Brooks Animal Law Digest

Canada’s Parliament has passed Bill S-5, a historic bill that will phase out toxicity tests on animals. It has reached a final vote and will soon be signed into law. The original bill expressed a desire to move away from animal testing, but took no specific measures to do so. Animal Justice and other organizations worked with lawmakers to amend the bill, and ensure it included specific measures to replace the use of animals in toxicity testing. The measures now in the law include requiring the government to use alternatives to toxicity testing on animals, regulating non-animal testing, and mandating that Ministers of Environment and Health release a plan within the next two years to promote animal-free toxicity testing methods. Bill S-5 overhauls the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, a foundational federal law aimed at pollution prevention and regulating toxic substances. 

Senator Pierre Dalphond and singer Jann Arden have collaborated to introduce a new Senate bill, Bill S-270, also known as The Horse Protection Act, aimed at banning live horse exports for slaughter in Canada. This comes after MPs and animal-welfare groups accused the federal government of going back on their commitment to ban the transport of thousands of live horses to Japan and Member of Parliament Alistair MacGregor presented a petition signed by more than 36,000 Canadians in the House of Commons calling on the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to end the practice. On June 20th, Liberal MP Tim Louis also announced plans to introduce a private member's bill in the House of Commons to outlaw the practice, highlighting the government's lack of progress.

Bill C-275, a federal ag-gag style bill sponsored by Conservative Member of Parliament and Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee Member John Barlow, has passed second reading in the House of Commons. The bill aims to penalize individuals unlawfully accessing properties with animals if it poses a risk of exposing them to diseases or toxic substances. Previously introduced as Bill C-205, it has been criticized by organizations such as Animal Justice, which argue that animal advocates and protesters have never caused a disease outbreak in Canada. The bill will now move on to consideration by the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Canada has officially banned cosmetics animal testing and trade with the passing of measures through Bill C-47, the Budget Implementation Act. These measures prohibit cosmetics animal testing, ban the sale of products relying on new animal testing data, and prohibit misleading labelling related to animal testing. Animal protection advocates, including Humane Society International/Canada, Animal Alliance Canada, and Cruelty Free International, along with industry partners such as Cosmetics Alliance Canada, Lush Cosmetics, and The Body Shop, have collaborated with the Canadian government to achieve this milestone. Canada now joins over forty jurisdictions and major markets in ending or limiting cosmetics animal testing and sales.

The Montreal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) filed a writ of intervention with the housing tribunal in support of two tenants who are challenging a clause in their rental leases prohibiting them from owning animals. The SPCA contends that these clauses contradict the recognition of animals as “sentient beings” in the Civil Code of Quebec since they treat animals as mere property and disregard the emotional attachment and obligations humans have towards them. They also argue that article five of the Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantee of every person’s right to respect of their private life protects the right to choose to live with a companion animal, as well as an argument about such clauses being abusive and unreasonable, especially during a housing crisis. On May 25th, Andrés Fontecilla, MNA for Laurier-Dorion and Québec Solidaire's housing critic, introduced a bill that would amend the Civil Code to render ineffective “no-pet” clauses in rental housing leases.

The City of London has filed an application with the Ontario Superior Court seeking a judge's decision regarding Reptilia's compliance with London's animal control bylaw. Reptilia is keeping animals prohibited under the bylaw and the City is asking for an order to prevent them from doing this and a declaration that they are not exempt from the bylaw. Reptilia applied for an exemption three times but was denied by the city council. Reptilia plans to oppose the city's application and expects a court hearing in the early fall.

National animal law organization Animal Justice is calling for animal cruelty charges to be brought against the Calgary Stampede after a horse was killed during the chuckwagon races on July 14th. Animal Justice is urging authorities to hold the event accountable and end the practice of rodeos being exempt from animal cruelty laws. The Vancouver Humane Society has reported that over 100 animals have died in Stampede rodeo events since 1986, yet no prosecutions have occurred.

Animal Justice has unveiled undercover footage exposing the reality of penned dog hunting in Ontario. With Ontario recently passing laws to expand this practice, the organization sent an investigator undercover to visit dog hunting pens to get a firsthand look into what happens in this industry. The footage reveals hunters using penned coyotes as live bait for dogs, resulting in the maiming and killing of these animals, along with injuries to the dogs. Wolves are also used in this unsportsmanlike form of “canned” hunting. Animal Justice aims to use the footage to raise awareness and combat the cruelty of penned dog hunting.

Newly obtained government documents reveal that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) refused entry to an overcrowded truckload of Canadian pigs at the US border due to concerns over animal welfare. The inspection found that some pigs had died and others were suffering from heat stress during transportation from Manitoba on a hot and humid day. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) veterinarians agreed with the USDA's decision, stating that the pigs would have experienced even more harm if they had been allowed to proceed through the border and on to slaughter. The CFIA acknowledged that the driver should have been more cautious and this was not the first incident involving pigs from this farm.

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 Nova Scotia Mink Industry Enhancement program, along with its corresponding website, has been taken down, indicating the discontinuation of provincial subsidies for mink farms. The Fur-Bearers organization verified with the Department of Agriculture that the program is no longer being offered by the province. The department explained that while the program was previously available under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Agreement, it is not currently offered under the new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Agreement. This development suggests a shift in the province's approach to supporting the mink industry in Nova Scotia.

According to new information posted on the British Columbia’s caribou recovery program website, the province spent $1.65 million on a taxpayer-funded program aimed at recovering caribou populations. The program involved tracking and shooting 217 wolves from helicopters and using hunting dogs to kill eight cougars. Critics argue that this approach contradicts research showing the ineffectiveness of wolf culls in saving endangered caribou. A recent survey conducted by The Fur-Bearers also revealed that sixty-eight percent of Canadians oppose killing wolves for conservation purposes, even if it means saving another species.

A new study has revealed that adopting a vegan diet can significantly reduce the environmental damage caused by food production. The study, based on the real diets of 55,000 people in the United Kingdom and data from 38,000 farms in 119 countries, demonstrated that vegan diets resulted in seventy-five percent lower climate-heating emissions, water pollution, and land use compared to diets with over 100 grams of meat consumed daily. Even the lowest-impact meat, organic pork, caused eight times more climate damage than the highest-impact plant-based food. The researchers are urging governments to implement policies to encourage reduced meat consumption to combat climate change effectively.

The “Animal Markets and Zoonotic Disease in the United States” report, published by the Brooks McCormick Jr. Animal Law & Policy Program at Harvard Law School in conjunction with the Center for Environmental and Animal Protection at New York University, has garnered widespread media attention from various outlets worldwide. Analyzing thirty-six animal industries, including exotic pet trade and backyard chicken production, the report assessed their potential risks for zoonotic disease outbreaks. The findings were prominently featured on the front page of The New York Times' ScienceTimes section and USA Today, warning of the staggering risks posed by US animal industries. Another aspect of the report was discussed in The New York Times' Science section, focusing on the possibility of a new pandemic originating at county fairs. The report features photographs by Canadian photo-journalist Jo-Anne McArthur. Brooks Animal Studies Academic Network (BASAN) collaborators from two Canadian universities, the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law and the University of Victoria’s Animals & Society Research Initiative, provided resources and research assistance funded by the Brooks Institute for Animal Rights Law & Policy.

Animal Justice has released a new report examining disease outbreaks on Canadian farms. The report, an update to a previous version, uses data from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to show that disease outbreaks are often linked to subpar farm practices and inadequate biosecurity. The report aims to counter the argument made by animal agriculture lobby groups and lawmakers that “agricultural gag” laws (commonly known as “ag gag” laws) are essential to prevent farm-related disease outbreaks and ensure food safety. It disputes the notion that animal advocates are to blame for diseases, emphasizing that documented outbreaks are primarily a result of farm operators' actions.

A study exposes the immense power of the meat and dairy industries in the European Union and United States, obstructing the advancement of eco-friendly alternatives needed for addressing the climate crisis. The analysis of lobbying, subsidies, and regulations highlights a stark disparity, with livestock farmers in the EU receiving 1,200 times more public funding than plant-based or cultivated meat groups. In the US, animal farmers received 800 times more. The study, published in the journal OneEarth, also reveals significant lobbying expenditures by meat producers, overshadowing those of alternatives.

A new report by the Ecuadorian Coordinator of Organizations for the Defense of Nature and the

Environment exposes the negative impacts of multilateral development banks' financing of factory farms in Ecuador, specifically focusing on the expansion of the country's largest pork and poultry producer. The report highlights social and ecological harm caused by the banks' failure to consult or compensate affected Indigenous communities, violating both Ecuadorian law and their own policies. The lending has led to pollution, destruction of ecosystems, and threats to local communities' health and livelihoods. Civil society groups are calling for an end to financing factory farming and urging the banks and the government to enforce policies and resolve the impacts of the operations.

A year-long BBC investigation has exposed a global monkey torture ring spanning from Indonesia to the US. The investigation revealed that customers in the US, United Kingdom, and other countries were paying Indonesians to torture and kill baby long-tailed macaques on film. The sadistic activities were initially conducted on YouTube before migrating to private groups on the encrypted messaging app Telegram. Police are pursuing the buyers, and several arrests have already been made. The investigation has also identified key suspects involved in the distribution and commissioning of these extreme torture videos.

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 Presidency of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) has responded to YOUNGO and Food@COP's advocacy efforts, promising to “ensure the availability of plant-based food options that are affordable, nutritious and locally and regionally sourced, with clear emissions labelling.” This response marks a significant achievement for youth activists and civil society, who have long urged for greener catering at climate conferences. COP28 will also prioritize “transformational action on food systems,” with dedicated days and pavilions addressing food, agriculture, and land use.

A Finnish citizens' initiative advocating for the inclusion of fundamental rights for animals in the national constitution has amassed the 50,000 signatures required to be debated by lawmakers in Parliament. The proposal seeks to establish comprehensive legislation safeguarding animals' fundamental rights, including those in the wild and under human care, while also prohibiting harmful breeding practices. Initiated by the Finnish Animal Rights Law Society, the campaign emphasizes animals' interests and needs in both public and private activities. Although animal protection is enshrined in the constitutions of countries like Germany and Brazil, Finland lacks such provisions. The initiative will be submitted to Parliament after the August 27th deadline.

The Triple S Fair and Rodeo in Selkirk, Manitoba, is updating its rules to require the presence of a qualified veterinarian during its events, following a tragic incident where a horse broke its back leg and was euthanized. The province's Animal Health and Welfare Branch is investigating the incident, prompted by reports from the Winnipeg Humane Society and Animal Justice. A video of the accident showed the distressed horse falling during a bronc riding event. Notably, Manitoba's rodeos currently lack legal requirements for on-site veterinarians.

Lolita, a captive orca held for over fifty years at the Miami Seaquarium, has died before her planned move back to her native waters in Washington state. Lolita, also known as Tokitae or Toki, showed signs of discomfort and was treated for a renal condition but passed away at aged fifty-seven. Animal rights activists had long campaigned for her release and a plan was set in motion to transfer her to a natural sea pen. Lolita retired last year and had not performed publicly since.

Introduced by MPP Parm Gill, Bill 91, the Less Red Tape, Stronger Economy Act, 2023, has received royal assent. The bill includes controversial amendments to section 35 of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, which permit the issuance and transfer of licenses for new dog train and trial areas where wildlife are kept captive for training dogs in hunting skills and conducting hunting dog competitions. Barry MacKay, Director or Animal Alliance of Canada, said: “Dogs chasing, harassing and cornering coyotes is certainly defined as dog fighting, an act that most Ontarians would not believe would ever be sanctioned by any modern government and be so out of sync with the moral values of the majority of its citizens.”

Bill S-241, also known as the Jane Goodall Act, sponsored by Senator Marty Klyne, has successfully passed the second reading in the Senate. Senator Donald Neil Plett, the leader of the Opposition in the Canadian Senate, expressed concerns regarding the bill's potential to advance the animal rights movement. In particular, Senator Plett cautioned that granting limited legal standing to animals could have far-reaching consequences for zoos and agriculture. The bill will now undergo further examination by several Senate committees.

Canada’s Parliament has passed Bill S-5, a historic bill that will phase out toxicity tests on animals. It has reached a final vote and will soon be signed into law. The original bill expressed a desire to move away from animal testing, but took no specific measures to do so. Animal Justice and other organizations worked with lawmakers to amend the bill, and ensure it included specific measures to replace the use of animals in toxicity testing. The measures now in the law include requiring the government to use alternatives to toxicity testing on animals, regulating non-animal testing, and mandating that Ministers of Environment and Health release a plan within the next two years to promote animal-free toxicity testing methods. Bill S-5 overhauls the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, a foundational federal law aimed at pollution prevention and regulating toxic substances. 

Senator Pierre Dalphond and singer Jann Arden have collaborated to introduce a new Senate bill, Bill S-270, also known as The Horse Protection Act, aimed at banning live horse exports for slaughter in Canada. This comes after MPs and animal-welfare groups accused the federal government of going back on their commitment to ban the transport of thousands of live horses to Japan and Member of Parliament Alistair MacGregor presented a petition signed by more than 36,000 Canadians in the House of Commons calling on the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to end the practice. On June 20th, Liberal MP Tim Louis also announced plans to introduce a private member's bill in the House of Commons to outlaw the practice, highlighting the government's lack of progress.

Bill C-275, a federal ag-gag style bill sponsored by Conservative Member of Parliament and Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee Member John Barlow, has passed second reading in the House of Commons. The bill aims to penalize individuals unlawfully accessing properties with animals if it poses a risk of exposing them to diseases or toxic substances. Previously introduced as Bill C-205, it has been criticized by organizations such as Animal Justice, which argue that animal advocates and protesters have never caused a disease outbreak in Canada. The bill will now move on to consideration by the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Canada has officially banned cosmetics animal testing and trade with the passing of measures through Bill C-47, the Budget Implementation Act. These measures prohibit cosmetics animal testing, ban the sale of products relying on new animal testing data, and prohibit misleading labelling related to animal testing. Animal protection advocates, including Humane Society International/Canada, Animal Alliance Canada, and Cruelty Free International, along with industry partners such as Cosmetics Alliance Canada, Lush Cosmetics, and The Body Shop, have collaborated with the Canadian government to achieve this milestone. Canada now joins over forty jurisdictions and major markets in ending or limiting cosmetics animal testing and sales.

The Canadian government has proposed draft regulations to ban the sale, cross-border trade, and import of elephant ivory and rhinoceros tusks. The ban also extends to hunting trophies made from these animal parts. The regulations have been published in the Canada Gazette and are open for public consultation until July 24th. This move aims to combat the illegal wildlife trade and to protect endangered species.

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 Montreal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) filed a writ of intervention with the housing tribunal in support of two tenants who are challenging a clause in their rental leases prohibiting them from owning animals. The SPCA contends that these clauses contradict the recognition of animals as “sentient beings” in the Civil Code of Quebec since they treat animals as mere property and disregard the emotional attachment and obligations humans have towards them. They also argue that article five of the Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantee of every person’s right to respect of their private life protects the right to choose to live with a companion animal, as well as an argument about such clauses being abusive and unreasonable, especially during a housing crisis. On May 25th, Andrés Fontecilla, MNA for Laurier-Dorion and Québec Solidaire's housing critic, introduced a bill that would amend the Civil Code to render ineffective “no-pet” clauses in rental housing leases.

The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario denied Animal Justice's request to intervene in an employment discrimination case based on creed. The applicant, Adam Knauff, an ethical vegan forest fire fighter, alleges that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry failed to accommodate his dietary needs. Animal Justice sought leave to participate broadly in the application, including to adduce expert evidence on the nature of ethical veganism, the ethical vegan community, the role of ethical veganism in a person’s self-identity and worldview, and accommodation of ethical vegans. The tribunal denied Animal Justice's request, stating that their involvement would not provide a distinct perspective, could cause delays, and would not be necessary considering the representation of the applicant by counsel.

A Surrey veterinary hospital's request for an interim injunction to remove alleged "defamatory" TikTok videos has been denied by a British Columbia Supreme Court judge. The videos, posted by Victoria Veira, accuse the hospital of mistreating her dog, Charlie, during a neutering procedure, leading to an infection. The clinic sued Veira for defamation, claiming reputational damage and holding Veira responsible for the infection. Veira argued her comments were protected by “fair comment” and requested the suit's dismissal. The judge found that stifling Veira's freedom of speech before a trial on the merits was not justified, as the posts did not meet the high standard for an interlocutory injunction that restricts expression. The possibility of a settlement before the trial has been acknowledged by both parties' lawyers.

The British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal has ruled that a Vancouver café must pay $12,000 to Georgia Pike, a visually-impaired woman, for discriminating against her and her service animal. Pike, who relies on a guide dog named Grainger, and her father, were denied service by Ooh La La café because of her dog. Despite explaining Grainger’s service status, they were repeatedly asked to leave by the owner, as shown in a video submitted as evidence. Pike, after nearly four years of fighting, expressed gratitude for the outcome, hoping it will raise awareness about guide dog users' rights.

The Animal Care Review Board dismissed a request for reconsideration of the Board’s previous rulings, which upheld the decision of Animal Welfare Services (AWS) to seize fourteen horses from a barn located in Burk’s Falls, Ontario and confirm a Statement of Account associated with the care of the animals. Julie Nicholls, the owner of the barn, sought reconsideration on various grounds, including a violation of procedural fairness. Nicholls asserted that the boarding facility selected for her horses was chosen because the AWS inspector had a prior relationship with facility, and that this choice resulted in her being charged more for the boarding of her animals than was necessary. The Board dismissed the request for reconsideration, stating that Nicholls did not advance sufficient evidence to support the claim.

The City of London has filed an application with the Ontario Superior Court seeking a judge's decision regarding Reptilia's compliance with London's animal control bylaw. Reptilia is keeping animals prohibited under the bylaw and the City is asking for an order to prevent them from doing this and a declaration that they are not exempt from the bylaw. Reptilia applied for an exemption three times but was denied by the city council. Reptilia plans to oppose the city's application and expects a court hearing in the early fall.

National animal law organization Animal Justice is calling for animal cruelty charges to be brought against the Calgary Stampede after a horse was killed during the chuckwagon races on July 14th. Animal Justice is urging authorities to hold the event accountable and end the practice of rodeos being exempt from animal cruelty laws. The Vancouver Humane Society has reported that over 100 animals have died in Stampede rodeo events since 1986, yet no prosecutions have occurred.

The Winnipeg Humane Society and Animal Justice are calling for animal cruelty charges following the death of a horse during a bronc riding event at the Triple S Fair and Rodeo in Selkirk, Manitoba. A video shared online shows the horse falling and becoming injured shortly after leaving the chute. Bronc riding, which uses bucking straps and spurs to force horses into extreme bucking, is considered a cruel and dangerous practice. Animal Justice and the Winnipeg Humane Society have reported the incident, urging authorities to investigate and take enforcement action under animal welfare laws.

A report card released by World Animal Protection Canada has found that Ontario has “weak and non-existent regulations” regarding roadside zoos. The report card ranks Ontario as the lowest among Canada's provinces. It highlights the absence of a provincial zoo licensing system, lack of permits for non-native wildlife, and no requirements for liability insurance for zoo operators. World Animal Protection Canada is urging the province to implement a mandatory zoo licensing system and enforceable standards to protect animal welfare and public health.

Three individuals in Quebec have been fined a total of $34,000 for their involvement in an illegal black bear gallbladder trafficking operation. They pleaded guilty to violating the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, which protects threatened species in Canada. The fines were imposed by Environment and Climate Change Canada following reports of illegal organ trafficking between May 2017 and August 2018. The bear gallbladders' bile is highly sought after for its supposed healing properties, leading to their illegal sale on the black market for high sums.

The Ontario Divisional Court has dismissed an application for judicial review by Windrift Adventures challenging the decision of the Animal Care Review Board (ACRB) to uphold a Statement of Account in the amount of $505,760 for the continued care of over 200 dogs seized from their properties in 2021. Initially, Windrift was billed $969,296, which was later reduced by the Chief Animal Welfare Inspector (CAWI) to $881,776.59, and further varied by the Board. Windrift’s main argument was that the Board awarded over half a million dollars’ worth of boarding fees without having any evidence that the care provided at the kennels met the required standard of care. The court disagreed, noting that the ACRB heard testimony from CAWI and veterinarians regarding the care that the dogs received at the kennels, which was supported by invoices related to their medical care. The court also dismissed an application for judicial review by CAWI claiming that the ACRB erred when it failed to allow the full amount claimed for boarding and when it disallowed the amounts charged for transportation and veterinary bills. The Court found no such errors were made.

United States-based non-profit organization Animals’ Angels and European Union partner the Animal Welfare Foundation have released a new investigation exposing potential cruelty and neglect at Bouvry Exports' Prime Feedlot in Alberta. The footage reveals horses in crowded, unsanitary conditions with injuries, illnesses, and decomposing carcasses on the premises. Many horses suffered from overgrown hooves and painful hoof conditions due to fattening for slaughter. The company is also linked to Canada's live horse export trade, shipping horses to Japan for slaughter. Animal Justice has filed a legal complaint with the Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, urging the agencies to investigate Bouvry Exports for potential violations of Alberta’s Animal Protection Act, the federal Health of Animal Act, and Safe Food for Canadians Regulations.

The Town of Biggar is under investigation by the Animal Protective Services of Saskatchewan (APSS) for allegedly violating provincial animal cruelty laws by disposing of trapped stray cats beyond town boundaries. APSS highlights concerns over municipalities' responsibilities when trapping cats, emphasizing that the trapper is legally accountable for the animal's welfare. The Town admitted to breaching its own bylaw and relocating cats outside Town limits. APSS stated that charges are pending, and communication with the Town is ongoing. Despite corrective measures, the Town has not committed to ending the practice, citing ongoing legal considerations.

The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) Animal Protection team rescued 111 distressed animals from a Lower Mainland property due to unsanitary living conditions. The seizure involved forty-two dogs, forty-eight cats, twelve birds, eight rabbits, and one reptile. Veterinarians are evaluating the animals' conditions and each will receive a personalized treatment plan. With resources stretched, multiple animal centers will assist in managing the rescued animals' needs.

Animal Justice has unveiled undercover footage exposing the reality of penned dog hunting in Ontario. With Ontario recently passing laws to expand this practice, the organization sent an investigator undercover to visit dog hunting pens to get a firsthand look into what happens in this industry. The footage reveals hunters using penned coyotes as live bait for dogs, resulting in the maiming and killing of these animals, along with injuries to the dogs. Wolves are also used in this unsportsmanlike form of “canned” hunting. Animal Justice aims to use the footage to raise awareness and combat the cruelty of penned dog hunting.

Newly obtained government documents reveal that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) refused entry to an overcrowded truckload of Canadian pigs at the US border due to concerns over animal welfare. The inspection found that some pigs had died and others were suffering from heat stress during transportation from Manitoba on a hot and humid day. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) veterinarians agreed with the USDA's decision, stating that the pigs would have experienced even more harm if they had been allowed to proceed through the border and on to slaughter. The CFIA acknowledged that the driver should have been more cautious and this was not the first incident involving pigs from this farm.

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 Nova Scotia Mink Industry Enhancement program, along with its corresponding website, has been taken down, indicating the discontinuation of provincial subsidies for mink farms. The Fur-Bearers organization verified with the Department of Agriculture that the program is no longer being offered by the province. The department explained that while the program was previously available under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Agreement, it is not currently offered under the new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Agreement. This development suggests a shift in the province's approach to supporting the mink industry in Nova Scotia.

According to a cabinet minister briefing document obtained by The Narwhal, the government of British Columbia is actively lobbying against a federal emergency order to protect the endangered spotted owl. The document cites potential impacts on forest sector jobs and existing protections as reasons for discouraging federal intervention to prevent industrial logging in the owl's old-growth forest habitat. In February 2023, federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said he would recommend the emergency order under Canada's Species at Risk Act but did not follow through. The environmental law charity Ecojustice is taking legal action to compel the decision, with the final call resting with the federal cabinet.

The Ontario government has established the Monarch Point Conservation Reserve, the province's first new conservation reserve in over a decade. Spanning nearly 4000 acres along Prince Edward County's south shores, the reserve aims to safeguard the habitat of the monarch butterfly and other at-risk species. It also serves as a destination for nature-based tourism, offering opportunities for hiking and birdwatching. The project resulted from collaboration with local stakeholders, Indigenous communities, and conservation groups. The reserve is recognized as an International Monarch Butterfly Reserve and an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area.

According to new information posted on the British Columbia’s caribou recovery program website, the province spent $1.65 million on a taxpayer-funded program aimed at recovering caribou populations. The program involved tracking and shooting 217 wolves from helicopters and using hunting dogs to kill eight cougars. Critics argue that this approach contradicts research showing the ineffectiveness of wolf culls in saving endangered caribou. A recent survey conducted by The Fur-Bearers also revealed that sixty-eight percent of Canadians oppose killing wolves for conservation purposes, even if it means saving another species.

The Ontario government is launching the Caribou Conservation Stewardship Program with an investment of up to $20 million. Open to non-profits, Indigenous communities, and others, the initiative supports habitat restoration, protection, and research to maintain and recover caribou populations. The program reflects the largest single investment dedicated to caribou in the province's history. Aligned with the five-year conservation agreement with the Government of Canada, the program aims to protect and recover caribou populations by collaboratively managing habitat and implementing restoration activities. Application submissions are being accepted from August 17th to September 28th.

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 new study has revealed that adopting a vegan diet can significantly reduce the environmental damage caused by food production. The study, based on the real diets of 55,000 people in the United Kingdom and data from 38,000 farms in 119 countries, demonstrated that vegan diets resulted in seventy-five percent lower climate-heating emissions, water pollution, and land use compared to diets with over 100 grams of meat consumed daily. Even the lowest-impact meat, organic pork, caused eight times more climate damage than the highest-impact plant-based food. The researchers are urging governments to implement policies to encourage reduced meat consumption to combat climate change effectively.

The “Animal Markets and Zoonotic Disease in the United States” report, published by the Brooks McCormick Jr. Animal Law & Policy Program at Harvard Law School in conjunction with the Center for Environmental and Animal Protection at New York University, has garnered widespread media attention from various outlets worldwide. Analyzing thirty-six animal industries, including exotic pet trade and backyard chicken production, the report assessed their potential risks for zoonotic disease outbreaks. The findings were prominently featured on the front page of The New York Times' ScienceTimes section and USA Today, warning of the staggering risks posed by US animal industries. Another aspect of the report was discussed in The New York Times' Science section, focusing on the possibility of a new pandemic originating at county fairs. The report features photographs by Canadian photo-journalist Jo-Anne McArthur. Brooks Animal Studies Academic Network (BASAN) collaborators from two Canadian universities, the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law and the University of Victoria’s Animals & Society Research Initiative, provided resources and research assistance funded by the Brooks Institute for Animal Rights Law & Policy.

Animal Justice has released a new report examining disease outbreaks on Canadian farms. The report, an update to a previous version, uses data from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to show that disease outbreaks are often linked to subpar farm practices and inadequate biosecurity. The report aims to counter the argument made by animal agriculture lobby groups and lawmakers that “agricultural gag” laws (commonly known as “ag gag” laws) are essential to prevent farm-related disease outbreaks and ensure food safety. It disputes the notion that animal advocates are to blame for diseases, emphasizing that documented outbreaks are primarily a result of farm operators' actions.

A study exposes the immense power of the meat and dairy industries in the European Union and United States, obstructing the advancement of eco-friendly alternatives needed for addressing the climate crisis. The analysis of lobbying, subsidies, and regulations highlights a stark disparity, with livestock farmers in the EU receiving 1,200 times more public funding than plant-based or cultivated meat groups. In the US, animal farmers received 800 times more. The study, published in the journal OneEarth, also reveals significant lobbying expenditures by meat producers, overshadowing those of alternatives.

A new report by the Ecuadorian Coordinator of Organizations for the Defense of Nature and the

Environment exposes the negative impacts of multilateral development banks' financing of factory farms in Ecuador, specifically focusing on the expansion of the country's largest pork and poultry producer. The report highlights social and ecological harm caused by the banks' failure to consult or compensate affected Indigenous communities, violating both Ecuadorian law and their own policies. The lending has led to pollution, destruction of ecosystems, and threats to local communities' health and livelihoods. Civil society groups are calling for an end to financing factory farming and urging the banks and the government to enforce policies and resolve the impacts of the operations.

The Humane League UK has filed an appeal against the High Court's ruling that found the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs did not act unlawfully regarding the use of fast-growing chickens in the poultry industry. The organization seeks to challenge the decision and highlight concerns about the welfare of these chickens in the industry.

The Australian and Queensland governments have announced a $160 million investment to phase out commercial gill net fishing in the Great Barrier Reef. The comprehensive plan involves buying out gill net licenses and implementing independent data validation for commercial fishing vessels. Additionally, endangered hammerhead sharks will be designated as a "no-take" species in commercial fishing to safeguard their populations from fishing for their flesh and fins. By June 2027, the goal is to establish a Net-Free Reef, ensuring the protection of threatened species such as dugongs, turtles, and dolphins from the hazards of gill nets.

A year-long BBC investigation has exposed a global monkey torture ring spanning from Indonesia to the US. The investigation revealed that customers in the US, United Kingdom, and other countries were paying Indonesians to torture and kill baby long-tailed macaques on film. The sadistic activities were initially conducted on YouTube before migrating to private groups on the encrypted messaging app Telegram. Police are pursuing the buyers, and several arrests have already been made. The investigation has also identified key suspects involved in the distribution and commissioning of these extreme torture videos.

United States (US) regulators have granted approval for the sale of chicken made from animal cells, marking the first time such a product has been authorized. Two California companies, Upside Foods and Good Meat, have been given the green light to offer cultivated meat to restaurants and, eventually, supermarkets. The move represents a significant step toward animal welfare and reducing environmental impacts associated with traditional meat production. Although the products are currently more expensive and limited in production, the companies aim to introduce them in exclusive restaurants initially.

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 Danish government and key Danish political parties have agreed to phase out the state procurement of fast-growing chickens. The agreement involves establishing a working group to assess animal welfare conditions in broiler chicken production, incorporating research, studies, and input from relevant stakeholders. Denmark will also collaborate with other European Union member states to phase out the production of fast-growing broiler chickens at the EU level, emphasizing the importance of breeding measures that prioritize the health and welfare of the animals.

The Presidency of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) has responded to YOUNGO and Food@COP's advocacy efforts, promising to “ensure the availability of plant-based food options that are affordable, nutritious and locally and regionally sourced, with clear emissions labelling.” This response marks a significant achievement for youth activists and civil society, who have long urged for greener catering at climate conferences. COP28 will also prioritize “transformational action on food systems,” with dedicated days and pavilions addressing food, agriculture, and land use.

The European Commission has responded to a European Citizens' Initiative calling on the Commission to uphold and strengthen its ban on cosmetic animal testing. The response provides a comprehensive overview of the European Union's legislative and policy framework on animal testing and suggests additional measures to decrease such practices. The proposed actions include bolstering the cosmetics animal testing ban, working on a roadmap for animal-free chemical safety assessments, and supporting the development of alternative methods with funding. The Commission also aims to accelerate the reduction of animal testing in research, education, and training through various initiatives, including coordination among Member States and workshops for early career scientists.

Italy has introduced draft legislation to the European Commission, seeking to ban cultivated meat and plant-based proteins labeled as meat. Citing concerns for health and cultural heritage, the legislation aims to prohibit using food produced from cell cultures or vertebrate animal tissues. The draft also seeks to prohibit processed products containing exclusively vegetable proteins from being labeled with certain “meat-related” terms. Violators could face fines and other administrative actions. The European Commission will review the draft, and other EU Member States can provide their opinions on the matter.

A Finnish citizens' initiative advocating for the inclusion of fundamental rights for animals in the national constitution has amassed the 50,000 signatures required to be debated by lawmakers in Parliament. The proposal seeks to establish comprehensive legislation safeguarding animals' fundamental rights, including those in the wild and under human care, while also prohibiting harmful breeding practices. Initiated by the Finnish Animal Rights Law Society, the campaign emphasizes animals' interests and needs in both public and private activities. Although animal protection is enshrined in the constitutions of countries like Germany and Brazil, Finland lacks such provisions. The initiative will be submitted to Parliament after the August 27th deadline.

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 Triple S Fair and Rodeo in Selkirk, Manitoba, is updating its rules to require the presence of a qualified veterinarian during its events, following a tragic incident where a horse broke its back leg and was euthanized. The province's Animal Health and Welfare Branch is investigating the incident, prompted by reports from the Winnipeg Humane Society and Animal Justice. A video of the accident showed the distressed horse falling during a bronc riding event. Notably, Manitoba's rodeos currently lack legal requirements for on-site veterinarians.

The Winnipeg Humane Society (WHS) has appointed Krista Boryskavich as its in-house animal advocacy lawyer –– a first for an animal welfare agency in the province. Boryskavich will offer legal advice, work on animal welfare legislation, and collaborate with WHS's board. Howard Almdal, WHS's board chair, highlighted her extensive experience and understanding of animal welfare issues as vital assets for the role. With Boryskavich's leadership, WHS plans to address horse export, combat animal cruelty, and uphold the Animal Care Act.

Animal rescue and advocacy groups are urging the government of Manitoba to restore breeder licensing regulations following a rise in unregulated backyard breeders and puppy mills since the province quietly suspended the licensing requirement in 2013. The story gains prominence through Leo, an undernourished eleven-week-old beagle recently rescued from a backyard breeder. The Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue, which rescued Leo, has received over 2,200 signatures on a petition calling for provincewide legislation, named “Leo's Law,” to regulate backyard breeding.

Lolita, a captive orca held for over fifty years at the Miami Seaquarium, has died before her planned move back to her native waters in Washington state. Lolita, also known as Tokitae or Toki, showed signs of discomfort and was treated for a renal condition but passed away at aged fifty-seven. Animal rights activists had long campaigned for her release and a plan was set in motion to transfer her to a natural sea pen. Lolita retired last year and had not performed publicly since.