When Glenn Beck broke the story of retired Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, whose dog, DASY, was allegedly shot and killed by two men Beck appropriately refers to as "Dirtbag 1" and "Dirtbag 2," PETA's Cruelty Investigations Department leapt into action. PETA immediately offered a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and, if it proves warranted, the conviction of Michael Edmonds, a fugitive, and one of the men accused of the heinous act.

Shortly after we sent our letter to the Texas Rangers' office, Edmonds reportedly turned himself in. And we're happy to announce that he, along with Alfonso Hernandez, is now facing cruelty charges for DASY's death. We understand that both of these monsters are also under investigation for other animal killings in Walker County, Texas.

Watch the moving clip from Glenn Beck's second broadcast on this tragic issue and remember to report cruelty to animals to your local law-enforcement agency—and let us know if the agency doesn't take action or you need help.

Written by Shawna Flavell

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If you're like me, your iPod is full of 80s pop music. I enjoy the music so much that it's tough for me when it turns out that an 80s icon isn't so animal-friendly. (Madonna and Michael, I'm talking about you.) So my heart leapt just a little when I heard about the Pet Shop Boys' reaction to the letter that they received from our friends at PETA Europe.

Recently, PETA's European affiliate wrote to the Pet Shop Boys to suggest that they change their name to the "Rescue Shelter Boys." It's got a nice ring to it, right? PETA Europe let the duo know that dogs and cats sold in pet shops come from breeders who often keep animals in cramped, filthy conditions and that many animals sold in pet shops suffer from inbreeding, genetic weaknesses, physical deformities, or behavioral disorders. By changing their name, the would-be-Rescue Shelter Boys could raise awareness about the cruelty of the pet trade at every tour stop.

Unfortunately, the Boys turned down the name-change proposal, but they decided to alert their fans to this important issue in another way—by posting the letter on the front page of their Web site! They even say, "The organisation PETA Europe, dedicated to establishing and protecting the rights of all animals, has written to Pet Shop Boys with a request they are unable to agree to but nonetheless think raises an issue worth thinking about."

As if you needed another reason to love the Pet Shop Boys besides "West End Girls."

Written by Shawna Flavell

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Yes, you read that right. The manager of a Wal-Mart store in Hamilton Township, New Jersey, (along with an exterminator) was charged with cruelty to animals for setting traps for birds who fly into the store and allegedly failing to checking the traps for days on end, causing birds to die of dehydration. The apparently kick-ass Atlantic City SPCA filed the charges after three dead birds were found—along with 10 live ones—in a cage trap that apparently hadn't been checked for nearly a week. In a move that would be funny if it weren't so tragically stupid, the traps were equipped with water bottles—which wild birds don't know how to use.

As the Atlantic City SPCA pointed out, there are plenty of nonlethal ways to deal with birds who fly into big-box stores, including installing high-power fans over doors, installing "air doors"—which are energy-efficient and bird-friendly—and setting live traps and actually checking them from time to time. One of our local Home Depot stores here in Norfolk, Virginia, (at PETA's suggestion) plays a recording of frightened bird calls in the garden center as a warning to birds to stay away—and, for the most part, they do.

From time to time, PETA also gets reports of big-box stores that use glue traps to trap birds who wander in (in addition to selling the traps, as Lowe's does). If you ever see birds flying around inside a store, ask to speak to the manager and find out what methods the store uses to remove and deter birds. If you suspect cruelty, alert your local humane society or animal control, or call PETA.

Written by Alisa Mullins