Humane Society endorses Clinton, criticizes Trump children's big game hunting

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The political arm of the Humane Society endorsed Hillary Clinton for president Thursday, labeling her opponent, Donald Trump "a threat to animals everywhere."

In a blog post written by Humane Society Legislative Fund Director Michael Markarian, the group assailed Trump's adult sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, for widely circulated photos showing them holding big game hunting trophies.

"We've all seen the gruesome photographs of Trump's adult sons documenting their trophy kills, which include a leopard, Cape buffalo, waterbuck and other exotic creatures. Donald Jr. even holds up the tail of an African elephant he's apparently shot. Both African elephants and leopards are listed as 'threatened' with extinction under the provisions of the U.S. Endangered Species Act. That means that the Trump sons use their fortunes and vacation time to travel the world amassing the heads and hides of the rarest and most majestic animals on earth."

Markarian also called Trump's list of agriculture and interior advisers as a "who's who of zealous anti-animal activists.

"One ticket has a clear, compelling record of support for animal protection, while the other has assembled a team of advisors and financial supporters tied in with trophy hunting, puppy mills, factory farming, horse slaughter, and other abusive industries," he wrote.

By contrast, Markarian wrote, Clinton's record on animal rights is "strong" both as a senator and as secretary of state.

"Clinton highlights the humane issues she plans to tackle as president, as well as her strong record on animal protection in the U.S. Senate and as secretary of state. She pledges to crack down on abuses such as wildlife trafficking, puppy mills, and horse slaughter, and to support a federal anti-cruelty statute and more humane treatment of farm animals," he wrote.

The Humane Society created a 30-second web video condemning the Trumps and showing the Trump children's hunting photos.

It concludes with the statement: "A Trump presidency would be a threat to animals everywhere."