Posted December 20, 2013
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit in which the People
for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sought to compel USDA to enforce
Animal Welfare Act amendments adopted in 2002, according to an article by the
Kansas City Star available here. The opinion is available here.
Judge James Boasberg, of the U.S. District Court for
the District of Columbia, said PETA made some “strong arguments,” but concluded
that USDA’s decision is a matter of agency discretion, thus the case must be
dismissed.
Judge Boasberg, however, criticized the agency for
missing and rescheduling deadlines on the publication of proposed bird-specific
regulations.
PETA’s director of animal law, Jared Goodman, stated:
“PETA will continue to work to ensure that these birds receive the legal
protection to which they are entitled and will pressure the government until it
does its job.”
For more information on animal welfare, please visit
the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
