PETA wrote a letter to the prosecutor in the case of the owner of Dutch Touch Dairy in Twin Falls, Idaho, who abandoned a sick cow at the "dead pit" for more than 24 hours without providing veterinary care, food, water, or shelter. The man was convicted of cruelty to animals and sold his dairy.

Read about a cow's life on a dairy farm.

When PETA received word that a ''donkey basketball'' game was planned at Kuna High School in Kuna, Idaho, we wrote to the district superintendent to let him know that donkeys are regularly dragged, pulled, kicked, and shoved during these events. After PETA discussed our concerns with the superintendent and just days before the event, the game was restructured as a competition between human participants only, in which students competed against local police and firefighters!

PETA got an anonymous call about two iguanas being kept as decorations at a restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland. The complainant reported that the iguanas were being kept in a filthy enclosure and that they appeared ill. We immediately contacted officials at the local animal control bureau asking them to check on the welfare of the iguanas. In addition, we contacted the Baltimore County Health Department to provide information regarding the risk of salmonella contamination associated with keeping reptiles, especially in food-service establishments. Following our complaint, the Health Department investigated and required that the iguanas be removed from the restaurant immediately.

Read more about the problems with keeping reptiles, such as iguanas, in captivity.

After making several complaints to county officials and getting nowhere, the neighbor of an Illinois man who was raising hundreds of rabbits and slaughtering them called us for help. PETA verified that the property was not zoned for this type of use, made a formal written complaint to the building inspector, and contacted county animal control officers, who offered to help. An investigation was launched, the individual was given notice to stop his operation, and he permanently removed all the rabbits from his property.

PETA persuaded a prosecutor to upgrade charges against a Niles, Illinois, man who was charged with one misdemeanor count of cruelty for the fatal beating of his family's puppy. Thanks to our many phone calls, a letter to the prosecutor, a news release, and an action alert to members, this abuser now faces a penalty of three years in prison and a $25,000 fine.