Prop 64 (anti-consumer, pro-business) Helps Pork Farm Win Suit Dismissal

A disappointing follow-up on yesterday's article about Farm Sanctuary's suit against Corcpork: The Wednesday June 15 Los Angeles Times has an article headed, "Pork Farm Wins Suit Dismissal." (Pg C2)

Before the last election, PETA members got calls that played a taped phone message from Ingrid Newkirk urging them to vote against Proposition 64. Today's article about Farm Sanctuary's suit shows us why.

We read:

"A Los Angeles judge Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit brought by an animal rights group that accused a Central Valley farm of mistreating pregnant pigs, saying a ballot measure passed last year rendered the case invalid.

"Farm Sanctuary, which operates a shelter for rescued farm animals in Orland, Calif., sought to force Corcpork Inc. of Corcoran to stop housing its 9,000 pregnant sows in individual metal stalls barely larger than the pigs. The group hoped to apply a provision of the state's anti-cruelty statute, which makes it a misdemeanor to deprive an animal confined in an enclosed space of 'an adequate exercise area."

About the Proposition:
"In the months since Proposition 64 passed, businesses have attempted to use it to scuttle pending lawsuits targeting corporate behavior. The measure bans private parties from suing a business unless they were harmed personally and financially by the alleged misconduct."

Unfortunately the pigs are unable to sue. The environment has similar difficulty so Proposition 64 will block much environmental effort as well.

You can read the full article on line at:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-pork15jun15,1,5728062.story?coll=la-headlines-business OR http://tinyurl.com/8d3ue

Regardless of whether such suits against animal abuse industries succeed, they generate publicity about unconscionable practices. We must take every opportunity to spread the word, and this story presents a great opportunity. Please send a letter to the editor at letters [at] latimes.com. You might want to use http://www.factoryfarming.com/gallery/pigs6.htm as a resource.

Always include your full name, address, and daytime phone number when sending a letter to the editor. Shorter letters are more likely to be published.


(DawnWatch is an animal advocacy media watch that looks at animal issues in the media and facilitates one-click responses to the relevant media outlets. You can learn more about it, and sign up for alerts at http://www.DawnWatch.com. If you forward or reprint DawnWatch alerts, please do so unedited -- leave DawnWatch in the title and include this tag line.)