Animal Rights Lover Goes for the Throat

The Humane Society has turned into an aggressive political player with a mainstream message, the New York Times reports. The group's head, Wayne Pacelle, just shut down a $100 million slaughterhouse in Chino, Calif., and is pushing for a ballot measure that would require a certain amount of room for farm animals. But he's also made concessions in deals with other states.

But some people don't think he's aggressive enough. “We agree with an incremental approach," said one animal advocate, "but if you give animals more space and a little sunshine, they are still raised for food." Some analysts say even a mainstream message will turn off meat-loving Americans. But Pacelle has gained ground, winning ballot measures in Florida and Arizona, and dealing with agribusiness to phase out animal crates in Colorado.
(More animal cruelty stories.)