In response to numerous undercover videos that expose illegal activity and severe animal abuse inside factory farms, agribusinesses are now trying to make it illegal for animal rights organizations to conduct undercover investigations. Right now there are two bills, the SF 1118 and HF 1369, that are up for consideration that would make it illegal to conduct undercover investigations into animal care.
The bills, which would also make it illegal to uncover other illegal behavior such as food safety problems and sexual harassment, are being called “a violation of the First Amendment rights guaranteed to all Americans” by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Animal advocates argue that the public needs to be made aware of the treatment that occurs at factory farms, animal shelters, kennels, pet shops and puppy mills. One of the main ways the public finds this out is through undercover investigations.
Last spring, Mercy For Animals released footage of a dairy farm worker at Conklin Dairy Farms in Ohio, brutally beating the dairy cows. The footage resulted in the termination of the employee and charges being brought against him. If the new bills were passed, this same scenario would end with the sadistic employee continuing his deplorable treatment of the cows and the members of Mercy for Animals being fined and possibly even jailed.
Please contact Governor Dayton and your local representatives and tell them not to pass these bills. The ASPCA has a template available on their website to help constituents reach the correct representatives.
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