Court Rejects Downer Law

Yesterday, the Supreme Court blocked a Humane Society of the United States-sponsored law that would require the euthanasia of downed livestock, preventing them from entering the food supply. The law won the vote in 2009, but cannot go into effect due to its violation of federal regulations instituted by Congress that control slaughterhouse policy. California sought stronger laws concerning sick and immobile livestock following an HSUS undercover investigation in 2008 that showed workers abusing and dragging downed cows at a Southern California facility. The National Meat Association considers the Supreme Court’s ruling a victory, while animal-welfare activists are dismayed by the decision.