File this one in the "Near-Death Experiences During My Infancy" section of the family photo album:

This picture was taken at a circus during intermission by a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspector who was responding to a complaint that PETA had filed against the traveling bear act. The USDA cited the bear exhibitor for unsafe handling, but don't count on the federal government to protect you—this reckless handler and many others like her are still in business.

Photo-ops at circuses and traveling zoos featuring captive bears, tiger and lion cubs, primates, snakes, and other animals are all too common, and they're recipes for disaster. Wild animals are easily startled and routinely act on instinct. These natural instincts can mean that the animals defend themselves with strong arms and legs, sharp teeth, and long claws when they feel threatened. Handlers cannot protect themselves, let alone the general public, from a frightened or angry wild animal. Members of the public, including children, can be and have been harmed during these irresponsible photo-ops. If you see or hear about a show near you in which wild animals are being used for photo-ops with the public, take action to stop it. You could be saving someone's life.

Written by Logan Scherer

aitkencollege / CC

Pennsylvania's Lincoln University recently caused quite an uproar with the news that it requires obese students to enroll in—and complete—a fitness course before they can graduate. PETA applauds the school's effort to promote healthier lifestyles, but—let's face it—mandating fitness classes will have little or no impact if students continue to chow down on cheeseburgers and milkshakes. So we're urging Lincoln University officials to go a step further by making the school what PETA believes is this nation's first all-vegan campus.

The evidence is clear: Vegans are likely to be thinner and in better overall health than meat-eaters. The American Dietetic Association, the nation's largest group of nutrition professionals, found that vegetarians have lower rates of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer than do meat-eaters. By swapping chicken nuggets for tempeh tacos, university officials will help students realize the health benefits of a plant-based diet. Plus, countless animals will be spared horrendous suffering on factory farms and cruel deaths in slaughterhouses.

Written by Karin Bennett

One Australian farmer could've used our swine flu mask recently, but not for the reason you might think. After smelling what he thought was a gas leak, he called emergency services, and two fire trucks rushed over to his farm. When the fire captain came in, he took one look at the man's pig, and it was immediately apparent that the foul air was a gas problem of a different sort: They were all getting a whiff of the pig's wind.

executedtoday / CC

If a single sow's fetid flatulence is enough to warrant the attention of 15 firefighters, then imagine the gaseous trail left by the 63 million pigs on factory farms. Turns out that going vegan helps reduce more than one type of gaseous emission.

Written by Logan Scherer

As I'm a firm believer that a gal can never have too many purses, I think this week's "Win It" Wednesday is quite possibly the most drool-inducing one yet. Check it out:

Bird Handbags hooked us up with its fabulous "L'il Lady" bag, which retails for $214 and is made from recycled Army tents (not a stitch of leather on it). I have a feeling that some lucky winner will soon proclaim this designer bag to be a new fave.

Here's how you can win: Imagine that you're calling in a dedication to a radio station—include a brief message and name the song (and its artist) that best sums up your feelings about your favorite bag. If I could enter (sniff—I can't), here's how my entry would go:

Have a go—and please have some fun with this challenge. Submit your most heartfelt or funniest dedication. The person who wows us wins the prize.

The contest ends on December 16, 2009, and we'll choose one winner on December 18, 2009. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting. Good luck!

Written by Karin Bennett

*Obviously, my dedication was influenced by this week's prize, as I don't even own a green bag—yet.

Tongues are already wagging over Joanna Krupa's latest PETA ad, but not everyone is showering this angel for animals with love and support. More specifically, the Catholic League had some not-so-nice things to say. Always on her toes, the Dancing With the Stars alum was swift to come to the defense of her newest ad by releasing the following statement about why she chose to pose for us:

Written by Shawna Flavell

Or, rather, holy smokin'…

If Joanna Krupa's previously released ad about animal adoptions somehow escaped anyone's attention, today the supermodel and Dancing With the Stars alum joined PETA for a protest outside a Los Angeles pet store to reveal the racier version of her compassionate message.

Joanna is taking action against pet shops and puppy mills that cash in by selling animals. Not only did she pose for several sultry ads with a bevy of rescued dogs and participate in the protest today, she also did a behind-the-scenes interview for us and discussed the ad yesterday during an appearance on Lopez Tonight, where George Lopez called her new ad "the hottest photo in the history of animal cruelty prevention."

Joanna aims to urge all future companion animal guardians to adopt animals from shelters, where millions of animals wait for their forever homes. She says, "[T]hey're in these little tiny cages, and all they're doing is breeding their whole life. It makes me so angry that our government doesn't do anything about it. So I am!" No matter if a person is determined to get a puppy or bent on a purebred (or even a purebred puppy!), there's no excuse to buy a puppy or a kitten from a pet store or breeder. Ever. Period.

Written by Karin Bennett

utne / CC

Scotland is a land of mysteries. Does Nessie exist? Do bagpipe players really go "commando" under their kilts? And are the forces of "cosmic justice" at work, protecting the country's harassed, maimed, and hunted animals? That last one was recently answered: Sometimes.

Today's installment of "Payback Is Hell" was made possible by hunters, a dog, and a gun. The Mirror reports that two Scottish hunters who were shooting geese were themselves left bloodied and injured after their dog stepped on an unattended shotgun. Unable to duck for cover, each man was shot in his leg; one also took a hit in his hand.

The lesson here is no mystery. Always choose to be kind, not cruel, to animals.

Written by Karin Bennett

Elizabeth Carlisle—the former Petland employee who drowned two rabbits in the backroom of a store in Akron, Ohio, and then posted a now-infamous photo of the animals on Facebook—recently pleaded guilty to two counts of cruelty to animals.

Carlisle's case caused a media storm and drew attention to the epidemic of animal abuse at pet stores across the country. Time after time, undercover investigations have revealed that Carlisle's shocking behavior is par for the course at places where animals are bred and sold. Although the Akron store has been closed, Petland continues to sell animals at its stores across the country, meaning that many more animals just like Carlisle's victims are at risk. Take action now and urge Petland to stop selling rabbits forever.

Written by Logan Scherer

When we think of our nation's capital, freedom and justice immediately come to mind. But there's nothing just about the fur industry, in which millions of animals are skinned alive each year. That's why, as a boost to PETA's "Make D.C. Fur-Free" campaign, we're launching a "Fur-Free and Fabulous" ad blitz from the streets to the subway, starting with a van wrapped in this alluring ad:

Elegant, dazzling, and vogue, these stars are sure to stop traffic with their compassionate fashion. We're turning roads into runways to showcase the impeccable, cruelty-free style sensibilities of chic celebrities from Carrie Underwood to Michelle Obama and from Tyra Banks to Oprah Winfrey. And the commuting runway won't be just above ground—we're also going subterranean with our new ad, spreading the anti-fur message throughout the Metro. Fashion show on the subway? Yes. We. Can.

Want to cast your vote for cruelty-free fashion? Take our pledge to make D.C. fur-free, and if you know people who insist on draping themselves in the skins of dead animals, consider stuffing their stockings with this video narrated by the fabulous Tim Gunn.

Written by Logan Scherer

British socialite Tamara Ecclestone exudes high-class elegance—so it's no surprise that she despises cruel foie gras. Following PETA U.K.'s recent victory in getting Selfridges to stop selling the "delicacy of despair," Tamara—the gorgeous Sky Sports TV presenter and daughter of Formula One racing magnate Bernie Ecclestone—has taken it all off in the name of compassion.

To produce foie gras, workers force metal pipes down the throats of ducks and geese and pump up to 4 pounds of grain into their stomachs two or three times a day in order to cause their livers to become engorged. This overfeeding is excruciatingly painful and often causes the animals' organs to rupture. Foie gras production is so cruel that it has been banned in 16 countries, including the U.K., but inexplicably, retailers and restaurants in England are still allowed to sell it. To help end the suffering of these animals, follow Tamara's titillating lead and take our "No Foie Gras" pledge today.

Written by Logan Scherer