The deadly tiger attack in San Francisco has become more sinister as experts reject a claim by a Zoo officials that the Siberian Tiger leap out of his enclosure. Human involvement would complicate the case against the Zoo, though a human release could cut both for and against greater liability for the Zoo. Continue reading “Deadly Tiger Attack Now Crime Case as Police Investigate Possible Human Involvement in Release”
Category: Environment
A Siberian Tiger escapes from its cage in the San Francisco zoo and killed one zoo visiter and mauled two others. It is a case that will likely lead to litigation, but the plaintiffs could face some special rules for zoo liability. However, this is not the first time for either the zoo or this particular tiger, which attacked someone in 2006. Continue reading “Zoo Tiger Escapes Kill One and Mauls Two in San Francisco — Roughly One Year After Prior Attack”
The Royal National Institute for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People has weighed in on the controversy over the selection of deaf children for adopting deaf couples. The Institute supports the practice. However, there remains a greater debate over the decision of American parents to engineer a deaf child through artificial selection. Continue reading “Engineering Deaf Babies for Deaf Couples: U.S. and Britain Debate the Selection of Deaf Embryos and Adopted Children”
In the last two decades, many cities have passed breed specific bans or limitations on dog owners. Pit bulls are the most common cited breed and one owner is now taking his dogs and his case to the Supreme Court. Paul Tellings likes his pit bulls and has challenged a Toledo law as baseless and biased. While the odds are against a grant of cert in the case, it would allow review of a highly controversial trend across the country. Continue reading “Pit Bulls Go to Supreme Court: Are Breed-Specific Laws Unconstitutional?”
In a ruling that will surprise many public health officials, the Ninth Circuit has upheld an arbitration decision that found that nurses at Virginia Mason hospital in Washington could not require that nurses receive flu shots as a condition for employment — a victory for the Washington State Nurses Association. It will likely be a concern for public health officials planning for pandemic and other risks, particularly given the court’s recognition of the strong public health reasons for the rule. Continue reading “Federal Court Rules that Nurses Cannot be Required to Have Flu Shots”
The Bush Administration has blocked an effort by California and other states to require higher emissions limits for cars and trucks to improve the air for their citizens. After waiting and hoping that federal courts would side with industry in litigation over the question, the Administration was forced to come up and oppose the environmental effort when the industry lost in court. Continue reading “Bush Administration Blocks Efforts of the States to Improve Clean Quality”
Fort Thomas, Ky. has a deer problem that may soon be a human problem. The city council is allowing hunting (with bow and arrow) within city limits. Given the number of hunting accidents each year, it seems an invitation for accidents. Continue reading “Kentucky City Allows Deer Hunting Within City Limits”
The Republicans were successful in filibustering the energy bill (including needed increases in fuel efficiency standards for cars) over their opposition to increased taxes for oil companies. Continue reading “GOP Filibusters Energy Bill Over Increased Taxes for Oil Companies — Why Can’t Democrats Be More Like Republicans?”
A federal district court has ruled against the auto industry’s attempt to stop California from requiring cleaner cars. The ruling of U.S. District Court Judge Anthony Ishii now puts pressure on the Bush Administration to either allow the important environmental measure to take effect or, once again, block an effort to combat greenhouse gases. Continue reading “Federal Court Rules Against Car Manufacturers; Pressure Now on Bush Administration”
In different studies, scientists have recently identified two major sources of global warming: Kudzo and Canadian beer drinkers. Continue reading “Scientists Identify Two Emerging Threats to the Planet: Kudzo and Canadian Beer Drinkers”
A case is brewing in California that could revisit controversies over constitutional taking of private property and the common law concerning public easements. Douglas Rigg, a 43-year-old architect, is challenging the property owners of a development called Seadrift near Stinson beach that bans the public from use of their beach. Continue reading “California Development Sued for Denying Public Use of Beach: A New Coastal Takings Case?”
Three people have been killed thus far in Wisconsin’s deer season — after only nine days. Continue reading “Buck Fever: Three Killed in First Nine Days of Deer Season in Wisconsin”
The Bush meat case in New York is moving toward trial with new arguments, including the use of the monkey meat as religious expression and the argument that the amount was too small to have a significant impact on conservation: a type of one monkey limit for chefs. Continue reading ““Bush Meat” Case Moves Toward Trial Amid Claims of One Monkey Exception”
In what is called the ultimate sacrifice for the planet, environmentalist Toni Vernelli announced this week that she not only terminated a pregnancy but had herself sterilized to save the planet from more people. Continue reading “What Ever Happened to a Small Monthly Donation? Environmentalist Sterilizes Self to Save Planet”
As U.S. Parks face cut back and no significant expansion of forested areas, Canada has set aside 25.5 million acres of land in the north for use as two new conservation areas — the equivalent to 11 Yellowstone National Parks. Continue reading “Canada Adds “11 Yellowstones” to its Park System as Over-Taxed U.S. Parks Face Cuts”