Each law school semester — spring, summer and fall — Animal Outlook’s Legal Advocacy Program hosts two to four law students as externs or interns to work with us using the legal system to fight the systemic injustices of factory farming. Our interns and externs work under the direct supervision of our attorneys and play a vital role, contributing meaningful …
After a Compassion Over Killing hidden-camera investigation uncovered heartbreaking abuse to birds at Atlantic Farms, a Virginia factory farm contracted by Tyson Foods, the nation’s largest chicken producer, our evidence was turned over to authorities, who promptly investigated. The video reveals birds being violently kicked, slammed, thrown, and run over and crushed to death by forklifts. Other birds were killed …
From the courtrooms to the court of public opinion, Compassion Over Killing’s dedicated legal team tirelessly defends animals and strives for justice. Now, Irina Anta, COK Counsel, will be advocating for farmed animals in a new role in addition to her innovative work at COK. Irina has just been appointed as Co-Chair of the Animals in Agriculture Subcommittee of the …
On the heels of triumphant news for animals, that Utah’s ag-gag law, struck down by a federal judge as unconstitutional, is officially dead, a similar law in Iowa is now being challenged in court by animal protection groups. As organizations like Compassion Over Killing have shown time and again, undercover investigations are the most vital tool we have to shed light …
In July 2017, a federal judge declared Utah’s dangerous “ag-gag” law unconstitutional, for violating the First Amendment, calling the law “perfectly tailored toward … preventing undercover investigators from exposing abuses at agricultural facilities.” Now comes another stunning victory for farmed animals, as the ruling striking down this dangerous law won’t be appealed by the state Attorney General’s Office. Utah’s ag-gag law …
In a victory for animals and freedom of speech, a federal judge has just ruled that Utah’s ag-gag law is unconstitutional, for violating the First Amendment. Judge Robert Shelby found that the law, which he wrote is “perfectly tailored toward … preventing undercover investigators from exposing abuses at agricultural facilities,” suppresses “broad swaths of protected speech without justification.” Though the …
UCLA School of Law is launching new initiatives to promote cutting-edge research in food law and animal law — and to build bridges between the two fields. The school’s Resnick Program on Food Law and Policy will create the Initiative on Animals in Our Food System, which will host a series of roundtables and symposia to examine issues at the …
Chickens are forced to endure some of the worst abuses in animal agribusiness, and Animal Outlook works to bring their suffering, and that of all farmed animals, to light. Our investigators have revealed birds buried alive in pits and newly hatched chicks ground alive or left to slowly die. Despite desperate efforts by the industry to hide such abuse, we continue …
A note from Compassion Over Killing’s Board of Directors: We are so proud to celebrate Cheryl Leahy’s 10-year anniversary at COK! As General Counsel, Cheryl proves that no sector of animal agriculture is beyond the reach of COK’s challenge. She has led investigative efforts against the egg, dairy, chicken, pork, beef, turkey, and foie gras industries, and spearheaded groundbreaking legal actions against …