US: Animal-rights activist sent to federal prison in mink case The founder of an animal-rights group will spend 10 months in federal prison and serve 36 months of supervised release for refusing to testify about attacks on mink farms. U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart handed down the sentence Wednesday to Jordan Halliday at the federal courthouse in Salt Lake City. Halliday in July pleaded guilty to contempt of court for refusing to testify about attacking the mink farms. By refusing to testify, he did not comply with an order by U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell to go before a grand jury. US: Animal Rights Activists Share Naked Truth at Pioneer Square “There's nothing sexier than wearing your own skin,” says Meggan Anderson (pictured above in the middle), who used her topless torso spray painted like a cat's skin to draw attention the cruelty animals suffer for their furs. Anderson and others from national animal rights group PETA, which is based in Virginia, came to Pioneer Courthouse Square and held protest signs over their chests this afternoon in Downtown Portland. They are in the middle of a Northwest sweep this week which includes Seattle and Vancouver Fashion Week in British Columbia According to a press release from PETA, animals are sometimes electrocuted, poisoned, gassed, and have their necks broken for their skins and hides. Snakes have hoses rammed into their mouths and are pumped full of water, so workers can more easily skin them alive. West Virginia: Citizen group aims to protect animal rights Animal Advocates of West Virginia, an ad hoc grassroots citizens' workgroup, is committed to protecting animals and promoting the humane care and treatment of them through education and advocacy. Efforts are focused on Berkeley County, but members include residents from throughout the Eastern Panhandle. AAWV was formed in May 2010 as an off-shoot of a group called UnchainBerkeleyCounty, which successfully petitioned the Berkeley County Commission to enact a dog-tethering ordinance. AAWV talks for the animals by giving them a voice as it is apparent that all animals in this county need representation to protect their fragile lives. AAWV strives to work with the various county and private agencies involved with animal issues in order to assist them in their activities in any way possible. Members have varied backgrounds in rescue operations, adoption programs, humane education and animal companionship. Of great concern is the existence of puppy mills, hoarding, abuse and cruelty, spay/neuter issues and overpopulation and inadequate state and local laws. Philippines: North Cotabato execs drop horse fighting in fiestas The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has lauded the move of North Cotabato officials to scrap horse fighting as one of the centers of attraction during fiesta celebrations. In a statement posted on its website, PETA said the officials made a historic move by ending what it described as a centuries-old barbaric tradition. Horse fighting is a tradition among lumad people of the province and many local government units adopted it for fiestas and other major celebrations. GNWT amends animal protection laws It was once called Legislation with no teeth. The NWT's animal protection act is now getting closer to what animal rights' activists are looking for. The amended Dog Act will allow authorities to impose a fine of up to $5,000 and/or three months in jail if someone is found abusing or neglecting their dogs. That's up from the $25 or 30 days in jail in the current Act written over 50 years ago. The amended legislation also gives by-law officers the power to take custody of a dog in distress or an abandoned dog. BM
