POLAR BEARS ARE GIVEN NEW PROTECTIONS – May 2008, The U.S. Department of Interior listed the polar bear as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act, which gives the bear important new protections.

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PANORAMA CITY, Calif. – The Los Angeles Department of Animal Services (LAAS) ordered a circus elephant trainer to leave town April 2008 with his three elephants, for violating the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Under the city’s 12 new rules governing exotic animals, applicants may not receive a permit if they have violated the AWA within five years. LAAS General Manager, Ed Boks, contacted the USDA and learned the trainer had numerous violations under different names and aliases.

Yeah LAAS!

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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – According to KNBC news, a Santa Barbara man will spend 360 days in jail and attend one year of anger management classes for banging the head of his roommate’s kitten against a wall. The 21-year old defendant allegedly banged the kitten’s head against a wall, tossed her into the shower and turned on the water. The roommate and his friend rescued the kitten and she recovered. Judge Ochoa rules!