Activists Pushing Mass. Lawmakers On Animal Bills

BOSTON (AP) - Animal rights activists hope to persuade Massachusetts lawmakers to toughen state laws aimed at protecting farm animals and wildlife.

Advocates plan to converge on the Statehouse Wednesday to press legislators to pass what they call the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act.

The bill would ban the extreme confinement of veal calves, breeding pigs and egg-laying hens in a manner that does not allow them to lie down, stand up, turn around freely and fully extend their limbs.

Advocates support a second bill intended to protect human and animal victims of domestic violence.

Activists oppose a third bill they say would again allow for the recreational use of previously banned leg hold and body-crushing traps and snares.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)