PETA Vice President to Discuss Rep. Sweeney's Proposed Ban on Photographing Farm Animals
For Immediate Release:
April 14, 2011
Contact:
Robbyn Brooks 202-483-7382
Des Moines-- PETA Senior Vice President Dan Mathews will hold a news conference at the Capitol on Friday to discuss Iowa House Bill 589, which, if passed, would criminalize photography of farmed animals. The bill, proposed by Rep. Annette Sweeney of House District 44, would keep illegal animal abuse out of sight by preventing investigations like PETA's 2008 investigation of an Iowa pig farm. As a result of that investigation, a total of 22 counts of livestock neglect and abuse were filed against six of the farm's employees.
When: Friday, April 15, 10:30 a.m.
Where: Legislative Dining Room at the Iowa State Capitol, 1007 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
Mathews will screen undercover video footage from the Iowa pig farm investigation and discuss similar investigations across the country in which PETA has worked hand in hand with local, state, and federal law-enforcement agencies. Mathews has asked to meet with Rep. Sweeney to discuss how her bill would impede the enforcement of laws that criminalize abuse of animals. She has not responded.