After a drastic animal cruelty measure was proposed in Oregon in the hopes of getting on the 2022 ballot, agricultural groups are fighting against it. Initiative Petition (IP) 13 would essentially criminalize many basic animal husbandry practices and remove exceptions for farm animals under the Oregon Revised Statues’ definitions of animal cruelty and sexual assault.
IP13 was originally filed in November 2020 and petitioners were then required to obtain 1,000 sponsorship signatures. The petitioners submitted signatures for verification April 28 and a total of 1,085 signatures were verified May 12.
A draft ballot title was submitted May 20 and then a commenting period was open for two weeks. The deadline for a certified ballot title was set for June 21. Numerous private citizens, hunting groups, agricultural organizations and other concerned stakeholders submitted comments against IP13’s proposed ballot title. The title reads as follows: “Prohibits injuring or killing animals, most breeding practices; self-defense exceptions. Redefines animal abuse crimes.”
The result of a “Yes” vote was explained as “prohibits intentional injuring/killing of animals, including farming, hunting, fishing, research/teaching; self-defense exception. Redefines animal crimes, criminalizes most breeding practices.”
The result of a “No” vote was described as “retains current law allowing injury/death to animals by killing livestock, hunting, fishing, animal husbandry, other lawful activities. No restrictions on breeding practices.”
The summary of the title said under current law, many activities that “do or may kill or injure animals are lawful, not crimes,” including good animal husbandry practices; slaughtering livestock and poultry; fishing, hunting, and trapping; rodeos; animal research and teaching. The measure would include mammals, along with birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.
IP13 would remove most exceptions to crimes of animal abuse, animal neglect and sexual abuse of animals. The summary also notes that “animal abuse” would be redefined to include any intentional, knowing, reckless physical injury or death to animals; excluding incidences of self-defense. It would eliminate defense to animal neglect crimes for practices currently authorized by law, the summary read.
And, perhaps most significantly, the measure would “Criminalize animal breeding practices for domestic, livestock, and equine animals that involve touching the mouth, anus, sexual organs of the animal; exception for good veterinary practices,” as well as “other provisions.”
Industry pushback
A total of 12 industry groups petitioned the Oregon Attorney General’s Office to clarify the drastic impact IP13 would have on not just farmers and ranchers, but all Oregonians. The petition was signed by Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, Oregon Dairy Farmers Association, NW Chicken Council, Oregon Sheepgrowers, the association Oregonians for Food and Shelter, Food Northwest Livestock Marketing, Association Fur Commission USA, Oregon Horse Council, West Coast Seafood Processors Association, and Friends of Family Farmers.
“Everyone from horse trainers to pet groomers to dairy farmers to anyone who kills a rat in their
own home would become criminals under this measure,” said Oregon Farm Bureau Public Policy Vice President Mary Anne Cooper in a press release.
“Even farmers protecting their fields and crops from rodents would be made criminals. I have
never seen an initiative that would have such an immediate and devastating impact on more Oregon families than IP13.”
Oregon Dairy Farmers Association Executive Director Tami Kerr said animal abuse is already criminally illegal in Oregon and the initiative isn’t about protecting animals, but rather criminalizing family farming activities. “Preventative herd health practices shouldn’t be criminalized. Breeding practices that are safer for animals shouldn’t be criminalized.”
Oregon Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director Tammy Dennee added IP13 would make it impossible to protect pets or calves or sheep from aggressive predators. In addition, “IP13 also cripples the local food system and would force Oregonians to rely on out-of-state or overseas suppliers.”
In the groups’ comments to the attorney general, IP13’s proposed ballot title is called “inaccurate, under inclusive, and misleading in myriad ways.” The groups requested the attorney general amend the ballot title by “adding all the major effects of IP13 and clarifying misleading statements before certifying it.”
A total of 112,000 signatures are needed by July 8 to put IP13 on the ballot if the ballot title is approved. Those interested in getting involved to oppose the petition can visit oregoniansforanimalcare.org. — Anna Miller, WLJ managing editor
