Sen. Merkley To Announce Legislation to Ban Cruelty Videos

 

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley will appear at the Oregon Humane Society Sept.  2  at 10:00 am to announce his plans to introduce federal legislation banning the sell of “crush” videos  depicting the torture of small animals.

 

Senator Merkley will be joined by OHS officials who are in the front lines of fighting animal cruelty. OHS strongly supports legislation that will prohibit the sale of videos showing the torture and death of animals.

 

The purpose of the bill he plans to introduce is to halt the distribution of videos in which small animals are killed by crushing or other cruel methods. The US Supreme Court recently overturned a 1999 law banning depictions of animal cruelty due to certain ambiguities in the wording and infringing on First Amendment right to free speech.  Merkley's new bill would be more narrowly tailored to  specifically addresses Crush videos. Hunting, fishing and trapping videos would be exempt, along with videos depicting customary veterinary and animal husbandry practices.

 

"It’s statistically proven that people who commit violence against animals are often the same people who engage in violence against people, particularly against women and children. Because the Oregon Humane Society is serious about fighting animal cruelty, we strongly support Sen. Merkley's efforts to outlaw these horrific videos," said Sharon Harmon, Executive Director of OHS.

 

 

When: 10:00 am,  Thursday,  Sept. 2

Where: Oregon Humane Society (main lobby), 1067 NE Columbia Blvd., Portland, OR
What: Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley to hold an event regarding plans to ban the interstate commerce of “crush videos.”