Breaking News and the updates from the Animal Legal Defense Fund. I have attached for everyone the breaking news and the updates regarding many of our concerns regarding the laws that are govening them. Pit Bull's being banned in Montreal, new update. Companion Pets, at what cost does one analyze the value of your Companion, especially when one is seriously injured. Our Grey Wolves in the spotlight again, they are an Endangered Species, and their protection should be guaranteed at all cost. Chickens and their extreme cruelty they face everyday, please take the time to read all the victories and updates for all animals. Another BRAVO to the Animal Legal Defense Fund for all of their work bringing justice for all animals, wildlife and marine life. Mahalo

Animal Law Update is a monthly feature designed to keep our law student and legal professional network informed about the latest in animal law news. On Dec. 1, 2016, the Quebec Court of Appeal overturned a lower court ruling that had temporarily suspended new provisions of Montreal’s animal control by-law banning “pit bull-type dogs.” The suspension order was the result of a lawsuit filed by the Montreal SPCA against the city shortly after the ban went into effect on Oct. 3, 2016. The SPCA argued that the breed-specific provisions in the by-law ran counter “to article 898.1 of the Civil Code of Quebec, which grants animals the status of sentient beings.” The organization also charged that the definition of “pit bull” in the new by-law is too vague. Read on for the details in this developing case. Last month, the Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals reversed a lower court decision that had relied on a strict property analysis in restricting damages to fair market value in a case that involved the serious injury of a companion dog. Ruling that “substantial justice was not done,” the appellate court remanded the case back to the Toledo Municipal Court, instructing it to recalculate the damages to reflect the fact “that pets do not have the same characteristics as other forms of personal property, such as a table or sofa which is disposable and replaceable at our convenience.” Learn more about the latest case on intrinsic value. Great Lakes gray wolves are still protected by the Endangered Species Act (ESA), but their status has been challenged multiple times. On Nov. 23, 2016, the State of Michigan Court of Appeals overturned the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, also known as Public Act 281, which would have allowed wolves in Michigan to be hunted if they are ever removed from the federal ESA list. The decision was the result of a lawsuit brought by Keep Michigan Wolves Protected (KMWP), which challenged the state Natural Resources Commission’s authority to classify gray wolves as a “game species.” Read more about attempts to legalize wolf hunts in Michigan. On Nov. 17, 2016, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s dismissal of a lawsuit challenging California’s ban on the sale of shell eggs obtained from sources that do not comply with its animal care standards. The standards were set by Proposition 2, or the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, passed in 2008, which prohibits the confinement of farmed animals in spaces so small they cannot turn around freely, lie down, stand up and fully extend their limbs. Most egg-laying hens cannot do that in “battery cages,” the cramped and tiny cages that have become industry standard and are outlawed by the new law. Learn about this latest challenge to Proposition 2. While much of the nation’s focus has been riveted on the outcome of the recent presidential election, voters in a handful of states also decided important ballot measures related to animal protection last week. Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly approved An Act to Prevent Cruelty to Farm Animals, Oklahoma voters rejected the dangerous State Question 777 and Oregonians approved the Wildlife Trafficking Prevention Act. Read on to learn more about each win and how the Animal Legal Defense Fund will fight for animal protection no matter the political climate.

BREAKING NEWS!!! Humane Society International has just in the past few hours received word, that South Korea, which has some of the largest dog meat slaughterhouses throughout the providences of Asia, will be shutting down every one of them. Government officials will be helping the vendors and farmers rebuild and create new businesses for them and their families. This is a MAJOR VICTORY.. it is a Miracle.. Mahalo to everyone who signed and shared their Petitions, and BRAVO to Humane Society International for paving the way and never giving up!! Mahalo

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  There is hope. Woohae Cho/AP Images for HSI

Moran Market is South Korea’s largest dog meat market. It supplies one third of all the dog meat consumed in the country, selling an estimated 80,000 dogs—dead or alive—each year.

Now, an incredible announcement: It’s shutting down.

According to The Korea Herald, all 22 dog meat vendors will start removing slaughter facilities and dog cages next week and will completely move them out by early May.

Seongnam City has agreed to provide financial support for them to refurbish their shops for new businesses—a model very similar to the one HSI has been using to transition dog meat farmers out of the trade.

Although Humane Society International was not involved in this particular decision. It was  clear proof  that their model is succeeding and being considered and adopted by government officials. They are working very hard to hold their commitment in safeguarding animals from cruelty. Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung, quoting Mahatma Gandhi, told The Korea Herald: “Seongnam City will take the initiative to transform South Korea’s image since ‘the greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.’”

To date, Humane Society International has closed five dog meat farms and rescued and transported 572 dogs to the United States and Canada to be placed in loving new homes. Our team has also been working to change the perception of “meat dogs” as being somehow different from “pet dogs.”

Humane Society International's ultimate goal is a ban on the dog meat trade, and their strategy is to create the right political and societal circumstances to make this possible.

Officials with Seongnam City have come to an agreement with the 22 dog meat vendors of Moran dog meat market to help them close and refurbish their store fronts to new businesses, a model very similar to the HSI farm closure strategy. The market currently supplies one-third of all dog meat consumed in South Korea, meaning that one-third of the dog meat supply, and the endless suffering that accompanies it, will soon be gone for good.

As soon as next week, slaughterhouses will start to shut down and the cages will start to be removed, with the sale of dog meat in the market ending once and for all by the end of May, 2017

This is an amazing VICTORY for Humane Society International and their tenacity never giving up the fight to save all dogs from slaughter and to shut down Dog Meat Farms throughout Asia.  NOW LETS STOP "CHINA"

Breaking News!!! Australia is about cave in to a very big coal complex that will destroy their Great Barrier Reef. This is the second time they have tried to build their coal complex and now Australia is about to give them a $1billion loan. The Reef is home to many of Endangered Species of Marine life, as well as our sea turtles. This is a wonder of the WORLD.. WE CAN STOP IT AND EVERY SIGNATURE COUNTS ON THIS PETITION.. Please sign and share it is a matter of life and death to the MAGNIFICENT GREAT BARRIER REEF... we can do this!! Mahalo

The Australian government wants to give a $1bn loan to a toxic coal complex next to the Great Barrier Reef, threatening the home of sea turtles and more! we can stop the reef-killing deal with a massive call in Australian media:

Please sign the enclosed PETITION...

               " IT IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH TO AUSTRALIA'S GREAT BARRIER REEF"

They're trying to put a toxic coal complex next to the magical Great Barrier Reef! It’s a crazy plan, but we’ve got a chance to stop it. 

The Australian government wants to give $1 billion to build a massive coal complex that could destroy the sea floor home of turtles and tropical fish. But first an independent panel must approve the loan, and they’ve never come under public pressure.  

It’s time to make them feel the heat. Let’s put this reef-killing deal in a global spotlight with a million person petition and a massive campaign in the Australian media — add your name: 

Click to save the Great Barrier Reef

The Reef is one of our planet’s natural wonders but it's dying fast. Scientists say it’s literally being cooked to death by waters warmed by climate change. This coal complex is so gigantic it will make warming worse - for the reef and all of us!

The Australian government is desperate to create jobs, but reports show the coal complex will cost $680,000 in taxpayer money for each new job created. It's an epically stupid plan.    

This is a do or die moment for the reef-wrecking coal complex: the company behind it is buried in debt, and without this loan their finances could fall apart. Let’s stop the reef-killing deal — add your voice now:  

Click to save the Great Barrier Reef

Avaaz has always had everyone's back and has mobilized almost every time to blocking the financing and support for this coal complex! This could be the last time — let's get an epic win for the planet, and for future generations. 


PS - Every signature really does matter! Sign here. 

MORE INFORMATION
Great Barrier Reef Hit by Worst Coral Die-Off on Record (New York Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/29/world/australia/great-barrier-reef-coral-bleaching.html

Adani coal mine: green groups fume over plan for $1b federal loan (The Guardian)
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/dec/03/adani-coal-mine-green-groups-fume-over-plan-for-1b-federal-loan