AltWeeklies Wire
Ducking the Debatenew

California chefs turned lobbyists take to Sacramento to challenge the state's foie gras ban.
Sacramento News & Review |
Nick Miller |
05-10-2012 |
Animal Issues
Fixers, Feeders, and the Strange, Hidden World of Feral Catsnew
Thirty thousand cats are euthanized every year in Colorado, double the rate of dogs. Some volunteers are trying to reduce the kill rate by trapping ferals, spaying or neutering them, then returning them. But trap-neuter-return is a controversial solution, often unpopular with communities afflicted by the colonies.
Westword |
Alan Prendergast |
11-23-2009 |
Animal Issues
Boston's Rat Population Explodes Amongst Economic Collapsenew

With more and more foreclosed and abandoned properties making it harder for planners and exterminators to combat pestilence, anecdotal and empirical evidence suggests that Boston's rodent problem is only getting worse.
Boston Phoenix |
Chris Faraone |
11-16-2009 |
Animal Issues
In South Florida, Dogfighting Rages on Despite Tough Lawsnew

What seemed like a straightforward case in Boynton Beach would ultimately evolve into an expensive and drawn-out legal quagmire that would serve as a test case for Florida's new laws targeting the clandestine world of dogfighting.
Miami New Times |
Michael J. Mooney and Tim Elfrink |
10-26-2009 |
Animal Issues
Are Sea Lions Too Cute to Shoot?new
As the number of sea lions in San Francisco explodes, the creatures have bitten and bumped swimmers, poached fishermen's catches, sunk boats, and damaged docks. Many would like to see the nuisance creatures banished, but the potential for a public relations disaster is high.
SF Weekly |
Ashley Harrell |
10-07-2009 |
Animal Issues
Shark Attack -- Oops, Shark Accident -- Victim Defends the Beasts on Capitol Hillnew
Michael Beach recently joined eight other survivors on Capitol Hill to lobby legislators to pass the Shark Conservation Act of 2009, introduced by Sen. John Kerry. It would close loopholes related to "finning," the brutal practice of slicing off live sharks' fins for soup.
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
08-17-2009 |
Animal Issues
Will Wolves Be Saved Under New Mexico's Recovery Program?new
Under a questionable partnership, the Fish and Wildlife Service has managed to give away its statutory responsibility to recover endangered species to a consortium of agencies, allege critics of the way wolf introduction is being managed in the southwest. Wolves are being removed -- or killed -- by the very people charged with reintroducing the animals to the wild.
Santa Fe Reporter |
Laura Paskus |
07-16-2009 |
Animal Issues
Service Animals Are a Big Bone of Contention in Grocery Storesnew
Grocery stores are on a short leash when it comes to excluding pets deemed by their human companions to be service animals, because animals are considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified for that function by a state or local government.
Willamette Week |
Megan Brescini |
07-08-2009 |
Animal Issues
Have San Francisco's Service Animal Laws Gone to the Dogs?new

In San Francisco, snakes, lizards, pit bulls, chickens, pigeons, and rodents have all been declared service animals, hauled onto public transportation, housed legally in city apartments, and, essentially, given the full run of the city.
SF Weekly |
Joe Eskenazi |
06-17-2009 |
Animal Issues
Scenes From the Life of a Racing Greyhoundnew

Although a well-organized anti-racing lobby now has its sights set on the Sunshine State, it's hard to tell if legislative efforts are hastening or hindering the end of this moribund industry.
New Times Broward-Palm Beach |
Michael J. Mooney |
05-26-2009 |
Animal Issues
Dale Bozzio's Notorious New Hampshire Cat Housenew
Can an '80s pop icon find peace in rural New England in a house full of feral felines? Apparently not.
Boston Phoenix |
Ashley Rigazio |
04-23-2009 |
Animal Issues
Tags: Dale Bozzio, animal issues
Serious Monkey Businessnew
When will people learn that non-domesticated animals are dangerous?
Tucson Weekly |
Catherine O'Sullivan |
03-05-2009 |
Animal Issues
Tags: animal issues, commentary
Miramar Landfill Swallows Great Whalenew
San Diego officials are faced with the timeless question of what to do with the carcass of a really big animal.
San Diego CityBeat |
David Silva |
03-04-2009 |
Animal Issues
When Animal Activists Attacknew
Bit on the set of a Rick Ross video, animal handler Mark McCarthy now squares off against activists.
Miami New Times |
Amy Guthrie |
03-02-2009 |
Animal Issues
Pigs Gone Wild: Feral Swine are Tearing it Up in Oregonnew

Call them swine, hogs, pigs or boars, call them what you want, but Oregon calls them an invasive species and has come up with a Feral Swine Action Plan to get rid of the porky pests.
Eugene Weekly |
Camilla Mortensen |
02-05-2009 |
Animal Issues