Oregon Lawmakers Ban Battery Cages
Pets, Hens, Benefit from New Laws

 

Oregon lawmakers in 2011 approved a host of measures to improve the welfare of animals in Oregon, including groundbreaking new legislation to ban inhumane “battery” cages and protect hens used for commercial egg production.

 

The hen-care legislation, SB 805, passed the Oregon House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support and was signed into law by Gov. John Kitzhaber on June 17. The legislation, strongly backed by the Oregon Humane Society, ends the use of small and inhumane battery cages to confine hens.

 

“Oregon law now bans battery cages and set a new bar for animal welfare by enacting, for the first time, comprehensive animal care standards for hens. Oregon is a national leader on this issue,” said Sharon Harmon, executive director of OHS. Senate President Peter Courtney, who sponsored the bill, described it as an “Oregon solution” that gained the backing of Oregon egg producers and the OHS.

 

The law requires Oregon egg producers to invest an estimated $65 million over the next 15 years to phase in an “Enriched Colony System ” of hen housing and animal care that has gained the scientific endorsement of the American Humane Association. The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association says Senate Bill 805 “establishes a certification program that will provide the nation’s strongest welfare standards for commercial layer birds.”

The law bans cramped, confining battery cages and requires that hens have enough room to stand up, turn around, spread their wings and access perches, nesting boxes and scratching areas. It also enacts a comprehensive set of care standards that provide improved ventilation, lighting, nutrition and waste management.

Other bills backed strongly by OHS that gained legislative approval in the just-ended session include:

 

Abandoned Animals, HB 3111: Expedites process for abandoned animals at vet clinics, allowing them to be adopted faster (signed into law by the Governor).

 

Animal Forfeiture, HB 3041: Authorizes district attorneys to petition courts to seek forfeiture of animals alleged to have been abused, thus allowing the animals to be placed in adopted homes (signed into law by the Governor).

 

Animal Sexual Assault, HB 3239: Requires a person convicted of sexual assault of an animal to be reported as a sex offender (passed both chambers and awaits the Governor’s signature).

 

Pet Protective Orders, SB 616: Authorizes courts to provide for the safety of animals when issuing restraining orders under the Family Abuse Prevention Act. This bill addresses the fact that spouses may be hesitant to seek a restraining order from an abusive partner if they know their pets will remain with the partner and be subject to possible abuse (signed into law by the Governor).

 

Shark fin ban, HB 2838: To combat the decline in shark populations and help end the cruel practice of de-finning sharks, this bill prohibits Oregonians from possessing or selling shark fins (signed into law by the Governor).

 

OHS will fight in future legislative sessions for a bill that did not get out of committee this year, HB 3238, which would have increased jail time for animal abusers. The bill would have elevated sentencing guidelines for individuals convicted of felony aggravated animal abuse.