Attorneys for Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter are asking a federal judge to toss a lawsuit challenging a new law that makes it illegal to secretly film animal abuse at agricultural facilities.
A coalition of animal activists, civil rights groups and media organizations sued the state last month, asking U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill to strike down what they call an "ag gag" law. The coalition contends that the law curtails freedom of speech and makes gathering proof of animal abuse a crime with a harsher punishment than the penalty for animal cruelty itself.
Otter signed the law in February after Idaho's $2.5 billion dairy industry complained that videos showing cows being abused at a southern Idaho dairy unfairly hurt business. The Los Angeles-based animal rights group Mercy For Animals released the videos, which showed workers at Bettencourt Dairy beating cows in 2012.
Idaho Asks Judge To Toss 'Ag Gag' Challenge From Animal And Civil Rights Activists
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