Target: Tobias Read, Secretary of State, Oregon
Goal: Place and approve a ballot measure that would extend animal cruelty protections to wildlife, livestock, and research animals.
A consequential moment has emerged as advocates work to qualify a ballot initiative that could dramatically change how animals are treated under state law. The proposed measure would remove long-standing exemptions that currently allow certain activities resulting in harm or death to animals, making many such acts criminal offenses if approved by voters. Supporters argue that extending legal protections beyond household pets is necessary to address what they describe as systemic gaps in animal welfare safeguards.
The initiative requires more than one hundred seventeen thousand verified signatures to reach the ballot, with advocates stating they have gathered a substantial portion of that total. If approved, protections that currently apply primarily to dogs and cats would extend to wild animals, livestock, and animals used in research, fundamentally reshaping legal accountability for conduct that allegedly harms animals.
Extending meaningful legal protection to vulnerable animals is increasingly viewed as an urgent ethical and legal issue. Ensuring voters have the opportunity to decide whether longstanding exemptions should remain in place is essential to democratic accountability and the future of animal welfare. This petition therefore calls for full certification of the measure and fair consideration by the public.
PETITION LETTER:
Secretary Read,
We write to express strong concern regarding reports that existing legal exemptions may allow widespread harm or killing of animals without adequate accountability. Advocates for the proposed ballot initiative indicate that the measure would expand cruelty protections to include wildlife, livestock, and research animals, addressing conduct they allege leaves many animals without meaningful legal safeguards.
Supporters have gathered a significant number of signatures toward ballot qualification. Because the outcome could determine whether longstanding practices that allegedly harm animals remain exempt from cruelty laws, the matter carries profound ethical and legal importance for the state.
We respectfully urge your office to ensure complete and timely verification of signatures and to allow voters the opportunity to decide this critical question. Transparent certification and fair ballot access are essential to uphold democratic process and to determine whether stronger reported protections for animals should become law.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Pixabay
