The Ohio State Senate unanimously approved a bill that would strengthen penalties against those who destroy crops, timber, livestock, farm or laboratory equipment. Such crimes would be increased to felonies depending on the amount of destruction and those convicted of such crimes would have to pay fines up to double the loss to the victim.
The bill is targeted a response to reports of animal rights and environmental extremists who have attacked labs and farms.
The Associated Press quoted animal rights activist Ritchie Laymon of Protecting Our Earth’s Treasures as comparing the proposed law to “veggie libel” laws in several states — though surely even an animal rights activist can see the difference between saying “eating meat is bad” and simply destroying farm equipment. According to Laymon those who are victims of such attacks do not usually press charges because,
It would open a can of toxic worms the livestock industry is afraid of.
Not quite. The reason farms usually do not press charges is that police usually do not catch the person doing the vandalizing.
The full text of the proposed law can be read here.
Sources:
Bill would target vandalism, violence. Associated Press, June 19, 2003.
Ag Industry Says Farmers Need Protection Bill. Ohio News Network, June 19, 2003.