Constant Against Cruelty

Your HSUS is big enough and strong enough to carry on the fight on multiple fields of battle. 

We are still immersed in the follow-up to the hidden camera investigation that exposed appalling abuses of downed cows, the slaughter plant's gross disregard for the law, and the gaps in the regulatory program at slaughter plants. Yesterday, I participated in a press conference about the controversy with U.S. Reps. George Miller (D-Calif.), chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), chairwoman of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. They announced a series of congressional hearings on the subject of animal welfare and food safety, along with an investigation by the Government Accountability Office (you can listen to the press conference here). The issue continues to be covered by press all over the nation and the world, with some of the most interesting stories in the last day or two, including pieces in the Los Angeles Times and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin that focus on what our investigator endured during his six-week undercover operation.

And while many of our staff are pushing this case forward (with legal action, congressional and state legislative responses, ongoing investigations, public exposure, and the like), we are battling on other fronts, too.

Yesterday, our animal fighting unit worked with the Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA) and the Pima County Sheriff's Department (PCSD) in southern Arizona to execute a major raid on kingpins in the dogfighting world. We gathered intelligence over the last six months and provided it to local authorities who take their charge seriously to enforce anti-cruelty laws. Raids were conducted yesterday at multiple dwellings and six people are now in custody, including Mahlon "Pat" Patrick, reputed to be one of the top dogfighting breeders in the nation. Thus far, 150 pit bulls have been seized. We offer thanks to our partners—HSSA and PCSD—on this successful series of raids.

I say with pride again that our investigators are doing stellar work. Thanks to our policy work, the law is increasingly on our side, and we aim to see the laws enforced. Animal abusers—whether they are reckless slaughterhouse workers, or dogfighters, or puppy millers—will meet an unrelenting force in The HSUS and will gain no respite from us.