Bella, Abuse an Animal – Go to Jail, Topeka Zoo, Veterinarian Kelly Folse, Carly Jo Underwood, Trump's Budget Plan, Factory Farms, “Mr. Shi”, Golden Retriever Beaten to Death by Cop, Hu Hanlin, In Defense of Animals, The Greatest Showman, Detroit Dog Rescue, SIA, MAC, Animal Welfare, Horse-Drawn Carriages in Chicago, Petitions, Belk Bowl, Hope Animal Sanctuary

Bella’s case is heartbreaking. I followed the case — from arrest to sentencing — knowing full well justice would not be done. The way the current animal cruelty law is written, there are maximum sentences and limitations that make justice difficult to achieve.
Bella, an 11-year-old Shepherd mix.
We need to strengthen animal cruelty laws now, so this doesn’t happen to another animal.

That is why legislative reform is so desperately needed. The Animal Legal Defense Fund has the support of prosecutors and police departments to make animal cruelty laws stronger. But animals need you.

I’m sure you were touched by Bella’s story — so was I. You can stop this from happening again. You can stand up and be heard.

Bella, an 11-year-old Shepherd mix.

Bella, an 11 year-old Shepherd mix, was strangled with a zip-tie, shoved into a garbage bag, and beaten with a shovel. Her skull was fractured, and she died as a result of her injuries. Her abuser received just 4 months in county jail.

It’s jaw dropping…

But I am sad to say this situation is not unique — and the issue stems from the state laws that are in place to “protect” animals. I think we can both agree that Bella was not adequately protected by the law, nor did she receive the justice she deserved.

Your help today will help animals just like Bella — who are beaten and abused — get the protections they truly deserve.

Our expert attorneys are working every day to make animal cruelty laws stronger — to increase the number of animal cruelty cases prosecuted and increase the severity of the sentences ordered.

We represent animals — so all of our clients are innocent. But we can’t do it alone. Animals need your help. Together we can provide them with the expert legal team they desperately need.

Your help today is a vote for stronger state laws — to ensure animal abusers go to jail, and that the punishment fits the crime.

Use Bella’s story to make a difference today. She lost her life, but her spirit can live on.



Our expert attorneys are working every day to make animal cruelty laws stronger — and increase the number of animal cruelty cases prosecuted and increase the severity of the sentences ordered.


You may remember that the USDA removed the animal welfare reports from its website earlier this year—and, thanks to your support, the Animal Legal Defense Fund was quick to file a lawsuit to have the reports reinstated.
The USDA reports are an important legal tool to identify and target roadside zoos that are not complying with the Animal Welfare Act—and we are continuing the fight to have them reposted in a format that enables us to protect animals from inhumane captivity.
We have filed multiple lawsuits this year using the Endangered Species Act in our work to free animals from barren cages that cause physical and psychological harm.
Help Find the Person Who Dumped a Frozen Dog Behind Liquor Store
In Detroit, Michigan, an alarming incident was caught on camera: a man dumped the body of a dead dog outside a liquor store. The case was reported by the organization Detroit Dog Rescue, which states that the animal had most likely frozen to death before being abandoned in the alley.
The dog, a golden retriever mix, was found on December 26, 2017 by the owner of First Class Liquor who then called his friend Lisa Jabbori about the finding. “He noticed something next door covered in blankets,” Jabbori told Fox 2. “And he went over there and it was a dog.”
The animal was frozen to death, covered only with an old blanket. According to the rescue team, he had a perfect body weight and no visible signs of trauma on his body. He also had a black collar on.
The owner of the store reviewed the surveillance footage and found the moment the dog was abandoned. The man who did it was in a pick-up truck that appeared to be a beige Ford F-150. He pulled up and left the dog in the snow. Unfortunately, his face is unclear in the video.
As Kristina Rinaldi, executive director of Detroit Dog Rescue, told Fox 2, the rescue has been seeing many fatally frozen dogs recently – and she reminded that dogs need to be kept inside during extreme lows! Rinaldi is also unsure whether the dog was abandoned in the street out of desperation or just cruelty.
“I hope this person is caught, prosecuted and an example is made of them,” Jabbori told Fox 2. “And stop the horrible treatment of animals.”
The organization is now offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to a conviction in the case. 
PETA Activists Rush Belk Bowl
PETA Activists Rush Belk Bowl
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) 

Justice for Golden Retriever Beaten to Death by Cop!
Distressing footage has emerged online showing a police officer in China mercilessly beating a golden retriever to death. According to reports, Hu Hanlin chained the dog to a road barrier and then proceeded to beat him with a wooden club for three hours as pedestrians passed by, watching the bloody act in horror.

The officer did not need to bludgeon the dog to death. This was a disturbing example of excessive force and the worst type of cruelty. Please join in calling for Hanlin's removal from the police force.

Hanlin and a second officer were called to the scene after two separate pedestrians reported being attacked by a golden retriever. One of the victims suffered a minor injury, while the other only reported slight damage to his clothing. Neither account suggests that the dog was so dangerous that he deserved to be beaten in such a gruesome manner — especially after the police restrained him.

The local police bureau responded by saying that Hanlin was carrying out his duty of protecting the public, but a three-hour beating that resulted in the golden retriever's horrific death was completely unnecessary. It was excessive force, pure and simple.


Please help fight for justice by signing this petition urging the police bureau to fire Hu Hanlin for his deeply disturbing actions.
In Defense of Animals
Elephant Suffers Prolonged Death From Topeka Zoo Negligence. Topeka Zoo in Kansas failed, on many brutal counts, to adequately care for Shannon, a 35-year old African elephant who died on December 11. Shannon spent roughly ten excruciating hours on her side overnight - with no monitoring of her situation from Zoo staff after they left for the evening. This is inexcusable since Shannon, the Zoo's youngest elephant, was found "downed" on her side on the previous day, when the Zoo called firefighters to help hoist her to her feet. We can't let the three remaining elephants suffer the same fate! TAKE ACTION

In Defense of Animals
Wild Burros Under Threat From Trump's Budget Plan. As the new year begins, let us take a moment to remember a species whose members are noble, long-eared animals, so often maligned, who have already had so much taken from them for humans' collective benefit over the centuries and still to this day in many countries. Donkeys and burros have suffered enough, and we can't let the last remaining wild burros face a brutal end by gun massacre on the range. TAKE ACTION 

In Defense of Animals
Factory Farms Forced to Report Their Deadly Emissions. For more than eight years, factory farms haven't had to report their toxic emissions to the federal government, but very soon they will. Thanks in part to your support, and the incredible dedication of Earthjustice attorneys, factory farms will be required to participate in mandatory emission reporting as of January 22, 2018. READ MORE 

In Defense of Animals
Mindfulness Supports Our Activism. Bob Isaacson co-facilitated a workshop on mindfulness and meditation for activists at the Animal Rights National Conference earlier this year, sharing ancient techniques to calm and direct our minds. Paying mindful attention to present moment experiences can lead to clarity, relaxation, and harmony with our experiences. Now we're bringing this experience to you during our webinar! READ MORE


In Defense of Animals
Choose Love from a Rescued Animal Instead. Thinking of getting a new furry friend or two? Before going to a local pet shop or breeder, you should know this: animals from community shelters are the best choice. If you were thinking of buying pedigreed animal companions from a breeder or pet shop, be warned. You may not like what you're getting into. READ MORE
In Defense of Animals
Veterinarian Arrested for Shooting Dog Next Door. Veterinarian Kelly Folse was arrested on December 19, 2017, on an aggravated animal cruelty charge for the shooting of her neighbor's dog, Bruizer in Gretna, Louisiana. "This is crazy, a veterinarian shooting a dog of her next-door neighbor. This is nuts. I don't know how else to put it," Interim Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto commented on the incident. We couldn't agree more, and hope you won't stay silent about this crime! TAKE ACTION

In Defense of Animals
Woman Abandons 16 Dogs to Their Deaths in Foreclosed Home. On December 13, 2017, two Midland, Texas bankers who were in the process of foreclosing on a home discovered sights and smells they will never forget. When they entered the abandoned home on East County Road 144, they were met with the pungent odor of rotting flesh, urine and feces. They soon discovered feces laden floors and cages containing the remains of what appeared to be dogs. Their discovery led to the arrest of Carly Jo Underwood, a former rescuer and a board member of a local animal shelter, who had forsaken her duty to these dogs in the most heinous way possible. We cannot let her get away with this! TAKE ACTION

In Defense of Animals
VIDEO: The Rebuilding of Hope Animal Sanctuary. Our beloved Hope Animal Sanctuary has served as a safe-haven for thousands of Mississippi animals in need for the past 25 years. In 2016, we began planning for the re-building of Hope Animal Sanctuary and soon the dream will become a reality. SEE VIDEO

Petitions:
Millions of Dogs Are Killed For Their Meat Each Year in South Korea — Let’s Make This Stop NOW!
According to HSI, 2.5 million dogs are killed on thousands of South Korean dog meat farms each and every year. Dogs are left without adequate shelter, leaving them exposed to the elements even in the depths of icy winters, their health and well-being go neglected, and cages are so cramped that aggression and disease run rampant. Please take a moment to sign the petition urging South Korea to shut down dog meat farms and officially recognize dogs and cats as companion animals with protection from the law.  Read more here.

Another Tiger Was Killed After Escaping Captivity — Let’s Get France to Ban Circuses Now!
In late November of this year, a tiger escaped from a circus in Paris and was shot dead in an alley by his owner. This tragedy was avoidable; the tiger should never have been kept at the circus, and animal activists, including Brigitte Bardot, spoke out against keeping wild animals like this tiger in captivity, as it not only resulted in his untimely death but posed a risk to the public as well.

Realizing the dangers to both humans and animals resulting from keeping wild animals as circus acts, many countries have banned the use of wild animals in circuses, and a petition on Care2 wants France to join them. Read more here.

Amazon UK Has Been Selling Real Fur Under ‘Faux Fur’ Label — Let’s Make This Stop NOW!
With the public becoming more conscious of their clothing decisions, faux fur is gaining in popularity. However, unfortunately, sometimes items labeled “faux fur” are actually real fur. This is the case with Amazon UK, who has been selling gloves, hats, scarves, coats, and shoes that have been laboratory-proven to be real fur, but which are being sold as “faux fur.” The fur is identified as coming from foxes, rabbits, and chinchillas.

A petition addressed to Amazon UK has been set up on Care2 in order to make them stop selling real fur. Read more here.

Veterinarian Shot and Killed Neighbor’s Dog for Barking! Let’s Get Her License Revoked NOW
Kelly Folse carried over a gun to her neighbor’s house and shot the fifteen-month-old American Bulldog named Bruiser who was contained in a fenced-in yard. His family rushed him to the Abadie Veterinarian Hospital (ironically the same hospital Folse worked at), where he sadly died as a result of the shooting. Folse was not involved in the care of Bruiser at the hospital.
 This shocking display of violence shows that Folse is not only unstable, but demonstrates a complete disregard for animal life, and she does not deserve the title of veterinarian and should have her license revoked. Read more here.

WTH!? People Are Putting Spikes on Trees to Keep Birds Away
In an act of complete selfishness and materialism, spikes have been attached to trees in a wealthy neighborhood in Bristol, UK. For what you ask? To protect rich people’s cars from bird droppings. The Care2 team has started a petition asking the Bristol City Council to remove the spikes and inform the residents that it is not ok to punish innocent animals for such frivolous purposes.​ Read more here. 

Demand Justice For Dog Who Froze to Death in Backyard!
Another dog has died an agonizing death as the result of being left outside in freezing temperatures. It is a horrifying act of neglect which is why a new petition on the Care2 Petition platform is asking the Hartford, Connecticut Police to seek swift justice for this poor animal. It’s hard to imagine what this innocent dog went through – cold, scared, and all alone, but we can demand justice by signing the petition so that this neglectful owner understands the magnitude of their actions. Read more here.

Tell the Golden Globes that ‘The Greatest Showman’ Represents Cruelty, Not Fine Cinema
Some may have seen the previews for The Greatest Showman, a film which stars Hugh Jackman as circus ringleader P.T. Barnum. Zac Efron and Zendaya are also featured to appeal to a younger crowd. The film portrays Barnum in a glorified light as the man who invented “show business” and provided a family-like environment for circus performers. However, this inaccurate depiction masks the truth that Barnum severely exploited both humans and animals to garner a massive profit over his lifetime.
The film has been nominated for three Golden Globes, including one for Best Motion Picture and one for Hugh Jackman for Best Performance by an Actor. If you are upset that P.T. Barnum is being represented in such a positive spotlight, please take a moment to sign the petition. Read more here.

WTH?! A Man Fed a Rat Alcohol Then Set Him on Fire … Get Justice Now!
Recently in a disturbing video, a man named “Mr. Shi” force fed alcohol to a rat and then set the animal on fire.  As a petition on Care2 states, “Mr. Shi” thought the rat was stealing his food … so his answer was to spread the rat out on a net, force him to drink 50-proof rice wine and then set the animal on fire. If you’re as mad as we are about this blatant animal cruelty, please sign this Care2 petition being sent to the Chinese government, urging them to punish “Mr. Shi” for animal abuse. Read more here.

Tell Sia to Not Represent MAC As Long As They Conduct Animal Testing!
The chart-topping singer Sia, who has stated she is vegan, has spoken up for animals and recently partnered with BARK to raise money for shelter animals. Now she has been asked to be a new face for MAC Cosmetics, and animal activists do not approve. A petition on Care2 explains that MAC, similarly to NARS, conducts animal tests in order to sell in China, which requires all cosmetics to be tested on animals. If you would like to see Sia tell MAC she will only represent them if they end all animal testing, please take a moment to sign the petition. Read more here.

Let’s End Horse-Drawn Carriages in Chicago Now!
In Chicago in particular, horses have been seen working twelve-hour days, which is far longer than what the law permits. These long, arduous hours pulling massive carriages on hard pavement regularly results in back, joint, and hoof injuries, and once these horses are no longer strong enough to pull carriages, their future is even more bleak.  Many people still view a horse-drawn carriage like a whimsical fairytale, so please make sure to share this with your network and spread the truth about these rides.​ Read more here.