ALDF Reveals Ranks of 2012 Animal-Protection Laws

Yesterday, national nonprofit Animal Legal Defense Fund released its seventh annual report of animal protection law rankings in the US. A comprehensive report based on more than 4,000 pages of statutes and laws, the 2012 US Animal Protection Law Rankings Report examines and ranks 56 jurisdictions across the US states and territories on 15 categories of animal protection, including the newly added “ag-gag” category. Last year’s top five states held firm in 2012, with Illinois maintaining its #1 spot, followed by Maine, California (which rose from fifth to third), Michigan, and Oregon. Other report highlights include Idaho for most-improved jurisdiction, while New Mexico, South Dakota, Iowa, and North Dakota rounded out the worst five with Kentucky in last place. ALDF also revealed that more than 75 percent of examined jurisdictions have improved animal-protection laws within the last five years.