Promotions & defenses of the AR-15 and pit bulls are among “America’s big lies” WASHINGTON D.C.; KANAB, Utah––An AR-15, as the world knows now, dubbed “America’s rifle,” was on May 24, 2022 used yet again to massacre Americans, this time 19 fourth graders and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. (See […]
Weary (and wary) rescuers decry dangerous dogs, yet never say “pit bull”
Statements otherwise echo decades of warnings from ANIMALS 24-7 DETROIT, Michigan––Kristina Millman-Rinaldi, who in 2011 founded Detroit Dog Rescue, billed as “Detroit’s first no-kill shelter,” rattled the overlapping “no kill” and “rescue” worlds on March 12, 2022 by posting to Facebook a critique of the prevailing “no kill” and “rescue” philosophy strikingly similar in […]
Best Friends wants you pay more for insurance to subsidize pit bulls
Why laws forcing insurers to cover pit bulls, Rottweilers, et al are literally no skin off the insurance industry’s buttocks ALBANY, New York; PHOENIX, Arizona; RENO, Nevada––New York and Nevada state laws have since the beginning of 2022 required every homeowner and renter to subsidize the few who keep pit bulls by prohibiting insurance […]
Public shelters: refuge for animals or not?
by Wendolyn Aragon, president, Pet Assistance Foundation Soon after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S. nearly two years ago, in 2020, most U.S. animal shelters adopted some variation of managed admissions, an approach long promoted by the “no kill” movement, only admitting animals in need of emergency care. This was concerning, since it was breeding […]
$20.8 million jury award for California dog attack
Retired police dog chased mail carrier before killing man, mauling woman EXETER, California––A San Luis Obispo County jury on July 28, 2021 awarded $7 million to Rachel, Sarah, and Steven Fear, the adult survivors of December 2016 dog attack victim David Fear, plus $13.8 million to David Fear’s former neighbor, Betty Long, who was […]
Pit bulls & the humane community
Pit bulls & the humane community • 15 years ago Michael Vick’s pit bulls killed the humane movement • Pit bull star of 100+ Abandoned Dogs of Everglades Florida kills volunteer • “Rescuer” Heidi Lueders acquitted of allegedly starving five pit bulls to death • Caring for bears & a homeless woman contrasts to caring […]
What to call cats, & why it matters: evolving terms
Part 1 of a four-part series. See also: “Vagrant” or “feral” cats; Feral cats & street dogs; and “Community cats” vs. community health. Some of the hottest discussion at the upcoming AR 2016 national animal rights conference in Los Angeles, coming up July 7-10, is expected to pertain to neuter/return of feral cats, with good […]
HSUS & Best Friends throw puppy mill pups to pit bulls
Pit bull-pushing legislation in Arizona undoes ban on selling puppy mill pups PHOENIX, Arizona––Losing six spring 2016 attempts to ban at the state level breed-specific local ordinances meant to protect the public and other pets from pit bull attacks, the Best Friends Animal Society on May 19, 2016 won a ban on breed-specific legislation […]
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 […]
Hurricane Katrina & Rita rescuers shift gears from rescue & reunion to rehoming
NEW ORLEANS–All animals rescued from the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita became eligible for adoption on December 15, 2005, following the expiration of the last mandatory holding periods prescribed by the Louisiana and Mississippi state veterinarians. “We’re setting up two new rescue centers, in New Orleans and Gulfport,” Best Friends Animal Society president Michael […]