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Loading...Iowa Makes It A Crime To Video Animal Abuse
Despite a fierce campaign to stop the measure, Iowa became the first state Friday to officially make it a crime to enter a farming operation with the intent to secretly videotape animal abuse. Undercover footage filmed by animal rights groups during the past several years have been instrumental in exposing cases of cruelty to farm animals.
Governor Terry Branstad signed the law in a private ceremony. Iowa is the country’s leading producer of pork and eggs and the governor is known to have “strong ties to the state’s agricultural industry.”
Those in the industry see the new law as a way to fight back against animal activists who “aim to damage” food production operations.
Rep. Annette Sweeney, R-Alden and the House Agriculture Committee chairperson said, “This is a very, very positive step for agriculture. For right now, I think it’s a start to realize that we are serious about protecting the agriculture that we have in our state.”
Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines, who tried to defeat the bill called it a “hollow victory” because his supporters were able to water-down the original version of the law.
The original legislation would have made it illegal to record video or audio tape an agriculture operation without permission from the farmer or business owner. The new version only objects obtaining access to the facility in a fraudulent manner.
The Iowa law makes it a misdemeanor to lie on a job application to get access to a farm facility. The crime would be punishable with up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $1,500.
Sen. Joe Seng, D-Davenport and a veterinarian who sponsored the bill, said the compromise discourages animal activists from sneaking onto farms, but does not stop a legitimate employee from reporting animal abuse.
Currently seven other states are considering similar laws: Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York and Utah.
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Read more: AG laws, animal cruelty, animal rights, animal welfare, farm animal abuse, Iowa crime to video animal abuse, video taping farm animal cruelty
Photo Credit: Samdogs
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Recent Comments from Causes
I have signed but I object to being asked for my phone number. The one I supplied is false.
Celebrating war is perverse. We should be ashamed of ourselves. We should celebrate peace and life.
Mark B .......... Don't presume to speak for the WHOLE Care2 community and how they would react !!! …
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442 comments
+ add your ownWhat a ridiculous law!
Sweeney is a terrorist and a murderer and should be treated as such. These are evil, evil people
Become vegetarian / vegan, it's the only thing that will end torture in the barns and it is also the best thing for the environment.
Love and Peace
I feel strongly that this is a gross political error in judgement. We have rights to protect and air our mistreatreatments, whether human or animal. Next they will be banning free speech.
Iowa YOU suck! This should never have been allowed to happen. Our animals need protection !! This is SO very very wrong!!
We the consumers need to shut down factory farms
You know where his money is coming from...
I have tried to bring up my kids to not be cruel to animals,what do I say to them when supposed responsible adult leaders condone it!!!!!, I wonder if you have pets or had any as a child???? how would you feel if they were treated as these animals/birds are, GROW UP AND START TAKING RESPONSIBILITY or its going to come back on you BIG TIME!!!!!
Governor Terry Branstad and Rep. Annette Sweeney Who is lining your pockets? Good for Dept of Ag but bad for the animals! Shame on you. May you both be gorged by a mad bull! All you care about is your pockets! If you people didn't abuse your animals and neglect them we would not have to film it!! Bottom line is you are a greedy, selfish group of people who has no interest in farming , just in money. No hearts! How do you sleep at night? SHAME ON YOU! I hope somewhere in life this decision comes back and bites you in the ass! And the fact that you pass a law saying we can't film it is an admission to the abuse going on! You are on the side of animal abusers all for the mighty dollar. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME ON YOU. May you rot in hell for this act, forever!
Politicians are MARIONETTES, they need to free themselves
NO STRINGS
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