Target: Shemia Fagan, Secretary of State for Oregon
Goal: Put stronger animal cruelty regulations for agriculture industry to a vote.
Oregon could soon become a sanctuary state for animals, particularly the estimated 1.4 million cattle exploited yearly. A recently proposed ballot initiative would codify livestock protections into law. Specifically, the Abuse, Neglect, and Assault Exemption Modification and Improvement Act would remove animal cruelty exemptions currently enjoyed by farmers and agricultural industrialists from state law.
The anti-cruelty statute in Oregon as it stands now prohibits the following: “intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes serious physical injury to an animal or cruelly causes the death of an animal.” This legal definition for first-degree animal cruelty is applied to most suspects….unless they happen to be employed in agriculture. Unfortunately, agri-business has produced some of the most heinous instances of animal cruelty, from horrific slaughterhouse conditions to sexual abuse.
These living beings deserve to have their lives valued. Sign the petition below to help ensure the agriculture industry is held accountable for its troubling history of unchecked animal cruelty.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Secretary Fagan,
Oregon has enacted strong anti-cruelty laws to safeguard any “nonhuman mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian or fish” from pain and suffering. Additional statutes have even enhanced protections for vulnerable animal populations like race-horses. This state cares about all of its living beings, so why are animals raised on farms not afforded the same considerations? Why are individuals in the agriculture industry put above the law?
This special interest industry will try to deter regulation with exaggerated claims about the end of farming. The most important achievement the proposed Abuse, Neglect, and Assault Exemption Modification and Improvement Act would make possible, however, is simple: accountability. Agri-business would no longer enjoy the wholesale exemptions from animal cruelty that enable it to potentially hurt and exploit animals without regard or punishment. Too many videos and exposes have emerged to deny the grim reality of the abuses often taking place behind closed doors in this industry….horrible acts that Oregon deems perfectly legal.
The state that pioneered ballot initiatives should once again lead the way. Please sign off on this crucial initiative that says “no more” and help ensure it has a place on the ballot. Let Oregon’s citizens have their say.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here
Photo Credit: Pixabay
