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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Idaho dairymen seek to join defense of ag video law

Associated Press

BOISE – The Idaho Dairymen’s Association is asking a federal judge to allow the industry group to intervene in a lawsuit against a new law that makes it illegal to secretly film animal abuse at agricultural facilities.

The dairymen’s association filed a motion to join Idaho Gov. Butch Otter and Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden as a defendant in the lawsuit late last week.

A coalition of animal activists, civil rights groups and media organizations sued the state last month, asking U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill to strike down what they call an “ag gag” law. The coalition contends that the law criminalizes whistleblowing by curtailing freedom of speech, and that it makes gathering proof of animal abuse a crime with a harsher punishment than the penalty for animal cruelty itself.

Proponents of the law say it prevents animal rights groups from unfairly targeting agricultural businesses.