Settlement cases stemming from a lawsuit brought against Ringling over the care of elephants WASHINGTON D.C.––The Humane Society of the U.S. and codefendants “have paid Feld Entertainment, Inc., the parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, $15.75 million to settle cases stemming from a lawsuit they brought against Ringling over the […]
Iron Maiden undercover probe reveals the poop on pig farming
More than most of the public cared to know OWENSBORO, Kentucky––The American public on February 20, 2014 learned more about pig feeding and porcine epidemic diarrhea than almost anyone wanted to know. Humane Society of the U.S. investigators working undercover at Iron Maiden Farms in Owensboro, Kentucky in early 2014 expected to videotape the use […]
Pat Derby founded the Performing Animal Welfare Society & ARK 2000 sanctuary
Performer turned sanctuarian Pat Derby, 69, founder of the Performing Animal Welfare Society, died from throat cancer on February 15, 2013 at her home on the ARK 2000 sanctuary she built near San Andreas, California. “Ed Stewart, her partner of 37 years, was by her side,” said the PAWS death announcement. Best seller Derby’s 1976 […]
Ousted In Defense of Animals executive director takes dossier to state attorney general’s office
March 2013 SAN RAFAEL, California––Four executive directors and founder Elliot Katz have left the top management position at In Defense of Animals since 2009. Joe Haptas, the IDA executive director since July 2012, was suspended by the board on February 9, 2013, and responded on February 12, 2013 by demanding the resignations by 6:00 p.m. […]
L.A. shelter deal transfers cash crunch to Best Friends
LOS ANGELES–“There is progress in Los Angeles!” exulted City of Los Angeles Animal Services general manager Brenda Barnette on January 5, 2012, anticipating the imminent transition of the idle Northeast Animal Care Center from a costly liability to an operating asset, run by the Best Friends Animal Society. “The contract between the city and […]
Mercy for Animals exposes cruelty at a Texas factory catfish farm
First undercover video from inside the catfishing industry DALLAS––Probably more fish consumers were puzzled––at first––than shocked on January 19, 2011 when Mercy for Animals released undercover video of alleged criminal animal abuse at Catfish Corner, in eastern Dallas County. “I don’t get too many calls about inhumaneness to fish,” Dallas fish market owner Rex […]
Wills bankrupt; Horse thief too?; Ex-HSUS vp Wills cops a plea
by Merritt Clifton Wills bankrupt Former Humane Society of the U.S. vice president David Wills on August 22 filed for personal bankruptcy. Among his 17 listed creditors were HSUS, which in October 1995 fired Wills and later sued him for allegedly misappropriating $93,000; John Hoyt, president of HSUS and Humane Society International from 1970 until […]
Henry Spira, 71, founder of the animal rights movement
Henry Spira, 71, died in his sleep on September 12, 1998 from esophageal cancer, after an uncomplaining three-year battle. Encouraging Peter Singer to expand a 1973 essay on why animals should enjoy rights into the book Animal Liberation, while taking a night course from Singer, Spira virtually created the animal rights movement by leading his classmates […]
HSUS isn’t talking
by Merritt Clifton November 1995 WASHINGTON D.C. ––At deadline the Humane Society of the U.S. had neither confirmed nor denied a report from an HSUS source that the board of directors, responding to a petition signed by 41 staffers, agreed over the Columbus Day weekend, October 7-9, to prosecute David Wills, 48, for allegedly embezzling […]
Humane Society of the U.S. settles affairs without a Wills
by Merritt Clifton WASHINGTON, D.C.––Humane Society of the United States executive vice president Patricia Forkan is to assume authority over HSUS domestic operations effective on January 1, 1996. HSUS president Paul Irwin, now heading domestic operations, will move over to head the umbrella organization, Humane Society International, while current HSI president John Hoyt, 65, will […]