Initiative Petition 28 (IP 28) asks Oregon voters to dramatically redefine animal abuse in state law by making the killing or injury of animals illegal. While the language may sound straightforward, the implications are sweeping. IP 28 would fundamentally alter Oregon’s animal abuse statutes in a way that criminalizes longstanding, lawful, and necessary activities across agriculture, natural resource management, and daily life.

 

Most concerning for agriculture, IP 28 would redefine “sexual assault” to include routine breeding practices, potentially applying this classification to livestock, equine operations, and even domestic pets. This would expose farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, breeders, and animal owners to criminal liability for standard, humane practices that are essential to animal health, food production, and genetic management.

 

The passage of IP 28 would effectively turn Oregon into a “no kill or harm” sanctuary state, eliminating in-state meat, dairy, and animal protein production. Oregonians would be forced either into a vegan lifestyle or to rely on food shipped in from other states or countries. This would increase food costs for families, undermine local food security, and make Oregon dependent on the national and global food supply chain.