p.1, "Pain Control in Laboratory Animals" by Lisa Levin, DVM. Levin describes how to recognize, assess, and control animal pain in laboratories. The U.S. Government Principles for Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training states that "investigators should consider that procedures which cause pain or distress in human beings may cause pain or distress in other animals." The key indicators of acute pain are listed (taken from "Recognition and Alleviation of Pain and Distress in Laboratory Animals," 1992 by the National Academy of Sciences). Levin also lists appropriate pain relief medication doses for various species.

p. 14, "Pain, Distress and Suffering in Steel-Jaw-Trapped Animals". In November l994, Arizona passed a state law banning use of steel traps on all state public lands.

p.6, "Congress Approves First Steps to Limit Military Experiments," by Deborah Christie-Smith. Author describes Armed Services Committee 1994 hearings whereby the Dept. of Defense was directed to develop a mechanism for providing detailed information on military experiments in a timely fashion. The Secretary of Defense must report back to the Committee within 180 days. The Committee report also directed that an animal advocate be appointed as the bona fide communtiy member of the animal care and use committee (IACUC) at each DOD facility to implement this guideline within 180 days. DOD has been directed to require a search of federal research-in-progress data bases before new research is approved to avoid duplication.

p. 7, "The Challenge of Cruelty Prosecutors." Washington passed a new law that makes intentional acts of cruelty a felony offense. For the first time, animal abusers will be subject to stiffer criminal penalties, including jail time.

p.33, "USDA Now Requires Anethesia for Ovariectomies," by Lucille R. Kaplan. A USDA protocol went into effect July l2 that requires veterinarians to use local or regional anesthesia before performing ovariectomies on heifers destined for export from Mexico to the US. American Veterinary Medical Assn. (AVMA) officials had earlier reviewed a PETA videotape of ovariectomies performed on unanesthetized Mexican heifers. It is unbelievable that US veterinarians had been performing ovariectomies on heifers without benefit of anesthesia. Mexican heifers that required "a complete ovariectomy (to) be performed through a flank incision on each heifer by a U.S...or Mexican accredited vet. OTHER SOURCE: AWI, Fall 1994, vol. 43, no. 4, p12, "USDA's Ban on Face Branding: A Good Start!--Ovariectomy Protocol: Anesthetics at Last.

v.14#5, p.9, "Progressive Animal Cruelty Felony Law Passed in Michigan." On May 15, 1994, Michigan Governor John Engler signed into law one of the toughest and most progressive animal cruelty laws in the U.S. This law, written and initiated by the Michigan Humane Society. Nine states have felony animal cruelty laws. Michigan was the first. Michigan's new law is unique among state felony laws because of the number and the nature of its penalties. Persons convicted of animal cruelty can be required to receive mental health treatment, reimburse public or private animal shelters for expenses incurred for treating animal victims and pay the courts for the cost of their own prosecution. The new law will go into effect on April 1, 1995.

v.14#4, p.6, "Mauritian Monkeys Spared" Mauritius has suspended trade in primates "pending review" before a proposed permanent ban. Boycott of Delta, Northwest, United, and US Air requested until they ban transportation of primates.

p.24-25, "'No, They Can't Make You Dissect'" A student who objected to her dissection assignment. wins a battle to use an alternative. When Erin's plea to use an alternative to dissecting a cat was rejected by her teacher, Erin's mother presented the Mound Texas School District science coordinator with evidence of the brutal methods used to kill animals in biological supply houses and info on cheaper, non-toxic, equally affective alternatives. After several meetings, the Mound Texas School District ruled that alternatives to dissection would be allowed for all levels of science courses in the school district.

p.4, "Cruel Farming in the Name of Freedom" by Gail Vines. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) launched a "Freedom Food" program will certify pork chops and eggs bearing their logo have been humanely produced. This will eventually extend to beef, poultry and dairy products. Critics, including the Farm Animal Trust, World Society for Protection of Animals and Farm Animal Welfare Network, claim the RSPCA effort is noble but the RSPCA standards for humane care are too low and approves an unacceptable pro intensive farming policy that mislead the consumer. Defenders of the RSPC standards claim the standards are all that is commercially achievable.

v.14#4, p.6, "A GATTling Gun Aimed at US Laws" Author believes the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) will undermine animal protection laws in every signatory country. OTHER SOURCE: AAVS - American Anti-Vivisection Society, 10/1/94, P.4, "Everything you're afraid to know about GATT but need to ask", by Adam M. Roberts, Animal Welfare Institute; SF Chronicle, 11/11/94, "GATT and Safeguards" by Kevin McBride.