Rhode Island Considers Better Protection of Farm Animals

AWI staff traveled to Rhode Island in February to testify in favor of S 2192 and S 2032, bills to ban tail docking of cattle and to create an online animal abuser registry. AWI also joined a coalition supporting S 2191, a bill to prohibit the cruel use of intensive confinement crates for calves raised for veal and gestating sows. S 2191 requires that these animals be housed in a manner that allows them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs. Several states have passed similar laws, and some large producers claim they are phasing out their use.