OkcPets Magazine March 2023

16 OKC Pets • March / April 2023 have prohibited the legislature or state agencies from passing laws or regulations that would take away the right to employ agricul- tural technology and livestock production “without a compelling state interest.” Armstrong says, “He was extremely effective in his role as Oklahoma attorney general, taking on several major poultry producers for polluting our Oklahoma rivers and waterways. I was fortunate to work with Drew again in 2016 as a member of the campaign team and political action committee, the Oklaho- ma Stewardship Council, in defeating State Question 777, the so-called Right To Farm state question. Had that harmful mea- sure passed, it would have had devastating consequences for the well-being of Oklahomans, the environment, and animal welfare. General Edmondson’s leadership in that effort was invaluable and a key component of that success.” For Edmondson, the bill was more insidious than its supporters portrayed it. “It would have placed agriculture in the Oklahoma Consti- tution as a protected industry with zero oversight,” Edmondson says. “No other industry in Oklahoma — not oil and gas, not banking, not legal — nobody has that kind of protection.” The widespread concern was that all agricultural practices would have little to no restrictions or legal recourse on land use, environmental practices, and treatment of animals — for all time. Although early polling indicated that the measure would pass by a wide margin, it ultimately failed in a landslide on election day, thanks in part to Edmondson’s vocal opposition. “Drew is consistent with the message that the best part of being an Oklahoman is to be concerned about animals,” says Tolbert. “He called bull on the idea that caring about animals is somehow alien to what it means to be an Oklahoman.” Promoting Humane Treatment of FarmAnimals These days, Edmondson remains active in the welfare of animals, not just in Oklahoma but also nationally. He is founder of the National Law Enforcement Council for Animal Wellness Foundation, a nationwide coalition of attorneys general and district attorneys. He also advocates for the humane treatment of farm animals, including chickens and pigs. “We still have in our head that agriculture looks like Uncle Hen- ry and Auntie Em and chickens running around in the barnyard and cows in the corral. And it’s not realistic. That’s not what agri- culture looks like anymore,” Edmondson says, referring to giant industrial confined-animal feeding operations, known as CAFOs. “Our efforts have not been to ban industrial or foreign-owned hog farms but to make pig farming more humane in our state. With millions raised in Oklahoma — more than two million pigs annually on 33 corporate farms — let’s at least treat them well before they are slaughtered and let’s ensure they are slaughtered in a humane way. Everyone can agree with that.” Edmondson says he will continue to fight for limitations on large hog operations in Oklahoma, especially the use of ex- treme-confinement gestation crates that don’t allow sows to turn around or even stand up. “These pregnant pigs are caged their entire adolescent and adult lives through multiple pregnancies, and I think that’s cruel be- cause pigs are sentient animals. Ironically, they are as intelligent, if not more so, than dogs,” says Edmondson. “It’s cruel. We aren’t interested in banning industrial pork production; we just want to make it more humane.” Kimberly Weiss, DVM 1916 NW 39th St – OKC (405) 525-2255 clinic@healinghandsvetcenter.com We al so treat birds, pocket pets and exo tics SERVICES • Acupuncture • Chiropractic • Dental • Vaccinations • Digital X-Rays • Therapeutic Laser • Neuters • Phovia Light Therapy 405-279-9313 www.calltripleplay.com MARCH MADNESS Keep your friend comfortable with a $53 Spring AC Tune up