Animal Terrorists
If you read that headline and have images of dogs and cats running around with submachine guns, you may be watching the PETA channel. Recently the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act of 2006 - a clear victory of farmers against animal rights terrorists, according to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.
Tom Thieding, executive director of public relations for the Farm Bureau said animal rights terrorism is now one of the top domestic terrorist threats. Who would have figured that al Qaeda and PETA had links to one another. Just kidding. But on a more serious note, it's hard not to get ticked off at someone who is messing with your livelihood. A few years back these animal sympathizers let loose hundreds of animals on a Plymouth mink farm. I imagine strains of "Born Free" were running through their minds as these animals scurried off into the great unknown. Take it from someone who has tried to trap a wild mink, rounding up these wily creatures isn't an easy task. Wisconsin is one of the largest veal and mink producing states in the country (oh thank goodness we're not known as the mink state), and these farmers are the constant target of the animal rights community.
One year our kids had to wear buttons while working in the dairy exhibit at the Fond du Lac County Fair that informed folks that they were caring for their animals responsibly. And why wouldn't we? Animals in the ag industry are our bread and butter. We depend on them to put food on our tables so why wouldn't we take the extra pains in time, money and effort to ensure the best of care for our four-legged investments. I also take issue with some of the scare tactics this group and groups like them employ to sway the opinions of the general public that does not have any idea of how animals are really treated on (the great majority) farms. Take a moment to visit one of their activist web sites and you can bet they will show pictures of malnourished or mistreated animals. This is the exception not the norm.
Under this law, it would allow law enforcement expanded legal options to catch and prosecute persons who threaten the lives of ranchers and farmers and the animals they raise, and not wait for actual damage to take place. This would include intimidation, threats, disruption of markets, in addition to actual damage of property. Special thanks goes to Rep. Tom Petri for authoring the bill.
Yes, those who mistreat or neglect their animals should be taken to task, but within parameters of the law. Those thinking of tampering with animals on a farm should beware that there's something out there with teeth besides the family farm dog.
If you read that headline and have images of dogs and cats running around with submachine guns, you may be watching the PETA channel. Recently the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act of 2006 - a clear victory of farmers against animal rights terrorists, according to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.
Tom Thieding, executive director of public relations for the Farm Bureau said animal rights terrorism is now one of the top domestic terrorist threats. Who would have figured that al Qaeda and PETA had links to one another. Just kidding. But on a more serious note, it's hard not to get ticked off at someone who is messing with your livelihood. A few years back these animal sympathizers let loose hundreds of animals on a Plymouth mink farm. I imagine strains of "Born Free" were running through their minds as these animals scurried off into the great unknown. Take it from someone who has tried to trap a wild mink, rounding up these wily creatures isn't an easy task. Wisconsin is one of the largest veal and mink producing states in the country (oh thank goodness we're not known as the mink state), and these farmers are the constant target of the animal rights community.
One year our kids had to wear buttons while working in the dairy exhibit at the Fond du Lac County Fair that informed folks that they were caring for their animals responsibly. And why wouldn't we? Animals in the ag industry are our bread and butter. We depend on them to put food on our tables so why wouldn't we take the extra pains in time, money and effort to ensure the best of care for our four-legged investments. I also take issue with some of the scare tactics this group and groups like them employ to sway the opinions of the general public that does not have any idea of how animals are really treated on (the great majority) farms. Take a moment to visit one of their activist web sites and you can bet they will show pictures of malnourished or mistreated animals. This is the exception not the norm.
Under this law, it would allow law enforcement expanded legal options to catch and prosecute persons who threaten the lives of ranchers and farmers and the animals they raise, and not wait for actual damage to take place. This would include intimidation, threats, disruption of markets, in addition to actual damage of property. Special thanks goes to Rep. Tom Petri for authoring the bill.
Yes, those who mistreat or neglect their animals should be taken to task, but within parameters of the law. Those thinking of tampering with animals on a farm should beware that there's something out there with teeth besides the family farm dog.
posted by the farmer's wife @ 2:06 PM
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