Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Jeff Brandes Files Bill to Expand Animal Abuse Prosecution



Jeff Brandes Files Bill to Expand Animal Abuse Prosecution

| Posted: January 28, 2013 6:01 PM
Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, has filed a bill, SB 504, intended to make it easier to prosecute those who abuse animals through animal fighting.

“Violence against animals is a serious problem, and I’m committed to ensuring that our law enforcement and prosecutors have the necessary tools to bring animal abusers to justice,” Brandes stated in a release.

“I believe it’s important to prevent this type of violence, and I look forward to swift approval by the Senate.”

According to the release, the bill would allow offenders to face multiple counts of animal abuse when multiple animals are involved, amending language that typically narrows offenders to a single charge.



Tuesday, January 29, 2013

A Pet Food Nightmare - Beneful Dog Food Watch

Here's a beautiful, young Golden Retriever they believe died from eating Beneful Dog Food.  There's been a recent recall.  Check your pantry.  

A Pet Food Nightmare

Dead Dog and 'Parents' Sue Vet for Malpractice | WUSF News

Here's a Florida veterinary malpractice case.  Meet Carmella the dog and her parents who filed suit against a Tampa Bay veterinary clinic.  Interestingly, the American Veterinary Medical Association doesn't keep statistics on how many veterinary malpractice suits are filed annually, but they do keep the numbers on how much Americans spend to keep their pets healthy - a whopping $28 million. 

Veterinary malpractice suits are hard to prove and even harder to collect damages.  The law is still changing but for now, most courts still view animals as personal property that don't have much value.  They might be priceless to us but to a court awarding damages, they are practically worthless.  As a result, it is difficult to find a law firm willing to take a veterinary malpractice case because contingency fees are nearly unheard of - the reward doesn't justify the expense.  As a result, many pet parents feel victimized when they have a legitimate claim and no way to get it resolved. 

Dead Dog and 'Parents' Sue Vet for Malpractice | WUSF News

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Growing trend: Estate planning for your pet | 9news.com

Congratulations to the ASPCA for their willingness to acknowledge that pets need protection in the event their owner's die.  What if the owner becomes incapacitated and has to go into a nursing home?

Shame on the SPCA for teaming up with LegalZoom, a do it yourself online legal site.  If pets get protected, that's great.  Unfortunately, most do it yourselfers ends up creating more problems than they solve.  It will be great for the lawyers that end up having to clean up the mess.

If you want to plan for your pet, contact a trusted legal professional for assistance. 

Growing trend: Estate planning for your pet | 9news.com

New Jersey Custody Attorney - New Jersey Pet Custody Disputes | Adinolfi & Lieberman

New Jersey now says that courts are free to fashion equitable remedies for disputes surrounding pets. 

New Jersey Custody Attorney - New Jersey Pet Custody Disputes | Adinolfi & Lieberman

Head of animal rescue center Alicia Inglish charged with 120 counts of animal neglect after dogs were found crammed into cages filled with rubbish | Mail Online

This is certainly not animal rescue!

Head of animal rescue center Alicia Inglish charged with 120 counts of animal neglect after dogs were found crammed into cages filled with rubbish | Mail Online

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

A Pony’s Death Draws Notice to Medication in the Show Ring - NYTimes.com

The use of illegal drugs appears to be as prevalent for equine athletes as it is for human athletes.  If you are aware of a situation where a horse or other animal is being given drugs unnecessarily, report that abuse immediately to local authorities.  

A Pony’s Death Draws Notice to Medication in the Show Ring - NYTimes.com

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Birds-of-Paradise Project

This fall, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Geographic are bringing the Birds-of-Paradise Project to the public with a gorgeous coffee-table book (published October 23, 2012), a major exhibit at the National Geographic Museum (opening November 1), a documentary on the National Geographic Channel (airing at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT November 22), articles in the Cornell Lab's Living Bird magazine and National Geographic magazine, and National Geographic Live lectures across the country. Get an advance look now...and witness diverse strategies of evolution at work and experience one of nature's extraordinary wonders - up close.

Watch this video to see something you've never seen before. 

Birds-of-Paradise Project