Citing the need for increased legal protections for all animals, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey issued his first veto since taking office to strike down a bill that would have removed cows, pigs, chickens and other farmed animals from the definition of “animal” in the state’s anti-cruelty statute.





“I know we all agree that animal cruelty is inexcusable, unacceptable, and absolutely will not be tolerated in the state of Arizona,” the governor wrote in a statement to the House of Representatives. “No animal should be the victim of abuse. Moreover, perpetrators must be held to account and properly penalized to the fullest extent of the law.” Read the Governor’s full statement here.





Governor Ducey's decision to veto the anti-animal bill comes after a massive outpouring of opposition to the legislation. Thousands of Arizona residents emailed, called and visited the Governor’s office in the last week urging him to veto the bill.







Mercy For Animals praises Governor Ducey for recognizing that farmed animals are every bit as capable of experiencing fear, pain and suffering as our beloved dogs and cats, and that they deserve the same legal protection from abuse and neglect.