A former member of the board that regulates Colorado’s veterinarians faces animal cruelty allegations after authorities said pet birds were found living in bad conditions in her suburban Denver home. Ellen Kessler, 72, was issued a summons to appear in court May 23 to answer to 13 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty after a visitor […]
animal cruelty
Posted inNews
Feinstein wants probe into how many wild horses end up in slaughterhouses as Western drought forces roundups
By Scott Sonner, The Associated Press RENO, Nev. — Sen. Dianne Feinstein is calling on federal land managers to conduct an investigation to determine how many of the wild horses captured on public lands in the U.S. West end up at slaughterhouses. The California Democrat also wants the federal Bureau of Land Management to reevaluate […]
Posted inBusiness, News, Politics and Government
Colorado Supreme Court rejects animal cruelty ballot measure strongly opposed by farmers, ranchers
The Colorado Supreme Court on Monday rejected a proposed 2022 ballot question on animal cruelty, saying the measure seeking to define common ranching and farming practices as sex acts violates a clause in the state constitution. The court specifically ruled that Initiative 16 violates the Colorado constitution’s single-subject requirement, which says a ballot question or […]
Posted inColoradans, Economy, News, Politics and Government
Animal cruelty initiative aggravates Colorado ranchers fresh off MeatOut Day controversy
Coloradans who participated in the great, governor-inspired meat battle of 2021 either tore into a juicy steak Saturday or opted for a vegan burger and a side of veggies. But last weekend’s fight, prompted by Gov. Jared Polis’ proclamation of MeatOut Day, was nothing compared to a brewing battle over what ranchers are calling the […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: It’s time to ban wildlife killing contests in Colorado
The photographs are disarming: dozens of coyotes, their fur smeared with blood, strewn across the ground while grown men and sometimes children stand over them, proudly grinning from ear to ear. This is a familiar scene at wildlife killing contests, a little-known bloodsport rarely glimpsed by the general public. During these events, participants kill the […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Nicolais: Humane Pet Act is a long-overdue step toward compassion for dogs and cats
When I popped onto the Colorado General Assembly’s website a few days ago, I noted one of the three most accessed bills highlighted on the page included “Requirements for Dog and Cat Breeders and Sellers” or, more lyrically, the Humane Pet Act. Interest piqued, I clicked on the link and read the bill. Effectively, it […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: Closing down puppy mills isn’t a “radical animal rights” move — it’s all about decency
On Saturday, Sept. 21, I woke up to a news release titled “On Puppy Mill Awareness Day, Rep. Duran & First Gentleman Reis Draw Attention to the Need to Protect Our Canine Friends.” They focused on the utterly reprehensible inhumane conditions at puppy mills in Colorado and across the United States. The timing for the […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: The mass killing of Denver’s geese is cause for concern and outrage
Denverites love dogs and cats like family. There is also a growing interest in protecting wildlife across our beautiful state. Increasingly, more and more people recognize that companion animals and wildlife are individuals and not merely undifferentiated and anonymous beings lacking emotional lives. They form meaningful social relationships and feel a whole host of emotions including […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Nicolais: Providing more legal resources to protect animals could help reduce crime against people
Fido and Frisky may enjoy a little more protection in Colorado under a bill recently proposed in the state house. Not only would the bill bar anyone convicted of criminal cruelty to animals from owning an animal for a set period of years, but it also gives judges leeway to order mental health treatment for […]