When it comes to animal protection and welfare laws, the United States is clearly lagging behind other countries, receiving a ‘D’ grade from World Animal Protection, which is worse than Mexico, India, Malaysia, Poland and others.
The non-profit organization’s Animal Protection Index assesses and compares countries’ animal legislation and standard practices using a number of important indicators. These countries are ranked from strongest (A) to weakest (G).
“No country received an ‘A’ grade, and the United States fell short again, ranking below Mexico and India,” the nonprofit commented. “The United States has not increased its ‘D’ ranking since 2014.”
The worst ratings for the United States include: protecting animals used in farming (E), protecting the welfare of wild animals (E), and protecting companion animals (F).
While the index does cite a few fundamental federal animal protection laws in the United States – such as the Animal Welfare Act, the Horse Protection Act and the Humane Slaughter Act – it also stresses that the country has a long way to go.
“Notably, there is a clear lack of federal protection for animals, since the Animal Welfare Act (1966) does not apply to birds, rats and mice used for research, horses used for research, and farm animals,” World Animal Protection said. “There is no federal legislation protecting farm animals during the rearing phase. Plus, the Humane Slaughter Act does not apply to poultry or fish.”
“The US Department of Agriculture has removed public access to thousands of reports documenting the numbers of animals kept by research laboratories, companies, zoos, circuses and animal transporters and whether those animals are being treated humanely in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act (1966),” the nonprofit continued. “Furthermore, cruel practices such as fur farming and various uses of animals for entertainment purposes are allowed in the United States.”
We need to make our voices heard to urge America to strengthen its animal welfare laws. Treating animals worse than developing nations is unacceptable. The United States has plenty of resources available to ensure the humane treatment of its animals and needs to set a better example for the world.
Animals need to be safe and protected.
Just treat and save animals!
This is a travesty! The US is supposed to be the best country in the world. Why havent we evolved in that area!?? Despicable
Americans get a D in animal protection laws AND recycling. They are the most wasteful & animal abusive country ONLY second to CHINA, the worst of the worst.
Americans get a D in animal protection laws AND recycling. They are the most wasteful & animal abusive country ONLY second to CHINA, the worst of the worst.
“Humane Slaughter Act” there is NO Such thing as Humane Slaughter!
Yes. America could and should be leading the world in all things concerning compassion for animals.
It is very disappointing that America is not showing the leadership it is capable of. Let’s all work to bring about
this much needed change.
What is happening to the great US of A……grades below third world countries and countries known for its horrific treatment towards all animals. Don’t forget the BLM as well, trying to EXTERMINATE all the wild horses and burros from the grazing lands, the very same grazing lands that the BLM wants to pass onto their fat-assed, money-grabbing, profiteering rancher friends whilst the ‘disposed’ horses and burros are quietly sold to the equally fat-assed, money-grabbing, profiteering KILL BUYERS, who ship these innocent animals to Mexico or Canada, where they will endure the most horrific, brutal death.
We have things to do but the grade is still inaccurate. We are better than that in many ways and we do too have good companion animal protections.
It’s because this country worships money above all else, plus government animal agencies have learned how to profit from their missions. The USDA’s Wildlife Services killing division makes billions annually killing geese, all kinds of birds and natural and necessary predators, and state and federal wildlife agencies (DNR and F&W) cater to the hunters and don’t give a damn about the animals they are SUPPOSED to protect.
The coronavirus is an opportunity to demand changes to ALL of this, since this disease came from horrible conditions for animals. Whether it started in China, anywhere wildlife exists is a wakeup call that we need to better protect them — stop the wildlife trafficking, stop the trophy hunting, stop the live exports, stop the live animal markets.
NOW.
This horrible human behavior cannot go on. Innocents are living in torture and cruelty their whole lives. We all know this is wrong…time to step up and put a FULL STOP to it!!
Lets get our act together people, and save and protect our animals
Lets get our act together people, and save and protect our animals
Feel the animals’ pain!
Stop the cruelty!
Sopp mishandling av dyr!
Stopp dyremishandling!
I wish I could say something that would change peoples hearts towards animals but the truth is if you’re not compassionate, there’s nothing that will change your mind. So, exposing the truth about unspeakable acts of cruelty hopefully will move people like me, who love all animals and never want to see any animal hurt in any way, emotionally or at the very least, physically to donate or get involved. Now that being said it’s important to show us where the money is going and I believe that need’s to be done more as people need to know where their money is going before they give. The other area that needs to be shown is movement on the front end, like better laws and passing legislation that steps up oversight, I’m so happy about the bill that was passed making animal abuse a felony, but more needs to be done, such as making punishment happen.
Finally, for those who don’t care about animal suffering, all I can say to you is hopefully someone in your family does, and maybe, just maybe, you care about them or all children’s future because without animals, this world would be terrible. Animal’s senses are even stronger than humans, they feel and hurt just like us and in some cases even more.
Greed, corruption and indifference are the clear problem of the world when it comes to animals. Too many times we have seen psychopaths get away with a slap on the hand…….if government officials around the world would find their heart and time to do something productive, those abusive criminals would “think” twice about harming animals. The grade of countries would be much higher. Imagine if animals could vote??????
Current administration is too busy trying to harm folks looking for the protections of this nation by crossing the border any way they can, and not enough time to trying to protect animals, and ultimately, human citizens. Where are the priorities? Why do we CAUSE suffering instead of trying to eliminate it? How can we proudly boast of how GREAT we are when we are not addressing the issues?
This just breaks my heart, we are capable of so much more!
All life should be protected and is valuable!!!
All life should be protected and is valuable!!!
All life should be protected and is valuable!!!
Change laws to protect our animals from these horrific practices! Change starts with you…
I am not surprised to read this…. but the entire world seems to be slow to act to protect all life.