animal cruelty

Animal rescuers evacuate a lion cub from war-torn Lebanon to South Africa

1:20pm November 15, 2024

The group Animals Lebanon says it rescued Sara the lion cub from abuse by a Lebanese social media influencer, kept it safe in Beirut and sent it to a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa.

Spectators wait for the start of a bullfight at the Plaza México, in Mexico City, Jan. 28. Bullfighting returned to Mexico City after the Supreme Court of Justice overturned a 2022 ban that prevented these events from taking place in the capital.

World News

Mexico's female matadors return to the world's largest bullring

10:18am March 09, 2024

by Emily Green

A glimpse at the world of women bullfighters in Mexico City, as the spectacle makes its return two years after a judge banned it — generating excitement from fans and criticism over animal cruelty.

Queue Listen Now

America's animals have new federal protections against abuse.

National

Trump Signs Law Making Cruelty To Animals A Federal Crime

11:08pm November 25, 2019

by Richard Gonzales

Congress, wrought by division on many fronts, united to pass a bill making animal cruelty a federal felony. President Trump signed it into law on Monday.

Congress has approved the first law making severe animal abuse a federal crime, in a move that Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., calls "a milestone for pet owners and animal lovers across the country."

Trump Is Expected To Sign Bill Making Animal Cruelty A Federal Crime

5:00pm November 07, 2019

by Bill Chappell

The PACT Act would be the first national law making severe animal cruelty and torture illegal. An earlier law only banned videos of such acts.

Wayne Pacelle, former CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, at a 2015 news conference. Pacelle resigned Friday.

CEO Of The Humane Society Resigns Amid Allegations of Sexual Harassment

7:31pm February 02, 2018

by Richard Gonzales

The resignation of Wayne Pacelle comes just hours after the nonprofit had issued a statement endorsing his leadership and dismissing allegations made by three women.

Humane Society CEO Wayne Pacelle speaks on the importance of farm animal protection in 2015.

National

Humane Society Retains CEO After Sexual Harassment Allegations

1:54pm February 02, 2018

by Richard Gonzales

Seven board members resign in protest after the animal charity group sides with its leader, who faced allegations of harassment by three women.

University of Connecticut law professor Jessica Rubin, left, and law student Taylor Hansen present arguments as animal advocates in a dogfighting case in Hartford on Tuesday. Connecticut is the first state to allow court-appointed advocates to represent a

National

In A First, Connecticut's Animals Get Advocates In The Courtroom

5:46pm June 02, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

The state's legal advocates are one sign of the emerging field of animal law. In 2000, nine law schools had courses in animal law; by 2015, that number was 151.

National

Along With Assault And Arson, FBI Starts To Track Animal Abuse

5:56am January 16, 2016

by NPR Staff

The new effort could help save animals — and, perhaps, people: Research shows that animal abuse is often a precursor to acts of violence against people.