PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – A petition to ban hunting, fishing, and the commercial slaughter of animals in Oregon has failed to qualify for the November ballot.
Initiative Petition 28, also called the PEACE Act, aimed to expand animal cruelty protections in Oregon by effectively giving “all” animals the same protections currently in place for dogs and cats, supporters say.
Opponents argued the measure would go much further, potentially criminalizing hunting, fishing and raising animals for food.
The IP-28 group turned in 142,784 signatures on July 2, and needed 117,173 signatures that are checked and approved to get the measure on the ballot in November.
The petition failed the first round of signature verification on July 16, and failed the second verification of a larger group of signatures on Friday, according to the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office.
Governor Tina Kotek expressed relief in a statement after IP-28 failed to make it on the November ballot.
“I’m relieved IP-28 failed to qualify for the November ballot,” Kotek said. “Efforts to criminalize activities like hunting and fishing are wrong for Oregon. I know from conversations with Oregonians across the state that this measure would have done nothing to help them. This is a win for tribal leaders, family farmers, ranchers, and every Oregonian who cares about protecting our lands and wildlife.”
Republican State Senator Christine Drazan also released a statement about the petition’s failure.
“The people behind IP 28 will be back, and so will the next extremists with another extreme idea,” Drazan said. “Oregon has paid the price for bad ballot measures before, and we can’t afford to make that mistake again. Rather than waiting for them to come after Oregon families, communities and businesses again, it’s time we fight back.”
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