Animal victories at the polls

SuperVegan notes the winners and losers in animal-related propositions, including a resounding win for Proposition 204 in Arizona, which bans cruel crates for sows and calves (eventually), and a loss for Proposal 3 in Michigan, which would have legalized hunting mourning doves. (Links to the text of each law supra.) An Animal-Friendly Life applauds these victories as consistent with abolitionist ideals.

The blog of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida welcomes Arizona as the second state (after Florida) to ban gestation crates for pigs, but notes dishearteningly that Amendment 3 passed there, requiring a 60% vote to amend the state constitution. The amendment "passed with 58% of the vote – ironically, supporters of the amendment did not meet their own standard." Coloradans also rejected Amendment 38, which would have encouraged further initiatives.

Finally, the voters have sent home two big obstacles to animal law reform. California Representative Richard Pombo, the "leading opponent of animal welfare in Congress," was voted out. (Hat tip: Animal Person.) Also, Senator Conrad Burns, who singlehandedly reversed a policy protecting wild horses from slaughter, is out. Good riddance!