Jordan and Kuwait abuse of Australian sheep

Animals Australia has exposed yet more evidence of sheep exported from WA being sold outside the federal export supply chain system in Jordan and Kuwait for likely private slaughter in backyards as part of the religious Eid festival. In Jordan 10,000 sheep were found located at places not approved by the federal supply chain, suggesting…

The shameful plight of dairy’s rejects

Bobby (male) calves are only 5 days old when transported to the abattoir, solely on the grounds that they are a cost to the dairy farmer and of no use. In the Panel’s view an animal’s life must count for much more than immediate euthanasia or an early death. Read more here: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/call-for-better-life-for-dairys-rejects-20131012-2vff7.html

Panel intervenes in Queensland for dog on death row

The Panel intervened this week to save a dog, Zeus, from being put down by Brisbane City Council as an alleged restricted breed dog, pending the arrival from interstate in the next fortnight of a veterinarian (arranged by the Panel) to assess Zeus and certify that he is not a restricted breed dog, and if…

Bill Bruce’s visit to Australia and seminar details

The Panel is delighted to confirm that Mr Bill Bruce will be presenting at the following seminars throughout Australia: Sydney  (Supported by Australian BSL Protesters and Team Dog) Date:              Thursday 17 October 2013 Time:              2-4pm AND 6-8pm (two seminars) Location:         The Barnett Long…

The fight for Knuckles and Zeus, Part II

The challenge in the Supreme Court of Victoria to save Knuckles and Zeus from euthanasia a few weeks ago by the City of Greater Geelong concluded today with the lives of both dogs spared. But for the Court challenge, these two dogs would have been killed. However there are further legal steps to be taken, including…

A dog called ‘Lady’

There is a limit to what we can say here. But a dog called Lady of a Wolfie/Kelpie mix was seized by local laws officers of a NSW rural council because of her owner’s failure to comply with the requirements of the council’s dangerous dog declaration. But Lady’s owner lived in public housing and was…

The fight for Knuckles and Zeus

The Panel has intervened to attempt the rescue of two dogs, Knuckles and Zeus, on death row at the City of Greater Geelong. An urgent interim injunction stopping the dogs from being put down was obtained by Panel counsel last week. The matter returns for the hearing of an interlocutory (pre-trial) injunction in the Supreme…

3D cancer device cuts animal testing

Scientist claim that a new three dimensional device for depicting cancer tumors stands to reduce the number of animals used in testing of compounds in cancer research by up to a third and offers the prospects that ultimately animals may not be necessary for use in cancer research. Read more here: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/world/d-cancer-device-cuts-animal-testing/story-e6frfkui-1226716509691  

CRIPPLED CATTLE SHIP CRISIS

Live export vessel, the Pearl of Para, with 5240 cattle on board has been stranded in Cockburn Sound (off the WA coast), for the past two nights after abandoning a voyage to Israel because of propeller shaft coupling trouble. Mechanical failure on this ship last year led to the death of 400 pregnant cattle on a voyage from US…

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Kerser wins leave to appeal: appeal fixed for 11 October 2013

Croucher J of the Supreme Court of Victoria at 10am today determined to allow Kerser’s appeal against the Associate Justices’s refusal to grant leave (permission) to appeal, and fixed an early date of 11 October 2013 for hearing the appeal itself. It will be recalled that at the first VCAT hearing Jade Applebee lost her…

California Court Upholds Foie Gras Ban

‘BREAKING NEWS: Today the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld California’s ban on the production and sale of foie gras, the cruel delicacy produced from the livers of force-fed ducks. The court held that the ban was constitutional, finding the foie gras lobby’s challenge failed to even “raise serious questions” about the law’s constitutionality, The…

Animal testing, cosmetics and labelling

The Panel has raised its concerns with the ACCC over misleading marketing claims by some cosmetic producers that they do not test their products on animals when it is plain that they do. Here the lucrative market of China with its requirement that products be animal tested (that is, on rabbits and mice) has a…

MYLO

Mylo and his owner lost at the VCAT hearing yesterday before Senior Member Davis. The Panel is arranging for senior counsel to draw Supreme Court appeal papers. Mylo is safe as relevant assurances have been sought and received pending the filing of the appeal application. The Panel thanks in particular Carolyn Burnside of counsel for…

KERSER’S APPEAL CONCLUDES; JUDGEMENT RESERVED

After two days hearing, the appeal by Kerser’s owner, Jade Applebee, concluded late today. Judgement by Croucher J has been reserved. It will be known that that the appeal is from the decision of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria to refuse leave to appeal from the VCAT determination (affirming the declaration of the…

JUST IN: Fundraising in Tasmania

The Barristers Animal Welfare Panel Foundation was notified this morning that it has received approval to fundraise in Tasmania from Tuesday 23 July 2013, so that it is now able to offer memberships and accept donations from residents from all states and territories (except Queensland and New South Wales), and in respect of persons who…

JUST IN: Fundraising in Victoria, SA, WA, ACT and NT

The Barristers Animal Welfare Panel Foundation was notified this morning that it is now registered for fundraising in Victoria from Wednesday 24 July 2013, so that it is now able to accept donations from residents of Victoria. Accordingly, the Foundation is able to now offer memberships and receive donations in Victoria, SA, WA, ACT and…

Update: ACT Kangaroo Cull

The Panel’s legal team filed on behalf of the Australian Society of Kangaroos an application to review yesterday morning in the ACT CAT, challenging the Tribunal’s calculation of permissible eastern grey kangaroo kill numbers, having regard to the formula adopted in their reasons for judgement. If upheld, the application for review would have reduced the…