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Criminology has paid limited attention to violence against animals. While there are several notable publications, and a few conference presentations each year, the theoretical foundation is limited and the boundaries of criminological study regarding animals are poorly defined. Animal abuse is seldom included in criminology textbooks and a search for related syllabi yields few results aside from research ethics courses. While animal abuse is considered by criminology when trying to understand the progression of violence toward humans, limited attention has been given to topics such as corporate violence toward animals, animals as property, the environmental harms of large-scale meat production, and the criminalization of advocacy on behalf of animals. This site (currently under construction) represents an effort to organize around the concept of “vegan criminology.” Vegan criminology includes a focus on animal rights and the rights of those attempting to protect animals, including efforts to document and prevent environmental threats, using animals as entertainment, sport, and experimentation, the role of patriarchy, the legal status of animals, and the widespread acceptance of treating animals as food.

Box turtles. Coral. These illegally trafficked animals still need a good home
Nathan Rott

Confiscated live animals are temporarily held in what the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service calls their “live room” at an office building near Los Angeles International Airport, while authorities try to find them longer-term housing and specialized care.

When authorities find wildlife that are being illegally trafficked, at ports or airports, the animals are often in terrible shape. Sick, starved, distressed. A pilot project in Southern California aims to get seized wildlife immediate care.

(Image credit: Ryan Kellman)


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NPR: Animal Welfare

Miami-Dade County moves to evict Miami Seaquarium
Ayana Archie

Miami-Dade County has accused the operators of the Seaquarium of improperly caring for the grounds and animals. In August, the tourist attraction was under fire after the death of Lolita the orca.


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NPR: Animal Welfare

Anheuser-Busch says it will no longer amputate the tails of Budweiser's Clydesdales


Laurel Wamsley

The Budweiser Clydesdale horses appear outside the site of a 2016 Presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.

The beermaker says it will end the practice known as tail docking after it came under pressure by animal rights group PETA.

(Image credit: Paul J. Richards)


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NPR: Animal Welfare