Idaho Ag-Gag Law Muzzles Activists

http://www.globalanimal.org/2014/03/03/idaho-ag-gag-law-muzzles-activists/

By Elana Pisani on March 3, 2014

Idaho passed a new ag-gag law this past week that will limit animal advocates’ from exposing factory farm cruelty.

The new law, signed on Friday by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter makes it illegal to secretly film animal abuse on Idaho farms. The punishment includes jail time and a fine of $5,000.

The legislation was passed after the exposure of animal abuse on a Idaho dairy farm in 2012 by the animal rights organization, Mercy For Animals.

Workers at Bettencourt Dairy were caught on video abusing cows and one worker was subsequently prosecuted for the abuse. However, this law will make it illegal to expose animal abuse on farms in the future.

•••••

Idaho joins Utah and Iowa in enacting legislation that curtails the uncovering of farm animal abuse and allowing the public to know exactly where their food is coming from.

•••••