Oregon finally has a state law prohibiting animal “crush” videos. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has signed House Bill 4145 into law — prohibiting the visual recording of animals being intentionally injured or killed. The new law also prohibits people from encouraging the torture or killing of animals on camera. Sharing, copying, or funding animal crush videos is now a misdemeanor in Oregon thanks to the new law.
The legislation — sponsored by Representative David Gomberg and Senator James Manning Jr. — received little resistance after Oregon man David Christopher Noble was indicted for his role in the torture and killing of baby monkeys. Noble pleaded guilty to “conspiring to engage in animal crushing and creating and distributing animal crush videos,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Oregon.
While Noble was arrested and sent to federal prison because he broke federal laws, Oregon prosecutors were unable to charge him at the state level as there was no law against promoting or funding animal crush videos. Now, future offenders who commit these acts may be held accountable by the state as well.
“The filming and distribution of animal crush and torture videos have become a pervasive problem in the age of social media,” Oregon State Representative David Gomberg told Lady Freethinker. “It happens – and it happens right here in Oregon. This bill finally gives local prosecutors the tools they need to put a stop to these heinous acts. I’m proud to see Oregon take such a crucial step in protecting animal welfare.”
The new law goes into effect on January 1, 2025.
Lady Freethinker applauds Oregon for passing this critical legislation.
We also thank the more than 38,000 readers and activists who signed our petition in support of this law. LFT and Action for Primates first began uncovering the horrifying world of online monkey torture videos in 2021 and have been working to stop the abuse ever since.
We urge other states to follow Oregon’s lead in cracking down on materials encouraging animal abuse and torture.
