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Humane Society Finds Its Inner Pit Bull

CEO aims to strike fear into the hearts of animal abusers

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 19, 2008 3:58 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The Humane Society may spend a lot of time fighting for cute, furry creatures, but it's been  shedding its mild-mannered, do-gooder image under the direction of CEO Wayne Pacelle, writes the Los Angeles Times. Pacelle, a 42-year-old vegan who admires the NRA's steamroller approach, has turned the organization into a much more aggressive protector of animals over his 4 years in charge.

Pacelle has doubled the organization's assets to nearly $207 million, increased the number of undercover investigators, polished video exposés and set up a political wing to put pressure on lawmakers. He has been catching flak both from those who think he is too radical and those who believe he doesn't go far enough, but few can argue with achievements like February's industry-shaking hidden-camera slaughterhouse video.

Dogs rescued from a puppy mill in Lexington, Neb., are seen at the Omaha Humane Society, in Omaha, Neb., Wednesday, May 30, 2007.
Dogs rescued from a puppy mill in Lexington, Neb., are seen at the Omaha Humane Society, in Omaha, Neb., Wednesday, May 30, 2007.   (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Wayne Parcelle urges members of the Assembly Public Safety Committee to approve his measure that would ban slaughterhouses from processing meat from sick cows
Wayne Parcelle urges members of the Assembly Public Safety Committee to approve his measure that would ban slaughterhouses from processing meat from sick cows   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
A rescued male pit bull, approximately two-years-old, is treated at the Missouri Humane Society headquarters Monday, Oct. 22, 2007 in St. Louis.
A rescued male pit bull, approximately two-years-old, is treated at the Missouri Humane Society headquarters Monday, Oct. 22, 2007 in St. Louis.   (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
Humane Society of the U.S. President and Chief Executive Officer Wayne Pacelle, left, watches as Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008,.
Humane Society of the U.S. President and Chief Executive Officer Wayne Pacelle, left, watches as Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008,.   (AP Photo)
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