Law protecting animal-abusers DISMISSED because of protecting animal-cruelty is WRONG!

Idaho ‘Ag-Gag’ Law Struck Down — Sorry Cow F*ckers, You Will Be Recorded

Author: Elizabeth Preston August 5, 2015 4:45 pm

Big agriculture just took a major hit. U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill has ruled that Idaho’s ban of whistleblower videos that show abuses that take place at factory farms criminalizes free speech, protects corporate farms and is unconstitutional. The ban has been known as the “Ag-Gag law.”
The Los Angeles Times reports:

“‘The effect of the statute will be to suppress speech by undercover investigators and whistleblowers concerning topics of great public importance: the safety of the public food supply, the safety of agricultural workers, the treatment and health of farm animals, and the impact of business activities on the environment,’ Winmill wrote in a summary judgment.
“The judge said that ‘the facts show the state’s purpose in enacting the statute was to protect industrial animal agriculture by silencing its critics.'”

The group Mercy for Animals, an animal rights group based in California, released video that depicted alarming images of abuse by dairy workers at a farm in Idaho. Those images included various forms of abuse.
In one clip, (*WARNING: video in the link contains extremely graphic content) workers at Bettencourt Dairies’ Dry Creek Dairy, located in Hansen, Idaho, can be seen beating, molesting and even dragging one cow behind a tractor with a chain around her neck.
One worker can be heard saying, “This is a big p*ssy. Do you want to see me f*ck her?” (Yes, this is what Idaho lawmakers wanted to make sure was protected from being exposed by whistleblowers.)
The footage resulted in Javier Victor Rojas-Loayza being charged with misdemeanor animal abuse for which he received a very small slap of the hand that barely left a mark – 180 days in jail, in which 170 days were suspended. He received credit for one day and was given nine days of “sheriff’s work detail” to be completed within a 90 day window. Oh, but he was banned from “herding or supervising animals” while on probation for two years.
Rather than see this as an issue that needs correcting, Idaho lawmakers countered with a law that made it a misdemeanor to make undercover recordings of an agricultural facility. The punishment for breaking such law? A sentence of up to a year in prison, in addition to paying damages — far worse than what the convicted animal abuser received.
Fortunately, that law has now been struck down for Idaho. However, other states also have similar laws. Montana, Utah, North Dakota, Missouri, Kansas and Iowa all have laws on the books limiting activists’ ability to secretly take footage of abuses in factory farms, with North Carolina’s Ag Gag law set to go into effect in January, 2016.
Idaho Dairymen’s Association director Bob Naerebout says:

“Obviously we’re disappointed. The legislation was designed and crafted to try and protect First Amendment rights while also trying to provide some personal property protection.”

Here’s an idea, Bob — treat the animals which provide sustenance to the human race with respect and dignity. Maybe try not to employ and allow individuals to fondle the genitals of cows, for starters. Perhaps NOT drag them behind tractors or beat them with rods — just a thought. Maybe provide them with living conditions that are humane, rather than treating them as objects. These are living creatures, not machines.
These corporate farms are seeking protections of the government to only perpetuate their greedy business practices as they allow sadistic individuals to get their jollies off within the walls of their establishments.
Sarah Von Alt of Mercy For Animals said in a statement:

“Judge Winmill’s decision is the first step toward restoring transparency in U.S. food production, and we hope that dangerous ag-gag laws enacted in other states will be swiftly struck down as a result of today’s decision.”

As consumers, we have the right to know what is not only in our food, but also the source for which it came and in what conditions an animal lives. We also have the right to choose to not support companies which employ abusive practices such as those depicted on the video from Bettencourt Dairies. Of course, corporate farms think otherwise, and like with most things — money talks. Fortunately, this information block has been struck down. Now let’s hope the other states follow suit.