NEWS OF THE WEEK:

Animal Rights Film For Kids, Illinois Pushes To Get Tougher On Animal Abusers & More, Nov. 20 – Dec. 1, 2017

By Leslie Goldberg

"Ferdinand," an animated animal rights film for kids about a gentle bull, will be in theaters Dec. 15.

GETTING TOUGHER ON ANIMAL ABUSERS

Anything that limits gun ownership is fine with me. Currently, under federal law, individuals convicted of domestic violence lose their right to buy a gun. Now the Illinois State Crime Commission is pushing to extend that law to include people who are convicted of animal abuse. They point to studies indicating that violence against animals is a precursor to violence against people. (NPR Illinois)

 TIGER SHOT IN PARIS

A one and a half year-old tiger named Mevy was shot and killed after she escaped from a circus cage in Paris.  The “owner” of the tiger said that her cage had been cut open in a “malicious act.” The incident renewed calls by animal rights activists to ban the use of live animals in circuses. According to an article in rfi, the use of live animals in circuses has been banned in 29 countries and 63 French towns and cities. (rfi)

PRO-ANIMAL RIGHTS KIDS’ MOVIE COMING SOON

A California farm sanctuary, The Gentle Barn, has teamed up with 20th Century Fox and the plant-based beverage company Zevia to produce “Ferdinand,” an animated flick about a gentle bull torn from his home to be exploited by Spain’s bullfighting industry. Ferdinand’s cohorts, some goats, bunnies and hedgehogs, help him to return home. Gentle Barn founder Ellie Laks said her sanctuary is a “place of healing” and one “where children learn that even though we might look different on the outside, we’re all the same on the inside.

“My hope is that ‘Ferdinand’ will not only raise awareness but will bring about great change in the way people think.” ‘Ferdinand’ debuts in theaters nationwide on Dec. 15. You can visit the real Ferdinand at The Gentle Barn located 40 miles north of Los Angeles. (VegNews)

GREYHOUND RACING BAN PASSES FIRST HURDLE

Greyhound racing, a cruel sport that brutalizes dogs, may soon come to an end in Florida. A proposed constitutional amendment unanimously cleared its first committee in the state’s legislature. While plenty of dog lovers attended the committee hearing in support of the amendment, industry advocates were conspicuously absent. One of the commissioners noted:  “They’re not here because they know they could not win today. But they are not gone. They operate in the shadows." (News-Press)

EVEN CONVENIENCE STORES ARE STARTING TO GO VEGAN

While junk food has traditionally included animal “products,” you may start to see some changes at the neighborhood 7-11 and at gas station “grocery” stores. Market researchers are noting that more and more consumers want their candy 1) organic; 2) vegan; and 3) high in protein. And stop calling them “candy bars.” They are “nutrition bars.” (Convenience Store News)

SPEAKING OF JUNK FOOD

Pizza Hut is now offering vegan pizza in the U.K. Forbes magazine says: “This decision by Pizza Hut is huge because it will not only give vegans another option when craving something savory, but will also be celebrated by those who are lactose intolerant. It’s also great news for health-conscious consumers who are concerned about the link between dairy and heart disease.” Tell it Forbes! (Forbes)