Last November, we told you about a case being heard in the U.S. Supreme Court about whether or not California could enforce a state-level law to protect slaughter-bound pigs who were too sick or injured to walk. This law requires the humane euthanasia of “nonambulatory” or “downed” pigs, preventing them from being poked, prodded, or otherwise forced through the slaughter line. While federal law prevents the slaughter of “downed” cows, California is the only state to extend these protections to pigs.
Take Action: Urge Congress to Pass First Federal Law Protecting Egg Laying Hens
Currently in the US, more than 250 million egg-laying hens are suffering inside tiny wire cages so small, they’re denied the ability to engage in some of their most natural behaviors, including walking. With virtually no laws to protect them, these smart and social animals are subjected to some of the worst abuses imaginable and are routinely treated in ways that would result in criminal prosecution if those same abuses were inflicted upon cats or dogs. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to expose the rotten truth of egg production and promote compassionate food choices.
Egg Consumption Is Declining: Industry News
Here’s some encouraging news from the egg industry with a sunny side for hens: per capita egg consumption in the US has been steadily declining for the past six years!
That’s according to a recent Egg Industry Fact Sheet posted on the United Egg Producers’ website, which is based on statistics from the US Department of Agriculture. As highlighted in the graph below, in 2006 the average American ate 258.1 eggs while the estimate for 2011 drops down to 246.3 — that’s nearly one dozen fewer eggs per person.
Update: Whole Foods Severs Ties with CA Chicken Hatchery Exposed by COK
Last week, COK — represented by the Animal Legal Defense Fund — filed a lawsuit against the California-based Cal-Cruz Hatcheries for unlawful business practices relating to undercover COK video footage documenting shockingly cruel conditions forced upon newly-hatched chicks. The complaint aims to stop the ongoing abuse of baby birds at this facility which hatches chicks destined to be slaughtered for their meat.
State “Ag Gag” Bills Aim to Criminalize the Exposure of Factory Farm Cruelties
Last year, you may recall that four states–Florida, Iowa, Minnesota and New York– introduced so-called “ag gag” bills aimed at shutting down the efforts of animal protection organizations to go undercover to investigate factory farms and document the miserable conditions forced upon billions of farmed animals. While these state bills varied in content and scope, they were all supported by animal agribusiness and the mission was clear: keep animal cruelty hidden from public view by criminalizing the filming or photographing of an agricultural facility without the owner’s express consent.
COK Files Lawsuit Against California Hatchery to Stop Cruel and Unlawful Practices
Compassion Over Killing is teaming up with the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) to represent us in a lawsuit filed today against Cal-Cruz Hatcheries. The complaint, filed in the California Superior Court, seeks to stop the alleged ongoing abuse of baby birds inside this Santa Cruz-based chicken hatchery that was exposed in the media in 2010 for shocking cruelty to animals as documented by a COK investigation.
Quorn Launches First Vegan Product
After successfully persuading several major corporations to reduce or eliminate their use of eggs and add vegan options – including Morningstar Farms, Lightlife, and BOCA Foods – COK reached out to the UK-based company, Quorn, touted as the world’s number one brand of vegetarian meat alternatives.
Supreme Court to Decide if California Can Help Sick and Injured Pigs
Oral arguments began yesterday at the U.S. Supreme Court over whether the state of California has the legal authority to enforce a state law meant to end the suffering of slaughter-bound pigs who are too sick or weak to walk.
Subway Rolls Out All-Vegan Patty at Select Locations in Canada
Do you enjoy Subway’s Veggie Delight sandwich but wish you could feast on a “meatier” animal-friendly meal? We do, too — and if you live in Canada, now you can!
Compassion Over Killing’s WeLoveSubway.com campaign has been asking consumers to reach out to Subway, the world’s largest restaurant chain, urging the company to add vegan options — and we’re excited to share some good news: select Subway restaurants throughout Canada are starting to dish out an all-vegan patty, promoted as the “Totally Vegged” vegetable patty! And it’s 100% meat-, egg, and dairy-free (see ingredients below).
