NEWS OF THE WEEK:

AG Gag Loses, Theresa May Buckles On Fox Hunting, Jan. 1, 2018 – Jan. 8, 2018

By Leslie Goldberg

IMPORTING DEAD TROPHY ANIMALS

A Texas businessman who paid $275,000 for a Dallas Safari Club hunting permit to travel to Africa and kill a black rhinoceros may not be able to get the carcass home. The Humane Society of the United States and other animal rights organizations are trying to stop the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from issuing the hunter an import permit, arguing that hunting such animals is driving them to extinction. The agency will be accepting public comment until Feb. 5. – (Associated Press, Jan. 5, 2018)

AG GAG LOSES (AGAIN)

The ag gag forces were foiled in Idaho on Thursday, January 4, when a federal appeals court ruled that the state could not criminalize undercover video filming within farms, dairies or slaughterhouses. Idaho tried to argue that video is not covered under the First Amendment. “Without some legitimate explanation we are left to conclude that Idaho is singling out for suppression one mode of speech – audio and video recordings of agricultural operations – to keep suspect practices out of the public eye,” the opinion stated. – (Idaho Statesman, Jan. 4, 2018)

THERESA MAY BUCKLES ON FOX HUNTING

Although she promised conservatives in the UK a vote on whether or not to keep the ban on fox hunting, Prime Minister Theresa May (who is in favor of fox hunting) now says she will not do so: “As I said, my own view hasn’t changed. As prime minister, my job isn’t just about what I think about something. It’s about what the view of the country is.”  A recent poll in England showed that 67 percent of voters believe foxhunting should remain illegal. Inevitably May will face backlash from conservative supporters and hunting groups, The Guardian said. – (The Guardian, Jan. 7, 2018)

USE A DRONE, GO TO JAIL

Nebraska will consider a bill next year which would criminalize using a drone to film above certain areas such as prison yards, other peoples’ homes and, yes, agricultural facilities. Jessie Herrman of the Nebraska Cattlemen Association said her group’s members are concerned that animal rights groups will fly drones over their property without permission. Earlier this year, she said, one animal rights group flew a drone over the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center near Clay Center, Nebraska and may have also photographed a feed lot. – (Associated Press, Jan 7, 2018)

NO STATE MONEY FOR RESEARCH ON DOGS AND CATS

The Virginia state legislature will consider a bill to ban the use of state money to fund research facilities that experiment on dogs and cats. The bill also would require that Virginia State Police keep a public list of those convicted of animal cruelty. People on the list would stay on it for at least 15 years. – (Associated Press, Jan. 7, 2018)