Latest news with #AnimalLegalDefenseFund
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New Washington law restricts circus animal use
Washington is now the 12th state to restrict the use of animals in traveling acts such as circuses, petting zoos, and carnivals. Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5065 on April 22. It prohibits the use of elephants, wildcats such as lions and tigers, primates such as monkeys and gorillas, and bears in traveling shows. The bill won't impact zoos or sanctuaries. A violation could result in up to a $5,000 fine and jail time of up to 364 days. According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund, captive wild animals had limited legal protections in Washington prior to this bill. The new law will go into effect in July.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers consider bill that would ban historic facet of American entertainment: 'A lifetime of misery'
Washington state is considering a bill that would ban wild animals in circuses — a step forward for animal welfare and public safety, reported the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Senate Bill 5065, known as the "Circus Bill," would prohibit the use of big cats, bears, nonhuman primates, and elephants in traveling animal shows throughout Washington. Senator Marko Liias introduced the bill in January 2025 with support from eight cosponsors. "Captive wild animals in circuses spend most of their days in cramped, barren cages, deprived of the ability to engage in their natural behaviors. Forced to perform frightening and sometimes painful tricks, they often endure a lifetime of misery," explains the Animal Legal Defense Fund, which supports the legislation. This lifestyle is a far cry from what these magnificent creatures deserve. The bill responds to documented problems with circus companies that visit Washington. Culpepper & Merriweather Circus has been cited for failing to provide animals with proper shelter, space, and care. Jordan World Circus has been linked to dangerous incidents, including a bear, tiger, and elephants escaping, with one elephant killing a handler and attacking a trainer during children's rides. For families that enjoy kid-friendly, live entertainment, this doesn't mean the end of circuses — just a more humane approach to them. Modern circuses like Cirque du Soleil have shown that outstanding human performances can captivate audiences without animal suffering. If passed, Washington would join eight other states with similar protections, including California, Colorado, and Massachusetts. Several Washington cities already have local bans in place. Critics worry about the economic impact on traditional circuses and the loss of circus-centered cultural traditions. However, animal-free circuses have proven financially successful, and many former animal trainers have found rewarding careers in animal sanctuaries or human-only performances. By saying yes to this bill, Washington can create safer communities while showing compassion for animals that deserve better. Should the government be able to control how we heat our homes? Definitely Only if it saves money I'm not sure No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Washington's new law cracks down on controversial industry practice: 'This testing is unnecessary'
A recent Washington state law prohibits cosmetic testing on animals. This groundbreaking decision will safeguard animal rights by banning the sale of cosmetics that are tested on animals, according to the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF). It was introduced last year, signed in March 2024, and went into effect in January 2025, making Washington the 12th state to pass such legislation. As the ALDF explained, "This testing is unnecessary: Not only can safe cosmetics already be made using existing ingredients, but new technologies are also available that are more effective and reliable." Violators will be fined. If you look at the ingredients when you buy cosmetics, what are you primarily checking for? Price impact of ingredients Health impact of ingredients Environmental impact of ingredients I don't usually check Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. There are some notable exceptions to the bill, which you should keep in mind if you're shopping for cosmetics in Washington. It allows for the sale of foreign cosmetics that require animal testing in their specific countries, and if there is no alternative. In a roundabout way, animal testing also hurts humans. According to the Humane Society of the United States, "Animals often respond differently than humans when exposed to the same chemicals, leading to inaccurate estimates of real-world hazards to people." By banning animal testing, Washington state (and states with similar laws) can uplift companies that focus on more accurate, advanced testing methods that ultimately keep consumers safer. This will also help the planet, according to a study published in MDPI and summarized in Faunalytics. Though the specific numbers aren't known — companies aren't required to report the number of animals they test — researchers estimate that it's in the thousands. Many of these animals have toxins and carcinogens in their bodies at the time of death, and their carcasses are disposed of through incineration. Burning these carcasses en masse releases toxic chemicals into the atmosphere, further polluting the planet. Other states have also passed laws to minimize the harmful environmental effects that human treatment of animals can have. Virginia, for example, passed a law last year adding waste management rules for large farms, where nitrogen and bacteria from livestock excrement can pollute the water. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Yahoo
WA rabbits targeted with darts, $5K reward offered
The Brief Rabbits are being found in Vancouver, Washington with blow darts embedded in them. The ALDF is offering a $5,000 reward for anyone with information about the acts. VANCOUVER, Wash. - Rabbits are being found in Vancouver, Washington with blow darts in them. Local officials say the area is near a school and fear for the safety of children in the area. Since November, Clark County Animal Protection and Control has responded to 10 reports of injured rabbits in the vicinity of Fourth Plain Blvd. South to Burton Road and Andresen Road east to Northeast 98th Avenue in Vancouver. This is described as a densely populated area where school children are passing lawns where more blow darts are being found. There is now a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of whoever is firing the darts. In addition to rabbits, local officials report finding a migratory woodpecker with a blow dart embedded in the abdomen seen at a feeder in the area. What they're saying "Discharging blow darts in a residential area puts everyone in the community, including children, at risk in addition to the prolonged suffering these rabbits and birds are enduring," said Clark County Animal Protection and Control Manager William Oglesby. "Washington's animal cruelty laws prohibit the infliction of pain, injury or death on animals, and these recent reports of dead and seriously injured rabbits, left to suffer in these residential neighborhoods, is certainly a crime," said ALDF Animal Cruelty Investigations Manager Linda Fielder. "We are hopeful that members of the community are able to come forward with information that will lead to justice for these animals and prevent similar actions in the future," she continued. What you can do Anyone with information is urged to contact Clark County Animal Protection and Control at animal@ or 564-397-2488. If you have any doorbell or other camera video you can share showing someone using a blow dart gun in the area it can be emailed to the above address. The Source Information for this article comes from the Animal Legal Defense Fund. 18-year-old arrested in connection to multiple strong arm robberies in WA College student shot in both legs while inside Lakewood shopping center 14-year-old dies in South Seattle, mother arrested Remembering Alaska Airlines Flight 261: 25 years since tragic crash Former Sumner basketball coach found guilty of sexually abusing players To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
