Animal Law Podcast #12: Why Grizzlies, Cougars and Bobcats Need a Good Lawyer, with Nick Arrivo

I am so excited about Episode #12 of the Animal Law Podcast! This episode features the the Humane Society of the United States’ Nick Arrivo, and he will be talking about his efforts to protect some iconic American predators, including Grizzly Bears, cougars, and bobcats, from the ravages of hunting and trapping. It’s a pretty complicated business, involving state and federal administrative law, and includes a discussion of how the Endangered Species Act can sometimes be used to protect animals who are not “endangered” within the meaning of that statute (though they are certainly in plenty of danger from those who wish them harm). Why does everyone hate the predators so much? Could it have something to do with the livestock industry wanting to protect their turf?

Before we talk to Nick, I’ll be offering some of my opinions (pretty negative ones) on one of the legislative roadblocks set up by the State of New York to protect the dairy industry from competition. Why is it that the government seems to think it’s a bad thing if someone produces a vegetable based product that tastes like milk and is cheaper than milk, even when that product is clearly labeled as “non-dairy?” Who is the government trying to protect here, consumers or the dairy industry? Hmmmm. I’ll leave it to you to figure that out.

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