging from food systems to biomedical research. Concern for animal welfare also features in many government regulations, certification programs, and institutional ethics codes across the globe and is central to many philanthropic and values-based investment decisions. However, although there are well-developed quantitative tools for incorporating human welfare into policy analysis, comparable tools for animal welfare are in their earliest stages. Without them, it is impossible to assess the net welfare impacts of a policy on humans and nonhumans alike on a common scale, which is crucial for making informed and transparent trade-offs. In practice, then, animal welfare is often ignored. Given that animal welfare matters in many cases, there is an urgent need for best-practice methods for integrating animal welfare into decision analyses.

A report by experts at Harvard Law School and New York University reveals that the United States’ animal industries, including industrial agriculture, fur farming, and the exotic pet trade, pose a significant risk of infectious disease outbreaks in humans. The nation lacks a comprehensive strategy to address these dangers, as many of these practices operate with little regulation. Zoonotic diseases, which spread from animals to humans, account for a majority of infectious diseases. The report challenges the notion that such risks are limited to foreign countries, emphasizing that Americans engage in high-risk practices, such as live bird markets and live animal markets. The findings call for increased regulation and public education to mitigate the risks.

Matthew Liebman, “Litigation & Liberation” (2023) 49:3 Ecology Law Quarterly 715.

Abstract: Can litigation contribute to the liberation of oppressed individuals and their communities? Or is litigation antithetical to social movements seeking liberation? Social movement scholars have raised important critiques of litigation’s efficacy as a tool for social change, questioning litigation’s ability to deliver significant social reform and condemning the compromising effects that litigation may have on social movements. According to these critics, litigation is incapable of dismantling deep-seated social injustices and may deradicalize and professionalize social movements in ways that undermine their ultimate vision of a just world. Drawing upon an in-depth case study, this Article is the first to explore these critiques in the context of the animal liberation movement, to which scholars of law and social change have paid little attention. The case study centers on an extensive litigation campaign to liberate animals from the Cricket Hollow Zoo, an unaccredited Iowa zoo, which confined hundreds of animals in inhumane and filthy conditions. This campaign offers important lessons for understanding the relationship between litigation and social movements generally and for understanding the role of litigation in the furtherance of animal liberation more specifically.

Although litigation alone cannot fully realize social movements’ goals, critics have undervalued litigation’s capacity to materially benefit exploited populations. The Cricket Hollow Zoo campaign demonstrates how litigation can have important benefits for movements and the communities they serve, both juridically (through court orders that change material conditions for exploited individuals) and extra-juridically (through public outreach that facilitates broader changes in social norms). I use the litigation campaign against the Cricket Hollow Zoo to explore questions about litigation and social movements, extending the existing literature to the underexplored context of animal protection and drawing lessons that can inform other social movements’ uses of litigation towards liberatory ends.

An opposition lawmaker in South Korea has introduced a bipartisan bill in parliament aimed at completely phasing out the dog meat industry within the next five years. The Special Act, introduced by Democratic Party Assembly Member Han Jeoung-ae and developed in collaboration with Humane Society International, seeks to outlaw the breeding and slaughtering of dogs for human consumption. The bill includes provisions for closing dog farms and offering subsidies to assist farmers in transitioning to alternative livelihoods. Changing social attitudes, increased pet ownership, and growing public support for a ban have already led to the closure of numerous slaughterhouses and markets. The proposed bill is seen as a significant step toward ending the practice of consuming dog meat in South Korea.

The United Kingdom government has passed the Shark Fins Act, 2023 into law. The law prohibits the import and export of detached shark fins, including products containing shark fins like canned shark fin soup. This legislation builds upon the existing ban on the practice of shark finning, which has been in place since 2003. A significant concern remains, however, since as in Canada's approach to this issue, the new law still permits the removal of fins from intact sharks.

The Dutch government has issued a letter outlining the conditions for allowing tastings of cultivated meat and seafood products in controlled environments in the Netherlands. This makes the Netherlands the first European Union country to permit pre-approval tastings of food grown directly from animal cells, prior to obtaining EU novel food approval. The agreement was reached in collaboration with national cultivated meat producers Meatable and Mosa Meat, as well as sector representative HollandBIO. Cultivated product tastings are already permitted in Israel, Singapore, and the United States.

A briefing note obtained by Global News indicates that the Canadian federal government may have the necessary means to impede Premier Doug Ford's controversial proposal to develop portions of Ontario's Greenbelt. The note reveals that twenty-nine at-risk species inhabit or are likely to inhabit the lands previously protected within the Greenbelt. As these species fall under federal protection, Ottawa could utilize its authority to compel Ontario to reconsider or abandon the plan for constructing thousands of homes on these lands.  

The City of Pickering in Ontario has unanimously approved an Animal Poisoning Prevention policy in memory of Riley, a miniature Beagle, and countless other pets and local wildlife who have suffered from rodenticide poisoning. Councillor Maurice Brenner introduced the motion to Council after Riley's death earlier this year. Concerns have been raised over the impact of rodenticides on non-target species and incidents of poisoning have been increasing in Pickering and the Durham region. Supporters of the policy highlighted the environmental impact, harm to wildlife, and the need for updated rodent control policies in Ontario.

Saanich council in British Columbia has unanimously approved a strategy that requires pets to be leashed in eighty-four percent of the district's park space, despite strong opposition from residents and dog owners. Previously, under-control dogs were allowed off-leash in most parks and beaches but, starting this fall, only fifty-seven parks will have leash-optional areas, including twelve dedicated off-leash parks. Initially, bylaw officers will focus on education rather than issuing fines, with ongoing assessment for potential adjustments to the rules.

The federal government is proposing amendments to the Wildlife Area Regulations and Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations for the designation of three remote Nova Scotia islands as National Wildlife Areas, offering increased safeguards against habitat destruction, limited access, and restricted human use. The proposed sites include St. Paul Island, Country Island, and Isle Haute, all known for their exceptional ecological value. St. Paul Island serves as a stopover for migrating songbirds and supports threatened species like Bicknell's thrush and Leach's storm petrel. Country Island harbours a quarter of Canada's endangered roseate tern nesting population, while Isle Haute provides undisturbed habitat for sixty bird species. The wildlife designation aims to protect these species and their habitats, with permits required for entry and specific activities. The public comment period is underway, and the government is collaborating with Indigenous communities to establish co-management arrangements and Indigenous names for the areas.

An important legal battle is set to take place in Ontario over the ownership of a dog named Rocco Junior. Aliesha Verma, currently in possession of Rocco, claims that he was given to her as a gift by her late boyfriend Leonard Carvalho. However, Carvalho's sister disputes this and has applied with the courts to have Rocco handed over as part of estate proceedings as if he is no different than her deceased brother’s non-sentient property. Verma’s lawyer, Miranda Desa, said: “I would like to see companion animals being given recognition of their sentience as individual beings or entities, and laws that take into consideration their best interest.” The hearing is scheduled for August 3rd, and its outcome may influence future cases and raise awareness about the need for specific estate planning for pets.

The Hamilton Police assisted in rescuing a dog that was reportedly being dragged by its owner on a street in Dundas, Ontario. A witness captured the incident on video, prompting action. Collaborating with Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS), the police executed a warrant and successfully located and safely removed the dog. The dog has been handed over to animal welfare services for further assessment. PAWS is leading the ongoing investigation and will determine whether charges will be filed. Individuals with information about the incident are encouraged to contact PAWS through the Ontario Animal Protection Call Centre.

The Ontario Divisional Court denied Windrift Adventures Inc.’s to stay proceedings based on concerns about a reasonable apprehension of bias regarding Justice Leiper's involvement in prior proceedings involving the same parties. Windrift argued that Justice Leiper's refusal to grant a stay in a related matter regarding the continued cost of care of over 200 sled dogs seized from their properties in 2021 met the threshold for disqualification based on bias. The court determined that Windrift had not provided sufficient evidence to overcome the presumption of judicial impartiality and decided to proceed with the hearing as scheduled.

Thirty-eight-year-old Ashley Juby, a resident of Quinte West, has been charged with cruelty to animals after an animal welfare check conducted by Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). Juby is scheduled to appear in court on August 24th to face the charges. The exact details of the alleged animal cruelty have not been disclosed.

Nearly a dozen animals, including nine dogs and two cats, were confiscated from a home in south Edmonton after police responded to a request for assistance from Emergency Medical Services. Edmonton Police Service officers discovered the animals in distressing conditions and seized them under the Animal Protection Act. The animals were subsequently transferred to the Animal Care and Control Centre for medical evaluation. No additional details have been provided at this time regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Jenna MacNeil, a resident of Caribou Marsh, Nova Scotia, has been fined and banned from owning animals after pleading guilty to two counts of permitting animal distress under the province's Animal Protection Act. The charges were filed following an investigation by the Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which discovered three dogs and two cats living in critical distress and unsanitary conditions on MacNeil's property. The animals were rescued and received medical treatment, making a full recovery. As part of her sentence, MacNeil is required to pay restitution of $3,371.77 and received a fine of $500, along with a prohibition on animal ownership.

The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) has passed Resolution no. 2023-19, urging the British Columbia and federal governments to address the environmental impacts of factory farming and strengthen animal farming practices. The resolution emphasizes the spiritual and ethical responsibility to treat animals with respect, highlighting the historical and cultural significance of animals to Indigenous communities. The resolution expresses concern over the poor treatment of animals in factory farming, the lack of proper regulations and oversight, and the environmental consequences, including climate change and habitat loss. The UBCIC calls for the development of legislation and regulations aligned with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the provision of support to transition to more humane animal welfare practices.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is investigating cases of bovine tuberculosis in a cattle herd in Saskatchewan after the United States Department of Agriculture flagged a positive case in February. The infected cow had been exported from Saskatchewan to a US feedlot before slaughter. While Canada is officially considered free of bovine tuberculosis, the CFIA conducted testing of the herd in May and two cases were confirmed. Bovine tuberculosis, caused by a bacterium similar to human tuberculosis, can affect cattle and spread to humans and other animals. Researchers at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization at the University of Saskatchewan are working on a vaccine.

Animal and environmental law organization, AEL Advocacy, has written a letter urging Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to incorporate animal health and welfare in Canada’s 2030 National Biodiversity Strategy. ECCC is currently seeking input on the strategy and AEL Advocacy has emphasized the connection between animal welfare and environmental issues, supporting the "One Health, One Welfare" approach. The group's recommendations include upholding wild animal welfare and transforming the food system by promoting high-welfare animal agriculture practices while supporting a shift to more plant-based diets.

Animal rights activist Amy Soranno is advocating for increased transparency and accountability in the animal agriculture industry in British Columbia (BC). Soranno, who is appealing a criminal conviction for trespassing on a hog farm to expose alleged abuse, is urging the installation of CCTV systems in farm animal quarters and the establishment of an independent animal agriculture inspection agency. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food has formed an advisory committee to review its animal welfare framework. Soranno argues that the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals lacks the necessary authority and expertise to effectively address and prevent animal abuse on farms.

British Columbia’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Theresa Burns, has lifted two provincial animal health orders on poultry farms. The initial order was implemented in response to the widespread outbreak of Avian influenza in poultry farms across Western Canada, mandating indoor confinement for all living poultry. A second order was issued in March 2023, advising bird owners to refrain from taking their birds to gatherings where other birds would be present. Dr. Burns lifted both orders due to the absence of the virus in the past month and the conclusion of spring migration for wild birds. However, the province maintains the possibility of reinstating an order if necessary to control disease transmission.

The federal government has announced $7.5 million in funding to the Dairy Farmers of Canada to promote sustainable development in the dairy industry. The investment is part of the AgriScience Program - Clusters Component, under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The funding will support research projects focusing on areas such as GHG reduction, carbon sequestration, genetic improvement, and eco-efficient dairy processing.

A report commissioned by Humane Society International/United Kingdom and conducted by carbon footprint experts at Foodsteps highlights that the environmental consequences of mink, fox, and raccoon dog fur production are significantly worse than those of other fashion materials. According to the report, fur has the highest greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram compared to cotton, polyester, and acrylic, with mink fur having a carbon footprint thirty-one times higher than cotton. Water consumption for fur is also alarming, with the three animal furs scoring worst among materials analyzed. The report challenges the fur industry's claim of being environmentally friendly and urges governments to ban fur imports and sales.

National animal law organization Animal Justice has submitted a brief to the House of Commons Agriculture Committee, calling attention to the significant greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and pollution associated with animal farming. The committee is currently investigating the environmental impact of agriculture and has primarily heard perspectives from the meat industry, with limited representation from environmental organizations. Animal Justice's written brief aims to provide a balanced view by highlighting the negative consequences of animal farming. The organization urges the committee to consider the detrimental effects and broader environmental implications of this industry in their upcoming report.

A recent study published in the journal Science found that the COVID-19 pandemic caused an increase in wildlife movement globally. The research, conducted by 175 scientists, examined the impact of pandemic restrictions on animal behaviour using GPS tracking data from 2300 mammals of forty-three species. Comparing the findings from the spring of 2020 to the same period the previous year, the study revealed that animals traveled an average of seventy-three percent farther during migration, hunting, and foraging in the early stages of the pandemic. In densely populated regions, animals moved thirty-six percent closer to roads and relocated less frequently in shorter time spans. Lead author Marlee Tucker believes these findings are “optimistic” as they indicate animals are still able to alter their behaviour and perhaps small changes in human behaviour can reduce our impact on them.

Mark Budolfson et al, “Animal welfare: Methods to improve policy and practice” (2023) 381:6653 Science 32.

Abstract: There is growing international consensus that animal welfare is a crucial consideration in policy analysis, affecting domains ranging from food systems to biomedical research. Concern for animal welfare also features in many government regulations, certification programs, and institutional ethics codes across the globe and is central to many philanthropic and values-based investment decisions. However, although there are well-developed quantitative tools for incorporating human welfare into policy analysis, comparable tools for animal welfare are in their earliest stages. Without them, it is impossible to assess the net welfare impacts of a policy on humans and nonhumans alike on a common scale, which is crucial for making informed and transparent trade-offs. In practice, then, animal welfare is often ignored. Given that animal welfare matters in many cases, there is an urgent need for best-practice methods for integrating animal welfare into decision analyses.

A report by experts at Harvard Law School and New York University reveals that the United States’ animal industries, including industrial agriculture, fur farming, and the exotic pet trade, pose a significant risk of infectious disease outbreaks in humans. The nation lacks a comprehensive strategy to address these dangers, as many of these practices operate with little regulation. Zoonotic diseases, which spread from animals to humans, account for a majority of infectious diseases. The report challenges the notion that such risks are limited to foreign countries, emphasizing that Americans engage in high-risk practices, such as live bird markets and live animal markets. The findings call for increased regulation and public education to mitigate the risks.

Matthew Liebman, “Litigation & Liberation” (2023) 49:3 Ecology Law Quarterly 715.

Abstract: Can litigation contribute to the liberation of oppressed individuals and their communities? Or is litigation antithetical to social movements seeking liberation? Social movement scholars have raised important critiques of litigation’s efficacy as a tool for social change, questioning litigation’s ability to deliver significant social reform and condemning the compromising effects that litigation may have on social movements. According to these critics, litigation is incapable of dismantling deep-seated social injustices and may deradicalize and professionalize social movements in ways that undermine their ultimate vision of a just world. Drawing upon an in-depth case study, this Article is the first to explore these critiques in the context of the animal liberation movement, to which scholars of law and social change have paid little attention. The case study centers on an extensive litigation campaign to liberate animals from the Cricket Hollow Zoo, an unaccredited Iowa zoo, which confined hundreds of animals in inhumane and filthy conditions. This campaign offers important lessons for understanding the relationship between litigation and social movements generally and for understanding the role of litigation in the furtherance of animal liberation more specifically.

Although litigation alone cannot fully realize social movements’ goals, critics have undervalued litigation’s capacity to materially benefit exploited populations. The Cricket Hollow Zoo campaign demonstrates how litigation can have important benefits for movements and the communities they serve, both juridically (through court orders that change material conditions for exploited individuals) and extra-juridically (through public outreach that facilitates broader changes in social norms). I use the litigation campaign against the Cricket Hollow Zoo to explore questions about litigation and social movements, extending the existing literature to the underexplored context of animal protection and drawing lessons that can inform other social movements’ uses of litigation towards liberatory ends.

An opposition lawmaker in South Korea has introduced a bipartisan bill in parliament aimed at completely phasing out the dog meat industry within the next five years. The Special Act, introduced by Democratic Party Assembly Member Han Jeoung-ae and developed in collaboration with Humane Society International, seeks to outlaw the breeding and slaughtering of dogs for human consumption. The bill includes provisions for closing dog farms and offering subsidies to assist farmers in transitioning to alternative livelihoods. Changing social attitudes, increased pet ownership, and growing public support for a ban have already led to the closure of numerous slaughterhouses and markets. The proposed bill is seen as a significant step toward ending the practice of consuming dog meat in South Korea.

The United Kingdom government has passed the Shark Fins Act, 2023 into law. The law prohibits the import and export of detached shark fins, including products containing shark fins like canned shark fin soup. This legislation builds upon the existing ban on the practice of shark finning, which has been in place since 2003. A significant concern remains, however, since as in Canada's approach to this issue, the new law still permits the removal of fins from intact sharks.

A new government fund has been launched in the United Kingdom to support the creation and restoration of natural habitats at scale, benefiting thousands of species including lapwings, water voles, and adders. The fund aims to tackle habitat loss and halt the decline in species by providing grants of up to three million pounds for projects safeguarding ecosystems and creating wildlife-friendly landscapes such as grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands. It will also promote green jobs and vocational employment opportunities. Additionally, forty-eight local authorities will receive funding to develop tailored nature recovery strategies, working closely with communities and stakeholders to restore nature in their respective areas.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has reported a concerning rise in intentional animal cruelty cases across the South East region of England. In 2022, there were over 800 reported incidents, with Kent experiencing a nineteen percent increase compared to the previous year. Nationwide, reports of animal beatings in England and Wales increased by twenty-two percent, with over 1,000 incidents reported in August 2022 alone. The RSPCA also noted a fifteen percent increase in animals killed under suspicious circumstances. The cost of living crisis and post-pandemic challenges may have contributed to this rise in cruelty, according to the RSPCA.

Muthu Raja, a Thai elephant gifted to Sri Lanka in 2001, has returned to Thailand amid allegations of torture and neglect at a Buddhist temple. The Thai government demanded his return following concerns raised by animal advocates about his treatment and injuries while working with a logging crew. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena expressed his apologies to Thailand's king and gave assurances that the trust between the two countries has been restored. The Bangkok wildlife department is now closely monitoring the well-being of Thai elephants residing overseas.

The Dutch government has issued a letter outlining the conditions for allowing tastings of cultivated meat and seafood products in controlled environments in the Netherlands. This makes the Netherlands the first European Union country to permit pre-approval tastings of food grown directly from animal cells, prior to obtaining EU novel food approval. The agreement was reached in collaboration with national cultivated meat producers Meatable and Mosa Meat, as well as sector representative HollandBIO. Cultivated product tastings are already permitted in Israel, Singapore, and the United States.

Ben Newman, an animal rights activist who ran onto the track at the Epsom Derby in Surrey, England, has received an eighteen-week suspended sentence. Newman was one of thirty-one individuals arrested following a protest organized by animal rights group Animal Rising. He pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance and was criticized by the judge for endangering security guards and police with his actions. His sentence also included a fine of £1,356.

Judge Eric Bentley of the El Paso County District Court in Colorado, United States has ordered the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to respond to a habeas corpus petition submitted by the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) regarding the release of five elephants named Jambo, Kimba, LouLou, Lucky, and Missy. The petition asserts that the elephants suffer due to their confinement and highlights the crucial importance of acknowledging elephants' fundamental right to liberty. The outcome of a potential trial will determine what happens to the elephants. The NhRP has committed to covering the expenses associated with transporting the elephants if they are ultimately set free.

A briefing note obtained by Global News indicates that the Canadian federal government may have the necessary means to impede Premier Doug Ford's controversial proposal to develop portions of Ontario's Greenbelt. The note reveals that twenty-nine at-risk species inhabit or are likely to inhabit the lands previously protected within the Greenbelt. As these species fall under federal protection, Ottawa could utilize its authority to compel Ontario to reconsider or abandon the plan for constructing thousands of homes on these lands.  

Shelley Alexander, the founder of the Canid Conservation Science Lab at the University of Calgary, is suggesting that two recent coyote attacks within a week of each other in northeastern Winnipeg were caused in part by either someone feeding the animals or approaching them too closely. Coyote attacks are very rare and are more likely during early to mid-July due to the coyotes moving away from their dens. However, when multiple attacks happen in such close proximity to one another, that is often a sign of human interference, according to Alexander. University of Winnipeg biologist Susan Lingle notes that a cull may be on the table for conservation officials but that such an approach may “destabilize the situation” if one parent of pups is killed. Lingle suggests more effective approaches include aversion conditioning and sealing off the area to the public for the time being.

A dog attack in southwest Calgary has left a seven-year-old girl seriously injured. Two Rottweilers attacked the child on Canada Day, according to the Calgary Police Service. Emergency responders stated that the girl was taken to Alberta Children’s Hospital in “serious, potentially life-threatening condition.” Both dogs have since been seized, and their owner has transferred their ownership to the city. The incident is still under investigation by police and city bylaw officers.

Five zebras, who were seized by conservation officers, are now in foster care at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm and Park Zoo. In a digital release, the City of Saskatoon stated that the zebras were seized as part of an investigation under the province’s Captive Wildlife Regulations but declined to reveal any further details. The zoo has been working closely with Saskatoon-based Western College of Veterinary Medicine since the zebras arrived in June. They are living in a caribou habitat enclosure area.

A fire at a poultry farm in Lower Canard, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, has resulted in the loss of 9,000 young turkeys. The Canning Volunteer Fire Department swiftly responded to the scene, receiving assistance from twenty fire departments spanning four counties. The fire, which consumed two barns, was eventually brought under control with the help of an excavator.

The City of Brampton, Ontario has initiated patrols in response to a coyote attack on a dog near two elementary schools. Monica Vincent and her dog, Jada, were approached by a coyote while out walking. The coyote attacked and took Jada, whose body was found the next day. Concerns were raised about a lack of communication regarding previous coyote sightings. The city, Peel District School Board, and Brampton Animal Services have urged residents to report coyote sightings and take precautions such as not leaving food out for wildlife and keeping dogs on leashes.

Animal rights activists staged a protest outside the Stampede Grounds on July 8th, condemning the rodeo and calf roping events and urging the Calgary Stampede to abandon them entirely. Dozens of protestors gathered to express their opposition to these activities, which they deemed as animal abuse leading to unnecessary deaths. Heather Anderson, the protest organizer, emphasized that Calgary should be known for compassion and humane treatment of animals, not for rodeo events.