Veto Pressure Building Over Animal Cruelty Bill

The Humane Society of the United States is running ads until Gov. Bill Haslam signs or vetoes the animal cruelty bill. Image courtesy HSUS

The Humane Society of the United States has wasted no time since the passage of an animal cruelty bill aimed at their undercover work. The group is running ads to urge the veto of legislation that narrowly passed the Tennessee General Assembly.

The TV spots, running in Nashville and Knoxville, show video of convicted walking horse trainer Jackie McConnell clubbing a horse across the face. It asks viewers to call Gov. Bill Haslam.

“Tell him to veto this bill and stop the animal cruelty cover up,” the ad says.

The legislation requires that anyone intentionally taking photos or video of abuse must turn over unedited copies to police within 48 hours.

“It’s a waste of law enforcement’s time to give law enforcement something that’s uncooked,” HSUS president Wayne Pacelle said.

Animal activists say they also fear that in rural areas a sheriff might tip off a potential offender.

Representatives of the HSUS and other animal rights groups held a press conference at the state capitol Monday. They were joined by the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government and the Tennessee Broadcasters Association. Both organizations say the so-called “ag gag” bill violates the First Amendment and the state’s journalist shield law.

Farming officials – who support the bill – say they don’t have the money to run ads of their own.

“We’re not advertising,” says Lou Nave of the Farm Animal Care Coaltion of Tennessee. “We’re just trying to end animal abuse.”

Nave says the Humane Society should not be involved in cracking down on criminal cruelty, which she argues should be left to police.

Edited videos could mislead people who are “a long way from the farm,” she says.

“It could look inhumane, but it could be an accepted livestock practice,” Nave says.

Democratic lawmakers are joining the veto push, but the issue hardly breaks down on party lines. House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh of Ripley voted in favor of the animal cruelty bill.