Understanding Ag-Gag Laws and How They Undermine Animal Justice
If someone secretly filmed a child being abused in a daycare, the public would demand justice. But if someone films animal abuse at a factory farm or puppy mill, they might go to jail.
That’s the logic behind ag-gag laws and it’s exactly why they’re dangerous.
What are ag-gag laws?
Ag-gag laws criminalize undercover investigations of agricultural operations. They were designed by the livestock and food production industries to silence whistleblowers and shield the public from the truth about how animals are treated behind closed doors.
The laws vary, but often target:
Filming or photographing inside factory farms or slaughterhouses
Misrepresenting yourself to gain employment at such facilities
Distributing undercover footage that portrays abuse, neglect, or unsanitary conditions
Where does New York stand?
New York has considered ag-gag legislation in the past, but it hasn’t passed, yet. That’s the good news. The bad news is that lobbying pressure is intense. Bills are still being introduced quietly, with language designed to sound like “biosecurity” or “trespassing” protections.
Why these laws are a threat:
They block evidence. Prosecuting cruelty cases is already difficult. Remove whistleblower video, and many cases vanish entirely.
They chill activism. Rescuers and advocates risk felony charges for exposing crimes.
They prioritize corporate image over animal welfare.
At LAW, we know how critical video evidence is to animal abuse cases. Without it, you’re asking a jury to trust vague descriptions and hope that the perpetrators admit guilt, which they don’t. We use that footage. We’ve built cases on it. And we’ll fight any law that tries to bury it.
Animals trapped in factory farms, puppy mills, or transport trucks can’t speak for themselves. If these laws pass, no one else will be allowed to speak for them either.