Animal Welfare

Everyone needs to take responsibility for animal welfare, New Zealand Veterinary Association president Richard Wild says.

Blinking in the bright sunshine and a bit wobbly on his feet, battery hen protester Carl Scott yesterday left the cage where he has spent a month.

Two animal welfare advocates are to visit Waikouaiti's Mainland Poultry tomorrow as the egg industry tries to allay concern bigger cages for battery hens are still cruel.

Cage dweller Carl Scott is in good spirits, despite having eggs hurled at him a couple of times.

Public outrage has led to a $1000 reward being offered for the conviction prosecution of the sadist who cut off the ears of an eight-week-old puppy.

The Government's ban on sow crates - to take effect from the end of 2015 - is a great leap forward, animal welfare campaigners say.

Animal protection inspectors are closing in on offenders responsible for cutting off the ears of an eight-week-old pitbull puppy.

Use of sow stalls on New Zealand pig farms is to be limited to four weeks after mating in 2012, and prohibited by December 3, 2015, says Agriculture Minister David Carter.

Green MP Sue Kedgley says it's unfair that her Animal Welfare (Treatment of Animals) amendment bill, scheduled to be debated in Parliament tonight, won't be subject to a conscience vote.