Hot on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Wanted: Geese Who'll Gorge Themselves

Progress in the quest for foie gras without force-feeding

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 25, 2007 3:05 PM CDT

(Newser) – In the quest for kinder, gentler fois gras, some producers claim to have succeeded in getting the birds to gorge naturally, fattening up their livers without force-feeding them. A Spanish company says its prize-winning pate was produced by letting the birds roam freely and butchering them right before they would natually migrate.

Others are experimenting with soft rather than steel tubes to reduce discomfort to the geese, and squeamishness on the part of consumers. The delicacy has been banned in California and Chicago; California's bill includes a built-in seven-year grace period to develop more humane ways of making it.

A goose worries... ((c) Spiralz)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Calif. Cat-Eater Busted

Man arrested after neighbors report screeching, smelling 'awful meat'

(NEWSER) - Disgusted cops in Bakersfield say they've arrested a man on suspicion of cooking and eating cats. Jason Louis Wilmer was charged with animal cruelty and using a pet or domesticated animal for food after neighbors heard cats screeching at his house and called police, AP reports. "I heard a cat cry. It was a weird cry, real loud," a neighbor told KBAK-TV . He said he went outside to peer into Wilmert's backyard, where he saw "a little burner going" and smelled "awful meat." A search of the home turned up evidence that indicated Wilmert "had the intent to use a cat for food," investigators say. "I've never seen anything like this," said a sheriff's spokesman. More»

Chihuahua Killer Faces ... Life

Puppy's death could cost con big time under Three Strikes Law

(NEWSER) - A California man accused of fatally slamming his wife's Chihuahua against a wall during a domestic dispute could be sentenced to life in prison, according to authorities. Bud Wally Ruiz gave the 6-week-old puppy, Teddy, to his wife for Mother's Day. His wife called police just days later after Ruiz hurled a small travel case with the dog inside across a room as the two argued. He now faces two felony counts of cruelty to animals and a misdemeanor count of spousal battery, reports the San Jose Mercury News . More»

Can You Legally Eat Your Kitty?

If you're in Missouri, maybe

(NEWSER) - Had Gary Korkuc not been pulled over by cops with good hearing on Sunday night, the meowing cat in his trunk might have wound up fried with the peppers and onions it was marinating in . But would that have been legal? Maybe in Missouri, writes Brian Palmer for Slate . Only a few state specifically outlaw pets as food. In New York, where Korkuc lives, people are not permitted to "slaughter or butcher" domesticated cats and dogs, but whether you can sup on them (or turn a hamster into dinner) is not explicitly stated. More»

Facebook Hamster Torturers Charged

UC-Davis student set tiny pair on fire: cops

(NEWSER) - Two University of California students face felony animal cruelty charges after torching two hamsters with a cigarette lighter and posting video of it on Facebook , according to law enforcement authorities. One of the animals died, the other was saved by the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital on campus. Henry Nguyen, 18, and Josue Melendez, 19, turned themselves in after warrants were issued when Facebook viewers complained to police, reports KTLA . They're being held in lieu of $20,000 bail each. More»

W. Hollywood Bans Pet Sales

City aims to stamp out sales of 'puppy-mill' pets

(NEWSER) - The animal-rights trailblazers on West Hollywood's City Council have passed an ordinance banning pet shops from selling cats and dogs. No stores in the city currently sell the animals, but council leaders hope the move will set an example to other cities and help put "puppy mills" and "kitten factories" out of business, the Los Angeles Times reports. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Wanted: Geese Who'll Gorge Themselves

Progress in the quest for foie gras without force-feeding

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

food • California • foie gras • animal cruelty • geese

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Calif. Cat-Eater Busted

Man arrested after neighbors report screeching, smelling 'awful meat'

Chihuahua Killer Faces ... Life

Puppy's death could cost con big time under Three Strikes Law

Can You Legally Eat Your Kitty?

If you're in Missouri, maybe

Facebook Hamster Torturers Charged

UC-Davis student set tiny pair on fire: cops

W. Hollywood Bans Pet Sales

City aims to stamp out sales of 'puppy-mill' pets

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Wanted: Geese Who'll Gorge Themselves

Progress in the quest for foie gras without force-feeding

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

food • California • foie gras • animal cruelty • geese

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Calif. Cat-Eater Busted

Man arrested after neighbors report screeching, smelling 'awful meat'

Chihuahua Killer Faces ... Life

Puppy's death could cost con big time under Three Strikes Law

Can You Legally Eat Your Kitty?

If you're in Missouri, maybe

Facebook Hamster Torturers Charged

UC-Davis student set tiny pair on fire: cops

W. Hollywood Bans Pet Sales

City aims to stamp out sales of 'puppy-mill' pets

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?