Neither Stampede’s signature event resembles any authentic Old West or Native American tradition OMAK, Washington; CALGARY, Alberta––The 2026 “stampede” subset of the rodeo season, consisting most notoriously of the annual Calgary Stampede and Omak Stampede, ended on August 16, 2026 with the fourth and last running of the year of the Omak “Suicide Race.” Riders […]
California state senators grovel before cockfighters’ “cultural” defense”
California Association for the Preservation of Gamefowl argues that 90% of game fowl breeders are Latino. So are 89% of 90 recent cockfighting-related murder victims. SACRAMENTO, California––California state assembly member Chris Rogers, a Democrat from Ukiah, might have imagined his anti-cockfighting bill, AB 928, would easily clear the state senate appropriations committee on August 3, […]
The parakeets of Creekside Birds: up guano creek west of Paden, Oklahoma
From official indifference after PETA report, one might imagine Creekside Birds to be a cockpit PADEN, Oklahoma––There is not much of a creek near Creekside Birds LLC, on U.S. Highway 62 west of Paden, Oklahoma. Though the Creekside Birds address is in Paden, Okfuskee County, human population 419, the metal-clad parakeet breeding barn is actually […]
The myth of the big bad wolf: the truth of living among wolves & wolf history
by Wayne Pacelle with Merritt Clifton (Adapted and expanded from “The Persistence of the Myth of the Big Bad Wolf,” distributed by Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy on August 11, 2026.) On August 4, 2026, Senator Ron Johnson, a three-term Republican from Wisconsin, stood at his desk in the ornate U.S. Senate chamber […]
Alfred M. Kailihiwa & Susan Solari died in the line of duty toward animals
Murder victim Alfred M. Kailihiwa was feeding cats; fire victim Susan Solari stayed with her dogs KAHULUI, Hawaii; ANGELS CAMP, California––Neuter/return cat trapper Alfred M. Kailihiwa, 71, of Waihee, Hawaii, allegedly murdered on August 6, 2026, and German shepherd breeder Susan Solari, 70, of Angel’s Camp, California, a wildfire victim reported dead the same day, […]
Bursting the animal-killing $2.8 billion-a-year balloon release bubble
Louisiana becomes 12th state to ban balloon releases BATON ROUGE, Louisiana; GLASGOW, Scotland––Effective on August 1, 2026, intentionally releasing a balloon or planning the organized release of 12 or more balloons became illegal in Louisiana. Violations carry fines ranging from $500 up to $2,500. Act 196, amending the Louisiana littering law to include outdoor balloon […]
The Wild Truth about wildlife videos & our efforts to tell it, by Amy Dickens
Editors’ note: “Amy Dickens,” the pseudonym used by the author of the following guest column, will be quickly recognized as such by anyone aware that British author Charles Dickens’ most memorable female character was arguably Amy Dorrit, heroine of his novel Little Dorrit, published serially in 1855-1857. ANIMALS 24-7 does not know who “Amy Dickens” is. […]
Pigs win U.S. Senate bean-shooter “Showdown at the Not OK Coral”
The Save Our Bacon Act, or SOB Act, fails to advance WASHINGTON D.C.––The much anticipated August 6, 2026 “Showdown at the Not Okay Corral” might as well have been fought with bean shooters––SNAP bean shooters––for all that the outcome meant toward passing a 2026 Farm Bill. The 2026 Farm Bill failed by an 11-10 vote […]
Showdown day at the Not Okay Corral comes to Congress
The “Save Our Bacon Act” a.k.a. the “SOB Act,” and the FIGHT Act head a long list of Farm Bill 2026 showdown items WASHINGTON D.C.––Thursday, August 6, 2026 is mark-up and amendment day, for reconciliation of the Senate and House of Representatives versions 2026 Farm Bill. That makes August 6, 2026 the showdown day at […]
Where do the Democratic Socialists of America stand on animal issues?
Activist, author, & Slaughter-Free America blogger Jon Hochschartner looks for answers ANIMALS 24-7 preface: Founded in 1982, but emerging only recently as a leading political influence on the U.S. national scene, the Democratic Socialists of America campaign in primary elections and caucus in elected office as Democrats. Yet, drawing distinct lines between themselves and traditional […]