Target: Maura Healey, Massachusetts Governor
Goal: Amend anti-wiretapping law to allow undercover recordings that expose animal cruelty.
The Massachusetts anti-wiretapping law criminalizes all secret recordings, even those that could expose appalling acts of animal cruelty occurring behind closed doors. This legal barrier effectively silences whistleblowers, allowing horrific abuses to continue with impunity. The need for change is urgent as countless animals endure unspeakable suffering within various industry settings without a chance of being rescued or liberated.
PETA’s undercover investigations have, in multiple instances, unveiled shocking evidence of cruelty that would otherwise remain hidden. For example, workers at a pig farm allegedly kicked a young pig relentlessly, while at a dog-breeding facility, staff reportedly kept dead puppies in cages with their living siblings, subjecting them to continuous distress. Even renowned trainers were recorded apparently admitting their cruelty, illustrating the desperate need for transparency in industries exploiting animals. Without the ability to capture such evidence, abusers may continue their practices without accountability.
The current law not only prevents essential documentation but sends a dangerous message that acts of cruelty can remain concealed from public scrutiny. Calls for legislative change have already been initiated with proposals aiming to protect individuals recording evidence of all types of crimes, including animal abuse. There is an urgent need for lawmakers to amend the anti-wiretapping law to allow whistleblowers to expose these atrocities, thus ensuring the protection of vulnerable animals and fostering accountability.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Governor Healey,
The plight of vulnerable animals in Massachusetts is exacerbated by the state’s anti-wiretapping law, which criminalizes secret recordings intended to expose animal cruelty. Reports have highlighted alarming instances where whistleblowers were unable to capture crucial evidence of abuse due to this restrictive legislation. From disturbing abuses on factory farms to the horrendous conditions at dog-breeding facilities, the current law shields perpetrators while subjecting innocent beings to unchecked suffering.
PETA’s investigations have led to substantial revelations, including apparent confessions of violent acts against animals, showcasing the urgent necessity for change. If recordings taken in the interest of exposing such cruelty remain illegal, Massachusetts will continue to permit abuses to thrive in secrecy. States across the nation have implemented exemptions for whistleblower recordings in similar statutes, and Massachusetts should follow suit.
To protect animals and hold abusers accountable, the Massachusetts State Legislature is urged to amend the anti-wiretapping law to allow for necessary undercover investigations that reveal the truth about animal exploitation. Ensuring this change can protect countless animals from suffering in silence and foster a climate of accountability for those who perpetrate cruelty.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Pixabay
