ASIAN ELEPHANTS – Endangered Species Act

Nature of Case: Claims are for the mistreatment of the Asian elephants, including the use of bull hooks on elephants and prolonged chaining of the elephants as violations of the Endangered Species Act.

Nature of Case:  The Plaintiffs are seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to protect Canada lynx from being caught in body-gripping traps used as part of the trapping program for other species as authorized and administered by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. 

Nature of Case: Following the implementation of an Illinois law banning horse slaughter within the State, Cavel International, Inc. and eleven of its employees filed suit in U.S. District Court challenging the existing law. The US District Court and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit have upheld the State law.

Nature of Case:   In February 2006, President Bush signed legislation as part of an omnibus appropriations bill, preventing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from spending funds to pay federally required USDA inspectors at the three remaining U.S. based horse slaughter facilities. The USDA immediately issued a policy permitting the horse slaughter facilities to reimburse the USDA for necessary inspectors thereby circumventing U.S. law and Congressional intent. AWI along with other humane organizations and individuals challenged this action and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia sided with the plaintiffs. Cavel International, Inc. appealed, but (due to the passage of an Illinois law banning horse slaughter within the state) Cavel, International, Inc. has since gone out of business rendering its appeal moot.

Nature of Case: Suit filed for contravention of National Environmental Protection Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, National Marine Sanctuaries Act and Endangered Species Act relating to the Navy’s planned Undersea Warfare Exercises using mid-frequency active sonar in Hawaiian waters during 2007-8.