Ohio Reaches Deal with Animal Rights Interests

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland (D) has reportedly announced that the state has reached an agreement with The Humane Society of the United States so that a state constitutional proposal addressing animal-care reforms will not appear on the ballot in the fall. Under the agreement, animal rights interests will work with various state agencies to take action on farm animal care and welfare in exchange for the Humane Society not submitting more than 450,000 signatures to qualify an initiative for inclusion on the November 2, 2010, ballot. The agreement addresses, among other matters, a phase out of hog gestation crates, a transition to group housing for veal calves and the denial of permits to new egg facility applicants based on permitting standards calling for the use of battery cages. Also covered by the agreement are regulations for dog breeding kennels, the possession of dangerous animals and increased penalties on those engaging in cockfighting. See The Columbus Dispatch, June 30, 2010.