Breaking! Utah’s Ag-Gag Law Ruled Unconstitutional in Court

Farmed animals have a reason to celebrate today as Utah’s ‘ag-gag’ law was ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge. In a case brought against Utah by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and plaintiff Amy Meyer, the judge found that Utah’s law not only infringed upon the constitutional right to free speech but that it also seemed specifically aimed at preventing undercover investigators from exposing abuses at agricultural facilities. The law prohibited lying to gain access to a livestock operation, secretly recording video, and required explicit permission from the facility owner for someone who wishes to film. Ag-gag laws such as this one make it incredibly difficult to expose cruelty. The factory farming industry helped get these laws passed to protect their cruel secrets and to hide the reality these animals face behind closed doors. ALDF Executive Director Stephen Wells said “These unconstitutional laws will fall like dominos. Ag-Gag laws are flagrant attempts to hide animal cruelty from the American people, and they unfairly target activists trying to serve the public’s interest.” The industry has proven time and time again that it can’t be trusted to self-regulate. When there is transparency the animals and workers involved are all better off.

Photo: Skyguy414