For Immediate Release:
March 17, 2014
Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382
Phoenix, Ariz, – In the aftermath of PETA’s recent news blitz with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio against Arizona’s proposed “ag-gag” bill, lawmakers have rewritten the measure, but PETA still opposes the GOP-backed bill’s lessening of penalties for farmed-animal abusers, as does TV icon and lifelong Republican Bob Barker. He has just penned an urgent letter on PETA’s behalf to every GOP member of the state Senate urging them to reject the measure. Barker’s letter, available here, outlines how the amended bill would strip farmed animals of legal protections and hamper the prosecution of abuse on factory farms. He shares Mary Matalin’s video message to highlight how PETA has worked with officials around the country to achieve landmark convictions against abusers, who may instead be protected if the bill is passed. Joining Barker in continued opposition is Arpaio, who created his maverick anti-cruelty division to crack down on animal abuse and is concerned that the amended bill might let abusers run free. I thought you might like to cover this update about Barker, as the bill has passed the House and now heads into a Senate committee.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
