13, 2007To the Editor: Re “ Suddenly, the Hunt Is On for Cage-Free Eggs ” (front page, Aug. 12): While this is a step in the right direction toward reducing the animal abuse inherent in all factory farming (from the chicken’s point of view), it’s still a long way from what nature intended. Chickens enjoy being together in small flocks, sunning, dust bathing and scratching in the soil for food. MORE

16, 2007To the Editor: Re “ Virus Spreading Alarm and Deadly Pig Disease in China ” (Business Day, Aug. 16): Given our exportation of large-scale intensive confinement facilities, it is tragic, though not surprising, that disease is devastating the Chinese industry. With this industrialization often comes overcrowding, inadequate ventilation and related physiological stress—factors implicated as heightening the risk of disease outbreaks. MORE

March 27, 2007 To the Editor: Livestock producers raise their animals under humane standards and under the care of a veterinarian. Dave Warner Director of Communications National Pork Producers Council Washington, March 28, 2007 To the Editor: Regardless of how “humanely” an animal is raised, it still has to be slaughtered to be eaten. Judith Abeles San Diego, March 26, 2007 MORE

10, 2007 Note from KBJ: By what right do we take these animals out of the wild? To the Editor: Re “An Ape Types in Iowa” (column, Aug. 9): Gail Collins writes: “Human-ape conversation was a very hot topic back in the late 1960s, when researchers first taught a chimpanzee named Washoe to use sign language. MORE

July 31, 2007 The writer is the director of Domestic Animals and Wildlife Rescue & Information for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals To the Editor: “ Should Most Pet Owners Be Required to Neuter Their Animals? ,” by Verlyn Klinkenborg (Editorial Observer, July 30), is right: “The rate at which dogs are purchased and euthanized in this country is not a sign of our affection for them. It’s a sign of our indifference.” MORE

March 14, 2007 To the Editor: Contrary to the assertions in Nicolette Hahn Niman’s attack on modern pork production, America’s 67,000 pork producers treat their animals humanely. March 14, 2007 Note from KBJ: Replace "animals" and "pigs" with "slaves" in the second letter and see what happens. MORE

16, 2007To the Editor: Re “ Locavore, Get Your Gun ,” by Steven Rinella (Op-Ed, Dec. 14): To the animals being slaughtered, it does not matter whether their killers are local or whether they will be eaten or displayed on a wall. Their suffering is the same. Hunting is cruel and cowardly, and any attempt to rationalize or gain acceptance for it as a sport does not eradicate this fact. There are no “lofty pedestals” for those without compassion or empathy for other creatures. MORE

Lisa Peterson Director of Club Communications, American Kennel Club New York, July 31, 2007 MORE

Here are the posts from April 2007 MORE

We had another good month here at Animal Ethics, as far as readership is concerned. Here is a graph showing monthly readership since the blog began on 28 November 2003 (click the graph to enlarge it): There were 2,296 visitors during December, which is an average of 74.0 per day. MORE

Here are the posts from May 2007 MORE

Mary de La Valette Porter Cove, New Brunswick, July 31, 2007To the Editor: “ A Factory Farm Near You ” (editorial, July 31) does not mention any issue of the morality of factory farming—treating living beings as factory products. Cruelty to animals on such a scale should be the centerpiece of any discussion on raising animals for food. The problem is that there is no possible answer to why we allow such cruelty, other than that we are barbarians. MORE

The March 11, 2007 episode of the Stanford University radio program "Philosophy Talk" focuses on animal minds. Stanford Philosophy Professors John Perry and Ken Taylor host the show. Their guest is Colin Allen of the Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington. Also featured on the show are Dr. Irene Pepperberg and her African gray parrot Alex. The episode provides a fascinating look into the nature of animal minds and animal cognition. MORE

11, 2007To the Editor: Re “ An 8-Second Ride Lures Sponsors Beyond the Rodeo ” (Advertising column, Dec. 11): So bull riding could represent the next big thing in corporate sports sponsorship. Even private equity is getting in on the action, with one manager believing this could be the next Nascar. This is music to the ears of advertisers. But bulls are not cars, but rather living beings that experience pain and suffering. MORE

July 24, 2007 Note from KBJ: Pit bulls and Rottweilers account for the vast majority of dog bites, including the most serious ones. To the Editor: Re “ States Try to Weigh Safety With Dog Owners’ Rights ” (news article, July 23): Any law that deems a dog as dangerous or vicious based on appearance, breed or phenotype is unfair and discriminatory. Canine temperaments are widely varied, and behavior cannot be predicted by physical features. MORE

New York, July 23, 2007To the Editor: “ For ‘Animal Precinct,’ Reality Subject to Dispute ” (news article, July 23) missed the entire point of comprehensive animal welfare: that effective animal welfare requires both response and prevention. Response is what our humane law enforcement officers do; the prevention aspect is then taken care of by the other resources of the A.S.P.C.A., MORE

Here are the posts from February 2007 MORE

Robinson, and Willie Soon, " Environmental Effects of Increased Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide ," Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons 12 [2007]: 79-90, at 90 [parenthetical reference omitted There are no experimental data to support the hypothesis that increases in human hydrocarbon use or in atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are causing or can be expected to cause unfavorable changes in global temperatures, weather, or landscape. MORE

17, 2007To the Editor: Re “ The Bluefin Slaughter ” (editorial, Nov. 17): As a young man I was privileged to work for and to know Capt. Charles A. Mayo II of Provincetown, Mass. He was the legendary sport fishing captain of the Chantey I, II and III, the inventor of skip baits and a lover of the oceans. MORE

Andrew Kimbrell Executive Director Center for Food Safety Washington, June 29, 2007 To the Editor: Henry I. June 29, 2007 To the Editor: Henry I. June 29, 2007 The writer, a consultant, was vice president for agriculture of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, a trade group, from 1997 to 2005. Susan Levin Washington, June 29, 2007 To the Editor: Urging more hormone injection of cows to increase milk production is backward. Carp Staten Island, June 29, 2007 MORE

13, 2007 The writer is a program director at the Humane Society of the United States To the Editor: It is disappointing that our government plans to keep approximately 550 chimpanzees in the laboratories where they reside, rather than provide them a sanctuary they deserve (“ After Hard Labor, a Soft Landing ,” special Giving section, Nov. MORE

19, 2007 Note from KBJ: I would replace "living" with "sentient." To the Editor: Re “ Child Matadors Draw Olés in Mexico’s Bullrings ” (front page, Nov. 19): It is so sad to see children being taught to torture and kill calves. For what? The tradition and glory of bullfighting? Please! Bullfighting is simply prolonged animal torture. Most children start life with a love and reverence of animals. Cruelty and disregard for them are taught. MORE

As reported in this Northern Star story, on July 5, 2007, Cavel International, the last remaining horse slaughterhouse operating in America, was ordered by U.S. For several years, conscientious U.S. citizens have been struggling to bring an end to the inhumane practice of slaughtering horses for human consumption. Happily, that struggle is finally over. MORE

Here are the posts from June 2007 MORE

25, 2007To the Editor: Re “ Two Pigs ” (The Rural Life, Oct. 25): Thank you for another thoughtful piece by Verlyn Klinkenborg, who admirably makes the point that taking an animal’s life should not be a cavalier endeavor. As a longtime vegan with three vegan-from-birth children, I would like to suggest that since vegetarians are generally healthier than meat eaters, there is no excuse for compassionate people to eat animals. MORE

June 12, 2007 To the Editor: It’s strange, I have started to do the same thing as Arthur Phillips—counting my years by my beloved whippet, Gracie. June 11, 2007 Note from KBJ: I concur To the Editor: “ My Dog Days ,” by Arthur Phillips (Op-Ed, June 10), gave me those warm, fuzzy feelings and made my eyes tear. MORE

That makes it the second-best month ever, not far behind April 2007. This blog had 2,708 visitors during May, which is an average of 87.3 visitors per day. Thanks for visiting. I hope you are making use of the bibliography in the sidebar. If there is a website that you think should be added to the blogroll, please bring it to my attention. If you're a publisher and want your book listed, please send it to me for review MORE

This blog had 2,383 visitors (visits, actually) during January. That's a record. Alas, it's not the best monthly average. November (which has only 30 days) had an average of 77.5 visitors per day. December had an average of 74.0 visitors per day. January had an average of 76.8 visitors per day. MORE

Amy Joy Lanou Washington, May 21, 2007 The writer is senior nutrition scientist, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Ross Smith New York, May 21, 2007 To the Editor: I am shocked by the ignorance of the recent outcry against vegan diets in the media, most recently Nina Planck’s article about the dangers and irresponsibility of vegan diets during pregnancy and infancy. May 21, 2007 To the Editor: “Soy milk and apple juice” is not a vegan diet. May 21, 2007 MORE

18, 2007 The writer is associate director, Center for Health and the Global Environment , Harvard Medical School To the Editor: Re “ New Battle of Logging vs. Spotted Owls Looms in West ” (news article, Oct. 18): Saving old growth forest and spotted owls is wise for many reasons, including controlling infectious diseases. Owls, kestrels and hawks are guardians of the fields. MORE

May 20, 2007To the Editor: Your overture in “ My Dear Fellow Species ” (Week in Review, May 20) to the 150th anniversary celebration of Charles Darwin’s “Origin of Species” through his letters is a fine attempt to briefly summarize his personality. MORE

Here are the posts from March 2007 MORE

18, 2007To the Editor: I applaud “ Antibiotic Runoff ,” your Sept. 18 editorial about the abuse of antibiotics in industrial hog farms. It not only brings light to a serious issue, but also begins to make the connection between factory farm practices and consumer choices. MORE

16, 2007To the Editor: Re “ Drummer Denies He Intentionally Spooked Horse That Died ” (news article, Sept. 16): As a New Yorker who cringes with disgust and shame every time I pass an overloaded horse-drawn carriage dragging tourists around the streets of this horribly congested city, I was shocked and appalled by yet another incident leading to the death of an innocent animal. MORE

Since the New Year's resolutions you have made for 2007 are your resolutions, I assume that you would actually like to succeed in keeping them. Join me in resolving to do right by animals in 2007. As another year comes to a close, most of us find ourselves reflecting on our lives and resolving to improve ourselves and our lives in various ways. MORE

22, 2007To the Editor: Re “ Let the East Bloom Again ,” by Richard T. McNider and John R. Christy (Op-Ed, Sept. 22): The solution to scarcity of water in the United States could be solved rather quickly if more people became vegetarians. Just think of the savings in water use if we didn’t have the need to raise millions of animals for human consumption! MORE

20, 2007To the Editor: Re “ Antibiotic Runoff ” (editorial, Sept. 18): As a microbiologist, I know that study after study has highlighted the human health threat from using antibiotics as feed additives for hogs, chickens and cattle, creating super-bugs—bacteria that no longer can be treated with antibiotics. While some chicken producers and poultry purchasers have taken steps to reduce antibiotic use, the hog industry remains largely resistant to change. MORE

6, 2007 The writer is a staff dietitian at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine To the Editor: Re “ The School Cafeteria, on a Diet ” (Business Day, Sept. 5): While we need to ensure that healthier foods are sold in vending machines and served during school celebrations, parents should also know that the “strict nutrition standards” that govern federally subsidized school lunch programs still fall short of being truly healthy for children. MORE

6, 2007 Note from KBJ: I couldn't resist highlighting the metaphors To the Editor: Re “ Audit Criticizes City on Care of Carriage Horses ” (news article, Sept. 6): While it’s commendable to finally see an official acknowledgment of the hideous conditions in which the carriage horses are forced to exist, the suggested remedies would just be a Band-Aid for an inherently inhumane situation. MORE

Dear Keith, I'd like to request a copy of the essay "Simplifying the Case for Vegetarianism" that you praised on your webpage (12 Jan 2007). I also want to take the opportunity to say how much I enjoy reading the excellent insights/arguments/links etc that you've included on Animal Ethics over the years. Many thanks—with all good wishes, Richard Dr. Richard J White Faculty of Development and Society Sheffield Hallam University City Campus Howard Street Sheffield S1 1WB MORE

Japan Information Center Consulate General of Japan New York, April 4, 2007To the Editor: Re “ Japan’s Whaling Obsession ” (editorial, April 1): Japan strongly supports the international protection of endangered whale species and advocates for the sustainable harvest of species in abundance only. Whaling for scientific research is indispensable to establish the proper conservation of whales and ocean resources. MORE

This month the management posted announcements stating that as of January 2007 (3 months ago, even though announcements were only posted this month) their new policy was that all cats must be declawed on their front feet, or else cat owners will face eviction. Hi I have a friend who lives in San Diego, CA who has recently run into some problems with her apartment management. MORE

12, 2007 Note from KBJ: You are what you wear To the Editor: Re “ Uncruel Beauty ” (Thursday Styles, Jan. 11), about vegan-friendly fashion: Not only is it chic to wear fashion that has some conscience and imagination to it, but there also is a marvelous inner feeling of knowing that one is not using one’s clothing to wage a war on nature. Some day it will be the ultimate in chic to be a compassionate consumer. MORE