An undercover PETA investigator shot hours of footage of alleged mistreatment of animals. Tags: universities animal research utah undercover investigation PETA A University representative denied any mistreatment: "None of the things she alleges are substantive," said Tom Parks, the U.'s s vice president for research. It's a remarkably banal list of ordinary events in an animal-care facility." Per the Salt Lake Tribune, these are some of the allegations. MORE

Anyway, I'm wondering if the decision could have been influenced by PETA's investigation of how reptiles are being skinned alive for these sales. Victoria's Secret was selling what? I didn't know they were doing this in the first place! And I just bought something from them last month for the first time. This PETA post doesn't claim the credit though. MORE

Investigative journalism by the Salt Lake Tribune, following-up on allegations levelled by PETA against the University of Utah's Comparative Medicine Center and the Cardiovascular Research & Training Institute laboratories revealed the two laboratories had used 190 dogs and cats in 2009, all obtained from shelters. Most of their animals get put down. MORE

Canadian police are investigating the reported killing of 100 huskies which had been used to pull tourist sleds in the ski resort of Whistler. We've opened a police file and assigned an investigator," Police Sergeant Steve LeClair told AFP. Bad allegations connected to Whistler. Full article at the BBC News. An animal rights group claims the dogs were killed inhumanely by an outdoor adventure company and thrown into a mass grave. MORE

This rescue is the result of a PETA undercover investigation. The raid followed an undercover investigation by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Holy cow! That's HUGE. It was an exotic animal importing firm (why the eff do those even exist?) that was allegedly mistreating its animals. A lot of these animals are reptiles, spiders and amphibians, which explains the large number. See, husband, this is why I like PETA!) From the Detroit Free Press. MORE

Known for a distinctive hump at the base of the neck, Brahman cattle are rare here and would be easily spotted at a local auction, leading investigators to think the rustlers already had a buyer — or a butcher — lined up. Here is an interesting article about cattle rustling. Crashing through a gate in the dead of night, thieves using trucks and trailers recently robbed a farmer here of 53 Brahman crossbreed cows valued at some $50,000. MORE

Compassion in World Farming led an undercover investigation that showed illegal tail docking and poor attempts at pig enrichment on factory farms, in violation of EU law. Now the pig industry is mad and claiming bias ( scroll down in article.) Too bad! If you complied with the law, you wouldn't look like such jerks! MORE

They had professional investigators there last summer. Grey2K is a greyhound advocacy group. Here is the link to the video showing kennel conditions. greyhounds tucson arizona MORE

Investigators found that dogfighting was on the rise in Texas and was much more widespread than they had expected. The ring broken up here had links to dogfighting organizations in other states and in Mexico, suggesting an extensive underground network of people devoted to the activity, investigators said. From the New York Times. MORE

According to a Wales on Sunday investigation, the number of animals used at Cardiff has risen by 13 percent since 2006. Here's an article about an increase in animal experiments at Cardiff University in Wales. In four years it experimented on 157,839 mice, 17,324 rats, 11,096 fish, 1,941 birds, 1,253 guinea pigs, 933 pigeons, 884 frogs, 207 cats, 54 rabbits and 18 tree shrews from the tropics of south-east Asia. MORE

Their investigations produce results. An enormous victory was achieved for animals this week when nearly 200 dogs and 54 cats were rescued from a North Carolina animal testing facility that closed its doors after an undercover investigation revealed apparent abuse of the animals by workers at the facility. Awful story, but this is the reason I support PETA, even when they do wacky things sometimes. From the PR Newswire. MORE

The investigation is related to the Animal Welfare Act and Clemson's research activities, but no details are available at this time. MORE

SAEN) is calling for an investigation of Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research in San Antonio, TX. Stop Animal Exploitation Now! SAEN says previous USDA reports revealed primates have died at the Texas lab from dehydration and hypothermia, while others have simply been "found dead" -- possibly without veterinary care -- after suffering from serious disease conditions that include temperatures up to 105 degrees. MORE

to investigate the abuse of over 100 dogs by an animal hoarder in Michigan. The Animal Legal Defense Fund provided $3500.00 From the ALDF site: Dearborn, Mich.– Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced today that Dearborn dog hoarder Kenneth Lang Jr is being charged with two counts of cruelty to 10 or more animals, after more than 100 live and approximately 150 dead Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes were removed from the filthy home this past July. MORE

An animal cruelty investigator from Animal Cruelty Investigations and sheriff deputy were injured at a bullfight in Thornton CA. From the Sacramento Bee: When the animal cruelty investigator attempted to grab the bandoleras, he was put in a chokehold by Darren Nunes, 24, and almost lost consciousness, according to a Sheriff's Department news release. MORE

It's the first episode ever of "Animal Planet Investigates: Dogfighting Exposed." I received this from the Humane Society regarding a program to premiere January 25 on Animal Planet. Unfortunately, I don't get Animal Planet, but I'm pleased to see them running edgier programming. Many people may not think this is all that edgy, but I'm still happy to see it, especially when it's easy in television to stick with softball, happy shows. MORE

The RSPCA is investigating whether Prince Edward beat his dogs while hunting. Here is a link to the Daily Mail , complete with pictures. He alleges that he was merely trying to break up a fight between the two dogs. MORE

Here's some background on the New Iberia Research Center, target of the Humane Society investigation showing alleged chimpanzee abuse. MORE

Good news following an investigation of farm animal abuses by Mercy for Animals. In a written statement the company said it was making the move after an investigation revealed that Radlo Foods violated the terms of an agreement by working with a farm that is not in compliance with its strict animal welfare standards. The group's findings have now triggered an investigation by the state's Animal Welfare Program. Here's a link to the investigative video. MORE

They received citations for animal welfare infractions, although apparently few of these infractions overlap with PETA claims from an undercover investigation. Tags: animal research utah university of utah undercover investigation PETA The Salt Lake Tribune claims the infractions are only minor (interesting how different publications will provide different spins). You decide. From the Deseret News. MORE

If "Animal Underworld" sounds a little edgy for the august National Geographic brand -- which has a standards and practices department that vets everything for accuracy -- senior vp Geoff Daniels assures it is in keeping with Nat Geo's mission of exploration and investigation. It's really an investigation into our relationship with animals," he says. This sounds to me like it's glorifying the use and misuse of exotic animals. MORE

Sounds like they may roll over on the issue. I don't know, but I'm just not convinced the Australians are that committed to phasing out this practice. I'm just going by equivalent examples in the US. Big industry never wants to change anything that "works." It's just too "hard.". MORE

Really interesting interview with an animal rights undercover investigator. Tags: animal abuse undercover investigation animal rights factory farm This is very important work and an enlightening, though short, piece. I admire these people tremendously, whether they go undercover on a factory farm or a research institute. I could never do what they do. I don't have the guts. MORE

Tags: university research animal research undercover investigation PETA MORE

In this week's podcast ending February 6, 2010: **Willet Dairy the subject of a Mercy for Animals undercover investigation suspends a worker shown abusing cows; **The Humane Society applauds the Allergan Corporation for progress on the replacement of animal subjects in Botox testing; **PETA files a lawsuit to free Lucy the elephant from the Edmonton Zoo; **Mexican activists protest bullfights; **Canada steps up its support of seal hunting while hosting a G7 meeting. MORE

He recently wrote me: We are an abolitionist group and our approach is "Educate, Investigate & Liberate". We are currently doing an investigation on pig farms in Spain, including intensive and extensive/free-range farms (tho extensive ones are scarce since intensive ones are the majority in the industry). You can see some of the images from the investigation at: [link] Let me warn you before you see them that they are very graphic and explicit. MORE

I predict they'll get nowhere. From UPI. Stop Animal Exploitation Now filed the complaint with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, urging a probe of 50 U.S. researchers for allegedly filing fraudulent documents and performing nearly identical experimentation in violation of federal regulations, the organization said in a news release. The animal research industry is just as unregulated as Wall Street was before the current economic crisis," said Michael A. Budkie, SAEN executive director. "If MORE

The investigation cleared the animal lab. MALAYSIA will not shut down a controversial British-funded animal testing lab after investigations showed that the animals were not exposed to torture, a senior official said on Thursday. From Straits Time. The veterinary services department launched a probe this month after animal rights campaigners accused the Progenix Research lab based in the northern state of Penang of cruelty to animals. MORE

An animal rights group has called for a federal investigation into the death of an elephant at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The Northern California-based In Defense of Animals called for the Department of Agriculture, which does inspections of zoos, to investigate Umoya's death. Here's the full article from the Los Angeles Times. Umoya, a 21-year-old African elephant, died Thursday, possibly due to injuries suffered during an attack by another elephant. MORE

Interesting short interview with Kathy Guillermo. MORE

Investigators from Compassion in World Farming found 80 per cent of farms across five European countries engaging in illegal practices such as barren pens and routine tail-docking. It really sucks to be a factory farm pig in Europe. In one of the biggest undercover inquiries into pig-farming, CIWF visited 60 farms across five big pork-producing states, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Hungary and Britain. MORE

Here is a long post from Quarrygirl.com about an investigation they did into some LA restaurants to find out if they are actually vegan. From the looks of it, they did some serious investigative work. I'd comment on it but I haven't read it yet! But I will tonight. MORE

Animal Investigators: How the World’s First Wildlife Forensics Lab Is Solving Crimes and Saving Endangered Species is an interesting read about the world’s first wildlife forensics lab. It has suspense and mystery, with undercover investigations, and innovative forensic techniques! MORE

When SPCA investigators received an anonymous tip Wednesday afternoon about animals in need of medical care at a home in northwest Houston, they had no idea it would turn into one of the largest U.S. At that time, we didn't know how many animals were on the property," said Charles Jantzen, chief investigator for the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The SPCA took 1045 animals out of a home in Texas that were living in horrible conditions. MORE

Malaysia, under pressure from animal rights activists, is going to investigate Progenix Labs. Malaysia is considering shutting down a controversial British-funded animal testing lab if there is evidence of cruelty there, the goverment's top veterinary official said on Sunday. Animal rights campaigners have accused the Progenix Research lab, which uses monkeys, dogs, rodents and rabbits for toxicology testing, of poisoning the animals to death. MORE

This protest comes after an undercover PETA investigator collected evidence of alleged animal abuse in the University laboratories. MORE

PETA's undercover investigation showed some really questionable practices going on in the University of Utah's animal research program. Here, the Salt Lake Tribune tries to smooth things over by showing the "happy side, " by talking about the research subjects that end up being adopted. Well, I guess those are the lucky ones. What if an animal doesn't make it through? So sad, too bad? MORE

Investigators say Page admitted buying 35 gall bladders in 2007 and 2008, including 17 from undercover officers. Investigators say some believe gall bladders have healing powers and can draw thousands of dollars on the black market. This man is a meat-cutter from our home state of Washington. I'm not sure the sentencing is strict enough to keep him from doing it again. I hope he serves out his whole sentence though. MORE

It's a study funded by the US Department of Agriculture. One would think it would be elementary. Crowded and filthy conditions mean suffering for hens. But it's not just about the hens.it's s about the money. How much suffering can and should they endure without significantly affecting the human pocketbook. Or corporate net income. From the Clemson press release. More is at stake than just the comfort of chickens, though the well-being of 284 million U.S. laying hens is no small matter. MORE

From PETA's site: A new PETA undercover investigation inside a Land O'Lakes supplier facility in Pennsylvania has revealed routine neglect and cruelty to cows who are milked for the Fortune 250 company's products. Not a pretty picture. MORE

KING-TV reports that both the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are investigating the deaths. Investigators say they do not know who is responsible. This has happened before. I don't know whether these are disgruntled fishermen or regular jerks. Here's the whole story from the Washington Post National. MORE

The Humane Society has another great investigation into the shady practices of a corporate giant. Among the investigation findings. The investigation revealed that some of Petland's brokers are also buying from puppy mills. This news story slipped by in November. This time it's Petland, who I'm glad to say has no stores in my area (that I know of.) It has about 140 stores nationwide that sell puppies that supposedly come from "good" breeders (are any breeders good? MORE

This week's stories: PETA demands that the National Institutes of Health take back grant money awarded to the University of Kansas; The Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums prepares to investigate the Calgary Zoo next year; Convicted dog fighter Michael Vick receives an award in courage from the Philadelphia Eagles; Canada tries to find a public relations firm to counter anti-seal coverage; and a Washington State man is convicted of selling bear gall bladders. MORE