An unexpected winner of the midterm election: Animals

Voters in Washington, DC, and Denver backed bans on foie gras sales, while Colorado rejected a constitutional amendment protecting hunting and fishing by “traditional methods”. The results matter for animal welfare because the proposed amendment could have opened the door to practices such as poisoning and leg-hold traps, and the election may strengthen support for welfare legislation.

The foie gras bans won 73 per cent support in DC and 66 per cent in Denver; the product is made by force-feeding ducks, a practice veterinary research says can be painful. Colorado’s Amendment 83 failed, and animal welfare advocate Manny Rutinel defeated incumbent Republican Gabe Evans for Congress. Two lawmakers who had backed efforts to overturn farm animal welfare laws also lost their races, though Iowa agriculture secretary candidate Chris Jones narrowly lost his bid.