A proposed Oregon ballot initiative, the People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions (PEACE) Act, is sparking debate and raising concerns among hunters, ranchers, and agricultural communities. While the measure faces an uphill battle for passage, its very existence serves as a “cautionary tale” for other states, according to those closely watching the situation.
Initiative Petition 28 (IP 28) aims to significantly alter Oregon’s animal cruelty laws by removing exemptions currently afforded to activities like hunting, fishing, livestock production, and research. To qualify for the November ballot, the initiative needs 117,173 valid signatures by July 2nd. As of today, , organizers have collected approximately 100,000 signatures.
Amy Patrick, policy director and lobbyist for the Oregon Hunters Association, believes the initiative is unlikely to pass but emphasizes the importance of recognizing the underlying threat to traditional outdoor pursuits and agricultural practices. “I think Oregon is almost always a cautionary tale for other states” due to its “sharp urban-rural divide,” she said. The initiative’s core premise – fundamentally changing how “minimum care,” abuse, and neglect are defined – has raised alarms about the potential criminalization of common farming and ranching practices.
David Michelson, chief petitioner of IP 28, acknowledges the long odds of success but frames the effort as part of a broader, long-term strategy to shift societal norms regarding animal rights. He argues that the initiative is intended to prompt a public discussion about the ethical implications of human interactions with animals. “When voters in Oregon are asked—for the first time in world history—whether they would like to protect animals from slaughter, hunting, experimentation, and forced breeding, I believe those conversations will help wake us up to how we currently relate to animals and illuminate what alternative relations are possible,” Michelson stated on the campaign’s website.
Not the First Attempt
This isn’t the first time animal rights activists have attempted to enact similar legislation in Oregon. Patrick notes that two previous ballot initiative petitions failed to gather enough signatures to reach the ballot. The current effort echoes a similar measure, Initiative 16 (the Protect Animals From Unnecessary Suffering (PAUSE) Act), which failed to qualify for the ballot in Colorado in 2021. Patrick suggests activists may be attempting to leverage a similar demographic – a large metropolitan population – in Oregon as they did in Colorado.
Michelson, however, stated he wasn’t directly involved with the Colorado initiative. Patrick believes that many who sign petitions supporting IP 28 may not fully understand the scope of the proposed bans. She recounts an instance where a petitioner told her the initiative related to a ban on “primate research,” without mentioning the potential impacts on hunting, fishing, and animal agriculture.
‘Historic Defeat’ Anticipated
Despite the concerns, both Patrick and Selah Tenney, a rural Oregon resident, anticipate a resounding defeat for IP 28 if it makes it to the ballot. Patrick says her organization is actively working to raise awareness about the initiative and mobilize opposition. “We plan to hand it one of the most historic defeats that we have seen in Oregon,” she declared.
Tenney, who raises sheep on her 20-acre property near Roseburg, Oregon, views Michelson as an “extremist.” She believes the initiative would effectively criminalize the livelihoods of many rural Oregonians. “I really don’t think this measure would have a chance as it is so ridiculous. If it did by some miracle pass, then there aren’t enough prisons in the country to house all of us ‘lawbreakers,’” she said.
A Long-Term Strategy for Animal Rights
Michelson concedes that IP 28 is unlikely to pass, acknowledging that a majority of Oregon voters are not yet prepared to abandon practices like hunting, fishing, and animal agriculture. However, he believes each attempt to advance such measures incrementally shifts public opinion towards greater acceptance of animal rights. He draws a parallel to the decades-long struggle for women’s suffrage, arguing that achieving significant social change requires sustained, long-term effort.
Michelson envisions a future where human needs can be met without causing harm to animals. He suggests exploring alternative approaches and encouraging people to view wildlife with the same compassion they extend to companion animals like dogs and cats. “All animals have personality, needs for care, affection and play,” he said.
Strong Hunting and Agricultural Communities
For now, Patrick believes Oregon’s hunting and agricultural traditions remain secure, but she cautions that the growing sentiment in favor of animal rights is something to be mindful of. Oregon offers robust hunting opportunities for species like blacktail deer, Rocky Mountain elk, and Roosevelt elk. The state’s ranching industry also plays a vital role in its economy.
Patrick suggests that even in urban areas like Portland, there will be resistance to the initiative, particularly given the strong emphasis on locally sourced food, including meat from family-run ranches. “That aspect will create pushback, even in our urban areas,” she said.
