Activists cry foul after USDA removes online database that included animal abuse

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) shut down an online database on Friday that included information about animals mistreated, injured and killed, reported CNN. The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) cited privacy concerns in removing the documents, but one animal welfare activist said he believes the department is caving to pressure from groups that didn't like the information being so easily accessible. "APHIS, during the past year, has conducted a comprehensive review of the information it posts on its website for the general public to view," the announcement reads. "As a result of the comprehensive review, APHIS has implemented actions to remove certain personal information from documents it posts on APHIS' website involving the Horse Protection Act and the Animal Welfare Act." The move has resulted in widespread criticism, with organisations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) calling the "abrupt" removal of the information shameful...more