NFL reinstates Michael Vick on conditional basis

Nearly two years after he pleaded guilty to a federal charge of bankrolling a dogfighting operation at a home he owned in Virginia, Michael Vick was reinstated to the National Football League on a conditional basis, according to an NFL statement Monday.

Vick “will be considered for full reinstatement and to play in regular-season games by Week 6 based on the progress he makes in his transition plan,” the statement said. Week 6 of the NFL season is in October.

Vick may participate in practices, workouts and meetings and may play in his club’s final two preseason games under the conditions of his reinstatement, the league said.

Vick, in a statement, thanked the league’s commissioner and former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, who has served as his mentor.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to Commissioner [Roger] Goodell for allowing me to be readmitted to the National Football League,” Vick said in a statement. “I fully understand that playing football in the NFL is a privilege, not a right, and I am truly thankful for the opportunity I have been given.”

Vick, 29, was freed from federal prison at Leavenworth, Kansas, on May 20 and returned to his home to serve the last two months of his 23-month sentence in home confinement.

Vick also said in his statement that he is re-evaluating his life after the “terrible mistakes” he made.

“As you can imagine, the last two years have given me time to re-evaluate my life, mature as an individual and fully understand the terrible mistakes I made in the past and what type of life I must lead moving forward,” Vick said in the statement. “Again, I would like to thank the commissioner for the chance to return to the game I love and the opportunity to become an example of positive change.”

The former Atlanta Falcons player is a free agent and has not been signed by any team. Goodell said he was not involved in any negotiations between Vick and a team.

Dungy has agreed to continue working with Vick as an adviser and mentor, the NFL statement said.

Goodell said Vick underwent tests after requests from animal rights groups, including a psychiatric evaluation.

“We worked with animal rights activist groups, and we are clear,” he said. “We worked with their medical professionals about the aspects of our evaluations. Michael fully cooperated with all of those tests. Those tests did not indicate there was any reason he couldn’t make a transition forward.”

In a letter to Vick, Goodell wrote that his decision regarding full reinstatement “will be based on reports from outside professionals, your probation officer and others charged with supervising your activities, the quality of your work outside football” as well as factors such as the absence of any further law enforcement issues.iReport.com: Should Vick get a second chance?

“This step-by-step approach is not meant to be a further punishment and should not be viewed as such,” Goodell wrote, according to the NFL. “Instead, it is intended to maximize the prospect that you can successfully resume your career and your life. I believe that a transitional approach with a strong network of support will give you the best opportunity to manage effectively the various issues and pressures that you will inevitably face in the coming weeks and months and earn your full reinstatement.” Watch Goodell talk about his decision »

The league suspended Vick indefinitely in August 2007 after his guilty plea. Although he was released from federal custody July 20, he must serve three years of probation, the league said.

In reviewing Vick’s status, Goodell considered court records, submissions from Vick and others, reports from outside professionals and conversations with current and former players, among other items.

At a hearing July 22, Goodell spoke to Vick along with his representatives and others including NFL Players’ Association officials.

“As I emphasized to you when we met … it is actions that count,” Goodell wrote to Vick. “I accept that you are sincere when you say that you want to, and will, turn your life around and that you intend to be a positive role model for others. I am prepared to offer you that opportunity. Whether you succeed is entirely in your hands.”

Vick has also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. At a hearing in that case, he told the judge that he earned 12 cents an hour as an overnight janitor while in prison.

“We take this as a very serious matter,” Goodell said. “We’re dealing with a young man’s life.”

He said Vick admitted lying to him about his involvement in dogfighting and apologized. Goodell said he accepts Vick’s apology.

He acknowledged that he does not like being lied to but said he intends to move forward.

The Humane Society of the United States has said Vick has offered to work with the organization on anti-dogfighting campaigns.

Wayne Pacelle, the organization’s president, has said Vick was to work on programs aimed at preventing youths from getting involved in dogfighting and on programs to assist young people who have been involved.

In testimony before the bankruptcy judge, Vick acknowledged committing a “heinous” act and said he should have acted more maturely.

“Your margin of error is extremely limited,” Goodell wrote to Vick. “I urge you to take full advantage of the resources available to support you and to dedicate yourself to rebuilding your life and your career. If you do this, the NFL will support you.”

Source: CNN

Let the past, be the past, and look into your furture. –BEM Foundation

Welcome back Michael Vick!!!!

Source:  BEM’s Foundation Blog

Posted:  Just One More Pet

Comments:

Announce a Partnership – Yesterday would have been the perfect day to announce a new partnershipbetween the NFL and a group such as the ASPCA  or the Humane Society (Vick did)

NFL Animal Cruelty Initiative – It has been over two years since the Vick incident occurred, and it was clear that decision day for the Commissioner would come.  The months leading up to yesterday should have seen a major campaign against animal cruelty from the League.

Related Resources:

• Michael Vick and the NFL: Fumble
• Vick Released From Federal Custody – ASPCA President Speaks Out
• ASPCA Assists in Largest Dog Fighting Crackdown in U.S. History
• Great Update About Dogs Removed From Michael Vick’s Compound
• Seems Micheal Vick Snuck Out of Prison When Release to Avoid Media
• Humane Society of the U.S. finally changes its policy on fighting dogs
• Dogtown

Teen Who Killed Kitten Only to Serve One Year in Prison

The ASPCA applauds the conviction of Cheyenne Cherry, a 17-year-old Bronx, NY, resident who admitted to the heinous act of leaving her ex-roommate’s kitten, Tiger Lily, in an oven to burn to death. On June 3, she was arrested by ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) Agents for aggravated animal cruelty, burglary, criminal mischief and arson.

On July 16, in Bronx Supreme Court, Cherry unapologetically pled guilty to charges of animal cruelty and burglary. Waiving her right to appeal, she agreed to serve one year in prison and not keep a pet for the next three years. Currently jailed on a probation violation, her formal sentencing is scheduled for July 31. Cherry’s accomplice, a 14-year-old girl who allegedly placed the kitten in the oven, is facing charges in family court because of her age.

The horrific death of eight-week-old Tiger Lily garnered the public’s attention this past June, and justifiably so, as a clear connection has been established between acts of cruelty toward animals and potential future violence directed at humans. “Cherry appeared to show no remorse for her role in allowing an eight-week-old kitten to cook to death in a 500-degree oven,” says Stacy Wolf, Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel for the ASPCA HLE department. The teen also has a history of violent crimes against both people and animals—in 2008, she was arrested for committing the armed theft of a Yorkshire Terrier.

“The lack of remorse shown by Cheyenne Cherry, along with the complicity of a younger child in the crime, is alarming,” says Sheryl Pipe, ASPCA Senior Director of Humane Education. “It is crucial that legal, mental health and education professionals identify kids at risk of committing such acts and learn how to appropriately intervene.”

What do you think? Tweet on this article. Include @aspca and #TeenConvict

Source:  ASPCA.com

Absolutely not enough considering the level of cruelty.  Cheyenne should have gotten 10 years in prison and should never be allowed to own a pet for the rest of her life!  Cheyenne was unapologetic and there is no rehabilitation in prison that will change her sociopathic tendencies or cruelty and the same goes for the 14-year-old accomplice.  This sentence is a crime!!  JOMP~

Posted: Just One More Pet

Related Articles:

• Teen Kills Kitten in Oven; Faces 10-Year Sentence
• Police Dog Killer Gets Life Without Parole
• Domestic and Animal Abuse
• Father Arrested for Allegedly Killing Family Dog in Front of Children
• Warning Signs That Your Child’s Behavior Is Dangerous To Pets
• Manhatten Man Arrested For Beating Dog and Girlfriend
• Alabama Dog Fighting Bust

We Need A Home – OC Humane Society Huntington Beach

Honda Dog Friendly Element reveal from the Ny Auto Show – Gets Humane Society Approval

Honda’s recent release of its “Dog Friendly” Element concept introduced built-in facilities to aid canine transport. A finalized version of the model is scheduled to debut this fall. But do the added components represent anything more than gimmicks?

 View Accompanying Video

Major components of the new concept include a a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform; second row and cargo area pet restraint systems and an extendable cargo area load-in ramp. Other components include a 12V DC rear ventilation fan, seat covers, rubber floor mats and a spill-resistant water bowl.

The equipment has been engineered specifically for the Element and the restraint was designed by one of the world’s leading automotive safety systems suppliers. Honda says that the restraint concepts are intended to complement the potential of the vehicle’s existing restraint systems by helping to protect the dog and helping to prevent injuries to other vehicle occupants due to an unrestrained dog impacting them in a collision.

“In-vehicle pet restraints should be part of every dog owner’s safe travel practices,” said Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. “The expanded availability of manufacturer-based restraints and features can help elevate pet comfort and convenience for owners. Good ventilation and access to water on longer trips should also be primary concerns.”

While many of the components of the “Dog Friendly&trade” Element could be added to any SUV – for example a non-spill bowl – Honda is probably setting the pace for American car manufacturers by fitting restraints specifically designed for dogs.

By Daphne Reid – Pet People’s Place

Related Resources:

• Honda’s Dog Friendly Element
• Maryland Rejects Banning of Dogs in Pickups

Posted:  Just One More Pet

Father Arrested for Allegedly Killing Family Dog in Front of Children

A Wisconsin man has been arrested for allegedly killing the family dog in front of his children. After an 11-year-old drew a picture at school, his father now faces felony charges in Waukesha County. 52-year-old Michael Tessmer will appear in Waukesha County Court on Thursday.

Authorities found out about what happened after the man’s son drew a picture of a dog at school along with the phrase “My Dad Is A Killer”. The boy told police his father was angry because the dog had relieved itself inside the home. Police say Tessmer shoved a urine soaked paper towel in the dog’s mouth then kicked it five or ten times.

The boy’s mother who is getting a divorce from Tessmer brought the dead dog to the Humane Society. If Tessmer is convicted he could be fined ten thousand dollars and get three and a half years in jail.

If this father truly did this I hope he gets the maximum sentence as well as extended probation that includes long-term required psychological counseling!!  I also think someone really needs to look  at ‘only  supervised visitation’ with his children and Michael Tessmer should be restricted from owning or working with animals ever again. There is no justification, explanation or excuse for his actions!!  Many serial killers and batterers of all kinds started with harming, torturing or killing animals.  This type of behavior should not be tolerated or excused in any way and should always be reported!

It is everyone’s responsibility to stand up,  intervene and report violance and abuse ofany kind toward animals, children and all victims no matter how small or how heinous.  It is the only way it will stop!  You can bet that this isn’t the first and only time this man has been abusive and violent and this would have been prevented if someone had stood up to him or reported him before.  I also must wonder about the accuracy of this story.  If the wife had taken the abused and murdered dog to the Humane Society why had they not reported it to the police?

As the saying goes…  You are either part of the solution or part of the problem!! Let us all always be part of the solution!!

Related Articles:

Reasons Dogs Urinate In The House

Warning Signs That Your Child’s Behavior Is Dangerous To Pets

Petland Supports Puppy Mills

 

Maybe you saw Oprah’s show on puppy mills earlier this year, and wondered how this cruelty can persist and who’s responsible.

 

Today, The Humane Society of the United States released the results of a shocking investigation showing that pet store chain Petland Incorporated is the nation’s largest retail supporter of puppy mills. The cruelty must end – watch our video and take action today.

 

Our national, eight-month investigation shows that Petland stores in multiple states are marketing dogs from cruel puppy mills to unsuspecting dog buyers. The investigation into Petland stores in Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, and other states revealed that many of the puppies sold at these stores came from massive commercial breeders in Missouri and other states in the Midwest where hundreds of breeding dogs are packed into filthy, crowded cages.

 

Most of the puppies bred at puppy mills are eventually sold over the Internet or through pet stores, including many Petlands in the U.S. The unseen victims are the mother dogs who are forced to live their entire lives behind bars – without exercise, without socialization, without ever being part of a family or even seeing the outside of their cages. 
 
We are committed to stopping puppy mill cruelty, but we can’t do it without your help. The holiday puppy-buying season is in high gear, so please watch our video and then tell Petland to stop selling puppies.  

Then contact your nearest Petland franchise to tell them to get out of the puppy-selling business.  

Thank you for your commitment to stopping puppy mills and for all that you do for animals.

Sincerely,

Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States

 

Yes On 2 Wins – Take A Bow – Animal History Starts New Chapter

Take a bow. You rewrote history for animals.

Thanks to you, 20 million animals in California will soon be spared the worst abuses of factory farms. And I’m confident that we’ll look back at today as a pivotal moment in how our nation treats animals who are raised for food.

Early returns showed that more than 60% of Californians voted for Prop 2. This is a tremendous victory for animals, for The Humane Society of the United States…and for you. We were able to reach millions of voters with our message of compassion only because you stood with us – by taking action, by donating to the campaign, and by telling your friends, family, and neighbors about Prop 2 and what it would do for animals and for the state.

This was a momentous election for the nation. I’m so grateful and honored for everything you did to make Prop 2 a big part of the story. Please read my blog over the coming days for my take on Prop 2 and what it means for animal protection.

It may be a cliché to say that “we couldn’t have done it without you.”  But it’s so utterly true. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States

URGENT ALERT: Don’t Let Joe Knollenberg Lie About Animal Cruelty!

The Humane Society Legislative Fund — the nation’s only group that tracks on a nonpartisan basis the voting records of Members of Congress and works to hold them accountable — needs your help on an urgent election issue. We are working to let voters in Michigan’s 9th Congressional District know about U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg’s terrible record on animal cruelty — one of the worst records in the entire country. Click here to see our TV ad
highlighting Knollenberg’s terrible record.

But now, just days before the election, Joe Knollenberg is paying for radio ads and robo-calls trying to fool voters into believing that he is a friend of animals. He is even trying to use local humane societies as a shield for his long and embarrassing record on animal cruelty.

Please call Joe Knollenberg’s campaign office today at 248-723-1477. Tell him to stop lying about his record on animal cruelty, and to stop using local humane societies as a shield for his political agenda.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund has been watching Joe Knollenberg vote against animal protection time and again. We’ve reached out to him and asked for his vote to stop animal cruelty, yet he has sided with animal abusers almost every time. In fact, he has an average score of 12 out of 100 over 16 years in Congress — meaning Knollenberg sided with animal abusers 88 percent of the time!

Some of his votes on animal protection issues include the following:

• Horse Slaughter: He voted against the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, H.R. 503 (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll433.xml — September 7, 2006), to prohibit the slaughter of American horses to be served as a foreign delicacy in France and Belgium.

• Animal Fighting: He voted against the Blumenauer-Tancredo amendment to H.R. 2673 (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/roll355.xml — July 14, 2003) which provided $800,000 for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to improve enforcement of the federal law against animal fighting — the same law that was later used to break up Michael Vick’s dogfighting ring.

 

• Polar Bears: He voted against the Inslee-LoBiondo amendment to H.R. 2643 (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll573.xml — June 27, 2007) to prohibit wealthy American trophy hunters from importing the heads and hides of sport-hunted polar bears killed in the Arctic.

 

• Downer Cattle: He voted against the Ackerman-LaTourette amendment to H.R. 2673 (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/roll357.xml — July 14, 2003) to protect our food supply and stop the abuse of sick and crippled cattle too weak to walk to slaughter. Six months after that vote, a downer cow in the U.S. tested positive for “mad cow disease.”

 

• Bear Baiting: He voted against the Gallegly-Moran amendment to H.R. 2691 (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/roll382.xml — July 17, 2003) to stop the inhumane and unsporting practice of shooting bears over piles of pizza and jelly doughnuts on national forests.

 

• Lethal Predator Control: He voted against the DeFazio-Bass amendment to H.R. 1906 (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1999/roll172.xml — June 8, 1999) and the DeFazio-Bass-Morella amendment to H.R. 4461 (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2000/roll382.xml — July 11, 2000) to end the use of tax dollars to kill predators with cruel traps and poisons as a government subsidy for private ranchers.

 

• Dolphin-Safe Tuna: He voted for H.R. 408 (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1997/roll151.xml — May 21, 1997) which ended the embargo on dolphin-deadly tuna and weakened protections for dolphins caught in tuna nets, and he voted against the Miller amendment to H.R. 2670 (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1999/roll382.xml — August 5, 1999) to limit U.S. funding of the international tuna fishing convention, which allows the use of dolphin-deadly nets.

 

• Trapping: He voted against the Farr-Whitfield amendment to H.R. 2466 (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1999/roll291.xml — July 14, 1999) to stop the use of steel-jawed leghold traps and wire neck snares to kill and maim animals for their fur pelts on national wildlife refuges.

 

• Fur Subsidies: He voted against the Shays-Deutsch amendment to H.R. 1976 (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1995/roll553.xml — July 21, 1995) which eliminated a $2 million annual subsidy for the luxury mink coat industry.

 

• Foreign Trophy Hunting: He voted against the Fox-Miller amendment to H.R. 2159 (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1997/roll359.xml — September 4, 1997) to stop the use of tax dollars to promote the trophy hunting of African elephants and other foreign species as a rural development strategy.

 

• Yellowstone Bison: He voted against the Rahall amendment to H.R. 2691 (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/roll383.xml — July 17, 2003) to protect the last free-roaming buffalo herd in Yellowstone National Park from government slaughter.

 

• Wild Horses and Burros: He voted against the Rahall-Whitfield-Sweeney-Spratt amendment to H.R. 2361 (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll196.xml — May 19, 2005), and voted against H.R. 249 (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll269.xml — April 26, 2007), to restore the decades-long protection for wild horses and burros on public lands from commercial sale and slaughter.

 

Don’t be fooled by Joe Knollenberg’s phony conversion to animal issues right before the election. He can’t hide from his long and embarrassing record on animal cruelty, and now he is lying about it. Please forward this message to everyone you know in Michigan’s 9th District, and urge them to vote for Gary Peters instead — the candidate we can trust on animal protection.

Thank you,


Mike Markarian
President
Humane Society Legislative Fund

In Pets We Trust

Kathleen McCabe weeps when she recalls the death of Alexis Jarose. Not only did McCabe lose her best friend, but she couldn’t save Jarose’s dog, Schweppes, a wirehaired fox terrier. “I would have willingly taken him, but when Alexis died, her caregiver immediately put the dog to sleep. There was nothing I could do, because Lex had revised her will leaving out any mention of Schweppes,” she recalled.

A similar fate won’t befall McCabe’s beloved terrier, Spencer. Since McCabe first crafted a will with her husband, Stephen, 40 years ago, provisions have always been made for their pets.

Animals who outlive their owners face uncertain fates. Under the best circumstances, a family member or friend cares for your pet for the rest of its life. If not, your pet goes to a shelter, is euthanized, or is simply let out the front door. The Humane Society of the United States estimates six to eight million dogs and cats enter shelters annually. Only half are adopted.

Should an accident befall payroll specialist Millicent Reed, 50, or her husband Jimmy, her sister-in-law Patricia would get first right of refusal to their seven cats. Another sister-in-law is next in line. Reed said a plan is essential. Six years ago, her aunt was in an auto accident and later died.

“We knew my aunt’s cat, Pepper, was alone, but it took us a week to fly to my aunt’s home,” she said. By then Pepper was out of food and scrounging through the garbage cans. Now Reed always leaves her pets enough accessible food and water to last at least a week should something catastrophic occur. 

Thinking of leaving a chunk of change to Fido or Fluffy? Think again. “In our current legal system, an animal can’t own property. Some human has to be in charge. A will is a transfer of assets. Once it’s done, there’s no ongoing supervision,” explained Mary Randolph, a non-practicing lawyer and the author of “Every Dog’s Legal Guide” (2007).

Randolph suggests a pet trust. This legal document—recognized in 39 states and the District of Columbia—outlines the continued care and maintenance of domestic animals and names new caregivers or directs trustees to find new homes for pets. “A trustee has a legal duty of carrying out your wishes,” she said.

While owners may simply include their pets as provisions in their wills, Michael Markarian of the Humane Society believes a trust is a better option in case of disability. He said, “Wills may take weeks to be executed and could be contested, but a living trust can be written to immediately take effect.”

Creating one does take time. Select a pet-friendly lawyer or estate planner and expect to pay from $500 to $1,000 for their services. Be sure to consider your pet’s financial future. Some owners make outright gifts of cash for their animals’ care.

Hilary Lane of Louisville, Colo., has set aside $5,000 to offset costs for the person who ends up with her dogs, Luna and Frisbee. Likewise Carol Brown, 72, an antiques dealer in Walpole, N.H., has money set aside for the care of her three Norwich terriers and two horses, should any outlive her. “I didn’t want to place a financial burden on their caregivers,” she said.

Some animal lovers don’t advertise the fact that money is part of the deal. One pet owner who wishes to remain anonymous reveals that upon her death, there are 10 people listed as potential trustees to take care of her male cat. What the new caregiver won’t know at first is that the estate is instructed to award the person $10,000 if the feline is still with him or her after six months. “I want someone to take him out of the kindness of their heart and be rewarded if they keep him and fall in love with him like I did,” she explains.

Others leave money to be distributed over time—monthly, annually, or as reimbursement for expenses. 

Want even more security for your pet? Name someone other than the caregiver as trustee to dole out the cash. This reduces the risk of someone taking the money, but selling or destroying your pet.

That’s Dane Madsen’s plan. After his divorce, the 50-year-old corporate strategist from Henderson, Nev., created a living trust for his three rottweilers. “Should my ex-wife be unable to care for any of my pets, two trustees have explicit instructions to use their best judgment to find homes for my pets. The dogs should be kept together, and the new caregiver will receive $150 per month, plus money for veterinary bills and other expenses,” he said. “In the event an animal falls ill, the caregiver and vet jointly decide their end-of-life management.”

More of a do-it-yourselfer? For $89, Peace of Mind Pet Trust (POMPT) will e-mail you simple forms for creating a trust according to the laws of the state in which you live. The brainchild of an Illinois lawyer, Peter Canalia, the kit includes checklists, tips for funding your trust, and paperwork to create a durable power of attorney. Pet trusts can stipulate all the details an owner finds important, from the kind of food the pet eats to its medical needs and walking schedules. The Humane Society also offers a free fact sheet on estate-planning. The sheet includes advice on both wills and trusts.

Bottom line: Just as you would if you were picking a guardian for a child, talk to potential caregivers for your pets. Find someone you trust. After all, what you really want is someone who will love your pet.

By: Laura Daily | Source: AARP.org

Pets in Estate Plans Fact Sheet in English

Pets in Estate Plans Fact Sheet in Spanish

 Every Dog’s Legal Guide 

Animal Welfare: Oprah focuses on California’s Proposition 2

 ”I believe how we treat the least of beings among us determines our own humanity!”  …Oprah said in opening remarks on her show about the treatment of farm animals

 

The Oprah Winfrey Show on Tuesday shined a spotlight and her support on Proposition 2, the California ballot initiative that will determine how animals are raised. 

Reporter Lisa Ling visited both free-range farms and “factory” farms to show viewers the differences in how animals are raised. On the set of the program, Oprah stood next to replicas of cages and crates to show the size of some animals’ quarters in large-scale farm operations. Those who support California’s Proposition 2 say these animals have a right to more space during their lives. Opponents claim the new law would drive up costs, put farmers out of business and end the egg industry in California, and deny consumers the right to choose less-expensive food. 

Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, told Oprah’s audience that he supports Proposition 2. “This is just about basic decency,” he said. “It’s about, if animals are going to be raised for food – and that’s certainly the case in this country – then the least we can do for them is allow them to move. I mean, what’s more basic that allowing animals with legs and wings to move around and treating them in a humane way? Californians do the right thing and vote ‘Yes’ on Prop 2.”

The show, however, was not one-sided. Opponents of Proposition 2 also had their say. Ryan Armstrong, a third-generation egg farmer from California, told the audience that if Proposition 2 passes, it will make eggs produced in California too expensive for most consumers, creating the possibility that eggs will be imported from places without these animal housing laws.  (However, in several other states the changes are already being made). 

A couple that now raises range-free veal calves successfully, says that in the long run, it is actually cheaper and less labor intensive to allow them to live freely, with their mothers. 

Another farmer who raises range free pigs and chickens says that food is all about energy, and the energy emitted from abused animals affects all of us who eat that meat in a negative way. 

Listen to AgriTalk’s interview with Illinois Farm Bureau President Phil Nelson, who invited Winfrey to travel outside of Chicago and visit a farm in downstate Illinois.

Listen to AgriTalk’s interview with Matt Kellogg, a hog farmer from Yorkville, Illinois who was featured on the program and talked about the experience.

Source: Drovers