According to Utah news outlet KUTV, the
state has agreed to pay $349,000 to animal rights groups to cover attorneys’
fees and other costs from the lawsuit that resulted in the overturning of the
state’s unconstitutional “ag-gag law.
state has agreed to pay $349,000 to animal rights groups to cover attorneys’
fees and other costs from the lawsuit that resulted in the overturning of the
state’s unconstitutional “ag-gag law.
Filed in 2013 by a group of organizations including the
Animal Legal Defense Fund and PETA, the Utah lawsuit was the first of its kind.
In July of this year, a federal judge ruled on the case, declaring
the state’s ag-gag law unconstitutional. Writing for the District
Court of Utah, Judge Robert Shelby criticized the law for “[s]uppressing broad swaths of protected speech without
justification” and upheld the right of groups like Mercy For
Animals to continue going undercover and exposing abuse at factory farms in the
state.
Animal Legal Defense Fund and PETA, the Utah lawsuit was the first of its kind.
In July of this year, a federal judge ruled on the case, declaring
the state’s ag-gag law unconstitutional. Writing for the District
Court of Utah, Judge Robert Shelby criticized the law for “[s]uppressing broad swaths of protected speech without
justification” and upheld the right of groups like Mercy For
Animals to continue going undercover and exposing abuse at factory farms in the
state.
Just last month, Utah waived its right to appeal the ruling.
This means the court’s decision stands and remains a victory in the fight
to overturn these dangerous laws.
This means the court’s decision stands and remains a victory in the fight
to overturn these dangerous laws.
In 2011 the factory farming industry started pushing hard
for ag-gag laws designed to prevent animal protection groups from exposing
abuse and other crimes at farm facilities in dozens of states. Most of the
bills were defeated, but a handful of states passed them into law. While ag-gag
laws in Idaho and Utah have been overturned, laws in Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas,
and North Carolina remain on the books.
for ag-gag laws designed to prevent animal protection groups from exposing
abuse and other crimes at farm facilities in dozens of states. Most of the
bills were defeated, but a handful of states passed them into law. While ag-gag
laws in Idaho and Utah have been overturned, laws in Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas,
and North Carolina remain on the books.
Recently, the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, along
with ALDF, PETA, and other organizations, filed a suit
against the state’s ag-gag law.
with ALDF, PETA, and other organizations, filed a suit
against the state’s ag-gag law.
Meanwhile, undercover investigations by MFA and
other groups continue to result in groundbreaking corporate animal welfare policy changes, new and improved laws to protect farmed
animals and consumers, felony and misdemeanor convictions against animal abusers, and
the closure of especially corrupt animal facilities.
other groups continue to result in groundbreaking corporate animal welfare policy changes, new and improved laws to protect farmed
animals and consumers, felony and misdemeanor convictions against animal abusers, and
the closure of especially corrupt animal facilities.
MFA is committed to providing this vital public service for
as long as it is needed, and we are hopeful that courts will overturn the
ag-gag laws still on the books. To learn more about MFA and how you can support
our lifesaving work, click here.
as long as it is needed, and we are hopeful that courts will overturn the
ag-gag laws still on the books. To learn more about MFA and how you can support
our lifesaving work, click here.
