A radical animal rights ballot proposal in Oregon has been postponed until 2024. This proposal would outlaw all hunting, criminalize artificial insemination, and have a significant impact on many other animal husbandry practices in the state.
Background:
In 2021, supporters began advocating for Initiative Petition 13, officially called the “Abuse, Neglect, and Assault Exemption Modification and Improvement Act”. At the request of many sporting, animal and agriculture groups, the Attorney General agreed to change the title to “Criminalizes injuring/ killing animals, including killing for food, hunting, fishing; criminalizes most breeding practices.” Read AKC’s previous alert for more information on this initiative petition.
AKC joined two broad coalitions – one with agriculture and veterinary interests, and one with sporting and conservation interests – to spread the word on the many dangers of this initiative and the detrimental impact it would have on animals, the economy, and responsible animal owners in the state.
Thanks to these efforts, and those of many AKC club members, sportsmen, and others who helped educate others on not signing the petition, supporters have been forced to abandon efforts for 2022 and reorganize.
Next Steps:
Supporters have officially filed a new proposal. Now known as Initiative Petition 3, it is once again titled the “Abuse, Neglect, and Assault Exemption Modification and Improvement Act”, and would clearly criminalize hunting, artificial insemination, and many standard animal husbandry practices – including “reasonable handling and training techniques”. It is unclear how it would impact procedures such as ear cropping and tail docking.
Now, supporters must collect 1,000 signatures in order to get it forwarded to the Attorney General for an official title. After that time, they must then collect signatures to officially get the proposal on the 2024 ballot.
AKC will provide more information as it is available. We continue to remain active members in both coalitions we joined in 2021. We have also recently joined the new Oregon Sportsmen’s Conservation Partnership (OSCP), which brings together groups from across the state who are dedicated to protecting Oregon’s hunting and sporting heritage through legislative, education, and other similar initiatives.
If you have questions on IP 3, or if you participate in AKC sporting events in Oregon and are interested in learning more about OSCP or have specific issues you wish us to bring forward to the coalition, please contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.