An Open Letter to the Public
from the TN Farm Bureau President
Dear All,
I want to take this opportunity to address the animal cruelty bills before the Legislature. First of all let me say that none of us at Farm Bureau condone animal abuse in any form including failure to properly feed and water livestock. Farmers rely on animals for their livelihoods and they take very seriously their moral obligation to care for their animals.
I am a lifelong farmer. I grew up showing and caring for cattle. My children also enjoyed showing livestock in 4-H and FFA and now my grandchildren are showing cattle and sheep in 4-H and FFA. Our entire family loves the farm life and taking care of livestock. Both my son and I graduated from the University of Tennessee with bachelors and masters degrees in animal science and we presently raise beef cattle and sheep. As a family we know that we are blessed to be stewards of God's land and I agree with you 100 percent that it's our moral obligation to care for those animals.
Contrary to what has been reported, Tennessee's current animal abuse laws are responsible and strict. The Animal Legal Defense Fund ranks Tennessee's animal cruelty laws in the upper tier nationwide. (ALDF was founded in 1979 by attorneys interested in promoting anti-cruelty laws and the humane treatment of animals.)
Under Tennessee's Animal Cruelty statute, failure to feed and water livestock is a crime. Violation carries a penalty of up to 11 months and 29 days in jail, and a fine of up to $2,500. That's 11/29 and $2,500 that can be applied to each animal found to be abused.
Officials tell us that most first-time horse and cattle abuses are committed by well-meaning individuals who underestimate what it takes to keep up livestock, or simply run out of money to care for their animals. In those cases, a misdemeanor charge is usually sufficient to correct the problem. A second offense is a felony under the present law.
The Farm Bureau supports swift and firm punishment for those that mistreat animals. Current animal cruelty laws are sufficient if enforced by the justice system. The bills presently before the House and Senate that make a first offense of animal cruelty a felony would do nothing to improve the situation and would actually make it more difficult to get a conviction.
Farm Bureau thinks the current animal cruelty laws are sufficient if enforced properly and we also believe that we need to do a better job of educating those people who do not understand the proper care of horses and other farm animals.
Please write or call if we need to discuss the issue further.
Lacy Upchurch, President
Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation
931-388-7872
