by The anti-hunting initiative in Oregon has failed to get the required number of signatures to get on the ballot. It was called the PEACE Act which stood for People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions.
The sponsors portrayed the bill as being about animal cruelty including abuse, neglect, and sexual assault. The sponsors state, “The reason we are seeking to prohibit these activities is not to be punitive towards anyone currently involved with the injuring, killing, or breeding of animals, but rather to be protective of the needs of the animals and to codify their right to life and bodily autonomy in law.” To clarify the sexual assault aspect of the initiative, it went beyond merely some sick person having sex with an animal. It would also include standard practices in the livestock industry such as artificial insemination of cattle and dairy animals so as to improve the herd.
In one sense, I wished the backers of the initiative would have gotten it on the ballot. It then been a strong incentive for a coalition of farmers, hunters, and rational people to go to the polls in Oregon.
The elected Democrats in Oregon recognized the danger in this initiative to their position and came out strongly against it. Every Democrat in the state house came out against the bill. Gov. Tina Kotek (D-OR) said she didn’t support it.
As it is, this ballot initiative should be a wake up call to all who are in the outdoor community. They are not going to stop after one try especially since they received over 70% of the signatures necessary to get on the ballot.