California, Michigan Enact Animal Welfare Laws

California and Michigan have adopted laws that animal welfare groups have reportedly heralded as landmark legislation. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Calif.) signed a bill (S.B. 135) prohibiting tail docking of dairy cows, a “ common and cruel mutilation,” according to the Humane Society of the United States. The California bill takes effect January 1, 2010.

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm (D) signed a bill (H.B. 5127) requiring that certain farm animals be provided enough room to stand up, turn around and extend their limbs rather than being confined in cages that impede their movement. “All animals deserve humane treatment, including those raised for food,” said the head of the humane society about the Michigan bill, which phases out veal crates for calves within three years, and battery cages for laying hens and gestation crates for breeding sows within 10 years. See Humane Society of the United States Press Releases, October 12, 2009.