Uncovering the nasty origins of an ugly event OMAK, Washington––The 88th edition of the bizarre and often deadly “World Famous Suicide Race” held annually in Omak, Washington, is to conclude on August 14, 2022, as the final event of the annual Omak Stampede Rodeo. Bizarre as is the race itself, down an extremely steep […]
Horses die by the hundreds on pilgrimage to honor the Hindu “God of all animals”
What if 600 horses died climbing Pikes Peak? DEHRADUN, Uttarakhand, India––One might imagine that the annual pilgrimage to Kedarnath, a temple in the Himalayas built in honor of Lord Pashupatinath, the Hindu god of all animals, might be undertaken with particular attention to animal welfare. But then, one might also expect all four legs of […]
Rooster’s Rescue: paint-ball profits (if any) did not sustain sanctuary
Guns, drugs, & 71 neglected animals FLEMINGTON, New Jersey––Among all the two-dozen odd busts of allegedly negligent animal rescues going down during the first six months of 2022, the May 26, 2022 impoundment of 71 animals from Rooster’s Rescue Foundation Inc. in Flemington, New Jersey, might have stood out even if the property owner had […]
Walking Horse National Celebration: don’t bet on the numbers
“Banned for life” trainer passed out a trophy SHELBYVILLE, Tennessee––Just what was celebrated at the 2021 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration? It wasn’t certainly wasn’t either ethics or economic success. Attendance, participation, and prize money claims included in Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration publicity appear to distort reality at least as much as the […]
Pit bull & animal neglect defense lawyer pleads in murder-for-hire plot
Seven felonies & four misdemeanors could bring life sentence EVERGREEN, Colorado––Animal Law Center founder Jennifer Reba Edwards Emmi, 43, previously best known for defending alleged dangerous dogs and accused animal hoarders, is due to be sentenced on August 16, 2021 after pleading guilty to seven felonies and four misdemeanors. Edwards on June 28, 2021 pleaded […]
Colorado pit bull defense lawyer charged in alleged murder-for-hire plot
Animal Law Center founder Jennifer Edwards now has more in common with “Joe Exotic” than just initials and notoriety [UPDATE: Jen gets 10: Colorado pit bull defense lawyer sentenced for hit plot.] EVERGREEN, Colorado––Animal Law Center founder Jennifer Reba Edwards, 43, central to efforts to overturn and weaken Colorado dangerous dog laws, now has […]
Will anti-show horse soring bill pull up lame through last-hurdle compromise?
What would Marty Irby, Wayne Pacelle & Lamar Alexander think if weighted shoes were on their feet? UPDATE received on December 18, 2020, from Bernard Unti, senior policy advisor, Humane Society of the U.S.: “I’m pleased to share the news that the reckless attempt by an embittered faction within animal protection to swap in a […]
A Traitor To His Species: Henry Bergh & The Birth Of The Animal Rights Movement
by Ernest Freeberg 322 pages, hardcover. $30.00. Basic Books Hachette Book Group 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104 www.basicbooks.com Reviewed by Merritt Clifton Perhaps the first question to ask about a new biography of Henry Bergh, of whom more than 50 have reputedly been written already, with at least four close to […]
Race track deaths upstage notice of horses “retired” due to injury
45 horses dead on three Southern California tracks during 2019 seasons––and 39 at Belmont alone LOS ALAMITOS, California––Two horse deaths in the first race of the next-to-last-day of the Los Alamitos Race Course on December 14, 2019 renewed attention to high injury toll in horse racing, but upstaged the disintegration of the California Equine Retirement […]
California Equine Retirement Foundation runs into deep muck
Current leadership allegedly squandered assets & 27-year positive track record under ousted founder SAN JACINTO, California––Among the 80-odd animal shelters, sanctuaries, and nonprofit rescue organizations foundering in 2019, the California Equine Retirement Foundation (CERF) has probably run through the most money over the past five years. Along the way, CERF blew the the best reputation […]