Written & illustrated by Obi Kaufmann 639 pages $55.00 from HeydayBooks.com Yes, The Coasts of California would make an excellent holiday season gift for anyone interested in nature, ecology, hiking, or just in California generally, if only by reason of living there and wanting to understand the habitat and the socio-economic and political issues associated […]
Boone County “Mexican rodeo” bucks Mexican rodeo rules
If Boone County mayhem is “Mexican culture,” why doesn’t it follow the Mexican rulebook? BELVIDERE, Illinois––Two months of pretense by public officials in Boone County, Illinois, that violent abuse of steers and horses at local charreada or Mexican-style participant rodeos can be defended as part of Mexican-American culture appeared to disintegrate on November 3, 2022 […]
Impoundments from hoarding cases down 90% in six years––why?
No-kill shelters & “rescues” are failing at half the rate of 2016, but the reason appears to be growing reluctance by animal care & control agencies to undertake mass impoundments LITTLEROCK, California––Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control public information officer Don Belton waited until Halloween, October 31, 2022, to disclose a raid […]
The “Big Lick,” Tunica, & the smell of horse manure in the morning
“Big Lick” industry hopes to raise a defense fund at show finale brunches in center ring TUNICA, Mississippi––Tennessee walking horse “Big Lick” fanciers either love the smell of horse manure in the morning, or, when converging for shows at the Paul Battle Arena, miss the odor of Sugar Ditch Alley, the open sewer for which […]
Drivers Jamie Burnam & Pam Rock, killed by dogs, exemplify rising trend
Attacks on mail carriers nearly double in 18 years EXCELSIOR, Missouri––Jamie Burnam, 49, the Amazon delivery driver killed by dogs in Excelsior, Missouri, on October 24, 2022, was known to fellow delivery drivers and Heartland Delivery Services dispatcher Neashya Wright for conscientious work, including safety awareness. That did not save him from the German shepherd […]
Rats or guinea pigs––which rodent will inherit New York City?
Pending bill to ban guinea pig sales is far more likely to succeed than rat control bills passed by 44-6 margins NEW YORK CITY–– “Legislation to prohibit New York City pet stores from selling guinea pigs has 35 co-sponsors in the New York City Council – this is incredible!” exulted Voters for Animal Rights […]
Horse defenders ask, “Where are the Cheshire cats of equine advocacy?”
Barn-sour big groups leave the hard work to Lone Rangers Fighting the horse’s rear ends promoting the horse racing industry, rodeo, and “Big Lick” horse exhibition, Political Animals founder Sherry DeBoer, Action for Animals founder Eric Mills, Showing Animals Respect & Kindness founder Steve Hindi, and Citizens Campaign Against “Big Lick” Animal Cruelty founder Clant […]
Patty Bonney, 92, quietly did more for animals than most activists
Behind-the-scenes person for ANIMALS 24-7, & that was perhaps the least of all she did Patricia “Patty” Bonney, 92, suffered terminal heart failure on October 22, 2022 at the converted stable in Beaverton, Oregon, that was her home since 1960. Never known or self-described as an activist, Patty nonetheless contributed endless volunteer effort throughout her […]
“The Conversation” & the pit bull shit
Five howling factual errors in just the first three lines The Conversation, an online periodical publishing only academic authors, claiming to reach more than 10 million people throughout the English-speaking world, prides itself on fact-checking and peer-reviewed content, albeit allowing little or no opportunity for non-academics to respond to errors and offer corrections. The Conversation […]
Darlene Wohler Larson, 78, mentored generation of animal care workers
Best known for long tenures with the National Animal Control Association & ASPCA Darlene Wohler Larson, 78, died on October 17, 2022. “She had entered hospice after extended hospital care following surgery,” longtime friend Bob Marotto announced via Facebook. “Darlene was an extraordinary and beloved person of great professional accomplishment,” Marotto said, but “never forgot […]